COMMUNITY I SERVE

I am currently am assigned to Station 5 and serve the Hillsdale community.

ARRIVING ON-SCENE

I was hired as a firefighter in November 2007.

FIRST SHIFT MEMORY

My very first shift at Station 2 (Parkrose) we started with the trainers working on some emergency medical drills.  After the drill was completed, the trainers made sure that our crew was confident in our abilities so that we could perform the skills in the middle of the night, in a parking lot, while it was raining.  Of course all of us looked them in the eye and reassured them that we would be fine if that call happened to come in.  Needless to say at around 3:00 am that morning, a call came in with a patient who had a witnessed cardiac event, and we had to work the whole code in the middle of the night, in a parking lot, while it was raining.  Although this was the first code my crew and I had ever run together it went well, and I learned that drilling is something to take seriously your entire career.

MEMORABLE CALL

I really can’t pick just one call.  Any call where you can see that you truly made a difference is what this job is all about.  Whether you are putting out a families house that is on fire, or picking their grandfather up off of the floor because he has fallen; when the public is truly in need and we can help and see the relief in their face that is always the most memorable moments for me.

FAVORITE MEAL TO COOK

Since becoming a firefighter, I have come to enjoy cooking a lot more.  I have a lot of regular recipes that I will use, but the one that was my go to while traveling and even now at Station 5 is definitely my Mexican Lasagna.  This recipe has a lot of meat and cheese and I have realized any recipe with those two ingredients in them usually gets pretty good reviews.

MAKING MY WAY TO BECOME A FIREFIGHTER

I had many jobs before becoming a firefighter.  I was a manager at a pizza parlor, YMCA basketball referee, waitress/barista/cashier, valet car parker, strength and conditioning coach, softball coach, and fitness director/personal trainer.

BEING SUCCESSFUL

The successful firefighters that I look up to always seem to be the most diligent.  They do the work and the training because they take pride in what they do and know that we are serving a community that is relying on us.  They seem to be the individuals that are doing the little things all of the time not just because someone told them to, but because it is the right thing to do.  These individuals maintain their actions both at and away from work. 

OFF-DUTY FUN

My favorite off duty activity is hunting and fishing.  I primarily hunt elk, deer, and antelope, but will occasionally hunt for wild turkey, and if I can ever draw the tag big horn sheep.  I am definitely more of a fisher than a catcher but I love trying, and will usually go after trout, catfish, and occasionally steelhead or salmon on the Rogue River. 

May 1, 2012 -- Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Station 18 (Multnomah Village) is back home at 8720 SW 30^th Avenue.  Although this has been the home for station members along with Engine, Brush Unit, and Heavy Squad 18 for over 50 years, with recent seismic upgrades and renovations now completed the station and its members have been reunited.

On June 2, 2012,  Station 18 will host an open house for anyone who is interested in seeing first hand all of the upgrades and changes with the station.  One of the most important structural changes is the seismic upgrades that bring the structure up to occupancy rating codes and standards.  Added to the station is a community room, extended apparatus bay, and a decontamination room for firefighters and equipment. What was once a shared sleeping area for all station members has now been made into individual sleeping quarters and restrooms. 

On the roof there are now solar panels, and a cistern that is designed to collect rain water that will be filtered to then be used for rinsing off the apparatus and disposal water for toilets. With all of these cutting edge upgrades to the station, PF&R is hoping to receive the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, and if awarded Station 18 will be the first fire station in thePortlandmetro area to have this honor. 

Station 18 has not only been renovated structurally to be made more environmentally friendly, but the station’s new and fresh look making it pleasing to the eye as well.  All through the station you can see the use of natural light due to the addition of many windows, and the open beam ceiling gives the rooms an open natural feel. 

Station 18 Captain John Derr notes that “The new look and feel of the station is very nice.  All of the natural light, windows, beams, and community room give the station a great look.”  One addition that will soon be finished is a deck the will provide a space where station members will be able to cook, grill, and just have more opportunity to enjoy their new home.

May 2, 2012 -- To better meet the needs of the community, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) developed a confidential survey to gain insight into customer satisfaction with the various emergency and non-emergency services we provide.

The short survey asks the respondent to rate PF&R’s delivery of service, as well as the educational material and information offered.  Each survey question also provides the respondent an opportunity to provide open-ended comments. 

Additionally, if a respondent wishes to be contacted regarding their customer experience, they can include their contact information in the appropriate section of the survey.

The observations, opinions, and recommendations of customers are valuable.  PF&R continually strives to improve all operations and fire protection services. 

PF&R encourages citizens to take a moment to complete the survey and assist the bureau in identifying strengths, areas for improvement, and opportunities for continued growth.

Click here to begin the survey or visit http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/index.cfm?c=37506.

May 2, 2012

9:07 AM

At 12:15 am, a fire was reported in a house located at 2250 NE 81st. When firefighters from Portland Fire Station 19 (Mt. Tabor) arrived, they encountered an occupant in front of the house who informed firefighters that there was fire inside the home. Due to a language barrier, firefighters were unclear whether the man's wife and two children had escaped the fire and immediately went into search and rescue mode. They searched all levels of the home looking for the three unaccounted for family members.

Simultaneously, two other fire crews arrived and directed firefighting efforts toward the basement where the fire was located. Radio traffic amongst first responders was busy with crews reporting back to command that they were unable to find the missing family members. Fire crews in the basement were also confronted with bars on the basement windows; this meant there was only one way in and out of the basement. The situation became a safety concern for firefighters, so a truck crew cut the bars off the windows to allow for additional escape routes for firefighters if needed.

With smoke still thick, crews reported back that no one was found in the basement. Command again questioned the man about the location of his family. They were able to determine a short time later that the family had safely evacuated and was waiting in a car in the back driveway of the home.

"This is a good example of how important a family fire escape plan is for families and firefighters," stated Portland Fire & Rescue Captain Kris Artman. "We urge families to develop an escape plan and have a central meeting point where all family members can meet and be seen by firefighters or other emergency responders."

Visit http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/homeescapeplan to learn how to develop and practice a home fire escape plan. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the damage estimate to the house is $25,000.