To the Editor:

The City of John Day and the John Day Rural Fire Protection District work together to support and fund the John Day Fire Department, which provides fire protection for both entities. Each provides the funding and equipment needed by the John Day Fire Department to provide protection services to us all. And the volunteers of the John Day Fire Department have done an outstanding job serving the public and protecting our community and lives.

Last summer they worked long, hard hours protecting the residents and property in the city and in the rural district. Their hard work, dedication and professionalism prevented what could have been great losses to the community. For that we are grateful beyond words.

They continue to provide these services despite very poor facilities at the current fire station, which is too small and in disrepair. There is no room for training or for maintenance of the fire trucks. There are not enough bays for all the needed equipment, so two of the fire trucks have to be winterized, stored outside and are unavailable for use through half of the year.

I’m asking the public for support of the bond measures to build a new fire station that will better meet the needs of a modern fire department. One that will provide enough room to store and maintain all of our fire trucks, and room for our volunteers for the training required to allow our fire department to meet all of our needs.

The proposed new fire station is nothing fancy or excessive, but it will allow the John Day Fire Department to continue to provide the excellent service and protection we all depend on in our hour of need.

Rob Batten

Board of Directors

John Day Rural Fire Protection District

Canyon City