Fire Lieutenant Kris Rotan (Left) and Deputy Chief Glen Eisner (Right)

Picture courtesy of PF&R Photographer Dick Harris

The American Legion, Post No. 1 will honor Deputy Chief Glen Eisner of Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) as its recipient of the Fire Fighter of the Year 2010 award in April 2010 at the annual Russ Lemmon Memorial Award Banquet. This annual award will be presented to Deputy Chief Eisner because he exemplifies the virtues of personal integrity, character, and citizenship. Deputy Chief Eisner consistently acts and performs beyond the call of duty and his acts and suggestions have improved the quality and efficiency of PF&R programs, procedures, and objectives.

Deputy Chief Eisner has administrative and line management responsibility for Logistics, one of PF&R’s major organizational units.  He is responsible on a daily basis for managing facility and apparatus fleet maintenance, equipment and supply allocation, procurement, and research to facilitate efficient and effective utilization of PF&R’s resources. 

Deputy Chief Eisner is responsible for Logistic’s close coordination with station officers and internal PF&R Facilities Maintenance employees for the repairs and upkeep of PF&R’s facilities, including each of the City of Portland’s 30 fire stations.  He works directly with PF&R’s maintenance shop, station officers, and outside contractors to maintain PF&R’s fleet of apparatus and vehicles.  This includes overseeing preventative maintenance and repairs in addition to the annual testing of fire pumps, hose, and ladders. Deputy Chief Eisner is constantly finding and researching ways to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of PF&R’s logistical resources.

Eisner has been in the fire service since 1976.  For the past 34 years, he has risen through the ranks at PF&R as a Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief, and has served close to five years as a Deputy Chief. PF&R is extremely proud of Deputy Chief Glen Eisner’s work ethic, service to PF&R, and consistent professionalism.

March 23, 2010

PORTLAND FIRE ACCEPTS GRANT

Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) will accept a $10,000 dollar grant from Propel Insurance of Oregon in conjunction with Firemans Fund Insurance. The latest in a long line of grants from Firemans Fund has been used to purchase a Forward Looking Infared Radar (FLIR) system for one of PF&R's Rescue Boats. The remainder was used to purchase computers for training firefighters in tactics and strategies for fighting fires.

This FLIR system will greatly enhance the capabilities of the rescue boats and allow firefighters to "see in the dark" allowing for quicker rescues at night or in stormy weather on Portland's waterways.

The five laptop computers with portable screens and projectors, will make delivering training to firefighters in their stations more efficient and will allow battalion chiefs and company officers to "practice" fighting fires in buildings.

LIVE DEMONSTRATION

The media is invited to join PF&R Division Chief John Nohr and representatives from Propel Insurance of Oregon and Firemans Fund Insurance  to a live demonstration of FLIR system and the Tactical Training Computers on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 3:00 pm at PF&R Fire Station 21 located at 05 SE Madison Portland, Oregon.  A ride-along on PF&R's Rescue Boat will wrap up this event. 

HERITAGE PROGRAM GRANT HISTORY 

With this $10,000 grant Portland Fire & Rescue has received a total of $92,635 in grants from Fireman's Fund Insurance Company and their Heritage Program since November of 2006. The program has awarded more than $25 million in grants to over 1,500 fire departments/fire service organizations through the Heritage Program and more than $330,000 in grants have been awarded in the state of Oregon.

March 23, 2010

WORKING TOGETHER

On the afternoon of Saturday, March 20, 2010, firefighters from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue (TVF&R) responded to a nearly 100 year old large barn about two miles north of the Bethany neighborhood. When TVF&R firefighters arrived, they reported flames spilling from the windows and doors of the 40 foot by 126 foot barn.  As the barn began to collapse in on itself, TVF&R determined this was a defensive fire and the focused changed on protecting nearby structures.

Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue and Hillsboro Fire Department responded as well to the scene to provide additional emergency response support.  The firefighters from the three fire agencies coordinated efforts to pour thousands of gallons of water on the fire and protect nearby structures.

