As a full-service emergency response organization, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) responds to many different types of emergencies and assesses each emergency scene for hazards and potential dangers. To further assist Portland firefighters in recognizing and formulating the best response to an emergency incident, representatives from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) hosted a multi-company drill for Truck 22, Engine 22, and Engine 27 crews. 

The BPA is a Federal agency based in the Pacific Northwest. BPA was created by an act of Congress in 1937 to market electric power from the Bonneville Dam located on the Columbia River and to construct facilities necessary to transmit that power. BPA transmits and sells wholesale electricity in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and western Montana.

The BPA has more than 15,000 miles of electrical lines, 300,000 miles of service area, and 259 substations.  Substations are critical parts of BPA’s transmission system infrastructure because they interconnect generation sources with the regional grid. One of those substations in located in North Portland where Fire Station 22 and 27 crews are responsible for responding to emergency incidents.

Representatives from Bonneville Power Administration

BPA representatives provided classroom instruction to Portland firefighters and chiefs to aid emergency responders in identifying substation equipment, coordinating emergency response, correctly positioning fire apparatus and equipment, protecting personnel, reading danger signage, recognize conductors for electricity, and protecting from exposure to electric and magnetic fields. The group then traveled to a BPA substation where Portland Fire staff toured and familiarized themselves with power circuit breakers, transformers, relays, meters, and other high voltage electrical equipment.

Click here to learn more about the BPA.

  Portland Fire & Rescue We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

  June 17, 2010