Why Sandy Is Talking — Again — About the Future of Fire Protection

For more than 100 years, the Sandy Fire District has been part of the fabric of this community. Many of us grew up seeing the red trucks roll out of the station, knowing our friends and neighbors were the ones answering the call. That sense of local pride hasn’t changed — but the demands on our fire district have. As our community has grown, costs have increased, emergencies have become more complex, and we’ve had to take a hard look at what it takes to keep the Sandy area safe.

In 2023, after years of study, the Sandy Fire District Board decided to contract with Clackamas Fire for all-hazards fire and emergency medical services. At the time, it was a tough decision to make – but it was clearly the correct call. In the time Clackamas Fire has been serving our community, we’ve seen real improvements: stronger staffing, faster response times, enhanced wildfire protection, and access to specialized teams and equipment we simply couldn’t afford on our own. 

In November 2025, we put annexation on the ballot — and it came up just 174 votes short. That close result didn’t discourage us. Instead, what we’ve heard from the community is that people wanted more time, information, and conversation with their neighbors before deciding. So that’s exactly what we’re doing this year: slowing down, opening doors, and inviting folks to ask questions, share concerns, and learn about how modern fire protection works.

We want to talk honestly about costs, service levels, and why we believe joining Clackamas Fire is the most realistic long-term solution for keeping our district safe at the most affordable level for the community.

We also will have the opportunity to highlight some bright spots — like how Clackamas Fire has improved response times and reliability across the district, how responses from our local Clackamas Firefighters have saved lives and property, and how Clackamas Fire, as our local fire department, has continued to invest in community relationships and local events. 

District residents should also be aware of the attention and investment Clackamas Fire has made in our local volunteer firefighter program. As a result of intensive recruitment and training efforts, Dover Station, which is located on Firwood Road, was staffed most nights in 2025. Those volunteers showed up in a big way, responding to 129 calls, and they were supported by an additional rural brush rig during the fire season made possible through a partnership between Clackamas Fire and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Our local fire service is as strong as it has ever been. Annexation would make these improvements permanent and ensure we can keep pace with the needs of a growing community — without duplicating costs or stretching local dollars too thin. 

Between now and May 2026, we’re committed to genuine, two-way conversation. With your participation, we believe voters can make an informed, community-centered choice about the future of fire protection in Sandy.