Oregon’s May 2026 primary election includes more than candidate races. In Deschutes County, three fire districts are asking voters to approve five-year levies tied directly to staffing levels, response times, and operational readiness.
These measures reflect the broader funding and workforce pressures affecting fire and EMS departments across the country. Similar funding debates recently played out in Illinois, where voters weighed multiple fire and EMS ballot measures during the March 2026 primary elections.
These measures reflect the broader funding and workforce pressures. As Oregonians head to the polls on May 19, these issues feel more urgent than ever.
What Deschutes County Voters Will Decide
Three separate fire districts have placed levy requests on the May 19 ballot: Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District, Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District, and Alfalfa Fire District. Each measure is structured as a five-year local option levy designed to fund additional staffing, improve response capacity, and stabilize operations.
Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District: Measure 9-182
This measure would fund fire, emergency, and wildfire preparedness staffing across the district’s 800-square-mile service area. The district has reported a 65% increase in emergency calls over the past decade, with medical calls now accounting for 70% of all responses. If approved, the levy would fund three additional firefighter-paramedics, a wildfire risk reduction coordinator, a mechanic, and seasonal wildfire personnel.
Cloverdale Rural Fire Protection District: Measure 9-183
This measure would replace the district’s current levy of $0.69 per $1,000 of assessed property value with a higher rate of $1.23. This will be used to fund staffing and operations improvements, including hiring a Community Wildfire Risk Reduction Specialist, three shift captains, and three student firefighters. These positions will strengthen daytime response capabilities at a district that has seen a 43% increase in calls over the past four years.
Alfalfa Fire District: Measure 9-184
Alfalfa’s measure is the most narrowly focused of the three. If approved, levy revenue would be used exclusively to hire two full-time firefighter-EMT positions to improve response capacity, reduce response times, and support 24-hour emergency services.
Why Fire Districts Are Seeking Additional Funding
The levies in Deschutes County reflect pressures familiar to fire and EMS agencies nationwide: rising call volumes, growing EMS demand, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining equipment and staffing pipelines.
Central Oregon’s sustained population growth has driven greater demand for emergency services. Deschutes County is now one of the fastest-growing areas in the state. But due to fixed funding structures, that growth did not come with a proportional increase in revenue.Current budget allocations often fail to keep pace with inflation, staffing costs, and capital expenses.
What Happens if the Levies Pass or Fail
If approved, Deschutes County’s fire departments will gain staffing stability, improve their response capacity, and enjoy greater operational flexibility over the next five years. This will allow them to better handle overlapping calls and reduce response times without overextending crews.
If rejected, these same departments may face staffing shortfalls, delayed response times, and reduced service flexibility. As it stands, these levies are not about expanding services. They are intended to maintain current standards in the face of rising demand.
The Bigger Picture: Fire and EMS Funding in 2026
The Deschutes County measures reflect a national pattern in which fire and EMS funding increasingly depends on local voter approval. Communities are being asked to weigh tax pressure against emergency service expectations, a dynamic playing out in jurisdictions across the country.
A few key themes stand out:
- Staffing remains the top concern. All three measures center on adding or stabilizing personnel and response capacity.
- EMS demand continues to grow. Medical calls are the primary operational drivers across the affected districts.
- Voter-approved levies have become essential funding tools. When other revenue sources fall short, local option levies are often the most direct path to sustainable operations.
- Transparency matters. Measures that link funding directly to staffing positions and response outcomes give voters the clearest basis for their decision.
Similar conversations around levies, staffing, and operational stability are also shaping local funding decisions in the Ohio May 2026 primary.
Final Thoughts
In just a few days, Deschutes County voters will help determine how local fire and EMS services are staffed and funded for the next five years. The results of Oregon’s May 2026 primary may provide another important indicator of how communities are balancing public safety needs with fiscal constraints. Readers interested in supporting ongoing fire and EMS advocacy efforts can also learn more here.
