March 4, 2012

11:13 PM

At 1:41 pm today, Portland Fire was dispatched to reports of a man struggling in the water along the East Bank Esplanade. According to bystanders, the man suddenly entered the water and started swimming towards the public dock about 75 feet away. After several minutes of slow progress, he began to struggle and submerge. At that time a bicyclist who had stopped for a break on a bench that overlooked the river undressed to his underwear and swam out to the man. Another bystander called 9-1-1, starting firefighters from Station 21, which was only a few hundred feet down the walking path, and water rescue crews from across the river at Station 1. Kevin Pratt, of Milwaukie swam to the victim and began swimming back toward the shore with him. Once on land, he and another bystander, Isaac Bruder of Portland, determined he was pulse-less and not breathing and immediately began CPR. PF&R Crews arrived shortly after, evaluated and began treatment before transferring him to a waiting am bulance for transport.

Bravery and quick actions by the two bystanders positively affected the outcome of this incident.

Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that the waterways in Portland during the winter months are cold enough that hypothermia can set in within minutes. hypothermia is that it develops gradually, and since it affects thinking and reasoning, and at its worst it may go unnoticed until you lose brain function or go into cardiac arrest.

The patient is listed in serious condition at Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

March 5, 2012

10:41 AM

A Portland Fire Investigator has determined that the structure is valued at $75,000 with a structural loss of $10,000. The contents are valued at $20,000 with a contents loss of $10,000.

The fire cause is still under investigation but it was discovered that the explosion was caused by aerosol cans.

Station 31 is part of a joint staffing agreement between PF&R and Gresham Fire & Emergency Services. PF&R staffs Station 31 on A and C shifts, and Gresham staffs it on B shift. Both departments staff Engine 31 with four members. From July 1st, 2010 through June 30th, 2011 Station 31 responded on 3,388 emergency runs.

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March 5, 2012

9:41 AM

At 6:30 am this morning Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a residential fire at 2111 SE 154th Ave. Multiple calls were received stating that an explosion was heard and fire was coming from the house. Responding fire crews could see a large column of smoke from a few blocks away indicating there was a working fire. The crew from Portland Fire Station 31 (Rockwood) arrived at 6:36 am, pulled hose lines and began aggressively attacking the large amount of fire coming from all sides of the house. The truck crew from Portland Fire Station 7 (Mill Park) climbed to the roof of the home and used ventilation saws to assist in removing smoke, heat and fire gasses from the building. Fire crews also performed a search to assure there were no victims inside. The fire was brought under control at 7:26 am.

There were two occupants from the home who safely escaped and were outside when fire crews arrived. One of the occupants is an elderly women who is uninjured but was transported to the hospital because she is without her supplemental oxygen. Red Cross is on scene helping the occupants find alternate housing for the time being.

Portland Fire & Rescue wants to encourage its citizens to know your neighbors. In case of fire, It is important for fire crews to know if occupants are elderly or handicapped and may be immobile. When fires are reported by neighbors, providing information on the occupant can greatly assist in saving their life.

A Portland Fire Investigator is on scene working to determine the cause of the fire and damage estimates. This information will be given as it becomes available.

Photos courtesy of Portland Fire Photographer Dick Harris.

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March 5, 2012

6:50 AM

Portland firefighters are on scene attacking a fire in a residence at 2111 SE 154th Ave. Initial calls to 9-1-1 reported heavy fire coming from the rear of the home and callers stated that they heard multiple explosions inside. A Public Information Officer is en route and will be on scene within 10 minutes. Updates will be made as they become available.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

Incident Statistics: 

Total Incidents: 1,314

Medical: 1,072

Fire: 48

Other: 194

Major Incidents: 3 (further information provided below)

• 02/27/12@ 0113 hrs, Residential Fire, 7100 block of N Macrum Ave. Loss: $77,000 Cause: Under investigation
• 02/28/12@ 1940 hrs, Residential Fire, 6400 Block of SE 81^st Ave. Loss: $18,000 Cause: Overheated engine block heater  
• 03/02/12@ 2208 hrs, Commercial Fire, 8000 block ofNE Glisan St.  Loss: $130,000 Cause: Under investigation

  Portland Fire & Rescue 

Station 1 currently houses the only heavy rescue company in the City. It is designated Squad 1 and provides services and capabilities not typical to most fire apparatus. Unlike trucks that are equipped with ladders, forcible entry tools, and some extrication equipment; or engines that carry hose and various firefighting appliances; Squad 1 carries and employs an array of specialized rescue and heavy extrication equipment.

According to Captain Espinoza, Squad 1 is essentially a "big tool box" that, when combined with the skills of its crew members, provides unique capabilities related to specialty rescue. "The Squad," as it is know throughout the bureau, includes equipment for heavy extrication, rope rescue, structural collapse, trench and confined space rescue, and water and/or dive rescue. In addition to its specialty services, Squad 1 also responds on typical emergency calls such as structure fires and EMS incidents.

Squad 1's specialized services include: 

• Heavy Extrication - includes rescuing patients from vehicles and machinery. This is accomplished using the Hurst Tool ("jaw of life"), cutting torches, specialized saws, and even air bags capable of lifting train cars.
• Rope Rescue - includes using specialized rope systems to rescue patients who have fallen down embankments, cliffs, or a ship's hull, or are trapped on the side of a structure. Firefighters rig rope systems and deploy firefighters in harnesses to reach and retrieve an individual.
• Trench and Confined Space Rescue - includes deploying special equipment to stabilize and otherwise make safe environments where there has been a trench collapse or it is necessary to rescue someone trapped in a narrow or constricting environment.
• Structural Collapse - includes building collapse or other events needing extensive and specialized heavy equipment for extrication. Squad 1 compliments the bureau's Urban Search and Rescue vehicle (USAR 1) when it is deployed to these types of events.  
• Water Rescue - includes surface water rescue and dive operations. In addition to carrying divers, Squad 1 generally provides dive operations support and expertise to the Incident Commander.

It is important to note that Squad 1 and its crew are a part of the 12-member technical rescue team quartered at Station 1. While Squad 1 may operate independently on some smaller events, it is generally deployed with the entire team from Station 1. This includes Engine 1 and Truck 1, and may also include other specialized apparatus quartered at Station 1 such as the Dive Van, Trench Rescue Van or USAR 1. It is also important to note that all firefighters assigned to Station 1 hold technical rescue certifications that allow them to employ many of the specialized tools and equipment they carry, and to operate in certain hazardous environments.