Woodburn, OR – The Woodburn Fire District announces the retirement of Fire Chief Joe Budge, effective January 31, 2025, after seven years of dedicated service. Chief Budge joined the district in 2017 following a distinguished 29-year career with Portland Fire & Rescue, where he retired as a Deputy Chief.
From the start, Chief Budge immersed himself in the Woodburn and Gervais communities, contributing to civic organizations such as the Woodburn Rotary and the Woodburn Area Chamber of Commerce. He also served on numerous public safety boards in Marion County enhancing collaboration and preparedness across the region.
During Chief Budge’s tenure, the Woodburn Fire District has experienced tremendous growth with firefighter career staffing doubling from 12 to 24 members. This increase ensures that two fully staffed engine companies are on duty 24/7, providing additional safety to the growing communities. A natural leader and teacher, Chief Budge implemented key operational priorities including:
- Increasing firefighter career staffing from 12 to 24 members, enabling two fully staffed engine companies on duty 24/7.
- Implementing four-person engine companies with a minimum of one paramedic on duty, transforming district fire engines into advanced life support units.
- Reestablishment of a fire station to serve the Gervais community and the rapidly growing area of SW Woodburn.
- Promoting aggressive interior attack firefighting strategies to better protect life safety and keep property loss to a minimum.
- Close collaboration with all fire districts and public safety agencies in North Marion and South Clackamas Counties to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of emergency services across the region.
“Although Woodburn has grown substantially over the past seven years, it is truly a unique place with a small-town, community-oriented feel,” Chief Budge shared. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time leading the Woodburn Fire District and working with its dedicated career and volunteer members.”
Chief Budge and his wife Rebecca look forward to traveling and spending time in retirement with their four daughters, three sons-in-law, and four grandchildren.
The district is equally excited to welcome Assistant Chief Jim Walker as its new fire chief. Chief Walker, who has served as Woodburn’s Assistant Chief for the past year, brings extensive experience to his new role. His career spans 18½ years with the Coos Forest Protective Association, five years with the Oregon Department of Forestry where he finished as the director of fire protection operations before transitioning to an 11-year stint as the Oregon State Fire Marshal. In his role as state fire marshal, Walker oversaw the implementation and enforcement of fire codes and life safety ordinances for the more than 300 fire agencies in the state of Oregon. Chief Walker has also served as a fire inspector and investigator for the Aurora, Canby and Woodburn Fire Districts, as well as a division chief for the Canby Fire District.
Chief Walker lives in Canby with his wife Kathi. Together, they enjoy spending time with their daughter Alex, son Greyson, two grandsons, and a new granddaughter.
Chief Walker will officially be sworn in as fire chief on January 31, 2025, as he takes the reins of the Woodburn Fire District as part of a joint retirement celebration for Chief Budge.
For additional information, please contact Joe Budge at (503) 982-2360.
About Woodburn Fire District
The Woodburn Fire District proudly serves Woodburn, Gervais and the surrounding 75 square miles of North Marion County where more than 40,000 people live and work. The fire district continually strives for excellence while providing fire suppression, emergency medical response, and prevention services with dedication, professionalism and compassion. For more information, visit www.woodburnfire.com.