Sisters celebrates new fire hall

Firefighters lined the sidewalk, many in dress blues. They came to attention as Sisters Firefighter Jeff May led a contingent of the Oregon Fire Service Honor Guard in presenting the colors before a crowd of some 150 citizens.

"It's a great day in Sisters," Fire Chief Tay Robertson told the assemblage on Saturday morning, August 2, as the fire district prepared to dedicate its brand-new $3.7 million fire hall to public service.

Dave Elliott, president of the Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire Protection District board of directors, thanked his fellow board members for their work over many years preparing for the construction of a new fire hall. He noted that board member Chuck Newport's experience and expertise as a contractor was especially helpful in managing the construction, which began just over a year ago.

"I would personally like to thank Chuck," Elliott said.

Elliott also expressed pride in the professionalism of the staff and volunteers that make the fire district one of the most respected departments in the state.

"We have the best staff and volunteers, I think, in the state," Elliott said.

Elliott and Robertson took the occasion to honor long-serving board member Chan Cathcart, who is retiring from service on the board after more than a decade of service.

Elliott presented Cathcart with a plaque honoring him and recognizing his contributions. Cathcart, confined to a wheelchair, did the ribbon-cutting honors with a fire ax.

In his remarks, Chief Robertson noted that Benjamin Franklin is regarded as the father of the American fire service. He quoted Franklin as saying that "All mankind is divided into three classes: Those that are immovable, those that are moveable and those that move."

"The Sisters community is full of people who are moving our community forward," Robertson said.

Robertson thanked the community for its support and singled out Captain Thornton Brown for his work in keeping staffing organized during a potentially chaotic construction and moving process.

Chief Robertson noted that, "unlike most public buildings, people live here 24 hours a day." He said that it was important that the new fire hall feel like a home to the firefighters who will serve here.

Chief Robertson vowed that the district will continue to deliver the finest service possible, with an enhanced level of professionalism.

"We need to give you the finest service we possibly can, and this building will help us do that, as well," he said.

The dedication turned from ceremonial to festive in an instant as the guard retired the colors and Chief Robertson invited the community to tour its new facility. Crowds milled through the building, asking questions and enjoying cake and punch while a crowd of children and parents lined up for fire truck rides that provided thrills for kids of all ages.

The new Sisters fire hall was designed by architects Hans Ettlin and Jeff Bringenberg of Peck Smiley Ettlin, and built by Woodburn Construction.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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