Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro, OR

Hillsboro Opens Replacement Fire Station

2012-01-26T16:17:00.000-08:00

Hillsboro Fire Department opened its newest fire station today with a brief flag raising ceremony just after lunch.

The 13,458-square foot, low profile station will be the replacement for the aging Parkwood Fire Station, which was built in the 1970s as a temporary fire station and fails to meet seismic standards for public safety buildings. The Jones Farm Fire Station is located at 2850 NE 25th Avenue on land leased from the Port of Portland.

“We have met the directive of our policy makers with the improved response times and services with this new station,” said Fire Chief Greg Nelson. “It will be serving the citizens of Hillsboro for decades.”

The facility was staffed with firefighters hired as a result of the Local Option Tax.. They moved from the Parkwood Fire Station.

The “soft opening” of the new station came without much fanfare today due to the recent spate of inclement weather. Workers from Northwest Industrial Services providing the moving vans and staff to move equipment and supplies from from other locations.

“We’re planning an open house for this summer when the weather is better and residents can enjoy coming by to meet the firefighters and tour the station,” said Public Information Officer Storm Smith.

The Jones Farm Fire Station was designed by Group Mackenzie of Portland. It was built by P-and-C Construction of Portland to LEED Gold energy efficient standards to help reduce utility costs and the city’s carbon footprint.

Construction costs of $3.2-million were funded by Recovery Zone Bonds that the City issued in November 2010. The bonds will be repaid over 20 years with Strategic Investment Program revenues.

In addition to the fire engine and crew, department leaders will move a battalion chief from the Downtown Fire Station and the ladder truck and crew from the Ronler Fire Station to Jones Farm. Crews arrived at their new station today and selected their lockers and bunk rooms.

“Centrally locating these other two resources will help us meet our response time goals within nationally recognized standards,” said Chief Nelson.

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue currently operates from five stations strategically located throughout the city to provide fire and emergency medical services to the more than 92,000 citizens.

Hillsboro Fire Chief Wins Celebrity Bell Ringing Fund Raising Contest

2011-12-20T17:04:00.000-08:00

Yes, we “smoked them!” That was one comment following our fund-raising Celebrity Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army on December 20th at the Civic Center Plaza. It lasted just one hour (noon – 1:00), but Hillsboro Fire and Rescue's Chief Greg Nelson raised more than both the Police Chief and the Mayor combined!

Our red kettle overflowed with more than $1,248 in contributions from citizens, city employees, firefighters, staff and the firefighters’ union, IAFF Local 2210. Our thanks go out to each and every person who contributed.

The mayor laid down the gauntlet early by circulating flyers depicting Hillsboro Fire Chief Greg Nelson and Police Chief Carey Sullivan as his two

elf helpers

. Not to be outdone, firefighters from Truck-3 elevated the Mayor’s collection kettle….about 10-feet in the air! (It was lowered to its normal position by competition time).

Here are our celebrity totals (actually, paper money only because no one wanted to count the coins):

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Chief Greg Nelson $1,248
Hillsboro Police Chief Carey Sullivan $632
Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey $271

When the Salvation Army counted all the coins, the one hour effort totaled $2,277.75. A great effort to help needy people in the Portland! Thanks for everyone’s help!

9-11 Memorial Plaque and Tiles

2011-08-31T14:39:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire will be placing a plaque at the base of the flagpole at the Cherry Lane Fire Station this week in observance of the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on 9-11. The rock the plaque will be attached to was donated by American Landscape Supply. Retired Hillsboro Fire Lieutenant Larry Yakymi milled the rock and attached the stone.

   On Sunday, September 11, 2011, Hillsboro Fire will invite the public into the Cherry Lane Fire Station No. 6 for an open house. There will be refreshments and tours around the fire station.

   In addition to the 9-11 plaque, the station tours will highlight the roughly 400 tiles created by students at Patterson Elementary School in 2002. The tiles, two per student, were created to show what the students felt in the wake of September 11, 2001, and what they thought the future held. They were to be for a memorial site at the Oregon Zoo. However, funding for that project never materialized. Patterson Elementary parent volunteer Shannon Rubeo has spearheaded a campaign to get the student’s work placed in a public building or place. This past month, with a combination of volunteer and on-duty efforts, firefighters placed the tiles on a wall in the Cherry Lane Fire Station where anyone touring the station will be able to see.

   We hope you can attend the open house, Sunday, September 11, 2011, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at 21880 NW Cherry Lane.

Technical Rescue Crew Pulls Hunter to Safety

2011-08-30T13:46:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue’s Technical Rescue resources were dispatched Monday afternoon (8/29/11) to a report of a deer hunter who had fallen over a cliff in a remote area of northwestern Washington County. Our firefighters responded along with Banks Fire District crews to a section of timber managed by Longview Timber off of Sherman Hills Road. The hunter was reportedly okay and was communicating with emergency dispatchers via cell phone. He had fallen about 100 feet down a brushy, steep hillside and had caught himself on a tree limb just before he was about to fall nearly straight down another 40-feet.

Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Charter was able to locate 32-year old Jason Henry of Beaverton. Henry was blowing a whistle to help rescuers locate him.

Hillsboro Tech Rescue crews sent two firefighters down on ropes to assess Henry and ensure he was uninjured. Banks Firefighters and the remaining HFD crew set up a rope haul system to pull Henry and the two firefighters back up to the cliff top. He was unhurt.

Henry told firefighters he was bow hunting and was tracking a deer when he fell over the cliff’s edge. He was carrying water, a whistle, a knife and a cell phone. All of those items helped him survive this incident.

Training for Rescues Below Ground

2011-07-28T16:35:00.000-07:00

When the word rescue comes to mind, most people think of over a cliff, in the water or trapped in a smashed car. For some firefighters, it also means rescuing people below ground. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue conducted a Trench Rescue Technician course this week for our younger firefighters and for any firefighters in the region who wanted to attain that additional certification.
Held this week at our Cherry Lane Fire Station No. 6 and Training Center, the class focused on the newest Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) rules for firefighters building shoring in preparation for a below ground rescue. Most often, these incidents occur when constructions crews either forget or take shortcuts to installing proper collapse prevention equipment when digging below ground for buildings or utility lines. When the ground collapses on top of a person, crush trauma may occur and firefighters are in a race against time for several reasons:

1. If the patient’s head is buried, the lack of oxygen may kill the person within minutes.
2. The crushing pressure on large portions of the body decreases oxygen to the blood and triggers cells to release large quantities of toxins into the blood stream which can cause renal failure, liver damage, breathing problems and cardiac arrest.

Firefighters must balance the need to speedily rescue the patient while maintaining their own safety in an environment which has already proven unstable. The skills they learned this week help them to quickly building shoring, deploy rescue shoring bracing and use the latest equipment and techniques to safely rescue a trapped worker.

Prepare for the Worst Case!

2011-06-06T16:06:00.000-07:00

We never know when it will happen—a bus accident, a chemical leak or a terrorist incident. There are many scenarios that could produce a Mass Casualty Incident or MCI. The goal in an MCI is to triage the injuries, provide immediate temporary treatment in the field to the largest number of salvageable patients and transport all patients to the hospitals in the most expeditious manner possible. This requires leadership, teamwork and coordination.

Our drill this week in Hillsboro involved Hillsboro Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire & Rescue, Washington County Fire District No. 2, Metro West Ambulance and Life Flight Air Ambulance. The mission was to practice this low frequency incident that can easily overwhelm first responders. Our incidents have differed each day. Usually, they involved a school bus filled with students. A collision (simulated) occurs with another vehicle or possibly two to three other vehicles of varying types. Students from various Hillsboro high schools and other volunteers presented simulated injuries with the aid of moulage, makeup and prosthetics applied to the body to simulate trauma injuries. The firefighters first arriving on the scene had to quickly set up a command structure and triage the patients. The incident commander had to order additional resources that would arrive in time to help them get the most seriously injured to area hospitals within the first hour following the crash. That often requires a well choreographed process of extricating mangled bodies from crunched cars without doing more harm.

The incident commander must delegate many tasks to firefighters trained in their respective tasks. Some will provide treatment to the patients. Others will coordinate the large number of ambulances required to transport 15 to 20 patients from a single incident. All this has to occur while ensuring everyone is operating in a safe manner.

Our thanks go to the citizens served by all of the agencies taking part in this week’s drill. Your support of them helps make the public safety network we all rely upon much stronger.

Glencoe High SKID Program

2011-05-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

The 1600 students and teachers of Glencoe High School packed their football field stands for a special presentation by public safety agencies. The program is designed to keep teens alive through the prom season. Dubbed SKID, which stands for Stop Kids Intoxicated Driving, portrays a fatal, two car accident that follows several teenagers' involvement with the use of alcohol.

The scenes are graphic. They are intended to convey the tragedy of such an incident and leave a lasting impression. Firefighters from Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, along with officers from Hillsboro Police and Washington County Sheriff’s Office, teamed up with Metro West Ambulance, Life Flight, the Washington County Medical Examiner’s office and Fuiten, Rose and Hoyt Funeral Home to make the dramatization complete.

From the looks on students’ faces afterwards, the event had an impact. We are always hopeful that the prom season will pass without a tragic incident.

From the Washington County Sheriff’s Office web site: Since its creation in 1998, under the leadership of Retired Deputy Tim Moore, an average of six to nine SKID events have been staged each year on Washington County high school campuses. This has allowed approximately 82,000 students to participate in the SKID Program. During this same time period, a review of available data has found that there were seven alcohol-related traffic crashes in Washington County involving teen drivers. Of these, two led to traffic fatalities. Although any number of traffic crashes involving young people is unacceptable, the SKID Program has been effective in reinforcing the message that underage drinking puts young people in dangerous situations and can bring on disastrous and fatal consequences.

Quack! means Help!

2011-05-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

Engine 5 rescued 2 baby ducks from the storm drain at Barberry and Linden on Friday night. They attempted to catch the mother as well and relocate them all to a nice new home near a pond. The mother would have none of this! We did not want her to give up and leave the area or injure her in trying to catch her. That would leave us with 2 baby duck orphans!

It was felt the best course of action was to get them all back together and let mom deal with getting them all home. That’s what we did and they all waddled off together and lived happily ever after. There are no pictures of this event; it was just too dark in the area they were.

We're Preparing. Are You?

2011-05-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, May 10, 2011, employees of the City of Hillsboro, along with those in numerous other cities in Washington County and county emergency managers, will conduct a countywide disaster drill. Dubbed “Sheer Dynamics,” it’s a practice run at handling a major disaster caused by extremely high winds and accompanied by flooding. While the drill is to test the processes of intergovernmental communication, coordinating scarce resources and informing the public, it is a good reminder for citizens to take a few minutes to do some preparation around your home in the event of a disaster.
Here are a few good tips to get you prepared in the event of an area-wide disaster:
1. Develop a communication plan
a. In some cases, such as severe earthquake and high winds, our communications systems could be heavily damaged. Have a backup plan to communicate with your family members if they are caught scattered across town. Collect and distribute to all family members the phone numbers of the most logical places where your family members will be on a given day. Distribute those numbers to all family members.
b. Select an out-of-state family member or friend as your emergency contact for information exchange. Often, local phone systems may be overloaded or damaged too severely to make a local call. But, if you can get a dial tone, you can frequently make a long distance call.
2. Create a Disaster Kit -- It’s often called a 72-hour kit because it should contain emergency supplies to last your entire family for at least three days. (Recommendation: Make a kit for one week!) Your kit should contain:
a. Food – select food that will last a long time on the shelf but will be readily eaten by all members of your family for three to seven days
b. Water – one gallon per person per day (don’t forget pets!) You can live for weeks without food, but only a few days without water!
c. Medicines – an emergency supply of medicines are essential, especially if you have a serious medical condition.
d. Battery-powered radio
e. Flashlights with spare batteries
f. Money (ATMs are useless when the power has failed )
3. Get to know your neighbors -- Determine their capabilities and resources and create a plan to pool and share scare resources, such as chain saws or four-wheel drive vehicles. Also, plan to check on and render assistance to elderly or sick neighbors.

There are many more tips on surviving a disaster at www.ocem.org. Simply click on Emergency Preparedness.

New Fire Chief

2011-04-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

Chief Nelson Badge Ceremony

It’s official. Greg Nelson is our new Fire Chief. Mayor Jerry Willey presented Chief Nelson with his new Fire Chief’s badge Tuesday night at City Council meeting. Chief Nelson’s wife, Joann, pinned on the shiny new badge. She was accompanied by the couple’s son. Chief Nelson was selected by City leadership following an unsuccessful national search for a suitable successor to retired Fire Chief Gary Seidel. Following the badge ceremony, nearly 75 people attended a reception in Chief Nelson’s honor at the Civic Center.

