Robertson signs on with fire district

Taylor Robertson will bring the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District into a new era as the district's new fire chief. He takes office on December 1.

Robertson was set apart from a flood of applicants by his 34 years of experience.

Dave Elliott, chairman of the fire district board of directors said, "We were looking for someone to fit our department that would take us to the many next levels, not just the next one. He's a trainer and a mentor."

Robertson was involved in the development of a large training program in Eugene, where he was a division chief.

"We see that he could add a lot of ideas expanding the department," said Elliot.

The fire district will add more office space, more living space for the volunteers and staff, and sleeping quarters when it acquires the city shops behind the fire hall.

With this expansion will come the further development of training programs for volunteers and staff.

"Personally I'd like to see some more staff," Elliott said.

The two previous fire chiefs came out of the volunteer ranks.

According to Elliott, "(Robertson) will be the first career-oriented fire chief."

When Robertson signed the three-year contract he agreed to a $76,500 annual salary, performance evaluations every year, percentage raises based on performance and health/dental insurance benefits.

As a boy Robertson lived all over the state of California. His father was a Forest Service fire control officer. He spent most of his childhood in Humboldt County, which is also where he went to college. He moved to Eugene in 1991.

"My wife and I can hardly wait to get there," Robertson said.

"The first thing I'm going to do is listen, before making any changes," he said.

"I'd like to create a strategic plan for the fire district, but before that I'd like to be trusted and accepted by the department."

Some of the challenges that Robertson acknowledged were waiting for him include making the department more professional and further incorporating the volunteers into the program.

Responding to a query about the fallout from the Greg Brown embezzlement scandal, Robertson said, "My goal is to rebuild trust with the community and the department.

"I intend to be really involved in the community of Sisters," he said.

Robertson said that his wife and son are his primary focus in life.

Dave Elliott was enthusiastic.

"As a board we know he's going to work out great. Personally, I can't wait till he gets here," Elliott said.