Use 9-1-1 to save a life, report a fire, stop a crime. 9-1-1 is the right number to call in an emergency when a prompt response is needed. There could be a fight or an assault occurring right now, a fire burning, or a medical problem occurring now which could be life threatening. 

The person who answers your 9-1-1 call is a trained dispatcher. They will ask you questions to determine what kind of help you need - Fire, Police, or Medical. Be prepared to state the nature of the emergency, and please answer all the questions. Answering questions does not delay response. As they ask their questions, keep your answers as short and direct as possible.

Questions could include:

• What happened?
• What is the location?
• Where are you calling from?
• What is your name?
• What is your phone number?

While on the phone with the call taker, EMERGENCY help is being dispatched. Staying on the line, if asked to do so, will NOT delay help from responding units. If it is possible and does not compromise your safety, do not hang up the phone until the 9-1-1 call taker says it is okay to hang up.

What if I call 9-1-1 by mistake?

Please stay on the line if you call 9-1-1 by accident, and tell the dispatcher that everything is OK. If you do not stay on the line we may have to send a police officer to your home to make sure there is not a problem.

When should I use the non-emergency number?

503-823-3333 is a ten digit non-emergency number which you can dial 24 hours a day in Multnomah County for non-emergency help. Using the non-emergency number keeps 9-1-1 available for true emergencies.

Some examples of times when you should call 503-823-3333 are: 

• Your house or car was broken into yesterday.
• Your runaway child has returned home.
• You need to add additional items to the burglary report you made last week.
• Your car was stolen sometime overnight.
• Someone stole your bike while you were at school.

Citizens are reminded that a quick response in an emergency depends upon each of us using the emergency system and the non-emergency number properly.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

Blog Story and Photo submitted by Firefighter Rob Kapuniai-Ryan

Fire Lieutenant Lee Etten & Firefighter Rob Kapuniai-Ryan visit burn survivor

A few months back, we took Engine 4 over to Emanuel Burn Center and visited a little girl that was being treated for burns. She was in the hospital for a few weeks by the time we had gone to see her. Many other fire crews from Portland Fire & Rescue had signed up to visit her as well.  We spent a few hours with her to give the nurses a break. Its very hard for one person to keep a child that is hurt and stuck in one room happy.

This little girl was so awesome! Even with her injuries, she was so excited that we were there that she insisted on getting us to pull her in the radio flyer wagon outside to see the engine with its lights on.  We even put it into pump and sprayed some water, which she liked!

After, we went back and read stories (her favorites was Dora the explorer which we read twice), then walked the cool garden they have there. All in all, it was a rewarding experience.

To anyone that has not been to volunteer at the burn center yet, do it! It is worth the time.  Not only do the kids love it, you will too.  Also, my hats off and a deep bow to the nurses and doctors at the Emanuel Burn Center. Takes a pretty amazing person to be able to do that job day in and day out. You are all amazing!

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

On January 18, 2012 at just after midnight, Portland firefighters from Station 11 (Lents) were dispatched to a reported fire in SE Portland off 87th Avenue. While en-route to the scene, Engine 19’s Fire Lieutenant Tim and Firefighters Chris, Dion, and Steven were notified by a 9-1-1 dispatcher that an occupant had been burnt during an attempt to put out a grease fire.

Firefighters arrived and found two patients. The first, a young woman, was standing outside of the building coughing due to smoke inhalation. The second was a young man who was still inside the building running cold water on his arm.

As firefighters treated both patients, the young man explained that he was in his apartment and had decided to cook onion rings. He began to heat oil in a pot on the range top, walking away to allow time for the oil to heat. When he returned, the pot was on fire and the flames had expanded to the hood.  The young man panicked, and tried to extinguish the fire with rags and then a lid, both to no avail. Desperate, he picked up the pot and attempted to carry it outside. Unfortunately, the hot grease splashed onto his face and right arm and he threw the pot full of burning oil towards the back sliding door.

Both the young woman and man were treated by Portland firefighters and ambulance personnel, and then transported to Emanuel Hospital.  The young man received second-degree burns and was admitted to Emanuel’s Burn Center.

Portland Fire & Rescue Public Education Officer Scott Goetchius reminds citizens that grease fires are extremely dangerous because the fuel source is a liquid and easily splashed. “Grease fire burn very hot and can quickly spread to cabinets or other flammable areas of the kitchen,” he notes. “When a grease fire occurs, you may only have a few moments to either put out a grease fire or escape your home.”

