The Klum Family hard at work in the kitchen preparing breakfast for Toy N Joy volunteers.

The Klum family took to the kitchen last week to honor Toy N Joy Maker volunteers at the 1^st Annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.

Gresham Fire & Emergency Services Deputy Chief Jim Klum and his wife Julie, their daughter Mary, their son Portland Fire & Rescue Captain Jamie Klum, and his daughter Alexis cooked heaping platefuls of syrup drenched waffles, eggs, and sausage for over 40 volunteers. The breakfast was a way to thank the over 40 volunteers who took time out of their busy holiday schedules to sort donated toys and fill toy orders for families in need at the Toy N Joy Makers warehouse in NE Portland.

An average number of 20 volunteers a day are needed to help fill toy orders.

Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Toy N Joy Makers was founded in 1914 to help provide Portland’s needy children and low income families with toys, books, and other gifts during the winter holiday season. The Toy N Joy Maker’s toy program is the largest in Oregon and has a history of working alongside local and state agencies. During December 2009, toys were given to over 8,500 children from 3,000 families living within Portland city limits.  The Toy N Joy Maker’s toy program is the largest in Oregon and has a history of working alongside local and state agencies.

Firefighters from Station 30 help sort toys, restock selves, and package orders. 

In the last two months of 2009, 20 average volunteers assisted each day taking toy request phone calls from parents, inputting requests into the computer, restocking shelves, and putting orders together for pick up. These volunteers gave an estimated 4,250 total hours of their time along with 950 hours provided by PF&R fire station crews. If you are interested in volunteering with Toy N Joy during 2011, email info@toynjoymakers.org or contact (503) 823-0922 during normal business hours.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   December 28 2010

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Chicken Enchiladas

Courtesy of Lieutenant Greg, Station 1 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup chopped green onions
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles
• 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups cubed cooked chicken breast meat
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese, divided
• 6 (12 inch) flour tortillas
• 1/4 cup milk

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a large baking dish.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the green onion until tender (about 3 to 4 minutes). Add the garlic powder, then stir in the green chiles, cream of mushroom soup and sour cream. Mix well. Reserve 3/4 of this sauce and set aside. To the remaining 1/4 of the sauce in the saucepan, add the chicken and 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese. Stir together.
4. Fill each flour tortilla with the chicken mixture and roll up. Place seam side down in the prepared baking dish.
5. In a small bowl combine the reserved 3/4 of the sauce with the milk. Spoon this mixture over the rolled tortillas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

  We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  December 29, 2010

December 31, 2010

4:00 PM

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to an apartment fire today, December 31st, located at 1640 SE 162nd Ave.  The call came in at 3:00pm today and crews arrived shortly after at 3:04 with initial reports of heavy smoke and fire from the top floor of the apartment building.
 
The fire was aggressively attacked while search-crews checked units for any possible fire victims.  All tenants had safely evacuated from the structure and crews checked the nursing home next door to evacuate some of the tenants while others were sheltered in place.  

The main body of the fire was knocked down at 3:26 and the fire was contained before it could extend to the attic of the structure.  There were no injuries reported, yet four adults from the fire unit and two adults with one 20 month old from the apartment below the fire unit have been displaced.  Red Cross will be assisting with the temporary relocation.

Investigators are on scene and updates will be posted as they are received.

Responded:  4 Engines, 1 Truck, 1 Rehab Rig, 1 Investigator & 2 Chiefs

Dispatched: 3:00 pm
First Arrived: 3:04 pm
Knocked Down: 3:26 pm
Recalled: 3:33 pm

Photos by Dick Harris, Portland Fire & Rescue Photographer. 

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   December 31, 2010 

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