Lebanon Firefighters Contain Fire (Photo) - 01/19/26

Lebanon, Oregon

Lebanon’s firefighters were dispatched to a small fire in the early morning of January 19, 2026, the fire was located at 30 E Oak Street which was the former Rite Aid building. While the single engine was responding, the dispatch center upgraded the incident to a first alarm (calling for more equipment and personnel) due to the fire beginning to burn up the side of the building and possibly getting to the inside. When the on-duty Battalion Chief arrived, he found the fire in two large, wheeled plastic trash bins as well as bushes with fire climbing the wall. The buildings sprinkler system was activated, which helped keep the fire from getting bigger until firefighters arrived. Bystanders that were in the area saw the fire, called 911 and then pulled the burning bins and some debris away from the building before firefighters arrived.

When the first engine arrived, they quickly went to work containing the fire that was running up the outside of the building, keeping it from getting bigger and from getting inside, while other firefighters were extinguishing the trash bins that were full of belongings used as storage containers and the bushes near the building. The districts ladder truck arrived moments later with off duty personnel and used the ariel ladder to gain access to the roof, those crews also made a thorough search of the building after breaching the doors using tools to get in. Firefighters found no fire or people in the building and crews were able to secure the fire sprinkler system until repairs could be made. No injuries were reported and the fire likely started from the unhoused using the area around the bushes for sleeping.

During this cold snap, The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents to follow safe home-heating instructions. Space heaters should be used with care, plugged directly into an outlet, and not permitted to remain on when residents are sleeping or away.

A Year In Review: What 2025 Reveals About Emergency Response In Lebanon (Photo) - 01/05/26

In 2025, the Lebanon Fire District responded to 7,181 emergency incidents, reflecting continued high demand for emergency services as the community grows.

In 2022, the district handled 6,711 incidents. That number shifted slightly in 2023 to 6,626, increased in 2024 to 6,745, and rose again in 2025 by more than 400 additional calls. Compared to 2022, overall call volume has grown by nearly 7 percent in just three years, reflecting steady growth rather than a temporary spike.

“Fire protection and emergency medical services are directly tied to the size of the community we serve,” said Fire Chief John Tacy. “As Lebanon continues to grow, our firefighters are responding to more calls across a larger and more active city.”

In 2025, ambulances and firefighter-paramedics responded to the majority of incidents, providing patient care, transporting patients, and remaining at hospitals until transfer of care was complete. While units are committed to those calls, they cannot respond to new emergencies, even as additional calls continue to come in.

In recent years, providing ambulance service has become more challenging. Rising operational costs, funding limitations, inflation, and ongoing staffing shortages have affected EMS systems across Oregon and the nation, including Lebanon. At the same time, the district has faced increasing difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified paramedics.

Rising costs, funding limitations, and ongoing staffing shortages are forcing the Lebanon Fire District to reduce ambulance staffing. The district made the decision in August 2024 to take one medic ambulance, known as M30, out of service, with that change taking effect in January 2026. Once implemented, the reduction will leave even fewer ambulances available to respond to emergencies, further straining limited resources during periods of high medical call volume.

With fewer ambulances in service, remaining units stay committed to calls for longer periods of time, particularly when multiple medical emergencies occur at once or when hospital wait times increase. As a result, crews must carefully coordinate responses and prioritize calls when emergencies happen simultaneously.

The impact of this workload becomes clearer when looking at how often incidents occurred at the same time. In 2025, only 2,054 incidents occurred without any other emergency happening concurrently. The remaining 5,127 calls overlapped with one or more active incidents. Many overlapped with two or three others, and on several occasions the district was managing six or more emergencies at once. Each incident commits firefighters, ambulances, and engines for the duration of the call, meaning those same resources are not available for new emergencies until they return to service.

For many residents, it may appear that each emergency has a dedicated crew waiting at the station. In practice, the same firefighters, engines, and ambulances are shared across all calls. When incidents overlap, response distances can increase and fewer options are available until additional resources arrive or neighboring agencies are able to assist.

This reality becomes especially clear during structure fires. National standards for career fire agencies recommend a minimum of four firefighters on each engine or truck company and at least 15 firefighters on the initial alarm for a low-hazard structure fire, with additional staffing required for higher-risk or larger incidents. These standards exist because many critical tasks must occur at the same time, including search and rescue, hose line advancement, ventilation, water supply, fire suppression, and firefighter safety operations.

For a typical single-family house fire, recommended staffing would include approximately 15 firefighters plus a Battalion Chief, who serves as the Incident Commander and oversees the entire fireground. One engine company would be assigned to fire attack, with a lieutenant and firefighter advancing a hose line inside the structure while an engineer operated the pump. A second engine company would provide a backup hose line, again staffed with a lieutenant, firefighter, and engineer.

A truck company would typically handle rescue and ventilation functions and would be staffed with a lieutenant, an engineer, and a firefighter. Two medic units would also be assigned. One medic crew would serve as the Rapid Intervention Crew, dedicated to firefighter rescue if needed, while the second medic crew would provide medical support and rotate with interior crews to manage fatigue and safety.

