Captain Erin Elder grew up in Shady Cove, OR. She began her fire career as a Junior Firefighter with Jackson County Fire District 4 in 1986, while attending Eagle Point High School.

She pursued her Bachelor of Science Degree from Pacific University, which she completed in 1994. Elder began EMT and paramedic training through Rogue Community College, completing it in 1997.

​ After several years of volunteering here, in 2007 she was hired full time as a captain/paramedic. Elder is also an instructor, teaching: CPR, ACLS, and PALS courses.

​She has always been athletic, participating in team sports such as volleyball and basketball. She enjoys the team atmosphere that fire and EMS work provides. Elder loves that she can live and work in her community and serve citizens that she considers friends and family.