-Topics-
-Work Session-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Schilling, and Shein
Absent: Councilors Jantz, and Spivey
Fire Department annual report
April Wallace, Chief of the Fire & EMS Department presented the 2025 annual report to the City Council. Some services offered by the Fire & Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department include fire suppression, EMS & transfers, rescues, as well as fire prevention education and the FireMed program.
FLEET
The city currently has 4 vehicles specifically for fire suppression. Wallace pointed to industry recommendations that suggest replacing vehicles after 25 years. This means the 2003 Aerial Ladder is close to the recommended lifespan at 23 years old. Wallace also reminded the Council about the donation of the 1995 Pierce Engine to Falls City.
- Dallas Fire Suppression Fleet
- 2024 Spartan Engine
- Replaced the 1995 Pierce Engine
- 2015 Pierce Engine
- Primary unit
- 2017 Dodge 550 Brush Truck
- Specializes in wildland and rough terrain
- 2003 Pierce 85′ Aerial Ladder
- High-rise support
- 2024 Spartan Engine
Councilor Shein commented that it is hard to believe the ladder truck is now the oldest one in the Fleet. Wallace reminded Shein it’s not the oldest, since the 1924 Stutz truck is older, though not in regular service. Wallace also gave praise to the Fleet Maintenance Department for their work in maintaining the vehicles.
Wallace mentioned some other non-fire suppression vehicles, like the command vehicle, a duty officer vehicle used by volunteers, 2 staff vehicles, a retired ambulance acting as a support vehicle, and lastly a vehicle from the police department that is now used for Chaplains.
- Dallas EMS Fleet
- 2026 Ford 550 Braun
- New ambulance available in July 2026
- 2024 Ford F350 Braun
- Transfer ambulance
- 2023 Ford F450 Life Line
- Primary 911 unit
- 2019 Dodge 550 Life Line
- Reserve unit
- 2016 Dodge 500 Life Line
- This will be used for the remounted ambulance already approved by the Council
- 2026 Ford 550 Braun
Council President Briggs asked if there would be an official ceremony for the new ambulances, like with the fire trucks. Wallace said there will be a celebration with these new ambulances. Wallace also added that the 2003 International (Big Red) Ambulance is now out of commission.
STAFFING
Turning to staffing, Wallace explained that the Deputy Chief position is empty because it was eliminated due to budget constraints. Currently, the Fire Marshall position is contracted with Polk County Fire District (Polk Fire 1) to help with things like plan and building reviews. The city also has an assigned Fire Marshall from the Oregon State Fire Marshall Office, who serves both Polk and Yamhill County. This assigned Fire Marshall can help in fire investigations that go beyond the city’s ability.
There were 5,616 service calls placed in 2025. 911 medical services topped the categories with 3,171 calls. Additionally, 2025 saw a 9.7% increase in transfer calls, totaling 1,506 calls.
Councilor Shein asked how many of the transfer calls came from the FireMed program. Wallace needed to look into the details for that answer. Shein wanted to know if the increase in transfers was financially offset with people signing up for the FireMed program. Wallace needed to get more information to answer that question as well.
In 2025, the department answered 83 CPR calls, with 5 code saves. According to a quick google search, “a code save occurs when a person in cardiac arrest is successfully resuscitated and survives with a good neurological outcome.”
Councilor Barrientos asked if there is any preparation in case the Southwest Polk County (SW Polk Fire) fire levy doesn’t pass. Wallace noted Dallas will answer to service calls like they always do. While operational output from SW Polk Fire is unknown if the levy fails, Wallace committed to business as usual for Dallas.
After reviewing data, the department discovered that in 2025 Tuesday and Wednesday are the busiest days of the week. The hour between 5 and 6 pm is the busiest time of day.
Measuring the work load of staff is based on a percentage called the Unit Hour Utilization Analysis (UHU). Using this method, Dallas Fire & EMS staff have a 71% UHU rate. Wallace noted a high UHU percent increases staff fatigue, and can eventually impact response times.
Councilor Shein said stress for front line workers is usually thought of in terms of what they are doing, but the amount of what they have to do can also cause stress. Wallace added the intensity of calls being responded to by staff can lead to negative mental health. The department focuses on wellness programs as well as spending time cleaning and cooking together. These group activities can help relieve stress and strengthen work relationships.
Councilor Holsapple asked if there is a formal resiliency program for the department. Wallace said that is something being worked on. The current goal is to have everyone trained on peer support level. The Chaplains are also used by staff when they need to talk. Wallace added the staff are resilient and communicate well with each other.
