Rural Oregon Area Suspends Fire Service Due to Insurance Lapse

The Lakeside Rural Fire Protection District in Oregon has suspended emergency operations because of a lapse in its insurance policy.

Acting fire district chairman Ralph Dotson tells The World newspaper of Coos Bay that the station has been closed and neighboring fire departments are providing emergency service.

Dotson says the district recently discovered it has not had insurance on its vehicles or boats since Dec. 31, and also didn’t have liability or workers’ compensation insurance.

Dotson says the district is trying to quickly resolve the issue. He emphasized that Chief Dann Barnes and volunteer firefighters played no role in the oversight.

Lakeside is 15 miles north of Coos Bay.