After nine years of serving as the president for Hoodland Fire District’s (HFD)
Volunteer Board Association (VBA), Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician
(EMT) Nick Miller is stepping down from his role with the board. Miller will be
succeeded as president of the VBA by Firefighter/EMT Dawson Kooch, station
manager at the Government Camp Station.

“My life has gotten busier,” Miller said. “I like to stay engaged as much as
possible, but don’t currently have the time the position deserves.”

Miller, the owner of Cascade Yard Works in Zigzag, began volunteering at
Hoodland Fire District in 2001 and has since earned his firefighter, emergency
medical responder (EMR) and EMT certifications. During his 20 years with the
district, he has received awards for Firefighter of the Year, Medical Responder
of the Year and the Fire Chief's Award: Above and Beyond. He will continue
serving as an active-duty firefighter/EMT volunteer responder for the district
and will remain on the board as the sergeant at arms for the organization.

The VBA held the vote for new officers on Dec. 14 and new officers were
announced at a meeting on Dec. 15 at the main station in Welches. Other
board officers elected are Vice President Firefighter/EMT Brandon Bergeron,
Treasurer Lisa Kline, and Secretaries Sally Chester and Debra Sinz.

The volunteer board is a not-for-profit organization that promotes community
outreach and fundraising activities for the fire district, a combination district
comprised of paid staff and volunteers providing emergency response for the
mountain communities.

Kooch joined the district in 2018 after participating in Gresham Fire District's
Cadet Program. He has received his firefighter and EMR certifications as well
as his EMT rating. Kooch recently received commendations for his service
during a 17-day deployment at the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon and has
taken part in seven wildland deployments.

A recent remodel of the Government Camp Station, where Kooch is the
station manager, made it possible for HFD to maintain volunteers on site in a
residency program. The proximity of agency responders to a potential fire in
the community contributed to the reduction of the ISO (Insurance Services
Office) rating from 10 to 4 for properties in the area.

“(This role) is a new way of taking responsibility. I got a lot of support from
members urging me to pursue the position,” Kooch said. “The responsibilities
are definitely keeping me very busy. We have the Government Camp station
staffed 95 percent of the time.”

Kooch’s priorities for the VBA include continuing the organization’s mission of
public outreach, encouraging public involvement and awareness of HFD’s role
in the community, promoting recognition for HFD member’s achievements and
revitalizing fundraising efforts.

Both Miller and Kooch underlined the important role volunteers play in
assuring safety and emergency response in the fire district and encourage
public involvement.

“Some members of the community don’t realize the volunteer opportunities
with HFD,” Miller said.

For more information regarding volunteer opportunities with HFD contact the
district at hoodland@hoodlandfire.org or 503-622-3256.