Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) has kicked off its next five-year strategic planning process and we can use your help.

Part of our process includes an online survey to gather input from community members. Results of the survey will help guide our planning process.

Your participation in the anonymous online survey is key to making sure your fire bureau has all the information it needs to make sure we are addressing the desires of folks in our service areas. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes and your contribution is much appreciated.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YDTJSDH

Additionally, PF&R will be sponsoring three community meetings around town to gather input from the public at large. These meetings will be a drop-in format with some remarks early in the evening. The community meetings will be held:

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

- Drop-in hours 5 pm to 7 pm

- Remarks and Q+A with the Fire Chief at approximately 5:30 pm

PF&R Training Center & Fire Station #2

4800 NE 122^nd Ave.

Portland, OR 97220

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

- Drop-in hours 5 pm to 7 pm

- Remarks and Q+A with the Fire Chief at approximately 5:30 pm

Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO), Gymnasium

10301 NE Glisan St.

Portland, OR 97220

Thursday, July 9, 2015

- Drop-in hours 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm

- Remarks and Q+A with the Fire Chief at approximately 5:00 pm

PF&R Fire Station #1, Skidmore Conference Room (First floor)

55 SW Ash St.

Portland, OR 97204

 Your input will be extremely valuable as we begin developing this plan for Portland Fire & Rescue’s future. Thank you in advance for your time and contribution to our 2015-2020 Strategic Plan.

On June 26 at 10 am every year, Portland firefighters gather at the Portland Firefighters Park on West Burnside Street to honor those who have died in the line of duty. The honor guard performs and the commemorative bell is rung 36 times for each life lost. The Campbell Memorial service was established in 1913 to carry forward the memory of Portland's heroic Fire Chief David Campbell. Chief Campbell died in a 1911 building collapse after ordering all firefighters from the burning structure.

On June 26 this year, there will an additional event to highlight the history and sacrifice of firefighters: a memorial at Lone Fir Cemetery at 11:30 am that same day will dedicate commemorative gravemarkers to honor 12 of the 36 Portland firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Lone Fir has a special firefighter's section (block 5 located between SE Morrison and Stark Streets, and between SE 20th and 26th Avenues). This event will also dedicate nine additional gravemarkers placed on firefighter graves with lost or missing markers. Of note is the inclusion for the first time of Gus Waterford, whose grave was discovered by a class of Madison High School students. Waterford, who was born in 1860 and died in 1909, is Portland's first black firefighter. The public is invited to Lone Fir for this special dedication ceremony.

The Firefighter's Section (Block 5) of Lone Fir Cemetery was deeded to Portland Firefighters on November 16, 1862 by property owner Colburn Barrell. Today, Metro oversees this cemetery.

Walking in is preferred to minimize traffic in the cemetery but for those with mobility issues, driving in is an option. Signs will provide direction for those not familiar with the Firefighter's Section. Parking in the Cemetery must remain on the pavement. Parking to the side of the roads typically leaves room for other cars to pass.