The Keizer Rural Fire Protection District was organized on May 4, 1948 with 26 volunteer firefighters and Bill Johnson as Fire Chief. After about 6 months he resigned and John Mekkers was appointed Fire Chief, with Bernard Snook as Assistant Chief. The equipment at that time consisted of one 1948 Ford 500 gallon pumper, equipped with the latest type high pressure pump, at a cost of less than $10,000.00. This fire engine was housed under a lean to shed at the Keizer Food Lockers. This original Keizer fire engine was sold but later repurchased and fully restored by the Volunteers. Today this fully operational fire engine is proudly displayed at Fire District open houses and area parades. The Fire District answered its first alarm during the month of February 1949, which involved McDermots Variety Store. That year the Firefighters answered less than 30 calls, all of them fire calls.
On about the first of April, 1949, the Fire Station was completed at its present location. This original building was built to house three pieces of equipment. The back part of this building consisted of a large multi-purpose room with kitchen facilities to be used by the Firefighters and various other local community groups. The Fire Station was first remodeled in 1961 when the apparatus bay was enlarged and again in 1970, when a new multi-purpose room, kitchen and offices were added. For many years the Sheriff’s Department shared an office within the building as did the Keizer Water Department. In 1996, the original Fire Station was demolished so that a new Fire Station could be built in the same location. This new Fire Station will house eight pieces of fire or medical apparatus, offices, sleeping quarters, an exercise room, training rooms, two kitchens, and a multi-purpose room.
In January of 1950, the Fire District acquired a 1500 gallon tanker. Due to it’s size and the way it was designed, the Firefighters named it “Jumbo”. This equipment was purchased through the School District and cost $400.00. In October of 1953, a third piece of equipment was added. This piece of apparatus had a high pressure pump, and a number of compartments designed to carry salvage equipment, lights, a generator and air masks. Radios were first added to the fleet in 1953. I t wasn’t until 1979 that the first Rescue vehicle was purchased. This vehicle was the primary response vehicle for EMS calls.
On September 1, 1965, Duane Sanford was appointed Fire Chief and served in this capacity until his retirement in December 1988. Combined with his prior service as a Volunteer, he served the Keizer Fire District for a total of 36 years.
Barry Jennings, from Fairbanks, Alaska was hired in January of 1989 and served as Fire Chief until November of 1989.
In February of 1990, Greg Frank was hired as the Fire Chief for the District and retired on July 31st, 2007.
In March 2008, Jeff Cowan was hired as the Fire Chief for the District, and is currently in charge of the administration of the Keizer Fire District.
Keizer Fire District has mutual aid agreements with neighboring Fire Districts. This assures that any area in Marion County will have coverage from neighboring Departments if needed.
Keizer Fire District is also a partner with other neighboring fire departments, which enables the Keizer community to access an advanced life support ambulance 24 hours a day. Keizer Fire District is joined by Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority and Salem Fire Department and together serve this area.
The Fire District is involved in several fund raising events such as the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast, the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, and a Christmas Breakfast. The proceeds from these events help to fund social activities for the District members as well as purchase miscellaneous equipment for the District.
The Fire District members have many social activities such as an annual picnic, Turkey Shoot, Sweetheart Banquet, and an annual Awards Reception to name a few.
The Fire District has become well known for two very successful open houses organized by the Volunteer and Career members. Each Fall during Fire Prevention Week, the Department has an Open House and then again in the Spring during EMS Week. Fire and medical equipment are displayed, LifeFlight generally flies in and there are always demonstrations for the public to enjoy.
Every Christmas season since 1963, the Fire District personnel take Santa Claus throughout the Keizer community to distribute candy canes to all the children.
The Keizer Fire District continues to grow in service to the community. The number of responses for 2008 was 4,007 total calls for help, of those approximately 79% were medical related emergencies. The apparatus at this time consisted of 3 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue unit, 1 grass pumper, 1 Rehab/Support Trailer, 2 Advanced Life Support ambulances and 1 reserve ambulance.
The mission of the Keizer Fire District is to protect lives, property and the environment through quality emergency response and community involvement. This mission will be achieved by career and volunteer Professionals committed to excellence and dedicated to service in Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, and Natural Disaster response.
KFD is a special service district in Marion County located within the State of Oregon and is governed by a board of five publicly elected officials.
