Oregon Fire Chiefs Association

06/11/2026

Please join the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) and the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard (OFSHG) for this year's Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony on Tuesday, June 16. The ceremony will begin at 𝟏:𝟎𝟎 𝐩.𝐦. at the Oregon Public Safety Academy, located at 𝟒𝟏𝟗𝟎 𝐀𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐄 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐦.

The Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial stands as a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by brave individuals from diverse backgrounds who lost their lives in the line of duty while protecting our communities and natural resources throughout Oregon. Each year, we gather at the memorial to honor the nearly 200 firefighters who have died in the line of duty since the 1880s.

This year, firefighters Brian Robert Wolgamott, Michael R. Merlino, and Paul J. "Jim" Bieker Jr. will be added to the memorial and recognized during the ceremony.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service Fire Planner Brian R. Wolgamott passed away on November 28, 2024, after a two-year battle with cancer. Fire Planner Wolgamott began his wildland firefighting career in 2012 and joined the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Klamath Basin in 2022. Shortly after accepting the position, he learned he had cancer.

Sutherlin Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Merlino passed away from thyroid cancer on August 9, 2025. Chief Merlino dedicated 30 years to serving his community through fire departments across Douglas County, where he was widely respected for his work ethic, leadership, and expertise. His impact was evident in the tremendous community support he received during his battle with cancer and following his passing.

Portland Fire & Rescue Retired Captain Paul James "Jim" Bieker passed away from thyroid cancer on April 14, 2023. Captain Bieker joined Portland Fire & Rescue in 1981 and retired in 2019 after 38 years of service. He is remembered by his wife, four children, four grandchildren, and countless members of the fire service whose lives he touched throughout his career.

We hope you can join us on June 16 as we honor these firefighters and commemorate the heroic men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities.

06/10/2026

Our friends at DPSST have released the June 2026 Fire Program Newsletter, featuring updates from around Oregon's fire service, upcoming training opportunities, important program information, and details about this year's Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony.

This month's edition includes information about the firefighters being honored at the June 16 memorial ceremony, regional training highlights, certification updates, and upcoming events for Oregon's fire service community.

Take a few minutes to check it out and stay informed on the latest news from DPSST Fire Programs.

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ORDPSST/bulletins/4198452

June 2026 Fire Program Newsletter Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training sent this bulletin at 06/02/2026 04:59 PM PDT Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. June 2026 | Volume 9 Issue 6 Fire Program Newsletter Join Us June 16th for the Annual Fallen Fire Fighte...

06/09/2026

🚨𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐄𝐌𝐒, 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐚𝐰 𝐞𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟔–𝟏𝟕 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭.

Hosted by the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association in partnership with SAIF Corporation and Boulder Crest Foundation, Struggle Well is a two-day training program designed specifically for first responders. The program focuses on stress, resilience, peer support, and Posttraumatic Growth — helping first responders develop practical tools to process the challenges experienced throughout a career in emergency services.

More than 28,000 first responders across 28 states and over 500 agencies have participated in the program. Struggle Well emphasizes connection, trust, and long-term wellbeing while working to normalize conversations surrounding mental wellness within the first responder profession.

Registration is available through Dave Pickhardt at [email protected] or 541-977-3493; or Lori Pluchinsky at [email protected].

Learn more about the program here: https://www.bouldercrest.org/struggle-well

06/09/2026

Oregon continues to invest in community resilience.

Business Oregon has announced nearly $75 million in Seismic Rehabilitation Grants to strengthen schools and emergency services facilities across the state. This latest round of funding will support 33 projects, including 12 emergency services facilities and 21 schools, helping ensure these critical buildings remain operational when Oregonians need them most.

Several fire stations, public safety buildings, police departments, and emergency response facilities received funding for seismic upgrades that will improve safety, preparedness, and continuity of service during and after a major earthquake.

Congratulations to all award recipients and thank you to everyone working to strengthen Oregon's emergency response infrastructure.

Business Oregon awarded $74,631,856 from the seismic rehabilitation grant program to address structural issues in 21 schools and 12 emergency services buildings throughout Oregon in this latest round of funding.

More: https://biznews.oregon.gov/acton/rif/14786/s-0990-2606/-/l-0007:5417/l-0007/showPreparedMessage?sid=TV2:1kLrcF7si

06/07/2026

Technology can be a powerful tool for today's fire service—but successful implementation requires more than just software.

Join the Western Fire Chiefs Association and Stationwise for "When Technology Meets Reality: A Fire Chief's Playbook," a webinar exploring why fire department software implementations often fall short and what fire service leaders can do to ensure success.

This session will provide practical insights into managing change, improving adoption, and maximizing the value of technology investments within your organization.

𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐟'𝐬 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤
𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟒, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
𝟏𝟎:𝟎𝟎 𝐚.𝐦. 𝐏𝐒𝐓

Register today through the Western Fire Chiefs Association: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Jj6N8UURS4ivvNK8h2MaQw #/registration

06/07/2026

The Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Ceremony will be held on June 16, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST) in Salem. This year's ceremony will honor Oregon firefighters who have made the ultimate sacrifice, including the addition of three names to the Oregon Fallen Fire Fighters Memorial Wall.

