Clackamas Fire’s Community Newsletterclackamasfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/201612.pdf · 2017. 4. 3. · Your support made a difference in our community this holiday season

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Clackamas Fire District #1 www.clackamasfire.com

Clackamas Fire’s Community Newsletter

Message from the Chief, Fred Charlton December 2016

To safely protect and preserve life and property

Inside this issue

Operation Santa Claus

Helping those in need this holiday season...Clackamas Fire would like to thank our communities for the outpouring

of support for its 42nd year participating in Operation Santa Claus. During November and December, we collected

non-perishable food and new toys through 14 community parades (one was cancelled), 43 local businesses, four

schools, and countless donations to our community fire stations to help those in need across our community. We

collected 42,500 pounds of non-perishable food and 7,500 toys. In addition, donations this year were distributed to

355 households totaling 1,322 individuals. This could not be possible without the support of our community,

businesses, schools, and individual donations. Your support made a difference in our community this holiday

season.

Thank you to our community for the outpouring of support for Clackamas Fire District #1's annual Operation Santa program. This year we celebrated our 42nd year collecting food and toys for those in need across the communities we proudly serve. A record amount of food and toys were collected from community parades, business partners, schools, cities and other community partners. Operation Santa was able to help provide food and toys to over 400 local families and numerous service organizations. 2016 was a busy year for the Fire District from spending general obligation bond funds on emergency apparatus and infrastructure, to the annexation of Boring Fire District #59, the hiring and training of new employees and volunteer personnel, responding to a record number of calls for help, providing services to other strategic partners, and executing the goals and objectives of the Strategic Business Plan. 2017 is sure to bring new challenges and opportunities as we continue to focus on our mission - "To Safely Protect and Preserve Life and Property." Have a safe and Happy New Year.

Chief’s Message………………... 1

Board of Directors……………… 2

Chain of Survival Celebration…. 2

AED Cardiac Arrest Save……… 3

Fleet Chains Up Engines……… 3

Safety/Public Education……….. 4

Health and Safety………………. 4

Employee Highlights…………… 5

What is it?.................................. 6

Emergency Management……… 6

Upcoming Events………………. 7

Fire Prevention…………………. 8

Station Activities……………....... 10

Message from the Board of Directors

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On December 19, 2016, a joint meeting of Clackamas Fire District #1’s Board of Directors and Local Public Contract Review Board was held. The purpose of this meeting was to hear a presentation regarding the process to hire a construction manager/general contractor (CM/GC) for the new Station 16 fire station. The result of the joint meeting was approval of Resolution 16-07 – Joint Resolution of the Board and Local Contract Review Board Exempting the Station 16 Construction Project from Competitive Bidding Requirements and Directing the Use of an RFP and CM/GC Alternative Contracting Methods. The following took place at the December 19, 2016 regular Board of Directors’ meeting: A presentation was given by Health and Wellness Manager Heather Goodrich regarding the process to select a provider for occupational medicine services. The Board approved the following:

An occupational health services contract with Adventist Health.

Resolution 16-08 – Certifying the Election Results for the Annexation of Property to the District.

Contract for Sonitrol Security.

Purchase of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBAs).

Contractor for Stations 12 and 13 seismic upgrades.

Chain of Survival Celebration

Clackamas Fire held its third Chain of Survival Celebration and Challenge Coin Presentation on Monday,

December 19. Six cardiac arrest saves were recognized. Two of the survivors attended and were able to meet their

rescuers for the first time. Those honored with challenge coins included CCOM dispatchers, AMR and Clackamas

Fire EMTs and paramedics, Gresham Fire Engine 76, and several bystanders who performed CPR prior to the

arrival of EMS. This event is an opportunity for us to celebrate a system we have worked so hard to improve that is

resulting in more and more victims surviving cardiac arrest. Division Chief Conway encourages those individuals

being honored in the future to attend this special event.

Pictured above, Division Chief Bill Conway sharing

the importance of administering CPR for patient

survival.

Pictured above, a cardiac survivor being reunited

with his rescuers at the celebration.

Pictured above, Clackamas Fire’s Chain of

Survival challenge coin that is handed out to each

participant involved in the “chain.”

Law Enforcement AED Cardiac Arrest Save Clackamas Fire worked very hard on the County Law Enforcement AED program. With the help of Lake Oswego Police Chief Don Johnson, Clackamas Fire led the charge that resulted in all law enforcement agencies in Clackamas County agreeing to carry AEDs and respond to cardiac arrests. We also obtained the funding necessary to purchase AEDs for nearly every law enforcement patrol vehicle in the County through the Clackamas County System Enhancement Fund. Clackamas Fire worked with Clackamas County on the AED purchase and presented the AEDs to all of the law enforcement agencies. On Wednesday, December 14, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) had the first cardiac arrest save using one of these AEDs. CCSO Deputy Jodi Westerman responded to a minor motor vehicle accident and found the driver of one of the vehicles unconscious and not breathing. She pulled him out of the vehicle and started CPR. She also attached her AED to him and delivered one shock. Due to her quick thinking and willingness to provide care, the cardiac arrest victim survived and is doing well in the hospital. Here is an eye witness account from our very own Peggy Gitts-Hauck: On Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at around 4:45 pm, I witnessed the power of great training! The weather was freezing cold and it was snowing, which made traffic at an almost standstill. I was traveling south on the old 82nd Drive, in Clackamas, when I saw a car that had been struck on the passenger side by a small truck. Both were traveling north. Right behind the truck was a Clackamas County Sherriff’s deputy. The next thing I saw was the deputy pulling the driver out of the truck. My first thought was that the deputy was wrestling with the driver - possible drunk driver or fugitive; I didn't know. Then, I realized that the deputy was pulling the driver out because he was having some kind of a medical issue. She whipped him out, he landed on his stomach, then she flipped him over and instantly started doing CPR on him. To me, he looked twice her size, but at that moment because she

