Oregon Chief Dies After Stroke

[Guest x2371]

Oregon Chief Dies After Stroke

Updated: 11-14-2005 03:10:52 PM

E-MAIL THIS STORY PRINT THIS STORY

BEN WEINSTEIN

Firehouse.Com News

An Oregon fire chief died in the line of duty last week after suffering a stroke at a fire service conference.

Portland International Airport Fire Rescue Chief Brian J. Pugh, 53, was attending an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting conference in Dallas when he suffered the stroke. He died from complications on November 8, two days later, in hospital.

Pugh had been with the Port of Portland Airport department since September 2004. He moved from Salt Lake City, where he spent 29 years with the city’s department.

Pugh served for nine years as the fire training captain with the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF) in Salt Lake City. He and his wife, June, moved to Oregon last year.

“We were absolutely thrilled when we found out he’d be our new chief,†Port of Portland Capt. Doug Banry said.

Banry said Pugh’s death “came out of nowhere,†and that he was in good physical shape.

“He was respected by people above and below him,†Banry said. “He had everyone’s best interest at heart.â€

“If you walked into his office, no matter how much he had to do, he’d push everything aside to talk,†Banry said. He added that Pugh remembered how it felt to be a rank-and-file firefighter, and he took firefighters’ concerns seriously because of that.

Pugh also was a member of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Task Force and served for many years as president of the Utah State Firefighters Union.

He is survived by his wife, eight children, father, stepmother, stepdaughter, brother, sister and six grandchildren.

A Memorial Service to honor Chief Pugh will be held 1 p.m. on November 17 at the New Hope Community Church, Portland Oregon. A reception will follow at New Hope Community Church.

Fire Departments wishing to participate in the static display of apparatus are encouraged to call Jerry Ray at the Airport Fire department at (503) 460-4600.

Donations can be made to the family at Portland Firefighters Association Charitable Fund in Brian Pugh’s name. PFFA Charitable Fund, 4530 SE 67th Ave, Portland, OR 97206.