October - Clackamas Fire District #1

Clackamas Fire’s Community Newsletter
Clackamas Fire District #1 www.clackamasfire.com October 2013
Message from the Chief, Fred Charlton Tis the season for giving... Clackamas Fire is preparing for several upcoming events to help those in need this holiday
season. Since 1974, Clackamas Fire has been organizing an annual Operation Santa Claus toy and food drive to help
support our community. Each year we collect new unwrapped toys and canned food through our parades, donations by
businesses, and drop offs at our community fire stations. This year, we have added an additional three parade routes
for a total of 15. When you hear the sirens and see lights of our fire apparatus and do not smell smoke, we are stopping
by to collect food and toys for those less fortunate. Please visit us at www.clackamasfire.com for more details.
We are also supporting two community-based organizations through an internal coat, blanket, hat, and glove drive. Our
employees and volunteers are working together to help support the Feed the Hungry, Inc. program in Milwaukie and the
Clackamas Service Center in Clackamas by donating new items for those in need. Last year, we collected over 100
coats and blankets for the Feed the Hungry program and this year we have added the Clackamas Service Center.
Hands Only CPR Training Update Clackamas Fire District #1 has partnered with Cascade Healthcare Services to provide
Hands Only CPR and AED training to health classes in the middle schools of North
Clackamas School District. These classes include Happy Valley Middle School, Rock
Creek Middle School, Alder Creek Middle School, and Rowe Middle School. Every
semester this year, each of the school’s health classes will receive Hands Only CPR and
AED training.
An inflatable CPR manikin is included in each of the 122 Hands Only CPR kits, which
were purchased thanks to a generous donation by the Clackamas Emergency Services
Foundation. Students use this manikin to practice and develop their Hands Only CPR
skills. Once a student completes their training in Health Class, they are tasked with
taking the kit home and teaching a minimum of three friends or family members Hands
Only CPR. In order to receive a grade in the class, the student must return signatures of
those they taught, and the Hands Only CPR kit back to their teacher.
Our goal by the end of the school year is to teach every seventh and eighth grade health
student in North Clackamas School District, which number approximately 2,500 students,
and with these students each teaching Hands On CPR to at least three people, over
10,000 people will ultimately be reached with Hands Only CPR training this school year.
Inside this issue Chiefs Message………………………...1 Board of Directors…………………….2 Employee Highlights …………….....3 Safety/Public Education…………....4 Health and Safety……………………..4 Go Pink ……………………………...…….5 Fire Prevention ………..……………...6 Station Activities……………….…….10 Since we began this program, the health classes for Clackamas High School as well as
Gardiner Middle School in Oregon City have been scheduled to receive Hands Only
CPR and AED training.
Students at Rock Creek
Middle School practicing
Hands On CPR.
1 Message from the Board of Directors The following took place at the October 21, 2013 Board of Directors’ meeting:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between American Medical Response (AMR) and the Fire District
was presented to the Board. The MOU outlines the areas that CFD1 could be included in the proposed
contract between AMR and Clackamas County regarding ambulance service. It was determined that more
time was needed to review the contract and that a Board work session would be scheduled to further discuss
these documents.
Board Committee assignments were announced.
Capital Projects: Don Trotter & Marilyn Wall
Clackamas County Coordinating Committee (C-4): John Blanton; Alt. Dave McTeague
EMS/EMS Consortium: Dave McTeague & Marilyn Wall
Executive Committee: Don Trotter & Marilyn Wall
Foundation: John Blanton; Alt. Don Trotter
Legislative: John Blanton & Thomas Joseph
Interagency: Thomas Joseph & Don Trotter
Swearing‐in Ceremony On Tuesday, October 29, 2013, Clackamas Fire welcomed six new employees into the Fire District family at a formal
“Swearing In” ceremony. Five career firefighters and one Fire Inspector took the oath for their new positions in front
of a packed room of family, friends, elected officials and firefighters at the Clackamas Fire Training Center. Keeping
with fire service tradition, upon completing the firefighter and inspector oath, a family member came forward to pin on
the badge of the newly appointed firefighters and inspector. The new firefighters began their training academy that
same day and will be hitting the line to begin serving the community by the middle of November. Please join us in
congratulating these six new employees as they begin their careers with Clackamas Fire.
