About NBFRD

In 2009 the volunteer fire departments of Wheeler, Nehalem and Manzanita were unified via a vote on ballot measure 29-116 which formed the Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue District.

With the establishment of the new fire district, a new main fire station was built to house the expanded operations. The fire station is a 14,500 SF wood frame two story building. The building includes 3 double apparatus bays, hose tower, equipment turnout rooms, weight training and exercise facility, emergency operations center, offices, sleeping quarters, and a public safety training room. The smaller substation was constructed soon after on a four acre parcel with the plan to develop a training facility in the future.  

Nehalem Bay Fire & Rescue is a combination fire agency. This means we have both volunteer and career personnel providing fire and emergency services for the residents and visitors of our Fire District. We protect 26 square miles and operate two fire stations. In 2024 the District responded to 770 calls for service.

The District is staffed by a paid Fire Chief, Division Chief, Captain, Firefighter, Executive Assistant, and 24 volunteer responders.

The District is a municipal form of government that has an elected five member Board of Directors. The Fire Chief receives authority from the Board of Directors and is responsible for managing staff and district operations. The District’s Tax Rate is $1.15 per $1,000 Assessed Valuation.