Nelson has worked more than 30 years at the Department. He’s held every rank en route to the top spot.

2011-03-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

Jones Farm Station

As soon as the rains let up (whenever that will be is anyone's guess), contractors should begin site preparation on Hillsboro Fire and Rescue’s newest fire station. The facility will replace the aging and too small Parkwood Station which does not meet seismic requirements for public safety building. The new station, which will be called the Jones Farm Fire Station, will be located on NE 25th on property leased from the Port of Portland’s Hillsboro Airport just east of the Jones Farm neighborhood and Intel Jones Farm.

The winning contract bidder, P&C Construction of Portland is slated to complete the $3.2-million contract by December 2011. Architects from Group MacKenzie of Portland designed the 13,458-square foot facility. Funding for the station comes from Recovery Zone bonds issued by the City of Hillsboro in December 2010. The firefighters’ positions at Station No. 5 are funded by the Local Option Tax. Those firefighters will move their existing fire engine to the new station when it is completed.

Primate Center Chemical Leak Prompts Haz Mat Response

2010-12-29T15:58:00.000-08:00

Here is an example of how Automatic Aid works with fire departments. Even though the following incident occured in the City of Hillsboro, the closest responder and the specialty teams needed were crews from our neighboring agency, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. While the majority of the resources were from TVF&R, our Battalion Chief and an HFD engine company were there to support and provide any additional Hillsboro resources needed.

News Release
A chlorine gas leak prompted the evacuation of an Oregon National Primate Center building in Hillsboro Wednesday morning along with a response from firefighters and a Hazardous Materials Team. The incident began shortly before nine when Primate Center employees reported a chemical leak. The closest emergency responders, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue’s (TVF&R) Engine 64 from their Somerset Station, arrived minutes later. They requested additional resources, including an engine from Hillsboro Fire Department and the regional hazardous materials response team from TVF&R.

TVF&R firefighters entered the building known as the Animal Services ABSL3 building, located on the south side of the campus and found two four-foot tall chlorine cylinders strapped to a cart. They shut off the flow of chlorine and began monitoring the air quality inside the building. The Hazardous Materials Team later removed the two tanks from the building and continued to monitor the air quality inside the building’s hallways.

Primate Center Health and Safety workers say they were preparing to disinfect a laboratory area with chlorine when one worker said she heard an unusual pop from the chlorine tank’s regulator as she opened the tank’s valve. She began smelling chlorine gas. She quickly activated the building’s safety system, evacuated fellow workers and sheltered the primates in place. The safety systems include a positive air flow ventilation system that prevented the leaked chlorine gas in the hallway from entering any of the rooms occupied by the primates. No one was injured. Firefighters began winding up their operation and turning the scene back over to Primate Center employees shortly before noon.

Patriot Flag on Display

2010-12-28T13:13:00.000-08:00

A huge American flag that is traveling back and forth across the country is on display this week at Hillsboro Fire Department’s Station 3, 4455 NW 229th Avenue. The 30-foot by 58-foot Patriot Flag honors those who perished during the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

“We are honored to display this flag,” said Hillsboro Fire Chief Gary Seidel. “It’s our hope that Hillsboro citizens will drop by and sign the guest book that is traveling with the flag and let others know that we have not forgotten those who gave their lives on September 11th, 2001.”

Hillsboro Mayor Jerry Willey signed a proclamation marking today as Patriot Flag Day in Hillsboro. The folded flag display in the fire station training from December 28th trough 30th will also have a huge flag remnant on which the organizers are collecting signatures and remembrances. Visitors can read the log book and see where the flag has been as well as see photos of its journey. The flag will be on display at the Station 3 training room from 11 to 1 pm on Tuesday through Thursday. On Friday, December 31st, once the current series of storms break, Hillsboro firefighters will raise the huge flag at 8:00 am from a ladder truck in front of their fire station and pay proper respects. The public is invited to attend.

The flag began its journey in San Diego on September 10, 2010. It will travel to all 50 states before it flies during the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The flag is part of the World Memorial, an effort to build a museum to commemorate all those who died on 9/11 and all those who came to Ground Zero for rescue and recovery efforts. For more information, visit www.thepatriotflag.us or www.world-memorial.org.

HFD Cherry Lane Station 6 Dedication – September 11, 2010

2010-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue formally dedicated the Cherry Lane Fire Station No. 6 in a ceremony held on Saturday, September 11, 2010. More than 300 people attended the event which included an open house and station tours.

The 16,000 square foot facility went into operation August 2nd and has averaged between four and five calls a day. It was built to serve the eastern portions of the City of Hillsboro where response times were exceeding our goal of four minutes 75% of the time. A career crew will staff this station 24/7. The facility will also be home to the 25 Volunteer Firefighters as well as the Training staff. The 56 seat smart classroom will providing valuable training for the more than 70 fire, rescue and medical certifications that firefighters seek and retain.

Fire Chief Gary Seidel was away in Pennsylvania taking part in the 9/11 Memorial ceremonies. In his place, Deputy Chief Sam Phillips outlined the station’s importance to the city and to the regional public safety network.

The station was dedicated in honor of all those firefighters who risked their lives in service to the citizens of Hillsboro and to the late James Gentry. Chaplain Gentry came to work at Hillsboro Fire Department and formed the first chaplain’s corp. He laid the groundwork for what is now an integral part of our service to the community. A chaplain is dispatched to every working fire, every major motor vehicle accident--any type of incident in which there has been a significant traumatic injury or death--to help the survivors deal with the emotional trauma that they may have incurred. The chaplains also are there to support our firefighters following sometimes horrific or tragic incident.

Our day included cake, cookies, coffee and fun for the kids. We appreciate the support of the citizens who authorized the Local Option Levy which helps pay the salaries of the firefighters who staff this station. We pledge to provide caring and compassionate service by highly trained men and women. You deserve nothing less than our best.

Thanks for 100 Years of Service!

2010-08-19T13:52:00.000-07:00

Typically, when you think of 100 years of service, you think of an institution. But, in this case, I’m talking about three Hillsboro Firefighters who are retiring at about the same time. Perhaps, you could call them an institution, come to think of it. Together, they represent 100 years in the fire service. Wednesday evening, August 18th, colleagues gathered to honor Lieutenants Larry Yakymi and Brad Kastner along with Engineer Brad Lepley for their combined century of serving the citizens of Hillsboro.

From Yak Kastner Lepley retirement

The soiree occurred at Cornelius Pass Roadhouse and featured endless stories from coworkers, chiefs, and union brothers and sisters. They bestowed gifts and plaques, including a gift that fellow firefighters sealed inside of a granite boulder for Larry Yakymi. The former Urban Search & Rescue/Technical Rescue team member took a few swings with a sledge hammer, but was unable to crack the granite. We’ll check back some day in the future to see if he ever got his gift out.

Besides the colleagues, families and staff who gathered to wish the trio a happy retirement, 21 previous retirees showed up to share in the festivities and stay connected with their former organization. All 24 retirees posed for a photo and we estimate the talent in this photo below represents more than 700 years of firefighting experience! Happy retirement Brad, Brad and Larry!

From Yak Kastner Lepley retirement

Fill the Boot 2010

2010-08-13T11:49:00.000-07:00

From Fill the Boot 2010

Help Hillsboro Firefighters help Jerry’s Kids! HFD members of the International Association of Firefighters Local 2210 took to the streets on Friday 8/12 and Friday 8/13 to raise funds for research for a cure to Muscular Dystrophy. The reference to Jerry’s Kids comes from long time comedian and Muscular Dystrophy Association supporter Jerry Lewis.

The firefighters collected donations on 10th between Oak and Baseline and also at the Shute on-ramps to Oregon Highway 26 from 4 – 7 pm on Thursday. On Friday they are at the intersection of SE Brookwood and East Main and at the 185th on-ramp to Hwy 26 from 4-7 pm.

All donations collected during the Fill-The-Boot will help fund local MDA programs and services, including support groups and equipment such as wheel chairs and leg braces. The proceeds also support clinics at Oregon Health and Science University and Shriners Hospital for Children and help send Oregon children with muscle wasting diseases to MDA summer camp each year.

From Fill the Boot 2010

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. The majority of contributions to MDA come from individual donors.

Elsewhere across the Metro area will also be out in force this week to raise funds for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
*Clackamas: Friday at SE 82nd Ave/ Causey; Saturday at Mollala Ave/ Gaffney Ln, Oregon City
*Gresham: Division and Eastman Pkwy; Friday/ Saturday 9-5
*Portland: SE 122nd Ave/ Stark; W Burnside/ 23rd Ave, Thursday/ Friday, 3-6:30
*Vancouver: Fourth Plain/ Andresen; 162 Ave./ NE 18th St.; Thursday/ Friday, noon-4

Thanks for Your Help, Global!

2010-07-27T15:32:00.000-07:00

From Global Aviation presentation

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue said “Thanks for your help!” today to a senior executive at Global Aviation. Brian Lockhart, Global’’s Vice President of Maintenance has personally and graciously conducted numerous educational tours for firefighters from Hillsboro Fire Department and the Port of Portland Fire Department over the last several years. Mr. Lockhart allowed our firefighters to look throughout their aircraft to learn more about them. The tours focused on rescue access and structural features of their various aircraft models as well as hazard areas such as battery and oxygen tank locations.

Fire Chief Gary Seidel said, “I certainly hope our firefighters will never need to draw upon the lessons they have learned from these training sessions. However, I know if an emergency arises, they have learned from the best in the business.”

Chief Seidel presented a plaque of appreciation to Brian during a Global Aviation executive staff meeting on Tuesday, July 27, 2010. We appreciate great community partners like Global Aviation and Brian Lockhart.

Helping Hands at Lunch

2010-07-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Department has been attending the Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Summer Outpost program each day this week. Firefighters have been chatting with children and parents about fire safety and letting them take a look at the fire engine or ladder truck in attendance. As described in a post earlier this week, there are arts and crafts programs and activities for the kids each day through the summer.

Firefighters have also been lending a hand this week distributing the summer lunches provided by the Hillsboro School District through a grant from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. On Wednesday for example, there were approximately 460 kids who received lunches through this program.

Thanks to Hillsboro Parks and Recreation for inviting us to the Outpost. It’s always great to talk to the citizens we serve!

Always a Firefighter Award

2010-06-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

From McDaniel Award

Hillsboro Fire & Rescue’s Training Chief Yvain McDaniel was honored this past week by Molalla Rural Fire Protection District #73 for his help with a residential fire. Chief McDaniel lives a few miles outside of Molalla and single-handedly extinguished a residential fire in a neighbor’s home. Last Thursday, Molalla recognized Yvain for his actions and presented him with a plaque in front of the Volunteer Association meeting at the main fire station. In making the presentation, Battalion Chief Lonnie Loyer, who was the incident commander on-scene, stated the following:

“On the evening of June 1st at 5:45 pm, we were toned for a residential fire on the southern end of our district. Upon the arrival of myself as the duty officer, I observed a single story home fully charged with smoke. As I gave my size-up to dispatch and was getting out of the vehicle, I was approached by an individual who stated that the fire was extinguished. This individual introduced himself as Yvain McDaniel. He explained there was still a lot of heat and smoke in the home, but that he had opened a door and window and had started positive pressure to extract the smoke and heat with a common household fan. He then took me to the seat of the fire on the exterior of the home. What I observed was unique and not usually seen when being the first arriving representative from the local fire department."

"Yvain had quickly determined the seat of the fire and removed the siding from the home with just his hands and, maybe, feet, and gained access without any special tools or gear. He then used the garden hose through the wall and fully extinguished the fire. When my first responding engine arrived and we began overhauling and gathering information from the homeowner, I looked around for Yvain to thank him again for his efforts and complete success at single-handedly saving this family’s home from destruction. But, Yvain had quietly slipped off and went back to his home to be with his own family."

"Because of his willingness to investigate, his knowledge to access, his ability to perform, his heart to help someone in need and his humbleness to just quietly slip away, all of us at Mollalla Fire District would like to honor Yvain McDaniel for going above and beyond the call of duty and for acquiring the utmost respect and gratitude from all of us here at the fire station and, certainly, from our community.”

We’re pretty proud of him, too!

From the Outpost

2010-06-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue is participating again this year in Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Outpost program at Shute Park. This is the 5th year of this great lunch and activity program which runs from June 21 through August 20 from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.

On Monday, Truck 3 kicked off Americana Week with a visit to the park to let kids and parents climb on and investigate. Hillsboro Firefighters will be there each day this week. On Wednesday, we’ll be serving lunch to the kids, so come on down and see what’s happening.

Children ages one to 18 are invited to drop in for arts, sports, reading and science lab (sponsored by Genentech Science Lab) activities. Hillsboro School District’s Nutrition Services prepares the lunch with funds from the USDA Summer Food Program. The Outpost program serves an average of 350 meals a day and as many as 500 per day to area youth.

