Don Porth began his career in the fire service in 1980 as a student and volunteer firefighter in Happy Valley, Oregon. In 1983, he would be hired as a paid Firefighter/EMT with the City of Salem, Oregon. One year later, in 1984, Don would be hired by Portland Fire & Rescue, where he would serve for the next 27 years.
Don worked as a front line Firefighter/EMT until 1990, when he would be promoted to the Fire Marshal’s Office and be assigned to the Public Education Unit, providing community education and public outreach. He would take on the specialty of working with youth involved in fire-setting behavior. This led to many other opportunities and involvements regionally and nationally, including 23 years of oversight of a non-profit organization addressing youth fire-setting behavior at the national level.
Don created an innovation in education with Portland Fire, the Safety Learning Center and Fire Museum in the Historic Belmont Firehouse. Using a 1912 firehouse as a backdrop, professionally designed exhibits were created and built to educate the public on their vulnerability to fire and injury. Solutions to safety were woven into the rich stories of Portland Fire's existence in the community since the 1850's.
Since retirement from Portland Fire in 2011, Don has continued to consult and work on numerous fire service projects locally and nationally. Also, Don has organized and shared the rich history of Portland Fire & Rescue through research and organization of the historic documents of Portland Fire. He has created a web site (PortlandFireHistory.com) to share this information but also does talks or consults individually with those having questions. Don has also been heavily involved in the recognition of Portland's Fallen Firefighters, members who have died in service to the community.
In his personal life, Don's marriage that began in 1984 continues. Two sons and four grandchildren have grown from the life he and his wife have built.
