For the past three years in the month of September, firefighters from around the Pacific Northwest, including several from Portland Fire & Rescue, trade stair-steppers for the real steps of the US Bancorp Tower in downtown Portlandfor the annual Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge.  

Wes Loucks, a retired Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter of 32 years, and his wife Belinda founded the Portland Firefighter Stairclimb when both of their young grandsons were born with CF. The stairclimb directly benefits the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation and research efforts.

The Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge is sponsored by Leatherman, Portland Fire Fighters Association Local 43, and the International Association of Fire Fighters and attracts firefighters to Portland from as far away as Alaska, Montana, and Idaho. Firefighters are outfitted in over 70 lbs. each of full "combat gear" including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) commonly used in the line of duty. Racers vie for men's and women's titles in individual competition. Team titles are also awarded based on the combined time of the team's fastest racers.

In addition to a competitive 40 floor, 800 step ascent of the US Bancorp Tower, firefighters also compete to raise funds in the battle against CF. In 2011, firefighters representing over 50 fire agencies finished thePortlandclimb and raised over $102,208 for CF research.

Portland Fire & Rescue firefighters who competed in the stairclimb challenge in 2011 were the second highest fundraising organization, bringing in $7,537. The top fundraising department was Cowlitz County Fire District 2 with $11,092.00. 

Because PF&R was one of the top ten fundraisers in 2011, our organization is being highlighted on the official Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge website at http://www.portlandstairclimb.com/top-10-fundraisers.  

Please visit the website and learn more about the stairclimb, cystic fibrosis, and the upcoming fourth annual stairclimb event on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

About Cystic Fibrosis

More than 30,000 children in American have CF, an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food. In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school. Today, advances in research and medical treatments have further enhanced and extended life for children and adults with CF. Many people with the disease can now expect to live into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

February 10, 2012

2:14 PM

At 11:40 am, firefighters from Portland Fire Station 25 (Woodstock) responded to a house fire at 4315 SE 65^th. Initial reports indicated that the roof was on fire and a neighbor who attempted to alert occupants reported that the front door was hot to the touch.

When fire crews arrived, they found smoke emitting from the top story of a two story duplex. Firefighters made entrance, and quickly extinguished the blaze on the upper floor.  Using hydraulic ventilation to move air inside of the home, firefighters advanced to a window, positioned the hose line a few feet from the window opening, and set the hose nozzle to a wide fog pattern. The nozzle was then opened and heat and smoke where drawn outside of the structure.

While searching the home, firefighters found two dogs trapped inside.  The first dog was located in the basement and was sheltered in place.  Unfortunately, the second dog, a miniature dachshund, was overcome by smoke.  Firefighters from Engine 19 brought the dog outside and not waiting for an animal CPR kit, began mouth to mouth resuscitation efforts on the dog to no avail.

 Local veterinarian donates two pet resuscitation masks to PF&R

Battalion Chief Terry Munro checks the pet resuscitation mask housed in his command vehicle

Pet resuscitation kits are carried on all Portland Fire & Rescue Battalion Chiefs command vehicles. Fire investigators are on-scene to determine the cause and damage to the home has been estimated at $20,000.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

Incident Statistics: 

Total Incidents: 1,280

Medical: 1,063

Fire: 53

Other: 164

Major Incidents: 6

• 02/05/12@ 1924 hrs, Residential Fire, 15200 block ofNE Glisan St.  Loss: $25,000  Cause: Overheated clothes dryer ignited clothing.
• 02/06/12@ 0349 hrs, Residential Fire, 7700 block ofSE Center St.  Loss: $40,000 Cause: Unattended cooking.  1 civilian transported to hospital.
• 02/06/12@ 0807 hrs, Residential Fire, 9500 block ofN Ivanhoe St.  Loss: $21,000 Cause: Electrical arcing.
• 02/10/12@ 1139 hrs, Residential Fire, 4300 block of SE 65^th Ave.  Loss: $20,000 Cause: Electrical.
• 02/11/12@ 0319 hrs, Commercial Fire, 8300 block of SE 17^th Ave.  Loss: $30,000 Cause: Under Investigation.  1 disabled civilian assisted from 2^nd floor & evaluated.
• 02/11/12 @ 1512 hrs, Residential Fire, 8400 block ofSE Liebe St.  Loss: $15,000   Cause: Under Investigation.

  Portland Fire & Rescue