Following are the new hires and where they worked prior to coming to work for CFD1:
Firefighter Alex Carey - Resident of Keizer and coming to us from McMinnville Fire Dept.
Firefighter Neil Clasen - Resident of West Linn and coming to us from AMR.
Firefighter Jeffrey Joles - Coming to us from the City of Baker City Fire Dept.
Firefighter Drew Lisac - Resident of Clackamas and coming to us from Boring/Clackamas
Volunteers and Sah-ha-lee Golf Course.
Firefighter Kerry Owen - Resident of Damascus and coming to us from Boring/Clackamas
Volunteers and Mackin Auto Body.
Fire Inspector Matt Amos - Coming to us from Santee, California.
Chief Charlton swearing-in the new firefighters
(L to R): Kerry Owen, Drew Lisac, Neil Clasen,
Alex Carey and Jeffrey Joles.
Chief Charlton swearing-in Fire
Inspector Matt Amos.
2 Employee Highlights Wellness Assistant Alicia McVicker
I have been working at Clackamas Fire for six years this coming January. My
title is Wellness Assistant. I am responsible for developing and delivering
wellness talks, health coaching, injury record management, assisting with
occupational health and fitness testing, and various other activities to assist the
Wellness Coordinator.
I feel truly lucky to hold a job that compliments my education and past
experience. It is wonderful to work with a population that values their health
and to be part of an organization that does so much great work for our
community. Before I began working at Clackamas Fire, I was a health educator
for a hospital-based weight and health management program that worked
primarily with obese and morbidly obese patients.
I have a wonderful family that all live locally. My dad is retired from the produce
business and my mom is a medical technologist at Providence Portland. I am
the oldest of three girls. One sister is married and is a stay-a-home mom to my
Alicia McVicker six month-old nephew. My other sister is a RN at Meridian Park. I also have a
very large extended family with whom I spend a lot of time. My dad is actually one of 12 children, so I have LOTS of
aunts, uncles and cousins!
In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, home and garden projects, running, snowshoeing
and reading.
Something that most people may not know about me is that I have never seen the movie Star Wars… sorry Jed!
Lieutenant Keith Smith
I have worked for Clackamas Fire for 22, almost 23 wonderful years. I am a
lieutenant with the Fire District. I start my new job as a Temporary Duty (TDY)
Training Officer in November. Prior to that, I was an apparatus operator for 16
years. I had the opportunity to go into the Training Division in 2007 for two
years as an Assistant Training Officer (ATO). I thoroughly enjoyed that work
and learned so much there. I am looking forward to the challenges of this new
position!
As a child, I always wanted to be a “Public Servant” and was attracted to
exciting careers like solder, police officer and firefighter. My first real
exposure to the fire service was a burn-to-learn in 1985 at the age of 19. A
buddy of mine was a volunteer for Nestucca Rural Fire District in South
Tillamook County. He invited me to come and watch. They threw me in
turnouts and a pack and put me in the fire! I was hooked from that day
forward.
Keith Smith
My wife and I have been married for 23 years. She is a RN for Silverton
Hospital and we have four children. I really have been blessed with an
excellent family! I enjoy being involved in their activities and watching them learn (even when it’s the hard way).
They have all learned my sarcasm!
I have coached baseball, football and even soccer! (Who knew that was a sport.) My family and I are very involved
in our church when it comes to outreach. I currently coordinate work parties for people in our community when
someone comes to the pastor, mayor or local community aid looking for help, they contact me and I set up a work
party. I love rural fire operations! There, I said it! (Can’t pick your fetish – it picks you!) I have been teaching and
learning rural water supply for about the past 10 years.
