All day on Saturday, October 22nd, Portland Fire & Rescue, along with fire departments from Vancouver, Astoria, Longview, Kelso, and Clatskanie, participated in a joint training for firefighters involved in fighting shipboard fires.

Vancouver Fire Department's Foam Transfer Pump

This specialized type of shipboard training, held at Cascade General in North Portland, provided regional firefighters' the opportunity to set up, use, and move equipment on a shipboard fire incident in a controlled environment. 

Firefighters practice using a hull system that pulls equipment on and off a dock.

Overseen by the Maritime Fire & Safety Association or MFSA, participants were divided into four groups.  Individual stations focus on the following: communications set up, air monitoring, patient packaging, foam tender operations, equipment and hose set up, and use of bulk CO2 suppression systems.

Firefighters demonstrate the use of a CO2 system

Activities practiced during this type of specialty training has been utilized in fires that would have otherwise been fatal to ship crew members. Shipboard fires and incidents can require any and all of the training that a land-based fire or incident would have.

Firefighters from different agencies practice extrication techniques

Overlook/Swan Island Fire Station 24, a specialty station and the only station in Portland that is trained for land-based marine firefighting, participated in the training along with NW Industrial Fire Station 6.

Firefighters climb onto a ship from PF&R's Fireboat Campbell using a Jacob's Ladder

Photos by Dick Harris, Portland Fire & Rescue.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

**UPDATED WITH PHOTOS, CAUSE & DAMAGE ESTIMATE**

October 26, 2011

9:21 AM

Fire investigators have determined that the cause of this morning's fire in NE Portland was caused by careless smoking. The total damage is estimated at $50,000.

Portland Fire & Rescue wants to remind citizens to always dispose of cigarettes in a proper container whenever smoking.

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October 26, 2011

5:36 AM

At 2:21am this morning Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a house fire at 702 NE 125th. Initial reports stated that the front of the house, as well as some trees, were on fire. At 2:25am crews arrived they encountered heavy fire from the exterior of the building extending into the eves and attic space. Fire crews aggressively attacked the flames on the outside of the structure and then entered to check for any fire extension into the interior of the house. A hose line was also pulled to each side of the house to protect the homes on either side from fire spread. A fire crew was sent to the roof and cut a hole to ventilate the heat, smoke and fire gasses.

Once inside, after extinguishing most of the fire, crews noticed that the ceiling was sagging and backed out as some of the rafters collapsed. The crew notified command of the partial collapse. At 2:31am crews were ordered to withdraw from the building and, once all firefighters were accounted for, the remainder of the fire in the attic was put out while working around the partial collapse.

"As we came around the corner and saw the amount of fire, we knew we had to act quickly to make sure no one was inside," said Firefighter Matt Slosser. "Fortunately the occupants escaped the fire safely."

The fire was brought under control at 3:01am. One male and one female were displaced from their home. The Red Cross is on scene to assist them with finding alternate housing. There were no injuries at this fire.

Fire crews remain on scene to clean up and monitor for hot spots. Fire investigators are also on scene working to determine the cause of this fire and the damage estimate. Updates on the cause and the damage estimate will be given as they become available.

With the main body of the fire on the front of the house, it's an important reminder that the front door is not always the best way to exit your home in case of fire. Having a second means of escape in case of emergency is vital.

Photos by Dick Harris, Portland Fire & Rescue.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

Liberty Mutual Insurance is partnering with Portland Fire & Rescue to launch their annual “Be Fire Smart” Fire Safety Pledge program. Liberty Mutual Insurance will be awarding ten fire agencies across the country a $10,000 grant based on community participation in their fire safety survey.

October 27, 2011

10:22 AM

About 8:00 am, firefighters responded to a commercial fire in an auto shop in North Portland. The business owner discovered the fire as she was opening for the day.

Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke and fire in a back corner involving a car and a portion of the structure. Firefighters from St. John’s Fire Station 22 quickly extinguished the fire.  This fire was especially dangerous due to the presence of propane and acetylene tanks.

There were no injuries associated with this fire. The fire was recalled at 8:32 am.

Fire investigators are on-scene working to determine the fire’s cause and damage estimates.  This press release will be updated with this information when it becomes available.

Response Information:

• 5 engines
• 2 trucks
• 2 fire investigators
• 32 firefighters

 Portland Fire & Rescue

During a formal ceremony this morning at Portland Fire & Rescue's (PF&R) Training Center, Ty Callicotte was appointed to the position of Fire Lieutenant and Firefighter Trainees Thomas, Brent, Abraham, Rian, Brian, Eric, Stephen, Wilson, Todd, Arik, Kyle, and Austin were sworn in as Firefighter Recruits. In attendance was Fire Chief John Klum, Operations Chief John Nohr, Training & Safety Chief Glen Eisner, Deputy Chief Duane Bray, Port of Portland Fire Chief Craig Callicotte, and Safety Chief Todd Keathley.

Fire Lieutenant Callicotte

PF&R appointed Ty Callicotte as the newest Fire Lieutenant.  Witnessing the ceremony was his father Craig Callicotte, Chief of the Port of Portland Airport Fire Department. Lieutenant Callicotte began his career here at Portland Fire over 11 years ago, and has worked at stations across the City of Portland.

Chief Callicotte & Lieutenant Callicotte

As a Fire Lieutenant, Callicotte will be responsible for supervising firefighters when working at a fire scene or other emergency. He will also organize and supervise the day-to-day tasks at a Portland fire station, and provide training on safety procedures and fire equipment to firefighters. Click here to view the City of Portland Fire Lieutenant job description.

Congrat's to Portland Fire Lieutenant Ty Callicotte!

Recruit Class 11-03

The eleven Firefighter Trainees had little or no fire service experience before applying and being accepted into the Firefighter Trainee Program. The Firefighter Trainee Program is a "earn while you learn," comprehensive, paid, eight-week training program at PF&R's Training Center. During the last two months, Firefighter Trainees Thomas, Brent, Abraham, Rian, Brian, Eric, Stephen, Wilson, Todd, Arik and Austin worked a 40-hour work schedule and received hands-on experience with the tools of the trade.  These successful Firefighter Trainees completed the two month, were sworn in, and will now advance to the Firefighter Recruit Academy. The Firefighter Trainees were joined by one new Firefighter Recruit, evening out the number of the new class of firefighters to 12.

The new Recruit Class 11-03 will be working together for the next four months earning certifications and learning firefighting skills. At the end of four months, the Portland firefighters that successfully complete and pass the Firefighter Recruit Academy will continue their probation at Fire Station 2 where they start 24 weeks of shift work (24 hours on/48 hours off) and receive further training while responding to various emergency calls.

Good luck to Firefighter Recruits Thomas, Brent, Abraham, Rian, Brian, Eric, Stephen, Wilson, Todd, Arik, Kyle, and Austin as they embark on a challenging journey to become Portland Firefighters! 

 Portland Fire & Rescue