DEVON WELLS, with Mayor Paul Blackburn, received a certificate and a standing ovation Monday. With Wells at the City Council meeting were his wife, Tia, and their son, Ian, 5, and department volunteer coordinator Kip Miller.
Kirby Neumann-ReaHood River City Council paid tribute to its out-going fire chief Monday, passing a resolution stating Chief Devon Wells “devoted time, talents and energy to the Hood River Fire Department for more than 16 years.”
Wells will remain in Odell and volunteer with his home Wy’East Fire District as well as HRFD, and plans to both work in fire service specialty areas and to spend more time with the family orchard operation.
“Chief Wells has distinguished himself by working tirelessly to achieve the highest standards of performance of the Hood River Fire Department,” states the resolution.
“It’s been an awesome journey,” said Wells, who has served as chief for the past eight years, and a total of 16 with the department. He credited the city’s department heads as “hands down, the best you will find anywhere,” and said of his own fire crew, “You won’t find a better-served community than this one.” Referring to both the police and fire ranks, he said, “Don’t forget they’re under-staffed,” saying that both department have made gains as the city has rebounded financially in the past four years, but that both are down three employees.
“I know this is political, but we need to get that level of service back,” Wells said.
Wells’ honor came early in the four-hour council meeting; he returned later for an executive session meeting, on the topic of fire department employee negotiations.
Wells’ final day with the city will be Sept. 2. The city is in the process of hiring an interim fire chief, according to Wells.
The resolution states, in part:
“The City does hereby thank and commend Chief Devon Wells for more than 16 years of dedicated, distinguished and unselfish service to the citizens, businesses and tourists visiting Hood River, and the council wishes him success in all his future endeavors.”
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented