A Humble Leader Remembered
Portland Fire & Rescue has lost one of its trailblazers. Erwin Warren, a firefighter, recruiter, and mentor who helped shape the careers of many within the bureau, died of a heart attack on September 3. He was 72.
Warren’s humility meant that even his own family didn’t fully grasp the extent of his impact until after his passing. His son, Dontá Warren, said he learned only recently that his father had received the Fire Bureau’s Ribbon of Merit — and that a summer camp for aspiring firefighters had been named in his honor.
Early Years and Entry Into Firefighting
Warren graduated from the now-closed John Adams High School in Northeast Portland in the early 1970s. He initially hoped to attend college but shifted gears when he and his girlfriend, Deborah (later his wife), were expecting a child.
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After a series of entry-level jobs, Warren realized he wanted to serve his community. In 1976, at age 23, he joined Portland Fire & Rescue through a recruitment program funded by the federal Comprehensive Education and Training Act.
At that time, the bureau, like most fire departments nationwide, was overwhelmingly white and male. Warren was part of a small cohort of recruits of color. “It was very difficult for a lot of us,” recalled Bill Kendrix, who joined the department two years earlier. “A lot of folks experienced racism.”
Firefighting on the Front Lines
In the late 1970s, Warren was assigned to Station 3 in downtown Portland, where he quickly proved himself as a firefighter. Known for calm thinking under pressure, he often guided his crews through dangerous situations.
Retired firefighter Brad Martin remembered working with Warren during the 1991 blaze at the Victorian Inn on West Burnside. Facing extreme heat and toxic smoke, Warren redirected the crew when their initial approach became too dangerous. “He saved my bacon,” Martin said. “He always had that quick thinking in stressful situations.”
Building Pathways for Others
By 1994, Warren had moved into the bureau’s training division, where he found his true calling: recruiting and mentoring the next generation. Concerned that funding cuts to apprenticeship programs would narrow the pipeline of diverse candidates, Warren and other Black firefighters pushed for a new, locally funded apprenticeship system. The program launched in the mid-1990s, paying recruits to learn the basics before being formally hired.
Among the program’s early beneficiaries was Lt. Neil Martin, who later retired after a successful career. “I was one of the people he recruited,” Martin said. “He really broke down barriers. He helped everyone with the same vigor.”
Warren’s influence extended to future leaders. Sara Boone, Portland’s first Black fire chief, and AJ Jackson, a former interim chief, both credited Warren’s guidance for helping them find their place in the bureau. “I wouldn’t have been chief without him,” Boone said.
Mentor, Coach, and Friend
Warren’s impact wasn’t limited to training exercises. Younger firefighters leaned on him for emotional support after difficult calls. When Neil Martin struggled with the death of a child at a crash scene, Warren reassured him. “That’s why you’re here,” he told him. “You can handle it.”
His steady presence carried into his personal life. Known for his barbecued ribs and clam chowder, Warren was a father figure not just to his sons but also to their friends. “All of them looked at him as a father figure,” said Dontá Warren.
Legacy and Honors
Warren retired from the bureau in 2006 but continued to support recruitment efforts. In 2024, Portland Fire & Rescue named the Erwin Warren Friends Fire Training Camp in his honor, ensuring his legacy as a mentor lives on.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah, their two sons, and four grandchildren.
For his family, the outpouring of messages since his passing has revealed the depth of his influence. “So many people have called and written,” said Dontá. “He took pride in helping others who didn’t even think they could be firefighters.”
A Final Farewell
A public funeral service for Warren will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 8501 North Chautauqua Boulevard in Portland.
Though humble in life, Warren’s legacy speaks volumes: a firefighter who not only battled blazes but also broke barriers, opening doors for future generations of Portland firefighters.