Injury Prevention

2010-06-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Firefighters are learning a new way to work out this week. They’re using Kettle Bells. If you haven’t heard of this new trend in free weight workouts, you’re not alone. Kettle Bells are essentially a canon ball-shaped weight with a loop handle on top and rubber base. They come in 26, 35, 44 and 96 pound weights.

The workout process is based on a series of short, but intense, series of exercises of swinging and lifting these weights. The experience is designed to help workout nearly all muscle groups in the body. Correct posture and technique ensure maximum benefit while minimizing undue stress on joints.

HFD has purchased a set of Kettle Bells and enlisted local trainers to provide basic technique education for all firefighters. The Kettle Bells will be placed at each station in the workout rooms provided under HFD’s Health and Wellness program. Firefighters are often injured on the job when lifting equipment or dealing with rescues at odd angles and postures. This addition to the firefighter’s exercise regimen will hopefully reduce those on-the-job injuries.

For more information on Kettle Bells, visit Wikipedia.

Burn to Learn June 15

2010-06-15T17:02:00.001-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue conducted a Burn to Learn Tuesday. It’s a joint venture between the HFD and the home’s owner who wanted the 1940s vintage structure removed. Firefighters practiced forcible entry drills on the doors before setting the fire. The firefighters practiced controlling fire volume and intensity by using different sized hose lines. Additionally, they used differing nozzles—smooth bore versus variable fog nozzle—in order to learn how each affect heavy fire conditions.

Get Ready for Anything

2010-06-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Department Station 3 hosted a video shoot for Intel to produce a podcast on emergency preparedness. The video is for the company’s employees as a reminder to create an emergency kit at home to be prepared to live without external services (electricity, water, natural gas, etc.) for 72 hours to seven days in the event of an area-wide disaster. Scott Stewart and Maru Kramer from Environmental Health and Safety Division in Corporate Services interviewed Randy Dodds, Oregon Corporate Services Facilities and Services Team Emergency Manager. They shot the video on a cell phone and will edit in video of our firefighters responding to emergencies.

This is an excellent reminder for us all to check our emergency kits to see if we have water, food, necessary medicine, flashlights, battery-operated radio and the myriad of items you might need if all normal services are cut off.
Here is a link to additional materials on being prepared for emergencies:

www.take5tosurvive.com

And, don’t forget about Hillsboro CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) training.

SKID - Stop Kids Intoxicated Driving

2010-05-25T13:22:00.001-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, along with other public and private agencies in the area, took part in another live action melodrama called SKID or Stop Kids Intoxicated Driving. The scene is a prom night with graduating seniors attending a party. Several have consumed alcoholic drinks and the result is a head-on collision resulting in one youth killed and two others sent to hospitals in critical condition.

Hillsboro Firefighters, Hillsboro Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies, Life Flight, Metro West Ambulance, Entercom, Springer and Sons Mortuary and other agencies, along with student actors and local parents, devoted several hours of time to stage the event for Century High School students.
The drama, complete with audio from grieving parents, the arresting officer’s conversation with the driver, the coroner’s discussion and other sound effects, seemed to leave an impression on the students. To date, SKID has been performed before 83,000 students.

Sober Grad Night Demo – Glenco High School

2010-05-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Department supported the Sober Grad Night assembly and presentation by Hillsboro Police on Thursday, May 13, 2010. The officers made their plea to Glencoe High School seniors to avoid drinking or taking drugs before or while driving in an effort to reduce student accidents and fatalities on graduation and prom nights. Following the assembly, students went outside to watch Hillsboro Firefighters simulate a rescue from a wrecked car.

Firefighters staffing Engine-1 and Rescue-1 used all of their hydraulic, electric and hand tools to remove the doors and the roof of the car. The process is often necessary in order to make access to injured occupants of the car and to safely remove them from the vehicle without causing further injuries. Wrecked vehicles are frequently found upside down, on their sides, on top of each other, wrapped around a tree/power pole or in ravines. The demonstration will hopefully reach any student who may consider consuming anything that might impair their driving during the final days of their high school education.

Chamber Leadership – Public Safety Day

2010-05-13T14:01:00.000-07:00

It was Public Safety Day for the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce Leadership class Wednesday. The group of about 30 Hillsboro business men and women spend one day per month learning about the governance and operation of their city. Following classroom presentations by Hillsboro Fire & Police Departments, the class divided into groups and experienced the following activities:

With Hillsboro Firefighters they:
• Donned firefighter protective clothing, called turnouts or bunker gear, added the air tank and mask, and entered a room filled with theatrical smoke to search on their hands and knees for a rescue dummy lost in the clouded room. This simulated the zero visibility that firefighters experience in performing the search of a structure on fire.
• Donned firefighter protective clothing and used the rescue tools often called the “jaws of life” to cut apart a car. That demonstrated how long it takes to rescue people from a motor vehicle accident.

With Hillsboro Police Officers they:
• Used special training handguns with non-lethal ammunition and practiced shooting at an indoor range.
• Observed a taser being deployed into the body of a volunteer.
• Observed and accompanied a group of police officers in responding to a simulation of an active shooter scenario complete with guns firing blanks and explosions.
• Observed police dog demonstrations finding hidden narcotics and tracking a simulated fleeing suspect.

The entire day was held at the former Master Brand Cabinet building on Walnut Street. Our thanks to the owners of the building for allowing us to use it.

This is Arson Awarenss Week - May 2-8

2010-05-05T07:19:00.000-07:00

From Miscellaneous

This is Arson Awareness Week, May 2-8, 2010. The U.S. Fire Administration reports more than 62,000 arson fires in 2008 across the country caused more than $866-million in damages. The goal of Arson Awareness Week is to focus attention on the horrific crime and to provide communities with tools and strategies to fight arson in their neighborhoods, schools, businesses and places of worship.

If you think that arson is not a problem in our community, you are wrong. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue works closely with Hillsboro Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, and other law enforcement agencies to vigorously investigate and support prosecution of all fires determined to be caused by arson. But, we can’t do it alone. It takes the awareness of the entire community to keep watch and report any suspected arson.

• Contact your fire department or police department if you know of an arson crime.
• Report suspicious activity near houses, apartments or commercial buildings. Participate in Neighborhood Watch Programs.
• Keep leaves and flammable debris away from all buildings. Don’t make it easy for an arsonist to start a fire or facilitate spread of the fire to additional structures.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. It’s best to keep matches and lighters in a locked cabinet.
• If you suspect your child of having an unusual fascination with fire, contact us at 503-681-6166. We have educational programs designed to help a child understand the dangers involved in misusing fire.

Practicing to Fight LP Gas Fires

2010-05-03T13:35:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Firefighters spent this past week training on propane tank fires at the Washington County Fairgrounds. Though relatively rare, these fires burn extremely hot—as high as 3,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Add to the high temperatures the fact that a propane tank heated by a surrounding fire can experience a catastrophic failure (called a boiling liquid expanding vapor explosion) and the danger jumps many times. Exploding LP gas rail cars have been hurled three quarters of a mile. That’s why firefighters, especially rookies, spend considerable time learning how to fight them.

In an LP gas fire, firefighters must learn how to advance two hose lines in perfect unison to keep the tank cool and to provide a directional water barrier that pushes the intense heat and flames away. Firefighters used a specially-constructed propane tank prop that simulates such a fire and practiced shutting off the flow of propane feeding that blaze. They advanced the hose lines carefully until they were just inches away from the tank. That’s when the team leader reached through the spray and shut off the flow of propane. Then they retreated in a similar fashion since the fire and leaking propane may not quit immediately.

New Fire Station 6 Update

2010-04-26T10:56:00.001-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue’s new fire station on Cherry Lane is on schedule and is expected to open in July. Contractors are finishing the roof on the 16,000 square foot station located at 21880 NW Cherry Lane, just west of Cornelius Pass Road. They are preparing to pour the concrete flooring for the three engine bays. Work should begin soon on the interior of the building.

The fire station will serve as the Fire Department’s new training center and will provide a base of operations for the Hillsboro Fire Department’s volunteers. It will also house a fire engine staffed 24/7 by career personnel.

City and Department staffs are making plans for a dedication event for late summer for which the public will be invited. Keep watch for announcements for the date and time. Funding for the $2.8-million comes from the general fund and the local option tax provides funding for the additional firefighters, apparatus and equipment.

Forcible Entry Drills

2010-04-05T08:22:00.000-07:00

When firefighters respond to a reported fire, one of their first tasks upon arrival is to get into the building. During the day when the structure has been occupied, doors are usually unlocked. But at night or when the occupants are away, firefighters must forcibly enter the building. In some commercial buildings metal doors, heavy-duty locks and cross bars slow their entry to the fire. To ensure that firefighters have all the skills necessary to quickly make entry, they practice cutting open the metal doors, hinges and locks that can dramatically slow their fire attack.

This past week, Hillsboro Volunteer Firefighters drilled at Fire Station #3, located at 4455 NW 229th Avenue on these skills. The station has a number of training props located there. They include commercial steel man-doors that are designed to allow firefighters to practice their forcible entry techniques. The gas-powered circular rescue saw is among the most popular tools used to cut into steel doors, hinges and lock bolts. The saw can be fitted with the normal wood cutting blade, concrete cutting blades or a special blade that cuts hardened metal quickly. Firefighters recognize these doors are expensive and attempt to minimize damage to the doors and framework, but have to balance cost conservation with the need to access the building quickly to attack the fire.

The first step is to assess the type of door the firefighter faces, recognize the type of locking components, hinges and potential internal structure, and then begin to attack its most vulnerable points. Experienced firefighters can usually cut through these doors in a matter of minutes.

Mobile Water Supply

2010-03-30T16:26:00.000-07:00

While spring is taking a break and winter is making its last gasp, Hillsboro Firefighters are preparing for summer. Brush and wild land fires are more common during the warm weather and to fight those fires, firefighters need a mobile water supply when they are operating in areas not served by a municipal water supply. Handling a Tender filled with up to 3,000 gallons of water can be a chore. Besides being heavy, water sloshes from side to side and dramatically affects the center of gravity of the vehicle.

Nearly 150 firefighters died while driving water tenders in the United States during the period 1998-2007. The National Fire Protection Association says four out of five of the fatalities occurred while responding to or returning from a fire emergency. Most were single vehicle accidents. That’s why our Firefighters are practicing driving Tender 104 in tight spaces and around obstacles at the Washington County Fairgrounds this week. We want them to be able to respond to your fire quickly and safely.

Celebrate Red Cross Month by Giving

2010-03-01T12:50:00.000-08:00

From Red Cross Month

Governor Ted Kulongoski has issued a proclamation that March is Red Cross Month in Oregon. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue joins in celebrating this month and acknowledges the valuable support the Oregon Trail Chapter of the Red Cross continues to provide to our citizens. The Red Cross is the agency we call to provide immediate help and housing to residents whose apartment or home has been damaged or destroyed by fire and have no other means, such as insurance, on which to fall back.

The Red Cross provides volunteer Disaster Assistance Teams whenever we call them 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These self-less citizens come to the aid of others who have just experienced one of the worst days of their lives. They work hand-in-hand with our Chaplains to provide food, shelter, health and mental health services.

They tirelessly have promoted and taught basic swimming skills and provided classes in Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). In addition, the Red Cross joins Hillsboro's Emergency Managers in promoting emergency preparedness so that citizens will have the means and skills to survive in the event that Oregonians are faced with an earthquake of the magnitude that has occurred recently in Haiti and Chile. For more information on this non-profit organization and to make a donation that supports local disaster victims or those of international disasters, visit:
www.oregonredcross.org.

Airway Control

2010-02-24T16:47:00.000-08:00

When a patient falls unconscious, there is a real danger that the tongue will slip to the back of the throat and block the airway or nasopharynx. When this happens medical personnel must quickly provide an advanced airway to keep the patient alive. They can assist the patient in breathing by forcing air into the lungs with a manually operated bag valve.

This week, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue firefighter/medics have been training on the use of the King Airway device. It’s a specially-designed tube with inflatable collars that medics can insert into the patient’s throat to provide a means to force air into their lungs. The device also contains a tube that provides a vent for gastric pressure and stomach decompression. It also channels any vomit outside the body rather than allowing it to be aspirated into the patient’s lungs.
Our Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediates have been using this device for some time now. EMT-Basics received their training and skill assessment on the use of this device this week. The device, which can be inserted even while medics are performing cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is just another tool in the tool box of firefighters working to save lives.

