December 19, 2011

4:55 PM

At 2:50 pm, Portland Fire & Rescue was dispatched to reports of a residential fire at 3532 SE 62nd.  Firefighters from Portland Fire Station 25 (Woodstock) arrived first on scene and found smoke coming from the attic of the home.  The homeowner told firefighters that she was home and had a fire going in the fireplace all day.  Around 2:45 pm, she started seeing smoke coming out around her ceiling next to her fireplace. 

Firefighters on scene determined that the fire got out of the firebox through small holes in the mortar next to the bricks.  The fire then spread up into the attic of the home and through the roof.  The truck crew assigned to this fire was instrumental in quickly laddering to the roof, cutting holes to vent the smoke and heat, and finding and extinguishing the fire that had spread into the attic.  Firefighters brought the fire under control at around 4:00 pm.

The home, built in 1927, has its original fireplace, which the homeowner said was checked this past year for safety.  She was surprised there was a problem so soon after inspection.  There was no working smoke alarm in the home at the time of the fire, however all occupants got out safely. 

Citizens are reminded to make sure they have a working smoke alarm in every sleeping area of their home.  "Had this fire happened at night when people were sleeping, there could have been a different outcome," said Portland Fire Public Information Officer Paul Corah.  Damage to home is estimated at $35,000.

Portland Fire & Rescue

On the afternoon of Sunday, December 4, 2011, firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue Station 3 (Northwest/Pearl District) and Station 27 (Forest Heights) gathered on the hillside of Chapman School in NW Portland to participate in a multi-company low angle rescue drill. Low angle rope rescues involve the use of specialized equipment to reach victims that have been trapped in a dangerous position, such as over a steep embankment.

Firefighters began the drill by discussing the proper usage of rope, webbing, hardware friction devices, how to tie ropes to anchors, and the building of lowering and raising (mechanical advantage) systems.  Firefighters then practiced using simple, compound, and complex pulley systems. These types of pulley systems enable firefighters to lift weight loads by applying less force than the load itself over a longer distance.

All Portland firefighters are expected to respond to incidents outside of normal fire response such as car accidents, rope, water and hazardous materials calls. Portland firefighters train regularly in different disciplines to always be ready to respond to any type of emergency.

Portland Fire Station 3 (Northwest/Pearl District)

Station 3, known as "The Animal House", is located in the heart of northwest Portland between the Pearl District and NW 23rd Avenue. In 2002, the station's remodel coincided with urban developers and their rediscovery of the Alphabet District as the area steadily blossomed.

What sets Station 3 apart from the rest, besides its nickname, is the dynamic area they serve.  Their first response area encompasses several types of building construction as well as economic and ethnic diversity.  The double company station including an engine and truck get called to residential, commercial, industrial, high rise and tank farm calls as well as up into the West Hills and PGE Park which are all included in their FMA.  Such populated areas keep on duty firefighters in a constant spotlight of the public eye.  Bottom line - while on duty at Station 3, you have to be prepared for anything. 

Though Station 3 has a relatively young workforce, it carries on old traditions and houses two of the few remaining fire poles in Portland Fire & Rescue.  With substantial changes in personnel through retirements, promotions, transfers and recruits, the station is still as wild and crazy as a petting zoo living up to the long time nickname.  The firefighters at Station 3 take pride in their "Animal House" and make the most of every shift.

Portland Fire Station 27 (Forest Heights)

Station 27 started providing emergency services to the community of Forest Heights on July 1, 2006. The station was built in response to a fire station location study completed in the 1990s. Funds to build the station came from the Fire & Rescue Bond passed by Portland voters in 1998. The station was built in a wooded setting and is designed to blend in with the area.  The property that Station 27 sits on actually borders Forest Park. Deer and other wildlife are visible most days from the fire station.

Station 27 houses one fire engine, but due to the close proximity of Forest Park and with many homes built near wooded areas, a brush unit is also quartered here and cross staffed by on-duty personnel as needed.

Station 27 is dispatched by the City of Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), but can also be dispatched directly by the Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency (WCCCA) for mutual aid responses with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.

Portland Fire & Rescue

COMMUNITY I SERVE

I work on the fire truck at Station 13 which serves the Lloyd and Irvington neighborhoods.  Our station is the first responder to emergency incidents at the Rose Garden and at the Oregon Convention Center. Station 13 houses a truck and engine and responded in 2010 to 4,587 emergency incidents.

ARRIVING ON-SCENE

I was hired at Portland Fire & Rescue in September 1998.  As a new firefighter, I always strived to work at the busiest stations in order to gain the most experience.  I have been assigned to stations with very diverse FMA's (fire management areas).  This includes Southeast Portland Stations 9, 25, and 28, downtown at Station 03, and the boat stations 6 and 17.

