The Sandy Fire District was formed in the 1930’s when the City purchased a Ford Model T chemical truck. Whenever the whistle blew, whoever happened to be around took the truck and went to the fire. The old Ford was hard starting; therefore, it was placed on a ramp on property which was next to Smith’s Garage on Pioneer Blvd. When the whistle blew, the chock blocks under the wheels of the truck were pulled, the truck would roll down the ramp and, in that fashion, would be jump-started. On January 24, 1934, firefighter Walter Duncan died when he jumped on the truck responding to a fire and his protective long coat of the era got caught in the rear wheel; he was pulled under the truck and run over. Old-timers who are still in the Sandy area tell us that whenever Firefighters came back from an alarm, their clothing used to be full of holes from the acid that was used to charge the water tank.
Around 1940, the Department was organized under the Sandy Rural Fire Commission, a non-profit organization run entirely by the Volunteers. Funds were received mostly from donations, fund-raising events, and charges for ambulance transportation that was provided by the Commission. However, the City did budget money for the purchase of a fire truck which was limited to City use only. This truck was built by the Howard-Cooper Corporation of Portland on a 1940 Chevrolet chassis at a cost of $3,476.71. Up until 1973, this unit was still in service as a first line piece of equipment. Since 1973, the unit has been retired and put on reserve status as Engine 78R. It was used by our Volunteers in Muster competitions along the west coast. The Muster Team won several State championships as well as the West Coast Championship.
The City truck was limited to City fires. Because of this, Volunteers sponsored several fund-raising projects to obtain money for a rural fire truck. The first $500 was used to purchase a 1941 Ford chassis on which the Volunteers built a body complete with a 350-gallon water tank, a 350 gpm pto pump, a hose bed and small cabinets. This until was also in service until 1973, at which time it was purchased by the Anderson Brothers Wrecking Company and donated to OMSI to be sold at their annual auction.
In 1961, the department was reorganized under Oregon State Statues as Sandy Rural Fire Protection District No.72. The Sandy Rural Fire Commission continued to operate the ambulance as a non-profit community service. The non-profit ambulance operation continued until approximately 1974. At that time, it became a private company and has remained as such since.
The original Sandy Station was built over a period of six years beginning in about 1963, with completion of the building in about 1969. During this time, the Fire District had little money for such an undertaking. Mr. Ed Perren, a local building contractor in the Sandy area, donated his time in constructing the Station. In addition, he advanced the District a good deal of the money that was needed to purchase materials that went into the building. The total cost of the original Station was about $24,000, including property. The first career Firefighters employed by the District were appointed in July 1972.
In 1981, a major remodeling project was completed that doubled bay space, added sleeping facilities, classrooms, office space, a combination hose and drill tower, and parking space. The remodeled building had both full fire alarm and sprinkler systems. The cost of remodeling, including the land purchase, was approximately $665,000.
In April 1995, a new Dover Substation was completed and put into service. It replaced the original Dover Station which was over 20 years old and sat on leased land. The new location and size better accommodate the increasing call volume and need for services in that response area.
Late summer 2016, the District’s main station started the seismic renovation and remodel process. The District received a 1.2-million-dollar grant from Business Oregon IFA Seismic Grant Program for a seismic renovation. In addition, the District ran a remodel alongside the seismic renovation using Urban Renewal funds from the City of Sandy. The remodel and renovation would take nearly 2 years and would add additional office space, bunk rooms, security systems, and space for continued growth of the department.
Fire Chiefs
Lyle Seaman was appointed the first Fire Chief in 1942. He served as a Volunteer Chief until about 1967, when he was appointed as the first full-time paid Fire Chief of the District and served in that position until his retirement in1972. Chief Seaman devoted 32 years of his life to the Sandy Fire District. There is no doubt that if it were not for his efforts, the Sandy Fire District would not be as we know it today.
Bob Rathke was selected as Fire Chief from a nationwide search in 1972. Chief Rathke added much to Sandy Fire District – foremost was a goal for the future. His new ideas and foresight led to a comprehensive plan for Sandy Fire District. During his tenure, the District added two substations, remodeled the Main Station and added a greatly enhanced Volunteer program with a Length of Service Plan (LOSAP). Sandy Fire District has received nationwide recognition as an excellent staffed and cost-effective combination department. Chief Rathke reached his goals for Sandy Fire District in 1985 and resigned to pursue new goals in private business. Chief Rathke remained a life member of the Volunteer organization.
Gary Connelly was promoted to Fire Chief in 1985 after serving 6 years as the Assistant Chief/Training Officer of the Sandy Fire District. His knowledge of the department, community, Volunteer Firefighters and apparatus allowed him to start where Chief Rathke left off and continue to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of Sandy Fire District. Chief Connelly’s expertise in fire apparatus gained him a position on the State of Oregon Fire Apparatus Standards Committee. In 1995, Chief Connelly was instrumental in purchasing and building the Dover Fire Station on Firwood Rd. In June 1997, Chief Connelly retired as Fire Chief, completing 25 years of service. He left the apparatus, staff, buildings, and finances in a high state of readiness.
James Haugsness of Colorado became Fire Chief in July 1997. He brought the District many years of experience, leadership and management of fire departments. The first paid 24-hour shift firefighter staffing began in 1998 (one per shift). Chief Haugsness resigned in January 1999.
Ron Smith was Acting Fire Chief from January 1999 to January 2000. Ron worked his way through the ranks and was the first Paramedic on staff. When Chief McQueen was hired Ron returned to the Assistant Chief position and retired in 2004.
Gary McQueen, a longtime Sandy resident, was hired as the Fire Chief in February 2000. Gary had been a volunteer member of the Sandy Fire District since 1980 and worked his way through the ranks, promoting to Battalion Chief in 1992. Gary also served as a career firefighter, Lieutenant and Battalion Chief for the Lake Oswego fire department until January 2000. Chief McQueen was able to add additional staffing as well as replace several 20+ year old fire apparatus with new. Chief McQueen retired in April 2013.
Michael Hansen was hired in 2013 as an interim Administrative Fire Chief with the assistance of Emergency Services Consulting International (ESCI). Chief Hansen implemented many organizational, policy and budgetary changes during his tenure and left the District much better prepared for future growth. The contract for Chief Hansen ended in 2015.
Phil Schneider, lifelong Sandy resident, was appointed Fire Chief in January 2015. Starting out as a Fire Explorer when he was 15, Phil was a very active volunteer and was hired in 1991 as a Firefighter/Driving Instructor. Phil has the unique honor of serving in all ranking positions within the District. Chief Schneider continues to improve service to the community with additional staffing, apparatus replacement and completion of a major seismic rehabilitation and remodel of the Main fire station. Chief Schneider has been serving the community for over 40 years with Sandy Fire District.
