House Fire Displaces Two People - 07/03/09 >An early morning house fire at 13145 NE Brazee, displaced two residents this morning.As firefighters were responding they reported a large column of smoke in the area. When they arrived they reported a ranch style home with fire coming from the garage and extending to the house. The fire was brought under control quickly as crews searched the house for victims.
The two occupants had been sleeping and were alerted by a working smoke alarm. They escaped with only minor smoke inhalation.
Fire Investigators report that the fire is accidental but the exact cause has not yet been determined.
Because of the major fire damage to the house the Red Cross was called to help the occupants with clothes, a place to stay and food.
Portland Fire & Rescue recommends that older style battery operated smoke detectors be replaced with the new detectors that have a ten year battery. One detectors should be placed on every level of your home and on in each sleeping area.
"Operation Lower the Boom!" in it's Third Year. - 07/03/09 >Portland Fire & Rescue and the Portland Police will be working together as they did last year, to confiscate and write citations for the possession or use of illegal fireworks. The objective of the operation to educate the public regarding fireworks laws in Oregon.
Fire Inspectors will be partnered with police officers and will be "on patrol" in Portland looking for violators. The dates of the operation are July 3,4,5. The exact areas of the city they will be patrolling and number of teams is not being released.
Last year the teams wrote 33, $100 citations and performed 53 confiscations, which brought in $12,600 of illegal fireworks, during their sweeps. The first offense brings a $100 citation, the second offense $200, and the third $400.
If you, or your minor children, use illegal fireworks and cause damage to the property of someone else, you can be held liable for the damage, the injuries, and the cost of putting the fire out. These costs can easily run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Steps to safer use of fireworks include:
*Be prepared before lighting fireworks: keep water available by using a garden hose or bucket of water.
*Use only legal fireworks purchased at a licensed fireworks stand in Oregon.
*Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.
*Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak in a bucket of water before disposal.
For more information on the safe use of fireworks check our website: http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/
Or the website of the Oregon State Fire Marshal:
http://www.oregon.gov/OSP/SFM/
Portland Fire & Rescue and the Portland Police want everyone to have a safe Independence Day.
Firefighters Honor Fallen Heros at the 98th Annual Campbell Memorial - 06/26/09 >What: Campbell Memorial Service
When: Friday, 10:00 a.m, June 26th
Where: Campbell Memorial, 19th and West Burnside
For nearly one-hundred years now, Portland Fire & Rescue has taken a moment each June, on the anniversary of the death of Chief David Campbell, to honor firefighters who have died in the line of duty.
Join Fire Commissioner Randy Leonard and Fire Chief John Klum and Campbell Memorial Trustees as they pay tribute to Portland's fallen heroes.
Photo opportunities: The 2009 Firefighter of the Year, Robert Lemon will ring the bell for fallen Portland firefighters, presentation of flower wreath, national anthem sung by Ms. Kita Montgomery, Bagpipes played by Firefighter Rick McCaul, Taps performed by a member of the Mel Brown orchestra Derek Sims, platoon of firefighters in dress uniform, Portland Fire & Rescue Honor Guard.
The Campbell Memorial was established in 1913 to perpetuate the memory of Portland's heroic Fire Chief David Campbell, who died in a building collapse after ordering all firefighters from the burning building. A memorial to fallen firefighters was also created, as well as an awards program to honor Portland firefighters who have performed outstanding acts of heroism while in the performance of assigned duties.
#PF&R#
Portland Firefighters Respond to 2 Alarm Fire in West Hills. - 06/24/09 >On Wednesday June 24th at about 1:00 pm Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue responded to the report of a BBQ grill on fire and extending to the house. The house is located at 13516 NW Glendoveer Dr.
Firefighters encountered several challenges in bringing the fight to this fire. The response time, because of the location, was longer than usual giving the fire a huge advantage. The water supply had to be supplemented by laying fire hose approximately 1/2 mile down to the water main on Skyline Blvd. And the fire could only be attacked from the front of the home because of the vegetation and steep slope in the back.
When firefighters arrived they reported heavy smoke and fire in the back of the home and the attic. Firefighters made an aggressive attack on the fire from inside the home and the roof. Because of the extent of the fire, the fire commanders began to question the safety of their firefighters because of the rapidly deteriorating structural stability of the home.
Firefighters withdrew from the home for about 30 minutes dousing the fire from a safe distance. When they had control of the spread they again entered the home and completely extinguished the fire.
There were initial concerns of fire extending to Forest Park, but because of recent wet weather and excellent work by firefighters the fire was contained to the structure.