All firefighters at Hillsboro Fire & Rescue are trained Emergency Medical Technicians. There are three levels of training, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate and EMT-Paramedic. An engine, truck or rescue company is dispatched on every call for an ambulance because they can often reach the patient first and begin life-saving treatment. Once the ambulance arrives, firefighter/medics hand off the patient to ambulance medics for transportation to the nearest hospital. If the patient is condition is critical, one or more firefighters will accompany the patient to the hospital to supplement ambulance medics. This provides the highest level of service to our citizens.

Rapid Intervention Team Drill

2010-02-23T11:02:00.001-08:00

At any working fire, you may see a number of firefighters doing multiple tasks. The typical scene to the untrained eye looks rather chaotic. However, each team of firefighters has been assigned tasks to perform. One such team is the Rapid Intervention Team or RIT. A RIT team is tasked with being ready with the necessary equipment to rescue a firefighter should he or she become disabled or trapped inside a burning building. They may be assigned duties to provide a second means of egress for the crews operating inside and to walk around the structure to familiarize themselves with other potential escape routes. But, other than that, RIT team members are to stand by ready for deployment if one of their colleagues needs them.

This past week, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue conducted RIT drills in a modular building donated to us by a local business. The structure provided a series of rooms in which trainers constructed a simulated building collapse that required the RIT team students to crawl through, under, over obstacles to locate the simulated firefighter needing rescue. They have to perform these drills with Press –n-Seal coating their face masks to simulate smoky conditions. Successfully performing these drills give firefighters an idea of what it may be like to be looking for one of their own should the unexpected happen.

Burn to Learn

2010-02-16T13:01:00.001-08:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue conducted a training burn at 1255 SE Walnut on Saturday (Feb 13) to teach new firefighters and volunteers needing additional experience about fire behavior and suppression methods. The burn was conducted at a locally owned home that is being demolished to make way for Habitat for Humanity to build several new homes on the property for low income residents.

The burn began at 8:30 am with a safety briefing. Experienced firefighters served as team leaders to guide the new recruits and volunteers through the paces. Safety officers were prepositioned within the structure and a fire was set in a pile of hay and pallet wood. A team was sent in to watch the fire’s growth and to knock down the flames to keep heat levels under control. The teams rotate personnel on the end of the hose line and attacked the flames again. As the fuels were depleted in one room, another room was prepared and set ablaze and the process began again. At the conclusion of the drills, all personnel withdrew from the building and the home was allowed to burn to the ground.

These burns are a win-win for the property owner and Hillsboro Fire Department. The property owner has less debris to haul away from the property and place in a landfill and the fire department gets a structure in which it can train new firefighters under controlled circumstances to provide the safest experience possible. More than 100 people from the neighborhood turned out at the height of the training.

Confined Space Drill - Underground Rescues

2010-02-04T16:41:00.001-08:00

When utility workers or contractors have to work underground in tunnels, drains, tanks and vaults, they often encounter trapped gasses that may be reside in the container or naturally occuring in the earth. Hydrogen Sulfide is one of those gases along with carbon monoxide and others that can disable or kill workers who don't have supplied air systems.

When someone is injured or falls ill due to toxic fumes, firefighters must safely enter the same space and rescue or recover the patients. The firefighters must don either self contained breathing apparatus or use a supplied air line to the surface. They must operate in water, mud, and worse in very cramped spaces to rescue the patients.

This week Hillsboro Fire and Rescue conducted confined space drills at the Confined Space prop located at Fire Station #3. Firefighters must maintain their competencies in these skills each year. They must also practice using the specialized tools that may be necessary for such incidents as a builiding collapse as a result of an earthquake.

If you have questions regarding Hillsboro Fire and Rescue's Technical Rescue capabilities, call 503-681-6166.

Cherry Lane Fire Station Going Up!

2010-02-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

From New Fire Station 6

Despite the weather, contractors are making excellent progress on constructing Hillsboro Fire & Rescue’s new fire station located on Cherry Lane just east of Cornelius Pass Road. In the last five weeks, workers have finished much of the site preparation for the structure, poured the footings and concrete floors for the living quarters and training rooms and masons have begun building the concrete block walls, which you can see going up in the photo.

The 16,000 square foot facility will serve as the Department’s new training center while housing a four person engine company. Completion of the facility is scheduled for July 2010.

The location of the fire station is 21880 NW Cherry Lane.

View Larger Map

2009 Hillsboro Fire Department Awards

2010-02-01T09:40:00.000-08:00

Ten Hillsboro Fire and Rescue firefighters and staff received recognition for their outstanding contributions to the Department’s mission Friday afternoon, January 29th, at a ceremony at the Hillsboro Civic Center.

“I am extremely proud of the firefighters and staff here,” said Fire Chief Gary Seidel said in making the presentations. “They give their best on and off duty.

From 2009 Awards Ceremony

Firefighter Luis Mota received a Distinguished Service Award for his actions in saving the life of a restaurant patron in Salem. Mota was off duty and dining in another part of the restaurant when an elderly patron confined to a wheelchair began choking on food. Wait staff initially attempted to assit the man, then asked for help. Mota pulled the man from his wheelchair and began the Heimlich maneuver. The food remained stuck in the patient’s airway and the man fell unconscious. Mota then began Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation chest compressions according to his training. The persistent Mota kept up the compressions until the food dislodged. Salem Firefighters arrived and transported the man to a local hospital where he arrived conscious and talking to his responders. In addition to the Fire Department award, representatives from Liberty Mutual Insurance Company presented Mota with their Firemark Award. Liberty Mutual representative Ward Klicke said the Firemark Award honors the valor and selfless spirit of firefighters who keep our communities safe.

From 2009 Awards Ceremony

A Distinguished Service Award went to Firefighter Tim Eiden. A second-generation firefighter, Eiden was off duty one evening and was leaving his sister’s home when he noticed an apartment building nearby was on fire. He instructed a companion to call 9-1-1, grabbed a fire extinguisher, and extinguished the fire before fellow firefighters arrived, thereby saving the structure and possibly the lives of the tenants inside who were unaware of the fire on the exterior of the building.

Two other top awards were the Career and Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. The two recipients were selected by their peers for their unfailing contributions to the Department. Chaplain Steve Brodehl was selected as Firefighter of the Year and Lieutenant David Sellers was selected the Volunteer Firefighter of the Year. Brodehl also picked up the Distinguished Service Award for his unfailing dedication and devotion to the citizens of Hillsboro. Chaplain Brodehl responds to all fire and emergency medical calls when citizen’s emotions are shattered by what is most likely the worst day of their life. He provides compassion and counsel to help the citizen find emotional stability during a chaotic time.

From 2009 Awards Ceremony

Lieutenant Sellers was picked for Volunteer Firefighter of the Year for his regular dedication to helping train new and promoting volunteer firefighters. Sellers, a local insurance representative, also dons his firefighting gear when called and responds to all types of incidents, shares his experience with younger volunteer colleagues and spends time at community events talking to children about fire safety.

The Chief’s Award is utilized to recognize single acts of merit or service, an increase in efficiency or effectiveness in a non-emergency function. Chief Seidel bestowed that award on Mary Bradley, the Department’s Management Analyst. She was cited for her instrumental role in the Department’s accreditation process, her leadership of the Department’s employee time management program called TELESTAFF, and for her day-to-day management of the Departments statistical databases.

From 2009 Awards Ceremony

Fire Chief Gary Seidel also bestowed the Chief’s Coin of Excellence on the following personnel:

Retired Administrative Chief Dennis Ross was recognized for his leadership and work on managing the Department’s application for accreditation by the Commission on Public Safety Excellence. Ross was also cited for his role as Planning Section Chief on the Office of State Fire Marshal’s Red Incident Management Team.

Retired Special Operations and EMS Chief Don Schallberger was recognized for his work in with the Oregon Urban Search and Rescue teams and for his contributions to obtaining grants from the Urban Area Security Initiative that benefit fire departments in Washington County. He was also cited for his assistance in training Hillsboro Emergency Operations Center staff.

Firefighter Shane Rice was recognized for his dedication and leadership in training new volunteer firefighters. Firefighter Rice has devoted many hours of time to help build volunteer firefighters’ skills.

Firefighter Ben Tanner was recognized for his contributions to the Pre-Plan Program. Firefighter Tanner spends countless hours outside of his regular duties in drawing and preparing plans of commercial buildings and properties so that firefighters have accurate and detailed drawings of those properties available to them before they arrive at a fire or medical emergency. This allows them to locate a patient, water hydrant and sprinkler controls more quickly or plan their tactics and deploy crews much more efficiently.

Firefighter Alia Jennings was recognized for her leadership and coordination of the Toy and Joy Program. Each year Firefighter Jennings plans and executes the off-duty efforts of firefighters, operating under the Random Acts Program, to collect new, unwrapped toys for needy children. She works tirelessly with her colleagues and with outside organizations to ensure toys and food are delivered to Hillsboro’s neediest families.

For fire and life safety information, visit: http://www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/Fire/Default.aspx or call 503-681-6166.

New Tools for the Firefighters’ Skill Toolbox

2010-01-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

Positive Pressure Attack – many departments have used this strategy for years while others have not. It involves directing a high velocity air flow at the entrance to a building involved in fire to facilitate initial fire attack. It’s a technique that dramatically improves visibility and cools the temperatures in a house fire which would enhance the chances of survival of any trapped residents and help firefighters locate them more quickly. That’s why Hillsboro Fire and Rescue trained on the technique this week at a make-shift burn house at the Washington County Fairgrounds. The instructors for this week’s training were veteran battalion chiefs formerly from Salt Lake City Fire Department. Chief Kriss Garcia is now the Fire Chief at American Fork Fire & Rescue in Utah and Reinhard Kauffmann is now retired.

The trainers build fires from wooden pallets and hay one at a time in each of the rooms and crews rotate through these evolutions until all had the experience of conducting the initial attack on the fire. Crews monitor the temperatures in the rooms using a Thermal Imaging Camera and report the difference in the conditions inside. Using the positive pressure ventilation in coordination with the initial fire attack allows firefighters to wait a few moments to ensure conditions are improving, enter and find the seat of the fire more quickly, and operate in much cooler temperatures than when attacking a fire without the ventilation.

There are, of course, certain conditions when this tactic is not to be used. Chiefs Garcia and Kauffmann outlined those circumstances clearly in a classroom portion of this drill prior to the live fire evolutions.

When a Birth Day Turns into an Emergency

2010-01-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

From Birth Class

The birth of a child is traditionally a joyous occasion. And, if all goes well, the mother-to-be makes it to the hospital in time for a normal delivery of the bundle of joy. In some cases, the child arrives early and firefighter/medics get the thrill of helping to deliver a healthy child into this world. However, in a few cases, whether from a medical problem or a traumatic event, complications occur in those critical hours just before birth. That’s when emergency medical personnel may have to deal with problem pregnancies and deliveries.

Firefighters from Hillsboro Fire & Rescue attended classes this week on imminent childbirth where complications were presented. Those complications ranged from infections and abnormal pain to stillbirths and situations which threaten the lives of both the child and mother. Just another way in which our firefighters continue to engage in life-long learning and provide excellent service to the citizens of Hillsboro—especially the newest citizens!

2010-01-05T16:43:00.001-08:00

How do you rescue a stranded worker, such as a window washer, who is high above the ground and unable to help himself? You call in firefighters trained in high-angle rope rescue. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue has been conducting high angle rope rescue drills this week at the 5-story public parking garage at First and Washington Streets. The firefighters practiced setting the rigging and executing the rescue of a practice dummy from the side of the parking structure.

Tuesday’s drill allowed Hillsboro Fire Department's veteran rope rescue technicians to teach newer firefighters techniques for handing the ropes and for being the rescuer. Often the most difficult part of a high angle rescue is getting over the edge without suffering an injury. In this drill, firefighters used a tripod to elevate the point from which the rescuer is lowered allowing a easier and safer move over the edge. Once the firefighter reached the “patient,” he moved the patient from the patient's rigging to the rescue rigging and lowered the patient to the next garage level down to be unhooked. Firefighters drill regularly on skills that are high risk/low frequency to ensure that they can be done quickly and safely.

Winter Heating Safety

2010-01-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

From Winter Heating Safety

Post holiday bills and high heating costs sometimes drive citizens to heat their homes with alternative sources. This time of year we see a spike in home heating fires caused by wood burning stoves, fireplaces and space heaters. You can reduce your chances of a heating-related fire by following these tips:

Ensure space heaters are kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn. They should also have a tip-over shutoff switch.

Have chimneys professionally inspected and cleaned each year.

Dispose of fireplace and wood stove ashes in a metal container–never use a paper bag or cardboard box.

Use a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from igniting drapes, furniture and carpets.

Ensure wood stoves are properly installed.

Never use a range or oven to heat your home.

And, we can never mention it enough -- ensure you have a working smoke alarm on each level of your home, outside sleeping areas and, for maximum protection, one in each bedroom!

