Hoodland Fire District Staffer Puts Focus on Care

Since Christi Harris joined the Hoodland Fire District staff as a part-time administrative assistant in March 2024, she has become a valuable part of the Hoodland team. She brings a lifetime of experience caring for others to the fire district.

Christi has worked the last 14 years as head caregiver and administrative assistant for a special event childcare company. A widowed mother of four grown children, Christi also has served as a foster mother for medically fragile infants. Being a mother and foster mother have been the closest things to her heart.

Christi is in the spotlight of this month’s Mountain Times Fire Focus. The following is an edited transcript of an email conversation she and I had.

Tell me about yourself. Who are you? What are your goals, dreams and passions?

I'm a mom of four amazing grown kids who are now grown.  I love doing creative projects and finding new ways to grow, both personally and professionally.  I've spent most of my adult life caring for others, which has shaped my perspective and who I am today. My goals are to continue growing personally and professionally while making a positive impact wherever I can. 

What does an administrative assistant do? 

My days are always different.  One moment I'm updating the website, and the next I'm doing timesheets, bills, or creating social media posts and flyers for upcoming events.  I love my job and the people I work with, they're dedicated, friendly, and it is a pleasure to be part of the team.

What inspired you to work in the emergency services field? What is your work background? 

I've always been fascinated by the emergency services field and love learning how everything functions behind the scenes. The interest probably began when I was a candy striper in high school. In addition to my work at Hoodland, I've spent the past 14 years as a head caregiver and administrative assistant for an event childcare company. That role has taught me to manage many responsibilities at once and stay calm under pressure. Most of my training has been hands-on, which has helped me become organized and adaptable.  

Where do you live? Where did you grow up? What's your family background history?

I live in Boring with my sister, my nieces, and my dog Teddy.  I grew up in the Troutdale area.  I'm a widowed mom of four grown children.  Two are biological, and two were our foster babies that we adopted. Being a mom, and especially a foster mom, has been a huge part of my life. We specialized in medically fragile infants, sometimes having four under the age of one at a time, which was definitely challenging, but incredibly rewarding.

Have you had any challenging experiences on the job you would like to share? 

One of the more challenging parts of my job has been learning all the fire-specific terminology.  For example, I quickly learned that a fire engine and a fire truck are not the same. Fire trucks have ladders. I've really enjoyed learning how the fire district operates and all the details about the apparatus that Hoodland Fire has.

What activities do you do for fun outside the workplace? 

When I'm not at work, I love getting creative and participating as a vendor at crafts shows and holiday markets. I'm also a bit of an adventure seeker. I love paddleboarding, kayaking, and exploring new places around the country. Traveling gives me a chance to see new sights, try new things, and just enjoy life to the fullest.

What stands out as an accomplishment you are most proud of?

I'm most proud of my family and the life I've built as a mom. Raising four children while caring for medically fragile infants has been one of the most challenging, meaningful, and rewarding experiences of my life. It's taught me patience, resilience, and the importance of love and support. Professionally, I'm grateful to contribute to the Hoodland Fire District team in my own way and to be part of the important work that they do.