Fire Investigators have determined that the fire was accidental and caused by "Improper use of a gas appliance (grill)." Damage is set at $700,000 FOR THE CONTENTS AND $700,000 for the structure.
First Alarm 12:59 pm
Crews Arrived 1:10 pm
Second Alarm 1:23 pm
Recalled 2:28 pm
Firefighters will be on scene for several hours extinguishing hot spots.
64 firefighters responded to this fire.
8 Engines
3 Trucks
5 Chief Officers
2 Fire Investigators
3 Emergency Vehicle Technicians
And several support staff
Citizens are reminded to prevent a similar tragedy in your home to follow the directions for operating and lighting your BBQ grill whether it uses charcoal, wood or gas. Always double check to see that connections are tight and there are no leaks and that any thing that can burn is kept well away from the grill.
Fatal Apartment Fire in North Portland - 06/21/09 >UPDATE: 5:23pm on 6/21/2009
The man killed in the apartment fire has been identified as Thomas Monell Gibson, born in 1955.
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At 11:31 pm on Saturday, June 20th, Portland Fire and Rescue crews were dispatched to an apartment fire at 5811 North Lombard. The first engine arrived at 11:33 pm to find lots of fire and smoke coming from a second story apartment. Fire crews quickly got hoses stretched to the apartment and began putting the fire out while other fire crews began evacuating the other apartments.
2 adult males were found that had injuries due to the fire in the apartment. Both adult males were transported to Emanuel Hospital, one in critical condition and the other with minor injuries. A third occupant of the apartment did not make it out of the apartment. The adult male was pronounced dead on scene.
Fire crews stopped the fire from spreading from the apartment where the fire had started. However, fire suppression efforts affected one other apartment and the American Red Cross sheltered the occupants.
The cause of the fire was determined to be an overloaded electrical outlet. There were also no working smoke detectors in the apartment.
The fire caused approximately $80,000 damage to the apartment.
Dispatched Time: 2331
Arrival Time: 2333
Fire Controlled: 2356
39 firefighters called to scene:
2 Trucks
5 Engines
4 Chief Officers
4 Fire Investigators
1 Rehabilitation Unit
1 PIO
Portland Fire & Rescue recommends that electrical outlets not be overloaded. Only plug in the number of plugs that the outlet contains, normally 2. If a power strip is added, we recommend that another power strip not be plugged into the first power strip. Too much electrical draw on a circuit can cause a fire.
Portland Fire & Rescue also recommends replacing your smoke detector if it is more than 10 years old. The sensing mechanism will lose its effectiveness after 10 years, and it can become clogged with dust. We also recommend installing a smoke detector on each floor, and one outside of each sleeping area. If you sleep with your bedroom door closed you should have a smoke detector in the room.
IPortland Fire & Rescue Inspector Don Porth to receive Liberty Mutual Firemark Award for Community Service. - 06/11/09 >What: Inspector Don Porth will receive the
When: Thursday, June 11 at 9 a.m.
Where: Belmont Firehouse Safety Learning Center & Fire Museum, 900 Southeast 35th Avenue (at Belmont).
Why: Liberty Mutual Insurance will recognize Public Education Officer Don Porth of Portland Fire & Rescue for his 25 year career of putting out fires before they start through educational programs for Portland families. Also, to bring attention to his accomplishments which includes the creation of the Belmont Learning Center, a converted firehouse where residents can learn about fire safety and prevention.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Porth, who has held the positions of firefighter, juvenile firesetter specialist, public education officer and fire inspector, also chairs the Metro Injury Prevention Coalition and manages SOS Fires, an educational website focused on juvenile fire setting intervention.
About the Liberty Mutual Firemark Award
The Liberty Mutual Firemark Award is presented annually to firefighters throughout the country who best represent their communities through courageous acts and who best demonstrate the firefighter's selfless spirit. And as a local Liberty Mutual Firemark Award winner, Public Education Officer Don Porth will be considered for the 2009 Liberty Mutual National Firemark Award. Two national winners – one honored for heroism, the other for community service/public education – will each receive a $10,000 grant from Liberty Mutual for their fire departments.
The Liberty Mutual Firemark Award takes its name from the firemark, a leaden plate in the form of a Phoenix rising from the ashes, which American fire offices in the 18th and 19th centuries used to mark all the houses they insured. The firemark stood as a guarantee to all fire brigades that the insurance company that insured the house in question would reward handsomely the brigade extinguishing a fire on the premises.
To nominate a firefighter for a Liberty Mutual Firemark Award or for life-saving tips and resources, visit www.befiresmart.com.