Altogether, this structure provides the recommended 15 firefighters and one Battalion Chief, which meets the national minimum for a low-hazard residential fire. In Lebanon, initial fire responses often begin with fewer firefighters until additional on-duty crews, volunteers, off-duty personnel, or mutual-aid partners arrive. When fires occur during periods of heavy medical activity or multiple simultaneous incidents, available staffing may already be spread across the community.

Lebanon Fire District operates as a special service district, which means it is funded differently than city departments such as police or public works. Rather than drawing from the City of Lebanon’s general fund, the fire district relies primarily on a dedicated tax base set at the time of its formation. That funding structure does not automatically increase as population, call volume, or service demands grow, making long-term planning closely tied to changes in the community it serves.

Throughout 2025, Lebanon Fire District firefighters responded to every call for help while also balancing training requirements, equipment maintenance, and coordination with regional partners. That workload often meant crews were moving directly from one incident to the next, with limited opportunities to return to stations, reset staffing, or restore full coverage before another call came in. The data from the year illustrates how emergency response operates as a shared, finite system — one that becomes increasingly stretched as call volume grows and incidents overlap more frequently.

“As our community grows and calls increase and overlap more frequently, understanding how emergency response works becomes increasingly important,” Fire Chief Tacy said.

Residents interested in learning more about call volume, response trends, and operational data can explore the district’s public data dashboards at https://data.lebanonfireoregon.gov. The data hub is continually being updated and expanded, with additional dashboards planned in the coming months to provide greater transparency and insight into district operations. Additional information about services, programs, and community resources is available at https://lebanonfireoregon.gov.

Lebanon Fire Responds To A Hidden Fire In A Kitchen Wall (Photo) - 01/02/26

At 10:07 a.m. Jan. 2^nd, 2026, Lebanon Fire District responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of W. Cedar Dr.

Upon arrival, the Incident Commander found light smoke coming from the eaves of the roof of a single-family residence. Two adults and two small children had already evacuated prior to firefighters’ arrival; however, an elderly female was still inside the home. Interior conditions were relatively free of smoke, allowing firefighters to quickly enter and safely escort her outside

While some firefighters located the fire inside a wall and worked on extinguishing it, others performed a thorough search for occupants of the building and pulled additional hoselines for protection.  Further information revealed the fire had spread for some time, unnoticed into the attic space, where it burned through portions of the truss members. The occupants reported recent electrical issues, including half of the home losing power sometime the previous evening, which may be related. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Occupants were alerted by a burning smell and bubbling paint on the kitchen wall and promptly called 911. Their quick action helped keep the fire from growing larger, and all occupants were able to escape safely. No injuries were reported.

Firefighters remained on scene for approximately two hours to ensure the fire was fully contained and completely extinguished.

While Lebanon Fire District crews were committed to this incident, Albany Fire Department provided district coverage with an engine and medic unit.

Lebanon Fire District reminds the public to check smoke alarms at least every six months and ensure they are working properly. Early detection and quick reporting can save lives and limit damage.

Lebanon Fire District Announces Retirement Of Two Longtime Members (Photo) - 12/30/25

The Lebanon Fire District is honored to recognize and celebrate the retirement of two dedicated members whose combined careers total more than seven decades of committed service to the community: Division Chief – Fire Marshal Ken Foster and Lieutenant/Acting Battalion Chief Michael Maynard.

“Their careers represent sacrifice, grit, compassion, and unwavering commitment,” said Fire Chief John Tacy. “Ken and Mike shaped lives, mentored future generations, and set a standard of excellence that will live long beyond their final shifts. On behalf of the Lebanon Fire District, we thank them—deeply—for giving so much of themselves to this community and to this profession.”

Their departures mark the close of two extraordinary chapters in Lebanon’s fire service—each shaped by mentorship, sacrifice, family, and a lifelong calling to serve.

Division Chief – Fire Marshal Ken Foster

For 36 years, Ken Foster has been a steadfast presence in the Lebanon Fire District—a career born from a family deeply woven into the fabric of public safety.

“It was a family affair,” Foster reflected. “My uncle was the Fire Chief at the time, my dad had been a volunteer, my brother-in-law and future brother-in-law were all members. My mother had been a part of the women’s auxiliary for years.”

Ken joined the fire service as a volunteer after completing academy in December 1989 in Lacomb. After several years of volunteering and a brief internal crossroads between the stability of a metal fabrication job and the uncertainty of a new career, a mentor stepped in—Battalion Chief Ron Danielson.

“He came into the shop I was working at and convinced me to apply. He explained what retirement and benefits meant. It took a couple days to process, but it was the best decision I ever made,” Foster said.

Over the course of his career, he served as Volunteer Firefighter, Engineer, Lieutenant, Full-Time Firefighter, Deputy Fire Marshal, Lieutenant, and finally Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety/Fire Marshal.

Among his greatest achievements is the work he led within Fire and Life Safety since 2017—modernizing and strengthening community protections and safety practices. But beyond systems and programs, his greatest pride is deeply personal.

