Canby Fire District Chaplain’s Programs

Chaplain's Funds

Canby Fire District has been responding to fire and medical emergencies since its inception in 1899. Over the years tragedy and disaster have profoundly affected a person’s immediate situation. Because of the Fire District’s first hand involvement in these misfortunes, we recognized a need to have a discretionary fund account set up to provide humanitarian assistance to help when and where assistance was needed. In 1999 Canby Fire established a community assistance fund titled the Canby Fire Chaplain’s Fund. The fund provides a method for individual community members and business owners to make tax-free contribution in support of the Mission of the program. These funds are then made readily available to assist those in need. If you are interested in making a donation to the Canby Fire Chaplain’s Fund please email Thechaplainsfund@canbyfire.org

Chaplain Program

Tragedy and stress are an all too common occurrence for fire and rescue providers. Whether it’s facing an emotional family member during a time of crisis or dealing with the accumulation of post traumatic stress, these stresses take their toll on citizens as well as emergency workers.

As a proactive response to better internal and external customer service, Canby Fire District has established a fire district sponsored Chaplain Program. Our Fire Chaplain representatives are highly trained and skilled in recognizing the signs and symptoms of Critical Incident Stress [CIS], assisting bereaving families with immediate crisis support, delivering death notifications, and providing counsel to traumatized families.

Our Chaplain’s also provides “after the incident” assistance, which includes comfort and counsel, community referral agency assistance, and helping families make the necessary contacts and communications in the aftermath of their tragedy.

Canby Fire is privileged to have two excellent Fire Chaplain’s; Bill Roberts and Jeff Hart. These two Chaplain’s volunteer their time unselfishly to our community, to assist both our firefighter’s as well as our citizenship with the hardships of tragedy and stress.

Our Fire Chaplains
Bill Roberts has been a Chaplain with Canby Fire and surrounding agencies for over 15 years.  He has been married for 42 years to his lovely wife, Cleo.  Bill earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at Mt. Angel College here in Oregon, and he also has a degree in Agriculture from Delhi Tech in New York.  Bill has been a pastor with the International Four Square Church for 8 years, and currently pastors here in Canby at New Life Church serving as a Chaplain with local emergency service agencies covering Fire, Police, Medics and dispatch.  Serving the emotional needs of the responders and civilians of Canby is his passion.	Jeff Hart and his wife Geneva have lived in Canby for 7 years. When he first arrived he became involved with the CERT Program through the Canby Fire District. Geneva and Jeff met at Oregon State University where he played football for the Beavers. Shortly thereafter he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL.  Jeff played for the NFL for 11 years, mainly for the Baltimore Colts.  He currently works for Search Ministries as the Portland Area Director, a position he’s held for 18 years.  The Hart’s have two married children, one grandchild, and another one due this fall.  Jeff considers being a chaplain for Canby Fire District an absolute privilege.