Woodburn Fire District is proud to officially announce the hiring of Ibzan “Omar” Ortiz as the District’s new full-time Fire Marshal. Fire Marshal Ortiz assumes the role following the retirement of part-time Fire Marshal James Gibbs earlier this month, after more than seven years of dedicated service.
Fire Marshal Ortiz arrives in Woodburn with an impressive background in fire response, prevention, and emergency management. Prior to joining the District, he served as a Regional Fire Marshal for the National Park Service, where he oversaw fire prevention, investigation, and safety programs across 80 national parks throughout the Pacific West Region.
In that role, Ortiz functioned as the regional Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), ensuring that all construction projects complied with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. His responsibilities also included conducting fire inspections, advising federal personnel on fire safety protocols, and serving as the Senior Incident Commander for structural fire incidents within the region.
“Fire Marshal Ortiz brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership, and operational experience to our team,” said Fire Chief Jim Walker, “His proven dedication to fire safety, prevention, and emergency preparedness will be an invaluable asset to our community.”
Ortiz’s commitment to safety, continuous improvement, and collaborative leadership has earned him a respected reputation in the fire service community. The District looks forward to his contributions as he leads its fire prevention and investigation programs.