You're Invited!

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters will be serving lunch (and dinner) TODAY, Thursday, March 25, 2010 to customers at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery located in downtown Portland, Oregon at 206 Southwest Morrison Street.

According to the Portland Firefighters Association Local 43's website, the Rock Bottom Foundation will be donating a portion the day’s proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). 

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

Portland Firefighters will serve lunch between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm, and dinner from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

This event is open to one and all - so plan ahead and treat yourself to lunch or dinner, OR BOTH!  See you there!

March 25, 2010

At approximately 9:08 this morning, Portland Fire and Rescue along with firefighters from the Port of Portland responded to reports of a boat on fire with three people in the water.

Reports are that the victims had just finished fueling the boat and were pulling away from the dock when there was an explosion. The victims were thrown from the boat by the explosion. Two of the victims were removed from the water immediately while the third became trapped in debris and was pulled under momentarily.

Firefighters arrived to find that all three people had been removed from the water by nearby boaters and bystanders on the dock. The boat, a 32' Wellcraft, was unfortunately destroyed. Firefighters prepared the victims for transport to nearby hospital trauma centers. Two of the victims were transported by ambulance to OHSU while the third and most serious went by ambulance to Emanuel. The exact extent of injuries suffered by the victims is unknown at the point but victims were able to talk to investigators. The victims are reported as two males and one female, all adult. Portland Fire and Rescue will not be releasing patient names or the extent of injuries.

There was some damage to the dock fueling facility and a "slick" was reported in the river. The slick will be assessed by the Coast Guard and Environmental Services. The investigation will be completed by the Multnomah County Sheriffs Office and Portland Fire & Rescue.

Responding agencies included Portland Fire & Rescue, Port of Portland Fire Department, Multnomah County Sheriffs, and the Coast Guard.

Tips to Keep You Safe

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds you to take a boaters safety course and know your equipment.

March 26, 2010 

Fire Chief John Klum is busy during the month of April 2010 with station inspections, planning meetings, and firefighter interviews!  Click here to view his calendar!

March 26, 2010

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters served lunch and dinner yesterday to customers at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery located in downtown Portland, Oregon. The Rock Bottom Foundation will donate a portion the day’s proceeds to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.

The division heads of Portland Fire & Rescue support the Fire Bureau's participation in events that benefit MDA.  Annual events such as “Fill the Boot,” “Annual Tapping of the Fire Chief Ale,” “Portland Firefighter Bachelor Auction,” and “Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery Firefighter Servers” and other fundraising efforts have grown into rewarding traditions of Portland Fire & Rescue.

March 26, 2010

The National Weather Service forecast calls for rain and wind throughout today and this week. Portland Bureau of Transportation crews are responding to reports of street flooding and clogged catch basins all around the city. Crews are clearing catch basins, culverts, and trash racks of debris in response to recent rains and in preparation for more. Currently, no streets are closed due to high water, but motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are advised to be extra careful. For information on street closures and highway road conditions and other service alerts, visit www.PublicAlerts.org.

Clearing Catch Basins on Residential Streets

The City of Portland advises residents that they can help reduce street flooding by clearing catch basins (grated storm drains) near their property. The following simple actions can help keep streets open and catch basins clear:

• Use a rake or pitch fork to clear fallen limbs, leaves, and debris from catch basins so that water can drain easily.
• Do not put your feet and hands into the storm drain -- all kinds of debris collect there that could be dangerous.
• If residents are unable to clear catch basins themselves, they are advised to call the City’s Dispatch line at (503) 823-1700 to report a clogged basin. Crews will respond as resources and conditions allow.

Safe Driving Tips

• Adjust your speed according to conditions.
• Do not drive through standing water; turn around safely.
• Do not drive around barricades on flooded streets.
• Driving through high water creates wakes that can damage structures and property. 
• Treat a traffic signal outage or flashing signal as a four-way stop.
• Watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists, who may be in the street to avoid a flooded corner or who may be moving quickly to get out of the rain or catch a bus.

Do not go around barricades that close or restrict access to a street. Disobeying a barricade that has a street closure or other message sign on it is a Class B violation according to Oregon Vehicle Code and may result in a $360 fine. Driving around a barricade poses a serious health and safety threat, and the wake from your vehicle can cause public and private property damage and flood houses and businesses.

The information above was provided by Cheryl Kuck with the City of Portland Bureau of Transportation.

March 29, 2010