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 our two in the Breitenbush area. 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 thrive despite the major losses, rebuilding our corps of responders from both the hot springs and outside the area.
We provide initial response for local medical incidents, missing persons, structure and wildland fires, smoke reports, and illegal campfires. Now working out of our main firehouse and narrowing down our fleet to two emergency vehicles, our responders continue to provide effective first response emergency services.
Our board of directors is made up of six members, many of whom have worked together since the inception of the BFD in 2006. Three representing each community meet quarterly to ensure the organization is running smoothly and support the fire chief.
We provide initial response for local medical incidents, missing persons, structure and wildland fires, smoke reports, and illegal campfires. Now working out of our main firehouse and narrowing down our fleet to two emergency vehicles, our responders continue to provide effective first response emergency services.
Our board of directors is made up of six members, many of whom have worked together since the inception of the BFD in 2006. Three representing each community meet quarterly to ensure the organization is running smoothly and support the fire chief.
The BFD maintains 8-12 local responders and 40-50 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. All of our members are volunteers, with exception of the fire chief who receives a small monthly stipend.
We conduct annual firefighting, search and rescue, and remote medical training courses 1-2 times annually. Annual training sessions focus on first response knowledge, skills, and teamwork, always with an emphasis on responder safety.
Our firehouse was dedicated in the fall of 2013 after many years of fundraising and hard labor by many. The structure was constructed completely from generous donations, totaling over $100,000. Over one thousand donor bricks grace our main walkway today, honoring the hundreds who helped make it all happen.
Thank you for visiting our website. For more information and photos of the firehouse project visit our Photo Gallery and Stations and Vehicles page.
We conduct annual firefighting, search and rescue, and remote medical training courses 1-2 times annually. Annual training sessions focus on first response knowledge, skills, and teamwork, always with an emphasis on responder safety.
Our firehouse was dedicated in the fall of 2013 after many years of fundraising and hard labor by many. The structure was constructed completely from generous donations, totaling over $100,000. Over one thousand donor bricks grace our main walkway today, honoring the hundreds who helped make it all happen.
Thank you for visiting our website. For more information and photos of the firehouse project visit our Photo Gallery and Stations and Vehicles page.
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Breitenbush Fire Department
P.O. Box 553 Detroit, OR 97342 Jordan Pollack, Fire Chief 360-531-2575 jdpollack@gmail.com |
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