Ted Kunze, Fire Chief

Canby Fire District No. 62

President, Oregon Fire Chiefs Association

Fire Chief Ted Kunze began his fire service career in 1975 as an Explorer Scout/ Volunteer with Washington County Fire District No. 1, today known as Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue.  Upon graduating from high school, Ted enrolled as a student at Chemeketa Community College and began serving as a Resident Volunteer Firefighter with the Woodburn Fire District. 

Chief Kunze started his professional firefighting career in 1981 with St. Helens Fire District and joined the Lake Oswego Fire Department in 1982, fulfilling all fire ranks up to and including, Battalion Chief. While with Lake Oswego Fire, Chief Kunze also spent five years as a Volunteer Lieutenant/Paramedic with the Newberg Fire Department.

In 1998 Ted was appointed to the position of Fire Chief with Canby Fire District, where he continues to serve today.

Chief Kunze attended the Oregon Fire Administrator’s Institute and holds an A.S. in Fire Protection. He is a Type II Incident Commander and a Certified Wildland Interface Division Supervisor. He recently retired from his position as the Incident Commander (IC) on Oregon’s Green Incident Management Team, but continues to remain active with the program as a “pool” IC available for response as requested.

He served two terms as the Clackamas County Fire Defense Board Chief during which time he led the effort to develop the Clackamas County’s Fire Resource Plan, as well as the formation of the Clackamas Fire Operations Group. As an active first responder, Chief Kunze continues to maintain his Paramedic Certification.