Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Board Votes to Place Local Option Levy on May 2026 Ballot

 

The Board of Directors of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District has voted to place a local option levy on the May 18, 2026 ballot for consideration by District voters.

 

The proposed levy is intended to provide funding to maintain and improve emergency services in response to increased service demands, staffing challenges, and rising operational costs. Voters within the District will determine whether the measure is approved or rejected through the May 2026 vote-by-mail election.

 

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District provides fire protection, emergency medical services, rescue services, wildfire response, and community risk reduction services to a rural area of approximately 800 square miles. Over the past decade, the District has experienced a nearly 65 percent increase in emergency calls for service, while dedicated emergency response staffing levels have not increased in more than fifteen years.

 

Medical emergencies now account for approximately 70 percent of all emergency responses and ambulance transports have increased over 30 percent in the past four years. Many ambulance incidents require extended time commitments—averaging approximately two hours per call—due to transport distances to hospitals located outside the District. In addition, overlapping or back-to-back emergency incidents have increased by approximately 35 percent over the past eight years, increasing reliance on mutual aid from neighboring agencies and the potential for delayed response times.

 

Wildfire activity in Central Oregon and within the District has also increased in frequency, intensity, and complexity. These conditions have heightened the need for year-round wildfire preparedness, community wildfire risk reduction efforts, and emergency response to protect life, property, and critical infrastructure. Seasonal wildfire staffing and community risk reduction programs are currently supported by grant funding, some of which is scheduled to expire in 2026 and is not guaranteed in future years.

 

If approved by voters, levy funds would be used for purposes including, but not limited to, hiring additional full-time firefighter/paramedics, supporting wildfire preparedness and community risk reduction programs, funding seasonal wildfire staffing, adding a full-time mechanic to maintain emergency vehicles, and ensuring reliable emergency response capabilities across the District.

 

The District currently operates 22 emergency response vehicles across three fire stations and relies on outside vendors for many maintenance and repair services. Rising costs for fuel, equipment, training, medical supplies, and staffing have outpaced existing revenue sources despite ongoing cost controls and operational efficiencies.

 

Additional information about the proposed levy will be made available to the public through District communications and public meetings. Final approval of the measure rests with voters within the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District.

**Upcoming Community Meetings:

• Tuesday, April 14, 2026 - Time TBD, Location TBD
• Saturday, April 18, 2025 - 2 p.m., Camp Sherman Community Hall - 13025 Metolius River, Camp Sherman
• Monday, April 20, 2026 - Timb TBD, Location TBD