Turner Fire District
The Turner Fire District (TFD) is protected by the combined efforts of volunteer and paid staff who offer fire, rescue and EMS services to more than 48 square miles of rural farm land, industrial sites, schools, retirement facilities, amusement parks and interstate highway.
The TFD is called upon to respond more than 700 times each year with approximately 80% of the alarms related to medical emergencies. Two advanced life support (ALS) ambulances are staffed by a combination of paid paramedics and volunteer EMT’s who provide uninterrupted service 24 hours each day.
Our History
Beginning in 1939 as a volunteer community effort, the TFD was a city department controlled by the city’s mayor and elected officials. Volunteer Chief Albert Jensen was followed by his son, Brent Jensen who later became the department’s first paid chief. Over time, the city department was replaced by a fire district, managed by a separate group of elected board officials. At that time, the TFD began official protection of properties outside the city limits and became funded by property taxes imposed on all properties within the boundaries of the new district.
Our Vision
Turner Fire District will become an organization continually pursuing excellence, ensuring public health and safety through choices based on our stated values and principles.
Our Mission
“With cooperation, teamwork and the Public’s trust, the Turner Fire District will dutifully serve our community by protecting the citizens, the property, and the environment through fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency medical service.”
–1999 TFD Volunteers
Turner Fire District
Values & Principles
Safety
We value positive attitudes within an organization free from physical, emotional and mental threat—one where individuals, led by the example of others, are inspired to grow, explore, and experiment.
Integrity
We value individual and organizational actions based on values, principles and goals.
Loyalty
We value loyalty to our history, our mission, our community, and our co-workers, reflected in speech and action.
Non-Traditional Thinking We value a creative approach to problem solving.
Image
We value a professional image that earns the public’s support, trust and confidence.
Financial Integrity
We value financial integrity directed at achieving organizational goals and the responsible stewardship of Turner Fire District resources.
Honesty
We value determination to speak truth at all times, to openly admit mistakes and to freely acknowledge the strengths of others.
Respect
We value respect for persons of all levels of experience, rank, social status, gender, religion, cultural background and/or affiliation.
Attitude
We value a positive approach to people and problems—a willingness to share knowledge and to encourage others.
Communication
We value ethical, open, effective and efficient communication between all persons.
Pro-Activity
We value the investment of resources in anticipating and preparing for situations before they occur.
Vision
We value a determination to view ourselves and the organization in terms of our potential—what we can be.
Relationships
We value supportive relationships that are open, honest and embracing of all current and potential members of the Turner Fire District. We value a willingness to foster healthy relationships with allied agencies and associations.
Accountability
We value an open and pleasant approach to letting others view our work, to accept credit and criticism, and to holding each other accountable for our actions regardless of rank, status or position.
Fitness
We value an individual’s determination to remain physically, mentally and emotionally ready for effective response to calls for assistance.
Education
We value both the individual’s and the organization’s responsibility to pursue and support continuing education.
Hard Work
We value maximizing time and resources in the direct pursuit of organizational goals
Turner Fire Station, 7605 3rd Street, Turner, OR, 97392
Turner Fire District Today
The current TFD may be roughly described as the area beginning at Sunnyside and Delaney, south to Interstate 5 at mile post 244, east to the northern edge of Marion, north to Witzel Road at Lipscomb, west to 36th near Keubler and south-west to the beginning point at Delaney and Sunnyside.
While the geographic area of the district has not changed dramatically over the years, the capabilities of the department have changed markedly. Most notable is the addition of medical response and transport along with added personnel and state-of-the-art firefighting equipment. In 2004, TFD voters approved a local option tax which allowed the fire district to replace much of its older fire apparatus.
In 2008, the TFD partnered with Marion County Fire District #1 to create the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority. While each fire district maintains its original identity and tax base, the fire authority brings the benefits of a functional consolidation while still allowing local governance and oversight.
