Chief Cearns’ interest in the fire service began as a young child. In 1999 he joined his local volunteer Fire Department and a contract wildland firefighting crew and was stationed in Darby, Montana. Over the years, he would serve with three career fire agencies, Sunnyside Fire Department, Black Butte Ranch RFPD, and Umatilla County Fire District # 1. He would serve in the positions of Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, Captain, and Division Chief.

Chief Cearns holds two Associate’s Degrees from Central Oregon Community Collage and a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration from Columbia Southern University. Chief Cearns also holds numerous certifications including Fire Officer IV and Instructor III.

Chief Cearns is past vice president of the Oregon Fire Training Association and serves on various state organizations, including the Department of Public Safety and Trainings Fire Policy Committee, Blue Mountain Community College Advisory Board, Oregon Trail Fire Training Association, and many others.

Chief Cearns and his wife Whitney have two children; Landon and Easton. In his leisure time, he enjoys hunting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends when he’s not watching his children at their events.