Fire Chief Ralph Sartain has formally announced his intention to retire from his position with the City of Ashland Fire & Rescue (AFR), effective on March 27, 2025, after 32 years of service to Jackson County and seven years leading Ashland’s Fire Department.
Chief Sartain’s decision to retire comes after decades of commitment to his community, driven by his dedication to ensuring safety and well-being. Reflecting on his time with AFR, Chief Sartain expressed, "It has been an honor and privilege to close this final chapter by leading such a dedicated team of professionals in administration, operations, EMS [Emergency Medical Services] and wildfire community risk reduction."
Throughout his career, Chief Sartain has seen numerous milestones, including launching the Single Role EMS program, securing millions in grants, expanding the department's leadership team, and overseeing the growth and modernization of the department's resources. Among his significant accomplishments are the addition of aerial apparatus, improvements in EMS recovery and the establishment of a dedicated training ground.
Chief Sartain began his firefighting career in 1992 as a volunteer with Jackson County Fire District 4. Since then, he has held several key positions across various agencies, including the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Mercy Flights and the City of Medford. He joined AFR in 2017 as Fire Marshal, later rising to Chief in 2020.
City Manager Sabrina Cotta commended Chief Sartain for his leadership and expressed appreciation for the impact he has had on the department and the community, saying, “Ralph has been a wonderful teammate to work with and I have appreciated his leadership and drive during my three years here."
Chief Sartain looks forward to spending more time with his wife of 30 years, Suzanne, and pursuing the next chapter of his life, confident that AFR will continue to thrive in his absence. AFR Deputy Chief of Operations Marshall Rasor will serve as the interim Fire Chief during a nationwide search for AFR’s next Chief.
“I have no doubt that Marshall will provide the leadership and stability for AFR during this transitional time and I look forward to working with him in this new role,” stated Cotta.
“We are Better Together!”