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News Release

10-05-22 Commissioners Honor Firefighters And Fire Prevention Week (Photo) - 10/05/22

Douglas County Board of Commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2022

Commissioners Honor Firefighters with Ceremony and Issue a Proclamation for Fallen Firefighters and Fire Prevention Week

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress held a special ceremony this morning, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 on the front steps of the Douglas County Courthouse, in honor of all of our firefighters, fire personnel and fire agencies past and present for their courage, dedication and selfless acts of heroism in our community and also in remembrance of our fallen fire heroes as a part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekand the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters National Campaign.  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

Commissioner Freeman opened the ceremony by stating, “Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Its mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.  This year marks the 41st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week. Today, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners invited all local municipal and volunteer firehouses and battalions, rural fire districts, wildland fire agencies, and families of fallen fire heroes to help us pay tribute to Douglas County firefighters that perished while in the line of duty.”

Commissioner Freeman then invited Chief Michael Lane from Sutherlin Fire Department and District Manager Pat Skrip from Douglas Forest Protective Association to come forward and place a beautiful red and white wreath in honor of our fallen fire heroes, while John Pierson and Heidi Wood played the hymn “Amazing Grace”1 on their ceremonial bagpipes.  John and Heidi are from Military Honors by the Pipes, Inc., a local non-profit that provides ceremonial bagpipe services at memorial events all over Oregon.  The wreath laying was followed by a 200-year-old tradition of sounding a bell.  As tradition notes, “It is customary that the ‘Last Alarm’ be sounded for our firefighting brothers and sisters who paid the supreme sacrifice. For having selflessly given their lives for the good of their fellow man, their tasks completed, their duties well done, to signify, they are ‘returning to quarters’.” Chief Rob Bullock with Douglas County Fire District #2 stepped forward and rang the bell three times in honor of our local fallen firefighters.   

“We dedicate today to the memory of our fallen firefighters who selflessly gave their lives for their fellow man…so that they may never be forgotten!  We researched lists of fallen firefighters from local agencies, as well as from state and national archives.  We were able to locate the names and respective agencies for 19 fallen firefighters from Douglas County as far back as 1951,” stated Commissioner Freeman

Commissioner Freeman then invited Chief Brian Burke, with North Douglas Fire and EMS to come forward and recite the “Firefighter’s Prayer” and read aloud the names of the 19 fallen firefighters from Douglas County.  After which a moment of silence was observed and the exterior lights on the Douglas County Courthouse turned red as a tribute to our fallen 19, their families, and all fallen fire heroes across this great nation.  In 2017, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation created Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, where firehouses across the nation place red bulbs in their lights to recognize National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week. Since then, Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters has expanded to include homes and businesses.  An excerpt from their website reads: “As dusk turns to dark, landmarks, homes, fire service organizations, and businesses across the country will glow red in solidarity and respect during the week of October 2nd to honor fallen firefighters and their families.” We encourage everyone in Douglas County to light up the night with red lights through Sunday, October 9, 2022. 

Douglas County Fallen Firefighters:

Jerry Bain                             Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1951

Roy W. McFarland                  Roseburg Fire Department, Roseburg                                        1959

John J. Richards                    Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1961

Richard Underhill                   Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1979

Elwin I. King                         Fair Oaks Fire Department, Sutherlin                                         1984

Mark Giles                            Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1987

James Moore                        Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1987

Russell Brine                         Elkton Rural Fire District, Elkton                                              1987

Julius C. Starr                       USDA Forest Service, Roseburg Office                                     1990

Clark N. Gilkison                   Fair Oaks Fire Department, Sutherlin                                         1991

Rob Johnson                         Prineville Hot Shots (South Canyon Fire, Colorado)                   1994

Paul E. Gibson                      First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

