A Partnership for Community Safety

The Lafayette Fire Department is proudly managed and operated by the New Carlton Fire District through a formal Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) between the City of Lafayette and the Fire District.

Our History & Evolution

The history of fire protection in our region is one of collaboration and foresight. While the City of Lafayette and the City of Carlton have long histories of independent service, their paths began to converge decades ago through shared leadership and a vision for regional efficiency.

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Chief Terry Lucich served as the part-time Fire Chief for both the Lafayette Fire Department and the Carlton Fire Department. His dual role was the first step toward the modern integration we see today. Chief Lucich was instrumental in the landmark 2006 merger between the Carlton Fire Department and the Carlton Rural Fire District, which officially formed what is now known as the New Carlton Fire District.

Building on that foundation of cooperation, the City of Lafayette entered into a formal Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) with the New Carlton Fire District in the fall of 2022. This agreement was the natural progression of a 2021 initiative where the two agencies hired a joint Training Officer to unify safety standards.

Today, this partnership allows Lafayette to maintain its local identity and community-focused volunteer spirit while benefiting from the professional administrative leadership and expanded resources of the New Carlton Fire District.

Operational Excellence

Under the direction of Fire Chief Tim Jech, the New Carlton Fire District provides comprehensive oversight for all Lafayette Fire Department operations. This service model creates a seamless response network across the 36 square miles of the district and the City of Lafayette.

Key Benefits of the IGA:

• Unified Leadership: Shared administrative staff and a single command structure streamline decision-making and emergency operations.
• Enhanced Staffing: By combining career personnel with a dedicated team of volunteers from both Station 7 (Carlton) and Station 10 (Lafayette), we ensure consistent, reliable coverage 24/7.
• Resource Sharing: Residents benefit from a larger fleet of apparatus including engines, brush trucks, and water tenders capable of handling everything from medical assists to complex structure fires and wildland incidents.
• Training: Our firefighters train together weekly, ensuring that every responder regardless of their home station operates with the same high-level skills and equipment knowledge.

Serving Our Neighbors

Station 10 remains a vital part of the Lafayette community. We are committed to protecting the lives and property of our residents through fire suppression, emergency medical services, and community outreach.

Whether we are responding to a call on Hwy 99 or participating in a local community event, the members of the Lafayette Fire Department are proud to serve under the professional banner of the New Carlton Fire District.

How to Join: We welcome volunteers for several roles, including Firefighters, Engine Operators, and EMS Personnel.

• Requirements: Must be 18+ years of age, hold a valid Oregon Driver’s License, and pass a background check.  Or Join our team as a Student at age 16+
• Contact Us: To learn more or pick up an application, stop by Station 10 in Lafayette or the District Headquarters (Station 7) at 343 W. Roosevelt St. in Carlton.
• Inquiries: Email Chief Tim Jech at tjech@carltonfiredistrict.org or call (503) 852-6233.