Fire Chief Aug 2016-Present

stange.ben@polk1.org

Chief Stange became a Volunteer Firefighter with Polk County Fire District No.1 in 2000 while attending Western Oregon University. He had never considered a career in the fire service until his experience as a volunteer with the District. After graduating from Western, he attended Chemeketa Community College where he became a Paramedic. From there, Chief Stange worked for Metro West Ambulance before being offered a full-time position as a Firefighter/Paramedic with Polk County Fire District No.1. 

As a firefighter, Chief Stange became the Union President representing the full-time firefighters with the District. He was also appointed by both Governors Kitzhaber and Brown to serve as the Labor Chair on the State's Management-Labor Advisory Committee.

By the time he became the Fire Chief, Chief Stange had been a Volunteer Firefighter, Volunteer Lieutenant, Resident Volunteer, Firefighter/Paramedic, and Captain with the Fire District. He currently serves as the Fire Service Representative on the Special District's Association of Oregon's Board of Directors and serves on its legislative committee.