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Inside PF&R's Station 11
Station 11 is located at 5707 SE 92nd Ave on the corner of 92nd and Reedway. Originally built in 1928 and later remodeled in 2005, Station 11 displays its historic nature with its original bungalow-style building which replaced farmsteads in the early 20th century. The station houses Engine 11 as well as Rescue 11 staffing a six person house at all times.
Located in the heart of Lents, Station 11 was originally built to blend in with the community it served. Station 11 serves residential neighborhoods to the north and commercial district to the south, educational and industrial facilities, as well as the busy 205 Freeway. The mix of calls received in Station 11's "Unique" FMA makes it one of the busiest companies in the city of Portland averaging 4,376 calls per year. Residential fires are common at Station 11 as the already dense population they serve continues to grow. Night calls are also a given at Station 11 as they average approximately 5 calls a night.
Being one of the southern most companies, in addition to the area they serve, both companies provide mutual aid coverage into Northern Clackamas County and Engine 11 is one of the designated wild land strike team engine companies for Urban Interface Wild Land response.
The crews at the station take great pride in their station and the area they serve. Most of the crew members at the station, are young, though they have been there for a number of years, have a tight bond and enjoy working together. |
Prevention Spotlight:
Fireworks Safety
Summer weather and activities are rapidly approaching. With these, comes the Fourth of July holiday and unfortunately, illegal fireworks. Understandably, each year the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal's offices are inundated with complaints from residents concerned about the safety of illegal fireworks, and veterans and pet owners who struggle with the noise.
Portland Fire & Rescue wants to remind people that unless fireworks are purchased from an approved vendor in Oregon, they may be illegal.
Why?
Every year, illegal fireworks are a source of injuries and anxiety to people and pets, and have a significant detrimental impact to the economy and environment through needless medical expenses, property loss, and pollution. Everyone thinks "I'm safe, I'm in control, nothing bad will happen..." But as firefighters, we know that even with the best of intentions, bad things do happen...
Despite implementing "Operation Lower the Boom" and working with Portland Police to enforce the law, it is difficult and costly for our teams to cover the entire city. Abuse is rampant, and neighbors, for good reason, are upset. Obviously, more community education needs to take place.
We need your help.
We have found that many people using illegal fireworks simply aren't aware of the real dangers or don't understand the negative impact their actions have on others. We want to encourage people to be a safe, and respectful neighbor. You can help us by reporting illegal fireworks (when no fire or injuries exist) in your neighborhood to the non-emergency number at 503-823-3333.
What you may notice in the weeks prior to the Fourth of July is an educational campaign to bring more awareness to the issues of illegal fireworks. Our goal is to reduce the use of illegal fireworks through educating people on the ramifications of these on others, and ultimately create a safe and stress free holiday for all. People should not need to worry about the safety of their family, pets, or property. We are also letting people know that in Portland, we just successfully passed an increase to our citation fee where violators will face fines up to $1,000.00 for possession of illegal fireworks, and can be liable for any damages to persons or property.
Ads will run in the Oregonian, Willamette Week, Oregonlive.com, 92.3 KGON, and the 99.5 the WOLF. If you would like any additional information about illegal fireworks, or, for a list of professional, permitted displays in our region, please visit our website atwww.portlandonline.com/fire/fireworks. |
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Thank you Portland Fire & Rescue
Personnel from PF&R received a compliment from Hillsboro Fire Deputy Chief Sam Phillips for their response to a medical emergency during a presentation at PF&R Bureau Headquarters.
Hillsboro Fire was presenting a FEMA All Hazards Liaison Officer course in the Skidmore Conference Room. Shortly after the course started, a student approached the instructional cadre complaining of chest pain. Upon initial examination the patient was very diaphoretic with a bounding irregular pulse and labored breathing.
Deputy Chief Sam Phillips placed the call for emergency and wanted to recognize two PF&R groups who helped during the medical emergency. Administrative personnel, Jacqueline Jarrahzadeh who received his call and Elonda Bristol who immediately summoned Lt. Clarke and members of Engine 1-A to assist. Secondly, the personnel of Engine 1-A, Paramedic Lieutenant Andy Clarke, Firefighters Frederick Williams, Wendy Stanley and Kurtis Sommer, who acted quickly and with a high level of professionalism and personal care to the patient.
PF&R joins Chief Phillps in thanking the staff for their teamwork. |
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When and How to Shelter in Place
In an emergency, local officials may tell you to seek safe shelter or "shelter-in-place." Shelter-in-place means to stay inside or go in the nearest building when a disaster strikes to stay safe as possible until the emergency is over. Follow the steps below to keep you and your family safe during an emergency.
