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Issue No. 15April 2011
Inside PF&R's Station 3  

 

Station 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station 3, known as "The Animal House", is located in the heart of northwest Portland between the Pearl District and NW 23rd Ave.   In 2002, the station's remodel coincided with urban developers and their rediscovery of the Alphabet District as the area steadily blossomed.

 

What sets Station 3 apart from the rest, besides its nickname, is the dynamic area they serve.  Their first response area encompasses several types of building construction as well as economic and ethnic diversity.  The double company station including an engine and truck get called to residential, commercial, industrial, high rise and tank farm calls as well as up into the West Hills and PGE Park which are all included in their FMA.  Such populated areas keep on duty firefighters in a constant spotlight of the public eye.  Bottom line - while on duty at Station 3, you have to be prepared for anything. 

 

Though Station 3 has a relatively young workforce, it carries on old traditions and houses two of the few remaining fire poles in Portland Fire & Rescue.  With substantial changes in personnel through retirements, promotions, transfers and recruits, the station is still as wild and crazy as a petting zoo living up to the long time nickname.  The firefighters at Station 3 take pride in their "Animal House" and make the most of every shift.

NASA Helps Save
Firefighters Lives
  
FF House Fire

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is well known for its space exploration programs and groundbreaking technology. Most people may not know is that this technology also helps firefighters protect lives and property.

 

NASA's contribution to safety begins with temperature-resistant fabric used in their space suits called polybenzimidazole (PBI). PBI is an artificial fabric capable of remaining stable even in extreme heat and cold. The same PBI technology is used to make better insulation and more heat-resistant construction materials. In 2000, NASA unveiled an improved firefighter suit that has an active cooling feature that circulates liquids inside which raised the maximum temperature the suits could be exposed to from 300 F (149 C) to 500 F (260 C). This significant improvement makes a big difference when you consider that more firefighters die each year from their bodies overheating than from smoke or even the fire itself. This active cooling also keeps the temperature of a firefighter's oxygen supply low, reducing the risk of a deadly explosion. The suit's improved impact resistance means falling and burning debris pose less of a danger than before. As well as improving the fabric, helmets were also improved with infrared vision, giving firefighters the ability to work far more efficiently by attacking the hottest spots without running into them and finding victims more quickly. In addition, two-way radios built into the helmets of the new suits keep life-saving lines of communication open.

 

NASA developed software for its satellites that scan the Earth for potential forest fires. If a potential fire is located, a more powerful satellite is directed to take a closer look and warn local authorities of the potential hazard. Remote-sensing NASA drones help fight fires by flying around and mapping the edge of the fire, which other planes cannot see through heavy smoke. Being able to locate forest fires this way gives firefighters an opportunity to put out the fire before it becomes out of control. Knowing where a wildfire's fire line is can definitely save lives, but better still would be to predict where a fire is most likely to start before firefighters put their lives on the line. Landsat 7, a drone prepared and launched by NASA and operated by the U.S. Geological Survey, sizes up the moisture levels in forested areas across the country and helps spot the driest spots.  

 

The technology developed by NASA continues to reap benefits for firefighters, whether it is the protective space-age suits or the tracking and prevention of a blazing forest fire. So the next time you see a firefighter in action, no matter where you are, you are probably watching space-age technology at work.

Applications Now Available for
Fire Camp 2011  
  

Online applications for Fire Camp 2011 are now available and will be accepted until May 23, 2011. PF&R's  Fire Camp is open to young women ages 16 to 19.

 

The 3-day fire camp will be held June 24, 25, 26 at Portland Fire & Rescue's Training & Safety Facility located at 4800 NE 122nd Avenue in Portland, Oregon. 

 

For applications and more information, please log-on to: www.portlandonline.com/firecamp

  

Station 31 Gives Pleasant Valley Students a Ride to School 
  

Two students from Pleasant Valley Elementary School had the opportunity to receive a ride to school with Engine 31. The students had won a fundraising auction certificate a few months ago. The auction item, "A ride for your child to school on a fire engine", raised money for Portland Fire & Rescue's Toy & Joy Program. 

Station 31

Join Station 5 at Baskin Robbins
for 31-Cent Scoop Night  

scoop
On Wednesday, April 27th, firefighters from Station 5 will be participatng in the 5th Annual Baskin Robbins 31-Cent Scoop Night located at 6371 SW Capitol Hwy., Portland, OR  97239. Please show your support by stopping by between 5pm-10pm to enjoy your favorite ice cream flavor or to try the new flavor of the month, Firehouse #31. 

This fundraising event supports the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) efforts to raise $100,000 each year. In addition to participating in Scoop Night, you can also show your support by making a $5 contribution by texting NFFF to 50555.
In This Issue
Inside PF&R's Station 3
NASA Helps Save Firefighters Lives
Fire Camp 2011
Station 31 Gives Students a Ride to School
Join Station 5 at Baskin Robbins for 31-Cent Scoop Night
Emergency Response Statistics
Station 18 Has Moved
Join PF&R at the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade
April Recruitment Fairs
About PF&R
Emergency Response Statistics (March 2011)

Total Incidents:                          5,092
Medical:                                     4,189
Fire:                                           136
Other:                                        2,767
Major Fires:                               10*

*Major fires are those with over $10,000 in estimated fire damage.
Station 18 Has Moved
 

The crew of Station 18 has moved to a temporary location at  9155 SW Barbur Blvd.

 

Station 18 is one of the last remaining Portland Fire stations to be rebuilt under the 1998 GO Bond passed by voters to seismically upgrade or rebuild fire stations to make them safe and operable in the event of a major disaster such as an earthquake.

Join PF&R at the 82nd Avenue of Roses Parade  

 

The crews of Stations 11 and 26 will be participating in the annual 82nd Avenue Rose Parade on Saturday, April 30, 2011.


Also participating will be retired PF&R Inspector, Mike O'Keefe. He will be driving the 1949 Mack fire truck in the parade and will have it on display following the parade.  Between Mike and the Mack they cover more than a century of life experience!
April Recruitment Fair 

 

Portland Fire and Rescue's recruiting officer, Terry Foster, will be attending the following job fair to promote PF&R's firefighter recruitment. For more information, please contact Terry Foster at (503) 823-3700 or [email protected]  

 

14th Annual Cascade Job Fair

When: Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Time: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Location: Portland Community College-Cascade, 705 N. Killingsworth St. Portland, OR 97217, Physical Education Building/Gymnasium  

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 2010, PF&R responded to 65,403 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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