Our hearts are heavy this week as we grapple with the unexpected loss of Lieutenant Carl Horning. 

The fire service is a close family and the loss of one is felt by all. District personnel and firefighters with Local 1660 have supported and continue to care for Carl’s family as they process this traumatic event. Support services have also been deployed to help our employees grieve the loss of a crewmate and friend. To honor Lt. Horning, flags have been lowered to half-staff at all District facilities, and uniformed personnel are wearing mourning bands over their badges. 

Carl Horning entered the fire service as a volunteer with Washington County Fire District 2 in January 2004 and served with the agency in that role until July 2007, when he was hired as a probationary firefighter. Horning was then hired as a lieutenant with Philomath Fire & Rescue in Benton County, where he served between April 2008 and December 2010. In January 2011, he returned to Washington County Fire District 2, when he was hired as a firefighter.

Horning transferred as an apparatus operator to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue in July 2016 while Washington County District 2 went through an annexation process with TVF&R. He earned a promotion to lieutenant in June 2023.

We are very grateful to our fellow fire agencies that have offered and provided support to the fire district and the many partners who have offered their condolences to our fire family.

As emergency responders we are acutely aware of the beautiful complexity that allows us to exist. This week we were reminded of how fragile that existence is.