The emergency services community of Columbia County has been in mourning following the loss of Westport Fire and Rescue Division Chief Dave Coombs, who passed away earlier this month.
A news release from Westport Fire and Rescue announced the passing of Coombs, saying he passed away at his home on April 2, at the early age of 53. Coombs’ career spanned over three decades, and his passion for the medical field began in early high school.
Coombs was a member of the American Red Cross Medical Explorers Post in Eugene, Oregon. Through that program, he volunteered and provided advanced first aid at events such as rodeos, walk-a-thons, and the county fair, according to the news release.
In his early adult years, Coombs attended Chemeketa Community College, where he gained additional knowledge in the trade. He got involved with organizations doing work for Mercy Flights in Medford, Buck Ambulance in Portland, and Premier Jets as an international flight paramedic.
Coombs went on to work for Columbia River Fire & Rescue, where he spent over 27 years. While working, Coombs attended Eastern Oregon University and received a bachelor’s degree in Fire Science. Coombs retired from Columbia River Fire & Rescue in July 2021 as a Battalion Chief.
Upon retiring from Columbia River Fire & Rescue, he joined Westport Fire & Rescue. Coombs served as a Volunteer Division Chief for the department for the past three years.
In addition to his service for fire agencies throughout Columbia County, Coombs also spent a “significant amount of time” fulfilling other roles as both a licensing officer and an examiner for the Oregon Health Division, testing EMTs and Paramedics. Coombs spent many years as a liaison and leading a medical team as a paramedic at multiple local concert events to assist when there were medical needs.
Since 2013, Coombs also served on an Incident Management team for the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, from which he retired in early 2024. He also volunteered his medical skills for various other events around the state of Oregon, according to Westport Fire and Rescue.
In addition to discussing Coombs’ many accomplishments and involvement in the fire service, the news release noted that Coombs had a passion for travel, gardening, and motorcycling.
“Dave was the happiest spending time with family and friends,” the Facebook post stated. “Dave is survived by his lovely wife, RayAnn Coombs of Warren, Oregon, along with many beloved family members, friends, and his fire family.”
A procession and a public memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024. The procession of fire department vehicles will take place from Westport Fire and Rescue in Westport to Grace Baptist Church in Warren, beginning at 10:45 a.m., and is expected to arrive at the church by 12:00 p.m. The memorial service will begin at 1:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church at 58690 Ross Road, Warren, Oregon 97053.
For individuals who wish to support the family, the family is asking that in lieu of flowers, people donate to the Boulder Crest Foundation at: https://support.bouldercrest.org/BCFOneTime .
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