Issue No. 5June 2010
Division Spotlight - Management Services
 
(Management Services leads PF&R's budget development)
 
From the desk of Division Manager Jack Graham...
 

Management Services provides the administrative staff and resources necessary to support PF&R services.  This division has two branches - Business Operations and Logistics.

 
Business Operations -
Business Operations is responsible for ensuring compliance with all of the City's financial, budgetary, payroll, and procurement policies, procedures, and guidelines. Program staff is also responsible for time management, payroll, position control, Human Capital management system processing, customer service, public information, grant writing, and strategic planning.   
 
Logistics - The Logistics Section ensures that all fire stations, facilities, and apparatus are maintained and that all stations have the supplies necessary to conduct operations.  This section is also responsible for overseeing the General Obligation (G.O.) Bond, which funds the seismic upgrade of existing and building of new stations.  The work to be completed under the G.O. Bond is expected to end in 2012.  Read on for information about the Logistics Section's work on the G.O. Bond and Business Operations' work on the PF&R budget...
Inside PF&R's Station 25
 
(Station 25 - Located at 5211 SE Mall St.)
 
Station 25, located at 5211 SE Mall St., serves the Brentwood-Darlington, Creston-Kenilworth, Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, South Tabor, and Woodstock neighborhoods.  Station 25 was built in 1959 and seismically retrofitted in 2002 as part of a General Obligation Bond passed by voters in 1998.  Solar panels have been installed on the roof, which produce electricity that is either used by the station or sold back to the power grid.
 
Station 25 houses two apparatus - Truck 25 (basic life support) and Engine 25 (advanced life support).  On-duty personnel include one company officer, one paramedic officer, five firefighters, and one firefighter paramedic.  In 2009, Station 25 responded to 3,978 calls for service and averaged 11 runs per day.  This station serves a mix of residences and small businesses.  Find out more about Portland Fire Station 25...
Safety Focus:  Fireworks
 
 
A message from Fire Marshal Erin Janssens.....
Each year, people come together on the Fourth of July not only to celebrate America's freedom, but also as a time for families and friends to share backyard barbeques, community parades, and for some, fireworks.  However, Oregon law bans possession, use, or sale of any fireworks that fly, explode, travel more than one foot into the air, or more than six feet on the ground.  These fireworks are illegal.

 

Why are most fireworks illegal in Oregon?  It's not rocket science:  Oregon law states that fireworks outside the above definition are dangerous and strictly limit the use of these to professional displays only.  

 

Illegal fireworks cause:

  • Countless injuries including trauma and burns from unplanned explosions
  • Reoccurring trauma to many of our returning veterans suffering the effects of their service to our Country
  • Enormous property loss each year by causing fires to residences, landscape, and wildland
  • Emotional trauma and anxiety to many small children and animals, who are especially vulnerable
  • Environmental pollution, measureable in both air and noise

In Portland, our difficulty is that many of the fireworks that are illegal in Oregon are legal in Washington and readily available to anyone who can drive across the Columbia River.  Given the physical, emotional, environmental, and economic costs, as our population becomes more aware about these real consequences, it will become increasingly clear that illegal fireworks in the hands of amateurs is no longer a 'patriotic' act. 

 

As in past years, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) will conduct "Operation Lower the Boom" to address illegal fireworks.  In addition to a public information campaign, we will work with Portland Police to confiscate illegal fireworks and fine offenders.  I encourage you to report illegal firework activity through the City's non-emergency number, 503.823.3333. 

 

I support this time of celebration with our families and friends, and look forward to watching the professional displays in our region.  These displays are well planned events conducted by professionals in low hazard areas.  People wishing to avoid the noise of these explosions can hopefully plan ahead to protect themselves and their loved ones.  However, people should be able to trust that their neighbors will obey the laws and not place them in jeopardy through this illegal activity. Also, for those intent on breaking the law, know that it is not safe to 'go outside of the city'; in addition to the physical risks and emotional anxiety, fireworks represent an enormous fire hazard to parks, forests, and the wildlife living there. 

