The Grants Pass Fire Department has recently acquired a state-of-the-art Type 3 wildland engine, thanks to the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM). This acquisition is part of a larger effort to enhance wildfire response capabilities across Oregon, made possible through funding from Senate Bill 762, Oregon’s Wildfire Omnibus Bill passed in 2021.
The new engine, designed by Rosenbauer Emergency Vehicles, is an International cab Type 3 pumper. It is equipped with a Waterous 1000 GPM pump, an auxiliary pump for pump and roll capabilities, and a 750-gallon water tank. This makes the engine highly versatile, suitable for both rapid wildland fire extinguishment and urban firefighting.
Grants Pass Fire Department will manage the engine for the next three years, taking responsibility for housing, staffing, responding, insuring, and maintaining it. Although the OSFM retains ownership, the local department is already outfitting the apparatus and conducting training. They expect the engine to be in service and ready to respond to fires shortly.
This acquisition is part of the Oregon State Fire Marshal Engine Program, which built and strategically placed 76 apparatus around the state. Local agencies could request different types of engines based on their needs, including Type 6 wildland engines, Type 3 wildland engines, or tactical tenders.
In the Rogue Valley, several other fire departments are also receiving new apparatus. The Medford Fire Department and Jackson County Fire District 1 will each receive a Type 6 wildland engine. Additionally, Type 3 wildland engines will be allocated to Jackson County Fire District 3, Jacksonville Fire Department, and Ashland Fire Department. The Williams Rural Fire Protection District will receive a tactical tender.
This enhanced equipment will significantly boost the firefighting capabilities of local departments, enabling quicker and more effective responses to both wildland and urban fires.
For more information about the OSFM Engine Program and its statewide impact, visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website.
