We recently hosted Umatilla County Fire District #1 (UCFD1) for a series of facility tours to support emergency response readiness.
With many UCFD1 personnel joining within the past few years and limited prior exposure to our sites, these sessions ensured responders have a clear, working understanding of our facilities. Each one-hour tour was scheduled around the department’s rotating crews, enabling participation across all operational teams, along with administrative and leadership staff.
The tours focused on elements essential to emergency response planning, including ingress and egress routes, apparatus access, and critical infrastructure such as Fire Department Connections (FDCs). The team also reviewed internal safety systems, including emergency alerts and AED accessibility.
Providing first responders with direct familiarity supports more effective pre-incident planning, faster response times, and safer operations during an emergency - helping protect employees, facilities, and the broader community.
"This level of collaboration is essential," says Travis Eynon, UEC's safety admin assistant. By providing first responders with direct, hands-on familiarity with our facilities, UCFD1 is better equipped to develop effective pre-incident plans, improve response times, and operate safely and efficiently during an emergency. Ultimately, this partnership enhances protection for our employees, our infrastructure, and the broader community we serve."