Baker City fire chief proposes requiring secured lock boxes at businesses

Baker City fire chief Michael Carlson asked the city council to consider an ordinance that would require some businesses and multi-family buildings to install secured lock boxes holding entry keys, cards or codes so firefighters can gain faster access and limit damage from fires or malfunctioning sprinkler systems.

Carlson presented the idea during the council’s meeting Tuesday, Jan. 27, at city hall and cited the 2025 Oregon Fire Codes, which mention key boxes “where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes. …” He described how the system would operate: “A business owner places entry keys, card or code, depending on the type of lock, in a locked box near the entry. Carlson said the fire department would have the only master key to all lock boxes, and that key could only be accessed by entering a code also kept by the fire department.”

Proponents of lock-box programs argue they reduce the need for forced entry that can cause additional property damage and slow firefighter response. Carlson told councilors insurance “might not cover such damage,” an element he cited as part of the case for quicker, non-destructive access. Carlson also noted at least a few local facilities already use lock boxes, including the National Guard armory.

Councilors voiced interest in Carlson’s proposal but declined to move forward with an ordinance until Carlson surveys local business owners to gauge reactions and practical concerns. No draft ordinance, cost estimates, or timetable for the survey were presented at the meeting.

Carlson pointed to precedent in other Oregon cities, citing Albany’s long-running program. According to Albany’s municipal materials, the city has used Knox Boxes since the mid-1970s and none has been “illegally accessed.” That kind of municipal precedent provides a model for Baker City to study as it considers technical standards, vendor choices and security safeguards.

Key questions remain for business owners and city officials. The council has not specified which types of occupancies would be required, how the city would define “some businesses,” what brands or certification standards would be allowed, who inside the fire department would have access to master keys and codes, or how compliance and enforcement would work. The cost to install approved boxes and any potential liability or insurance impacts were not detailed at the meeting.

For Baker City residents and Main Street business owners, the immediate consequence is likely outreach: Carlson’s planned survey will shape whether an ordinance is formally drafted. If the council proceeds, owners of commercial properties and multi-family buildings should expect further notices and opportunities to comment before any requirement takes effect. The council’s next steps will determine whether Baker City follows the decades-long Oregon practice of lock-box use or adopts a tailored approach to balance access, security and cost.