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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FIRE OPERATIONS CHIEF MARK BURNS OF MEDFORD FIRE & RESCUE
______
HON. GREG WALDEN
of oregon
in the house of representatives
Friday, October 11, 2019
Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of
Fire Operations Chief Mark Burns of Medford Fire & Rescue.
Mark James Burns was born on June 18, 1953 in Medford, Oregon,
located in the Rogue Valley where he resided and worked the rest of his
life. Mark's desire to help others surfaced at an age when he became a
volunteer firefighter as a 16-year-old.
In 1971, just months after graduation from Crater High School in
Central Point, Mark accepted a full-time firefighter position with
Jackson County Fire District 3 and worked there for the next 10 years.
His hard work, determination, wisdom, sense of humor, and his ability
to inspire others garnered him the respect of his peers and
supervisors--who quickly promoted him to Fire Engineer and then to Fire
Captain.
Throughout his fire & rescue career, Mark consistently focused on his
professional development so he could be the best leader for his fellow
firefighters and his community. He worked vigorously to advance his
working skills and knowledge: completing the four-year Executive Fire
Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland, earning his
Fire Science Technology degree at Rogue Community College, his
Certificate in Fire Services Administration at Western Oregon
University, and several certifications from the Department of Public
Standards and Training.
In his leadership roles, Mark always led by example and played a
significant role in grooming Rogue Valley's next generation of fire &
rescue leaders. In fact, he became a mentor to many outside his own
department while off-duty, teaching Fire Science in the classroom at
Rogue Community College and serving as the campus Fire Science Program
Coordinator.
In 1982, Mark left Jackson County Fire District 3 to serve as a Shift
Battalion Chief for Medford Fire-Rescue, and in 1990 he became their
Training Chief. By 1991, Mark was promoted to Operations Chief and, for
the next 20 years, was responsible for all fire and rescue emergency
response within Medford city limits. During this time, Mark led the
Oregon State Fire Marshal Region 8 Hazardous Materials Response Team
and the City of Medford Emergency Management Team, and he served on the
Oregon Department of Forestry's statewide Incident Management Team.
Mark lived a life of selfless service as a firefighter and first
responder protecting and saving the lives and property of southern
Oregonians. Unfortunately, while battling the Oak Knoll Fire in Ashland
on August 24, 2010, Mark experienced intense smoke inhalation and was
medically retired in 2011 after 40 years of service. This incident
caused Mark to develop an aggravating lung condition that he struggled
with for the next five years, ultimately leading to his death. Chief
Burns succumbed to his fire-related illness on March 6, 2016 at the age
of 62.
Over the weekend, on October 6, 2019, Mark was one of the 119 fallen
firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Service in Emittsburg, MD.
Mark is survived by his wife of 45 years, Darcy, his son, Trevis, his
daughter, Karlie, and his eight grandchildren, Kristyn, Eryn, Zachary,
Kayla, Payshens, Braylon, Brittney and Casey. Mark is also survived by
his mother, Sally Burns, his sister, Patty Moser, his brother, John
Burns, and his three nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by
his father, Jack Burns.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Mark's family in
honoring the life, service, and sacrifice of Battalion Chief Mark
Burns. May his dedication to Oregonians, our community, and his
leadership among the fire & rescue community be long remembered and
honored.
____________________
