Fire Inspectors Salisbury and Rouse,  Lieutenants Silva and Jackson, and Senior Fire Inspector Seifert

On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, volunteers from across the community descended upon Marshall High School’s Campus to help assemble 3,000 emergency kits for Portland Public School (PPS) classrooms. 

Among the faces in the assembly line were Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) Battalion Chief Mark Kaiel, Lieutenant Anjanette Jackson, Senior Fire Inspector Michael Silva, and Fire Inspectors Trudi Salisbury, John Seifert, and Ron Rouse. At the event, PPS administrators recognized individuals including Lieutenant Jackson with plaques for their assistance, participation, and support of PPS emergency preparedness efforts.

Lieutenant Jackson receives an award from PPS

The kits are part of the school district's effort to become better prepared for emergencies. PPS is currently utilizing a Readiness and Emergency Preparedness for Schools (REMS) grant to update school and district response plans and increase awareness and preparedness. Portland Fire & Rescue is a partner agency that supports PPS’s grant efforts.

Senior Fire Inspector Seifert and Fire Inspector Salisbury build emergency kits

The Emergency Go-Kits are a portable five-gallon bucket that can be used inside the classroom during a lock-in and taken with the class during an evacuation. The buckets contain the following items:

• 1 (5) Gallon Bucket
• 1 Toilet Seat Cover (Bucket can double as a portable bathroom for emergency situations)
• 1 Pack of Toilet Bags (12 each)
• 1 Emergency Shake Light (No batteries required)
• 1 Medium Sized First Aid Kit
• 1 Whistle with Lanyard
• 3 Pack of emergency water packets
• 2 Emergency Blankets
• 2 Rolls of toilet paper
• 1 Deck of cards

Just as the schools are assembling kits to utilize during an emergency, Portland Fire & Rescue encourages citizens to put together their own home emergency supply kits. Click here for recommended items and ways to prepare for an emergency.