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

View Organizational Chart

emergency medical services

Klamath County Fire District 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 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 of Operations

When asked; How does the District support the community, Chief Hitchcock responds...

"The men and women of KCFD1 are committed to serving the 55,00+ citizens of Klamath Falls and its surrounding areas. We do this through timely, precise and compassionate response and patient care. The responders our community sees when they need help are same responders they’ll see teaching educational courses, walking through the grocery store, plowing snow from a driveway, and interacting on a personal level with all the citizens of Klamath we’re called to protect. KCFD1 isn’t just a “check the box” type of department, we’re the department you can count on to do the right thing, make the ethical decision, and to treat your loved ones with the level of care and advocacy they deserve. We specialize in structure fire suppression, emergency medical services, transportation accidents, technical rescue, wildland firefighting and several other disciplines. District 1 strives to progress in these areas and many others to guarantee the best possible service to the residents of our community."

Andy Hoskins -A-Shift Battalion Chief

When asked; Why is the fire service a great career, Chief Hoskins responds...

"The fire service has allowed me to see all sides of helping people from their greatest days to their worst. It has warranted me the opportunity to raise a family in the same place that I work while advancing through my carrier for the last 24 years."

Toni Brimmer - B-Shift Battalion Chief

When asked; What are some of the best moments you’ve had at District 1, Chief Brimmer responds...

"Particularly REACH fire in July of 2015. This was a very large commercial fire in an out-building adjacent to REACH Inc. With limited resources on scene, the entire building was evacuated of 30+workers. At the conclusion of the fire, the main plant at REACH Inc. was saved, sustaining only minimal fire damage to the structure, additionally there were no injuries to civilians or crews. This rates as a ‘best moment’ because of the great work our crews are capable of, and perform time and time again with limited resources and manpower…seemingly accomplishing the impossible, driven by heart and determination in addition to their hard work and skill.

Some of my best memories surround being on duty during Holidays. In the Fire Service we are part of the fire family. Working over the holidays gives us an opportunity to blend the actual family with the fire family. One Easter, we had 7 of our families with about 18 kids to the station to eat Easter Dinner and had an Easter egg hunt as well. During dinner crews went on 6 calls. The families ended up staying about 5 hours to complete the meal with us! My daughter who is now grown and off to college remembers this as one of her best holidays ever! "

Erick Bishop - C-Shift Battalion Chief

When asked; Why is District 1 a special place to work, Chief Bishop responds...

"Fire District 1 is a special place to work for a few reasons. We reflect the “can do” approach commonly found in communities East of the Cascades. Our team is resilient, strong and dedicated to the community. Klamath County Fire District 1 is one of the larger employers in the region yet maintains a sense of family both internally with our team and externally with our customers."

Operations Division