Yesterday marked a significant moment in the history of Portland's marine firefighting as the storied fireboat David Campbell made its final journey before moving into retirement. After 94 years of dedicated service, the vessel will no longer be battling blazes on Portland's waterways but will be renovated and showcased at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Portland Fire & Rescue honored the service of the David Campbell with a ceremony that welcomed community members, esteemed local officials, and a host of retired firefighters who once called the boat's deck their workplace.
The ceremony, highlighted by Portland Fire & Rescue on their social media, was a celebration of both the fireboat's storied past and its new future as a museum exhibit. The Portland Fire & Rescue shared, "#yourportlandfirefighters celebrated the end of an era yesterday as the David Campbell took her final voyage to dry dock." They teased further commemoration with plans to "put out a short video to commemorate her final voyage to share with all of you in the near future." As attendees paid their tributes, photographers captured the day with drone shots that will soon accompany the promised video.
The images released reflect the event's grandeur, with the fireboat at the center of the festivities. The vessel, which has been an integral part of the city's marine firefighting capability, was the focal point of both the celebrations and the somber acknowledgment of the transition of an era.
