Disston Fire Substation
Weyerhaeuser’s donation of the Disston Station property provides a critical foundation for improving emergency response in the Row River Valley. The site offers a strategic location for an unmanned rural fire station, designed to serve as a response hub for volunteer firefighters in a high wildfire risk area. While not staffed full-time, the station will enable faster deployment of apparatus and equipment, reducing response times and supporting safer operations during emergencies. This investment strengthens the capacity of a volunteer-based fire district working to protect lives, homes, and surrounding forestlands. We are grateful for Weyerhaeuser’s generosity, which also includes a four-mile historic riverside pathway, and for the trust placed in our community’s stewardship of this land.
Current efforts are focused on advancing the Disston Substation toward operation. The project is being implemented in phases, beginning with site preparation, planning, and coordination to establish a functional response facility as soon as possible. Community members and partners are contributing time, resources, and technical expertise to move the project forward. This work reflects a shared commitment to building a stable and reliable emergency response presence in the valley, ensuring that volunteer firefighters have the infrastructure needed to serve safely and effectively.
Facility Scope
- A modest, purpose-built fire station structure designed for rural response needs
- Apparatus bay(s) to house wildland and structural firefighting vehicles
- Secure equipment storage for protective gear, tools, and supplies
- Water and power infrastructure to support emergency operations and equipment readiness
- All-weather access to ensure year-round response capability
- Site improvements to meet safety, access, and permitting requirements
Operational Use
- Activated during emergency response and training activities
- Supports volunteer firefighters responding from the surrounding valley
- Reduces response times to wildfires, structure fires, and medical emergencies
- Functions as a staging and coordination point during multi-agency incidents
Funding Approach
The Disston Station will be funded through a combination of local and private sources, including:
- Community fundraising and individual donations
- Philanthropic foundations
- Corporate and local business support
- In-kind contributions where possible
This approach allows the community to advance early project phases and demonstrate readiness, positioning the station to leverage larger public funding opportunities as they become available.
Community Impact
By focusing on a practical, unmanned design, the Disston Station delivers high public safety value while remaining financially responsible. The project strengthens wildfire resilience, improves emergency access, and protects lives, homes, and critical watershed resources in the Row River Valley.
How You Can Help
Building a fire station is a community effort, and there are many ways to be part of it. Volunteers help by supporting events, sharing information, gathering petitions, assisting with outreach, and connecting us with local businesses that care about community safety.
Donations help cover planning, preconstruction, and project costs that are not always funded through grants. Contributions of any size make a difference and help us stay ready to move forward as funding opportunities arise.