I have a five acre farm and enjoy raising animals and vegetables. I am not a prepper, but I love sustainability! I am
always looking for ways to make our little farm more sustainable and pay for itself. I enjoy anytime I am in the
outdoors. I enjoy it even more when I am alone. God and I have our best talks then.
I am known as “Pee” at District 1. It began as P.P. People always ask me where it came from. The story is not all
that cool. When I was on probation, I was Capt. Gary Poston’s Proby. See? BORING! Since then I have been
Pee, The Pee, The driver formally known as Pee, ATOP, and LTP.
Some things that people may not know about me is that I was a Glee kid in high school! I was in all of the plays. In
the musical, Bye Bye Birdy, I was the dad (Mr. Macafee) and had two solos.
Oh yeah! I was the class clown my senior year.
3 Safety/Public Education Clackamas Fire District #1 held Fire Station Open Houses on October 12th and 19th during Fire Prevention Month.
This year’s Fire Prevention theme was “Preventing Kitchen Fires,” since cooking fires are a leading cause of
residential fires. Fire Station Open Houses provide families with fire and life safety information and offer an
opportunity for the community to explore the local fire station, see fire apparatus and firefighting equipment, meet
local firefighters, and even win prizes! The final 2013 Clackamas Fire District #1 Fire Station Open House took place
on Saturday, October 26th at Fire Station 6 in Happy Valley.
Health and Safety Exercise Improves Sleep
(Excerpt from the September 2013 Wellness Update)
Results of a recent poll might offer a solution for those suffering from poor sleep quality. The findings present yet
another benefit of exercising regularly.
Produced by the National Sleep Foundation, the 2013 Sleep in America poll gathered responses from a sampling of
adults, aged 23-60, who were asked about exercise levels and sleep quality. Here is a rundown of what the poll
found:
 More than 75 percent of exercisers reported good or fairly good sleep in the weeks leading up to the poll
compared with 56 percent of non-exercisers.
 The majority of vigorous exercisers – defined as those participating in activities like cycling, running,
swimming, or competition – rarely experienced insomnia symptoms. Half of non-exercisers said they woke
during the night and 24 percent had difficulty falling asleep every night or almost every night.
 Non-exercisers tended to feel the most “sleepy” on a regular basis and to have more symptoms of sleep
apnea.
 Those who sat for less than eight hours per day were more likely to report “very good” sleep quality than
those sitting for longer periods of time.
Source: IDEA Fitness Journal, June 2013
4 Entry Level Firefighting Testing Process Joint Boring and Clackamas Entry Level Firefighting testing has concluded with the official list being certified at the
October 22, 2013 Quarterly Civil Service Meeting. Of the original 358 applicants, 278 moved on to the written exam
that took place September 20th and 21st. The top 121 applicants scored high enough to move on to the physical
ability testing and oral interviews, which took place September 30th through October 4th. Final placement on the
certified list consisted of scoring made up of 50% from the written exam and 50% from oral interviews. In total, 70
applicants made the certified list with a passing score of 80% or higher on the testing/interview process. Chief
interviews were held October 23rd and 24th. Chief Charlton has indicated that conditional offers of employment for
this initial group of hires will be extended in late November 2013. Congratulations on a job well done to each of our
applicants, and sincere thanks to all of the Boring and Clackamas Fire staff who participated in the testing process
during the past weeks.
Go Pink On October 23, 2013, Clackamas Fire joined in the fight against breast cancer and the ongoing effort during
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, by "Going Pink." For this special day, all firefighters, staff, volunteers
and board members wore a pink t-shirt in an effort to raise awareness throughout the community. The firefighters
were very visible in their pink shirts at community events, various trainings and emergency responses throughout
the Fire District.
This was the first year that Clackamas Fire participated in wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness.
