Captain Fuge started his volunteer career with CFD in 1996, but worked for Portland Fire for more than 30 years. When he retired from Portland Fire in 2007, Pat continued to invest himself into the volunteers at Canby Fire with his time and extensive knowledge of the Fire Service. Pat is respected by those he mentors, as well as his peers, and is an excellent role model for those who receive his training through the many hours he dedicates to our Recruit Academy program and other CFD training and community outreach events.

The employee of the year is an award open to the entire workforce at Canby Fire. This year, through peer selection, Firefighter and Canby Resident Matt English was selected for this coveted award.  Firefighter English was singled out for his diligence in managing the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Program, a program where “Failure is not an option.”  Over the years Matt has earned the respect from his peers, because the work he does, literally keeps our firefighters safe from the intrinsic dangers of fire and the toxic products of combustion. Thanks to Matt’s efforts, our breathing apparatus are maintained in mission ready status at all times.

Jason started with CFD as a volunteer in 2003, then became a full time fire fighter and joined our staff in 2006. Jason puts his heart into his job and has been regarded as a person that goes beyond what is required of him. His sincerity comes through in the way he serves the Canby community and those he works with. He has a great sense of humor, an uplifting disposition, a constant smile, and is a pleasure to work with largely because of his consistently positive attitude and his love of all that is Canby.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Firefighter Axton Baker joined Canby Fire in 2007 in order to give back to the community he grew up in. He exemplifies the heart of volunteerism. Axton has a selfless “can-do” attitude and does not expect anything back for his efforts accept the satisfaction of knowing he did the right thing, the right way. He spends many hours at the station studying, cleaning, helping and serving in any way that he can, and he is always ready to help anyone in need. Axton recently earned his EMT Paramedic Certification.

This award is voted on by Canby Fire’s Officers for excellence in attitude, dedication, skill and professionalism in both emergency and non-emergency situations, so it’s no wonder that Tighe was this year’s Firefighter of the Year recipient. Tighe is what you would imagine a Firefighter to be … knowledgeable, willing, capable and ready at all times to save lives, give his time, get involved and to give of himself, even if it costs him something to do so. Tighe is a big reason that our Community Outreach programs have the impact that they do, because all of these traits come through when he’s interacting with the citizens of Canby. Firefighter Tighe Vroman is a “Can Do”, “Will Do”, firefighter.