Mission Statement
To protect the people and lands of the Breitenbush Canyon from fire through education and prevention,
and when needed – respond to incidents including but not limited to structural, wildland and other fires,
motor vehicle accidents, river rescues, and emergency medical incidents.
To protect the people and lands of the Breitenbush Canyon from fire through education and prevention,
and when needed – respond to incidents including but not limited to structural, wildland and other fires,
motor vehicle accidents, river rescues, and emergency medical incidents.
The Breitenbush Fire Department (BFD) operates in an area which includes the Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center and its community, north of Detroit, Oregon along the Breitenbush River. It is surrounded by the Willamette National Forest which encompasses the Breitenbush-Devils Creek Summer Cabin community, two U.S. Forest Service Campgrounds and hundreds of dispersed campsites along the southern part of FS Road 46 between Detroit and Estacada.
Beginning operation in April of 2005 as a part of the Retreat and Conference Center, the BFD started with a small shed to hang firefighter's coats and helmets, and a little trailer with portable pump and hose. In the fall of 2006 a newly formed board began meeting, representing both the Breitenbush and adjacent Summer Homes communities. The goal was to provide first response fire protection, search and rescue, and emergency medical services for this remote area, working in conjunction with other area 911 agencies. Today the Breitenbush Fire Department is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization with a board of directors representing the two communities, with a fully functional fire station and emergency vehicles.
In September 2020 the Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires, fueled by 80-100 mile per hour winds, destroyed over 400,000 acres of forest lands and severely impacted seven communities, including those at Breitenbush. All but one of the 73 summer cabins were completely destroyed, literally incinerated by the high winds carrying fire from cabin to cabin. The hot springs retreat center took the impact of the wind driven fire as well, losing numerous structures and critical infrastructure. BFD firefighters managed to safely maintain vigilance throughout, which, despite the devastating losses, ultimately saved much of the hot springs retreat centers structures, including the historic lodge.
Today the BFD continues to be comprised of members of the two communities we serve. Rebuilding our ranks with responders from both the hot springs and outside the area, there are over 25 trained medical folks working shifts regularly at the firehouse.
We provide initial response for local medical incidents, missing persons, structure and wildland fires, smoke reports, and illegal campfires. With two fire stations and four emergency vehicles, our responders are able to provide effective first response emergency services.
The BFD board of directors is made up of six members, three representing each community, with a fire chief, office administrator, and fire captain providing operational leadership. The BFD maintains 8-12 local responders and 25-30 out of area responders who work shifts regularly. We have a Workforce Team who help with firehouse cleaning and large projects such as fuels reduction and setting up fire sprinklers around community buildings for the summer months. Everyone volunteers, even our professional fire mechanic who travels from Central Oregon to service our fleet twice each year.
New and current firefighters attend our three day Annual Rookie School where they gain basic structural firefighting knowledge and skills. The school concludes with live fire training in our training building Casa del Fuego, where members practice teamwork, hose handling, and nozzle work. They are able to work safely in a fire environment, gaining all important confidence.
Annual wildland firefighting training consists of a one day session where new and current firefighters learn about weather, fire behavior, fuels and topography, and practice firefighting skills while emphasizing key safety practices standard to the industry.
Our drivers are known as Engineers, the term used in the fire service for that person who operates and pumps the fire engine. We maintain a small crew of these talented individuals who are relied upon to get vehicles and crew safely to and from an incident.
As of 2022 the BFD operates out of two firehouses, both structures constructed completely from generous donations.
Thank you for visiting our website. For more information and photos of the firehouse projects please visit our Photo Gallery and Stations and Vehicles page.
Today the BFD continues to be comprised of members of the two communities we serve. Rebuilding our ranks with responders from both the hot springs and outside the area, there are over 25 trained medical folks working shifts regularly at the firehouse.
We provide initial response for local medical incidents, missing persons, structure and wildland fires, smoke reports, and illegal campfires. With two fire stations and four emergency vehicles, our responders are able to provide effective first response emergency services.
The BFD board of directors is made up of six members, three representing each community, with a fire chief, office administrator, and fire captain providing operational leadership. The BFD maintains 8-12 local responders and 25-30 out of area responders who work shifts regularly. We have a Workforce Team who help with firehouse cleaning and large projects such as fuels reduction and setting up fire sprinklers around community buildings for the summer months. Everyone volunteers, even our professional fire mechanic who travels from Central Oregon to service our fleet twice each year.
New and current firefighters attend our three day Annual Rookie School where they gain basic structural firefighting knowledge and skills. The school concludes with live fire training in our training building Casa del Fuego, where members practice teamwork, hose handling, and nozzle work. They are able to work safely in a fire environment, gaining all important confidence.
Annual wildland firefighting training consists of a one day session where new and current firefighters learn about weather, fire behavior, fuels and topography, and practice firefighting skills while emphasizing key safety practices standard to the industry.
Our drivers are known as Engineers, the term used in the fire service for that person who operates and pumps the fire engine. We maintain a small crew of these talented individuals who are relied upon to get vehicles and crew safely to and from an incident.
As of 2022 the BFD operates out of two firehouses, both structures constructed completely from generous donations.
Thank you for visiting our website. For more information and photos of the firehouse projects please visit our Photo Gallery and Stations and Vehicles page.
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