Lebanon, OR. — Official Release: The Lebanon Fire District is honoring Battalion Chief Ken Savage as he retires after an extraordinary career spanning nearly 38 years of dedicated service to the community.
Savage began his journey in the fire service in September 1987 after a friend, who was a volunteer firefighter, invited him to join. That invitation sparked a lifelong passion. “Once I got started in the intern role, I was hooked,” Savage recalled. “The ability to help people at their worst moment was the inspiration that kept me coming back.”
Throughout his career, Savage served in a variety of roles at LFD, starting as a volunteer firefighter before moving through the ranks as Volunteer Lieutenant, vice president and president of the Volunteer Association, full-time firefighter, Lieutenant, interim Division Chief of Training, and ultimately Battalion Chief. He was actively involved in all of the District’s technical rescue teams, served on the fire investigation team, and was an SCBA technician. Savage also held leadership positions as an E-Board member and president of Local 2163.
When reflecting on his proudest accomplishments, Savage pointed to the many challenges he embraced and the impact he made. “I am proud that I accepted the challenges and spent the time in classes that allowed me to be upwardly mobile in a very competitive organization. I’m proud I was able to put myself in positions that influenced change within the LFD, and that I was a part of the station from inception to the day it was completed.”
Savage’s career is filled with memorable moments, but one stands out vividly: “Being called out of a fire and told my wife was in labor with our oldest daughter.” Yet, beyond the individual calls, what resonates most with him is the trust placed in him by those he served. “Being the person who people trusted to help them at their worst moment is something that will stick with me forever.”
Known for his commitment to professional growth, Savage has consistently encouraged the next generation of firefighters to, “Be a student of the profession and be prepared for constant change. It’s a dynamic world.”
Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi praised Savage’s legacy and influence:
“Ken’s career is a testament to dedication, adaptability, and heart. He has been a mentor, a leader, and a steady hand in the most challenging moments. His contributions have left a lasting mark on the Lebanon Fire District, and his absence will be felt both professionally and personally. We are grateful for his decades of service and wish him nothing but the best in his next chapter.”
As Ken Savage prepares to close this chapter of his life, it isn’t the calls, the titles, or even the accomplishments that rise to the forefront — it’s the people. The camaraderie forged in fire stations, the bonds built during long shifts, and the unspoken trust that comes with serving side by side are what he will carry with him. Behind his success stands his greatest support system: his wife, Diana, and daughters, Jordan and Haylee, whose encouragement and sacrifices made his decades of service possible.
Savage’s career has been shaped not only by his own determination but also by the mentorship, friendship, and unity of his colleagues — past and present — who became a second family. Their shared moments, challenges, and victories form the fabric of his legacy.
The Lebanon Fire District bids farewell to a leader whose dedication, skill, and heart have left an indelible mark on the organization and the community it serves, wishing him a well-earned and deeply fulfilling retirement.
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