Captain mans Camp Sherman station

This summer during the busy weekends, the Camp Sherman fire substation is being manned by volunteer Captain Jeff May.

Technically filling the job of building and ground maintenance at the station, May provides first-responder service as firefighter and Emergency Medical Technician. May lives at the station in the tiny meeting room offering kitchen facilities, cot and sleeping bag, from Thursday, 1 p.m. until Tuesday, 8 a.m.

“Our chief, Tay Robertson, has set the goal of ‘quality service to the community and protection of lives and property,’” said May.

To that end, there are nine local volunteers on call plus equipment at the local station. The station commander is volunteer Captain Les Schell.

“These volunteer firefighters come from varied backgrounds and work experience and they are among the best in service to their community,” said May. “Professional firefighters are amazed that our coverage area is 2,000 square miles for the Sisters-Camp Sherman team.”

Equipment at the Camp Sherman station includes a 3,000-gallon tender (tanker) truck, a 500-gallon pumper, a Type-6 multi-fire truck capable of fighting wildfires and other emergencies and an ambulance.

May is well qualified for his job. He is retired from the California Highway Patrol and before that was a lifeguard in Huntington Beach and Newport Beach in California.

He moved to Central Oregon in 1997 and became a local volunteer in 1998 working with the Sisters-Camp Sherman department.

“I’ve always been close to emergency services work,” said Captain May.

May graduated from California State University, majoring in Physical Education and the Biological Sciences. He bolstered his background in emergency skills and training with classes at Golden West (California) and Central Oregon Community College.

May currently teaches a first responders class to 12 students in Camp Sherman.

“That first two to 10 minutes is most critical for many patients,” May said.

May’s hobbies include photography and working out at Sisters Athletic Club — when he finds time in his busy schedule.

The Camp Sherman substation is located on Road 1419 (next to the Community Hall) in Camp Sherman. Those interested in joining the volunteer firefighters should call 549-0771 for information.

“We can always use new volunteers.” May said.