Mutual Aid / Automatic Aid

Grants Pass Fire Rescue (GPFR) maintains a close working relationship with neighboring emergency service agencies in both Josephine and Jackson County, by participating in the Two County Mutual / Automatic Aid Agreement through the Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association. GPFR also employs a "closest engine response" (mutual/automatic aid) system with the Rural / Metro Fire Department (RMFD).

Two County Mutual / Automatic Aid Agreement

The Two County Mutual / Automatic Aid Agreement allows for the sharing of fire engines, equipment, and firefighters between Josephine and Jackson County during times of extreme emergency, such as a large wildland fire or a large commercial structure fire. Recent examples would be the 120-acre Beacon Hill Fire which burned along I-5 and the large conflagration fires in Jackson and Josephine Counties in 2013 and 2014. All these incidents involved the mobilization of local task forces of engines from both counties to assist with fast-moving wildland fires threatening homes and lives.

These resources were used to engage the fires directly or to backfill fire stations and to respond to additional calls for service since local resources were committed to fighting the fires. The agreement allows for the reciprocal use of resources at no additional cost to our citizens.

Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) - State Mobilization and Conflagration Act

In addition, we participate in a state-level mobilization system through OSFM. This system allows fire agencies from all over the state to respond to large emergency incidents that go beyond the ability of the local resources to handle them. A recent example would be the Conflagration Fires of 2013 and 2014 where firefighters and equipment responded from communities in neighboring counties. These resources are mobilized by the Governor and are provided at no expense to the communities in need.

Local Level

On a local level, GPFR has a close working relationship and actively shares resources through a system of alarm levels with Illinois Valley RFPD, Williams RFPD, Wolf Creek RFPD, Rogue River Fire Department, Evans Valley RFPD, Applegate RFPD, Oregon Department of Forestry and Rural / Metro Fire Department.

Of particular note is our closest engine mutual/automatic aid system we share with RMFD. This allows dispatchers and field supervisors to send the closest engine, regardless if it is a Rural / Metro unit or a Grants Pass Fire Rescue unit, to any given emergency within the city limits or in the areas in the county that adjoin the city limits, ensuring the quickest and best possible service to our customers.

Collaborative Programs

Maintaining our close working relationships with all of our emergency service partners is critical to providing a cost-effective service to our community. To maintain these relationships our staff participates in many of the national, state, and local associations, teams, and collaborative programs noted below.