By Rebecca Wallis
Yamhill County – March 25, 2025
In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, two fire districts—McMinnville and Sheridan—are facing very different challenges, but with one crucial thing in common: they both urgently need support. House Bill 3870, currently under consideration in the Oregon Legislature, represents a strategic investment in the future of public safety for both communities. Now is the time for residents to speak up and ensure this bill is passed.
What Is HB 3870?
HB 3870 appropriates funding from the state’s General Fund to support vital public safety infrastructure across Oregon. Among the many beneficiaries listed in the bill are the McMinnville Fire District and the Sheridan Fire District. The bill sets aside:
- $3,000,000 for McMinnville Fire District to acquire land, plan, and construct a new fire station.
- $3,000,000 for Sheridan Fire District to implement a sustainability initiative that will stabilize operations and address a growing crisis in funding and staffing.
If passed, this bill will allow both districts to protect lives and property with better resources, facilities, and long-term planning. But without public support, the funding may fall short—and so will their ability to serve the community.
Why McMinnville Needs This Bill
McMinnville Fire District is a newly formed district—only two years old—yet it serves a large and rapidly growing population across 98 square miles of fire district and 450 square miles of Ambulance Service Area (ASA). The area’s growth, combined with an aging population, has led to increasing demands for timely and effective emergency medical and fire response.
To meet this demand, HB 3870 would fund a new fire station in the northwest area of the district, a strategic location that improves response times for current and future growth zones. The proposed station replaces an outdated, converted residential home originally built in 1962. That structure was brought into service in 2011 as a temporary EMS-only facility to test the need for expanded coverage. It was never intended as a permanent solution and cannot house a fire engine, which severely limits emergency response capability.
A modern facility would enhance operational readiness, allow housing for full-service fire and EMS units, and provide a safer, more efficient workspace for personnel. Most importantly, it reflects McMinnville Fire District’s commitment to proactively investing in long-term safety and reliability for residents in both the city and surrounding rural communities.
McMinnville Fire Chief Reed Godfrey emphasized the broad impact of this bill, stating:
“I would like to thank sponsors Gomberg, Gorsek, Hudson and Owens as well as co-sponsors McIntire, Anderson, Brock Smith, Marsh, Helfrich, Elmer, Ruiz, Evans and Pham, as well as IAFF Local 3099 and the McMinnville Fire District Board of Directors for their support on this House Bill. Without this type of bipartisan supported funding, fire districts would be unable to successfully sustain the growth we are seeing today and significant increases in call volumes. The McMinnville Fire District will apply these funds in a fiscally responsible way to make sure we provide the best service to all persons in and around the McMinnville Fire District that they deserve. The impact of this bill does not only serve the citizens of the McMinnville Fire District in the city, but moves ambulances and fire apparatus closer to the rural district and our Ambulance Service Area coverage in Yamhill County, decreasing response times to Yamhill, Carlton and Lafayette.”
The $3 million allocation in HB 3870 is not a bailout—it is an impact multiplier. By leveraging state-level investment, it reduces the financial pressure on local residents while enabling McMinnville Fire District to build smart infrastructure that keeps pace with community needs, ensuring faster, more effective fire and medical response.
Why Sheridan Is on the Brink of Collapse
The situation in Sheridan is dire. In a letter from Fire Chief Les Thomas, the Sheridan Fire District revealed that it is on the brink of financial collapse, with only two to three months of operational funding remaining. The district has already reduced its budget from $500,000 to $350,000 and made significant staffing cuts, losing tenured employees and reducing its force of volunteer firefighters from 25 to just 10—only 4 to 6 of whom are currently active.
Sheridan’s challenges are numerous: rising costs for fuel, insurance, EMS supplies, and personnel; decreasing Medicare reimbursements; and a diminished tax base with fewer commercial properties than surrounding areas. Additionally, the district has been unable to successfully recruit or retain volunteers due to the lack of funding and the area’s economic struggles.
HB 3870’s $3 million appropriation for Sheridan Fire District would fund a long-term sustainability initiative, providing operational stability, staffing security, and the infrastructure necessary to meet emergency needs for the residents of Ballston, Buell, and Sheridan.
In Chief Thomas’s words:
“If we do not receive immediate assistance, layoffs, bankruptcy, and the closure of fire stations will occur.”
What’s at Stake
If this bill doesn’t pass, the consequences will be felt across both communities—but in different ways. In Sheridan, the risk is immediate and severe, with potential layoffs, bankruptcy, and fire station closures on the horizon if emergency funding isn’t secured.
In McMinnville, the need is forward-looking. Without HB 3870, the construction of a much-needed northwest fire station could be delayed, impacting the district’s ability to keep pace with growth and increasing demand. While current services will continue, the opportunity to expand coverage, reduce response times, and serve new development areas more efficiently may be postponed—placing additional pressure on existing resources.
Passing this bill ensures both communities can build and maintain the emergency services infrastructure needed to keep residents safe—today and into the future.
Oregonians expect—and deserve—prompt emergency response when fire strikes, when a loved one suffers a heart attack, or when disaster hits. But those expectations can’t be met without public investment. The brave men and women who serve these districts can’t do it alone. They need us now more than ever.
How You Can Help
The good news is that there’s something you can do: submit written testimony in support of HB 3870. Your voice can make a difference in helping legislators understand just how critical this funding is to your community’s safety and future.
Here’s how:
- Visit the Oregon Legislature’s website: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov
- Submit written testimony using the “Submit Testimony” button on the bill’s page
- Or register to give in-person testimony at the upcoming hearing on March 27
- Speak from the heart—describe why emergency services matter to you, your family, or your business
The Bottom Line
HB 3870 is not just about funding—it’s about ensuring the strength and responsiveness of the first-line heroes we all rely on. For Sheridan, it may be the last chance to keep its fire district running. For McMinnville, it’s an opportunity to responsibly build for the future and meet growing demands with the infrastructure they deserve—without shifting the full financial burden onto local taxpayers.
Now is the time to act. Submit your testimony. Share this article. Talk to your neighbors. Tell your representatives.
Because when disaster strikes, we all depend on someone picking up the phone and coming to help. Let’s make sure they still can.
For more information from McMinnville Fire you can find the contact page here. For more information from Sheridan Fire, you can find the contact page here.
Photo Credit: Yamhill County News File
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