Program Information:

Since 1989, this nationally recognized program has taught over 17,000 Portland-area owners and managers how to keep illegal activity out of rentals, maintain property in compliance with City maintenance regulations, and partner with City services/programs both to provide habitable housing and protect their residential property investment. The Landlord Training Program is made available by funding received from the Portland Police Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue.

This program is constantly updated to current laws and issues, and has been adopted by over 550 cities and counties across the nation. The content of the course reflects in-depth research with organizations and individuals in police work, housing maintenance, property management, law, and public housing.

The Workshop focuses on keeping rental properties safe and free of illegal activity by training landlords in effective property management, and techniques for dealing with illegal activities by tenants.

We know it works. Property owners who have enacted these practices improve our community by taking simple steps that help prevent illegal activity, property destruction, and maintenance-related problems. Past trainees describe the class as both helpful for their business and beneficial to the community. It is far less expensive for both the City and property owners to work in partnership to prevent problems before they occur rather than take the more costly path of crisis intervention after problems begin.

Past attendees report benefits from attendance that include:

• A stabilized, more satisfied tenant base with increased demand for rentals.

• Lower maintenance and repair costs.

• Improved property values.

• Improved level of personal safety for both tenants and neighbors.

• Peace of mind from spending less time on crisis control.

Landlords tell us that the course provided them with screening tips they hadn't considered and also helped them deal successfully with tenants involved with destructive and/or in illegal activity. Surveys indicate that over 90% of landlords who attend the training make beneficial changes in the way they manage their property as a result.

If you haven't attended already, we ask you to attend one of this Spring's Landlord Training Program seminars. Please sign up. We wouldn't ask if it weren't so important.

This morning, four PF&R firefighters were promoted at a swearing-in ceremony at City Hall. The event included a historic moment: Sara Boone was sworn in as Battalion Chief. Boone is the first African-American chief officer at PF&R. Congrats also to newly appointed Deputy Chief Terry Munro, Captain Sam James, and Lieutenant James Martin who were sworn in today.

On Saturday, May 17, the American Heart Association held its annual Heart Walk along the Portland Waterfront and Steven Piplovick participated as he has many other active events for good causes. But this one was different.

Piplovick went into cardiac arrest while walking along the East Bank Esplanade. Logistics were tough because of the crowds of people, a bridge closure, and a train blocking traffic on the east side of the river. While Portland Fire & Rescue and AMR ambulances rushed to get around the road blocks to reach Piplovick, nurses and doctors taking part in the walk began chest compressions and helped keep Piplovick alive until first responders reached the scene.

After multiple surgeries to correct his blocked arteries, Piplovick is on the mend and he wanted to meet the people who saved his life. Today, he came to Portland Fire & Rescue's Station 1 to meet some of the firefighters and AMR first responders who helped him that day. He thanked everyone and noted how lucky he was that people around him knew CPR.

While the people who assisted him that day were doctors and nurses, you don't need to be one to learn CPR and help save someone's life. PF&R will be teaching hands-only CPR for free at the next Sunday Parkways event in Southeast Portland on August 24.

^{Jeff Allen, CEO of the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region, and PF&R Chief Erin Janssens invite you to donate}

Portland Fire Chief Erin Janssens invites the community to join Portland firefighters in donating blood at PF&R’s Station 1 (55 SW Ash Street) to commemorate September 11th. Janssens notes that September 11th will always be a solemn day for this nation and it is a day that has deep significance for first responders. “For the past 13 years, we have struggled to find a suitable way to honor the selfless act of our colleagues and to remember the nearly 3000 people who lost their lives” Janssens says. “This September 11th, we hope to begin a new tradition. It seems fitting to mark this day by joini ng together with the community to help shore up our emergency resources.”

Fire Commissioner Dan Saltzman encourages those who can to sign up to donate. “Our firefighters are the ones rushing into emergency situations to help those in danger. As we saw on September 11th and we see every day here in Portland, it is a risky profession,” he says. “But firefighters aren’t the only ones who can help people in danger. By giving blood, we can all help create a healthier and more resilient community. Please sign up to give blood on September 11th at Station 1.”

The need for blood in our healthcare system is essential and ongoing. Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. A single trauma victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood. More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day and those who are able to donate blood can help save lives.

PF&R thanks the American Red Cross, which will not only run this blood drive at Station 1  (PF&R’s headquarters), but every day assists countless people in our area and across the country. “We are very grateful to partner with Portland Fire & Rescue in honoring those who have lost their lives during service,” said Jeff Allen, CEO of the American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Blood Services Region. “It is special to have two groups with a shared commitment to helping people in need come together on one lifesaving project. We look forward to a long and valued partnership.”

Potential donors are asked to sign up in advance for a time slot. You can access PF&R’s sign up page directly right here. Or  at www.redcrossblood.org by using the sponsor code PortlandFire. Or, those interested in donating can also get assistance signing up by calling PF&R’s front desk at 503-823-3700.

What: September 11 Memorial Blood Drive
When: Thursday, September 11, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Where: Portland Fire & Rescue Station 1, 55 SW Ash Street
Sign up: You can access PF&R’s sign up page directly right here. Or, go to  www.redcrossblood.org and use the sponsor code PortlandFire. Or, call 503-823-3700.