“I am most proud of my wife and kids—they are amazing. I am proud to have served this community in various capacities over the past 36 years. I have tried to make the lives of the people we serve better in one way or another, and that is very rewarding.”

Ken expressed gratitude for the mentors who shaped him: “My uncle Larry Arnold, my mother Carolyn, my dad Dennis, Training Chief Ted Fitzwater, and previous Chief Joe Rodondi. I never imagined retiring out as a Chief Officer.”

Retirement for Ken will be a new chapter—one filled with slowing down, spending time with family, and returning to projects long waiting for attention.

“I bought my ’55 Chevy from my dad when I was 15 and always wanted to build it the way I imagined. We started a few years ago and have a long way to go. I’m looking forward to being able to drop what I’m doing and go spend time with my wife Renee and do whatever we want, whenever we want. I have a list—and she has hers—I won’t be running out of things to do anytime soon.”

Lieutenant & Acting Battalion Chief Michael Maynard

For 33 years, Mike Maynard has served Lebanon—not originally as a goal, but as a path that unfolded in front of him.

He was first introduced to fire service at age 7, standing inside a small volunteer station in Crawfordsville while his father and neighbors raced out on calls. “I would sweep the bay floor and wait for them to return,” he shared. “As a young child hearing that plectron go off in the middle of the night and watching him run down the hallway left a pretty big impression on me.”

When he turned 18, he joined Sweet Home Fire as a member. After encouragement from Brent Gaskey, he applied for Lebanon Fire District in 1992 as a resident volunteer. “I remember walking in and talking with Deputy Chief Wilkerson one day and that night I moved into the station. It was intimidating—I hardly knew anyone.”

His journey continued—Resident Volunteer, Intern/Part-Time Firefighter/EMT, Full-Time Firefighter (1996), Lieutenant (2016), and Acting Battalion Chief when needed.

Mike’s reflections include proud moments—many of them grounded in teamwork.

“One that sticks out most was in May of 2024. My crew and I were involved in a rescue at a small residential care facility and were able to successfully pull a resident trapped in a bedroom. The teamwork and tenacity they showed that night was truly amazing. I could not have been more proud.”

His career, like many in the fire service, also carried heavy challenges—especially mental health.

“The 2018 Camp Fire in California broke me and forced me to do something about my mental health. It changed me and I am grateful for that. I encourage anyone struggling to reach out for help. There is absolutely no shame in asking.”

Mike emphasized the influence of mentors, including his father and Uncle Bob—whose volunteerism shaped his earliest understanding of service—and former Chief Joe Rodondi.

“His belief in my abilities and my knowledge were so good for my personal and professional growth. I truly appreciate everything he has done for me.”

Above all, Mike’s biggest point of pride is being part of LFD itself.

“I work alongside some of the most amazing people. It's no secret we run short for the call volume we have. When I started in 1996, we ran around 2,500 calls a year and now we’re around 7,000—with essentially the same number of people. Putting on the uniform and representing the fire district is something I will always be proud of.”

As he steps into retirement, he looks toward a new kind of life—one defined by family and freedom.

“I’m looking forward to living life uninterrupted. Sleeping in my own bed every night. Hunting, fishing, being a full-time cheer and dance dad, helping my wife, and spending more time with my daughter Nora. I don’t know exactly what retirement looks like, but I know I’m ready.”

He closed his reflections with gratitude: “I have spent 33 years in a town I was not from and made it mine. Getting the honor to serve the people of this district has been truly special. I will miss the job, but I will miss my people the most. Take care of each other. I will always be a phone call away and will always be in your corner.”

Lebanon Firefighters Contain Kitchen Fire (Photo) - 12/29/25

Lebanon, Oregon

Lebanon Fire District Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in the 31900 block of Weldon Road during the mid-afternoon of Monday, December 29^th. En route dispatch gave information of the homeowner arriving and hearing smoke detectors alarming and saw melting of the window blinds.

The first arriving was the on-duty Battalion Chief who became the incident commander and witnessed light wispy smoke coming from the eves of the home. The IC initiated his 360 walk around checking at the front door for occupants and fire conditions. At the front door, he encountered gray, non-turbulent smoke and quickly shut the door to keep the fire from growing anymore. Due to the location and length of the driveway, the first due engine had to lay over 400 feet of supply line which was supplied by multiple water tenders due to the fire being in the rural area. Those firefighters quickly got into action, making entry through the front door and locating the fire in the kitchen area of the residence. While crews extinguished the blaze, more firefighters entered the building completing searches and confirming the fire was contained to the kitchen with no extension into the attic space or walls. No injuries to occupants or firefighters were reported.

Lebanon Firefighters responded with 2 engines, 3 water tenders, 1 ALS ambulance, 1 heavy rescue and 1 rehab unit for firefighters. During the blaze, the district responded to multiple 911 calls for service depleting all its resources. 

The Lebanon Fire District would like to remind residents of the importance of working smoke alarms. For assistance with smoke alarms in your home, contact our Fire & Life Safety Division at (541) 451-1901.