Firefighter Eli Buma
Eli accepted the position of firefighter after serving as a student firefighter at Fire District 3 in White City.
He started his career in firefighting June of 2014 at the Oregon Department of Forestry as a member of a severity crew. In September of 2014 Eli started as a Student Firefighter at Fire District 3, and the Fire Science program at Rogue Community College. Just Prior to finishing his degree Eli was hired as a firefighter at Fire District 4.
Eli resides in Central Point, OR. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family and fishing the Rogue River.
Firefighter Nicholas Fitzpatrick
Nick Fitzpatrick was hired by Fire District 4 on February 9th, 2016 after working for both Klamath County Fire District 1 and AMR Josephine County as a Paramedic. He was also as a student volunteer at Jackson County Fire District 5 as an EMT.
Nick has lived in the Rogue Valley since he was 5 years old after his family moved from the bay area. Nick went to Ashland High School and received a business degree from Southern Oregon University in 2011. He then spent 8 months living in Australia and upon his return began pursuing a career in the fire service and enrolled in the EMT program at RCC. Nick received his paramedic license after going to NCTI at College of the Siskiyou’s.
Nick comes from a water background after working for Noah’s River Adventures which is located in Ashland for 7 seasons as both a professional river guide and shuttle bus driver. Nick also has experience in fabrication from when he worked for Brammo Inc, coaching experience from his time spent coaching local high school ski racers, rock work experience from working as a stone mason and plumbing experience from when he was in Australia.
Nick enjoys the outdoors and getting out for adventures which may include but are not limited to hiking, rafting, motorcycling, boating, skiing, fishing or hunting. Nick enjoys time with his animals which include 3 chicken, 2 ducks and 2 dogs.
Firefighter Christopher Berthelsen
Christopher Berthelsen was born and raised on a ranch in Baker City, OR, and attended a one-room school house until he was in the fourth grade. He played high school sports, was active in 4 H and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. During summers he worked on a thinning crew in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and developed a love for fire fighting.
After attending diesel mechanics school in Albany, Chris decided to seek a career in fire fighting with the La Pine Fire District. He began as a student fire fighter and while in La Pine he secured his EMT and Firefighter certifications, and became a paramedic. After working in La Pine three years, Chris was hired by Fire District 4.
In his spare time, Chris spends his time hunting, fishing, riding motorcycles, and doing metal fabrication.
Firefighter Taylor Wold
Taylor Wold was hired under the FEMA SAFER grant and has been serving the Fire District 4 community as a firefighter since 2016.
Taylor began his Fire Service and EMS involvement as a Student firefighter at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon in 2012. After completing his AAS in fire suppression Taylor moved back to his hometown of Medford, OR in 2013 and became a student firefighter with Jackson County Fire District 3, where he continues to volunteer and support the community today.
In 2014 Taylor began working for Mercy Flights Ambulance as an EMT, gaining knowledge and experience to continue in the emergency services in effort of becoming a Paramedic. Taylor continues to serve Jackson County as an EMT with Mercy Flights and plans to become a Paramedic in 2017.
Taylor currently resides in Medford, OR with his family. Taylor enjoys spending time with his family and friends and enjoys being outdoors experiencing nature while doing things such as fishing, hiking, wakeboarding, rafting and many other activities.