 

At PF&R, our goal is to make the 4th of July safe and enjoyable for all.   Please help keep your neighborhood safe and pleasant by not bringing illegal fireworks to Oregon, and educating the Oregonians you know about the law (and the dangers) before they buy illegal fireworks.  For more information and flyers about illegal fireworks, please visit our website at http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/fireworks.
Trauma Intervention Program Graduates 43 Volunteers 

 

Every day, emergency responders in our area, such as Portland Fire & Rescue, call for a TIP volunteer to show up onscene and support those who are emotionally wounded.  Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc., (TIP) has been in the Portland area for 17 years and works closely with local communities to establish emergency services volunteer programs that are staffed with well-trained citizen volunteers.  TIP volunteers provide support services on a 24-hour, 365-day basis.  TIP of Portland/Vancouver responded to 2,007 calls last year and served 12,214 citizens in our area.

On June 1, 2010, over 300 people were in attendance at the Jantzen Beach Red Lion to watch the graduation of 43 new TIP volunteers.  This class represented graduates ranging in age from 14 - 72 years old, included seven different languages, and 12 teens.  Graduates successfully passed a background check, completed a 58-hour national training academy and 3-month field training program, and have responded to TIP calls with a mentor through a mentoriship program.  Find out more about the TIP Program's vest challenge...
In This Issue
Trauma Intervention Program Graduates 43 Volunteers
PF&R Monthly Statistics
Station 1 Move Update
Carbon Monoxide Rules
Most Common Preventable Fire Causes
Engine Pump Testing
Strategic Planning Update
Photo of the Month
Emergency Response Statistics (May 2010)
Total Incidents:                                     5,254
Medical:                                        4,249
Fire:                                                 178
Other:                                              821
Major Incidents:                                 13
Station 1 Crews, Apparatus Move Back Home
Station 1's apparatus and crews moved home to 55 SW Ash on May 24th.  This completed PF&R's move of our Administrative Offices, Bureau Headquarters, Investigations Unit, and Crews back to Station 1 after an extensive remodel under the General Obligation Bond.  PF&R will be hosting a public open house this summer, so stay tuned to the E-Newsletter for information.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rules Take Effect July 1
On July 1st, temporary rules for carbon monoxide alarms take effect.  The 2009 Oregon Legislature passed HB 3450, the Lofgren and Zander Memorial Act requiring the installation of carbon monoxide alarms in specific residential applications with a carbon monoxide source.  The purpose of the bill is to reduce deaths and poisonings from carbon monoxide.  Here are some quick facts about carbon monoxide and Oregon's new law...
Most Common Preventable Fire Causes in Portland
This month's focus is on improperly discarded smoking materials.  Improperly discarded smoking materials (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.) is one of the leading causes of fire in the U.S. and contribute to millions of dollars in property damage each year, injuries, residents being displaced, and sometimes death.  Check out these simple tips for preventing a fire...
Engine Pump Testing at Logistics
 

In May, PF&R's Apparatus Maintenance Technicians were busy performing tests on many of our engines' pumps.  These tests measure the water pressure levels at which the engines pump water to ensure they are functioning properly and able to pump adequate amounts of water to fight fires.  Pump testing is just one of the many services our technicians perform to keep our apparatus in good working order and ready to serve the public.

Strategic Planning Update
Portland Fire and Rescue (PF&R) continues to make progress on its 2010-2015 Strategic Plan Development Process.  Development of the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan will continue to take place over the next month.  Our goal is make the plan available this summer.  You are welcome to follow the Strategic Plan Development Process and activities on PF&R's Strategic Planning web page
PF&R Photo of the Month
  
Station 20's Lt. Deb Weissenbuehler resuscitated a dog in the front yard of a home where PF&R responded to a fire in May.  The dog was not responsive and had uncontrolled shaking.  On June 16th, PF&R crews used a pet resuscitation mask to revive another dog that wasrescued from the basement of a burning home. Pet resuscitation masks are carried on each of PF&R's responding Battalion Chief's vehicles.  Read more about Pet Resuscitation Masks.
About Us
Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) is the largest fire agency and emergency medical service provider in the State of Oregon with 755 employees and serves a population of 582,000.  In 2009, PF&R responded to 69,000 emergency incidents, consistently demonstrating our commitment to be Always Ready, Always There for the citizens of Portland.
 
Portland Fire & Rescue
55 SW Ash
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-823-3700
 
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Ideas? Questions? Contact E-News Editor Alisa Cour at 503-823-3383.
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