Outfitting of all the firefighters, staff and volunteers was made possible through generous donations from the
Clackamas County Professional Firefighters Local 1159, the Boring/Clackamas Volunteer Firefighters Association
and Northwest Safety Clean. To further support the awareness and research effort, Clackamas County Professional
Firefighters Local 1159 also donated an additional $1,000 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Thank you all for
joining us in supporting this great cause!
Firefighters, Volunteers and staff “Going Pink” on
October 23, 2013
5 Station 11 Hit by Vehicle On Friday afternoon, October 4, 2013, a motor vehicle travelling on Henrici Road lost its breaking ability and ran into
Fire Station 11. The vehicle entered the building through the closed apparatus bay doors where Engine 11 is
normally parked, traveled through the apparatus bay, and came to rest at the back of the bay. The vehicle caused
significant damage to the bay doors, turnout room and decal design room. Fortunately, at the time of the incident,
Engine 11 was out on an unrelated call and the driver of the vehicle was uninjured. Due to the extent of damage to
the building, the Fire Station Open House, scheduled for Saturday, October 5, had to be cancelled while repairs
could be made. Redland Fire Station 11 remained fully functional during the repair process and continued to
provide emergency coverage for the community and its citizens.
Fire Prevention Backyard Burning
Effective October 1, 2013, backyard burning has reopened until December 15, 2013, unless otherwise noted.
Backyard burning is the burning of organic yard debris on the property of origin, on approved burn days, during
approved burn hours, as indicated by the daily Clackamas Fire District #1 (CFD1) burn message (503-632-0211).
Backyard burning is only allowed on property located outside of the DEQ Burn Ban Area (Open Burning Control
Area) and is not recommended in compact housing developments. The approval to conduct backyard burning can
be withdrawn by CFD1 or DEQ for unlawful burning such as: burning prohibited materials, fire safety violations or
burning on non-approved days. A City of Happy Valley Burn Permit is also required within the City of Happy
Valley.
Backyard burning materials must be dried, loosely stacked, (to provide adequate
air supply) and periodically re-stacked to ensure good combustion, therefore,
avoiding smoldering fires. Best burning practices must be followed to ensure
efficient burning and limit smoke output. If the smoke or odor emission affects
others, the fire must be extinguished. Materials prohibited from burning include,
but are not limited to; garbage, plastic, rubber, petroleum treated materials and
any material that creates dense smoke and noxious odors.
Backyard burn piles can be no larger than 10’x10’x10’ and must be a minimum of
50 feet from a structure or other combustible materials. A maximum of two burn
piles may be burned at any one time if space allows. All backyard burning fires
must be extinguished by the Fires-Out Time, which means no flames or smoke at the end of the established
burn hours.
For more information, please visit our website at www.clackamasfire.com or contact the Fire Prevention Division at
(503) 742-2660.
6 Emergency Management
7 Fire Prevention (cont.) Great ShakeOut
On October 17, 2013, thousands of Oregonians participated in the “Drop, Cover, and Hold On” earthquake drill. All
local governments were encouraged to participate in the drill. The ShakeOut provided an opportunity to practice what
to do in the event of an earthquake and to serve as a catalyst for disaster preparedness.
Drop-Cover-Hold Exercise:
Fire District administrative, support and line personnel were all encouraged to submit photos of their teammates
participating in the drill. Photos were judged and five lucky participants received coffee gift cards. The Emergency
Manager visited several stations the morning of the event and discussed the exercise and general earthquake safety
with Fire District personnel.
Fire Inspector Matt Amos
Fire Prevention Administrative
Assistant Kasey DeLair
Training Officer Tom
Crowder, Assistant
Training Officer Justin
Colvin, Assistant
Training Officer Matt
Kilgras
Amateur Radio Exercise:
Members of the CARES amateur radio group performed a systems check and general inventory of all HAM radios
on District property. CARES leadership provided the Emergency Manager with an after action review (AAR) of their
activities and a list of issues that need to be addressed. Overall, the CARES team was successful in meeting the
mission of testing all fixed District HAM equipment and deploying a mobile radio package as well.