I have also worked on roving Engine 16 that was stationed in Northwest Portland and covered all the stations throughout the city.  Currently, I am assigned to Station 13 which is located near Lloyd Center on NE 10th and Weidler.  

FIRST SHIFT MEMORY

On one of my first shifts at Truck 2 (the truck where new firefighters are trained), we responded or were “tapped out” to a report of a residential fire at 4:00 a.m. 

The Truck 2 crew and I were responsible for “ventilating” or cutting holes in the roof of the home in order to help release the smoke and hot gases that accumulate near the ceiling or attic space. During this operation, the importance of teamwork became very apparent. 

Watching the sun rise from the roof as we put plastic over the ventilation holes and overhauled the house to confirm 100% extinguishment was followed by a feeling of accomplishment.  We had worked hard and saved somebody's home.  I was amazed at the amount of work that went into cleaning the fire area and securing the house.  I was proud to be a firefighter and glad to be part of this team.  I knew at that moment that I had found what everyone hopes for in their life: a way of providing for their family and loving the way they do it.

MEMORABLE CALL

I have had many calls that I can say are memorable.  One that's always stayed with me is a call to help a baby who was born with the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck. When we arrived to the home, we immediately started CPR and rescue breathing on the baby.  Quickly the baby’s skin turned pink and he began to move his arms and legs.  That sight is something I will never forget.  I have attended birthday parties for the child and it is a great feeling to know that he is alive because of a quick response and good training.

FAVORITE MEAL TO COOK

At Station 13, the firefighters all pooled their money and bought a Traeger BBQ/Smoker for the station.  My favorite meal is enchiladas cooked on the Traeger.  I prefer to use pre-cooked chickens because they are quick and already have great flavor.  The key to cooking at the fire station is to make it quick and make a lot of it!

MAKING MY WAY TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER

At age fifteen, I got my first job working on a farm doing maintenance. This job gave me a good skill set in working with hand tools and taught me the value of hard work.  I then worked for a private contractor fighting forest fires during the summer.  I spent part of the time on the forest service explosive team and blowing fire line with dynamite.  Later, I worked at Fred Meyers and became the PIC of the building department.  Just before I applied to Portland Fire, I worked for Coast Crane and Equipment, becoming one of their lead mechanics and working on hydraulics and electrical repair.  I received my operator’s card for rough terrain forklifts, cranes, and man lifts.  I also became a certified welder and began welding on my days off and working for Northwest Technologies.  

BEING SUCCESSFUL

I feel that honesty is number one, but always wanting to learn and never settling are also important.  The job of firefighter is so dynamic and there is so much to learn that a 30-year career just scratches the surface.  Being open to others ideas, taking the good from everyone you meet, and continually bettering yourself is a sure way to success.  

OFF-DUTY FUN

I have spent the past four summers and winters building my family home with the help of other firefighters and friends. I am looking forward to watching my children enjoy the summer and winter activities in this next year.  I myself enjoy any activity in the great outdoors.

ARRIVING ON AN EMERGENCY SCENE

When I first arrive on-scene with my crew, I always try to think of safety.  If a house is on fire, I look for the exits and analyze the layout of the home. When arriving on a traffic crash, I think about apparatus placement to protect the other firefighters and the public.   

ADVICE TO LIVE BY

My dad always use to say, "If you don't have time to do something right the first time, then how are you going to find the time to redo it?"  This saying comes to mind a lot in how I live my life.  I want to do the best I can the first time so that I can spend the rest of the time not stressing about things I have already done and I can concentrate on the things that I still need to do.  I also follow the motto, "Treat others as you would like to be treated yourself."  These two sayings have been a good foundation for success.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 December 21, 2011

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Battalion Chief Terry Munro and Firefighters from Station 24 (Overlook/Swan Island)

The Salvation Army bells in downtown Portland have been ringing a little brighter and louder during the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign!

Even Elvis stopped by to ring bells with the Firefighters from Station 5 (Hillsdale)

Firefighters from Station 5 (Hillsdale), 18 (Multnomah Village), 21 (Eastbank Hawthorne), and 24 (Overlook/Swan Island) took over a corner this past Tuesday outside the downtown Nordstrom store, donned red aprons and turnouts, and rang bells to support The Salvation Army. 

In three hours, the firefighters raised close to $300 in donations from passerbys.  Just a week early, Fire Chief John Klum rang Salvation Army bells in a friendly competition against Police Chief Mike Reese, raising over $1,300.  Learn more here.

All funds donated to The Salvation Army during the bell ringing will directly benefit the life of someone in need.  From domestic violence to homelessness to utility and food assistance, The Salvation Army has a service that will meet these needs.  In Portland, thanks to the generous donations of shoppers and passer-bys, the kettles raise around $600,000.  This is a continual need that must be met in order to continue providing these essential services year-round to those who need it.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 December 21, 2011

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