Emergency Response & Resiliency Station (High Point)
As of June 8th, 2021, the Gearhart City Council agreed to pause pursuit of the High Point location, which was the site chosen based on the information found below and throughout this page. With a new location the current focus, much of the information below is no longer applicable.
***The dune on The Cottages at Gearhart is now the pursued location with the due diligence process actively underway. CLICK HERE to be re-directed.***
Thank You for Your Participation in Our Fire Station Survey and Feedback Period!
Public Feedback Collection Ended Monday, April 29, 2019
Over 1000 pages of public feedback was used to help answer 3 important questions:
1. Does the community support a new Emergency Response & Resiliency Station?
2. If so, what location would the community support?
3. How would the community like to fund a new station?
RESULTS: Click to Review the New Emergency Response & Resiliency Station Public Feedback Period & Survey Results Report
947 surveys were tabulated, please review the survey report, location concepts, and January town hall meeting below for all of the details on the need for a new station:
TOWN HALL SLIDE SHOW - WHAT IS THE THREAT OF A TSUNAMI AND EARTHQUAKE (TOM HORNING, GEOLOGIST)
TOWN HALL SLIDE SHOW - CULTURE OF EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (MEG REED, DLCD)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (This FAQ will continuously be updated, please share!)
Q: Why does Gearhart need a new fire station?
A: The current station was built in 1958 and is in poor condition and falling apart. It does not have adequate meeting and training space or resiliency to meet the future needs of our community.
Q: How would a new station benefit our community?
A: Benefits include continuing adequate response times for fire and medical emergencies, optimum training for key personnel and volunteers, emergency headquarters, medical supply storage and gathering space in case of natural disasters or other emergencies.
Q: Has the city made a decision on a location for a new station?
A: No, feedback is required from the public to help choose a location that is supported by the majority of the community. The city is beginning a 3 month public feedback/listening period to help determine a suitable location.
Q: Are the 3 concepts presented final designs?
A: No, these are simply ideas and concepts to help garner public input. The concepts can and most likely will be tweaked or changed in accordance to public feedback and community input.
Q: Are the concepts presented adequate to meet the needs of our community while keeping costs and size/footprint at a minimum?
A: Yes, minimizing cost and size is important to the committee. In November of 2006 a deluxe plan was voted down 327 to 231 that included a new town hall as part of a fire station. A new city hall or city administrative offices is not included in the current concepts. The goal is to minimize costs while providing the necessary tools for the community.
Q: Do the concepts presented help minimize neighborhood impacts, protect park land, and help enhance aesthetics and landscaping?
A: Yes, current emergency services is always aware of neighborhood impacts such as traffic, siren noise, etc. Current concepts will enhance landscaping around the site choices. The concept for the park location will extend and enhance the current park to the west and beautify the surroundings with neighborhood input. The landscaping around the tennis courts and water treatment facility is an example of what can be done.
Q: Has the aesthetics of the station building been taken into account with the various concepts?
A: Yes, it is important that any concept fit in with the character and aesthetics of Gearhart. Similarly to how the water treatment facility was planned, a new station would need to blend in with the surrounding neighborhoods and minimize visual impact.
Q: What are some locations that were not selected by the committee and why?
A: The hillside east of HWY 101 was not selected for several reasons, among them being potential slides, the location would be cut off in the event of a tsunami due to permanent flooding, the infrastructure and causeway to access that location could double the cost compared to other locations. A location on HWY 101 was not selected because it is in the tsunami inundation zone and the city already has a location that the city owns within the inundation zone (current location). A location on Del Rey Beach Access Rd north of Gearhart was not selected because of medical and fire response times, inaccessibility during a tsunami, and proximity to our satellite Hertig Station.
Q: What will the city do with the data collected by the public questionnaire?
A: The committee and staff will tabulate the information into a report and present to the city council. The report will also be available to the public. The report will show the communities support of the various locations and other pertinent information that will help the council determine a location that would be supported by a majority of the public.
Q: How does the process work to determine a location?
A: Once the data is presented, the city council may choose on putting one of the locations out for a bond which would require a public vote on a future ballot. The council also has the choice of asking the committee or the public for more information or they may choose to do nothing.
Q: Would having two smaller stations in instead of one make sense for Gearhart?
A: At this point all options are on the table, however building multiple locations will greatly increase the costs as each location has to have minimum requirements met. It would be much more affordable for the community to choose one location that the public can get behind.
Q: What is the threat of an earthquake and tsunami?
A: Geologists estimated there is a viable threat of a Cascadia earthquake occurring anytime within the next 50 years. This could produce a tsunami causing widespread destruction. Communities all over Oregon are preparing for this threat. The most likely scenario in our area would be a Medium to Large size event with significant flooding.
Q: Will Gearhart survive a likely Cascadia earthquake event?
A: Because of Gearhart’s geography with high foredunes and elevation, it may be more resilient that other coastal communities. There are high elevation areas that are easily accessible for evacuation and emergency infrastructure. These areas are likely not to flood during a M to L size event.
Q: In a likely Tsunami event is it safer to evacuated toward the ocean or away from the ocean?
A: In a M to L Tsunami event any elevation above 50' is likely safe. We are fortunate in Gearhart in that we have high fore dunes as part of our geography. The likely Tsunami would not a be giant wave that crashes over the fore dunes in Gearhart. It will most likely be a surge of water that floods the estuary and low lying areas with flood waters first, rising up to 50'. The water will then recede in west Gearhart after 3-4 hours. Therefore there are evacuation areas toward the ocean in Gearhart along Marion that are relatively safe and may be good locations for a new station. The farther north you go on Marion the higher the elevation. If you live in certain areas in east Gearhart it may be quicker to find elevation to the east up the hill. Please refer to the latest Tsunami Evacuation Map to find your best evacuation location.
Q: How does a new station help the resiliency of our community?
A: A new station would be built to the standards for critical infrastructure based on seismic requirements. A building that survives a natural disaster would not only help during the disaster but with rebuilding through its residents and volunteers. Tools, emergency supplies, fuel storage, medical supplies, shelter, and command headquarters would add to the city’s resilience.
Q: Do any of the location concepts have deed restrictions or zoning changes needed?
A: The Pacific Way location (current location) would not need any rezoning. High Point location would need a conditional use to a Government Building. Gearhart Park location would need to be rezoned to Public/Semi-Public use. Clatsop County would also need to remove a deed restriction on the Park location as was done with the location for the water treatment facility.
Q: How many professionals and volunteers are in our fire department currently?
A: Gearhart is fortunate to have 37 professionally trained volunteers that are led by Chief Bill Eddy and Lieutenant and Training Officer Josh Como. These volunteers are trained to respond to all types of emergencies including fire and medical.
Q: How many calls does the GVFD get per year?
A: The number of emergency calls is increasing every year. The number of calls in 2018 alone were 495. There has been a 48% increase in calls over the last 10 years.
Q: Is a bond the only way to finance a new station?
A: A bond is the most common way to finance these types of projects. However, private funding is also an option and some communities have even elected to do a micro targeting sales tax to provide funding. The committee is currently looking at a bond and is open to private funding to finance a new station.
Q: Is public feedback part of the decision making process?
A: Yes, this process will gather feedback on which location the community prefers. Ultimately if a location is chosen there will have to be a vote on an upcoming ballot for a bond by the public to decide if a new station is built or not.
Q: Prior to the town hall meeting I’ve seen station drawings making their way around social media and email, are those concepts/drawings from the city?
A: No, these are made up from residents and others who are not involved in the city process. The official concepts were released at the 1/29/19 Town Hall Meeting. The committee’s goal is to make sure that the community has the correct information and concepts to help choose a location.
Q: I’ve also seen folks on social media claiming that Gearhart is building a deluxe size station and city hall with large meeting spaces and city council chambers, is that true?
A: No, the committee’s goal has always been to minimize the size and cost of the structure. In 2006 a plan to include city hall and city administrative offices was voted down by the public. The committee has taken that into account when looking at different concepts that exclude a new city hall or other additions.
Q: I’ve seen work being done to trim vegetation and remove noxious weeds from the park and dune areas, is this linked in any way to building a new station?
A: No, as part of the city’s recent dune vegetation amendments it is now legal to remove 100% of scotch broom and other noxious weeds from our dune areas. Work has been started by private property owners and the city to eliminate noxious weeds to allow the natural vegetation to take hold once again mitigating fire hazards and allowing for natural habitat to be re-established. In the park area, shore pines are also able to be trimmed to preserve ocean views for residents enjoying the park.
Q: What is the purpose of the questionnaire?
A: The questionnaire provided after the town hall and during the 3 month feedback/listening period will provide crucial data to the committee and city council. This includes the public ranking the location concepts and providing other pertinent data so that decisions can be made that reflect the public interest.
Q: How much has the city spent so far on researching and developing ideas and concepts?
A: In over 3 years so far the city and committee has spent around $18,000 on developing ideas including consulting of geologist and architect.
Q: Who ultimately decides if we build a new station or not?
A: In order for a new fire station to be built there must be a public vote on a bond to build the station. This vote would take place on a future ballot. In order for the vote to take place in November of 2019 a decision on the bond would need to be made by August of 2019 by the city council.
Q: Is there any federal funding currently available to build a new fire station?
A: No, there are currently no federal programs available to cover construction costs for a new station.
Q: Would the city consider private funding and donations to help offset the cost of a bond?
A: Yes, we’d be happy to speak with anyone that would want to help Gearhart fund a new station.
Q: I keep seeing station illustrations and information packets from a Stuart Emmons from Emmons Design, is he connected to the committee or involved with the city in any way?
A: No, he has not been part of any official city process in regards to a new station. He has not consulted with or been part of the committee or been a part of the geologists or architects that have done work for the city. Any information provided by Stuart or any of his associates has not been part of the 3 year committee process nor vetted by city officials for accuracy.
We cannot stress enough the importance of participation and communication in being resilient together. Let your voice be heard!
Please contact City Hall with any questions: M-F 8a-12p & 1p-5p, (503) 738-5501
PUBLIC QUESTIONNAIRE ***Public Feedback Collection ended Monday, April 29th*** Click HERE to review the New Emergency Response & Resiliency Station Public Feedback Period & Survey Results Report
To best serve our community members, we want our residents to help choose the best location for a new Emergency Response & Resiliency Station. Failure to provide full name and verifiable address will exclude your responses from final tabulations.
Taking into account emergency preparedness, proximity to respond, cost, and other pertinent info presented, please rank in order 1-3 (1 being the best location) which concept/location you believe would best serve the needs of our community.
Disclaimer: The results of this feedback form are for informational purposes only and do not constitute a vote of any kind. This feedback information will be provided to the city council and will result in a summary report available to the public. The city council may then choose to put a new station on a future ballot for a public vote of our citizens, seek more information, or do nothing.
Supporting Documents
3 Location Concepts (6 MB) 