[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 161 (Friday, October 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       FIRE OPERATIONS CHIEF MARK BURNS OF MEDFORD FIRE & RESCUE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 11, 2019

  Mr. WALDEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Fire Operations Chief Mark Burns of Medford Fire & Rescue.
  Mark James Burns was born on June 18, 1953 in Medford, Oregon, 
located in the Rogue Valley where he resided and worked the rest of his 
life. Mark's desire to help others surfaced at an age when he became a 
volunteer firefighter as a 16-year-old.
  In 1971, just months after graduation from Crater High School in 
Central Point, Mark accepted a full-time firefighter position with 
Jackson County Fire District 3 and worked there for the next 10 years. 
His hard work, determination, wisdom, sense of humor, and his ability 
to inspire others garnered him the respect of his peers and 
supervisors--who quickly promoted him to Fire Engineer and then to Fire 
Captain.
  Throughout his fire & rescue career, Mark consistently focused on his 
professional development so he could be the best leader for his fellow 
firefighters and his community. He worked vigorously to advance his 
working skills and knowledge: completing the four-year Executive Fire 
Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland, earning his 
Fire Science Technology degree at Rogue Community College, his 
Certificate in Fire Services Administration at Western Oregon 
University, and several certifications from the Department of Public 
Standards and Training.
  In his leadership roles, Mark always led by example and played a 
significant role in grooming Rogue Valley's next generation of fire & 
rescue leaders. In fact, he became a mentor to many outside his own 
department while off-duty, teaching Fire Science in the classroom at 
Rogue Community College and serving as the campus Fire Science Program 
Coordinator.
  In 1982, Mark left Jackson County Fire District 3 to serve as a Shift 
Battalion Chief for Medford Fire-Rescue, and in 1990 he became their 
Training Chief. By 1991, Mark was promoted to Operations Chief and, for 
the next 20 years, was responsible for all fire and rescue emergency 
response within Medford city limits. During this time, Mark led the 
Oregon State Fire Marshal Region 8 Hazardous Materials Response Team 
and the City of Medford Emergency Management Team, and he served on the 
Oregon Department of Forestry's statewide Incident Management Team.
  Mark lived a life of selfless service as a firefighter and first 
responder protecting and saving the lives and property of southern 
Oregonians. Unfortunately, while battling the Oak Knoll Fire in Ashland 
on August 24, 2010, Mark experienced intense smoke inhalation and was 
medically retired in 2011 after 40 years of service. This incident 
caused Mark to develop an aggravating lung condition that he struggled 
with for the next five years, ultimately leading to his death. Chief 
Burns succumbed to his fire-related illness on March 6, 2016 at the age 
of 62.
  Over the weekend, on October 6, 2019, Mark was one of the 119 fallen 
firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial 
Service in Emittsburg, MD.
  Mark is survived by his wife of 45 years, Darcy, his son, Trevis, his 
daughter, Karlie, and his eight grandchildren, Kristyn, Eryn, Zachary, 
Kayla, Payshens, Braylon, Brittney and Casey. Mark is also survived by 
his mother, Sally Burns, his sister, Patty Moser, his brother, John 
Burns, and his three nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by 
his father, Jack Burns.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and Mark's family in 
honoring the life, service, and sacrifice of Battalion Chief Mark 
Burns. May his dedication to Oregonians, our community, and his 
leadership among the fire & rescue community be long remembered and 
honored.

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