The UHU is anticipated to lower to about 60% after the new ambulance is added to the fleet in July 2026. This will increase the number of vehicles answering calls to 3. This will offer some relief to staff. The target UHU rate is 33%, which Wallace described as “busy but manageable”.
Councilor Shein noted the 33% likely won’t happen in the near future. Wallace agreed but said with the 3rd ambulance, a 60% UHU is an exciting future.
Council President Briggs asked how the UHU affects recruitment and retention. Wallace stated the department hasn’t seen much turnover. Much of the staff has been the same for the last 4 years. There are 2 staff who are applying to larger departments to be able to grow in their career, and Wallace supports that effort.
Briggs asked about how many staff will need to be hired, if the 2 move on. Wallace noted there is a good group to recruit from. There are 7 part time employees starting this year, and 3 will then go to paramedic school. Wallace hopes to be able to hire those 3 full time after their schooling is complete. So if 2 move on, they would add those in for a total of 5 new full time staff.
Councilor Barrientos asked if there is a plan in the department to back fill positions internally. Wallace shared there are 2 staff in training programs to be able to fill in for a Captain being absent. Officer development training is encouraged for staff. Wallace added that a healthy training budget is an important factor in hiring.
The City Manager pointed out that maintaining a 71% UHU is not sustainable long term. Though Dallas is a busy system, a high 50% or low 60% rate is going to be a sweet spot for the city.
2025 HIGHLIGHTS
Highlights from 2025 include 2 staff earning their Paramedic certificates, with 1 getting an Advanced EMT. The department has also partnered with the Chemeketa Fire Science Program.
Councilor Shein asked how the interns are responding to the Chemeketa program. Wallace said 4 from the program are being hired as part time employees. Shein thought that was great. Wallace added that Chemeketa is doing a great job growing the students.
The Dallas Fire & EMS department also passed the OHA/EMS inspection in 2025, with “flying colors” according to Wallace.
Council President Briggs asked if the 4 conflagrations Dallas responded to (including 1 in California) have been reimbursed. Wallace confirmed all 4 have been paid. Reimbursement from California took the longest, but that was anticipated.
In 2025, Fire & EMS staff invested 3,663 hours into training. Those trainings include CPR, wildland fire specialization, and driver training.
The Fire & EMS department are facing some challenges. The station was built in 1972. According to Wallace the building is insufficient and the department has outgrown it. In an effort to make what they have work, the department has changed building uses and moved vehicles to different buildings to increase space for equipment.
A new storage building in the form of a conex box was recently added to the station. This additional space will hold personal protective equipment and uniforms that don’t fit in the station. Wallace added, that they are mindful that the station is in a neighborhood and so they will try to keep the storage box from being an eyesore.
Councilor Shein asked if there is a typical number of volunteer firefighters who want to turn it into a career. Shein acknowledged that might be hard to answer since it was just 10 years ago Dallas was a full volunteer department. Wallace pointed out a lot of current staff were volunteers back then. Some people have a “servants heart” who, according to Wallace, are driven to service.
FUTURE
Looking toward the future, Wallace is exploring ideas of merging with neighboring fire districts to optimize resources. Just like Dallas is experiencing growing pains, the neighbors are too.
Councilor Shein pointed out, that even though those efforts haven’t worked in the past, it always needs to be on the radar.
Wallace shared the Dallas Fire Department started in 1889, as volunteers. In 2016, they transitioned to paid fire staff. In 2023, Dallas had the first paid overnight fire staff. Which means it was only in 2023 that the department was a full service Fire & EMS department. Wallace said overall that timeline is phenomenal. Wallace thanked the City Council and City Manager for making that change possible.
Council President Briggs discussed the history of looking at merging fire districts. With compressing staff, and aging facilities, there doesn’t seem to be a sustainable path for the future as is. Briggs did express concern about working with other districts who are also overwhelmed.
City Manager Latta said a larger district can see a lower administrative burden, because there is 1 district instead of 3 or 4 in an area. That should allow for more money to be spent on the main staffing needs. Shifting resources inside a larger district is easier than covering holes for multiple districts. Latta believed 1 larger area could better serve the people than separate smaller districts.
If Dallas were to merge with another fire district, Latta shared that would give the ability to create a new permanent tax rate for the fire district. A higher tax rate (with a larger tax base), could remove the need for current levies to fund the various fire districts.
Latta noted with the present day tax system, agencies, and costs, conversations about the future are needed.
Council President Briggs recalled the last time there was a discussion of a merger, it didn’t pass. Believed some on the Council at the time opposed it for sentimental reasons. Briggs encouraged the Councilors to start discussions regarding fire districts now so they can figure out what they want to do.
Councilor Schilling added that more information is now available than in the past. For example, now it is known that districts don’t need to border each other. Schilling also pointed out the city is already sharing resources with the Fire Marshall and an intergovernmental agreement with Polk Fire 1.
Councilor Shein agreed with the City Manager that the current system eventually becomes unsustainable. The city is better off to start the conversation now on the long term issue.
Wallace added that people need to know the full story to understand the department’s needs. It’s important to know where things started and where they are now. The city can’t just start with telling people about the end vision. The city needs to bring people along with the story and tell them what the struggles are.
City Manager Latta said there are 3 points to be successful in any major policy shift. First, it needs to be the right time. Secondly, the right people and partners are required. And lastly, the right resources. Latta said those 3 factors weren’t present in 2016-2019, when the last fire district merge discussion took place. Those are key factors voters use to make decisions.
Councilor Schilling complimented Wallace and the performance of the department since taking over. The focus on mental health, and the family like feeling of the department were all commended. Wallace pointed to the staff and all those who help make it work.
Councilor Barrientos appreciated the presentation from Wallace, and thought the design of the powerpoint helped convey information.
Councilor Shein commented about the success of the family feeling. And noted that feeling has not been lost as the department grows.
What happened? No official action took place. The Council heard the Fire & EMS department’s annual report and asked questions.
-City Council-
Attendance
Present: Mayor Slack, Council President Briggs, Councilors Barrientos, Blosser, Fitzgerald, Holsapple, Schilling, and Shein
Absent: Councilors Jantz, and Spivey
Introductions, Recognitions, Proclamations
None.
Public Comment
- President of Friends of the Dallas Aquatic Center
- Boilers are one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the aquatic center
- Why are the showers so hot?
- Overnight, the water in the boilers get up to 120°F
- 1st people to shower at 5:30 am get the first rush of hot water
- By mid-morning it’s a more comfortable temperature
- Overnight, the water in the boilers get up to 120°F
- 1 boiler had a pilot light issue last month
- Got the issue figured out
- Starting regular preventative maintenance now
- 1 part time employee is a licensed boiler inspector
- Why are the showers so hot?
- Increasing the lifeguard numbers for the summer
- It was 88°F all day inside the pool
- Great if you’re swimming, not so much if you’re working
- Looking at upgrading the HVAC system to help control the temperatures
- Staff attended an aquatic professional summit
- Got great ideas for staff training and management
- Boilers are one of the most expensive pieces of equipment in the aquatic center
Consent Agenda
The consent agenda is used to pass procedural items. If any Councilor has a question or wants to discuss something, they can pull the item to discuss.
What’s on the consent agenda?
- Approve the April 20, 2026 Council Meeting Minutes – pg. 3-4
What happened? This passed unanimously.
Mayor and Council Reports
Councilor Shein thanked the Public Works employees who repaired a leaking neighborhood water line. Showed up on time and did great work.
Later in the meeting, Councilor Holsapple pointed out that the basketball courts are starting to go in at Dallas City Park.
Council President Briggs asked why the new pickleball surface doesn’t look flat. City Manager Latta said the top layer of the pickleball court will level it all out. That top layer needs dry weather for installation, so hopefully it will happen in June 2026.
City Manager report
City Manager Latta shared there would be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, May 8th at 4:00pm at Dallas City Park. This is to officially open the new ADA swing.
ORDINANCES
No. 1922 – ownership and maintenance of mid-block sidewalks
The Council passed the 1st reading of an ordinance about mid-block sidewalks. The changes to city code 3.500, 3.505 and 3.510 will clarify what a mid-block sidewalk is, and set ownership of the sidewalks.
According to the ordinance, a mid-block sidewalk is “a sidewalk built in a public right of way between two or more properties that is not adjacent to a street.” (council agenda, pg. 6) City Manager Latta pointed to examples like where paths connect the Rickreall Creek Trail to a street’s sidewalk.
This ordinance will set the City of Dallas as owner of these mid-block sidewalks. With that ownership, the city will be responsible for any maintenance and liability issues.
Learn more: See all of the proposed changes in the council agenda, pg. 6-8.
The Public Works Committee (a standing committee of the Council), discussed these changes in their April 27, 2026 meeting and voted to recommend them to the full City Council.
What happened? The Council passed the 1st reading. The 2nd reading is scheduled for May 18, 2026. If adopted after the 2nd reading, it would be effective on June 17, 2026.
-More Information-
- Work session full agenda
- Work session YouTube video archive
- City Council full agenda
- City Council YouTube video archive
Remember: May 19, 2026 is election day!
- Important dates and links for local candidate websites
- Polk County Clerks Office 2026 Election Page.
- Links for state wide candidates websites
- Oregon Capital Chronicle 2026 Voter Guide.
