OPB’s First Look: Searching for a fire service solution in east Multnomah County

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Good morning, Northwest.

Four cities in east Multnomah County are looking to form a new fire district as tensions have arisen over the services provided by the Gresham Fire Department. It’s a complicated task that will probably take a few years.

OPB and Report for America reporter Holly Bartholomew delved into the issue and gave us all the details.

Also from Holly, an Oregon City couple who are members of Followers of Christ Church, failed to seek medical help for their sick newborn in 2023. They were sentenced yesterday and will serve 30 days in jail and five years of probation as a result of the baby’s death.

Labor strikes in Southwest Washington have led to school closures in Evergreen and La Center districts, with a potential strike in Vancouver.

Also, OPB reporter Troy Brynelson got security footage of the events leading up to a stabbing outside the Multnomah County Central Library in late August, which has sparked a debate around public safety in downtown Portland.

Here is your First Look at Tuesday’s news.

— Francisca Benitez

Gresham firefighters listen during a training at the Gresham Fire Department Training Division Sept. 4, 2025.
*Holly Bartholomew / OPB*

East Multnomah County cities don’t want their fire service to go up in flames

East Multnomah County cities Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village are considering forming a new four-city fire district to improve and maintain fire services, as tensions have emerged over the control and cost of services provided by the Gresham Fire Department.

This comes after Clackamas Fire had come to the three smaller cities with a proposal to bring them into its district.

After learning the three cities were considering leaving Gresham Fire for Clackamas Fire District, the union representing Gresham’s firefighters sprang into action. (Holly Bartholomew)

Learn more

A screenshot from a surveillance video outside the Central Library in downtown Portland. The video, which was shared with OPB and does not include audio, shows the confrontation that occurred before a stabbing on Aug. 25, 2025.
*Courtesy of Multnomah County*

4 things to know this morning

Multnomah County officials have released more than half an hour of security footage of the events leading up to a recent stabbing near its central library branch two weeks ago. (Troy Brynelson)

Labor strikes in Southwest Washington have led to school closures in Evergreen and La Center districts. Vancouver could be next. (Rob Manning)

Oregon and Umatilla tribal leaders are embarking on a partnership that could restore habitat for elk and salmon in the Blue Mountains. A new wildlife area would open up thousands of acres to hunting, fishing and recreation to the public and improve habitat for tribal foods. (April Ehrlich)

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek issued an executive order on Monday to ensure new state buildings larger than 10,000 square feet are built to withstand a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. (Lauren Dake)

An American Medical Response ambulance, in Portland, Jan. 11, 2024.
*Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB*

Headlines from around the Northwest

Multnomah County and ambulance provider still at odds over service (Amelia Templeton)

Followers of Christ parents in Oregon City sentenced to 30 days for baby’s death (Holly Bartholomew)

Portland Art Museum nears fall opening for new Rothko Pavilion (OPB staff)

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek weighs standing order to protect COVID-19 vaccine pharmacy access (Shaanth Nanguneri)

Firefighters question leaders’ role in Washington immigration raid (Alex Brown)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

Oregon State Parks visitors are paying more for recreation and camping

For Oregon musician Adam Hurst, the cello is an ‘endless instrument’

For Oregon cellist Adam Hurst, the cello is eternally offering creative opportunities.

He regularly records albums and performs around Oregon and in other parts of the world. Hurst even built his own weatherproof electric cello so he could more easily perform outside.

His influences include Middle Eastern music, Western Classical music and Indian raga beats. This story originally aired in 2011 highlights Hurst’s global cello sound. (Katrina Sarson)