City of Portland, OR
06/16/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 06/16/2026 17:50
Harbor Pilot Named Firefighter of the Year
Label: News article
View full size image of Two firefighters stand on the bridge of a fireboat on the Willamette River. The caption reads "Firefighter of the Year Colin McGladrey."
Harbor Pilot Colin McGladrey is named Portland Fire & Rescue's Firefighter of the Year for 2026. McGladrey was hailed for his contributions to PF&R, the Marine Program, and his service to the community.
Published
June 16, 2026 3:57 pm
In this article
Harbor Pilot Colin McGladrey has been named 2026 Firefighter of the Year by Chief Lauren Johnson of the Portland Fire & Rescue, capping 22 years of service as a firefighter.
Colin came to PF&B after serving in the US Coast Guard. He naturally found himself woven into our Marine Program and made a positive impact from Day 1.
Based in Station 21, at the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge, Colin pilots the vessel when responding to calls on the water. The whole crew feels a sense of trust and camaraderie when Colin is at the helm. In chaotic situations he radiates calm and confidence.
On top of his work with Portland Fire & Rescue, Colin is involved with his community and church. He spends many hours volunteering in the Portland area and travels outside the country to build houses for communities in need.
View full size image of Chief Lauren Johnson gives Colin McGladrey the Firefighter of the Year award. They are standing shoulder to shoulder and smiling.
Chief Lauren Johnson named Colin McGladrey 2026 Firefighter of the Year for Portland Fire & Rescue.
"Harbor Pilot Colin McGladrey exemplifies the very best of our profession as he serves his communities on and off duty," Chief Johnson wrote in her commendation. "Harbor Pilot McGladrey is a person of unwavering principles, quiet strength, and steadfast integrity. His career stands as a testament to what dedicated public service looks like when lived out with humility, competence, and deep compassion for others. Through his leadership, devotion to his crew, and tireless service to the community, he has elevated everyone around him - setting a standard we are proud to recognize."
"Colin is the solid rock and foundation of our marine program," said public information officer Rick Graves. "He is the steady center of every emergency scene that Station 21 responds to. His confident presence and his ability to bring clarity in a fast-moving situation is unmatched. Simply put, you want Colin on your crew and as your neighbor."
Chief Lauren Johnson bestowed the award at the bureau's annual Ceremony of Honor on June 2.
Congratulations, Colin, on your well-deserved recognition as the 2026 Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter of the Year.
Read more about Colin: Smoke on the Water, Fire in the Sky
City of Portland, OR published this content on June 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 16, 2026 at 23:50 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]