Here’s how:

1. DO NOT USE WATER ON A GREASE FIRE! Start evacuating everyone from the building. Fires spread extremely fast and can overwhelm victims in minutes. Treat burns only after evacuating the building.
2. Call 9-1-1.  
3. The easiest way to smother a grease fire is to cover it with a pan lid. Be careful with glass lids; they can break from the extreme heat of open flame.
4. Grease fires can also be smothered with baking soda, but it takes a lot of baking soda to do the trick. Unless the baking soda is easily accessible, it's usually easier to quickly find a lid.
5. A dry chemical fire extinguisher will also work, but it will contaminate your kitchen and food.  

Tips:

1. DO NOT PUT WATER ON A GREASE FIRE! This can not be stressed enough. Pouring water on burning grease or oil will not extinguish the fire. It will only cause the burning oil to splash, spreading the grease fire around.
2. DO NOT TRY TO CARRY THE FIRE OUTSIDE! Trying to carry a pot or pan full of burning oil will just slosh and splash the grease fire.
3. Treat burns only after the fire is contained or the building is completely evacuated.  
4. If clothes are caught on fire; STOP, DROP, and ROLL to extinguish them.

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

COMMUNITY I SERVE

I am currently am assigned to provide coverage at stations to the Cathedral Park,St. Johns, and Linnton neighborhoods in North Portland.

ARRIVING ON-SCENE

I was hired as a line firefighter when I was 20 years old in October 2000 and promoted to a Fire Lieutenant nine years later.  In spring 2006, I was selected to join the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) as a paramedic.  SERT team members respond to incidents involving uncooperative armed suspects (such as barricaded subjects or hostage situations). As a paramedic, I provide advanced life support for SERT team members that are in harms-way.

FIRST SHIFT MEMORY

My crew was very fresh at Station 2 and we were sent to the North Portland Bluff Fire that eventually went 5 alarms.  When we arrived on-scene, people were packing their cars with valuables and fleeing, fearing all their houses were going to burn like a scene out of southern California.  Eventually, we had Blackhawks above us performing water drops.  I remember thinking that is one thing I never thought I would see working for a big city. 

MEMORABLE CALL

We were sent to a young boy reported to have some time of hand injury.  Unfortunately, there was a language barrier and the 9-1-1 dispatcher was unable to get any further information.  We found a 5 year-old boy who stuck his hand up the ice cube dispenser of the fridge that his parents believed to be inoperable.  Unfortunately, the machine engaged and trapped the young boy’s hand. 

The crew and I were unable to even fully open the door of the fridge to take apart the machine since his hand was through the chute and stuck towards the back.  Working as a tea, we weighed all options to free his hand and manage his pain.  It took 45 minutes of working to dismantling the fridge and plan "B", plan "C", etc.  There was no training guide on this situation.  It showed the importance of having good communication within your crew and having members with different backgrounds or skills.

FAVORITE MEAL TO COOK

Fish tacos or buffalo chicken burgers.  There are a lot of other things I like to make, but they definitely don't fall into the "healthy" recipe book which has become a lot more popular.

MAKING MY WAY TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER

I worked for the pools of a park district.  I lifeguarded and taught swimming lessons including our lifeguard training programs.

BEING SUCCESSFUL

Integrity.  A successful firefighter wants to do their best just because and for no other reason. 

OFF-DUTY FUN

During the summer, I enjoy boating or camping anywhere on the water.  I live on a floating home, so mostly I enjoy any hot weather where I can relax on my deck, jump in, and swim in my backyard. In the winter time, I look forward to fishing when it's wet and golfing when it's dry (there's nobody else on the course when it's 40 degrees)!

ARRIVING ON AN EMERGENCY SCENE

I always try to make a rapid assessment of what we have and what/who we need.  When you need some support, you want it quick!

ADVICE TO LIVE BY

KNOW YOUR JOB AND ORGANIZATION. That's one of my former advisors' ten rules of the fire service.  You should strive to learn every aspect and be the best at your position.  But not only be educated in your position, but strive to know what others are doing or things going on in your department.  Knowing those things can only make you better at being a solid piece of the puzzle.