Shelter: Go inside your home or the nearest building. Choose an inside room with as few windows or doors as possible. Bring in pets, if possible.
Shut: Shut and lock all windows and doors to create a better seal. Turn off the heater or air conditioner. Make sure the fireplace damper and all ventilation fans are closed. If you are told there is danger of explosion, close all windows, shades, blinds, and curtains.
Listen: Listen to your radio or television until you are told it is safe to leave the shelter or to evacuate. When you leave the shelter, follow instructions from local officials to avoid any harmful materials outside. Do not use the telephone unless you have a life-threatening condition to keep lines free for emergency responders.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON SHELTER-IN-PLACE
There are three types of emergencies where you may be told to shelter-in-place: Chemical, Radiological and Biological Emergencies. Keep the tips below in mind for each type of emergency.
Chemical: In the case of a chemical emergency, an above-ground shelter-in-place is better because some chemicals are heavier than air and may seep into basements even if the windows are closed. If you have been exposed to a chemical, take a shower, cut off your clothes and put what you were wearing in a plastic bag. After a chemical emergency, open all doors and windows, turn on your heater or air conditioner to ventilate the house and go outside.
Radiological: Examples of radiological emergencies could include bombs that contain radioactive materials (called a "dirty bomb"), an explosion at a nuclear plant or of a small nuclear device. In the case of a radiological emergency, the safest place is a centrally-located room or basement. If you think you have been exposed to radiation, take a shower with warm water and soap, change your clothes and put what you were wearing in a plastic bag. Pets should also be brought inside and washed with warm water and soap.
Biological: Examples of biological emergencies could include smallpox, salmonella or anthrax. Many biological agents must be breathed in or eaten while others can enter through a cut on the skin. Some, like smallpox, can be spread from person to person while others, such as anthrax, cannot.
If you think you have been exposed to a chemical, radiological or biological substance, stay away from others and call your county health department, your local doctor or health clinic immediately.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND DURING SHELTER-IN-PLACE
- Most likely you will only need to shelter-in-place for a few hours.
- Choose a room with a hard-wired telephone in addition to any cellular phones you may have.
- Gather essential disaster supplies ahead of time (i.e., canned food, manual can opener, bottled water, battery-powered radios, first aid kit, flashlights, batteries, etc.)
- Remember not to drink water from the tap as it may make you sick.
- Make sure all necessary medicine is convenient. Ask your doctor about storing prescription drugs such as heart and high blood pressure medication, insulin and others.
- If your children are at school, they will be sheltered there. Unless you are told to do so, do not try to get to the school to bring your children home. Taking them from the school will put them, and you, at increased risk.
- You should not shelter in a vehicle, as this does not provide enough protection against harmful materials.
- For those with special needs, such as babies, seniors and people with disabilites, make sure you have all the supplies that they may need.
TIPS IN THE WORKPLACE
- Close the business. Ask customers, clients or visitors to stay in the building.
- If the business has a voicemail system, change the recording to say that the business is closed and that staff and visitors are remaining in the building until officials advise it is safe to leave.
- Write down the names of everyone in the room and call your business' emergency contact to report who is in the room with you and their relationship with your business (i.e. employee, client, customer, visitor, etc.).
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Reverse 911 Call System
Due to recent events, PF&R would like to remind residents of the Reverse 911 Call System in how to go about signing up for for the automatic call system and become more knowledgeable about the system.
If you are concerned with chemical fumes that escape into the atmosphere and would like to be notified next time an incident involving chemical fumes occurs in or near your neighborhood, follow these instructions to sign up for a "Reverse 9-1-1" call to protect you and your family.
Portland and Multnomah County Residents
Sign up for the "FirstCall" system by visiting www.public alerts.org and provide your contact information. When the system is activated, the reverse 9-1-1 system is able to notify residents in a geographic area of a hazardous incident. However only land lines, cell phones or email addresses allowed into the reverse 9-1-1 system by residents signing up, are automatically contacted by the system. By signing up you can better protect yourself and your family.
Clackamas County and Lake Oswego Residents
For reverse 9-1-1 service, Clackamas County residents can sign up for the county's Emergency Notification System, which depending on residents' preferences delivers alerts by cell phone, voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) or by email. To sign up, visit the county's Department of Emergency Management website www.clackamas.us/emergency/ccens.jsp and click on the large blue telephone.
In addition, residents of Lake Oswego and the city's service area may sign up for the CodeRED notification system. To register, visit the CodeRED website at: http://cne.coderedweb.com/codered/ or call the city's the city's Citizen Information Center at 503-635-0257.
