Mill City Volunteer Fire Department

Established in 1937, the Mill City Volunteer Fire Department has a long history of being dedicated and productive members of Mill City and the entire Santiam Canyon.  Leland Ohrt is the current fire chief and has held the position of chief for the since 1985 with a brief sabbatical in 1991. Chief Ohrt has been a member of the department for more than thirty years, having joined when he was in high school.  The citizens of Mill City voted to make the chief a paid position and Leland was officially hired in 2000 as Mill City’s first full time fire chief.  As fire chief, Chief Ohrt keeps the fire hall and all the equipment in excellent order.  He has worked on several grants and so far, they have received close to $500,000.00 in grant money to help in the purchase of much needed equipment. Purchases in recent years include a new pumper truck and a new tanker.  In my opinion, the residents of the Mill City Fire District are extremely fortunate to have a man like Chief Ohrt on staff.  Much of what the Chief does, goes unnoticed by the general public. 

In 1991, the construction of the fire hall was completed.  It was purchased with monies obtained through a bond.  One of the most amazing things the fire department accomplished was paying off this bond eight years early, saving over $75,000 in interest. 

In 2007, the men and women of the Fire Department contributed over 5100 hours to the department. Each volunteer averaged approximately 142 hours of service for the year, with Chief Ohrt working 2214 administrative hours and 241 volunteer hours. They respond to first-aid and fire calls, miscellaneous calls and provide community assistance to groups such as the Boy Scouts.  Other community projects include the yearly pick up of discarded Christmas Trees, safety information published in the local newspaper and they provide Red Cross First-Aid classes for those who would like to learn CPR and basic first aid.  The volunteers meet every Tuesday evening for meetings and practice drills.  The volunteers usually conduct one to two Burn to Learn drills a year to practice the newest rescue techniques and sharpen their firefighting skills.

In November, the weekend before Thanksgiving,  the volunteers plan and put on the Fireman’s Benefit. My favorite part of the Benefit has to be the Double Cheese-“Gut-Bomb Burger” piled high with grilled onions and green peppers, bargain priced at  only $2.00!  Just one of these babies and believe me, you are good for a year, before you want another.  During the Fireman's Benefit you can play BINGO and there is a area for Kid's Games. Bean Bag Toss and the Fish Pond are popular games with the kids.  Both adults and kids enjoy playing BINGO and winners receive a Turkey or a Ham.  Bingo cards are .25 each.  There is also a raffle prize of $50.00 Bill drawn at Midnight and a $100.00 Bill drawn at 1:00 AM.  Other prizes include Ham, Turkey, a case of canned goods or a huge slab of bacon. The proceeds of this fundraiser benefit many of the groups projects throughout the year.  Most notable of these being the Fireworks on the Fourth of July at Kimmel Park.

One of the best things about this fire department is it’s family time.  Leland knows the members spend a lot of personal time dedicated to the department and he feels it is important to get the group and their families together.  Several times each each year  the department plans activities for the volunteers and their families.  These special events include the family picnic in August, Kid’s Christmas Party with very special guest; Santa Claus, Game Night and the Annual Awards Dinner. 

At the Annual Awards Dinner, the district presents its honors to the Fireman of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and the Darwin Award.  The Darwin Award is given to the Firefighter, who through the course of the year, pulled the department’s stupidest stunt.  The Darwin Award is a wooden plaque mounted with a charred and melted fire department pager.  And yes, the owner of the pager lost it in a burn to learn fire.  My brother Chris has been honored with the Darwin twice, with back to back wins.   

The Mill City Volunteer Fire Department is always looking for new members.  If you would like to join this organization, please contact Chief Leland Ohrt at 503-897-2390 or MCRFPD2@wbcable.net.