This formal ceremony is open to the public and serves as an opportunity for Oregon's fire service, first responders, families, and community members to come together in remembrance and honor.

𝐃𝐏𝐒𝐒𝐓
𝟒𝟏𝟗𝟎 𝐀𝐮𝐦𝐬𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐄
𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐦, 𝐎𝐑 𝟗𝟕𝟑𝟏𝟕

The ceremony will take place rain or shine and is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Please join us as we honor the lives, service, and sacrifice of Oregon's fallen firefighters.

06/06/2026

🚨 𝐎𝐅𝐂𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐥 & 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧! 🚨
The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association membership year runs now through June 30, 2027, and renewals are open for current members.

Not yet a member? New memberships are also available and will be active through June 30, 2027.

OFCA membership provides valuable opportunities for professional development, leadership growth, networking, advocacy, and staying connected with fire service leaders from across Oregon.

Renew your membership or join today and continue being part of the voice of Oregon's fire service.

Learn more and register at www.ofca.org.

06/05/2026

The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, in partnership with SAIF Corporation and Boulder Crest Foundation, is hosting upcoming Struggle Well classes for first responders across Oregon. Fire, EMS, dispatch, and law enforcement personnel are all encouraged to attend.

Struggle Well is a training program designed to help first responders process and manage the stress experienced in day-to-day emergency service work. Built on the science of Posttraumatic Growth (PTG), the program focuses on transforming struggle into strength and growth rather than relying solely on traditional mental health approaches.

According to program information provided by Boulder Crest Foundation, an estimated 30–40% of first responders experience significant mental health challenges during their careers. Nationally, more first responders are lost to su***de each year than in the line of duty. Programs like Struggle Well aim to address those realities by creating practical, peer-supported conversations around resilience, stress management, mental wellness, and long-term personal growth.

The training uses five phases of Posttraumatic Growth — education, regulation, disclosure, story, and service — while emphasizing trust, connection, and peer support. Since its launch, the program has trained more than 28,000 first responders across 28 states and over 500 agencies.

Participants consistently report strong outcomes following the training, with the program citing training satisfaction rates above 97% and measurable increases in posttraumatic growth among attendees.

𝐔𝐩𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟗–𝟏𝟎 – 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞
• 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟔–𝟏𝟕 – 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭

Registration is available through Dave Pickhardt at [email protected] or 541-977-3493. Additional information about the program is available through Boulder Crest Foundation at: https://www.bouldercrest.org/struggle-well

06/05/2026

The Oregon Fire Chiefs Association would like to recognize and thank all of the exhibitors who participated in the 2026 OFCA Spring Conference in Sunriver.

The Wednesday Exhibitor Showcase provided attendees with the opportunity to connect with organizations and industry partners supporting the fire service through technology, apparatus, communications, safety equipment, training resources, emergency response tools, architecture, healthcare solutions, and professional services.

Thank you to the following exhibitors for joining us and supporting Oregon’s fire service community:

3B Scientific
Acela Truck Company
Advanced Traffic Products
Air Exchange Inc
AM Signal
Avive
BK Technologies
BleedIO Tech
Cruise Master Engraving
Curtis – Tools for Heroes
Day Wireless Systems
Door Engineering
EMS|MC
ESO
Fastech Solutions
FERNO EMS
FFA Architecture and Interiors, Inc.
Fire Aside
Fire Engineering Training
Fire Facilities
First Due
FirstNet Built with AT&T
Foster Garvey P.C.
Gallagher HRA VEBA
General Fire Apparatus
Great West Fire and Safety
HAIX North America
HEN Nozzles
Kennedy Restoration
LAST Team
LIV
MMCAP
NFSA
Nicholson & Associates Insurance, LLC
North American Rescue
Northwest Safety Clean
OneDose
Oregon Cybersecurity Center of Excellence
Oregon OSHA Consultation
Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association
ORW Architecture Inc.
Pacific Fitness Products
Pacific Northwest Hydro
Professional Sales & Service
Provident
Rice Fergus Miller
Rocky Mountain Emergency Vehicles
SaferWood
Soderstrom Architects
Sourcewell
StrategyOne Home Loans
Systems Design West
TEN OVER STUDIO
T-Mobile for Government
The Sign Company, Inc.
Toren MFG Sales
True North Emergency – Cascade Division
Waterous Company
Workrite Fire Service
Zoll

Thank you again to all of our exhibitors and partners for helping make the 2026 OFCA Spring Conference a success.

06/04/2026

𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲, 𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐥𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞?

Fire Tech U, a grant-funded initiative supported by Google, provides educational resources focused on fire service technology, emerging trends, and practical applications for today’s fire and emergency service professionals.

The platform features fire technology news, on-demand educational webinar series, and discussions surrounding topics such as drones, artificial intelligence, communications technology, data systems, and other tools increasingly shaping the future of emergency response.

Available webinar topics include:
- Choosing the Right Tools
- Technology Requirements
- Using AI in the Fire Service
- Earth Fire Alliance
- Data and Technology Support for Fire Chiefs and Agencies

Fire service leaders and departments interested in learning more about technology and innovation in the profession are encouraged to explore the available resources and educational content.

Learn more here: https://firetechu.dailydispatch.com/

Increase your technology skills in the fire service with Fire Tech University, the WFCA platform providing training to build practical technological fluency.