A driver lost control of his SUV on Wednesday night and crashed into the front of a Bend Fire & Rescue fire station. Firefighters were awakened by a loud crash which shook the two-story Station 302 at 64725 Cook Avenue in Tumalo at approximately 11:30 p.m. There were 3 firefighters on-duty and in the fire station at the time of the accident. Crews quickly discovered the accident and immediately began rendering aid to the male driver and female passenger of the Ford Explorer. Both the driver and passenger denied injury and refused any further medical treatment or ambulance transportation. There were no injuries to any of the on-duty firefighters.
Bend Fire Chief Todd Riley and Fire Marshal Jason Bolen were at the site on Thursday morning to evaluate the damage and determine if the building was structurally sound. The vehicle significantly damaged the exterior wall of the station and intruded into the building 3-4 feet before coming to rest outside of the structure, spraying brick, sheet rock, and broken glass throughout the fire station exercise room. A City of Bend Structural Engineer surveyed the damage and determined that while there was heavy damage to the façade of the fire station it was still structurally stable and able to remain occupied and in service.
Bend firefighters will spend the day cleaning up the debris from the crash before securing the structure from both the elements and unauthorized entry. The fire station will remain open and fully staffed during the repair phase, of which there is no known time frame. “I’m grateful that there were no injuries to the passengers of the vehicle or to any of our firefighters.” said Fire Chief Todd Riley. “Our plan is to keep Station 302 open while we make the necessary repairs so that our citizens in Tumalo will maintain the same high level of service and protection that they are used to having.”
Damage to the structure is initially estimated to be in the $100,000 to $150,000 range, and while the fire department carries insurance it is unknown if the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash was insured. Firefighters were assisted by deputies from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, who will be providing their own press release with additional details about the crash.