Together, We’re Stronger

Franklin County Fire Protection District No. 4 was officially formed in 1960, born of a growing community need in Basin City and the surrounding rural areas. Basin City itself was founded in the 1950s as part of the Columbia Basin Project, which transformed arid land through irrigation and attracted a wave of settlers — many of them veterans — who established farms and built homes in the region.

As Basin City blossomed with agriculture — sugar beets, alfalfa, apples, and other produce — the need for organized fire protection became clear. Community leaders and pioneers came together to establish District No. 4, empowering it to deliver emergency services across the northeast region of Franklin County.

The district began with a single fire engine, one station, and a small group of dedicated volunteers. James Randle was appointed the first fire chief, and early commissioners Ed Danz, Nels Allison, and Ervin Easterday played key roles in shaping the department. Initial funding was secured through $24,000 in bonds and $6,000 in coupon warrants.

Today, the district covers 180 square miles with three stations. Thirty part-time, on-call firefighters continue the tradition of neighbors protecting neighbors, safeguarding lives, property, and the agricultural heritage that shaped our beginnings.