David Kelly Hammer             First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Jeffrey D. Hengel                  First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Jesse D. James                      First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Richard Burt Moore II              First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Leland ‘David’ Price Jr.             First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Mark Robert Ransdell               First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Ricardo M. Ruiz                       First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Commissioner Freeman concluded the firefighter tribute ceremony with a thank you to the City of Roseburg for bringing their ladder truck and flying the American Flag over our courtyard, a thank you to all local fire agencies and then encouraged our citizens to take a moment to thank a firefighter.  The memorial wreath and red lights will be displayed at the Douglas County Courthouse as a tribute to Fallen Firefighters through Sunday, October 9, 2022, as our salute to the heroism of our firefighters past and present, and as a promise to the families of our fallen that we will never forget their sacrifice.  Commissioner Freeman then invited John Pierson to play “Hector the Hero”2 on the ceremonial bagpipes one more time in reverence and honor. 

The ceremony was immediately followed by a proclamation presentation, in which the Commissioners called upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe National Fallen Firefighters Week (October 2-9, 2022) and National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2022).  2022 marks the 41st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week, with the official national tribute to all firefighters who have died while in the line of duty in the United States taking place on October 8-9 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week pays tribute to the sacrifices made by our fallen fire heroes who perished while bravely fighting fires protecting our communities, our forests, our livestock, our businesses, our homes, and our natural resources.  The memorial week also allows us to honor a pledge made to the families of our fallen fire heroes – whom we will never forget.

Commissioners also recognized the 100th Anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2022), in which we honor our brave fire heroes, fire volunteers, and wildland firefighters who risk their lives to protect us every day and reaffirm the importance of understanding fire safety and preparedness. Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.  In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country.  During this week firefighters across the nation provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.   

Commissioner Freeman was joined by Commissioner Boice and Commissioner Kress as they presented families of fallen firefighters, fire service personnel including career, volunteer, wildland, and structural firefighters; as well as chief officers, company officers, engineers, and fire marshals with proclamation certificates.  Attending and taking part in the presentations today were:

Families of Fallen Firefighters:

  • Family of Jesse D. James: Donna Tarrant, Kolby James (son) and Sueann Hammond
  • Family of Ricardo M. Ruiz: Rosa Ruiz, Alex Martin, Luciana Valadez, Tori Ruiz (Mom), Larisa Czernowski and Kari Gambill
  • Family of Jeffrey D. Hengel: Brian Hengel (Dad and retired First Strike Environmental Employee)

Local Fire Agencies, Districts and Volunteer Fire Departments:

  • Douglas County Fire District #2: Chief Rob Bullock and Training Officer Nick Wecks
  • Winston-Dillard Fire District: Rob Bullock
  • North Douglas County Fire & EMS & Oakland Rural Fire Department: Chief Brian Burke
  • Riddle Fire Department: Chief Devin Loughridge and Captain Blake Ray
  • Roseburg Fire Department: Chief Gary Garrisi, Assistant Chief of Operations Tyler Christopherson, Garrett Russell, Lt. Dylan Wright and Travis Martin.
  • Sutherlin Fire Department: Chief Mike Lane and Deputy Chief Scott McKnight 
  • Lookingglass Rural Volunteer Fire Department: Lester McEwing, Michael Nady and Engineer Tylor Giusto
  • Oregon Department of Forestry: Area Director Dave Larson
  • Douglas Forest Protective Association: District Manager Pat Skrip, Forest Officer Ian Quimby, Public Information Officer Rachel Pope, Josh Cox, Paul Ritter, Aaron Whitely, Adam Sinkey, Rory Collins, Dispatch Supervisor Randy Lemming and DFPA Board Member Ken Canon
  • U.S.F.S. Umpqua National Forest: John Szulc, Rachel Taylor, Garrett Davis and Pam Meyer
  • First Strike Environmental: Nate Mandera, Austyn Brown and Leilani Thatcher
  • Smokey Bear

As a part of the proclamation for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week and National Fire Prevention Week the Commissioners called upon all citizens of Douglas County to join them in commemorating our fire heroes, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their profession, have rendered immeasurable service to their communities. Additionally, they encouraged our citizens to learn more about how to stay safe in case of a fire. 


