In 1991, James Hall joined the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter on the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Eastern Oregon.

Today, Hall is the fire chief of the agency, leading its response to structural fires, wildland fires, and calls for ambulance transportation services in a coverage area spanning hundreds of square miles.

In February, Hall was appointed by Governor Tina Kotek’s Office to serve a three-year term on the Governor’s Fire Service Policy Council, making him the first tribal representative to serve on the council in its history.

A bill passed by the Oregon Legislature last year made changes to the council’s membership, including a requirement that one of its members be a fire agency representative from one of Oregon’s nine federally recognized tribes.

Hall shares his recent work on the council and efforts to advocate for all tribal fire agencies in the state.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/06/05/for-first-time-tribal-representative-joins-governors-fire-service-policy-council/