SISTERS, OR -- State Fire Marshal Jim Walker recently received a special partnership award from the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District. Sisters Fire Chief Roger Johnson says the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) really stepped up this summer when sisters needed help, "It was due to the tremendous amount of support and the efficiency and the quickness with which they supported our fire district and our community during the Milli Fire."
The OSFM is responsible for statewide mobilization and mutual aid of fire engines and staffing, as well as management teams that help communities threatened by a large wildland fire. Chief Johnson tells KBND News, "We had over 50 different cities respond with equipment and fire engines; we had 33 overhead personnel respond, as part of the Green Incident Management Team, to the fire. So, we received a tremendous amount of support during that fire, and we were very grateful for the work that the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal did for us."
The Milli fire was sparked by lightning In August and burned over 24,000 acres. Johnson says it threatened more than 2,000 homes and forced the evacuation of 600 people when the fire came within six miles of Sisters.
Submitted Photo: State Fire Marshal Jim Walker (right) accepts the Partnership Award from Sisters Fire District Board President Chuck Newport (Left) and Deputy Fire Chief Tim Craig (center).
