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Division Spotlight - Prevention
From the desk of Fire Marshal Erin Janssens... This quarter my Division Spotlight focuses on three topics - carbon monoxide, outdoor cooking, and wildfires.
First, I want to give a quick reminder that beginning July 1st, 2010, the Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3450, requiring that properly functioning carbon monoxide (CO) alarms be installed in all sleeping areas of dwellings with a CO source. Sources of CO include heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances, or cooking sources that use wood, coal, petroleum products (natural gas, propane, or kerosene), or any other fuel that emits CO as a by-product of combustion. Click here for more information on the new carbon monoxide regulations.
In addition to this change, we've welcomed the official arrival of summer during the past few weeks. As Oregonians, we often place additional emphasis for planning and look forward to the summer months for many of our outdoor activities. Warm weather and longer hours of daylight serve as inspiration to enjoy a hike or share meals with friends and family. Please check out the following links for more information affecting summer activities, including barbecue safety and water safety. Keep reading to learn more about wildfires and actions can you take to make your landscape and home more wildfire resistant... |
(Station 31 - Located at 1927 SE 174th)
Station 31 serves the Centennial and Glenfair neighborhoods. Station 31 is unique because of an intergovernmental agreement that was signed between Portland Fire Commissioner Randy Leonard and City of Gresham Mayor Shane Bemis. The station sits on the Portland side of the border of both cities and shares staffing between the City of Portland and the City of Gresham. Since approximately half of the incidents the station responds to happen on either side of that border, the shared arrangement benefits both jurisdictions and the community. Find out more about Portland Fire Station 31... |
Portland Fire & Rescue's (PF&R) Fire Camp 2010 drew in young women ages 16 to 19 from around the Portland metro area to learn the basics of firefighting. Close to three dozen female campers participated this weekend in the second annual Fire Camp, part of a new effort to recruit more women to PF&R and firefighting as a career.
"We're providing this opportunity for young women to safely learn that they can be a firefighter. It's a very positive and encouraging environment," said Training & Safety Division Chief Scott Fisher. Keep reading to find out why this camp is described as "fun, leadership, and fire camp"... |
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PF&R Receives Award for Supporting Military Personnel
A volunteer with the United States Department of Defense recently presented certificates from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve to Portland Fire & Rescue's Senior Administrative Specialist Onessia Elliott and Captain Mike Glenn in recognition of their support of troops who are also PF&R employees during and after returning from their deployment.
The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers, is a Department of Defense (DoD) organization. Click here to keep reading... |
(Station 1 responds to medical call in their "backyard")
In June, firefighters from Station 1 responded to a call of a pedestrian vs. MAX train right outside Station 1's back door. Crews quickly backed Truck 1 and a Heavy Rescue Unit out of the apparatus bay and onto the MAX tracks. Upon arrival, crews rendered aid to the victim who was transported to a local hospital. |
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Emergency Response Statistics (June 2010)
Total Incidents: 5,550
Medical: 4,414
Fire: 220
Other: 916
Major Fires: 11
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PF&R Receives Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) Grant
Portland Fire & Rescue has received an Assistance to Firefighters Grant for $136,800 to purchase new thermal imaging cameras (TIC). TICs are front-line firefighting equipment that are carried on each truck, engine, and the heavy rescue. Originally used to detect hot spots, firefighters quickly found TICs useful in all sorts of situations.
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Most Common Preventable Fire Causes in Portland
This month's focus is on candle safety. To many people, candles are appealing for the ambiance or aroma they can add, however, they are a significant cause of home fires - and home fire deaths. Many people overlook the fact that candle wax is a petroleum product and is highly flammable, often adding to the spread of fire. Every year, thousands of fires are started by the neglect and misuse of candles. These fires can result in civilian deaths and injuries and millions of dollars in property loss. On average, a candle fire in the home is reported to a U.S. fire department every 30 minutes. Nationwide, fires caused by the misuse of candles represents 4% of all fires, and 6% of all fire deaths. If you burn candles, check out these simple safety tips... |
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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 document is underway and will be completed next month. For updated information, check out PF&R's Strategic Planning web page. |
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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
Ideas? Questions? Contact E-News Editor Alisa Cour at 503-823-3383. |
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