Lake Oswego Fire Department Stats

Built in 1971, the South Shore Fire Station has exceeded the typical 50-year lifespan of a fire station, and without it in the Lake Oswego Fire Department’s footprint, emergency response times would increase across the city.

Lake oswego Fire department Stats

Lake Oswego’s fire and medical response system is highly specialized, with nearly all firefighters trained as paramedics, fast response times, and a multi-team approach to cardiac arrest that results in a survival rate nearly twice the national average. This level of life-saving performance depends on all four fire stations—yet the South Shore Fire Station, built in 1971, has exceeded its useful life, and losing it would significantly slow response times citywide, increasing risks to lives and property.

    • 70% of medical calls involve residents age 70 and older

  • 5,117 total calls

    • 69% medical

    • 23% public assistance

    • 4% false alarms

    • 3% fires

    1,427 calls were handled by the South Shore Fire Station (SSFS)

  • Nearly all Lake Oswego firefighters are paramedics (highest EMS certification); this is rare among fire departments

    • 4 additional firefighters are currently completing paramedic certification

    • On cardiac arrest calls, two paramedic teams (6 paramedics) respond, often with a Battalion Chief (also a paramedic) — an uncommon response model.

    • Lake Oswego survival rate:17%

    • 80% of survivors experience no neurological deficits

    • U.S. average:

      • 10% survival rate

      • 50% of survivors with no neurological deficits

    Bottom line: Lake Oswego’s cardiac arrest survival rate is nearly twice the national average

    • 69% of calls: responded to in 6 minutes or less

    • 96% of calls: responded to in 8 minutes or less (NFPA standard)

  • South/East Lake Oswego response times would decline sharply:

    • 11% of calls within 4 minutes

    • 65% of calls within 6 minutes

    • Citywide, 35% of calls would fall below the critical 6-minute response threshold

    Slower response times increase risk to life and property

    Structure fires rely on crews from all four stations for effective response