Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department

05/15/2026

We would like to congratulate Firefighter Chance McKeown.
This week during the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association annual conference, he was awarded an Unit Citation for his heroic efforts during a technical rescue call on Saddle Mountain, which took place in November 2025.

We are proud to have you on our team!

Other agencies involved with the rescue were
Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, Hamlet Volunteer Fire Department, Cannon Beach RFPD, USCG Columbia sector

04/22/2026

Good evening. We would like to remind everyone that when a lighted intersection has no power it becomes a 4-way stop intersection.

Thank you for coming to our TedTalk.

04/04/2026

Happy Saturday Neighbors! Gearhart Fire is set up and ready for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. The hunt commences at 10:30am. Looking forward to seeing you! Have a safe and special weekend with family and friends!!! Happy Easter! 🐰🐣

03/31/2026

Last week, your Gearhart Firefighters took the time to become more familiar with their self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) packs. To make this simulation more realistic, all SCBA masks were covered to simulate the amount of vision you would have in a real fire, making it second nature. This exercise replicates the low-visibility environment created by heavy smoke and forces firefighters to rely on their training, muscle memory, and teamwork rather than sight.

In the scenario, a down firefighter was at the end of a hose simulating a Mayday. The firefighters took appropriate action and moved in with the RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) pack. The purpose of RIT is the ability to move with an air tank for downed firefighters and civilians trapped, needing clean air in a short amount of time.

Training like this is critical for ensuring our firefighters can operate safely and effectively in some of the most dangerous conditions they may encounter. By repeatedly practicing these scenarios, Gearhart firefighters build the confidence, coordination, and skills needed to respond quickly when seconds matter most.

If you would ever like to see firsthand the skills and training your local firefighters provide for you. Let us know, and we would love to have you watch us train!

03/20/2026

The Gearhart Fire Department is honoring the memory of Coast Guard Rescue Swimmer AST2 Tyler Jagger. Over this weekend, we will have our flag at half-mast in tribute, thanking him for his service and in his memory.

03/07/2026

This morning at 0944, 0946, and 0947 hours, the Gearhart Fire Department was dispatched to multiple motor vehicle accidents on Highway 101 related to this incident.

If you have any information that may assist with the investigation, please contact Sgt. Arthur Duryea via email. His contact information can be found in the shared post.

We would also like to thank the Seaside Fire Department and Public Works for their assistance in responding to these incidents.

A2026-00579
On March 6, 2026, at approximately 9:30 a.m., it is alleged that Tristan Vuylsteke stole a white Dodge Ram 1500 pickup from Enterprise Car Rental in Astoria, Oregon. A Warrenton Police Officer attempted to stop Tristan in the stolen truck as it drove south on Highway 101 and a vehicle pursuit was initiated. The Warrenton Police Officer terminated the pursuit due to safety concerns to the public. Despite not being pursued, Tristan continued to drive recklessly south on Highway 101 towards Seaside, causing multiple motor vehicle crashes. The stolen truck suffered mechanical failure in Seaside and Tristan fled on foot. Tristan attempted to hide and was apprehended shortly after by Seaside PD.

Tristan was lodged at the Clatsop County Jail on multiple charges to include: Unlawful Use of a Motor Vehicle, Unlawful Entry into a Motor Vehicle x 2, Aggravated Theft I, Burglary II, Criminal Mischief I x 3, DUII, Reckless Driving, Recklessly Endangering Another Person x10, Failure to Perform the Duties of a Driver x3, Criminal Trespass II, and Eluding a Police Officer.

If you are a witness to Tristan's driving, or felt in danger because of his driving, between Warrenton and Seaside we ask that you contact Sgt. Arthur Duryea via email with a brief statement and your contact information at [email protected]

We would also like to thank Warrenton Police Department, Seaside Oregon Police Department, Oregon State Police, Clatsop County Sheriff's Office, and our wonderful Dispatchers for their assistance with the apprehension and investigation. It was a team effort.

02/11/2026

Yesterday, Gearhart Fire Department teamed up with our partners at the Seaside Oregon Police Department to spend the day with the Seaside Middle School 6th graders during their field trip.

Students had the chance to get hands-on with emergency services—trying on firefighter turnout gear, checking out the fire engine, and exploring a Seaside Police patrol vehicle. These experiences help give a real look at what first responders do every day to protect our community.

Events like this are about more than equipment—they’re about building relationships, inspiring future careers, and showing the teamwork behind public safety.

Thank you to the students, teachers, and Seaside PD for helping make it a great day!

02/04/2026

This last weekend, Gearhart Fire Department took part in a "Burn to Learn" — a live-fire training using a structure designated for training purposes, these structures are typically scheduled for demolition. The evolutions allow firefighters to safely experience real fire behavior while practicing critical skills like ventilation, hose advancement, window-to-door conversions, and coordinated fire attack.

Training in real buildings gives firefighters the opportunity to feel heat, read smoke, observe fire growth, and operate in realistic conditions that can’t be fully replicated in a classroom or simulator. These controlled burns help build muscle memory, teamwork, communication, and decision-making skills that directly translate into safer, more effective operations in real emergencies.

Real training for real emergencies.

01/29/2026

Press Release For Immediate Release
Gearhart Fire to Conduct Training Burn on Saturday, January 31

Gearhart Fire will be conducting a planned training burn on Saturday, January 31, in the area of Oster Avenue and Railroad Avenue. Residents and visitors may notice smoke in the area during this time.

This live-fire training provides our firefighters with critical, hands-on experience that cannot be fully replicated through simulated training. These exercises are essential to maintaining a high level of readiness and ensuring we can respond effectively and safely to real emergencies in our community.

While smoke will be present as part of this controlled training, please do not hesitate to call 911 if you observe smoke or fire that appears unusual or outside of the training area. We always encourage the public to report anything that seems out of the ordinary.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and support as we work to keep Gearhart safe through ongoing training and preparedness.

For questions or additional information, please contact Gearhart Fire.

PC-Corvallis Fire Training

01/15/2026

Yesterday afternoon at approximately 2:30 p.m., Gearhart Fire was dispatched to a reported non-injury fall (lift assist). While en route, dispatch advised responding units that the patient may have fallen from a roof. Based on this updated information, it was requested LifeFlight be placed on standby pending on-scene assessment.

Gearhart Fire personnel and MEDIX arrived to find the patient on the ground. Crews conducted an initial assessment, including evaluation of the mechanism of injury and estimated fall height. Due to the nature of the incident, LifeFlight was fully activated.

LifeFlight advised they would be landing at the Astoria Airport. The patient was entered into the trauma system, loaded into the ambulance, and transported to the Astoria Airport with two Gearhart Fire personnel accompanying the patient.

Upon arrival at the airport, the patient was transferred to the LifeFlight helicopter and transported to Portland for further medical care.

Gearhart Fire & Rescue would like to remind the public to use caution when working on ladders and roofs, as these surfaces can be unstable. Best practice includes ensuring another person is present to assist and monitor for safety.