Pendleton Professional Firefighters Local 2296

10/08/2026

A message from IAFF Local 2296.

We’ve seen the recent discussion surrounding Pendleton’s public safety levy, and we understand the concerns being raised about taxes, City spending, and how public funds are used.

IAFF Local 2296 does not control City budgeting or political decisions. Our responsibility is to represent the firefighters and paramedics providing emergency services to this community, and the need for additional staffing and operational support remains very real.

These challenges are not unique to Pendleton. Our brothers and sisters at Local 2752 (Umatilla County Fire District #1) are also asking their community to consider a local-option levy this November to support staffing and emergency operations.

We respect that every voter has to decide what is best for their household and community. We encourage people to ask questions, review the available information, and make the decision they believe is right.

Regardless of the outcome, firefighters and paramedics across our county will continue showing up and serving their communities with the resources available to them.

10/07/2026

Pendleton, I want to share some information about Measure 30-177, the proposed Fire & EMS Operational Levy on the November ballot.

As your mayor, I believe it is important that our community has clear information about what is being proposed and why.

Since 2018, the number of Fire and Ambulance calls in Pendleton has increased by 64%, from 2,886 calls to more than 4,600 calls each year. During that same period, our fire personnel has increased by 14%.

That growing gap puts significant strain on our firefighters and paramedics and makes it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of our community.

If approved, the levy would provide funding for:
• 6 additional firefighter/paramedics, allowing for an additional ambulance each shift
• 1 diesel mechanic to help keep our engines and ambulances in service
• 1 fire prevention inspector and 1 data analyst/grant writer
• Essential medical and fire equipment, including cardiac monitors

The proposed rate is $1.29 per $1,000 of assessed property value. For a home with the median assessed value of $157,000, that would be approximately $16.88 per month.

I encourage Pendleton residents to take a look at the information, consider the facts, and make the decision that is right for you and your family.

You can find the details of the proposed levy, including the numbers behind the request, on the City's website:

https://www.pendletonor.gov/fire/page/operational-levy

My goal is simply to make sure our community has the information it needs to participate in this decision. Feel free to share this information if you find it helpful!

Photo Courtesy of the City of Pendleton Website

09/29/2026

09/14/2026

Definitions:
Fire type calls are a range of calls including structure fires, ground cover fires, fire alarms, and burn complaints.
Medical calls are calls dispatched with a medical complaint.
Other calls include calls for assistance that don't fit the above categories.
Recall is used to backfill our on-duty crew, or an attempt to staff interfacility transfers with off-duty staff. At any point when less than 4 personnel are available recall is sent in an attempt to backfill back to a minimum staffing of 4 personnel. We have the ability to staff two general medical calls simultaneously without needing to send recall.
Level 1 means we only had one staffed unit (Ambulance or Fire Apparatus) available in the City of Pendleton.
Level 0 means we zero staffed units available in the City of Pendleton.

09/11/2026

B SHIFT would like to thank the Main Street Sidesaddlers and VFW for a delicious breakfast for dinner!
Let er buck!

09/02/2026

Come join our team!

Pendleton Fire & Ambulance is hiring for a paramedic or registered nurse to become our first "Mobile Integrated Health Professional," previously called a "community paramedic."

Details, job description, and application: https://www.pendletonor.gov/jobs

08/19/2026

Last week, our crews responded to a tragic vehicle fire that claimed the life of a young man.

Some incidents seem to stop time for a moment. This was one of them.

Pendleton Fire and our local Oregon State Police partners often find ourselves together in some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable, and over the years that shared experience has built a tremendous amount of trust between our agencies.

We are grateful for the professionalism, compassion, and support shown by our local OSP troopers during this incident, and for the relationship we have built with them over many years of serving this community side by side.

Most importantly, our thoughts remain with the young man’s family and loved ones.