Sandy Fire Measure 3-634 and Where to Learn More

By Clackamas Fire District 

As Sandy voters prepare for the May 19 election, Clackamas Fire wants residents to know where they can find clear, reliable information about Sandy Fire District Measure 3-634 and what it would mean for fire and emergency medical services in the community.

Measure 3-634 was referred to the people by the Sandy Fire Board, and it asks voters whether Sandy Fire should join Clackamas Fire for permanent fire protection and emergency medical services, through a process called dissolution and annexation. Clackamas Fire is already providing those services in Sandy under a temporary contract that began in 2021. This measure asks whether that existing relationship should become permanent.

Since our partnership began, Sandy-area residents have already seen meaningful service improvements. Sandy’s main station now operates with a three-person engine company staffed around the clock, along with a two-person rescue unit operating 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Eagle Creek also has three firefighters on duty 24/7, and during the busiest periods there are now as many as eight firefighters available in the Sandy response area, compared with the previous minimum staffing model of three. 

If approved, annexation would make those improvements permanent. It would also expand rescue coverage from 12 hours a day to 24 hours a day, increase firefighters in the Sandy community, keep the Eagle Creek station staffed 24/7 and the Firwood Road station open, and preserve the Volunteer and Explorer programs. Just as importantly, Sandy residents would gain representation within Clackamas Fire District, including the ability to vote for district board members and on any proposed future district funding measures.

There is a cost difference between the base tax rates of Clackamas Fire and Sandy Fire. Property owners currently pay a permanent fire rate of $2.1775 per $1,000 of assessed value, while Clackamas Fire’s permanent rate is $2.4012. For the median home in the district assessed at $262,390, the estimated difference is about $4.90 per month. Half of homeowners would pay less than that amount. Tax assessed values are typically lower than real market values, and homeowners can find theirs on Clackamas County’s website or a real estate app like Zillow. 

Residents who want to learn more should review the voters’ pamphlet, read the official ballot materials, and visit SandyFire.org, where additional annexation information, FAQs, and other community resources are available. 

Measure 3-634 will decide how fire and emergency medical service should be structured in the years ahead. As that decision approaches, Clackamas Fire encourages residents to review the available materials and learn more about the measure before casting their ballots.