Lebanon, OR. — Official Release: Lebanon Fire District is proud to announce the promotion of Erin Nunes to the rank of Battalion Chief. Her journey to this role is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a deep commitment to service.
For Erin, the spark was lit early—watching the movie Backdraft as a child inspired her to pursue a career in the fire service. She began as a volunteer firefighter in Los Osos, California before returning to Oregon, where she enrolled in fire and paramedic training at Umpqua Community College. While studying, she also served as a student firefighter at Sutherlin Fire.
In 2007, Erin graduated from paramedic school and was hired by Lebanon Fire District. What started as a love for fire operations quickly grew into a deep appreciation for the EMS side of the job as well.
Erin Nunes said, “I always knew I’d love the fire side of the job, but I quickly came to appreciate how impactful and fulfilling the EMS side is, too. It really is the best job there is—every day brings something new, and every shift is a chance to make someone’s day a little better.”
Throughout her career, Erin has embraced the opportunities and challenges that come with working in a smaller, close-knit department. She was promoted to Lieutenant in 2016, and just two years later, she founded the Linn County Young Women’s Fire Academy—an initiative she calls her proudest accomplishment. The academy was created to show young women that a career in the fire service is not only possible, but rewarding. Several of the academy’s first attendees have since been hired by the District. In 2024, Erin had the chance to see her daughter attend the academy, making the experience even more meaningful.
Among the many memorable calls in her career, Erin recalls a night when she and her crew were dispatched to an iPhone crash alert—usually a false alarm—that turned out to be a real emergency. They arrived to find a vehicle fully engulfed in flames with a victim trapped inside. Thanks to a bystander’s quick actions and the crew’s rapid response, all three critically injured young men survived.
Erin Nunes said, “A bystander had pulled the passenger to safety just in time. We went to work—extinguishing the fire, treating the patients, and coordinating transport. Miraculously, all three survived and are doing well today.”
As she steps into her new role, Battalion Chief Nunes remains grounded in the values that brought her to the fire service.
She added, “I’m deeply honored to step into the role of Battalion Chief and proud to continue serving alongside an incredible team.”
Please join us in congratulating Battalion Chief Nunes on her well-earned promotion. We are fortunate to have her leadership, dedication, and passion guiding the next chapter of Lebanon Fire District.
About the Author
