Last night, the City of Portland saw unrest unlike any I have experienced in my lifetime in this city. Portland Fire & Rescue was put to the test in a night full of emergency calls. I want to personally thank every member of Portland Fire & Rescue, including the Rapid Response Team, for their dedication, compassion, professionalism, and courage on every call. I am humbled by your continuous commitment to all communities that make up Portland and I feel these words fall short of how proud I am of the firefighters who braved the frontlines last night. 

When I became Chief of Portland Fire & Rescue, I made a promise to your loved ones that I would do everything within my power to ensure your safe return to the station and then back to the place you call home. But, I cannot fulfill that promise alone. Your dedication, your training, and your ability to make critical decisions brought you home safely to your loved ones by this morning. 

Last night, this city’s public safety teams worked together to back each other up and support the security of our community.From the 9-1-1 dispatchers at the Bureau of Emergency Communication who managed high-call volumes with technical expertise to the Portland Police Bureau teams that ensured our safety as we fought fires and attended to medical emergencies, I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

When I was sworn in less than a year ago, I could have never predicted what lay before us all in 2020. Although I couldn’t see what challenges we had before us, I had unwavering faith in the skill and commitment of the public safety professionals I have worked with side-by-side for my entire career.

I saw the best of our public safety professionals last night and I could not be prouder to put on my uniform again today. Thank you all for your exceptional service to the community.

Chief Sara Boone