Visible Signs of Progress - New Fire Station

2009-12-23T15:38:00.000-08:00

From New Fire Station 6

There is visible evidence of progress on the construction of Hillsboro Fire Department’s new fire station located at 21880 NW Cherry Lane. The contractor, CSI Construction of Portland, has begun site work in preparation for laying a foundation for the 16,000-square foot building that will house an engine company and the Department’s training division.

The addition of this facility is part of the Fire Department’s Strategic Plan that City Council approved to address response times. Our goal is to reach your emergency within four minutes of leaving our station 75% of the time. The need to arrive at fires quickly is obvious—to stop the progression of a fire before it destroys more of your property. The majority of our calls are medical in nature and rapid access of the patient is essential to deliver life-saving medical treatment in the field, as well.

The new fire station is designed to achieve a LEED Gold Certification when completed. The LEED Program (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building rating system providing a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. Building to this standard offers many benefits:

1. The construction process focuses on locally produced and/or locally sourced materials
2. Consumes fewer resources and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions
3. Will be energy efficient, requiring less electricity and water to operate

The completion of the construction project is slated for July 2010.

Safety on the Fire Ground

2009-11-17T12:02:00.000-08:00

Mittendorf Truck Ops

Veteran fire ground commander and author John Mittendorf came to Hillsboro Fire Department to provide our firefighters a new perspective on safety. The retired Los Angeles City Fire Department Battalion Chief talked at length this week with our firefighters about changes necessary to avoid unnecessary risks when fighting structure fires. Mittendorf has examined the tasks responsible for the annual loss of over 100 firefighters across the country each year and offered ways to avoid those fatalities.

Citing the deaths of nine firefighters in the South Carolina Sofa Super Store fire in 2007 and the six who perished in the 1999 Worchester, Massachusetts, warehouse fire, Mittendorf discussed critical decisions that all incident commanders must make and where their priorities should be placed. The priorities always start with life safety.

The presentation also looked at apparatus placement at single family residential fires and at multi-story residential and commercial buildings to provide for the maximum use of the aerial ladder aboard the truck. Those placements may be different based on the circumstances.

We are grateful for the knowledge that Retired Chief Mittendorf has shared. We hope that his sharing of his experiences and wisdom will make our firefighters better and safer in the days ahead.

Standpipe Operations

2009-10-27T10:51:00.000-07:00

Picture a fire in a multistory building and the stairwell is already compromised by the blaze. How do you get firefighters into the upper stories to fight it? With a ladder, of course! But the task is complicated by having to bring hose along with you to fight the fire. That’s why Hillsboro firefighters this past week have been drilling on what’s called “standpipe operations.”
Standpipes are normally water pipes built into multi-story buildings to help supply firefighting water to the upper stories. In cases where they are installed in buildings or parking structures, firefighters bring hose bundles with them and attach to the pipes. The pipes are either fed by the municipal water supply or by the fire engine attaching to an “FDC” or fire department connection on the exterior of the building. Once attached to the standpipe, they can charge their hoses and advance on the fire.

In multi-story buildings where there are no standpipes, firefighters have to essentially create their own by bringing a larger diameter hose up the ladder to their floor of entry, attaching a gated “Y” valve to split the larger line into two smaller attack lines for maneuverability, and advancing to the fire’s location. The process is not complicated, but requires several critical steps to ensure a smooth fire attack, one of which includes securing the larger diameter hose to the ladder to ensure it doesn’t fall and pull the smaller lines down with it when the lines are charged with water.

Firefighters Are People, Too!

2009-10-07T11:42:00.000-07:00

CISM Training by Chaplain Brodehl

Despite their image of America’s bravest, firefighters are human and subject to the emotional toll of seeing tragic and horrific events, sometimes on a daily basis. To ensure they don’t suffer long-term stress-related illness, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue provided training this week about Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM).

Hillsboro Fire Chaplain Steve Brodehl provided the program that showed the old philosophy of “just deal with it” often resulted in emotional problems, family discord and addictions. Those add up to an untimely end to a promising career. Today’s concept of CISM is to “talk it out.” That means to discuss with fellow crew members the impact a particularly tragic call had. It could be that the child injured or killed looked like or was the same age as the firefighter’s own children that prompted the emotional impact. Whatever the reason, an open discussion around the dinner table after the call goes a long way toward alleviating the emotional impact a bad call has had.

Company officers can also organize an informal Defusing session within a few hours of the incident to help facilitate the frank and open discussion of the toll a tragic call has taken. These sessions are voluntary.

If more than a couple of crew members are still feeling impacted by a call for more than a day or two, a closed-session Debriefing can be ordered by the Chief. Attendance is mandatory. This session is led by a facilitator from outside the department who may be aided by chaplains, also from outside the department.

HFD invests heavily in training firefighters to provide the best possible service for our citizens. We want to ensure the firefighters retire mentally and physically healthy and capable of continuing to invest in their families and our community after their career as a firefighter ends.

Fire Prevention Week Open House

2009-10-05T08:58:00.001-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue kicked off National Fire Prevention Week with an open house at Fire Station 1 on Saturday, October 3rd. More than 300 people showed up to pick up safety information, tour the station, climb aboard fire engines, play games, and see demonstrations. Kids particularly liked the miniature fire engine built by HFD Engineer Mike Banta. There was a line most of the day waiting to crawl into the tiny cab and blow the siren. Take a look at our photos of the event.

Fire Prevention Week is organized each year to bring awareness to the most serious fire safety issues. This year's theme: Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned. It points out the simple yet necessary habits to avoid tradegies: Test the bath water before putting a baby in it; use short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking on the stove top; set your hot water heater to no more than 120-degrees(F); and have a three-foot kid-free zone around your stove.

Additionally, this year's focus included adult burn prevention. One of the most common and preventable severe burns in Oregon is adult males using gasoline to start burn piles, barbeques or cleaning car parts. The unexpected explosion that occurs when an ignition source, such as a lit match, finds accumulating gas fumes has sent many men to the area's burn center. Please avoid using gasoline for anything other than a fuel for motorized equipment and vehicles.

Thermal Imaging Camera Drills

2009-09-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

TIC

Thermal imaging cameras (TICs) have been around for years and have been a valuable tool for firefighters. Some are helmet-mounted. Most are hand-held devices that measure the differences in temperature of objects in its viewing path. TICs help firefighters see through dark, smoky rooms to find the seat of the fire that is often hidden by the smoke, and most importantly, find victims or injured firefighters who may only have only minutes to live.

All firefighters have been taught the basics of how to use Thermal Imaging Cameras. Hillsboro Fire & Rescue crews are undergoing advanced training on how to better use this tool in the early stages of the fire, particularly during fire attack. It is another way in which HFD continues to improve on existing skills and provide faster and better service to our citizens.

This week's drill is being conducted at a home that is slated for demolition later this fall. The home may be used in a few months for a live fire drill. If so, we'll be sure to bring you photos of that drill here on this blog.

Mass Casualty/Decon Equipment Drill

2009-09-03T13:57:00.001-07:00

With so many high technology manufacturing plants within the City of Hillsboro, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue must be ready to respond to possible spills or leaks of the toxic chemicals that are sometimes used in these companies' processes. Due to the large numbers of employees at these plants, there is a potential for mass casualties in the event of an accident. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue has a MASS CASUALTY DECONTAMINATION TRAILER in its fleet of apparatus that can bring the necessary additional equipment to help decontaminate workers who may have come in contact with any chemicals. The unit is also outfitted to respond to terrorism incidents, with chemcial, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE) to provide triage and treatment equipment. Hillsboro Firefighters practiced setting up and operating the equipment this week.

The trailer carries additional trauma kits, radiological detection equipment, chemcial spash protection suits, and other gear. It also is equipped with two diesel-powered water heaters that can heat water coming from a fire engine so that it can be sprayed on patients who may have come in contact with chemical, biological or radiological materials. A tent that provides for modesty and protection from the weather allows patients to walk into one end, disrobe, walk through soapy and then rinse water, and emerge from the other end in temporary issued garments.

September is Preparedness Month

2009-09-01T11:12:00.000-07:00

If all utilities were cut off to your home, would you be able to survive without outside help for a week? How about three days? If not, now is the time to start your Emergency Kit.

Think about it for a moment. If we had a violent earthquake.... If we had a repeat of the 1964 windstorm.... If....

Your emergency kit and a family communication plan would be your most important asset. Don't let the thought of creating an emergency kit overwhelm you. You can do it in short segments by visiting the Take Five to Survive website.

Otherwise, you'll need the following in one location, preferably in one or more containers that can be quickly retrieved:

Water - One gallon per person per day for three days minimum (7 days is better if you have the space.) Don't forget your pets!

Food - Nonperishable food the whole family will eat for three days (7 is better). Canned meats, peanut butter, crackers, granola bars and a manual can opener. Again, don't forget the pet food.

Medicines - An additional supply of critical medicines (such as heart or asthma meds)

Radio - Battery-powered or hand-cranked portable radio with NOAA weather radio tone alert and extra batteries.

Flashlight(s) - One for each person with spare batteries.

First Aid Kit - Start with a small one and add to it. Include a first aid book on dealing with common traumas and first aid issues.

Whistle - You'll need it to signal for help if you are trapped or lost.

Protective Gear - Dust mask because that will likely be a major issue following an earthquake. Plastic sheeting and duct tape for sheltering in place for a chemical leak.

Personal sanitation - Moist towelettes and garbage bags for sanitation use if the water and sewer lines are severed.

Tools - Wrench and/or pliers to turn off utilities, if necessary.

Documents - Copies of important family documents (birth certificates, home mortgage and insurance contracts, wills, banking records, etc.)

Cash - With power outages, ATMs and banks may not be able to dispense cash. You may not be able to make credit or debit card purchases. Cash will be your only means of making a purchase of possibly valuable resources.

And finally, the family communication plan is critical, with so many families having two income-earners, active children and distant family members. Visit the Take Five to Survive website.

You will always rest easier if you PREPARE, PLAN, and STAY INFORMED.

Hillsboro Firefighters Help on the Microwave Fire

2009-08-31T08:21:00.000-07:00

One engine company from Hillsboro Fire and Rescue was mobilized along with other crews from Washington County to help fight the Microwave Fire last week. Our firefighters were used to help defend the homes in the areas between the fire and the heart of Mosier, a town of about 450 residents in the Columbia River Gorge. Hillsboro Firefighters remained on the fire lines for just over a day. They returned home late Saturday night.

Mass Casualty Incident (MCI) Drill

2009-08-26T15:29:00.000-07:00

Firefighters must be prepared for any type incident, no matter how large. A mass casualty incident is any incident involving ten or more patients. Firefighters must quickly determine the number of patients, the extent of their injuries, and determine how many additional resources will be needed to handle this situation.

The biggest task of the first arriving responders is to get control of the scene and ensure the responders' and patients' safety. Often bystanders are attempting to help or watch. Police officers may be needed to secure the scene to provide firefighters/medics and the ambulance personnel the space to work.

The next step is Triage. Triage is the process of firefighter/medics determining the severity of each patient's injuries and assigning a simple Red, Yellow, Green tag to each patient. Red represents a traumatic injury that is immediately life-threatening and requires the quickest transport to a hospital emergency department. Yellow, represents moderate injuries that may become more serious over time, but can be transported within several hours. And Green represents the minor injuries of what are called the "walking wounded." They would be transported to hospitals only after all the more serious patients have been cared for.

A Treatment Area will require multiple crews to provide initial treatment and stabilization of patients before they can be transported. A Transportation Officer will coordinate the loading and destination off each ambulance.

An MCI with 30 patients would easily require as many as ten engine companies or about 40 firefighters. The Incident Commander requests additional resources as needed by ordering additional alarms.

Pump and Roll

2009-08-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

Most urban and many suburban fire engines must remain parked when they pump water. However, Hillsboro is surrounded by wheat fields and has a significant wildland/urban interface area where forest and field meet developed residential areas and commercial buildings. To fight fast moving field fires, firefighters must be able to move quickly along the fire line. Hillsboro fire engines are built to allow them to pump water while moving. This week's drill at the Washington County Fairgrounds is designed to give our firefighters practice with the skill of pump and roll fire fighting.

In some cases, it is much safer and more effective for firefighters to remain inside the fire engine while moving forward and directing a stream of water at the flames. At other time, especially during mop up, firefighters with hand lines may need to walk quickly along the line to extinguish remaining hot spots. In either case, they need practice at performing these maneuvers.

In cases where the engine can travel no further due to terrain, firefighters may need to deploy a progressive hose lay. That means pulling a fire hose to its full length, then clamping the hose at that point and adding a Y-connector and another small diameter hose to extend their reach. All this is done without shutting down the water flow from the pumper. This allows firefighters to quickly get water to rugged terrain where no vehicle can reach and provides the flexibility to add another line at the Y-connector, if needed.

