Chief J. Kevin Henson

Chief 301

As the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority (WVFRA) Fire Chief, Kevin Henson came to Oregon in 2004 to serve as the Fire Chief for the Turner Fire District (TFD). He brought with him eighteen years of prior experience in emergency services. In addition to well-known lecture & instructional abilities, Chief Henson also maintains accreditation as a Fire Officer as well as certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Chief Henson has also been conferred a bachelor of science degree in business administration.

Working with the TFD staff & volunteers, Chief Henson led a successful local option tax initiative for the replacement of aging fire apparatus during his first year. The TFD now has some of the most modern and technologically advanced equipment in the State. In 2007, he was “loaned” to Marion County Fire District #1 (MCFD1) where he served as a contracted Fire Chief for MCFD1 while continuing his duties as the TFD Fire Chief. Since that time, significant improvements in the relationship between the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 2557 have been made including a complete rewrite of the collective bargaining agreement, revised civil service rules, policies and procedures and standard operating guidelines. In April of 2008, Chief Henson formally accepted the position Fire Chief for the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority. The fire authority was formed through an intergovernmental agreement which represents a functional consolidation of the TFD and MCFD1. Chief Henson is responsible for both the TFD and MCFD1 fire districts and has delegated responsibilities to key chief officers in the areas of administration, operations, fire prevention, training and EMS.

Chief Henson may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Assistant Chief Dennis Robinson

Chief 302

Assistant Chief Dennis Robinson has been a member of Marion County Fire District No.1 for 28 years. He is currently the Assistant Chief and provides daily leadership and direction to the operational personnel. His additional responsibilities include serving as the Personnel Officer and overseeing the Operations Division. Chief Robinson is looking forward to the opportunities that lay ahead for the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority.

Chief Robinson may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Assistant Chief Jon Remy

Chief 952

Assistant Chief Jon Remy began his volunteer firefighter career at TFD in 1989 and began his paid career in 1999 when he was appointed as a Deputy Chief. Jon is currently the Assistant Chief for the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority and serves as the administrative chief, along with guiding operations at station 950. AC Remy grew up in the Turner area where he now lives with his wife Vicky and their 2 children, Maggie and JD

Assistant Chief Remy may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Volunteer Deputy Chief Bill Walters

Chief 312

Bill Walters joined Marion County Fire District No.1 in September 1972 as a volunteer firefighter. Serving at the Middle Grove Station, he was promoted through the ranks to become station Captain. In 2002 Bill was promoted to the rank of Volunteer Deputy Chief and joined the career staff in 2004 serving as the District’s Volunteer Coordinator. He has been a driving force in keeping the district Volunteer Recruit Academy running, and producing top quality volunteer firefighters. Bill most recently participated in a complete restructure of the district’s resident volunteer and tour of duty programs. Volunteer Deputy Chief Walters maintains his presence in the Volunteer Firefighter Association by consistently participating in drills and training, annual Christmas events, district public education, and a myriad of community events presented by the Volunteer Association.


Volunteer Deputy Chief Walters may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Battalion Chief Kim Batchelor

Chief 712 (BC 32 when on regular duty)

The Battalion Chief is responsible for the daily operations of the Fire District during a 48-hour shift. It is the responsibility of the Battalion Chief to provide leadership and direction in the operation of an emergency. BC Batchelor has been actively engaged in firefighting for 35 years.  He has been a member of Marion County Fire District for 29 of those years. Prior to coming to work for the District, he served six years as a firefighter in the U.S. Air Force, including three years as the Technical Instructor for the Air Force Fire School. His additional responsibilities include Pre-Incident Planning, as well as overseeing the Fire Prevention and Training Divisions. BC Batchelor views each day as a new adventure and feels that being a firefighter is a rewarding profession with opportunities to assist those we serve through times of chaos; committed to treat each and every one of those we serve with dignity, understanding and respect.

Chief Batchelor may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Battalion Chief Patrick Wineman

Chief 332 (BC 32 when on regular duty)

Battalion Chief Patrick Wineman, hired in November of 2007, serves as the Shift Commander for C-Shift at WVFRA. Chief Wineman brings over 13 years of prior experience, including volunteer & career firefighter service, private & public EMS, Fire Training Officer, and most recently served as a DPSST State Fire Training Coordinator. In addition to his National Registry Paramedic, NFPA Fire Instructor III, and Advanced Fire Officer certifications, Chief Wineman posses degrees in Fire Sciences & and Paramedic Technology. Along with his leadership role during the 48 hour shift, Chief Wineman also serves as the Authority’s EMS Administrator, 911 Dispatch Liaison, and Wildland Firefighting Coordinator.

Chief Wineman enjoys spending his off time with his wife of 10 years, Barbara, and their two children, Alan & Eve.

Chief Wineman may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Battalion Chief Craig LoSasso

Chief 342 (BC 32 when on regular duty)

Battalion Chief Craig LoSasso joined the WVFRA family in April of 2009, and supervises operations on B-Shift. Chief LoSasso has had a diverse fire service career that initiated in 1995, starting as a shift fire fighter and promoting through the ranks to his current position. He comes to the organization with a variety of skills to help both sustain and advance the Authority through his advocacy for prevention, training, and the ideal of life-long learning. Chief LoSasso manages the Quartermasters and has taken the lead in many projects to assist the Authority’s progression.

Chief LoSasso may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Captain / Fire Marshal Paula Smith

FM 31

Fire Marshal Paula Smith has been in the fire service for 21 years; 13 of those years at Marion County Fire District No. 1. Her prior experience came from 8 years with Woodburn Fire District as a volunteer and part time paid Firefighter. The Fire Marshal is responsible for Fire investigations, plan reviews for new construction and remodels, fire inspections of new and existing commercial businesses, and public education for schools and the community. It is the responsibility of the Fire Marshal to provide building and fire safety for our community. Fire Marshal Smith supervises the Deputy Fire Marshal, Alfredo Mendez, and collaborates with him to coordinate the inspections and investigations needed throughout the District.

Captain Smith may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Captain / Training Officer Terry Riley

TO 31

Captain Riley has been a member of the Oregon fire service for the past 20+ years. His career began as a volunteer for the City of Grants Pass Fire Department in February 1984, but only lasted a few months before he left to join the Army in August 1984. He returned to the fire service in 1988 as a volunteer for the Applegate Fire District in Southern Oregon. In 1993 he was hired as the Training Captain for the Applegate Fire District and in late 1995 was promoted to Operations Chief. In 2000, Captain Riley accepted a position as a Field Training Coordinator for the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. In 2006 he moved to the Salem area after accepting his previous position as Fire Program Manager at DPSST. He joined the Willamette Valley Fire & Rescue Authority in July 2008.

Captain Riley may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it