Issue No. 30
August 2012
Inside PF&R's Station 13 (Lloyd Center) 926 NE Weidler Street
 

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Station 13 (Lloyd Center) is located at 926 NE Weidler Street and has been located in the Lloyd Center / Irvington area since 1908. The station originally housed one engine company; eventually a truck company was added in 2003. Station 13's fire management area is quite diverse including single family homes, apartments, residential and commercial high rises, multi-story townhouses, the Lloyd Center Mall, Oregon Convention Center, and the Rose Garden Arena. With the variety of buildings and large community that Station 13 serves it is easy to see why it is one of the busiest stations in the city.

 

Station 13 and its members are actively involved in the community as well. With their location being so close to Legacy Emanuel Hospital they regularly go to visit with children who are getting treated in the burn center, and recently donated yarn to the "Click for Babies Campaign" to raise awareness for Shaken Baby Syndrome. Every September the station participates in the Buddy Walk for the National Down Syndrome Society. Every summer Captain Rob partners up with the Red Cross to host an annual blood drive so all members of PF&R have an opportunity to give blood. This year for National Night Out week, Station 13 attended nearly 40 neighborhood events. In-between these community activities the Station still responded to emergency calls. This past June A-shift crew members responded to a residential fire where they rescued an 89-year- old woman, and after being hospitalized for 11 days she survived the fire thanks to quick and efficient work from an experienced crew. On the 4th of July station members responded to a traffic accident where a family was pinned in the vehicle, and with the efficient use of vehicle extrication tools saved a mother and her two children. When President Barak Obama visited Portland to give a speech the truck crew was honored to provide "Presidential Standby" at the Oregon Convention Center.

 

Station 13 members are not just active while at work, they do many things together on days off as well. Recently Firefighter Cal retired after 30 years of service with 27 of those years served at Station 13. In order to commemorate his retirement, 18 out of the 24 members of the station took a three day rafting and camping trip on the John Day River. The station put together three teams to participate in the PFFA charitable golf tournament, as well as a team that took the championship in the annual basketball tournament. Soon, some more celebration will be happening when Firefighter Morgan gets married to the woman who purchased a date with him at last year's Firefighter Fundraising Auction for Muscular Dystrophy. Station 13 members definitely embody the work hard and play hard mentality, and they do it as a team. Whether they are responding to an emergency, playing a sport, or attending a wedding these firefighters participate as a team, and treat one another like family. Being a member of a station like this is a big reason why people pursue the profession of firefighting, as exemplified by Firefighter Cal's nearly 30 year career with the station.

Meet PF&R's Summer Interns

 

This summer, Portland Fire & Rescue provided internship opportunities to two high school, two college, and two Summer Works college interns.  These internship opportunities provide local students with the opportunity to gain job application and interviewing skills, work experience, and to learn more about future careers in the fire service.  In addition to working in the office, interns were provided with the opportunity to participate in a ride-along with Station 13 (Lloyd Center) to observe the careers of firefighters up close.  We are pleased to introduce you to this year's interns.

 

 

 

Jamaree Johnson_Brannon

My name is Jamaree Johnson- Brannon and I'm an intern at PF&R. This upcoming year I will be a senior at De La Salle North Catholic High School.  I keep myself busy during the year by playing numerous sports, and focusing on the key points in school that will further my journey. I enjoy helping others reach their goals, and hope I can set a good example amongst my peers. I'm interested in studying graphic design and plan to attend a 4-year university after I graduate in 2013. 

 

My workdays involve a variety of tasks.  Being part of the Communications Team keeps me on the move and no day is quite the same.  In the mornings I answer phones and in the afternoons I work on writing articles for the Fire Blog, monthly newsletter, and events in the community. On Wednesdays, my partner Myles and I work with kids and families to educate them about fire safety at the Belmont Firehouse.  I couldn't ask for a better summer job. This has furthered my interest in firefighting as a career and I plan to stay connected with the Bureau.

 

 

 

Myles Glover

Myles Glover attends De La Salle North Catholic High School in N.E. Portland; this fall he will be a senior. Myles plays varsity basketball and varsity track and field in the shot put and javelin. In school, Myles is part of the student delegates, peer helpers, heritage committee, and drama club stage manager. He likes to play sports, and when the weather is right, go snowboarding in the winter.  Myles plans on attending Howard University, Florida A&M, or Southern University and receiving a degree in business and sports management with a minor in political science when he graduates in 2013. While attending school, Myles will be part of the Naval ROTC Scholarship and will serve four and half years in the Navy.

 

While working at PF&R, Myles has been working in the communications section and also at the front desk. He has helped publish the PF&R newsletter, written many blog stories, and helped inventory equipment. He also worked alongside the Public Information Officer on events such as Operation Lower the Boom, National Night Out, and the upcoming Belmont 100th Anniversary. At the front desk, he has done many data entry projects while answering the phones and greeting customers. Myles has met a lot of new people, learned many things from PF&R, and has found a higher respect for the Portland Fire Bureau.