 

###

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. © K Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos available, upon request.

1 The Amazing Grace hymn was written in December 1772 in Olney England by John Newton.  Over the next 250 years the hymn would become ever popular at church and memorial services all around the world.  Newton wrote about a grace that is immense and one that saved him out of his wretchedness.

2 "Hector the Hero" is a classic lament penned by Scottish composer and fiddler James Scott Skinner in 1903.

 

Douglas County Proclamation Project

Douglas County Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress recognized that the pandemic traumatized our country, state and county on so many levels.  The impact was not only felt physically, but also mentally, emotionally and financially. The Commissioners collectively decided to start this series of ‘kudos’ proclamations, and are dedicated to recognizing people that have continued to do good things in our community despite the challenges of the past two years.   They plan to continue to highlight the amazing, often selfless work being done in order to encourage our residents to do the same.  The incredible stories being told during our proclamation events shine a huge spotlight on the amazing people and organizations in Douglas County.  We want to focus on what really matters, our people. So far this year, the Commissioners have issued 29 proclamations and honored over 792 Douglas County individuals as a part of our Proclamation Project.  They hope you will join them in supporting, thanking and perhaps volunteering to help these wonderful individuals and service organizations, so we can come together to rekindle and restore our sense of community, our faith in others and the joy that makes Douglas County the best place to live, work and play. 

Attached Media Files: DC Fire Proclamation, Light the Night DC, DC Fallen Firefighters Memorial,

10-05-22 Commissioners Honor Firefighters And Fire Prevention Week (Photo) - 10/05/22

Douglas County Board of Commissioners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 5, 2022

Commissioners Honor Firefighters with Ceremony and Issue a Proclamation for Fallen Firefighters and Fire Prevention Week

            (Douglas County, Ore.) Douglas County Commissioners Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress held a special ceremony this morning, Wednesday, October 5, 2022 on the front steps of the Douglas County Courthouse, in honor of all of our firefighters, fire personnel and fire agencies past and present for their courage, dedication and selfless acts of heroism in our community and also in remembrance of our fallen fire heroes as a part of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekand the Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters National Campaign.  A copy of the live video presentation can be found on the Douglas County Government Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCountyeGovernment.

Commissioner Freeman opened the ceremony by stating, “Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to honor America’s fallen firefighters. Its mission is to honor and remember America’s fallen fire heroes and provide resources to assist their families in rebuilding their lives and work within the fire service community to reduce firefighter deaths and injuries.  This year marks the 41st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week. Today, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners invited all local municipal and volunteer firehouses and battalions, rural fire districts, wildland fire agencies, and families of fallen fire heroes to help us pay tribute to Douglas County firefighters that perished while in the line of duty.”

Commissioner Freeman then invited Chief Michael Lane from Sutherlin Fire Department and District Manager Pat Skrip from Douglas Forest Protective Association to come forward and place a beautiful red and white wreath in honor of our fallen fire heroes, while John Pierson and Heidi Wood played the hymn “Amazing Grace”1 on their ceremonial bagpipes.  John and Heidi are from Military Honors by the Pipes, Inc., a local non-profit that provides ceremonial bagpipe services at memorial events all over Oregon.  The wreath laying was followed by a 200-year-old tradition of sounding a bell.  As tradition notes, “It is customary that the ‘Last Alarm’ be sounded for our firefighting brothers and sisters who paid the supreme sacrifice. For having selflessly given their lives for the good of their fellow man, their tasks completed, their duties well done, to signify, they are ‘returning to quarters’.” Chief Rob Bullock with Douglas County Fire District #2 stepped forward and rang the bell three times in honor of our local fallen firefighters.   

