Fire protection in Clatskanie is rooted in a strong tradition of volunteer service that dates back to around 1900, when the Clatskanie Volunteer Fire Department was first organized. From its earliest days, the department has been built on neighbors protecting neighbors, adapting to the needs of a growing community while preserving a deep sense of responsibility and pride.

The department’s first motorized fire apparatus—a chemical truck mounted on a Ford Model A chassis—was purchased in 1930 and served as the City of Clatskanie’s primary fire protection for more than a decade. As the community grew, so did its fire protection capabilities. In 1944, a 1940 Ford truck was reconstructed into a 500-gpm front-mount pumper, followed in 1947 by the acquisition of a 1942 Ford 500-gpm pumper obtained through war surplus.

On November 22, 1955, residents in the surrounding rural areas formed the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District to ensure reliable fire protection beyond city limits. A 600-gpm International pumper was purchased and served as a frontline engine until the mid-1990s. During this era, volunteer firefighters responded to both city and rural incidents using apparatus owned by both the city and the district. To better serve the expanding community, Mayger Station and Delena Station were established, extending emergency coverage throughout the region.

While fire suppression was the department’s primary role, its members consistently demonstrated a broader commitment to community safety. In 1958, following the tragic drowning deaths of seven young children within a three-week period, department volunteers helped lead the effort to build the Clatskanie Swimming Pool—an enduring example of the department’s dedication to prevention and public welfare.

A major transition occurred on April 10, 1969, when the City of Clatskanie disbanded its municipal fire department and annexed into the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District. That same year, when ambulance service in the community was discontinued, Clatskanie’s volunteers once again stepped forward. Members obtained EMT training and assumed responsibility for emergency medical transport. In 1970, the district hired its first Fire Chief and placed its first district-owned ambulance, a 1970 Cadillac, into service. Local funeral director Gail Haakinson also donated his 1961 Pontiac ambulance, which served as a reserve unit. A full-time Deputy Chief was hired the following year.

Growth and modernization continued throughout the 1970s and beyond. In 1972, Engine 486, a custom Mack pumper, was added to the fleet. Additional apparatus—including engines, ambulances, rescues, tenders, and wildland units—were purchased and cycled into service as community needs evolved. By 1976, the district operated from three stations, supported by approximately 65 volunteers, and responded to an increasing number of fire and ambulance calls.

Staffing expanded in the late 1970s with the hiring of firefighter/EMTs and the addition of a fourth station in the Quincy area. Dispatch operations evolved as well, transitioning to the Columbia 911 Communications Center in 1991, reflecting regional coordination and modernization of emergency services.

Today, the Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District operates a modern fleet from three stations and responds to more than 1,300 calls annually. Career personnel, interns, and volunteers continue to carry forward a legacy of service that spans more than a century—honoring the dedication of those who came before while remaining committed to protecting the community today and into the future.