Issue No. 41                                                                             October 2015
Fire Prevention Week 2015
Fire Prevention Week was established in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that killed nearly 300 people, left 100,000 homeless, and destroyed thousands of structures. The theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week (October 4th-10th) is "Hear the beep where you sleep. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm."

Eighty percent of all fire deaths occur in the home. Approximately two thirds of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Most fatal fires occur at night, peaking from midnight to 5 AM, when people are asleep. One-third (33%) of fatal residential fires occur during these hours. Working smoke alarms wake people up, giving them time to escape.

To help support this important message and encourage kids to learn about fire prevention and safety, Portland Fire & Rescue is hosting a fire safety Art Contest for kids ages 5-11 during the month of October. To learn more about how to enter, go to www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/postercontest. 
Home Fire Escape Planning
Plan ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

Safety Tips
  •  MAKE a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and   windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
  • KNOW at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
  • HAVE an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
  • PRACTICE your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
  • PRACTICE using different ways out.
  • TEACH children how to escape on their own in case you can't help them
  • CLOSE doors behind you as you leave
If The Alarm Sounds...
  • If the smoke alarm sounds, GET OUT AND STAY OUT. Never go back inside for people or pets.
  • If you have to escape through smoke, GET LOW AND GO under the smoke to your way out.
  • CALL the fire department from outside your home.
(Source: nfpa.org)
Halloween Safety

Halloween can be a fun, and spooky, time of year for kids. Make trick-or-treat safe for your little monsters with a few easy safety tips.
 
Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, and heaters.
 
When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric. If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so they can see out.
 
Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume.
 
It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Be sure to place lit pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of the way of trick-or-treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.
 
Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape routes.
 
Tell children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire.
 
(Source: nfpa.org)
September 11th 
Blood Drive Results

Thanks to all the amazing donors who came out for PF&R's Annual September 11th Blood Drive. The Red Cross team worked hard all day and we beat our goal of 100 pints of blood, collecting a total of 115 units. Thanks to everyone who donated. We'll see you next year...
 
PF&R in the News
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
  
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