Incident Statistics:

(April 24 - 30, 2011)

Total Incidents: 1,308

Medical: 1,056

Fire: 40

Other: 212

Major Incidents: 4

• 04/25/11 @ 1931 hrs, Residential Fire, 6600 Block of SE 91^st Ave. Loss: $70,000 Cause: Spilled gas ignited by drop light 
• 04/27/11 @ 1138 hrs, Residential Fire, 4000 Block of SE 80^th Ave. Loss: $11,000 Cause: Unattended candle
• 04/28/11 @ 1153 hrs, Commercial Fire, 1800 Block of SW Vermont St. Loss: $80,000 Cause: Electrical overload
• 04/28/11 @ 1728 hrs, Residential Fire, 6300 Block of SE 93^rd Ave. Loss: $150,000 Cause: Under investigation     

Year to Date Incident Statistics:

(January 2, 2011 - current)

Total Incidents: 21,779

Medical: 17,702

Fire: 704

Other: 5,373

Major Incidents: 58

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   May 2, 2011 

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Are you a high school or college student who would like to gain valuable work experience this summer and interested in public safety work environments or business careers?  Read on to learn more about Portland Fire & Rescue’s 2011 Summer Internship Program!

PF&R is now accepting applications for four summer internship positions.

Two Community Services Aide I positions are available for high school-level students in PF&R’s Management Services Division. These positions will perform a wide range of administrative support functions such as customer service, record-keeping, file maintenance, meeting scheduling and preparation, and computer applications, which may include word processing, data entry, spreadsheets and/or databases. Interested applicants can apply through May 20, 2011

Two Community Services Aide II positions are available for college-level students in the Management Services and Emergency Operations Divisions. These positions will perform a wide range of administrative support functions such as record-keeping, file maintenance, meeting scheduling and preparation, computer applications, which may include word processing, data entry, spreadsheets and/or databases, statistical analysis and chart construction, and development of letters, documents, memos, newsletters, presentations, and proposals. Interested applicants can apply through May 16, 2011.

Complete position descriptions and skill requirements for these positions are available at http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/intern. The positions are anticipated to last from June through September and the time frame is flexible depending on school schedules.

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   May 2, 2011 

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On Saturday, April 30, 2011, the American Legion Portland Post #1 honored a Firefighter and Police Officer at an annual dinner that recognizes outstanding individuals from Portland’s fire and police bureaus.

At the dinner, Portland Fire & Rescue’s (PF&R) Training Captain Kyle Wochnick and Police Sergeant Deborah Steigleder were presented the Russ Lemmon award. Russ Lemmon was a long-time member of Post #1 as well as a Multnomah County Deputy Sheriff. He was known for his dedication and integrity.  The award was named in his memory in order to recognize exceptional service and excellence in the performance of duty.

This year, the Firefighter of the Year introduction and presentation was made by PF&R’s Emergency Operations Chief Scott Fisher. 

Fisher spoke of Wochnick’s accomplishments beyond the call of duty, how he continually improves the quality and efficiency of the Fire Bureau’s programs, procedures, and objectives, and the way Wochnick is a shining example of personal integrity, character, and citizenship.

Portland Police and Bureau East Precinct Commander Bill Walker presented Sergeant Deborah Steigleder with the Police Officer of the Year Award and spoke about her accomplishments during her career as a Portland Police Officer.

According to Portland Fire Chief John Klum, this award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a firefighter.  The annual honorees are selected from among all firefighters in the Fire Bureau. “We have a sophisticated selection process,” Klum noted previously, “The selection committee carefully reviews each nomination. Not only must the firefighter be exemplary in their working career, but also must show exemplary efforts in their private lives.”

About his award, Wochnick said, “I am grateful. It’s the greatest honor that a firefighter can have at Portland Fire & Rescue.”

   Portland Fire & Rescue 

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   May 2, 2011 

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May 3, 2011

10:02 AM

Portland Firefighters responded to reports of a garage on fire at 7035 SE 82nd Avenue at 6:47 am. When firefighters from SE Portland's Station 11 arrived on scene, they encountered a single car detached garage fully engulfed in flames.

Fire was pouring from every window and door of the garage and flames rose six feet into the air on all sides of the structure.

According to Portland Fire Public Information Officer Paul Corah, "The volume of fire coming from all three windows and the garage door was large enough that firefighters decided to pull a much larger hose line than normally used to fight this type of fire."

Firefighters attacked the fire with a 2 1/2" hose line, which puts out 250 gallons of water per minute and requires two to three firefighters to hold this type of line. This attack successfully stopped the fire from spreading to the adjacent home and manufacturing business.

"The fire burned so hot that the wet grass surrounding the garage was burned 10 feet out in all directions of the structure," remarked Corah.

Initial reports indicated that there were chemicals stored in one corner of the garage, and firefighters were advised to take safety precautions near that location. The chemicals were later determined to be typical yard and garden chemicals. The fire was brought under control at 7:00 am.

The garage is a total loss and its estimated value is $30,000. Two Fire Investigators are currently on scene working to determine the cause of this fire.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 May 3, 2011

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May 3, 2011

12:37 PM

At approximately 9:24 am, off-duty Portland Firefighter/Paramedic Chris Bernard, a 15-year veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue, was driving in the southbound lanes of Interstate 205 near the Foster Road exit when - without braking - a small SUV two cars ahead of him suddenly veered to the left, crossed the center median, and struck a semi-truck in the northbound lanes. A third vehicle was also involved in the collision and rolled over onto its top.

Bernard, also a 24-year veteran of the 304th Rescue Squadron based out of Portland, immediately pulled over to assist the driver who was severely pinned between the driver's seat and the dashboard. Bernard was aided by an off-duty nurse who stopped to render needed first aid to the driver of the SUV.

"Because the driver was so severely pinned in the vehicle, there was little we could do for him until Portland Fire arrived at the scene," said Bernard. "Then I noticed that the SUV had smoke coming from the engine and was concerned that it might catch fire."

Thinking quickly, Bernard flagged down a local cement truck driver. The cement truck carried a water supply and a hose. Bernard used the water from the cement truck to extinguish any potential fire that might break out in the SUV's engine compartment.

Portland Fire, assisted by Clackamas County Fire, arrived on scene at 9:28 am and used numerous extrication tools to spread the vehicle apart and free the individual including hydraulic rams, hydraulic cutters to cut off the roof, and hydraulic Jaws of Life.

"It took firefighters 23 minutes to free the individual in this complicated and technically challenging extrication," said Portland Fire Public Information Officer Paul Corah.

The patient had life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local trauma hospital. Portland Police are investigating to determine the cause of the accident. The driver of the semi-truck was not injured. The driver of the third car that flipped onto its top was able to self-extricate and was not injured. Traffic in both north and southbound lanes of I-205 was backed up for miles due to the accident.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 May 3, 2011

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