Umatilla County Fire District #1 is the largest, most highly trained firefighting, paramedic, and hazmat team in Eastern Oregon, led by a nationally recognized emergency management team of professionals with over 160 years of experience. The department responds to over 6,000 calls a year with a crew of 53 full-time state-certified firefighting personnel and paramedics, plus 20 volunteers that cover a large area of Umatilla County, including the towns of Hermiston, Stanfield, Umatilla, and Echo. The team is responsible for protecting $4.5 billion in assets, including single & multifamily housing, major commercial buildings, large farming operations, processing plants, and many of Amazon's largest data centers.  Due to enterprise zones and other tax abatement programs, the Distrit only collects tax revenues based on $3.3 billion in assets.

Following a $13.1 million bond based by voters in 2021 and a seismic grant, the District invested several million dollars into fire station seismic upgrades along with major interior and exterior renovations to enbale 24-hour co-ed staffing. We replaced worn out firefighting and paramedic vehicles with new apparatus and other emergency equipment to support the ongoing health and safety of our community. Bond spending is approved and monitored by the Bond Oversight Commitee, comprised of community members who review the District's expenses.

The District operates while prioritizing financial transparency and fiscal responsibility with an $18 million yearly operating budget, monitored and approved by an Budget Commitee, comprised of local citizens appointed by an elected Board of Directors. 

Umatilla County Fire District #1 is a member of the Special Districts Association of Oregon (SDAO). SDAO was formed in 1979 to give special districts a stronger and united voice at the Oregon Legislature. SDAO provides advocacy with state administrative agencies and other units of government, training, information resources, and other support programs.

In 2024, the District received $6.9 million, the largest emergency services grant in Oregon, to hire an additional 16 full-time firefighters & paramedics to meet rising call volume and meet staffing standards set by the National Fire Protection Association. The District is also one of three departments in the state to be awarded funding to hire five minority personnel for Oregon's apprentice program in 2026, backed by the OSFFC union. Combined with an award-winning health & wellness program for all employees, Umatilla County Fire District #1 has the team and the tools to be recognized as one of the very best emergency service providers in Oregon.

Our Mission: Umatilla County Fire District #1 is devoted to protecting the communities we serve by providing the highest quality of compassionate and professional services.

Our Vision: Building the premier public-safety emergency services provider in Eastern Oregon through Continual Improvement, Professionalism and Financial Stability.

Our Motto: “Be kind, be professional and always do your best.”

Our Values:

• Accountability – Accepting responsibility for our actions and behaviors.
• Excellence – Commitment to providing the best service possible and always striving to get better.
• Integrity – The quality of being honest, having high moral principles. Doing the right thing when no one is looking.
• Professionalism – Commitment to quality service and pride in your work.

Our Principles:

• Pride – I respect our history, traditions, achievements and constantly push for excellence.
• Honor – I am committed to always strive to do the right thing with character, integrity and honesty.
• Dedication – I have a passionate belief in our mission as a fire district.