Fire Chief

Steven Black

Steve brings a wealth of experience and dedication to East County Fire and Rescue, having served for over 23 years in the fire service. He began his career as a volunteer firefighter with the Cornelius Fire Department in Oregon, where he quickly fell in love with the challenges and rewards of the profession. His passion led him to pursue a full-time role, and he was hired by Cornelius as a Firefighter/EMT. Over the years, Steve advanced through the ranks, ultimately serving as the Captain in charge of training for the last ten years of his time with Cornelius.

His dedication to training and development drove him to seek a new opportunity at Forest Grove Fire and Rescue, where he took on the role of Division Chief of Training, Recruitment & Retention, and Safety. After a successful tenure there, Steve was honored to accept the position of Fire Chief at East County Fire and Rescue.

In addition to his work with East County Fire and Rescue, Steve has spent 15 years teaching as an instructor at Portland Community College, where he mentors aspiring firefighters. He also shares his knowledge at a national level, working with the National Fire Academy to deliver recognized training courses to firefighters across the country.

Outside of work, Steve enjoys playing sports and spending quality time with his wife Pam and their dogs. He loves the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, with its mountains, lakes, and forests, and feels fortunate to live in such an incredible region.

Steve invites anyone in the area to stop by Station 91 and say hello—he’s always happy to connect with the community he serves.

Support Staff –