Keizer Fire District is a full-service fire and rescue agency with a force of 25 career employees, 40 volunteer firefighters, and 13 explorer scouts who serve the District’s 35,000 citizens from 1 centrally located fire station.
Keizer Fire District offers the community the following services:
On about the first of April, 1949, the Fire Station was completed at its present location. This original building was built to house three pieces of equipment. The back part of this building consisted of a large multi-purpose room with kitchen facilities to be used by the Firefighters and various other local community groups. The Fire Station was first remodeled in 1961 when the apparatus bay was enlarged and again in 1970, when a new multi-purpose room, kitchen and offices were added. For many years the Sheriff’s Department shared an office within the building as did the Keizer Water Department. In 1996, the original Fire Station was demolished so that a new Fire Station could be built in the same location. This new Fire Station will house eight pieces of fire or medical apparatus, offices, sleeping quarters, an exercise room, training rooms, two kitchens, and a multi-purpose room.
In January of 1950, the Fire District acquired a 1500 gallon tanker. Due to it’s size and the way it was designed, the Firefighters named it “Jumbo”. This equipment was purchased through the School District and cost $400.00. In October of 1953, a third piece of equipment was added. This piece of apparatus had a high pressure pump, and a number of compartments designed to carry salvage equipment, lights, a generator and air masks. Radios were first added to the fleet in 1953. I t wasn’t until 1979 that the first Rescue vehicle was purchased. This vehicle was the primary response vehicle for EMS calls.
On September 1, 1965, Duane Sanford was appointed Fire Chief and served in this capacity until his retirement in December 1988. Combined with his prior service as a Volunteer, he served the Keizer Fire District for a total of 36 years.
Barry Jennings, from Fairbanks, Alaska was hired in January of 1989 and served as Fire Chief until November of 1989.
In February of 1990, Greg Frank was hired as the Fire Chief for the District and retired on July 31st, 2007.
In March 2008, Jeff Cowan was hired as the Fire Chief for the District, and is currently in charge of the administration of the Keizer Fire District.
Keizer Fire District has mutual aid agreements with neighboring Fire Districts. This assures that any area in Marion County will have coverage from neighboring Departments if needed.
Keizer Fire District is also a partner with other neighboring fire departments, which enables the Keizer community to access an advanced life support ambulance 24 hours a day. Keizer Fire District is joined by Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority and Salem Fire Department and together serve this area.
The Fire District is involved in several fund raising events such as the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast, the Mt. Angel Oktoberfest, and a Christmas Breakfast. The proceeds from these events help to fund social activities for the District members as well as purchase miscellaneous equipment for the District.
The Fire District members have many social activities such as an annual picnic, Turkey Shoot, Sweetheart Banquet, and an annual Awards Reception to name a few.
The Fire District has become well known for two very successful open houses organized by the Volunteer and Career members. Each Fall during Fire Prevention Week, the Department has an Open House and then again in the Spring during EMS Week. Fire and medical equipment are displayed, LifeFlight generally flies in and there are always demonstrations for the public to enjoy.
Every Christmas season since 1963, the Fire District personnel take Santa Claus throughout the Keizer community to distribute candy canes to all the children.
The Keizer Fire District continues to grow in service to the community. The number of responses for 2008 was 4,007 total calls for help, of those approximately 79% were medical related emergencies. The apparatus at this time consisted of 3 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, 1 rescue unit, 1 grass pumper, 1 Rehab/Support Trailer, 2 Advanced Life Support ambulances and 1 reserve ambulance.
The mission of the Keizer Fire District is to protect lives, property and the environment through quality emergency response and community involvement. This mission will be achieved by career and volunteer Professionals committed to excellence and dedicated to service in Fire Prevention, Emergency Medical Services, Fire Suppression, Hazardous Materials, and Natural Disaster response.
KFD is a special service district in Marion County located within the State of Oregon and is governed by a board of five publicly elected officials.
Keizer Fire District is a full-service fire and rescue agency with a force of 25 career employees, 40 volunteer firefighters, and 13 explorer scouts who serve the District’s 35,000 citizens from 1 centrally located fire station.
Keizer Fire District offers the community the following services:
- Emergency Medical Response
- Fire Response & Investigation
- Rescue Response
- Fire & Life Safety Inspections
- Hazardous Materials Response
- Wildland Firefighting
- Plan Review Services
- Fire Extinguisher Training
- Safety Education
Some images on this site used with permission by Kelvin Watkins.