Clark County Residents
If you live in Southwest Washington, go to http://cresa911.blogspot.com/2011/03/lesson-learned-today-sign-up-cell-and.html |
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Austin Firefighter Brings Message of Awareness to Portland Firefighters
 Bob Damron, a Firefighter with the Austin Fire Department, is driving across 49 U.S. states and visiting over 343 fire stations to convey an important message that is near and dear to his heart. Just under five years ago at the young age of 55, Bob was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
After treatment and rehab, Bob decided it would be his mission to visit with all firefighters in each of the 45 Austin Fire Department fire stations, spreading his message of what course of action to take and any resources that are available. After visiting all Austin fire stations, Bob decided to take his message across the United States.
Last month, Bob visited Portland Fire & Rescue's Station 1, 7, and 13. Bob talked openly to Portland firefighters, letting them know that early prostate cancer usually causes no symptoms. Bob's cancer was diagnosed during a routine checkup, and he encouraged the firefighters to be diligent with their health care and early detection, including annual doctor's examinations, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test screenings, and self-checks.
Bob ended his talk by showing a video produced by LIVESTRONG, an organization that Bob currently partners with that helped him to navigate his cancer journey. LIVESTRONG helps anyone affected by cancer including caregivers, family members and friends of someone diagnosed. Learn more about the LIVESTRONG organization and services they provide at http://www.livestrong.org.
Portland Fire is fortunate to have met, spent time with, and received Bob's message. As Bob travels around the United States, Portland firefighters will continue his message by "paying it forward" to the rest of our bureau, family members, and friends. |
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Emergency Response Statistics (May 2011)
Total Incidents: 6,513
Medical: 5,336
Fire: 243
Other: 924
Major Fires: 13*
*Major fires are those with over $10,000 in estimated fire damage. |
Lila Receives Albany Award
The City of Albany presented an Albany Award of Recognition to Lt. Fabian Jackson and Lila, PF&R's arson dog, for their assistance in an ongoing investigation involving a series of intentionally set fires in Albany.
Since October 22, 2010, nine vacant houses, one adjacent occupied house, one occupied house from which the owner was away, one commercial property and a recreational vehicle have been destroyed by arson.
Lila, a 57-pound retriever, and Lt. Jackson are one of 71 K9 accelerant-detecting teams in the United States certified by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, according to the Portland Fire Bureau.
Lila is trained to detect ignitable liquids used to start fires. Lt. Jackson and Lila were able to help Albany investigators determine if a fire was intentionally set. Their assistance in the investigation helped determine the cause to be arson, which lead to an arrest.
Though an arrest has been made, many of the fires are still under investigation in Albany and hoped to be resolved soon. The city is doing all it can to protect their residents while the ongoing investigation into the series of intentionally set, destructive fires continues. |
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Grand Floral Parade
Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) continued the tradition of participating in the Rose Festival's Grand Floral Parade this past Saturday.
PF&R firefighters and civilian staff gathered at the Memorial Coliseum to walk the 4.2 mile parade route next to the 1911 American LaFrance Steamer - the most historic and possibly most beautiful piece of PF&R apparatus. The steamer was pulled by four Belgian horses provided by Chafin Farms located in Sweet Home, Oregon.
The parade featured four special sections: Loco-Motion, Spirit of Service, Healthy Planet Expo, and Carousel of Cultures. PF&R was featured under the Spirit of Service section alongside the Royal Rosarians, Oregon National Guard, Salvation Army, Transportation Security Administration, and the Navy Band Northwest. The Spirit of Service section brought parade-goers to their feet, with stirring reminders of the historic importance of patriotism.
Photo courtesy of Lyn Eisner, Portland Fire & Rescue. |
Fire
A poem by 8th grader, Maya Banitt
A force of nature
Friction causes a spark
A spark causes fire
First from lightning
Then from humans
It destroys the careless
Or the unfortunate
It warms the cold
Entertains the curious
A mesh of red
Orange
Yellow
Maybe even
A hint of blue
This is a beautiful element
That we use
On our fortunate earth |
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Upcoming PF&R Events
June 18, Mud Run MS
June 18, TIP Cruise In and Cook Out
June 20, PF&R Open Enrollment
June 24-26, Fire Camp 2011
June 25, Hydrocephalus Walk
June 26, David Campbelll Memorial
Jully 9, Chairity BBQ Cook Out at Belmont Station
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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 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
Ideas? Questions? Contact E-News Editor Alisa Cour at 503-823-3383. |
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