Douglas County Commissioners officially proclaimed July 7-13, as "Firefighter Appreciation Week." During their Weekly Business Meeting, Commissioners Tim Freeman, Tom Kress, and Chris Boice encouraged residents to observe this week in recognition of the service provided by local firefighters. According to Douglas County, Commissioner Boice stated, "We recognize that firefighters are dedicated public servants who place themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives, property, and wellbeing of our communities."
The declaration aimed not only to honor those currently serving but also to recognize all aspects of firefighting, from personnel responding to wildland fires to office staff, as noted in a statement obtained from Douglas County. The occasion served both as a celebration of service and a remembrance of fallen heroes. "We researched lists of fallen firefighters from local agencies, as well as from state and national archives," Commissioner Freeman said, recognizing the importance of never forgetting the 19 firefighters from Douglas County who have died in the line of duty since 1951.
Fire Chiefs Michael Lane from Sutherlin and Tyler Christopherson from Roseburg recited the Fireman’s Prayer and the names of the fallen. Following this, Christopherson conducted the traditional bell-ringing ceremony to mark the completion of service for those who made the ultimate sacrifice. An excerpt from the "Last Alarm" poem was read prior to the ceremony. Commissioner Freeman requested a moment of silence in honor of the 19 individuals, as reported by Douglas County.
The week-long recognition included an initiative called "Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters," which requested that the courthouse exterior lights be turned red in tribute, according to a statement obtained from Douglas County. This initiative has been part of a national movement recognized by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation since 2017. Firefighters and personnel from various local agencies were also honored with certificates, reflecting the wide coalition involved in emergency services.
