Operations

suppression

Fire District 1 dedicates approximately 80% of its general fund budget to the Suppression Division. It is staffed with 49 personnel, divided into three shifts responsible for 24/7 emergency response. Each shift is supervised by a Battalion Chief who coordinates daily activities and staffing for those on duty. The Chief of Suppression supervises this division and is responsible to provide administrative support and direction in accordance with departmental goals.

Our fire stations are strategically located throughout the community to provide for a timely response to emergencies. Crews responded to 9,064 calls in 2021, averaging 25 calls per day (view statistics). Depending on the type of call, multiple apparatus may be dispatched to the same call from different stations.

Typical calls for service include:

Fire – Structure, vehicle, wildland, outdoor burn complaint
Rescue – All types of industrial accidents, motor vehicle accidents, building collapse, water rescue, confined space rescue
Hazardous Materials – First response and specialized technician level response to chemical spills
Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) Emergency Medical Response and Transport
Emergent ALS and BLS Inter-facility Transport/Transfer to other hospitals in Oregon
Other - weather related events, public service assistance, hazardous conditions, unauthorized burning

Additional Information

External Links

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emergency medical services

Klamath County Fire District No.1 provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance response and pre-hospital care within a 492 square mile Ambulance Service Area. EMS response accounts for the bulk of work done by our responders. In 2019, 6047 of the KCFD1’s 7795 calls for service were EMS related.

All uniformed KCFD1 personnel are licensed EMTs or Paramedics. KCFD1 was one of the first Fire-EMS organizations in Oregon to create single role EMS positions. The District did this for several reasons; to ensure availability of ambulances for other emergencies during fire responses, to create positions for personnel specialized in the delivery of Emergency Medical Services, to create an alternative entry level position into the organization, and as a cost savings measure.

EMS providers are assigned to one of three shifts. They work alongside fire suppression personnel on emergency scenes, in the stations, and during training events. EMS providers are supervised by Captains and Battalion Chiefs under general direction of the EMS Division Chief and the Medical Director.

KCFD1 staffs three ALS ambulances responding from Station 1, Station 3, and Station 4. Each ambulance is staffed with a minimum of one Paramedic and one EMT. Firefighter Paramedics & Firefighter EMTs supplement EMS staff on ambulances as needed. All 4 front-line KCFD1 engines are equipped to provide ALS response. Klamath County Fire District No.1 utilizes the latest technology, extensive new hire training and continuing education, plus progressive standing medical orders to ensure our patients receive the best pre-hospital medical care available.

KCFD1 EMS providers are equipped with Physio Control LifePak 15 cardiac monitors, Airtraq video laryngoscopes, Stryker Power Cots, and a safe modern fleet of ambulances. KCFD1 EMS partners with Klamath Community College, Rogue Community College, Central Oregon Community College, and College of the Siskiyous by providing opportunities for EMT and Paramedic student internships.

Additional Resources

External Links

View Organizational Chart

Leadership...

Matt Hitchcock - Deputy Chief

I’ve been in the fire service since 1995 starting as a firefighter in the US Air Force. Since then, I’ve been assigned roles such as Captain, Fire Chief, and many others in between at locations in North America, Europe, and Southwest Asia. Klamath Falls became my new home when I was hired by Fire District 1 in December 2017. My responsibilities include the administration of emergency response services delivered by the outstanding men and women of our department. Serving the citizens of Klamath Falls in this capacity is one of the greatest honors of my life.

Andy Hoskins -A-Shift Battalion Chief

I started my fire service career at Shasta College in Redding CA where I received my Associates Degree in Fire Science before completing Butte College’s Paramedic Program. I worked for the forest service for three years and later transferred to a Cal-Fire engine. I spent five years at Shasta Lake City Fire Department while working for a hospital based ambulance in Redding. My career at Fire District 1 started in June of 2000; I promoted to Captain in 2009, and then to Battalion Chief in 2015.

My primary duties include oversight of TeleStaff use, apparatus/fleet issues, wildland firefighting partnerships, hydrant maintenance, run cards, and I participate on the Hazardous Materials Team. I engage on several committees as well.

Toni Brimmer - B-Shift Battalion Chief

I was hired by Fire District No. 1 in 1998 as a Firefighter/Paramedic, and promoted to Captain in 2005. I served on the Klamath/Lake HazMat team for 14 years, acting as HazMat Training Coordinator for 9 years and have also been a National Registry Paramedic for 20 year, serving many times as a Paramedic Preceptor.

My job duties consist of overseeing the Uniform Committee, which includes duty uniforms as well as all Personal Protective Equipment uniforms. I schedule the annual ladder maintenance program, coordinate the annual Advanced Cardiac Life Support classes, and participates in the Incident Command System training. I also am a member of both the EMS Committee and the Safety Committee.

Erick Bishop - C-Shift Battalion Chief

I began his fire service career working for the US Forest Service in 1989. For 10 years I worked primarily in fire where I served as a fire crew member, Assistant Engine Supervisor, Helicopter Rappeller and Incident Medical Specialist. I also worked for Timber, Silviculture, Recreation and Wildlife. I have been an EMT since 1995, Paramedic since 2000 and have been with Klamath County Fire District No. 1 since April 2001 when I was hired as a Firefighter/Paramedic. I promoted to Captain in January 2015 and Battalion Chief in February 2017. In 2005, I started with Klamath Falls Police Department as a Reserve Officer serving the SWAT Team as a Tactical Emergency Medic.

My duties include maintenance of all district facilities, Hose Testing program, Safety Committee Chair, SCBA program and others. However, my primary responsibilities as Battalion Chief are to oversee the safe operations of C-Shift and provide professional service to our community.

Operations Division