News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
Roger Johnson, center, celebrated with his family the transfer of command to a new fire chief last week.
When Fire Chief Roger Johnson took the reins at Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District 12 years ago, he inherited a thriving organization.
"I think my perception of this organization was that it was well-run, a very dedicated work force; beautiful facility, a wonderful community," he told The Nugget last week.
Johnson is retiring as of Friday, and officially turned over command of the fire district to Fire Chief Anthony Prior on Tuesday, June 11 (see photo essay, page 13). He built on the strengths of the district, and is leaving it on solid ground, with ever-tighter relationships with other agencies and with the Sisters community.
Chief Johnson pointed to enhanced relationships with partner agencies as an important development during his tenure.
"I think the independent agencies are closer than they've ever been," he said.
Those agencies include Sisters, Cloverdale Fire District, Black Butte Ranch Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry, the Sisters Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service, and the local law enforcement agencies.
The firefighting agencies have developed equipment purchase and training protocols that standardize operations - down to matching the location of equipment on trucks - to increase efficiency.
"That enhances safety for the people who do the work," Johnson noted. "We work together on every fire."
All of the agencies are acutely aware of the need to cooperate in the face of the most pressing threat to the Sisters Country community - wildfire.
The Pole Creek fire threatened Sisters - and inundated the community with heavy smoke - in September 2012, just three months after Johnson became fire chief. Wildfire has been a key area of focus for him ever since.
Fighting wildfire, structure protection, community evacuation all have to be planned for and well-coordinated. Working with government entities like the City of Sisters and Deschutes County on code - encouraging "hardening" structures to fire - has become a more critical aspect of the work in recent years.
Devastating fires in McKenzie and Santiam Canyons in September 2020 gave stark evidence of the importance of vigilance and preparedness for worst-case scenarios.
"After the Labor Day fires, I think there's recognition that our communities may be at a higher level of risk than we had thought," Johnson said. "I don't think the community is fully aware of the growing risk."
He noted that that awareness is now being thrust upon the community by higher home insurance rates - or concern as to whether a home can be insured at all.
Johnson said that the response to the wildfire threat is multifaceted - and it's not just about fighting fire. It's about creating fire-adapted communities that are focused on creating defensible space and more resilient construction. It's about forest treatment to prevent or mitigate fire starts. It's about vigilance and preparedness and risk reduction.
"It's a partnership, right?" Johnson said. "It's all integrated."
One of the programs Chief Johnson built in Sisters is a robust support unit known as Fire Corps (see related story, page 18). Fire Corps engages in first aid CPR/AED training, car seat programs, smoke alarm programs, address sign programs, and blood pressure clinics. They also provide support to EMS/Firefighter response to incidents.
"We didn't have a way for people to stay engaged when they no longer wanted to actively fight fire anymore," Johnson said.
He had built a similar program as a Battalion Chief at Douglas County Fire District #2 in Roseburg, Oregon, and the seed he planted here grew tremendously.
"It's the largest in the state of Oregon," he said. "It's essential for our service delivery."
The success of volunteer efforts like Fire Corps reflects the district's tight integration with the broader Sisters community. Johnson has always held the people of Sisters in high esteem.
"There's so much depth, and the people who live here are amazing," he said.
Johnson says the fire district is highly intentional about having the right people on board to serve that community. He strongly emphasizes a public service mentality.
"I think our people are truly caring," he said. "We set organizational expectations and beliefs. You try to hire the right people."
Service comes at a cost to body and spirit, and part of his job is to make sure the fire and medical staff are cared for, too.
"It's just a constant effort to take care of your people, support them, encourage them, and make sure they have the tools they need to serve people," he said.
Johnson plans to take the summer off, enjoy time with family, traveling, attending music festivals. He plans to get outdoors in months when the threat of wildfire has kept him constantly on the alert.
"There's trails I haven't had the opportunity to hike yet," he said. "July and August are tough months to get away here."
Johnson emphasizes that his success and the success of the fire district he has led for a dozen years is not his alone.
"This is a team event," he said. "I think the secret, from my perspective, to work in Sisters is collaboration and partnerships. You can't do this work on your own... Our effectiveness is dependent on our relationships and the strength of those relationships."
Transfer of CommandThe Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District conducted a Transfer of Command Ceremony on Tuesday, June 11, as Fire Chief Roger Johnson formally handed over command of the District to Fire Chief Tony Prior. Chief Johnson served the Sisters community for a dozen years. Chief Prior comes to the District with 29 years’ experience in the fire service working his way through the ranks. He has served as a firefighter, engineer, captain, battalion chief/training and safety officer, deputy chief, and for the last four years as the fire chief for the Kenai Fire Department in Alaska. A Fire Service Honor Guard inaugurated the formal ceremony at Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District’s Community Hall. Photos by Cody Rheault.
A bagpiper piped the honor guard through the hall.
Chief Prior took the Oath of Office, administered by Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Board President Kristie Miller.
In an emotional moment, Chief Johnson removed his badge and presented it to Chief Prior’s wife, Diane.
Diane Prior pinned the Fire Chief badge on Chief Prior, making the Transfer of Command complete.
Chief Prior greeted a cadre of future firefighters outside the Community Hall after the ceremony.
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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