Lebanon Fire District Celebrates Four Promotions (Photo) - 10/28/25
The Lebanon Fire District is proud to celebrate four recent promotions that reflect the dedication, professionalism, and community spirit of our team. Each of these individuals has demonstrated exceptional commitment to serving the citizens of Lebanon and has earned the respect of their peers through years of hard work, leadership, and service. Their promotions mark an exciting new chapter for both them and the District as they continue to strengthen our mission of protecting lives, property, and community.
Candace Hedding - Fire Marshal
Lebanon Fire District is proud to announce the promotion of Candace Hedding to Fire Marshal.
Candace’s fire service journey began right here in Lebanon. “In my high school health career class, I was able to do ride-alongs on the ambulance for several weeks,” she recalled. “I skipped a lot of school so I could ride along longer.” That early spark led her to join the District as a resident volunteer in 1992, shortly after graduating high school.
Over the past three decades, Candace has served in nearly every capacity imaginable—Resident Volunteer, Intern Firefighter, Apprentice, Paramedic, Engineer, Lieutenant, and Deputy Fire Marshal. Along the way, she became the department’s only Juvenile Fire-Setter Interventionist and took on roles such as Child Safety Seat Technician, CPR and EMR Instructor, SCBA Technician, and IAAI-FIT Fire Investigation Technician.
Reflecting on her promotion, Candace shared, “It’s very meaningful for me because I grew up in this community, and being able to grow in my career while staying rooted is something I deeply value.” After more than 33 years of service, she remains humble and grounded. “Throughout that time, there were many bumps along the way—challenges that tested me and moments that caused me to doubt if I could do it. I’m glad I stayed.”
Candace says she cherishes the advice she received early in her career: “One of the old-timers told me, ‘Kid, in a blink of an eye you’ll be finishing out your career and wondering where time went.’ Truth!”
Jason Adamson - Deputy Fire Marshal
Lebanon Fire District is proud to announce the promotion of Jason Adamson to Deputy Fire Marshal.
Jason’s journey with Lebanon Fire District began in 2005, when he joined as a volunteer firefighter. During those early years, he gained hands-on experience responding to calls, training others, and developing a deep appreciation for the fire service. “As a volunteer, I focused on my firefighter and engineer skills, trained a number of firefighters to become apparatus operators, earned my EMT license, and began working on my degree,” he shared. His curiosity about fire behavior and investigation also led him to begin investigating fires in 2013—a foundation that would later shape his career path.
In 2017, Jason was hired full-time as a Firefighter and continued advancing his education, earning his Paramedic license and completing his Associate’s degree in 2020. He was promoted to Engineer in 2021, Lieutenant in 2023, and now steps into his new role as Deputy Fire Marshal in 2025.
Jason credits Division Chief Ken Foster for helping him prepare for this next chapter. “Thanks to Ken’s guidance, I’ve been active in earning fire investigation and inspection certifications to prepare me for this role,” he said.
Like many firefighters, Jason acknowledges that balancing personal and professional life can be challenging. “My wife, April, has been extremely supportive throughout my career—her support is the reason I’m able to do what I do for the District. It’s made all the difference.”
As Deputy Fire Marshal, Jason looks forward to combining his operational experience with his passion for prevention and education. “I enjoy being out in the community and building positive relationships with the public. A significant part of this position centers on education, which closely reflects the work I’ve done throughout my career. I’ve seen firsthand how fire safety practices save lives and prevent serious injuries. Being able to share that knowledge with others will be both meaningful and rewarding.”
Cody Manzi - Lieutenant
Lebanon Fire District is proud to announce the promotion of Cody Manzi to Lieutenant.
Cody’s passion for the fire service began in high school when he and a friend started a volunteer group during their junior year. “I wanted a career where I could help people do things they couldn’t do for themselves,” he said. “My dad’s stories of being a volunteer firefighter when he was in his twenties sealed the deal.”
After completing a volunteer academy before his senior year, Cody joined Polk County Fire District No. 1 and later became a student firefighter with Sisters–Camp Sherman RFPD. He joined Lebanon Fire District on June 18, 2018, and has since served as both a Firefighter and an Engineer.
For Cody, this promotion is both a milestone and a continuation of a long-held goal. “It’s an honor to take this next step in my career—something I’ve worked toward for a long time,” he said. The path hasn’t been easy; Cody balanced paramedic school, a bachelor’s degree, shift work, and a side job—all while facing a cancer diagnosis. “I’m most proud of how my family and I handled that diagnosis and maintained a positive outlook the whole time.”
He credits his first Captain in Sisters, Captain Brown, as one of his biggest mentors, along with the Lieutenants and Battalion Chiefs he’s worked under in Lebanon. “They’ve all shown me different leadership and tactics styles that refined the foundation Captain Brown set.” Looking ahead, Cody says, “I look forward to the opportunity to continue to influence and motivate others while stretching myself in new ways.”
Heath Nance - Firefighter
Lebanon Fire District is proud to announce the promotion of Heath Nance to Firefighter.
Heath’s interest in the fire service started young—sparked by the classic TV show Emergency!. “That led to Fire Explorers in high school, enlisting in the Air Force as a firefighter, and then becoming a civilian firefighter,” he shared.
He joined Lebanon Fire District as a volunteer in November 2023, transitioning to a full-time temporary firefighter in April 2024. Now, as a full-time member of the District, Heath says, “It’s an amazing opportunity! To be able to continue doing what I love with an amazing group of people has been outstanding.”
Heath acknowledges that the fire service comes with both challenges and rewards. “Every firefighter will have moments, good and bad. That’s why we lean on our brothers and sisters for support and motivation—it’s why Fire, Police, EMS, and military have a bond that can last a lifetime.”
When asked about his mentors, Heath’s answer was simple: “Everyone—from the Chief to the newest firefighter. All have provided insight and guidance.” He’s proud of how quickly he’s been able to contribute, saying, “Being able to jump right in and help however I can has been deeply fulfilling”. In his new role, Heath looks forward to “motivating and guiding younger generations and helping them achieve their goals.”
Photo 1 (left to right): Candace Hedding, Jason Adamson, Cody Manzi, and Heath Nance.
