Spence serves community

Scio resident Brenda Spence loves serving her community. The 1974 Scio High School graduate served several years on the board of the Scio Boys and Girls Club before finding her true calling- serving on the Scio Fire District's Board of Directors. It is a calling that has been her passion even before she was appointed to the board on December 21, 1998. Voters have kept her on the board every election since. All but three of those years she has served as the board's president.

“I lost my Grandaddy to a fire when I was in junior high,” Spence said recently regarding her desire to serve. Years later, she also lost a cousin to fire. “In 1990, I was offered a job with the Oregon Fire District Directors Association.” In that capacity, Spence worked with all branches of the fire service. This year is the 20^th anniversary of the Oregon Fire Service Office Administrators. She is a charter member, past president and life member of that association. “I feel honored to have had a small part in OFSOA and to see how they have grown and become an important part of the fire service.”

While fire districts, like all other agencies throughout the state, struggle with issues, Spence said the district's biggest challenge is keeping up with the changes in the fire service. “All the qualifications and training is a big load on our volunteers.” She added that equipment is a big concern as is making sure volunteers are as safe as possible. Right now, Spence said the main issue for the Scio district is the sand and rocks in the water being pumped from the city's water system. “It has caused a problem with our nozzles at times.” If any of the debris actually makes it into the district's pumps, Spence said it could cost thousands of dollars they don't have to fix it.

With the new facility nearing it's completion, Spence notes the people as being the district's biggest success. Of the volunteers and staff, Spence has nothing but positive things to say. “They are all very dedicated and give a lot of their time.” The volunteers are just as well trained as career firefighters. “People would be surprised how much time it takes to be a volunteer,” she said. In addition to their roles as volunteer firefighters, all either hold full time jobs, are continuing their education or, in some cases, both. The training, Spence notes, “takes them away from their families or other things they could be doing,” because of classes, drills, meetings, trainings and, of course calls.

Spence is proud to be part of the board that will oversee the new fire station. “We are still on track to be in the new station the first part of October,” she said. The staff and Mike Bieler, the project manager have been able to stay the course to “make sure everything is getting done and done right.”

One thing that is different in the Scio district than anywhere else in the state is the dual fire chiefs. “These two,” she said of Chiefs Duane Miller and Richard Labelle, “are great! They stepped in right when we needed them and they have accomplished a lot.” She said the pair work well together and that other districts are taking notice.”For the past several years at every Fire Conference I attend, there are chiefs and board members from all around the state who come up and ask questions about it it is working.” She said many districts have expressed interest in giving the dual fire chief idea a try. “Who knows? You may see it in other districts as well.” The key, Spence said, is the great communication between the chiefs, the volunteers and the board.

A recent addition to the district's firefighting skills is the new water rescue team. They have been training for several months and have been responding as needed to help other districts out with water rescues this summer. “They have been trained and are working hard so they at their best when they are called on.”

“It is a way I can give back to the community and a way to be involved in the fire service,” Spence said when asked why she continues to serve on the fire board. “Once you are in the fire service, the people involved become your family.” She said it is great knowing no matter where she goes, she has family in the fire service. “You may not have met them yet but once you walk into their stations, you are home.”

Spence takes her responsibilities very seriously. “There is a lot to learn and understand in order to make decisions that have to be made.” To that end, the Scio board takes full advantage of the board training offered every year.

Spence is proud of the new facility going in that will help volunteers protect and serve their neighbors. She knows the volunteers and staff will appreciate it immensely. She also knows who is most responsible for the dream becoming a reality. “I would like to thank our district for passing the bond for the new station.” She is excited for the open house when everyone can see the completed station. “I believe they are going to love it and all the opportunities it holds for our district.”

She also takes a lot of pride in the district's many volunteers. “They are awesome!” She said she admires each and every one of them for their dedication to the residents who live within the Scio Fire District. “You know they are here because they love the fire service and they are involved for the right reason- to serve their community.”