“We dedicate today to the memory of our fallen firefighters who selflessly gave their lives for their fellow man…so that they may never be forgotten!  We researched lists of fallen firefighters from local agencies, as well as from state and national archives.  We were able to locate the names and respective agencies for 19 fallen firefighters from Douglas County as far back as 1951,” stated Commissioner Freeman

Commissioner Freeman then invited Chief Brian Burke, with North Douglas Fire and EMS to come forward and recite the “Firefighter’s Prayer” and read aloud the names of the 19 fallen firefighters from Douglas County.  After which a moment of silence was observed and the exterior lights on the Douglas County Courthouse turned red as a tribute to our fallen 19, their families, and all fallen fire heroes across this great nation.  In 2017, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation created Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, where firehouses across the nation place red bulbs in their lights to recognize National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week. Since then, Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters has expanded to include homes and businesses.  An excerpt from their website reads: “As dusk turns to dark, landmarks, homes, fire service organizations, and businesses across the country will glow red in solidarity and respect during the week of October 2nd to honor fallen firefighters and their families.” We encourage everyone in Douglas County to light up the night with red lights through Sunday, October 9, 2022. 

Douglas County Fallen Firefighters:

Jerry Bain                             Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1951

Roy W. McFarland                  Roseburg Fire Department, Roseburg                                        1959

John J. Richards                    Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1961

Richard Underhill                   Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1979

Elwin I. King                         Fair Oaks Fire Department, Sutherlin                                         1984

Mark Giles                            Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1987

James Moore                        Douglas Forest Protective Association                                       1987

Russell Brine                         Elkton Rural Fire District, Elkton                                              1987

Julius C. Starr                       USDA Forest Service, Roseburg Office                                     1990

Clark N. Gilkison                   Fair Oaks Fire Department, Sutherlin                                         1991

Rob Johnson                         Prineville Hot Shots (South Canyon Fire, Colorado)                   1994

Paul E. Gibson                      First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

David Kelly Hammer             First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Jeffrey D. Hengel                  First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Jesse D. James                      First Strike Environmental, Roseburg - ODF Contractor             2003

Richard Burt Moore II              First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Leland ‘David’ Price Jr.             First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Mark Robert Ransdell               First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Ricardo M. Ruiz                       First Strike Environmental, Roseburg – ODF Contractor             2003

Commissioner Freeman concluded the firefighter tribute ceremony with a thank you to the City of Roseburg for bringing their ladder truck and flying the American Flag over our courtyard, a thank you to all local fire agencies and then encouraged our citizens to take a moment to thank a firefighter.  The memorial wreath and red lights will be displayed at the Douglas County Courthouse as a tribute to Fallen Firefighters through Sunday, October 9, 2022, as our salute to the heroism of our firefighters past and present, and as a promise to the families of our fallen that we will never forget their sacrifice.  Commissioner Freeman then invited John Pierson to play “Hector the Hero”2 on the ceremonial bagpipes one more time in reverence and honor. 

The ceremony was immediately followed by a proclamation presentation, in which the Commissioners called upon all citizens of Douglas County to observe National Fallen Firefighters Week (October 2-9, 2022) and National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2022).  2022 marks the 41st Annual National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week, with the official national tribute to all firefighters who have died while in the line of duty in the United States taking place on October 8-9 in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week pays tribute to the sacrifices made by our fallen fire heroes who perished while bravely fighting fires protecting our communities, our forests, our livestock, our businesses, our homes, and our natural resources.  The memorial week also allows us to honor a pledge made to the families of our fallen fire heroes – whom we will never forget.

Commissioners also recognized the 100th Anniversary of National Fire Prevention Week (October 9-15, 2022), in which we honor our brave fire heroes, fire volunteers, and wildland firefighters who risk their lives to protect us every day and reaffirm the importance of understanding fire safety and preparedness. Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage. This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land.  In 1925, President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week a national observance, making it the longest-running public health observance in our country.  During this week firefighters across the nation provide lifesaving public education in an effort to drastically decrease casualties caused by fires.   

