Meet the Chief

By Nick Browne, For The Sandy Standard

Dear Sandy Community,

I am honored to serve as your fire chief. Over the past three years, Clackamas Fire has had the privilege of providing fire and emergency medical services to the Sandy community, and I want to begin by saying thank you — for your trust, your engagement, and the warm welcome our firefighters have received.

One of the most important parts of my role as Fire Chief is being accessible to the communities we serve. Fire departments work best when there is trust, transparency, and open communication between residents and the people responsible for protecting them. That is why, beginning this winter, I will be making myself available each month for informal “Meet the Chief” conversations at local Sandy coffee shops, including Mountain Moka and the AntFarm Café. The dates and times for these gatherings are published in an advertisement in this month’s Sandy Standard.

These are not formal presentations or speeches. They are simply opportunities to sit down over a cup of coffee, get to know one another, and talk. I want to hear what matters most to you, answer questions about fire and emergency medical services, and better understand your hopes and concerns for Sandy’s future.

These conversations are especially important as the community looks ahead to a planned vote in May 2026 on whether Sandy should formally join Clackamas Fire District. That decision belongs to Sandy voters, and my goal is not to persuade, but to ensure you have clear, accurate information and a direct line to leadership as you consider what permanent, long-term fire protection should look like for your community.

I know that change — especially when it involves something as personal as public safety — can raise questions. What will stay the same? What will be different? How are local firefighters supported? How are dollars spent? These are fair questions, and they deserve thoughtful, straightforward answers.

Whether you are already familiar with Clackamas Fire or just beginning to learn about how emergency services are delivered in Sandy today, I hope you will consider stopping by one of these Meet the Chief events. I look forward to listening, learning, and continuing an open conversation with you in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

Nick Browne

Fire Chief Clackamas Fire District