REEDSPORT — While the Nov. 4 election features issues and candidates of national scope, there are a few local residents who are hoping it’s also the beginning of fire protection in some of the outlying areas of Douglas County.

Reedsport School District Superintendent Ike Launstein has helped spearhead a ballot measure that would create the Lower Umpqua Fire Protection District.

“This is something that is really needed by residents in the more remote areas outside town,” Launstein said. “We’re keeping our fingers crossed it passes.”

The measure calls for a permanent property tax not to exceed $1.50 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The district would encompass the Schofield Road area, the Dean Creek Road area and state Highway 38 east to Mill Creek, Launstein said.

“By having a facility out in that area, emergency situations can be answered more efficiently,” he said. “Which means a lot when we’re talking about saving lives and property.”

Should the ballot measure pass, Launstein and four others will have their names on the ballot as candidates for the fire district board of directors, whose terms can last from two to four years, depending on the number of votes they receive.

Others, besides Launstein, filing for board positions as of Aug. 25, include, Harold Henshaw, Karen Lonon-Jones, Jamie Swafford and Leo Naapi.

Since the district, if it should become a reality, has no facility to call home, Launstein said they would have to do a little improvisation.

“Until we can find or build our own station, we’ll have to rely on residents who, hopefully, will help us with storing equipment,” he said. “We will definitely be a work in progress to start off.”