HELPING OTHER FIRE AGENCIES THROUGH MUTUAL AID

When fire agencies provide emergency response and protection support to one another such as the situation described above, it is called “Mutual Aid.”  Portland Fire & Rescue currently participates in mutual aid agreements with all fire agencies bordering the City of Portland including the Port of Portland Fire Department, Vancouver Fire & Rescue, TVF&R, Clackamas County Fire District #1, Lake Oswego Fire Department, and Gresham Fire & Emergency Services. The goal of mutual aid is to lend or receive fire protection and emergency medical services assistance across jurisdictional boundaries. 

HOW DOES MUTUAL AID WORK?

The City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Services (BOEC) receives a request by a neighboring fire jurisdiction asking for mutual aid assistance. Portland Firefighters are then contacted through normal dispatch procedures to respond to the structure fire or other significant event (e.g. hazardous materials, confined space, dive rescue) outside the City of Portland.  When PF&R needs assistance, the same process is used in reverse.

We trust and rely on the fact that if we do have a large scale incident here in the City of Portland, other surrounding agencies will provide further resources if called upon.  In addition, Fire personnel here at PF&R are committed to supporting and assisting other fire agencies that surround the City of Portland when in need.

March 24, 2010

Video courtesy of KPTV, Fox 12 News

Visit KPTV at http://www.kptv.com

Yesterday afternoon at Portland Fire Station 21, representatives from Propel Insurance of Oregon and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company awarded Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) a $10,000 dollar grant. Grant funds were used to purchase a Forward Looking Infared Radar (FLIR) system for one of PF&R's Rescue Boats and computers for training firefighters in tactics and strategies for fighting fires.

Division Chief John Nohr (far right) and representatives from Propel Insurance of Oregon and the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company

Picture courtesy of Eric Cable, Eric Cable Photography Inc.

Through a live demonstration, representatives were able to see how the FLIR uses detection of thermal energy to create a "picture" assembled for video output. The “picture” will enable firefighters to “see in the dark” and greatly increase their ability to detect warm objects against a cold background.  All in all, the FLIR system will allow for quicker rescues at night or in stormy weather on Portland's waterways.

Fire Captain Scott Heesacker (Left Photo) and PF&R Rescue Boat 17 with FLIR System (Right)

 PF&R Rescue Boat's FLIR System Projector Screen

The five laptop computers, with portable screens and projectors, were also displayed for representatives.  The goal of the computers is to assist battalion chiefs and company officers in delivering useful training to firefighters directly at the fire stations.  Instead of firefighters going out of service and away from their stations for training, the training will be brought right to their stations. 

To culminate the award, representatives were invited to ride-along on Portland Fire’s Rescue Boat installed with the FLIR system.

Safety Message

PF&R reminds you to make proper use of lifejackets when you, your family, and your friends are on the water. Did you know that the majority of drowning victims as the result of boating accidents were found not to be wearing a Lifejacket? Assign and fit each member of your onboard team with a Lifejacket-prior to departure.

March 24, 2010

Hazmat Wraps

Ingredients:

• Steak or Chicken -- suggestion: use London Broil
• Green Peppers
• Onions
• 1/2 cup Crushed Black Pepper
• 1/4 cup Curry Powder
• Lemon Juice
• Sharp Cheddar & Monterey Jack Cheeses
• Fajita wraps

Supplies:

• Toothpicks
• Mixing bowl
• Cheese shredder
• Spray bottle
• Medium-large frying plan
• Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for you and anyone else in the kitchen area!

Preparation:

1. First mix crushed black pepper with curry. Mix until well blended.
2. Next, slice your steak or chicken into 4 to 6 inch strips, making about 20 to 30 strips.
3. Using a clean spray bottle, spray the meat with water or lemon juice till damp but not soaked.
4. After you spray the meat, place strips into the mixing bowl of pepper and curry. Cover the strips with the mixture.
5. After the meat is cut and covered, slice the cheeses width wise.
6. Next, place wraps on a plate and place a moist napkin or towel on top. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or until the wraps are malleable.
7. Place 3 to 4 pieces of cheese on each wrap.
8. Place the covered strips into a hot frying pan. ***Watch out, the steam and smoke from the cooking meat is vicious****.
9. While the meat is cooking, slice up the peppers and onions and add them to the cooking meat (be sure to move the contents around so they don't burn).
10. Once the meat is done, place 2 to 3 strips with peppers on each wrap, roll, and toothpick in place. When all the wraps are full, place on a tray and heat in an oven till the cheeses melt. Serve hot!!

March 24, 2010