Issue No. 34 September 2014

September 11th Memorial

Blood Drive

Portland Fire Chief Erin Janssens invites you to join Portland firefighters in donating blood at PF&R's Station 1 (55 SW Ash Street) to commemorate September 11th. Janssens notes that September 11th will always be a solemn day for this nation and it is a day that has deep significance for first responders. "For the past 13 years, we have struggled to find a suitable way to honor the selfless act of our colleagues and to remember the nearly 3000 people who lost their lives" Janssens says. "This September 11th, we hope to begin a new tradition. It seems fitting to mark this day by joining together with the community to help shore up our emergency resources."

Fire Commissioner Dan Saltzman encourages those who can to sign up to donate. "Our firefighters are the ones rushing into emergency situations to help those in danger. As we saw on September 11th and we see every day here in Portland, it is a risky profession," he says. "But firefighters aren't the only ones who can help people in danger. By giving blood, we can all help create a healthier and more resilient community. Please sign up to give blood on September 11th at Station 1."

The need for blood in our healthcare system is essential and ongoing. Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. A single trauma victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day and those who are able to donate blood can help save lives.

PF&R thanks the American Red Cross, which will not only run this blood drive at Station 1 (PF&R's headquarters), but every day assists countless people in our area and across the country. "We are very grateful to partner with Portland Fire & Rescue in honoring those who have lost their lives during service," said Jeff Allen, CEO of the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. "It is special to have two groups with a shared commitment to helping people in need come together on one lifesaving project. We look forward to a long and valued partnership."

Potential donors are asked to sign up in advance for a time slot at www.redcrossblood.org by using the sponsor code PortlandFire. Those interested in donating can also get assistance signing up by calling PF&R's front desk at 503-823-3700.

What: September 11 Memorial Blood Drive
When: Thursday, September 11, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Where: Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1, 55 SW Ash Street

Smoke Alarms: Your First Line of Defense!

Your family's chance to escape a home fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms. Having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to safely escape once the alarm sounds.

Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. This is why it's so important to have your alarms installed correctly and have a home escape plan in place.

Fast Facts

In 2007-2011, smoke alarms sounded in half of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.
Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
No smoke alarms were present in more than one-third (37%) of the home fire deaths.

Smoke alarms continue to provide the most important protection against death in a fire. Most fires occur at home and the greatest risk is to your safety is when you are asleep. Protect yourself and your loved ones by ensuring your smoke alarms are up to-date, working, and placed properly.

Safety Tips

Install alarms on every level of your home outside of each sleeping area and in each bedroom.
Make sure alarms are on the ceiling or 4-12 inches below the ceiling on the wall. Locate them away from air vents or registers; high air flow or "dead spots" are to be avoided.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper maintenance. Smoke alarms can save lives, but only if properly installed and maintained.
Excessive dust, grease, or other material in the alarm may cause it to fail. Vacuum the grillwork of your alarm.

Test your smoke alarms every month.
When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years

To protect you home and your family, review this Home Fire Checklist.

(Source: NFPA)

The Great Oregon ShakeOut

Federal, state, and local emergency management experts and other official preparedness organizations all agree that "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" is the appropriate action to reduce injury and death during earthquakes. The recent earthquake in Napa Valley is a reminder that earthquakes can strike at any time. The Great Oregon ShakeOuttakes place at 10:16 a.m. on October 16th and is a great way to practice how to protect ourselves during earthquakes.

Protect Yourself

Drop to the ground (before the earthquake drops you!),
Take Cover by getting under a sturdy desk or table, and
Hold On to it until the shaking stops.

If there isn't a table or desk near you, drop to the ground in an inside corner of the building and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms. Do not try to run to another room. Just get under a table.

Follow this link to learn more about recommended earthquake safety actions or register for a free earthquake class. If your organization would like to participate, check out the Countdown to ShakeOut.

(Source: shakeout.org/oregon)

Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening

The Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening program, co-founded in 2006 by the David Heller Foundation and Legacy Health, aims to educate the public about the importance of cardiac screening for young athletes aged 13-19. Screening can detect cardiac conditions such as hypertrophic cardio-myopathy, the most common cause of sudden death in athletes.

Even kids who seem healthy and have passed a physical exam may have heart problems, which can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The seventh annual Teen Athlete Cardiac Screening will check students from 13-19 for potential heart problems on Saturday, October 4th. Register here.

(Source: Legacy Health)

Campus Fire Safety

With the fall school year around the corner, Portland Fire & Rescue would like to remind students and parents to be mindful of fire safety. According to the National Fir e Protection Association (NFPA), September and October are peak months for fires in college housing. College students living away from home should take a few minutes to make sure they are living in a fire-safe environment.

About Us

Portland's fire service history began in the spring of 1851, with the founding of the Pioneer Engine Company, the same year the City of Portland was officially incorporated. No more than a bucket brigade, it was a volunteer force of 37 fire fighters wearing red shirts with a single hand pump.

Today, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) is the largest fire and emergency services provider in the State of Oregon with 725 employees and serves a population of 588,000. In 2013, PF&R responded to 70,386 emergency incidents.

Portland Fire & Rescue
55 SW Ash St
Portland, Oregon 97204

503-823-3700

www.portlandoregon.gov/fire

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