By Marie Kennedy The Mountain Times
On the evening of Thursday, May 15, community members gathered at the Mount Hood Resort for the Hoodland Community Planning Organization’s (HCPO) first annual Progress Meeting.
The two-hour event brought together key partners to share updates, insights, and plans for the future. Topics included the proposed general obligation bond for a new Hoodland Fire Station, presented by Hoodland Fire officials; emergency preparedness insights from Jay Wilson of Clackamas County; wildfire mitigation efforts led by Brent Reid; and a new emergency communication initiative introduced by Marti Bowne, designed to keep residents connected during power outages and other disruptions.
Fire Station Update
Chief Scott Kline of Hoodland Fire and Project Manager Alex Cettie presented the latest updates on the plans for the proposed bond measure to build a new fire station.
“This project is about safety, efficiency, and long-term service,” said Cettie, highlighting updated site and floor plans, staffing demands, and bond funding options. Among other improvements, the proposed station would feature modernized sleeping quarters, zoning compliance, ventilation for the engine bays, and upgraded systems to handle hazardous materials.
The team is also pursuing additional funding through partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, as well as state and federal grants, to help reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers. Most of these grant opportunities depend on the bond’s approval. Although the May 20 vote had not been certified at press time, the bond has passed. Hoodland Fire District #74 will move forward with plans to build a new fire station just east of the current location, off Highway 26 on Salmon River Road.
A Network of Preparedness
Jay Wilson, Resilience Coordinator for Clackamas County Disaster Management, reflected on his personal experiences when he was living in the Mount Hood community and working for the county, working through disasters.
He discussed some of the Mount Hood Corridor’s most difficult periods and the collaborative efforts that helped stabilize and strengthen the region, highlighting the Mount Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership’s role in advancing interagency communication and coordinated wildfire mitigation.
Wildfire Resilience in Action
Brentwood Reid of Clackamas Fire and facilitator of the Mount Hood Corridor Wildfire Partnership walked attendees through the past year’s action plan, emphasizing the importance of community-led mitigation.
The Partnership has facilitated workshops, coordinated debris pickups, and helped create “Firewise Communities”. Their guiding principles – from face-to-face engagement to supporting vulnerable populations – are designed to help rural areas like Hoodland prepare for and respond to wildfire risk.
Radios and Resilience
Marti Bowne, a long-serving Hoodland CPO board member and head of the newly launched Hoodland Emergency Communication Network (HECN), gave a presentation on General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios, a low-cost, FCC-licensed tool for reliable communication during power outages and emergencies.
“When the power goes out up here, phones and the internet go down – what are you going to do?” Bowne asked the attendees. “We now have a network of radios set up with about 20 residents involved, and we have a list of more locals who are interested. It’s happening!”
She added, “These radios offer a lifeline. And they’re simple, affordable, and accessible.”
The HECN is working to establish three GMRS repeater channels across Brightwood, Welches, and Government Camp, creating a volunteer-based network capable of keeping residents connected when it matters most.
For more information on the HECN, contact Marti Brown.
Looking Ahead Together
The meeting wrapped up with a clear focus on key priorities: wildfire preparedness, stronger emergency communication, and better coordination between agencies. Presentations shared important updates and outlined the work already underway to support these goals.
Links to presentations and project details are available upon request, via the Hoodland CPO’s shared Google Drive.