After 33 Years Serving La Pine, Assistant Fire Chief Dan Daugherty Retires
LA PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Dan Daugherty, assistant fire chief for La Pine Fire District, has retired after 33 years dedicated to the community. Joyce Engberg, who served as district office manager for more than five years, also retired.
A sizable retirement party for both Daugherty and Engberg was held at the American Legion Post.
Daugherty began his fire service career in 1988 as a volunteer with Marion County Fire after graduating from Chemeketa Community College. He joined the La Pine Fire District in 1993, where he served in every position from firefighter to battalion chief and interim fire chief.
Engberg retired after serving as the district office manager for La Pine Fire District for more than half a decade.
Daugherty earned his first EMT certificate in 1978 as a high schooler working ski patrol. He started his fire service career as a volunteer in 1988. He then secured a full-time position with La Pine Fire District in 1993 as a firefighter/paramedic.
KTVZ News asked Daugherty why he chose to serve La Pine. “it was an easy one for me, I was looking for the first of all i was looking for a smaller department, a little bit more intimate, a little bit more, a little bit closer with with all the staff and and, I just, love the community of la pine I love Central Oregon. So it was an easy one for me,” Daugherty said.
He dedicated almost 50 years of his life to public service, with 33 of those years spent in La Pine. He was also a member of the Central Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Central Oregon Fire Operations Group, East Cascade Emergency Medical Services and various other regional partnerships.
For his years of service, Daugherty was given a fireman's trumpet as a trophy. His retirement plans include spending time with his grandchildren, traveling with his wife, Julia, visiting every national park, hiking, biking and exploring the United States. He said he will miss responding to emergencies and the camaraderie built around the coffee and dinner table.
The La Pine Fire District expressed that Chief Daugherty will be greatly missed and thanked him for his service, wishing him a very happy retirement.
