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The City of Portland, Oregon

Fire & Rescue

Always Ready, Always There

Phone: 503-823-3700

Fax: 503-823-3710

55 SW Ash Street, Portland, OR 97204

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NEW WEB FEATURE: read all of our news releases as they go out here: http://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/news/index.cfm

Receive more info at our Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/PortlandFire

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PF&R Kicks Off the FY 2010-15 Strategic Planning Process

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On November 10, 2009, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) held its first Steering Committee meeting for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-15 Strategic Planning Process.  Once complete, the Strategic Plan will provide PF&R with a roadmap that will guide the organization’s success over the next five years. 

PF&R’s Strategic Plan is important to the bureau’s leadership, employees, and the public because it identifies long-term goals and the best approach to achieving them. The Steering Committee, comprised of bureau staff, stakeholders, and citizens, will be overseeing the strategic planning process during the next eight months as the plan is developed. Along the way, PF&R will be soliciting input from the public, employees, stakeholders, and various agencies that use PF&R's services to ensure that long-term goals are developed with consideration for the community’s needs and priorities.

Information on the FY 2010-15 Strategic Planning process will be made available through a variety of methods. Stay tuned to the PF&R website, Fire Blog, and PDXFire Twitter page for future updates and information on the FY 2010-15 Strategic Plan.

To review PF&R's current FY 2005-10 Strategic Plan, click here.

November 17, 2009

Fire Blog Turns One Month Old

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Today marks the one-month anniversary of the Fire Blog!

Since its launch on October 19, 2009, the Fire Blog has received over 4,500 hits. Our most popular blog so far? The dive team video.  Click here to view the dive team video and blog. Thank you to all of our readers for making the Fire Blog’s first month a success!!

 

If there are topics you want to see more of, let us know using the comment feature below!

November 19, 2009

Firefighting Selected as one of the Best Careers in 2009

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U.S. News and World Report just reviewed and scored hundreds of careers based on five criteria:

  1. Job outlook, which took into consideration the above three factors
  2. Average job satisfaction
  3. Difficulty of the required training
  4. Prestige
  5. Pay

The field was narrowed to 30 best careers. This included engineers, audiologists, occupational therapists, registered nurses, and veterinarians to name a few. 

Also named as one of the best careers in 2009?  

Firefighting!!!

Using the criteria, a firefighting career was awarded “A” grades in job satisfaction and training difficulty, and “B” grades in prestige and job market outlook. To read more of the U.S. News and World report online, click here

Are you interested in becoming a Portland firefighter? Click here to visit our official website or contact the Recruiter at (503) 823-3811. 

 

November 20, 2009

NEWS RELEASE 11/21/09: Toy N Joy Makers Donated Gifts to Children Displaced by Fire on 11/20/09

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Toy N Joy Makers visited a family last night that was displaced by a fire at their home earlier yesterday located on SE 129th Avenue in Portland, Oregon.  There are eight children, ranging from two to 17 years old, which have temporarily relocated to their Grandmother's home.

 

Toy N Joy Makers mission for 94 years has been to promote the spirit of helping children and families of our community during the holiday season and times of need.  

For donations, volunteer work, or requests for assistance you can contact Toy N Joy Makers at either (503) 823-0922 or by e-mail at info@toynjoymakers.org.

November 21, 2009

SafetyTIPS: Holiday Cooking

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Holiday Cooking

The holidays can be hectic at work and at home. With everything that’s happening in our lives, it's very easy to place that pan on the stove and get sidetracked. You forget about it until the fire starts and the smoke alarm goes off. If you're still home, you need to react quickly.  It’s always a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher available in or near your kitchen.  

If You Fry a Turkey

  • Fryers should always be used outdoors, on a solid level non-combustible surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
  • Never use a fryer on a wooden deck, under a patio cover, in a garage or enclosed space.
  • Do not overfill the fryer (follow manufacturer’s directions).
  • Never leave the fryer unattended because, without thermostat controls, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
  • Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use or after use as the oil can remain hot for hours.
  • Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.
  • Make sure the turkey is completely thawed before it is placed in a fryer.  Unthawed turkey contains frozen moisture and when placed in hot oil the moisture will expand as it turns quickly to steam and cause the hot oil to boil over violently. 

Dry Cooking Fires

The most common type of cooking fire is the dry cooking fire. The water or moisture boils out of the pan and the food left in the pan scorches, producing smoke. The heat may sometimes damage the surrounding area. The smoke may leave a residue and an odor.  The pan is hot so use a well insulated glove or hot pad to move it outdoors to a non-combustible surface like concrete sidewalk, never to a wooden deck or porch. 
 
Grease Fires 
Grease fires can occur when oil or grease type foods are heated and ignite. A grease fire can do significant damage. Open flames can extend to surrounding cabinets or other combustible items. If unnoticed, a grease fire can extend to a major house fire, engulfing the entire kitchen, adjacent rooms or even the attic. This becomes a dangerous life-threatening fire.

You might be able to extinguish a grease fire on the stove in several different ways. The simplest way is to place a lid on the pan and the fire should suffocate. A large amount of baking soda can also be used to extinguish a grease fire. But if the flames are too high, don't risk getting burned.  Once you have the fire extinguished, don't forget to turn off the burner. 
 
Oven Fires

During an oven fire, the fire is usually contained right in the oven which is designed for high heat anyway. The oven fire usually suffocates or is easily extinguished.

What can you do if there is a kitchen fire?

  • In all cases, make sure everyone evacuates the house.
  • Call 9-1-1 and report the fire.
  • If the fire is still very small, you can use a fire extinguisher to try and put it out.  But if the fire gets out of control, get out of the house and wait for firefighters to arrive.  
  • Don’t delay calling 9-1-1 in order to fight the fire yourself.  

November 23, 2009