Umatilla County Fire District # 1 received over 25 requests for service in just over an hour Saturday evening during the windstorm. Volunteers and off-duty personnel responded with our duty personnel attempting to handle all emergencies in a timely manner.  Some calls for service had a delayed response, or another agency had to handle the call. Some citizens called the stations directly for assistance.

With all the wind related calls UCFD #1 still ran four emergency medical calls in a two-hour time frame. Our neighbors to the north, Umatilla Rural fire ran approx. 9 calls in that same time frame, so we could not help each other out if we needed too.

UCFD #1 had 32 responders Saturday afternoon staffing five engines, four ambulances, two brush engines, one rescue, two command vehicles and two personnel staffing the incident command post at station 21.

UCFD # 1 wants to thank the Hermiston Police department for all their hard work and commitment as well, they are great partners in our community’s public safety! We also want to thank all the other agencies helping our communities, Oregon Dept. of Transportation, City of Stanfield, Umatilla Electric Coop, City of Hermiston Public works, PP&L, Umatilla County Sheriff’s Department and County Dispatch for all their hard work, dedication during this event. We probably forgot someone but thank you all!

Lastly, a big thank you to all the community members that always step up in these times of need, clearing trees and debris and helping neighbors. That is what makes our area an amazing place to live, work and raise a family.