Lookingglass Rural Fire District responded to 18 calls in February. Unfortunately, we were unable to respond to one call due to already being dedicated to another emergency. The missed call was a mutual aid request from Central Douglas Fire & Rescue (CDF&R), as they were also experiencing high call volume and resource shortages across all districts at that time.

However, once LRFD was able to release a unit from our active structure fire call, CDF&R was able to handle the request. This situation highlights the ongoing challenges faced by all fire districts as we work together to protect our communities with the resources available.

We appreciate the dedication of our volunteers and the strong partnerships with our neighboring departments. Thank you for your continued support!

Lookingglass Rural Fire District March Call Report

During the month of March, Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) responded to a total of 17 calls for service. These calls were categorized as follows:

2 Lift Assists

1 Fire Alarm

1 Natural Cover Fire

7 Medical Aids

4 Public Safety Assists

2 Structure Fires

Unfortunately, due to a lack of available volunteers at the time of one emergency, LRFD was unable to respond to a medical call. Fortunately, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue (CDF&R) was the primary medical response agency for this call, and LRFD would have been dispatched in an assisting role. We appreciate the strong partnership we have with CDF&R and other neighboring agencies to ensure emergency services continue even when our department is unavailable.

As a reminder, LRFD is a non-staffed, volunteer fire station and a non-transport medical responder. This means that when a resident calls 911, LRFD is dispatched as first responders to provide immediate aid while awaiting transport units from partner agencies. Within our team, we have volunteers who are certified as Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), allowing us to deliver critical pre-hospital care in emergency situations.

We are excited to share that LRFD has received the SAFER Grant, which provides funding to send volunteers to EMT Basic and EMR courses. We currently have funding available for 9 volunteers to attend an EMT Basic class, with LRFD covering all fees and certification costs. At this time, 3 of our volunteers are attending North Douglas County Fire & EMS night EMT class. Additionally, we have funding for 20 volunteers to attend EMR training to become certified Emergency Medical Responders.

Furthermore, LRFD provides CPR and First Aid certification through a Certified AHA BLS Instructor at our station. We also offer a scholarship of $15,998 for volunteers in good standing. If you have ever considered a career in Fire or Emergency Medical Services (EMS), this is a great opportunity to gain training and experience while serving your community.

We appreciate the dedication of our volunteers and recognize the importance of community support in maintaining our ability to respond effectively. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter or medical responder, we encourage you to reach out and join our team. Together, we can continue to serve and protect our community.

Thank you for your continued support.

Lookingglass Rural Fire District

April 2025 Call Summary – Lookingglass Rural Fire District

During the month of April, our dedicated volunteers responded to 22 emergency calls in the Lookingglass Rural Fire District. Below is the breakdown of incidents:

• Structure Fires: 4
• Fire Alarms: 1
• Natural Cover Fire: 1
• Medical Aids: 10
• Area Coverage (Mutual Aid): 1
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: 1
• Public Safety Calls: 2
• Lift Assists: 2

Area Coverage Note:
In April, LRFD provided area coverage for Tenmile Rural Fire District while their department attended their Annual Awards Banquet. Neighboring districts often rely on one another not only as mutual aid partners during emergency incidents, but also to provide coverage during special events or training sessions. LRFD is proud to support our neighbors, just as they support us. We train together, work together, and step in for each other when needed to ensure all of our communities remain protected.

Missed Response:
We also want to acknowledge that LRFD was unable to respond to one medical aid call during the month due to not having properly trained personnel available at the time. LRFD serves as a first responder for medical calls, providing initial support until ambulance services arrive. Ambulance transport and advanced medical care in our area are handled by Umpqua Valley Ambulance or Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, depending on where in the district the call occurs. These agencies hold the Ambulance Service Area (ASA) responsibilities, and LRFD’s role is to assist them in delivering timely care.

Department Staffing Update:
Although historically a 100% volunteer department, LRFD is currently considered a combination department thanks to funding from the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant. This has allowed us to employ one paid staff member, providing additional support and continuity for our operations. Special recognition goes to Chief Rhodes, whose hard work in applying for and maintaining this grant has made this possible. However, once these SAFER grant funds are depleted, LRFD will return to being a fully volunteer-operated station—unless alternative funding sources can be secured.

Volunteer-Based Commitment:
Lookingglass Rural Fire District remains a primarily volunteer department, and we are proud of the commitment and dedication of our volunteers who balance training, emergency response, and personal lives. We continue to work hard to ensure area coverage and public safety for all who live in or travel through our district.

Thank you for your continued support.

Lookingglass Rural Fire District
Monthly Call Summary – May 2025
 

In the month of May, Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) responded to a total of 31 calls for service, including:

• 5 Natural Cover Fires
• 8 Medical Aid Calls
• 1 Lift Assist
• 10 Public Assists
• 3 Structure Fires
• 1 Illegal Burn
• 1 Smoke Investigation
• 2 Motor Vehicle Accidents

LRFD also provided assistance with 4 controlled burns, directly supporting the community by:

• Checking piles for safety before ignition
• Providing burn guidance and fire safety information
• Supplying an on-site crew with water resources and supervision during the burn

We’d like to remind everyone of a few key burn safety practices:

• Burn piles must always be attended
• Have a water source and fire tools such as a shovel, Pulaski, or rake on hand
• Maintain a 10-foot clear zone around piles, using a mower, weed trimmer, or clearing to bare mineral soil
• If burning on a slope, dig a cupped trench below the pile to catch any rolling material

Staffing and Response Reminder

LRFD operates as a volunteer fire district, with only one full-time paid employee funded through the SAFER grant. This employee is not always stationed at the hall and may be:

• Assisting with training in neighboring districts
• Teaching CPR/First Aid classes
• Participating in or coordinating public events
• Meeting with community members to provide information or support
• Or responding to another emergency call

While we strive to respond to every call, there was one medical aid call in May that we were unable to respond to due to no qualified responders being available at the time.

We want to reassure the community that:

• LRFD acts in a first responder role for medical calls in our area
• The specific call we were unable to assist with occurred in the Central Douglas Fire & Rescue ambulance response area
• CDF&R handled the call without our assistance, and our inability to respond did not affect the outcome of the call

Volunteer With Us

LRFD is always looking for volunteers! If you're interested in giving back to your community:

• Drills are held Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with make-up drills on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
• The first step is to visit our website, fill out a volunteer application, and attend a drill

Cadet Program – Ages 14+

We also offer a Cadet Program for youth starting at age 14. If your student is looking for volunteer hours or is interested in emergency services, we encourage them to fill out an application and attend a drill.

Thank you for supporting your volunteer fire district. With your help, we continue to keep Lookingglass safe and prepared.

Lookingglass Rural Fire District