David Campbell Memorial Service - Media Invitation (Photo)

June 24, 2024 12:45

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PF&R and DCMA host David Campbell Memorial Ceremony
Media Invitation

• David Campbell Memorial Ceremony
• 10 AM
• June 26
• Firefighter section of Lone Fir Cemetery – 649 SE 26th

Portland Fire & Rescue along with the David Campbell Memorial Association (DCMA) will host the annual David Campbell Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday June 26 in the Firefighter Section of the Lone Fir Cemetery located at 649 SE 26th at 10 AM. This event honors the 77 Portland Firefighters who have died while serving the City of Portland. In addition to the traditional ceremonious tolling of the bells for each member that passed away, there will be some significant awards presented by the DCMA for outstanding valor over the past year for members that were on duty along with recognizing a member for their off-duty valor.

The David Campbell Memorial Association is the caretaker of the legacy and memory of Portland Firefighters who have given their lives in service to the citizens of Portland, Oregon. Chief Campbell died in the collapse of the Union Oil Plant building as a result of a fire. Chief Campbell recognized the danger to the members on the inside as they battled the blaze while in command on the outside of the building. He borrowed a coat, entered the structure, successfully evacuated all Portland Firefighters on the interior prior to the collapse of the building which took his life. The DCMA was established in 1913, two years after the death of Fire Chief David Campbell.  Their goal was to safeguard the memory of Chief Campbell and award medals of valor for acts of bravery by Portland Firefighters that exemplified Chief Campbell himself.  

The on-duty valor award named in honor of Fire Chief Campbell will be awarded this year to a member that exhibited incredible bravery on a residential fire. The David Kingsley Award, recognizing a member for their off-duty valor will also be presented this year with members of the Kingsley Family present. David Kingsley, like Campbell, in a remarkably selfless act during WWll, gave his parachute to a fellow squadron member so they could survive an imminent plane crash while Kingsley rode the plane into the ground. These awards are not given out each year, so to have both the Campbell and the Kingsley presented is quite remarkable. Additionally, this will be the first occasion of the Kingsley Family being present since our discovery of his niece living in the Portland Metro Region last year. There will also be parchment awards presented to three different stations for work performed on a fire where 28 residents were saved from a fire at a care facility.

The location this year will be in the Firefighter Section of the Lone Fir Cemetery. With significant vandalism to the David Campbell Memorial within Portland Firefighters Park on W. Burnside, the event will be held at Lone Fir. DCMA is in talks with the City of Portland and in the process of raising funds to repair and upgrade the park and memorial.

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