Are Your Kids Safe at College?

2009-08-12T10:16:00.000-07:00

If you have one or more teenagers headed off to college near or far, now is a good time to talk with them about fire safety! Since January 2000, 134 students have died in fires that occured both on and off campus. There were four common factors in all of these fires:

1. A lack of automatic fire sprinklers
2. Missing or disabled smoke alarms
3. Careless disposal of smoking materials
4. Impaired judgement from alcohol consumption

If your teen's college or university holds fire safety classes for its students, encourage your young scholar's attendance. If the school doesn't offer fire safety classes, talk to the administrators about how the addition of this education opportunity may save lives. For more on National Campus Fire Safety Month (September), visit http://www.campusfiresafetymonth.org/.

Aircraft Firefighting and Rescue

2009-08-11T15:05:00.000-07:00

Since Hillsboro has a terrific asset in the form of a general aviation airport, Hillsboro Fire and Rescue is tasked with responding to aircraft incidents both on and off of the Port of Portland-Hillsboro Airport property. The Port has dedicated firefighters and equipment only at PDX. Our firefighters must be prepared for fires and rescue situations at the airport buildings and all types of emergencies from medical events aboard aircraft, fighting aircraft fires and rescuing crash patients.

This week, Hillsboro Firefighters are undergoing aircraft fire and rescue procedure refresher training for corporate aircraft. Global Aviation and the Port of Portland Fire Department teamed up to provide this training. Captain Chris Bryant of the Port's Fire Department provided a firefighter's perspective on approaching and dealing with aircraft in emergency situations. Global Aviation's Vice President and Director of Maintenance, Brian Lockhart, gave technical information regarding the vulnerabilities and hazards of corporate jet aircraft. The goal is to save lives and preserve property at aircraft incidents. Our thanks go to both Global and the Port for their assistance in this training.

Helping our Neighbors

2009-08-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

Mutual aid is the term in the fire service for helping our neighboring fire agencies. Washington County Fire District 2, which borders Hillsboro on the north and south, had back-to-back field fires on Monday along with another fire involving two RV trailers that threatened a barn. That required the cooperation of numerous agencies to cover all of the bases. Our participation included engine companies, brush rigs, and a chief officer.

Hillsboro Fire Department responds to all incidents under a "closest resource" agreement, also known as Automatic Aid. Which ever agency has the closest resource responds to the incident. In the cases of the three fires on Monday, Hillsboro firefighters assisted peers from the main jurisdiction, Washington County Fire District 2, along with Cornelius Fire, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, and Forest Grove Fire Department. Banks Fire Department also provided assistance and back-filled some of the empty fire stations resulting from this trio of incidents. No one was injured. Flames reached at least 10 feet high in freshly harvested wheat stalks. The smoke column was visible for miles on the Robinson Road fire.

Handling the Heat

2009-07-27T16:30:00.000-07:00

With temperatures rising past 100-degrees this week, you may wonder where to go to cool down. The City of Hillsboro is encouraging citizens who don't have air conditioning and need a place to cool down to stop in at one of the following cooling stations:

Tyson Recreation Center
1880 NE Griffin Oaks Street
5 pm - 9 pm (extended hours, M-F)

Hillsboro Senior Center
750 SE 8th Avenue
9 am to 9 pm (extended hours, M-F)

Main Library
2850 Brookwood Parkway
10 am to 8 pm (M-F)

Shute Park Branch Library
775 SE 10th Avenue
10 am - 8 pm (M-W)
10 am - 6 pm (Th-F)

West Police Precinct
250 SE 10th Avenue
3 pm - 9 pm (M-F)

The following Hillsboro churches will also be open his week for those needing a place to cool down:

Sonrise Church
6701 NE Campus Drive
12 pm - 5 pm

Westport Church
20085 NW Tanasbourne Drive
10 am - 4 pm (Tue, Thu & Fri)

Everyone is welcome at any of the cooling stations. However, children should be accompanied by an adult.

Special Skills for Pediatric Care

2009-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

Just as adult clothes don’t fit children, emergency medical procedures and medicine doses are different for kids. That’s why Hillsboro Firefighters undergo annual mandatory training on pediatric pre-hospital care. As you know, a fire engine is dispatched any time you call for an ambulance. Strategically located to fight fire, the firefighters are also trained emergency medical technicians (EMT) and often arrive at your medical emergency prior to an ambulance. They can begin life-saving treatment and can often have a patient ready to transport by the time the ambulance arrives. This training helps them recognize the clinical situations that children present with their specific illnesses, traumatic injuries and, in the cases of infants, their inability to communicate to responders about what is wrong.

This week and next week, trainers are presenting a full day of classroom refresher training along with a full day series of skill stations. Each station is designed to test emergency medical skills such as: intubation (insertion of a mechanical breathing tube) and airway management, injury immobilization, and medication dosage calculations for the different age and size children. The emergencies include respiratory issues, traumas, altered levels of consciousness, seizures, burns and toxic exposures along with a host of chronic and acute diseases. The firefighters not only study the physiological aspect of trauma, but the psychological characteristics exhibited by children involved in disasters. Through the use of case lectures, videos, hands-on skill stations using practice props and group scenarios, the firefighters polish their skills at assessment and managing ill or injured children prior to their trip to a hospital.

Prepared for the Hot Weather

2009-07-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

From Hot Days Response

On hot, dry and windy days like those forcast for this week, Hillsboro firefighter/medics leave their normal, ambulance-style, response vehicle in the fire station and respond with a brush fire fighting vehicle. The smaller, four-wheel drive vehicle is able to drive out into fields and over rough terrain where the heavy fire engines cannot travel. The Brush Rigs, as they are called, carry smaller amounts of water, but also have brush fire fighting tools, as well as the medical equipment normally carried on Rescue 1.

From Hot Days Response

The quicker response of BR-1 can often make the difference in stopping a brush fire when it is still small. All firefighters are trained to fight both structure fires and brush fires.

Misplaced Security Light Causes Mooberry Elementary Fire

2009-07-20T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Investigators say a school security light removed from its position and placed face down against roofing material is the most likely cause of the early Friday (7/17/09) one-alarm fire at Mooberry Elementary School's kindergarten building located at 1230 NE 10th Avenue
View Larger Map. Investigators found the remains of a 400-watt mercury vapor light that was connected to a timer. Roofing contractors who had been working on the building told investigators they removed the light fixture from its position, left it connected to its wiring, and placed it face down against tar paper. They were unaware the light was on a timer.

Investigators say the light came on at about 10 pm and heated the tar paper to the point it began a fire on the roof deck. The fire burned slowly in the roofing material, ignited materials in the void space above the ceiling, and caused burning debris to drop down into the classroom area. That is when the smoke produced finally triggered the alarm system.

Fire damage to the roof and one classroom is extensive with heavy smoke, heat and water damage occurring to the remainder of the building. Damage estimate is $500,000.

Smoke Alarm Recall - Kidde Brand Dual Sensor PI2000

2009-07-13T07:06:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Kidde Model PI2000 Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms

Units: About 94,000

Manufacturer: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.

Hazard: An electrostatic discharge can damage the unit, causing it not to warn consumers of a fire.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received two reported incidents of smoke alarm malfunctions involving electrostatic discharge during installation. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Kidde dual sensor smoke alarms model PI2000. The alarms can be identified by two buttons, “HUSH” and “PUSH AND HOLD TO TEST WEEKLY,” which are located on the front/center of the alarm. The model number and date code are on the back of the smoke alarm. Only date codes 2008 Aug.01 through 2009 May 04 are included in this recall.

Sold at: Retail, department, and hardware stores and through electrical distributors nationwide from August 2008 through May 2009 for between $30 and $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should contact Kidde immediately to receive a free replacement smoke alarm.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kidde toll-free at (877) 524-2086 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.kidde.com

Bathroom Exhaust Fan Safety

2009-07-08T13:00:00.000-07:00

In the past four weeks, Hillsboro Fire Department has responded to two residential fires that investigators say were caused by faulty bathroom exhaust fans. Both fires caused sufficient damage to force the families to move out while the home was being repaired. A couple of neighbors asked us what actions they should take to ensure the same thing doesn't happen in their own homes.

The answer is two fold:
1. Keep it clean and lubricated. Most people don't think about the accumulation of dust that occurs beyond the plastic or metal grill or housing visible from where you stand. Over a period of years, dust can accumulate causing the motor to work harder and even seize. That seized light-weight motor continues to generate heat, yet doesn't pull enough amperage to trip the circuit breaker. After enough time, sufficient heat will be generated to ignite the lint, wiring, plastic fan blades or housing. Solution: Periodically, shut off the circuit breaker and remove the fan cover or housing. Clean the fan's motor to ensure air flow can cool the windings. Clean the fan blades to reduce the drag on the motor. Reassemble and restore the circuit breaker to its normal position.

2. If it gets noisy, replace it. Over time, all electric motors will fail. If you have been in your home for 15 or 20 years and have noticed the noise level of a fan increasing or a vibration occuring, have it replaced by a qualified electrician. For information on selecting a replacement exhaust fan, visit ConsumerReports.org.

Water Safety at Shute Park

2009-06-30T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue is proud to participate with Hillsboro Parks and Recreation Department's Summer Outpost program at Shute Park. The program provides activities, games and education along with a light lunch for local children. They served over 400 kids today who came out to play. About 65 of those kids and parents gatherd around as Hillsboro Firefighters talked about water safety.

Firefighter and Swift Water Rescue Technician Brent Wellington talked about safety tips at the pool as well as at the ocean, lakes or rivers. The key messages were children should learn to swim and should always be supervised when near or in the water. Any children not able to swim should wear a personal floatation device(PFD) when near or in the water.

Lieutenant Jason Blount, a resue boat operator showed the kids the equipment carried on HFD's Rescue Boat-1. The equipment includes a throw ring, a bag full of rope for thowing to a person in distress, and the dry suits that rescuers wear when in the chilly Oregon rivers and lakes.

HFD has already responed to at least two water rescue calls this season. In one incident, a six year old child was saved by the quick application of CPR by a bystander. We hope you play safely when on, near or on the water.

Hot Weather Ahead

2009-06-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

From Hot Weather

When the mercury approaches 90-degrees in Oregon, many people call it blazing hot! If you came from the South, that may sound silly. But, for those of us who are acclimated to Oregon's mild temperatures, a 90-degree+ day brings along some hazards that you should be considering when planning outdoor activities.

1. You can't do as much in the heat as you do in the cooler temperatures. Take frequent breaks and drink plenty of cool (not cold) water to keep yourself hydrated. Heat exhaustion is the result of too much exertion during high temperatures. Symptoms of heat exhaustion are:
Nausea
Vomiting
Fatigue
Headache
Weakness
Muscle cramps
Dizziness

Usually, people experience symptoms of heat exhaustion before exhibiting signs of a heat stroke. But, not always. Symptoms of heat stroke may appear rapidly or slowly. A heat stroke is a true medical emergency. You should call 9-1-1 immediately if you suspect a heat stroke. Left untreated, heat stroke can be fatal. Symptoms include:
High body temperature
The absence of sweating with hot red or flushed dry skin
Rapid pulse
Difficulty breathing
Hallucinations
Strange behavior
Confusion
Agitations
Disorientation
Seizure
Coma

TREATMENT:
Get the patient to a shady area and remove clothing.
Cool the patient as soon as possible. Spray the patient with water and fan to promote evaporation on the skin.
Place ice bags under the arm pits and groin.

PREVENTION:
Avoid strenuous exercise or work during the heat of the day.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine.
Take frequent breaks.
Wear a hat when in the sun.
Wear light weight, light colored clothing.

The populations who most at risk of heat exhaustion and stroke are:
Infants
Elderly (especially those with chronic diseases)
Athletes
Outdoor workers

2. The second issue during hot weather is FIRE. Several successive days of high temperatures and low humidity dry out the fuels, such as grasses and brush. The rising temperatures put the fuels closer to their ignition point.

Please be careful with fire. If you plan to camp, follow safety rules regarding care and extinguishment of campfires. Use your ashtray not the roadway for discarded smoking materials. Remember what "Smokey" says, "Only you can prevent forest fires."

Keep it Legal and Safe on the 4th!

2009-06-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

As you plan your 4th of July Holiday, remember that Oregon law restricts the type of fireworks that are legal to possess and use. Illegal fireworks are those that fly, explode or shoot projectiles. They include but are not limited to M-80s, cherry bombs, bottle rockets, Roman cancles and firecrackers. Legal fireworks are descirbed as snakes, sparklers, fountains and spinning ground wheels.

