Fire Department · Combination
Knappa Fire District
Astoria, OR · Clatsop County
2 full-time employees and 28 volunteer personnel (2024)
No active openings right now
Watch this department to be notified when Knappa Fire District is hiring, or check their careers page.
Department careers page ↗Knappa Fire District covers roughly 100 square miles of rural Clatsop County, Oregon, stretching from Bradley Summit on Highway 30 to the city limits of Astoria. The district was formed in 1955, when volunteers responded to six fires that first year with equipment that included a converted timber-company water tender and a 1948 Ford hose truck. Over the following decades the district grew through several annexations and mergers with the neighboring Brownsmead and John Day-Fernhill fire districts, expanding into the four-station organization it is today.
Today Knappa Fire District runs a mixed career-and-volunteer model, with a small full-time staff supplemented by a roster of trained volunteer firefighters who respond to fire, medical, public-assist, hazmat, wildland, and mutual-aid calls throughout the district. A five-member elected Board of Directors sets policy and meets monthly at the main fire station, reflecting the district's roots as a community-governed rural fire agency.
Knappa Fire District builds its response force primarily through its volunteer firefighter program. The district describes becoming a volunteer firefighter as a months-long process requiring dedication and extensive training, with new members developing skills in both firefighting and emergency medical response before they respond independently to calls.
Requirements
- Dedication to complete a months-long training process
- Willingness to undergo extensive firefighting and medical training
- Motivation to help community members in emergencies
How do I become a volunteer firefighter with Knappa Fire District?
Knappa Fire District recruits through its volunteer firefighter program. Becoming a volunteer is described as a months-long process requiring dedication, extensive training, and a genuine desire to help the community; interested applicants can reach out via the district's Make a Difference page or contact Fire Chief Kurt Donaldson directly.
What areas does Knappa Fire District serve?
The district covers about 100 square miles of Clatsop County, Oregon, including Knappa, Svensen, Burnside, Brownsmead, Clifton-Bradwood, John Day, and Fernhill, from Bradley Summit on Highway 30 to the Astoria city limits.
Is Knappa Fire District an all-volunteer department?
No. The district combines a small career staff with a larger volunteer force -- as of 2024 it had 2 full-time employees and 28 volunteer firefighters responding to over 660 calls a year.
How many fire stations does Knappa Fire District operate?
Knappa Fire District operates four stations: the main Knappa station and sub-stations in Svensen, Brownsmead, and John Day-Fernhill, all in the Astoria, Oregon area.