VP Brings 26 Years Firefighting Experience to Board

John Drake is serving his third year of a four-year term as vice president of the Hoodland Fire District Board Of Directors. He was elected to the volunteer position in May 2023 and took office on July 1 of that year. 

He retired after 26 years working as a firefighter for the Portland Fire Bureau. He spent 13 years as a line firefighter and 13 as a fire inspector with the fire marshal’s office. 

He believes that being a Hoodland Fire board member and retired firefighter with lots of experience helps him do what’s best for the public as well as for firefighters. 

“My goal is to serve the public,” Drake said. “I’m not trying to sound trite but I really want to do what's best for both the citizens and our firefighters because I’m a retired firefighter. Whatever the fire district can do that’s best for both – good response, good medical coverage, good fire coverage, good fire inspection coverage, all the things associated with the fire service. I’m not here just to put in some time, I want to see the best for all. I want to see the best for both the citizens and firefighters.”

The new fire station, for which voters approved a $19 million bond measure last May, benefits local residents as well as firefighters. It replaces an aging building riddled with asbestos problems, flooding issues, and antiquated sleeping quarters. The new station, which will be built on the Dorman site just .1 miles away from the current station, will enhance emergency services throughout the district.

“The fire station was built as a 12-hour volunteer station with no sleeping quarters,” Drake said. “Guys used to come in the morning and leave in the afternoon. A bunk house was added to the back later. The engine bay used to flood, and there were asbestos problems. It has reached the end of its lifetime.”

Drake has had three jobs since high school: F-14 crew chief in the U.S. Air Force, a position with Northwest Natural Gas, and Portland firefighter. He didn’t go to Vietnam because he broke his wrist playing football and was thus unqualified.

“I got out of high school and went into the Air Force for four years. Got out of the Air Force and went to work for NW Natural Gas for four years. Quit there and went to the Portland Fire Department for 26 years. So basically I had three jobs my whole life.”