The South Lane County Fire and Rescue Board of Directors is currently reviewing an incident of alleged offensive Facebook posts by our Fire Chief.  We take this matter very seriously.

We take great pride in the public’s trust in our organization and work hard every day to continuously earn that trust.  We are here to compassionately and professionally serve all South Lane County Fire District residents.  

It is not District practice to provide detailed comments on ongoing personnel matters.  Presently, the Fire Chief has been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave.  The Acting Fire Chief is Joe Raade. 

  Emails to the District regarding this matter have been shared with the Board.  If you wish to provide written comments, our email address is  and our mailing address is SLCF&R Administration and Headquarters, 233 Harrison Ave Cottage Grove, OR 97424  Written comments are the most effective way to communicate with the District at this time because we need to keep our phone lines available for emergencies and regular District business. 

The Board is scheduling another Board meeting to address this issue on June 18, 2020 at 7:00 PM.  At that time, the Board will enter into an Executive Session under ORS 192.660(2)(b) to discuss the potential discipline of a public officer.  We will post the meeting notice and agenda at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.  

Thank you,

South Lane County Fire and Rescue

Board of Directors

BOARD AGENDA

JUNE 3, 2020 7:00PM

1. Call to Order

1. Roll Call

1. Executive Session pursuant to ORS 192.660(2)(b) to discuss the possible discipline of a public officer.

1. Return to Open Session:  Possible adjournment or possible Board discussion or vote regarding the discipline of a public officer.

South Lane County Fire & Rescue will be holding a Fire Board Meeting at Station 201 located at 233 E. Harrison Cottage Grove, OR 97424 on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 at 7:00 pm. 

The District will first call to order the Board of Directors in an open meeting.  The Board will then enter into an executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(b) to discuss the possible discipline of a public officer.  At the end of the executive session, the Board will return to open session.  At that time, the Board may discuss, deliberate, or vote on the possible discipline of a public officer. 

This meeting will be done remotely to comply with the Governor’s executive order, secondary to the COVID-19.  Please note that no outside public will be allowed at this meeting due to COVID-19 concerns.

All public comments can be emailed to  through Wednesday, June 3rd, at 3:00 pm and will be provided to the Fire Board at the meeting.

South Lane County Fire & Rescue will be holding a Fire Board Meeting at Station 201 located at 233 E. Harrison Cottage Grove, OR 97424 on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 at 7:00 pm. 

This meeting will be an executive session under ORS 192.660(2)(b) to discuss the possible discipline of a public officer.

This meeting will be done remotely to comply with the Governor’s executive order, secondary to the COVID-19.

All public comments can be emailed to info@southlanefire.org through Wednesday, June 3rd, at 3:00 pm and will be provided to the Fire Board at the meeting.

Please note that no outside public will be allowed at this meeting.

Date: 6/2/2020

Time: 1100 Hours

The District has been made aware of a news story run by KEZI indicating Fire Chief John Wooten stated on his “personal” Facebook page that rioters should be shot. Chief Wooten did not make any statement in his official capacity as Fire Chief. The Chief’s personal Facebook page was hacked and has since been taken down.