OCCUPATIONAL BACKGROUND: Training Division Chief, Woodburn Fire District; Volunteer Firefighter/Captain, Santa Clara Rural Fire; Producer/Director KEZI Television in Eugene

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: B.S., Broadcast Communication, Oregon State University; B.S., Business Management, Oregon State University; Certificate of Completion, Fire Administrator’s Institute, Western Oregon University

PRIOR GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE: Have and do work within governmental agencies as an employee.

Woodburn Fire District protects central Marion County and encompasses the cities of Woodburn and Gervais. The fire district is facing many issues. Aging facilities, lack of volunteers during weekdays and financial considerations for the programs the Fire District maintains, are putting pressure on district officials to make choices. The Board of Directors will have to make tough decisions while maintaining essential emergency services our citizens have come to expect.

Maintaining basic fire protection, public fire prevention education, and rescue services are paramount for Fire District citizens. These will be top priorities on my agenda if I am elected. In addition, I will look for ways to help the Fire District improve their volunteer recruiting program and work with administrators to solve financial issues for building maintenance and apparatus replacement without coming to you with tax increases or bond measures.

I have served as a volunteer firefighter and a paid Training Division Chief in the fire service totaling nearly 15 years. I have served in many different capacities such as on safety committees, apparatus replacement committees and in administrative management including budgeting, volunteer and training coordination, and community outreach. OR-OSHA uses me as a Fire Service resource for the agency statewide. I also serve part-time as an EMT-Intermediate with Dallas, Oregon Ambulance Service.

As a Fire District resident, I want to ensure that the Fire District wil be there when you need it and that the services you have come to expect continue to be offered in an efficient and cost effective manner.

(This information furnished by Jerry F. Cotter