Happy Valley EOC Support:
Captain Michael Carlsen served as the Fire Liaison to the Happy Valley EOC. Captain Carlsen provided the
Incident Command with general hazard analysis, plume modeling, emergency action recommendations and
evacuation/shelter in place recommendations. Capt. Carlsen participated in the AAR and was instrumental in
helping city leadership identify areas of needed growth.
8 Fire Prevention (cont.) Fire Investigations
Date: 8/15/2013 9:15:53 PM
Address: Address = 9220 SE Fuller Rd. Happy
Valley, OR 97086
Investigator(s): McGladery
Type of Fire: Building Fire
Fire Area of Origin: Wall surface: exterior
Fire Cause: Unintentional
Estimated Dollar Loss: $100,000
Date: 10/10/2013 4:13:12 PM
Address: Address = 2710 SE Courtney Ave.
Milwaukie, OR 97267
Investigator(s): Shanklin
Type of Fire: Building Fire
Fire Area of Origin: (blank)
Fire Cause: (blank)
Estimated Dollar Loss: (blank)
Date: 9/10/2013 7:16:24 PM
Address: Address = 20252 S Jasan Dr. Oregon
City, OR 97045
Investigator(s): Olson
Type of Fire: Building Fire
Fire Area of Origin: Bedroom - < 5 persons;
included are jail or prison
Fire Cause: Unintentional
Estimated Dollar Loss: $115,000
Date: 10/14/2013 9:19:33 PM
Address: Address = 10506 SE 82nd Ave. Happy
Valley, OR 97086
Investigator(s): McIntosh
Type of Fire: OUTSIDE Dumpster fire
Fire Area of Origin: Shipping/receiving area;
loading area, dock or bay
Fire Cause: Intentional
Estimated Dollar Loss: $1,500
Date: 9/27/2013 12:39:53 PM
Address: Address = 16205 SE Mckinley Ave.
Clackamas, OR 97015
Investigator(s): Olson
Type of Fire: Building Fire
Fire Area of Origin: Common room, den, family
room, living room, lounge
Fire Cause: Intentional
Estimated Dollar Loss: $190,000
9 Station Activities Clackamas Fire District #1
Station Summary Reports According to the Cities/Towns in the District
September 2013
(Including Mutual Aid Given)
Beavercreek/Clarkes Area
Station 10 - Beavercreek Fire Station
 Station 10 attended a public relations event at the Clarkes Community picnic.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 10 in September = 58
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 28
Number of Fires = 8
Other = 22
Station 13 – Clarkes Fire Station
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 13 in September = 25
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 13
Number of Fires = 2
Other = 10
City of Milwaukie Area
Station 1 – Town Center Fire Station
 Station 1 provided several impromptu station tours.
 Attended the grand opening for Goodwill.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 1 in September = 233
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 149
Number of Fires = 20
Other = 64
Station 2 – Milwaukie Fire Station
 Station 2 provided blood pressure checks at Hillside Manor.
 Attended the City of Milwaukie’s 75th Anniversary Jubilee.
 Attended the 9-11 appreciation luncheon at Royalton Place.
 Participated in Feed the Hungry event at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
 Attended the Lumberjack Breakfast at the Milwaukie Senior Center.
 Conducted fire station/engine tour for two children and one adult.
 Conducted a fire station/engine tour for three adults.
 Installed two smoke detectors.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 2 in September = 166
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 101
Number of Fires =9
Other = 56
9 Station Activities (cont.) Station 3 – Oak Grove Fire Station
 Station 3 conducted three station tours.
 Attended a public relations event at Riverside Elementary School.
 Installed four smoke alarms.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 3 in September = 292
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 211
Number of Fires = 4
Other = 77
Station 4 – Lake Road Fire Station
 Station 4 attended the promotional ceremony for Captain Carlsen.
 Helped with maintenance at Willamette National Cemetery Halyard with aerial on Truck 4.
