New Station 71 Captain Brings Experience, Community Focus to Sandy

By Chris Edmund, Clackamas Fire, For The Sandy Standard

For Capt. Micah Shelton, serving as the new captain of Station 71 is about more than emergency response. It is about caring for the people inside the station and the community outside its doors.

“For me, it’s all about community,” Shelton said.

Shelton began his fire service career in 1999 after working as a lifeguard and discovering how much he enjoyed the rescue side of the job. That interest led him to Chemeketa Community College’s Fire Science and Paramedic degree program, where he spent 18 months immersed in fire and emergency medical training. He also served as a student resident volunteer with McMinnville Fire Department, gaining early hands-on experience. 

After earning his fire science degree, Shelton completed the OHSU Paramedic Program in 2002. He later worked on an ambulance in Multnomah County and continued volunteering near his hometown of Beaverton before being hired by the City of Salem as a firefighter-paramedic in 2006. In 2016, he joined Clackamas Fire. 

Now, as captain of Station 71, Shelton said he sees two communities he is responsible for serving: the Sandy residents who depend on the station and the 16 full-time employees who serve from it.

“My goal is to ensure each member has the tools, training and support needed to perform their job safely and effectively,” he said.

Shelton said he believes in leading by example, with open communication and shared participation from the crew. His goal is to build a station culture where people feel supported, motivated, and proud of their work.

Sandy also presents unique challenges. Shelton said the community’s location in the wildland-urban interface — where rural landscapes meet growing residential areas — requires crews to be ready for complex fire conditions, especially during wildfire season. In areas without immediate access to hydrants, water tenders carrying 2,500 to 3,000 gallons of water become especially important.

Beyond emergency response, Shelton said he is looking forward to being part of Sandy traditions, including the Sandy Pancake Breakfast, Sandy Mountain Festival and National Night Out.

And inside the station, there are traditions too. Recently, the crew made fried chicken with hot honey sandwiches that Shelton called “pretty epic.” The crew also plays a card game called “31” to determine dish duty.

“Unfortunately,” Shelton said, “I tend to lose more often than I win.”