Commissioner Freeman was joined by Commissioner Boice and Commissioner Kress as they presented families of fallen firefighters, fire service personnel including career, volunteer, wildland, and structural firefighters; as well as chief officers, company officers, engineers, and fire marshals with proclamation certificates.  Attending and taking part in the presentations today were:

Families of Fallen Firefighters:

  • Family of Jesse D. James: Donna Tarrant, Kolby James (son) and Sueann Hammond
  • Family of Ricardo M. Ruiz: Rosa Ruiz, Alex Martin, Luciana Valadez, Tori Ruiz (Mom), Larisa Czernowski and Kari Gambill
  • Family of Jeffrey D. Hengel: Brian Hengel (Dad and retired First Strike Environmental Employee)

Local Fire Agencies, Districts and Volunteer Fire Departments:

  • Douglas County Fire District #2: Chief Rob Bullock and Training Officer Nick Wecks
  • Winston-Dillard Fire District: Rob Bullock
  • North Douglas County Fire & EMS & Oakland Rural Fire Department: Chief Brian Burke
  • Riddle Fire Department: Chief Devin Loughridge and Captain Blake Ray
  • Roseburg Fire Department: Chief Gary Garrisi, Assistant Chief of Operations Tyler Christopherson, Garrett Russell, Lt. Dylan Wright and Travis Martin.
  • Sutherlin Fire Department: Chief Mike Lane and Deputy Chief Scott McKnight 
  • Lookingglass Rural Volunteer Fire Department: Lester McEwing, Michael Nady and Engineer Tylor Giusto
  • Oregon Department of Forestry: Area Director Dave Larson
  • Douglas Forest Protective Association: District Manager Pat Skrip, Forest Officer Ian Quimby, Public Information Officer Rachel Pope, Josh Cox, Paul Ritter, Aaron Whitely, Adam Sinkey, Rory Collins, Dispatch Supervisor Randy Lemming and DFPA Board Member Ken Canon
  • U.S.F.S. Umpqua National Forest: John Szulc, Rachel Taylor, Garrett Davis and Pam Meyer
  • First Strike Environmental: Nate Mandera, Austyn Brown and Leilani Thatcher
  • Smokey Bear

As a part of the proclamation for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Week and National Fire Prevention Week the Commissioners called upon all citizens of Douglas County to join them in commemorating our fire heroes, past and present, who, by their faithful and loyal devotion to their profession, have rendered immeasurable service to their communities. Additionally, they encouraged our citizens to learn more about how to stay safe in case of a fire. 


 

###

Media Contact:     Tamara Howell, Douglas County Emergency Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, Douglas County Public Affairs Office | Office: (541) 957-4896 | Cell: (541) 670-2804 | Email: tjhowell@co.douglas.or.us

Proclamation and Photo Collage Attached. © K Trenkle/Douglas County. Individual photos available, upon request.

1 The Amazing Grace hymn was written in December 1772 in Olney England by John Newton.  Over the next 250 years the hymn would become ever popular at church and memorial services all around the world.  Newton wrote about a grace that is immense and one that saved him out of his wretchedness.

2 "Hector the Hero" is a classic lament penned by Scottish composer and fiddler James Scott Skinner in 1903.

 

Douglas County Proclamation Project

Douglas County Commissioners, Tim Freeman, Chris Boice and Tom Kress recognized that the pandemic traumatized our country, state and county on so many levels.  The impact was not only felt physically, but also mentally, emotionally and financially. The Commissioners collectively decided to start this series of ‘kudos’ proclamations, and are dedicated to recognizing people that have continued to do good things in our community despite the challenges of the past two years.   They plan to continue to highlight the amazing, often selfless work being done in order to encourage our residents to do the same.  The incredible stories being told during our proclamation events shine a huge spotlight on the amazing people and organizations in Douglas County.  We want to focus on what really matters, our people. So far this year, the Commissioners have issued 29 proclamations and honored over 792 Douglas County individuals as a part of our Proclamation Project.  They hope you will join them in supporting, thanking and perhaps volunteering to help these wonderful individuals and service organizations, so we can come together to rekindle and restore our sense of community, our faith in others and the joy that makes Douglas County the best place to live, work and play. 

Attached Media Files: DC Fire Proclamation, Light the Night DC, DC Fallen Firefighters Memorial,