Portland is moving closer to appointing a new fire chief, with two finalists emerging from a national search to succeed retired Fire Chief Ryan Gillespie.
The candidates, Reginald Freeman and Lauren Johnson, offer significantly different backgrounds that could impact the leadership of Portland Fire & Rescue.
Freeman, previously the fire chief in Oakland and currently engaged in a large urban project in Saudi Arabia, has nearly 25 years of experience in both public and private sectors.
Conversely, Johnson has spent her entire 26-year career with the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department, advancing through its ranks to become assistant chief.
City officials have confirmed that both candidates are set to meet with Portland Mayor Keith Wilson this week, and a decision from City Administrator Michael Jordan is expected later this month regarding who will lead the busy agency.
Cody Bowman, a spokesperson for the city, indicated that the city administrator is pleased with the caliber of candidates and the integrity of the selection process.
“He looks forward to making this important decision, in consultation with Mayor Wilson, on who will lead the Portland Fire Bureau,” Bowman said.
This selection process comes at a critical time for Portland Fire & Rescue, which consists of over 750 employees and operates on an annual budget nearing $200 million.
The fire bureau has faced longstanding challenges, especially in recent years during the pandemic, civil unrest, wildfires, and an escalating homelessness crisis.
Staffing levels have been a concern, particularly after a 2022 report from the city auditor indicated that a predominantly white and male workforce contributed to an insular culture that allowed unprofessional behaviors to flourish.
The bureau also struggles with rising overtime costs due to chronic understaffing, a 2019 union contract that granted shorter workweeks and additional vacation time, and increased emergency call volume.
Freeman’s professional path has included serving as fire chief in Hartford, Connecticut, followed by his tenure at Oakland, where he departed in early 2023.
His noteworthy roles included leading the fire department for defense giant Lockheed Martin, and he is now a public safety executive director for a megacity being developed in Saudi Arabia.
Freeman holds a Ph.D. in emergency and protective services and founded a public safety consulting firm.
Describing the multifaceted role of a fire chief, Freeman stated, “A fire chief, in any community, is so much more than someone who leads and manages the fire department.
He, she or they are an integral part of the city and are expected to be visible and engaged throughout all communities within Portland’s 145 square miles.”
In contrast, Johnson’s career in the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department illustrates a steady progression within a single organization.
She started her journey in 1999 after earning a sociology degree from Trinity University in San Antonio and rose through the ranks, being promoted to assistant chief in 2023.
Johnson chose not to comment when reached for a statement regarding her selection as a finalist.
Both candidates could mark a significant change for the Portland Fire Bureau, as they would become just the third chief appointed from outside the department’s ranks.
Prior instances include the 2016 appointment of retired Las Vegas fire chief Mike Myers, and in the early 1990s, Robert Wall from Palo Alto, California was also selected.
As the appointment decision looms, the city prepares for changes in leadership amid ongoing challenges within its fire bureau.
The selection of a new chief will undoubtedly shape the future of public safety in Portland as it navigates its current obstacles.
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