IAFF Local 1159 - Professional Firefighters of Clackamas County

December 13, 2019

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Officers & Staff

President

Karl Koenig

Karl began his career at Canby Fire District along with a seven year career at Life Flight as a Flight Paramedic. Currently a station Captain at Clackamas Fire, Karl represents the 300+ members of Local 1159. Making Lieutenant in 1996 then on to Captain in 2002, Karl has worked in the Training Division, EMS Division and Operations.

Karl's union career began as a bargainer in Canby, then onto Steward. After coming to Clackamas Fire he joined the bargaining team. Karl was lead steward for several years, taking his first elected position, Local President, in 2000. Karl was elected 4th District Vice President of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council in 2006 and in 2016 served as Legislative Director for the Oregon State Firefighter Council. In May of 2018 Karl was elected President of the Oregon State Firefighter Council and represents over 3,000 firefighters in Oregon.

Education: AAS Portland Community College Fire Science, Oregon EMT Paramedic and numerous Oregon DPSST Certifications and National FIre Academy Curricula.

"My career as a union officer is an honor of which I do not take lightly and consider my involvement a small investment in my profession and my union."

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Vice President

Mark Oelschlager

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Treasurer

Chris James

Chris was hired by Estacada Fire District on a SAFER grant in March of 2013. Chris served as the shop steward for Estacada Fire District from November 2014-January 2019. Chris proudly represented nine professional firefighters at Estacada FD. In January of 2019 Chris was voted in as Treasurer to serve the remainder of the term until December 31, 2019. When not on shift, or taking care of union business you can find Chris with his wife Jessica, traveling during the rainy months and out relaxing on the water in the summer months.

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Secretary

Nate Hon

Nate began his fire career in 2001 at Cal Fire out of San Luis Obispo, CA as a seasonal wildland firefighter. Nate worked for private ambulance in Chico, CA for a couple years before relocating to Bend, OR where he volunteered for LaPine Fire District while finishing up his fire service and paramedic education. In 2005 Nate was hired on as a firefighter/paramedic with LaPine Fire District where he was heavily involved as a union member at Local 3387. In 2008 Nate and family moved to Portland where he began his career with Clackamas Fire District. Nate has served as a firefighter/paramedic, apparatus operator and in May of 2018 was promoted to Lieutenant.

Nate has served Local 1159 as an assistant shop steward for Clackamas Fire unit and in January of 2017 was elected as Secretary of Local 1159. Along with the secretary role, Nate also oversees Local 1159’s communication and social media platforms and the annual banquet, family picnic, and Local 1159 store.

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Canby Steward

Austin Holmes

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District 1 Steward

Mark Corless

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District 1 Assistant Steward - Position 2

Mark Gayman

Mark began his fire service career in 2007 as a volunteer with Newberg Fire Department. Mark went back to school to earn his paramedic degree and was hired at Newberg Fire in 2010. In 2015, Mark was hired by Clackamas Fire where he now serves as a firefighter on a truck company. Since January of 2018 Mark has served as an Assistant Shop Steward and has been part of the Clackamas Fire Local 1159 bargaining team.

In 2005 Mark graduated from George Fox University with a B.A. in Business Administration. Immediately after graduation, Mark worked in residential construction and land development, as well as in the HVAC field for his parent’s company.

Mark married his wife Kim in 2008 and they have two daughters together, Jordyn and Avery. When not working, Mark enjoys being with his family as well as being outdoors, playing sports, traveling and real estate investing.

“It is an honor and privilege to represent the firefighters at Clackamas Fire District #1. I appreciate the opportunity to serve you and look forward to continuing my term as your assistant shop steward.”

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District 1 Assistant Steward - Position 3