Issue No. 39 April 2015

Wildfire - Ready, Set, Go!

In the Pacific Northwest, fires are a natural part of the changing landscape. As homeowners continue to build directly adjacent to fire-prone natural areas, they must take special precautions to protect their lives, homes, and property.

Portland Fire & Rescue extinguishes a 2013 wildfire in Northwest Portland.

Follow these three critical steps to reduce the risk of wildfire threats and improve your family's safety:

Ready - Get Ready

Work to prepare your property by creating defensible space.

Clean up or relocate combustible material from around your home
Keep grass mowed short
Trim trees and bushes to allow ample space between your home and landscape vegetation
Plan and practice multiple exit routes from your home and neighborhood
Assign a meeting place in case you are separated

Set - Be Alert

Ensure that you have your emergency supply kit on hand that includes all necessary items, such as:

a battery powered radio
spare batteries
emergency contact numbers
ample drinking water
Prescription medications
Emergency supplies
Important documents

Stay alert and remain aware of the situation -- monitor local radio, television stations, or local emergency notification systems (e.g. PublicAlerts).

Go - Act early!

Get your 'go kit' and leave well before the impending threat reaches your community or neighborhood following a planned, accessible route.
Cooperate with local authorities during evactuation and re-entry processes.

To learn more about how to protect your home, visit our Wildfire page. Be sure to bookmark this link, as PF&R will post a downloadable Wildfire Action Guide next month.

(source: wildlandfireRSG.org)

Spring Landlord Training Program

Are you a landlord? PF&R, along with the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) and the Portland Police Bureau, offers free landlord training classes to help you manage your property.

The classes teach you how to keep illegal activity out of rentals, maintain property in compliance with City regulations, and how to partner with City services/programs that can help you provide habitable housing and protect your residential property investment.

Upcoming classes are on May 18th, and May 20th. Attendees can also purchase a Landlord Training manual for $20 (cash or check). To learn more about this training opportunity and how you can register click here.

Window Safety for Children

In Oregon during 2014, 24 children were injured and two died in falls from windows. Most (if not all) of these accidents could have been avoided. Spring is a great time to examine your windows to make sure they are safe for children.

Window fall injuries are predictable and preventable. Portland Fire & Rescue encourages families to follow these safety tips and install window stops or window guards on windows that pose a fall risk.

-Keep windows locked and closed when not in use. Make sure the hardware on them is properly attached.

-Only allow windows to open 4 inches and install a window stop to keep children from opening them further. (Check out Stopat4.com, a site dedicated to window safety awareness.)

-Never try to move a child who appears to be seriously injured after a fall. Call 911 and let trained medical personnel move the child with proper precautions.

Visit the Historic Belmont Firehouse and Museum (900 SE 35th Avenue) on Weds from 9 am to 3 pm or on the second Saturday of every month. We have window locks for sale and free window clings that remind you to stop at 4.

Hands-on practice and one-on-one education are also available at Randall Children's Hospital Safety Center at Legacy Emanuel.

The Safety Center is located at:

Legacy Emanuel Medical Center atrium
501 North Graham Street
Portland, OR 97227 (Free curbside valet parking available)
Phone: 503-413-4600
Hours: M-Th 9 am - noon or by appointment. Closed Fridays through Sundays and holidays.

For additional tips on how to keep your children safe around windows in your home visit our page on window safety.

Know a young woman 16-19 years old who wants to find out what a career in the fire service is like? Tell them about the Portland Metro Fire Camp, which will run July 17 - 19. Two information sessions, May 9 and June 5, will be held.

PF&R in the News

March 11: Woman rescued after car slips off wet NW Thompson Road, slides down steep hill

March 15: Debris from landslide blocks Northwest Portland street

March 24: Fire crew battles Southeast Portland house fire; no injuries reported

March 30: Pal's Shanty arson suspect pleads guilty as accessory after the fact in 2013 Portland fire

March 27: Firefighters extinguish early-morning Northeast Portland house fire

April 2: Firefighters rescue woman from SE Portland fire

April 2: Man dies after clothes catch fire in North Portland, authorities say

April 2: Are Oregon Schools Prepared For A Fire?

About PF&R

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 610,000. 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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