In 1956 , the Forest Grove Rural Fire Protection District merged into Forest Grove Fire Department . Following the May 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens , the city used the department to clean the ash off of city streets . As of 1980 , the Rural District covered and paid 39 % of the combined entities ' costs , though split capital expenditures at 50 &ndash; 50 . At that time the combined department had 11 paid and 45 volunteer firefighters
May 1980 eruptions of Mount St. Helens
1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens
Forest Grove Fire and Rescue