South Shore Fire Station Task Force – October 2025

Submitted by Chris Durkee, Task Force Chair –

South Shore Fire Station – Update
October, 2025

FACT: There are 4 fire stations in Lake Oswego, 2 north of the lake, 2 south of the lake. These 4 stations perform as a coordinated team in responding to all 911 calls.

Update: When a 911 call arrives, the dispatcher quickly assesses the type of emergency and determines what type of response is appropriate – type of equipment, number of teams, etc.  Then the 911 operator dispatches the teams – based on which teams are closest to the caller.  Lake Oswego’s emergency communications center (LOCOM) tracks the location of each piece of equipment in real time, so they always know who is closest to the emergency. 

You may be closest to the downtown station or the station on Jean Road, but if the South Shore station’s team happens to be closest, they will be dispatched.  In this way, the 4 stations function like a well-tuned volleyball team.  They each have their “position”, but once the action starts, it becomes a very fluid situation.  All 4 stations are needed to continue providing the excellent response times – 8 minutes or less for 90% of calls!

(06MAY2025 Lake Oswego, OR) Lake Oswego Fire Department’s Truck 211 ladders a commercial building after reports of smoke from the roof area were received. Investigation revealed a vegetation fire behind the structure.

Given the natural barriers separating the 2 northerly stations from the 2 southerly stations (Oswego Lake & freight rail line), our first response system depends on having all 4 stations in operation.