Fire History

1918 - The water system in the City of Camas consisted of a privately owned water line, piping water down from Dead Lake (now known as Fallen Leaf Lake). Fire protection consisted of horse-drawn hose carts kept in a small barn at the corner of Fourth and Cedar. There was no organized Fire Department, volunteers or otherwise.

1923 - A major fire destroyed much of downtown Camas between Birch and Cedar Streets, instigating the organization of the Camas Volunteer Fire Department.

1924 - The Fire Department acquired a 50 gallon, A.G. Long & Co. Gram Bernstein soda-acid, "chemical truck" with 300' of hose to improve fire protection.

1929 - The Fire Department acquired an American LaFrance 750 gallon-per-minute pumper for $12,000.

1940 - The new City Hall-Library-Police-Fire Station opened (now the current Library building).

1942 - The Fire Department had 4 full-time firemen.

1948 - The Department hired its first full-time Fire Chief and purchased its second pumper, a 1948 American LaFrance for $16,000.

1950 - The Volunteer Fire Department started the C.A.R.O.L. (Christmas Activities Relief Organization, Ltd.) program providing Christmas food and gifts to benefit members of the community. This organization is still providing relief today.

1962 - A new phone system was installed that automatically dialed the 30 volunteer firemen to notify them of emergencies.

1989 - The Fire and Police Departments were combined into a Public Safety concept. Fire Operations employed 9 personnel, including the civilian paramedics.

1990 - The Fire Department employed six "fire" personnel, including the Chief.

1991 - The Public Safety concept was discontinued and the two departments (Fire and Police) were again separated. Firefighter staffing was now at 10 fire personnel.

1992 - The Fire fighting staff was now at 11 personnel, and cross-training of the eight paramedics as firefighter/paramedics began.

1993 - The Fire and Rescue operations were consolidated with the completion of the firefighter/paramedic cross-training.  A third Captain was appointed, providing an officer on each of the three shifts.

1999 - Three additional firefighters were hired beginning in March. The hiring completed the hiring of nine personnel over the past three years, the total needed for long-term staffing of the proposed west fire station.

2001 - February 9, the new west side fire station at 4321 NW Parker Street began operations. The new station has a large, community room facility, dorms for up to five personnel, a large, drive-through apparatus bay and a drill tower. A public open house and Grand Opening was held on March 24, 2001 to overwhelming public attendance.