Fire Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty announced today that she has chosen Division Chief Sara Boone as the next Fire Chief for Portland Fire & Rescue. Chief Boone has been with Portland Fire & Rescue for 24 years, rising through the ranks from entry-level firefighter. Chief Boone has spent the majority of her career in emergency operations before transitioning into assignments as the Bureau’s Safety Chief, Logistics Deputy Chief, and currently, the Division Chief of Medical Services and Training. 

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, Ore. – Fire Defense Board Chief Scott Lewis has lifted the outdoor burn ban in all areas of Multnomah County.  The burn ban has been lifted due to the recent rainfall and moderate temperatures, which has improved the moisture content of the local ground cover. 

Recreational campfires, fire pits, and agricultural burning is now permitted on DEQ approved burn days.  Yard debris and open burning is still permitted, depending on local limitations. The usual end date for this is on or around June 15, weather permitting. 

Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information. For updated information please call the burning information line at:

• 503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10
• 503-695-2225 for Corbett Fire District 14 
• 503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30
• 503-823-3700 for general Information for Portland Fire & Rescue

Residents should exercise caution when using charcoal briquettes, camp fires and fire pits.  Please properly dispose of ashes in a covered metal container, away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least 10 feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc.
 
Smokers are reminded to ensure their cigarettes are truly out and placed in proper receptacles. Those living in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2019

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR – Multnomah Fire Defense Board has issued an outdoor burn ban effective Thursday, May 9, 2019, in all areas of Multnomah County.

The burn ban has been issued due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall and ongoing dry conditions.

The burn ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning until further notice. Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information. For updated information please call the burning information line at:
--503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10
--503-695-2225 for Corbett Fire District 14
--503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30
--503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue general information

Outdoor barbecuing is still allowed; however, community members should exercise extreme caution. When using charcoal briquettes please properly dispose of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least ten feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc.

Smokers are reminded to ensure their cigarettes are truly out and placed in proper receptacles.

Those living in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment.

 **The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG warning today in consideration of expected high winds. This increases the fire danger significantly and is a rare this time of year. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 9, 2019

MULTNOMAH COUNTY, OR – Multnomah Fire Defense Board has issued an outdoor burn ban effective Thursday, May 9, 2019, in all areas of Multnomah County.

The burn ban has been issued due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall and ongoing dry conditions.

The burn ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning until further notice. Check with your local Fire Department/District for more information. For updated information please call the burning information line at:
--503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10
--503-695-2225 for Corbett Fire District 14
--503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30
--503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue general information

Outdoor barbecuing is still allowed; however, community members should exercise extreme caution. When using charcoal briquettes please properly dispose of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least ten feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc.

Smokers are reminded to ensure their cigarettes are truly out and placed in proper receptacles.

Those living in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment.

For additional information, contact Gresham Fire and Emergency Services, 503-618-2355 or your local fire department.

This morning Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty offered the post of interim fire chief to Deputy Chief Ryan Gillespie and he accepted this offer. 

Chief Gillespie will begin this post Feb. 1 after he returns from vacation. Chief Mike Myers has agreed to stay on an extra week, through the first week of February, to help Chief Gillespie with this transition.

Since Chief Myers made his announcement, Commissioner Hardesty had the opportunity to meet with many leaders from the bureau. “All of these leaders are impressive in their own way. I would have felt confident assigning any one of them the role of interim chief,” she said. “The one caveat I made to those who met with me is that the interim chief will be ineligible to be the next chief. It is my experience that allowing an interim to compete in the process provides an unfair advantage and discourages others from applying.”

Commissioner Hardesty says that Chief Gillespie impressed her with his knowledge of the bureau, his experience working in various divisions, and his support of Chief Myers’s vision. She noted that Chief Gillespie has been an early and ardent advocate on equity and can speak confidently and intelligently on the issue. Commissioner Hardesty also consulted with union leadership and they, too, support Chief Gillespie as interim chief.

Gillespie is currently assigned to Medical Services & Training Division. Projects and responsibilities in this assignment include: PF&R hiring and promotional processes, Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT), health and wellness program, EMS innovations, workplace assessment executive team, PF&R equity committee.

Chief Gillespie has been with PF&R since 1998 and has worked up the ranks from firefighter to deputy chief. He spent most of his emergency operations time as a firefighter, lieutenant, captain and battalion chief at fire stations in North and Northeast Portland. In addition, Chief Gillespie has worked at different ranks within PF&R’s training division with the responsibility of training and mentoring new PF&R recruits.

“One of my proud accomplishments has been working with Chief Myers and his team over the last 2 ½ years to evaluate PF&R’s culture, strengths, and weakness and to implement change to strengthen and improve the workplace and the services we provide to the community,” says Gillespie. “Chief Myers is leaving us with a legacy with which PF&R can continue to positively impact our community through his vision and innovation. I am excited for this opportunity to work closely with Commissioner Hardesty, the Executive Team from PF&R, and community members to continue Chief Myers’ vision until a permanent fire chief can be hired.”

Says Chief Mike Myers about Chief Gillespie: “I have long been impressed with Chief Gillespie’s intelligence, calm demeanor, passion for the fire service, and technical knowledge. He is a great leader and I think the commissioner has made an excellent choice.”