It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Friday December 19, 2025.
Chief Chad Cameron quickly made his presence felt when he arrived at Palmer Fire & Rescue. His focus was clear from the beginning: build stability, plan for the long term, and take care of people.
He understood that a fire department doesn’t just operate on calls, equipment, or staffing levels. It runs on trust, continuity, and a shared sense of purpose. It runs on people.
One of Chief Cameron’s earliest priorities was strengthening the foundation of the department. He established core values of Excellence, Professionalism, Integrity, Community, and Service. These guide how Palmer Fire & Rescue operates and how its members represent themselves, both on and off duty.
He also led the creation of mission and vision statements. These give the department clear direction and a shared understanding of where it was headed.
Chief Cameron worked to strengthen the integration of full-time responders while honoring and preserving Palmer’s long and proud tradition of volunteer, on-call firefighters.
He believed the department’s future depended on balance—meeting modern demands without losing the identity and values that had carried it for generations. He respected where the department had been, even as he prepared for where it needed to go.
That respect extended beyond policy and structure. Chief Cameron made a point of reaching out to those he affectionately called the “old-timers:” firefighters who had served years or decades earlier.
He recognized the foundation they had built. He wanted them present at department events and included in conversations. To him, history mattered. The sacrifices of those who came before were something to honor, not overlook.
Under his leadership, the department grew in capability. Chief Cameron recognized that preparation and prevention are as critical as response. He built out the leadership team by creating full-time Training Officer and Fire Prevention Officer positions.
By 2023, staffing had expanded from two career personnel to multiple full-time positions. This strengthened continuity and operational capacity.
Training and professional development were central to how he led. He implemented ongoing training programs, emphasized continuous improvement, and developed rigorous training protocols for both volunteer and career personnel.
Chief Cameron also placed careful attention on equipment and infrastructure. During his tenure, Palmer Fire & Rescue planned and executed the replacement of a fire engine in 2021 and a fire tender in 2022. He also acquired new equipment to enhance response capabilities and upgraded fire stations to better support personnel and operations.
More than anything, Chief Cameron cared about people. He consistently put firefighters, staff, and community members first. He checked in, listened, and made himself available. Whether someone needed guidance, reassurance, or simply to be heard, he showed up. Titles mattered far less to him than relationships.
Chief Chad Cameron passed away on December 9, 2025 after a long battle with cancer. A celebration of his life will be held tomorrow – Saturday at 11:00 a.m., at Faith Christian Community, 4240 Wisconsin Street in Anchorage.
A procession will depart from Palmer High School at 9:30 a.m. First responders are encouraged to attend in uniform to create a “sea of blue.”
Others are invited to honor Chief Cameron by wearing their favorite Hawaiian shirt.
Chief Chad Cameron leaves behind a Palmer Fire & Rescue that is stronger, more capable, and more connected to its community because of his leadership and service. His legacy lives on not only in the systems and staffing he helped create, but in the lives of the people he mentored and supported, and in the culture of service he instilled in those he encountered.
Rest easy, Chief— Palmer Fire Department has it from here.
These reflections are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the City of Palmer or Palmer Fire & Rescue.
This Page Two article was written by Matt Dungan and read by Lee Henrikson & Mike Chmielewski. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at [email protected].
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That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday December 19, 2025.
