"Proposed" Harney Basin Rural Fire District Information
Press Release for 2/27/2008
Burns-Times Herald, Burns, Oregon
Harney Basin Rural Fire District
The Harney Basin Rural Fire District (HBRFD) Committee has been working on establishing the proposed boundary of the Rural Fire District. Once established, the RFD must be able to provide some acceptable level of response to everyone within the district boundary. Accurate public input is essential to go forward in creating this needed rural fire district.
Background. We have determined that there are basically 2 Zones within our proposed area (see map). Zone A is mostly within 15 miles of Burns/Hines, with a likely “worst case” response time of 12-15 minutes from the Burns or Hines Fire Station, 90% of the time. Zone B is 16-22 miles from Burns/Hines, with a response time generally greater than 20 minutes. (See map)
The HBRFD Committee recognizes that the rural Harney Basin has very different requirements than many other areas with rural fire districts. We understand that many rural residents have multiple structures on their property and often the “lost cause” argument does not hold true in our area. For example, if you live in Zone B and your house is on fire, the fire department may not make it there in time to save your house but they might be able to protect your barn, shop, equipment, haystack, etc. Or if your haystack catches on fire, the fire department may make it there in time to protect your home and other structures. (See map)
The HBRFD Committee has been working with representatives from the Special Districts Association of Oregon who provide assistance to up-and-coming Rural Fire Districts. We have determined that it will cost approximately $130,000/yr for the first 3 years to run our Rural Fire District. Fire Protection services will most likely be contracted from Burns and Hines. We have determined that IF the RFD Boundary extends out to encompass Zone B (the proposed rural fire district), the cost to residents within the fire district will be approximately $1.30/$1,000 of final taxable value. IF the RFD Boundary only extends to Zone A (opaque green square on map), the cost could be significantly higher, possibly up to $1.75/$1,000 of final taxable value. That is because there is less property within the smaller Zone A to amortize the expenses across. (See map)
Input Needed. The HBRFD Committee would like to hear from residents within the proposed boundary who also do not live within the city limits of Burns or Hines. We need to know if residents in Zone B (response time >20 minutes) are willing to pay $1.30/$1,000 of final taxable value, knowing that it is unlikely the fire engines can save the initial structure that is on fire. We need to know if residents in Zone A are willing to pay up to $1.75/$1,000 of final taxable value if the Zone B residents are not willing to vote in the proposed larger district. (See map)
Here’s what we need to know from you:
1) Are you a resident of Zone A____ or Zone B______
2) Are you willing to pay $1.30/$1,000 final taxable value?
YES_____
NO______
3) Are you willing to pay $1.75/$1,000 final taxable value?
YES_____
NO______
4) Are you interested in being a Volunteer in the RFD (in some capacity)?
YES_____
NO______
A quick turn-around response is critical to meet the deadlines for filing. You can send us your responses via email to:
You can also mail your responses to:
Harney Basin RFD
P.O. Box 1018
Burns, OR 97720
In addition, the HBRFD Committee will be calling residents within both Zones to ensure we have a reasonable expectation of your interest and concerns regarding the funding and servicing of this Rural Fire District.
Thank you for your Input, it is very important!!
Harney Basin Rural Fire District Committee
2/24/2008 4:00 PM