 

Bakar Abdul 

 When I was young, my family and I lived in Mombasa Kenya. Living in Kenya wasn't easy; especially because both of my parents didn't have a job. Life was a struggle at times, but my parents kept telling us that one day we will get out of this struggle and start a better life. My name is Bakar Abdul, I'm 19 years old. I moved to the United States in 1996. I have lived in Oregon ever since we came to America.  The main reason my family immigrated to America was because we needed a good education. After settling in, my parents started signing us up for school. School is so important to the family. As time went by, I finished high school and attended Western Oregon University.  During high school I joined the cross country team at Wilson High. I'm planning on running at Western Oregon University next year.

 

I'm so thankful for the internship program because I always wanted to become a firefighter and now I got the chance to see the profession firsthand. I've learned a lot from this internship experience. Working with the firefighters was awesome.

 

Mohamed Hadafow

Hello my name is Mohamed Hadafow.  I am 19 years old and I live in Portland. I moved from Egypt before coming to the United States and before that I stayed in Kenya and Somalia. I graduated from Cleveland High School in 2011 and I will start my second year at Portland State University this fall. I am majoring in Mechanical Engineering. Since I was a kid I loved math and I think I can work with it to create a professional career for myself in the future.

 

I love sports - mainly basketball and soccer. I have played soccer since I was five years old because that's the only sport that is played where I am from. I picked up playing basketball after I moved to the United States and I loved it. I played for Cleveland High School's varsity team for three years and I plan to walk on for Portland State University this coming season. I got this internship job through the IRCO (Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization) as a summer job for youth. I did data entry and a lot of office work helping the staff. It has been a great experience and I will cherish my time here for the rest of my life.

 

Brenna White

Hello my name is Brenna White; I'm 19 years old and born in Portland, Oregon.  I grew up in Portland and went to Centennial High School. In high school my interests were sports and swimming, softball and soccer. Besides playing sports I like to go camping and playing with my niece.  Doing an internship at the Portland Fire Bureau was a good opportunity for me to pursue my career. I found this internship online and applied.  I was so happy when I got the job. I can see myself becoming a firefighter one day. I'm attending PCC Cascade for right now and taking my general studies but pursuing a firefighting career in EMS. This internship has been nothing but a wonderful experience and I love working with all the people in Portland Fire & Rescue.

 

Elizabeth Dunas

My name is Elizabeth Dunas and this summer I worked in the Fire Marshal's Office (FMO) for the Prevention Division. While searching for a summer job, I saw the position listed online and noticed that the deadline was a mere day away. I stayed up until about 4am writing a cover letter, reviewing my resume, and completing any application requirements. It was definitely worth it after I was asked to interview and then got the position!

 

I grew up in Elkton, Oregon on a cattle ranch where I learned a lot about having a work ethic. After graduating from high school I traded my life of FFA forestry to attend George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon. I now have one more year until I have a Bachelor of Science in psychology and move onto grad school for my Ph.D. I am looking to study behavioral psychology to either be a forensic psychologist or to research human behavior.

 

This summer at the FMO, I have done a wide variety of jobs. The largest portion of my job has been spent working on updating Company Fire Inspection Program (CFIP) files. I spent a lot of time either searching files, or scanning documents from the hard copy binder. After modifying and updating files, I sent them to the Public Information Manager, to be put online for universal bureau access. All of that process was done with the mentorship and aid of Don Howland, John Harkness, and Mike Alderman. We hope that by putting the CFIP files online, they will be easier to keep current and be available to more people at once.

 

Working for the Fire Bureau has been such a great experience. I think my favorite part was getting to know the other employees and inspectors, while observing how close knit the fire bureau is. I now appreciate what the prevention division does for the city and all the work put into keeping fires from ever starting. Thanks for letting me be part of it!

 

In This Issue
Inside PF&R's Station 13
Meet PF&R's Summer Interns
Emergency Response Statistics, July 2012
You're Invited to Celebrate Belmont Firehouse's 100th Anniversary
National Night Out Recap
Station 1 Performs High Angle Rescue Drill on Rocky Butte
Emergency Response Statistics (July  2012)

Total Incidents:                     7,079
Medical:                                5,556
Fire:                                        420
Other:                                   1,103
Major Incidents:                         23
Belmont 100th Anniversary Celebration is September 8th
 
 

PF&R would like to invite everyone to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Historic Belmont Firehouse and Safety Learning Center & Fire Museum on September 8th from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The celebration will be held to coincide with the date of the Belmont Street Fair.  The firehouse is located at SE 35th & Belmont.

