598-2023

Whereas, Fire Chief Sara Boone is a Portland native who grew up in Northeast Portland and is a 28-year veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue; and

Whereas, Chief Boone in 1995 became the first African American female firefighter to enter the ranks of Portland Fire & Rescue since its inception in 1883; and

Whereas, during her years as a firefighter, Chief Boone was promoted up the ranks in Emergency Operations, holding positions as Lieutenant, Captain, Staff Captain, Battalion Chief, Bureau Safety Chief, Deputy Chief of Logistics, and Division Chief of Medical Services & Training; and

Whereas, in 2019, Chief Boone became the first African American Fire Chief in the history of Portland Fire & Rescue and led the bureau through some of the most difficult and challenging times in recent memory, beginning with the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic; and

Whereas, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chief Boone partnered with Multnomah County to provide targeted COVID-19 testing and mobile vaccinations, and created Portland Fire’s Meds on Wheels outreach program to offer prescription pick-up and delivery to individuals who were unable to leave their home because of exposure risk but were in desperate needed of life-sustaining medications; and

Whereas, Chief Boone developed innovative preventative community health programs with her Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) program that is specifically designed to address the non-emergency medical needs of some of the city’s most vulnerable and marginalized populations; and

Whereas, Chief Boone’s vision for CHAT has positioned the program to build on its success as an alternative response model that can reduce calls to 9-1-1, reduce emergency department visits and ultimately reduce costs to the overall healthcare system; and

Whereas, throughout her career, Chief Boone has remained heavily involved in community service, outreach, and education, is deeply respected by her colleagues, and is considered a collaborative and team-oriented leader who champions the selfless service of others; and

Whereas, Chief Boone has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the City of Portland and to Portlanders, and has modeled true public service throughout her career; and

Whereas, the lives of many Portlanders and City employees have been enriched by her work, vision, and leadership.

Now, Therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim, on behalf of the whole Council, July 19, 2023 to be

Fire Chief Sara Boone Day of Appreciation

in Portland and encourage all Portlanders to observe this day.