October 13, 2011

1:03 PM

At 10:19 am, Portland Firefighters were dispatched to reports of a male who left behind a black backpack and jumped off the Interstate 205 bridge from the southbound lanes on the north end of the bridge - the bridge's highest point. The location of the individual's backpack was critical to first responders' efforts to determine exactly where he entered the water to begin searching for him.

Firefighters from Portland Fire (Hayden Island) Station 17 responded with a rescue boat and Portland Fire's dive team was mobilized from Downtown Portland Station 1 to begin a rescue operation. Vancouver Fire and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office also responded to assist in the joint dive operation. A dive operation is in progress and updates will be released as they become available.

This call came in just 11 minutes before Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland Police Bureau, and the Oregon Partnership began a joint news briefing to bring awareness to the growing issue of suicide in our community. Oregon's suicide rate is 35% higher than the national average. Portland Fire & Rescue urges citizens to call the Oregon Partnership's Suicide Lifeline at 800-273-8255 for immediate mental health and suicide crisis intervention from their team of trained crisis workers if you, a friend, or a loved one is having thoughts of suicide.

 Portland Fire & Rescue

 We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

 October 13, 2011

 

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