 

There will lots of family-friendly activities including a balloon artist, bounce house, tours of the station, and Engine 9 will be in service from the Belmont Firehouse all day to commemorate this celebration of Station 9's first home.

 

Save the date and please join the celebration!

 

 

National Night Out Recap

Portland firefighters were out in force on August 7th in their communities, participating in National Night Out (NNO) Against Crime celebrations and block parties all over Portland. In an effort to build community and prevent crime, the neighborhood block parties featured food, music, crime-prevention information, police and fire demonstrations, fingerprinting, and more. This year, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) wanted to educate the community about window fall safety for young children. To drive the message home, firefighters talked about fall safety with families attending NNO events, answered questions, and handed out "Stop at 4" window clings and informational flyers. The Portland area has seen nearly a dozen children fall out of windows this summer - most age 5 and under and most out of second story windows.  In addition to window fall safety education, firefighters gave tours of their fire engines, talked with children about fire safety and handed out junior firefighter helmets and stickers.

 

PF&R's Fire Stations attended 62 NNO events on August 7th alone and made over 5,744 contacts to neighborhood and community members throughout the City of Portland. Station 28 (Rose City) attended a total of seven events and had the opportunity to educate 610 citizens in the neighborhood that they serve. Station 26 (University of Portland) attended six events and made 750 neighborhood contacts. 

   

By celebrating National Night Out Against Crime, Portland citizens joined more than 36 million people from all over the country. National Night Out Against Crime is designed to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

 

If you would like any more information on window fall safety and the "Stop at 4" campaign please go to Stopat4.com. Hands on practice and one-on-one education are available at The Safety Store and Resource Center at Randall Children's Hospital at Legacy Emanuel. The Safety Store is located at: Legacy Emanuel Medical Center Atrium 501 North Graham Street, Portland, OR 97227, or call (503)413-4600. 

(Station 1) Rocky Butte Drill

   

 

Once a year, the members of Station 1 (Old Town) hold a high angle rope rescue drill at Rocky Butte for crew members. The definition of a high angle rope rescue is that the terrain has a slope angle of 60 degrees and higher where the rescuers are totally dependent upon the ropes used to keep them (and victims) from falling. It also entails gaining access to an egress from the rescue location. Across from the City Bible Church on Rocky Butte Road, there is a path that leads to many sheer rock faces with drops of 40 or more feet. This has been the location of frequent falls and fatalities for people who are using the trail for recreational purposes at all times day and night. On average, Station 1 is called four to five times in a year for a rope rescue at this location. A rescue of this nature requires all 12 members of the station to respond due to the need for resources, but also because of the highly technical aspect of the rescue. The firefighters work together to complete the rescue working safely as a team.

As one might expect with a rope rescue drill, there are a lot of different rope systems that are set up as well as a lot of equipment such as carabineers, pulleys, and harnesses just to name a few. This particular drill featured one of the new specialty rescue tools that Station 1 has for use called the Vortex. The Vortex is a very versatile piece of equipment that can be used for below grade rescue, confined spaces, and high angle rescue over any type of ledge. With the ability to be set up as a tripod, bipod, and monopod at all different angles and heights, this tool can make the recovery effort of a fall victim safer and more efficient for responders. Using the equipment mentioned, the members of Station 1 simulated a patient that had fallen 40 feet from a rock face to a rocky ledge below. Like any complicated rescue, the firefighters made sure to move with a purpose, but not rush while continuously double checking all knots and hook ups before moving on to the next phase of the rescue. Once a main line, safety line, Vortex, and 4 to 1 haul system were set to large trees used as anchors, the rescuer below on the ledge with the victim hooked himself and the victim (who was in a rescue skid) up to the rope system and they were ready to be hauled up. The haul system being used was a 4 to 1 system meaning for every four feet you pull on the rope it moves what is being hauled one foot vertical, as well as giving the haul team a mechanical advantage.

This type of drill is critical to keeping firefighters' skills honed. This drill also provided an opportunity to learn to use a new tool that will help save lives in the future. All members involved worked as a team to accomplish one goal, and although every rescue is different with the strategies and tactics, it demonstrated that Portland firefighters are prepared to respond to a multitude of different types of emergency rescues in the Portland area.

 
About Us
Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) is the largest fire agency in the State of Oregon with 755 employees and serves a population of 585,000.  In 2011, PF&R responded to 68,144 emergency incidents, consistently demonstrating its commitment to be Always Ready, Always There for the citizens of Portland.
 
Portland Fire & Rescue
55 SW Ash
Portland, Oregon 97204
503-823-3700
 
Follow us on:  Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and the Fire Blog
 
To view this newsletter on the web, visit:  PF&R's website
 
If you have questions or suggestions, contact the E-News Editor
Join Our Mailing List