One station, two fire districts equals full-time protection at Fire Station 151

Amidst rapid population growth, Fire Station 151 on the edge of farm fields transforms with a unique shared staffing model by two fire districts. Fire District 6 will staff the station one-third of the time and Clark-Cowlitz will staff the station two-thirds of the time.

Fire District 6 will staff the station one-third of the time and Clark-Cowlitz will staff the station two-thirds of the time

It was a fire station ahead of its time. Built on the edge of farm fields and the Clark County Fairgrounds, Fire Station 151 has been a lightly-used rural station since its completion in 2001.

But rapid population growth is changing all that.

Now the station, located on the northern border of Fire District 6, is nearly surrounded by massive housing developments–and more are coming. Starting September 1st Clark County Fire District 6 and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue will begin a novel approach of staffing Station 151 full time.

Fire District 6 will staff the station one-third of the time and Clark-Cowlitz will staff the station two-thirds of the time. This arrangement will provide fire and emergency service coverage to the Fairgrounds area, as well as the northern segment of District 6 and southern District of Clark-Cowlitz.

“This is not a common staffing model,” says Clark County Fire District 6 Fire Chief Kristan Maurer. “However, we see it as a cooperative arrangement that solves a number of issues”.

Clark Cowlitz Fire Chief John Nohr says his agency has been staffing the station one-third of the time since last July and agrees that this new arrangement will best serve the community. “Having Fire Station 151 staffed with firefighters around the clock will ensure a higher level of service to residents of Fire District 6 and CCFR,” says Fire Chief John Nohr from Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue. “This cooperative staffing arrangement will be a model for all fire departments in Clark County as we look for ways to more effectively and efficiently serve our residents.”

Both fire chiefs have been working on this model for more than a year, and starting September 1st, the station will be staffed full-time. The building is also used by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and Clark County Fire Marshal’s office.

Both Chiefs Maurer and Nohr are available for Interviews. Chief Maurer can be reached during business hours at (360) 576-1195 or through our Media Line, (360) 524-0995. Chief Nohr can be reached at: (360) 887-4609.

Information provided by Clark County Fire District 6 and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue.