Lane County commissioners are taking a practical step to improve emergency medical response in the Upper McKenzie region. After hearing a presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 13, the board scheduled a public hearing and vote for Tuesday, Nov. 3, on a proposal that would let additional ambulance service providers operate within an existing ambulance service area.
Why the change is needed
The Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District recently received a donated ambulance and has about a dozen volunteer firefighters who are also certified emergency medical technicians. While the district can offer basic medical care, it lacks the equipment and staffing to transport patients on its own. Currently, Eugene Springfield Fire holds the exclusive right to provide ambulance transport in the area, which covers roughly 1,400 square miles.
Proposed code amendment
The amendment would allow any qualified ambulance service provider to request permission to offer emergency medical transport in a service area already served by another provider. The request would still require an agreement with the incumbent provider to establish a clear understanding of responsibilities. Commissioner Heather Buch, whose district includes Upper McKenzie, said, “We have a service they can provide and we just want to be able to help facilitate that as a county.”
Potential impact on response times
By permitting a second provider, the county hopes to reduce wait times in life‑threatening situations. Upper McKenzie’s volunteer force cannot staff 24‑hour coverage the way Eugene Springfield Fire’s paid staff can. In 2025, Eugene Springfield Fire responded to 187 incidents in Upper McKenzie and completed 94 transports, according to department data. Adding a supplemental provider could share the workload and bring patients to care faster.
Support from fire officials
Fire District Chief Joel Zeni called the county’s planned action a “good step” and expressed optimism that an intergovernmental agreement could be finalized quickly. “At least we’re making progress, so I feel really good about that,” Zeni said. Eugene Springfield Fire Chief Michael Caven also indicated that his agency would review any agreement before presenting it to the fire board.
How the process will unfold
If the county approves the amendment, the Upper McKenzie Rural Fire Protection District would still need to negotiate an agreement with Eugene Springfield Fire. The agreement would outline how calls are dispatched, how costs are shared, and how each agency’s personnel coordinate during emergencies. Even with an agreement, Eugene Springfield Fire would continue to respond to many calls, especially those requiring round‑the‑clock coverage.
Looking ahead
The proposal is designed to be flexible, applying not only to Upper McKenzie but also to any future ambulance service districts that seek additional providers. Commissioners intend to monitor the outcome and adjust the policy as needed to ensure rural Oregon residents receive timely, reliable emergency medical transport.
Residents who wish to comment on the proposal can attend the Nov. 3 hearing. The county hopes the measure will pass and pave the way for a more resilient emergency response system in Lane County’s rural communities.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
