VIDEO/PHOTOS: Portland firefighters honored a man Monday who changed the face of Portland Fire and Rescue. For years, Erwin Warren was the bureau’s lead recruiter and training specialist. He died on Sept. 3, at the age of 72. Dozens of firefighters attended the service, including new Portland Fire Chief Lauren Johnson. Warren is credited with recruiting and/or training many of the Black and female firefighters who are on the front lines every day. A line of fire trucks — one adorned with a massive American flag — could be seen outside of North Portland’s Mount Olivet Baptist Church.
Many of the firefighters Warren brought into the bureau were there to pay honor to their mentor and friend. “His impact was massive,” PF&R Inspector Lt. David Barron said. “Erwin recruited myself over 27 years ago. His impact at one time, he’s responsible for recruiting all of the women, all of the people of color in the fire agency, including all members for nearly two decades.” Warren joined the bureau in 1976, serving for 30 years until he retired in 2006. He fought fires, then led the bureau’s recruitment and training efforts for new firefighters. His mentorship lives on in the Erwin Warren Friend Firefighters STEM Summer Camp by inspiring youth — especially minorities — to pursue careers in firefighting.
