Umatilla Fire responds to emergencies across a community where residential neighborhoods, industry, major transportation routes, and two rivers meet. Our crews prepare for everything from a medical emergency in a family’s home to a structure fire, vehicle extrication, or rescue on the Columbia or Umatilla River.

We serve approximately 28 square miles and a population of approximately 10,000, including Two Rivers Correctional Institution. Our response area includes schools, the Port of Umatilla, McNary Dam and Locks, industrial facilities, data centers, highways, bridges, and rail corridors. That variety demands adaptable firefighters, dependable equipment, and strong working relationships with neighboring agencies.

Our People and Daily Readiness

Our operations bring together union-represented career firefighters, volunteers, and resident interns. Six career shift personnel work a 48-hour-on, 96-hour-off schedule across A, B, and C shifts, with a Lieutenant and Firefighter assigned to each shift. Two career firefighters are on duty each day, supported by a duty officer.

Career crews train daily and maintain the apparatus, equipment, and station readiness essential to emergency response. Volunteers and resident interns strengthen our capabilities while contributing their skills, time, and commitment to the community.

The Right Resources for the Emergency

Umatilla Fire operates from Station 11 in McNary and Station 12 in downtown Umatilla. Station 11 serves as our primary staffed station. Station 12 houses apparatus and the Fire Chief’s Office.

Our fleet supports structural and wildland firefighting, water supply, medical first response, vehicle extrication, water rescue, and access to locations beyond the reach of standard apparatus. Crews select vehicles according to the emergency; multiple apparatus share available personnel.

Chief Officers respond independently in command vehicles to assess conditions, establish command, and coordinate resources. With limited daily staffing, this flexibility also helps us manage overlapping calls and evaluate additional incidents while crews are committed elsewhere.

Working Together When Needs Grow

Some emergencies require more personnel, equipment, or specialized capabilities than one district can provide. Automatic aid, mutual aid, and coordinated response bring neighboring agencies together to meet those demands.

Our commitment extends beyond district boundaries. Umatilla Fire actively participates in Oregon’s state conflagration response, sending personnel and apparatus to assist communities threatened by major wildfires.

Every part of our operations, from daily equipment checks to regional deployments, supports the same responsibility: arriving prepared, making sound decisions, and providing professional, compassionate service when people need help.