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1924 - 1931     Ed Reed
1931 - 1936     F. Province
1936 - 1948     Dick Huycke
1948 - 1961     Lawrence Beauchamp
1961 - 1972     Willard McCoy
1972 - 1981     Deloy Little
1981 - 1989     Maynard Erickson
1989 - 1992     William Hillgaertner (Public Safety Director)
1992 - 2004     Dave Artz
2005 - 2011     Leo F. Leon
2011 - 2022     Nick Swinhart

November 2022 to Current:  Cliff Free

1935- The Camas Volunteer Fire Department began a basic first aid ambulance service with volunteers. The service extended east into Skamania County and west into what is now Cascade Park.  The Department acquired the first medical "aid car" in the State of Washington, a 1931 Lincoln sedan, equipped with an E.&J. inhalator-resuscitator.  The ambulance responded to 47 calls in the first year. No other service was available in the area.

1918 - The water system in the City of Camas consisted of a privately owned water line, piping water down from Dead Lake (now known as Fallen Leaf Lake). Fire protection consisted of horse-drawn hose carts kept in a small barn at the corner of Fourth and Cedar. There was no organized Fire Department, volunteers or otherwise.

1923 - A major fire destroyed much of downtown Camas between Birch and Cedar Streets, instigating the organization of the Camas Volunteer Fire Department.

Fire Administration

On July 13th, 2011 the Camas and Washougal Fire Departments consolidated into one agency through a contract for service. Under this agreement, both departments operate under one chief and combine all operational staffing in an effort to improve efficiency and lower expenditures.

The CWFD is the only fire department in Clark County that provides ambulance services. This added responsibility requires our firefighters to be highly skilled in emergency services along with fire suppression techniques.

The Fire Marshal's Office also serves both Camas and Washougal.  

For questions regarding calculating occupancy load in compliance with the Governor's "Safe Start Plans and Guidance for Reopening" in phase 2, please see the Fire Marshal's Covid Phase 2 Reopening - Guide to Determining Maximum Occupant Loads bulletin.

Fireworks can add excitement to Fourth of July and New Years Eve celebrations, but it’s important to be respectful of your neighbors while having fun.  The Camas-Washougal Fire Department asks you to communicate your plans and be mindful of your neighbor’s property.  When your celebration is complete, please clean up all debris and dispose of it properly.

The City has initiated a low-income emergency utility assistance program, Warm Hearts, to help customers who are struggling to pay their City of Camas utility bill. This program is running in conjunction with the Downtown Camas Association and the Camas School District Giving Trees.