Parents, there are three things you should be aware of at this time of year:
1. Adults should be the only ones handling fireworks. What your child does with fireworks can financially impact you! If another person is injured or property damage occurs, you can be held financially liable for damages. Your homeowners insurance may not provide coverage if you or your children knowingly used illegal fireworks that result in personal injury or property damage.

2. You face the loss of the illegal fireworks through confication if you are caught by law enforcement offciers using illegal fireworks. Additionally, you face a fine of up to $500 for use and/or possession of illegal fireworks. Fireworks that have been modified or homemade come under the classification of "manufacture of an explosive device" and you can be charged with a felony for doing so.

3. And finally, from a role model perspective, participating in or condoning your children's use of illegal fireworks sends a message to the young that it is okay to select which laws are okay to break.

Please be a good role model this year. Have a safe holiday and enjoy only Oregon legal fireworks! For national statistics on fireworks injuries and more, visit:
The FEMA website on Fireworks.

This Is Never A Good Sight!

2009-06-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

Jean Lane Fire

It's a missing smoke alarm. The Rojas family is lucky to be alive today after 24-year old Thomas Junior awoke to find smoke in his home at 1943 SW Jean Lane. He roused his wife, two small children, father and brother and all escaped unharmed. The fire, confined to the master bathroom of their three-bedroom ranch home, did about $40,000 in damage. The younger Rojas tried to extinguish the flames with a garden hose, which helped keep the flames in check until Hillsboro Firefighters arrived shortly before 3:00 am Tuesday morning, June 23rd. They quickly doused the flames.

The family's smoke alarm had begun chirping, indicating it had a dead battery. They removed the alarm, intending to replace it, thinking that nothing was going to happen in the interim.

The cause of the fire is believed to be the exhaust fan in the bathroom. Here are the safety tips for the day:

* Never go to bed without working smoke alarms.
* If your exhaust fan has begun getting louder, it should be checked or replaced by a qualified electrical contractor.

If you are worried about what type of alarm to buy, ionization or photoelectric, consider an alarm with both types in a single unit. There is more on that at the US Fire Administration web site.

Training Burn

2009-06-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, June 18th, Hillsboro Firefighters conducted a training burn at 26180 NW Evergreen Road. The drills are part of live fire training all firefighters are required to have annually. Training officers set fires in several donated construction site office trailers to provide firefighters with experience in understanding fire behavior and practice tactics in dealing with mobile home fires which build and spread rapidly. Later, firefighters dealt with practice burns in a shop building on the property and capped off the day with training five new volunteer firefighters in the four bedroom, 1950s vintage home on the property.

While firefighters practice in putting out fires, you would be wise in using this reminder to practice your home escape plan with your whole family. Sit down tonight and sketch out the footprint of your home showing the doors and windows as the two ways out of every room. Select a meeting place outside where everyone should gather once out of the house. It should be at the front of the home so you're ready to tell arriving firefighters whether anyone is missing. Plan to call 9-1-1 from a neighbor's phone or your cell phone.

Then actually conduct a fire drill in your home by pressing the test button on your smoke alarm and having everyone exit to your meeting place. See if you can improve your exit times from one drill to the next. Have at least one drill per year at night.

For more information on fire and life safety issues, visit www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire.

June is Home Safety Month - Is Your Family Safe?

2009-06-18T08:03:00.000-07:00

June is Home Safety Month and the Home Safety Council has just completed revamping its web site to include more information, safety checklists, videos and more. After school is out and before you leave for vacation is a good time to have the whole family look around your house for hazards. From falls to fires, for babies to seniors, spend a few minutes ensuring your home is safe. Visit the Home Safety Council website at www.homesafetycouncil.org.

National Lightning Awareness Week June 21-27

2009-06-17T10:42:00.000-07:00

Lightning

June 21 through the 27th is Lightning Awareness Week. While booming thunderstorms are relatively rare here in the Hillsboro area compared with the Midwest, you may be traveling to the mountains or to Eastern Oregon and experience some of nature's fireworks. Just remember, lightning injures hundreds every year and kills dozens of people across the country. For lightning safety tips, visit the National Oceanic and Asmospheric Administration web site.

Honoring a Life-Saver

2009-06-16T18:08:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Department recognized Tonya Stewart at City Council meeting Tuesday, June 18, 2009, for her life-saving application of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Ms. Stewart was among a group of about 20 people enjoying the swimming pool at her apartment on May 22nd. She was sunbathing on the pool deck when she realized that pool occupants had begun screaming that a boy was drowning.

Moments earlier, a 6-year boy had jumped into the pool. When he surfaced, another swimmer accidentally bumped the child causing him to hit his head agains the pool edge. When fellow swimmers noticed him again, he was floating motionless in the pool. Bystanders quickly pulled the child from the water.

Ms. Stewart, 33, drawing on her C-P-R training from a previous job in the healthcare industry, quickly applied C-P-R while another bystander called 9-1-1. She continued the process until Hillsboro Firefighter/Paramedics and Metro West Ambulance medics arrived. By that time, the child had begun breathing on his own and had regained consciousness.

For her swift action in applying C-P-R, Hillsboro Fire Department Operations Chief Greg Nelson, representing all public safety personnel who responded, presented a certificate of recognition to Ms. Stewart.

"We are proud to have such comptetent and selfless citizens here in Hillsboro," said Operations Chief Nelson. "We can look to Ms. Stewart for inspiration to always be prepared to help someone in need."

Hillsboro Firefighters to Conduct Practice House Burn

2009-06-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Firefighters, both paid and volunteer, will be conducting a series of training burns throughout the day on Thursday, June 18, 2009, at 26180 NW Evergreen Road. The series of burns will provide paid firefighters an opportunity to practice fighting fires. The first series of burns will be conducted in donated office trailers, also known as job shacks, provided by Skanska Corporation. Trainers will set small controlled burns in portions of these mobile offices and firefighting teams will be sent inside to extinguish the flames. These burns will be conducted from 8:30 am until about 1:00 pm. As training at each trailer is completed, firefighters will allow the trailer to completely burn in order to demolish the structure. The training is part of annual live-fire requirements of all firefighters.

From about 6:30 pm until 9:00 pm, Hillsboro Volunteer Firefighters will conduct training burns in a donated residence at the same address. The training is similar to that conducted in the earlier evolutions. However, these firefighters are approaching the end of their recruit academy or initial training. Until this time, the Volunteer Recruit Academy has provided recruits with classroom and hands-on fundamentals of all aspects of emergency medical response, rescue, and firefighting. These sessions will provide them with their first experience in fighting live fire in a relatively safe and controlled environment.

The donated structure burns provide the practical experience for firefighters that cannot be replicated in drill towers or other simulators. Firefighters must be able to enter a strange building that has active fire with dense smoke often down to the floor level. They must be able to locate the seat of the fire, extinguish the flames, monitor their air supply, communicate with the incident commander and maintain awareness of their team member locations as well as situational awareness for other hazards.

These drills serve as a reminder for all area residents to create and practice a fire escape plan for their home. The escape plan should include:

o Having working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas.
o Knowing two ways out of every room
o Having a meeting place outside, preferably in front of the residence
o Calling 9-1-1 from the meeting place or a neighbor’s home

For more fire and life safety information, visit: www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire or call 503-681-6166.

Golf Tourney Benefits Two Charities

2009-06-11T07:58:00.000-07:00

Avid golfers from around the state pulled out their best shots Wednesday at the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation/Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts of Kindness Charity Golf Tournament. The best ball scramble contest drew 20 teams to the beautiful Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club in Aloha. The event is sponsored by numerous local businesses and raises money for the two charitable organizations.

The winning foursome of Gunia, Godfrey, Miller and Benson took home some great prizes. Second place went to T. Seidel, Rizzo, Hill and Anzellotti. And, third place went to the foursome of Chief Gary Seidel with teammates Sparks, McCown and Krupf.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was created to honor firefighters fallen in the line of duty and to assist their families and coworkers. The Hillsboro Random Acts of Kindness program was created by dedicated firefighters and employees from the City of Hillsboro who truly believe that they can make a difference in our community in ways besides their emergency responses. They seek to plant positive seeds in our neighborhoods to the benefit of the whole community. Their aim is simple - to help fellow firefighters and city employees give something extra back to the communities they live in and care for.

Final Wildfire Exercises

2009-06-10T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Firefighters are completing their third week of wildfire drills to prepare for the upcoming season. This week's final drill built on the previous week's training by using the sandbox tactical decisions made in the prior week's drill and actually visiting the locations where they made choices to deploy resources.

Firefighters must perform structural triage when dealing with wildfires in the wildland/urban interface(WUI). WUI is where developed areas meet forests or fields. That means a team of firefighters must assess each home's defensability. They look for clear access to the home, a minimum of 30-feet of non-combustible vegetation or low, green grass between the home and any wildfire fuels, and the type of construction of the home.

The evaluators have a relatively simple formula to follow to decide whether to commit an engine company to defend that home or to not risk their lives because the home cannot be defended safely.

For more information on how to ensure your home is as safe as can be from wildfire, visit www.firewise.org.

Esplanade Safety Event

2009-06-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro firefighters are proud of their equipment and Saturday’s Safety Day event at the Sunset Esplanade, sponsored by KUIK Radio, was a great opportunity for crews to show the public the tools they use to fight fire. Hundreds of children and parents toured Engine 103 and Truck 3 and chatted with our public education team. Firefighters and the safety team communicated the importance of fire safety in the home and distributed materials that focus on two major aspects of home fire safety, working smoke alarms and home escape planning.

Each year thousands of people die in home fires. Four out of every five of those people die in their own homes. When fire breaks out, the key to your survival is immediate escape. Your life and the lives of your family depend on whether you know how to escape from fire. The majority of fatal home fires strike at night while you are asleep. You need working smoke alarms to wake you AND an escape plan so everyone in your home knows how to get out alive!

Safety Steps:
Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home and that they work. Test smoke alarms once a month by pushing the test buttons. Smoke alarms alert people to fire; families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.

Get everybody together and draw a simple floor plan of your home. Plan two ways out of each room. The first way out should be the door and the second way out could be another door or window. Make sure doors and windows can be opened easily.

In a two-story building, plan your secondary escape through a window. If you plan to use an escape ladder, make sure everybody knows how to use it.

Choose a special meeting place for all family members outside the home and mark it on the floor plan. A meeting place should be something that always stays in the same place, such as a tree, telephone pole, or a neighbor’s house.

Have a home fire drill at least twice a year – once at night. Have everybody in the home practice using their second way out as well as their primary route.

For more information on fire and life safety tips, visit www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire

Wildland Water Operations

2009-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:00

Wildland firefighting differs in many ways, but the most obvious is that rural areas often don't have water hydrants to provide firefighters with ample water. As a result, they must shuttle water in with water tenders from the nearest hydrant; draft water from ponds, rivers, lakes or swimming pools; or a combination of both.

Hillsboro Firefighters this week worked on the second phase of their refresher for fighting wildland fires--providing an adequate water supply. They drilled at the Washington County Fairgrounds on shuttling water to a location, nursing a pumper from a water tender, and drafting from a portable water tank. In addition, they practiced using a floating pump designed to pump from a pool, pond or river into small diameter hose lines for fire attack.

You can help firefighters defend your home in the event of a wildfire in the wildland urban interface. On flat land, clear brush and dried vegetation at least 30-feet from your home. On a slope, you should clear the downhill side at least 100 feet. Additionally, remove overhanging tree branches from around your home. For more on wildland fire preparations, visit www.firewise.org

Novelty Lighter Ban Goes Into Effect June 2nd

2009-06-01T14:38:00.000-07:00

For those who missed the legislative process, Oregon now has a ban on the sale of novelty lighters. Those are lighters that look or act like a toy, replicate the tools of adults such as cell phones, or provide music or sound effects that make it appealing to children under age 10. Each of the items pictured above is a novelty lighter and there are hundreds of others in differing types and shapes.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal has notified all retailers and the Oregon Liquor Control Commission has notified all liquor retailers to remove all such lighters from their inventory. Retailers face a $500 a day fine for a violation, wholesalers face $1,000 day fine and manufacturers and importers face up to $10,000 in fines for violating the new law.

For more information on the ban on novelty lighters visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal's web site.

Cutting Through Concrete and Steel

2009-06-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

While we don’t have the frequency of earthquakes that California has, Oregon does have an occasional tremor. That’s hardly enough to keep the topic in our awareness. However, it should be. Experts predict there is a significant chance of a major subduction zone earthquake in an area off the Oregon coast within the next 50 years. Their prediction is for a magnitude 9.0 earthquake lasting four minutes with devastating results. There would be hundreds, possibly thousands, of buildings destroyed in such an event.

