Firefighter earns promotion

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District recognized the outstanding achievements of Resident Volunteer Rachelle Beiler by promoting her last week to the position of resident volunteer lieutenant.

The resident volunteer lieutenant is responsible for supervisory support of resident volunteer firefighters and EMTs in the District's resident volunteer college program. The District provides college scholarships and housing annually to nine students who attend fire science or paramedic courses at Central Oregon Community College.

As a resident volunteer lieutenant, Beiler will receive a scholarship to study fire service administration through Eastern Oregon University.

Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Fire Chief Roger Johnson said, "We are very proud of Rachelle and honored to have her as a member of our leadership team."

Beiler has been with the District for nearly two years and is studying fire science and paramedicine at Central Oregon Community College. She maintains a 4.0 GPA and has attained certification as an EMT, Firefighter 1&2, Apparatus Driver, Hazardous Materials Operations and six national incident management courses.

Beiler discovered Sisters Country in 2015 when she worked as a volunteer at Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch east of Sisters. She grew up in rural Lancaster County Pennsylvania and spent the summer working at the youth ranch. While not working at the youth ranch, Rachelle signed up to ride along with the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District. She fell in love with the community and fire department and applied the following year for the resident volunteer scholarship program.

Beiler will remain with the Fire District during her four-year scholarship program and will receive certification as an Oregon and National Registry Paramedic and receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Service Administration.