 Attended the Lumberjack Breakfast at the Milwaukie Senior Center.
 Attended the retirement ceremony for Lt. Armstrong.
 Hosted an auctioned birthday party celebration for a five year-old.
 Attended a public relations event at Bilquist Elementary School with the Fire Marshal’s Office.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 4 in September = 145
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 83
Number of Fires = 14
Other = 48
City of Happy Valley Area
Station 5 - Mt. Scott Fire Station
 Station 5 hosted four Volunteer ride-a-longs.
 Conducted two short notice tours of four children each.
 Hosted several Volunteers who were preparing for the firefighter entry-level hiring process.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 5 in September = 172
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 106
Number of Fires = 15
Other = 51
Station 6 – Happy Valley Fire Station
 Station 6 fielded numerous walk-in and telephone requests for assistance during the month, such as
smoke/CO alarm advice, recreational burn advice and driving directions.
 Many smoke alarms were tested at the completion of calls.
 Attended the Happy Valley Concert in the Park and volunteer appreciation awards.
 Attended the Second Annual Happy Valley Park Military Appreciation Day and Awards Ceremony.
Additionally, assisted in a motorcycle show entertaining the troops.
 Conducted a fire station/engine tour for preschool students and teachers.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 5 in September = 87
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 55
Number of Fires = 8
Other = 24
10 Station Activities (cont.) City of Happy Valley/City of Damascus Area
Station 7 – Pleasant Valley Fire Station
 Station 7 attended the Vern Duncan Middle School First Annual Fund Raiser.
 Hosted two station tours of 30 children each from Scouter’s Mountain kindergarten.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 7 in September = 93
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 47
Number of Fires = 18
Other = 28
Station 8 - Clackamas Fire Station
 Station 8 provided an engine company tour for four people at Fred Meyer.
 Water Rescue 8 participated in a media event promoting water safety at Clackamette Park.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 8 in September = 130
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 75
Number of Fires = 13
Other = 42
Logan/Redland Area
Station 11 - Redland Fire Station
 Station 11 helped with citizen drop-ins such as blood pressure checks, directions, burning information,
etc.
 The Deininger family joined E11’s crew for the 9-11 activities.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 11 in September = 51
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 24
Number of Fires = 11
Other = 16
Station 12 – Logan Fire Station
 Station 12 provided miscellaneous citizen contacts when staffed.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 12 in September = 10
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 3
Number of Fires = 6
Other = 1
11 Station Activities (cont.) City of Oregon City Area
Station 9 - Holcomb Fire Station
 Station 9 aided a stranded motorist on the side of the road on Holcomb Blvd. E9 was returning from a
call and found a SUV with its hazards on and partially in the road. It was raining and windy outside. The
vehicle had run out or fuel and the driver was stranded with herself and her small child trying to contact
her husband. #9 utilized one of its fuel cans and gave the motorist two gallons of fuel to get to the
nearest gas station. Her car started right up and she was able to get out of the weather and drive to a
gas station.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 9 in September = 87
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 44
Number of Fires = 8
Other = 35
Station 15 - John Adams Fire Station
 Station 15 conducted a station tour for five people.
 Conducted a station tour for 16 people.
 Participated in the Oregon City Safety Fair.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 15 in September = 136
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 80
Number of Fires = 6
Other = 50
Station 16 - Hilltop Fire Station
 Station 16 participated in the Oregon City Safety Fair.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 16 in September = 162
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 100
Number of Fires = 11
Other = 51
Station 17 – South End Station
 Station 17 conducted a fire station tour to five children and three adults.
 Participated in a fund-raising event for Hurricane Katrina survivors at Burgerville.
September
Total Number of Responses for Station 17 in September = 77
Number of Medical Aid Calls = 50
Number of Fires = 8
Other = 19
District-wide
Total number of calls during September
Total number of calls January – September 2013
2012
1,415
12,528
2013
1,460
12,916
12