To prepare for such a possibility, Hillsboro Fire Department has trained Technical Rescue Technicians who specialize in Search and Rescue techniques in building collapse scenarios. These firefighters regularly practice the use of their heavy duty cutting tools to ensure readiness should the need arise. One recent drill involved the use of specialized hydraulic-powered chain saws, circular saws and jack hammers. Each tool is designed to allow firefighters to quickly cut through collapsed concrete and metal structures to reach patients trapped inside.

These drills are designed to refresh skills for veterans and provide rookie firefighters with the opportunity to train with this specialized equipment.
In case your memory has faded or you are too young to remember, it was in 1989 that California experienced a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that became known as the Loma Prieta Earthquake. And in 1994, the Northridge quake occurred. Both killed dozens of people.

If you are asking, what you should do to be prepared for a devastating earthquake, here is a basic list:

1. Create an emergency kit for your home that contains food, water, first aid kit, necessary medicines, and other essentials so that you can live independently without utilities for at least 5 to 7 days.
2. Create a family communications plan.
3. In the event of an earthquake:
a. First, remain where you are and “Drop, Cover, and Hold On.”
b. Prepare for aftershocks.

Firefighters Refresh on Safety and Tactics for Wildfires

2009-05-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Warm and dry weather brings the threat of wildfire to Oregon. Hillsboro Firefighters took part in their annual wildland fire refresher course this week. The drill focused on Safety and Tactics. For firefighters accustomed to dealing with structure fires through a long rainy season, the refresher course was designed to ensure firefighter safety at all times. Much of the classroom sessions dealt with crew safety while a portion of the practical dealt with deploying their fire shelter. Real fire shelters are multi-layered with a foil-like exterior designed as a last stand should a wildfire overrun a fire crew's position. Often called a "shake and bake" due to the procedure, the shelters can save lives and must be deployed in 20 seconds. For practice, firefighters employ reuseable shelters rather than the one-time-use-only real shelters.

The second portion of the practical drill focused on tactics in fighting wildland fires in terrain found around Hillsboro. Firefighters used enlarged aerial photos and toy-like fire engines to "talk" through the tactics they would use in a wildland fire.

Firefighters have responded to several small bark dust and grass fires along major thoroughfares in Hillsboro recently. Most were caused by improper disposal of smoking materials. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue reminds you to use the ashtray, not the road way, for disposal of all smoking materials. For more fire and life safety information, visit www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire or call 503-681-6166.

Fire Damages Hillsboro Duplex

2009-05-25T01:39:00.000-07:00

A one-alarm fire late Sunday night caused extensive damage to a Hillsboro duplex. Hillsboro Fire and Rescue responded to the blaze at 11:29 pm at 155 NE Edison Street after a neighbor called 9-1-1 and reported seeing flames coming from one of the units. When the first arriving firefighters from the downtown Hillsboro Fire Station #1 arrived, they found heavy fire coming from the east side of the older duplex residence, with flames extending into the attic space. The lone occupant of the front apartment was still inside. 59-year old Sue Hughes was exiting the apartment as firefighters began attacking the flames. She reported one of two dogs she had in her home remained inside. Firefighters entered the apartment, located the small dog, and quickly brought it out to safety. The rear apartment was unoccupied.

Firefighters from Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, along with an engine company from Washington County Fire District #2, brought the flames under control in about 20-minutes. No one was injured.

Hughes told firefighters that she was asleep when she awoke to a loud popping noise. Moments later, her smoke alarm activated. She went to the kitchen to investigate and found the curtains and wall engulfed in flames. She escaped unharmed.

The fire heavily damaged the rear apartment, caused some moderate damage to the kitchen of Hughes apartment and produced light smoke damage to the rest of her home. Due to the damage in her apartment, Hughes will be staying with a relative. She had no renters insurance.

Fire investigators are examining the evidence at the scene and will interview witnesses to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Damage estimates are still being tallied.

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue reminds you to ensure your smoke alarms work properly by testing them monthly. Additionally, every home should have an escape plan that every member has practiced. Have a meeting place outside, preferably in the front to ensure everyone is out. And once outside, never go back into a burning home for any reason. For more fire and life safety information, visit: www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire or call 503-681-6166.

Fire Damages Gas Station Building

2009-05-22T11:18:00.000-07:00

A one-alarm fire caused an estimated 60-thousand dollars in damage to the building housing the Airport 76 Gas and Market at 1729 NE Cornell Road Thursday.

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Two residents of an apartment complex behind the gas station ran into the facility to report the fire to the employees inside. All employees and customers of the store escaped unharmed.

Firefighters from Hillsboro Fire and Rescue responded to the blaze at 2:36 pm. The first arriving company, Engine 5 from the Parkwood Station, found heavy fire and thick black smoke coming from a storage area behind the building. They quickly deployed two hose lines and began attacking the flames. Moments later, the flames burned through the electrical service line feeding the building dropping the energized wires onto one of the fire hoses. Firefighters had to abandon that hose and pull additional lines to continue fighting the fire. Despite the hazard, they brought the flames under control in about 14-minutes. Damage was confined to the rear storage area and wall of the building with some fire damage in the ceiling area nearest the fire. Additionally, the building and products inside suffered some light smoke damage.

The fire produced such thick black smoke outside that at least two neighboring businesses chose to temporarily close and evacuated their buildings. Public safety officers did not order their evacuation. The businesses reopened after firefighters had the blaze under control. Fire investigators are interviewing witnesses and examining evidence at the scene in an effort to determine a cause for the fire.

Hillsboro Firefighters Swing into Action for Charity

2009-05-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Golf Tourney

Above: Firefighter Ted Whiteman, a member of Random Acts of Kindness program, checks out a 2009 Kawasaki Teryx LE 750 valued at $11,549 courtesy of Motorsport Hillsboro. The ATV will be one of the prizes for a hole-in-one at the charity's golf tournament June 10th.

Off duty Hillsboro Firefighters are hanging up their axes and hoses for a day on June 10th to help conduct a charity golf tournament at The Reserve Vineyard and Golf Club, 4805 SW 229th Avenue, Aloha. The event is designed to help generate funds for two worthy causes: The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the Hillsboro Firefighters Random Acts of Kindness program. Both are 501(c)3 charities and each receives half of the net proceeds from the event.

“We are hoping that golfers of all skill levels will join us for a great day of golf at the beautiful Reserve Golf Club as we honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and we help those who need assistance due to hardships from an emergency,” said Hillsboro Fire Chief Gary Seidel. The Radom Acts of Kindness effort began in 1994 by local firefighters.

“We help people every day in the course of our job,” said Firefighter Ted Whiteman, “But, of course, we can’t use taxpayer funds to help solve many of the citizens’ needs following their emergency. That’s where Random Acts of Kindness comes in.” The group has provided aid in many forms, such as building a wheelchair ramp for a senior citizen, paying for plumbing repairs of a woman recently widowed, and providing a bus ticket and food for a traveler stranded and without cash.

The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation was created to honor fallen fire heroes and help their families and coworkers. The organization offers direct assistance to firefighters’ families following a line of duty death; scholarships for spouses and children of firefighters killed in action; and networking and grief support for families and coworkers following a death.

The 2009 Golf Tournament kicks off with a 1:30 pm shotgun tee-off (Registration opens at 12:00) and is followed by a dinner buffet, silent auction and awards from 5:30 to 7:15 pm. Individuals may play for $150 and a team may play for $500. The price includes 18 holes of best ball scramble golf, the awards buffet, a gift bag for each golfer, and participation in the silent auction.

There are still sponsorships opportunities available. They range from $500 for a cart sponsor to $100 for a bunker sponsor. If you are unable to play on June 10th, you can make a direct contribution in several ways: a check to the Hillsboro Random Acts of Kindness, a check to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation or donation of a silent auction item. For more information or to register for the tournament, contact the Hillsboro Fire Department at 503-681-6166.

Car Crash Drills

2009-05-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

One of the most common type of calls at a Hillsboro Fire Department is a motor vehicle accident (MVA). While they are frequent, the variety of positions in which cars come to rest and the need to quickly extricate occupants requires regular training to ensure all is done safely.

Hillsboro Firefighters this week are drilling on stabilizing cars found on their side, accessing the patients by removing the vehicle roof, and immobilizing the patient to protect the spine from further injury. Firefighters are using wrecked cars provided generously by Hillsboro Towing to practice on.

The drills include using stabilizing jacks, chock blocks, and other means to keep the cars from rolling over and injuring firefighters. They then use power tools, including hydraulic cutters often referred to as "The Jaws of Life," along with common electric Saws All to cut the side posts and remove the roof of the car. This allows access to the patient.

Burn pile explosion injures one

2009-05-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro fire investigators say an aerosol can exploded in a backyard burn pile Saturday sending one person to the hospital.

Hillsboro Fire Department reminds you that household garbage is prohibited in backyard burn piles or barrels. For more information on backyard burning, visit www.ci.hillsboro.or.us/fire/burn.aspx or call the Hillsboro Backyard Burn Information Line at 503-631-6204.

Joint Water Rescue Drill at Hagg Lake

2009-05-18T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro Fire Department joined Forest Grove Fire and Rescue for a joint water rescue drill on Hagg Lake on Friday, May 15th. Firefighters from both agencies drilled on ways to quickly and efficiently deploy rescue swimmers from a boat in swift water or from a craft still at speed. Additionally, they practiced methods for bringing aboard patients on a backboard or in a life jacket and recovering unconscious or deceased persons. For more on water safety for children, visit: http://kidshealth.org/teen/safety/safebasics/water_safety.html

EMS Week May 17-23

2009-05-14T16:47:00.000-07:00

Every firefighter at Hillsboro Fire and Rescue is an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). There are three levels of certification: Basic, Intermediate, and Paramedic. Each level allows the firefighter/medic to perform different levels of treatment with the Paramedic having the most latitude to perform advanced life support procedures in the field.

May 17 through 23rd is National Emergency Medical Services week, a time when we recognize the valuable role that our EMTs play in pre-hospital care. They work along side of dedicated ambulance medics and hospital emergency department physicians and staff to provide an advanced emergency medical system.

Hillsboro Fire stations are strategically positioned around the community to be ready to fight fire. Because we are close by and trained to handle medical emergencies, a fire engine or truck company is dispatched every time you call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. Our crews can often arrive first and begin life-saving treatment, when necessary. Once the ambulance arrives, the patient is handed off to them for transport to an area hospital. It's a seamless system that provides the public with the highest level of service possible.

Juvenile Fire Setting

2009-05-14T16:04:00.000-07:00

In the past six weeks, our Public Education staff have provided specialized education for several area youth who have misused fire. Some were referred by parents who caught their children playing with matches. Others were required to see us as a result of a referral by the Washington County Juvenile Department.

Our fire department particpates in a Juvenile Fire Setter Intervention Network that can help youth who have an unhealthy fascination with fire. A confidential screening at the fire station and an hour of education here may be all that is needed. For other children who may have additional decision-making problems, we refer them to a wonderful program provided by the Fire Safe Families and Children organization. These age-appropriate classes run one night a week for six or eight weeks and help youth learn good life skills as well as how to be fire-safe at home.

Contact the Public Education staff at Hillsboro Fire Department, 503-681-6166, if you have questions about youths you know to be misusing fire.

Wildfire Awareness Week

2009-05-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

May 3-9 was wildfire awareness week in Oregon. The week reminds us to follow several rules in handling fire outdoors any place and any time:

Call your local fire department before you burn. In Hillsboro, call 503-681-6204.
Burn only backyard debris.
If you are using a burn barrel, cover it with a 1/4-inch mesh screen.
Keep burn barrels away from overhanging structures, trees or vehicles.
Keep piles small. Add debris to the small pile as it burns down.
Make sure your fire is out! Dead out! Drown, stir, drown.

What makes Oregon and Hillsboro beautiful are the great trees and beautiful greenery. That's what also makes us at risk for an urban interface fire. Use caution whenever you use fire!

Big Water Drill

2009-05-11T12:47:00.000-07:00

Many room and contents fires can be extinguished with a 1.5-inch hose line and small amounts of water. However, there are fires that advance in size before discovery and require large amounts of water coming from many hose lines. That is a time for what's called "big water." Big water comes from 2.5-inch hose lines hooked to a portable monitor (see photo), from the "deck gun" fixed monitor atop a fire engine, or from the elevated master stream from the extended ladder of a ladder truck.

Rope Rescue Drills

2009-05-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Hillsboro firefighters attend seasonal trainings for special rescue situations. Each spring, they go through a refresher course for the veterans in the skills of high angle and low angle rope rescue. While all firefighters have a basic knowledge of these skills, our Technical Rescue Technicians have advanced training and normally respond to critical incidents requiring their special skills. The first arriving engine company can often begin the process of setting up a rope system to speed up rescue when the Technical Rescue Technicians arrive.