Name of Team: State RFPD Funding & Services Advisory Committee (SB 454)
Rev. Date: 11/24/2025
Chartering Group: Governor's Fire Service Policy Council (GFSPC)
Sponsor: Department of the State Fire Marshal
Committee Co-Chairs: Chief Brian Smith, Chief Brian Stewart
Team Kick Off Date: 1/14/26
Proposed Team Sunset: 1/2/27
Mission Statement
- Conduct a comprehensive review of the services provided by, funding mechanisms available to, and funding limitations for rural fire protection districts.
- Develop recommendations to fund rural fire protection districts ensuring adequate and sustainable services.
- Identify future work and any additional recommendations to fund or sustain Oregon's fire service operations.
Problem Statement
Oregon's population is growing. Oregon's fire service partners are responding to an increasing number of emergencies and variety of social needs. Funding mechanisms have not kept pace with increasing needs. Review of services provided, and revenue options are necessary.
Goals & Objectives
- Create a shared understanding of the current state of rural fire protection districts.
- Identify services provided by the Oregon fire service (e.g., EMS, code enforcement, fire suppression, hazmat, training).
- Identify best practices across the fire service.
- Identify problems, gaps, and challenges, including increasing costs, inflation, workforce issues, and other pressures.
- Identify current funding mechanisms and tools used by fire protection districts.
- Identify potential new funding options for sustainable operations.
- Identify funding limitations, such as compression, Measures 5 and 50, tax increment financing (TIF), enterprise zones, and related constraints.
- Develop proposals for lawmakers to improve fire service funding and sustainability.
- Develop a communications plan for fire service members.
Customers
Direct: Rural fire protection districts, Oregonians, and visitors to Oregon.
Indirect: Oregon fire service, cities, counties, districts, unincorporated areas, and state and private businesses.
Feedback Plan
- Reports will be shared at the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council quarterly meetings and during regular operational meetings.
- Recommendations will be shared through a report to the Oregon Legislature per the requirements in Senate Bill 454 (2025).
Scope/Priority
The work of the advisory committee (Governor's Fire Service Policy Council subcommittee) is a high priority and shall meet deadlines established in Senate Bill 454. The rural fire protection district services and funding task force shall report to the relevant public safety committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly on or before December 31, 2026.
Procedures/Meeting Frequency
The advisory committee plans to meet monthly, however more frequent meetings maybe required. Tasks will be assigned and are expected to be worked on between meetings.
Decision Making Process
The taskforce strives for consensus, but should there be disagreements, shall reach recommendations by majority vote based on Robert's Rules of Order meeting process.
Decision Ratifying Body
State fire marshal with advisement from the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council.
Boundary Conditions to Decisions Made
The Committee may make recommendations; however, the final decision to move forward any or all recommendations will be made by the state fire marshal.
How Decisions are Communicated
Approved recommendations will be communicated to the Governor's Fire Service Policy Council and the state fire marshal through a variety of means including but not limited to memorandum, email, website, conference calls, and meetings. Report out to the relevant public safety committee or interim committee of the Legislative Assembly on or before December 31, 2026.
Committee Members (18) and Executive Sponsor (1)
Mariana Ruiz-Temple, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Executive Sponsor
Brian Stewart, Assistant Fire Chief, Clackamas, Taskforce Co-Chair
Brian Smith, Director of Strategic Services, TVF&R, Taskforce Co-Chair
Ben Stange, Fire Chief, Polk County /Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA)
Karl Koenig, President, Oregon State Fire Fighters Council (OSFFC)
Devon Brown, Deputy Fire Chief , City of Medford / Oregon Fire Chiefs Association (OFCA)
Amy Hanifan, Division Chief of Operations, McMinnville Fire District
Trish Connolly, Deputy Chief of Administration, League of Oregon Cities (LOC)
Genoa Ingram OFDDA Executive Director, Oregon Fire District Directors Association (OFDDA)
Brad King, Junction City Board President & OFDDA Board Member, Oregon Fire District Directors Association (OFDDA)
Travis Medema, Chief Deputy, Department of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM)
Clint Benson, Fire Chief, Ontario Fire & Rescue
Erick Holsey, Fire Chief, La Pine Rural Fire Protection District
Kyle McMann, Fire Chief, Marion County Fire District #1
Chris Wolfard, Fire Chief, Applegate Fire District
Russ Deboodt, Fire Marshal, Crook County Fire & Rescue
John Tacy, Fire Chief, Lebanon Fire District
Dave Lapof, Fire Chief, Siletz Fire District & Toledo Fire Department
Brandon Hamilton, Fire Chief/Interim City Administrator, City of Dundee
Small RFPD Panel Members (8)
Greg Brody, Fire Chief, Vernonia RFPD
Joe Kaczenski, Fire Chief, Mist-Birkenfeld RFPD
Shane Cartwright, Fire Captain, Rocky Point Fire & EMS
Sean Lee, Fire Chief, Baker RFPD
David Feinberg, Fire Chief, Blodgett-Summit RFPD
John Holmes, Fire Chief, Illinois Valley Fire District
Levi Eckhardt, Fire Chief , Jefferson Fire District
Tom Davidson, Fire Chief, Evans Valley Fire District #6
Committee Staff (6)
Adam Meyer, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Task force Policy
Claire McGrew, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Subject Matter Expert
Amber Wagler, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Taskforce Administrator
Sydney Smith, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Analytics and Intelligence
Mariah Rawlins, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Subject Matter Expert
Kassie Keller, Department of the State Fire Marshal, Communications
Technical Advisor
Mark Whitaker, Chief Financial Officer, Clackamas Fire District
Sunset Clause
On or before January 2, 2027.
Sustaining Plan
Future work or groups identified by the committee on or after January 2, 2027.