On February 1, 2008, Fire District 11 (the greater Battle Ground area) and Fire District 12 (the greater Ridgefield and La Center areas) consolidated into Clark County Fire & Rescue. This consolidation combined the two fire departments into one operation, but left the two fire districts as separate legal entities.
This newly created department consists of seven fire stations protecting nearly 45,000 residents living in the 120 square miles from the edge of the Columbia River to the eastern edge of Battle Ground.
On November 4, voters in District 12 will be asked to formally approve the merger of the two departments. If approved, this merger will be the final step that creates a single fire district legally known as Clark County Fire & Rescue. Voters in District 12 will experience a slight reduction in their property tax rate as a result of the merger.
The consolidation has allowed the elimination or reduction of duplicate services such as administration, payroll, and budgeting. As a result, the agency has been able to accomplish more with the same amount of funding.
The larger pool of resources that has been made available through the consolidation allows the specialization of various functions where resources were previously limited. These areas include public education and fire marshal services that strive to provide a comprehensive prevention program that best meets the needs of those we serve.
Additionally, with the department’s increased size, we are able to take a more active role in serving the community through long-range planning capabilities, local politics, and by providing enhanced career opportunities to support the local economy.
For additional information regarding the consolidation process, please call Fire Chief Dennis Mason at 887-4609.
