SVFD History

Spring Valley Fire District History

Formation of District: The Spring Valley Fire Department was established in 1978 and serves the communities of Lincoln and Zena in Polk County just northwest of Salem, Oregon.  In March 1977, the area residents were concerned by response times since they lived in an unincorporated and unprotected district. The Spring Valley Grange took the lead in establishing the district in the rural area.  They put together the proposal to the Polk County Commissioners who established the district.  They then took it to the voters to establish a tax base to fund the fire district and elect the governing board.    The proposed name was to be the Amity Rural Fire Protection District No.2, but the name was changed to the Spring Valley Rural Fire Protection District to better represent the citizens they will serve.  Some of the early members were Brian Burke, Bob Caroll, Louis “Louie” Fowler, Tom White and John Lebold. Brian Burke was the original Fire Chief and Bob Caroll was the Asst. Fire Chief.

Leadership: Over the years, the role of Fire Chief changed.  Terry Creswell was the 2nd Chief from 1984 to 1988.  When Chief Creswell was deployed to Iraq to serve our country, Louis Fowler assumed command of District and remained in that position until he passed away on December 14, 2024. Chief Fowler held every position at the district throughout his 46-year career at Spring Valley.   After Chief Fowler passed, Tom White assumed the role of Chief and Shaun Cochran was promoted to Assistant Chief.

Members: Other original volunteers were Steve Warden, who continued a career in fire service and is now the Chief of the Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde Fire District. Bud Lyons and Alan Courier were also original members of Spring Valley.  As of 2026, two early members still serve the district, Chief Tom White and Captain John Lebold.

Buildings: The original (front) building was completed in 1978 and holds 4 apparatus, and the back building was completed in 2009 and holds 3 apparatus.

Dispatch: Spring Valley was originally dispatched by Marion County Fire District 1. We joined the Willamette Valley Communications Center in 1990 when WVCC was formed and are still a member today receiving our dispatch calls from them.

Apparatus: The original apparatus of the station consisted of 2 1950’s era GMC M135 Military surplus water tenders, a 1950’s GMC M135 military ambulance, a 1954 Dodge M37 military brush truck and a 1952 GMC 620 engine purchased from the City of Independence.  This district still has this engine and is proudly featured outside.  We are in the process of restoring it. A second 1954 Ford F800 Big Job engine came from the City of Salem Station 5 within the first year of operation.  Other pieces of apparatus have come and gone throughout the years to what we have today: 2 engines, 2 water tenders, 1 rescue, 1 brush truck, 1 heavy brush truck and a command car.  You can see all the pictures and descriptions of our apparatus throughout the years on the apparatus page.