knew what to do, she had everything under control. I yelled to her to see if she wanted me to call 911. She said no that she had them on the radio, but to please ask the other drivers if they were a doctor or nurse. Because of the snarled up traffic, there were cars parked along the side of the road. There just wasn't anywhere I could stop and assist. I did start yelling at the other drivers to see if I could find a doctor or nurse, but didn't have any luck. I could hear the sirens in the far distance, and knew they were coming from Station 8 off of 130th - so far away. I just knew the driver had passed and I felt so bad. I snapped a photo of the deputy doing CPR, so I could look at it and realize how precious life is and how fast it can be taken away. The deputy was so professional and in control of the situation that I now know why it is so important to have CPR training and to be ready. You never know when it might be needed. This Clackamas County deputy is outstanding and I am so proud of her. He (the patient) lived!

Fleet Chains Up Engines Written by Deputy Chief Ryan Hari

While fire crews did a great job on the evening of December 14 responding to

numerous incidents due to the inclement weather Deputy Chief Ryan Hari

wanted to point out some great work by fleet personnel. As the weather

worsened, Fleet Director Bill Bischoff made plans along with Fleet Technician

Matt Simms to stay at work to assist as needed. Later, Medic 16 was involved in

a crash with other vehicles in a precarious spot on Holcomb Boulevard, while

transporting a patient. There were multiple vehicles involved, and the road

wasn’t passable. Further, despite Chief Hari’s best efforts, he wasn’t able to get

a tow truck. Bill and Matt chained up the shop truck, Matt responded with extra

chains and a tow cable in what was nightmarish traffic. While Medic 16 already

had chains on the rears, Matt installed new chains all around, then was able to

extricate them with the shop truck and get them back in service. During this

time, Gladstone Fire communicated they were, essentially, out of service with

the exception of one apparatus, due to tire chain issues. Thanks to Bill and

Matt, they were able to assist Gladstone Fire as well, restoring their

apparatuses back in service.

“This is just one example of a great job by everyone!” - Deputy Chief Ryan Hari 3

Law Enforcement AED Cardiac Arrest Save

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Health and Safety Moderate to High Aerobic Capacity Decreases Risk of Sudden Death

UCA researchers, collaborating with the Exercise and Epidemiology Science and Biostatistics Departments from the University of South Carolina in Columbine (USA), have carried out a study focused on the importance of aerobic capacity in the prevention of sudden death, paying special attention to those people who have pathology such as obesity and hypertension. The study has been published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings. To conduct the study, more than 55,000 people from the USA were evaluated and were followed up during an average of 14 years. All of them took an exhaustive initial exam that included the measuring of aerobic capacity through a

specific laboratory test. After that, the sudden death cases were registered over the period of the study. It was verified that the aerobic capacity level is inversely proportional to the risk of suffering a sudden cardiac death event. Those participants with moderate or high levels of aerobic capacity had between a 44 and 48 percent lower risk of suffering a sudden cardiac death event than those with low aerobic capacity. These results were higher when analyzing the specific role of the aerobic capacity in people with obesity and hypertension, since it was proven that moderate or high aerobic capacity could reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death between 58 and 72 percent. The main conclusion of this study suggests that the risk of sudden cardiac death in men and women could be partially reduced with moderate to high aerobic capacity levels. The improvements are noted progressively with small increments of aerobic capacity. “It is necessary to encourage the population to entrust a professional of physical activity and exercise to improve their physical fitness in a safe and progressive way,” according to the researchers in charge of this study. Source: Jimenez-Pavon D, Artero, EG, Lee, DC, Espana-Romero V., Sui X, Pate RR. Church TS, Moreno LA, Lavie CJ, Blair SN. “Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Risk of Sudden Cardiac Death among Men and Women in the United States. A Prospective

Evaluation from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.” Mayo Clin Proc. 2016, 91 (7); 849-57.

Before you go out, blow it out!

Candles have become a popular decorating item throughout our homes. Oregonians use them in the dining room,

around the living room, in bedrooms, and even bathrooms. On a national level, seven out of ten households use

candles, and the amount of candles sold each month is going up. Yet, many people don’t realize how quickly

something can go wrong. An unattended, abandoned, or casually placed candle can cause a devastating fire,

death or injury.

Follow these simple tips to prevent a candle fire from occurring in your home:

Blow out all candles before leaving the room or before going to sleep.

Keep candles away from things that can burn. Keep candles at least a foot away from

clothing, curtain, upholstered furniture, greenery, decorations and any other flammable

items.

Always use a sturdy metal, glass or ceramic candleholder. Make sure the candleholder is

big enough to collect dripping wax.

Place candles out of reach of small children and pets.

Trim wicks to one-quarter inch before lighting.

Avoid candles with items embedded in them such as twigs, flowers or leaves. These items

can ignite or even explode.

Information taken from the Oregon Life Safety Team: A Coalition of Fire Service, Community and Insurance Professionals.

Safety/Public Education

Employee Highlights

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Volunteer Tiah Schwartz I have been volunteering for Clackamas Fire District #1 for five years this coming January. I was in the first joint Boring/Clackamas volunteer recruit academy in 2012. I am a Rehab/Support Volunteer. I currently respond to Station 2 or use my personal vehicle to arrive on scene. I am also an EMT Basic. I wanted to give back to my community, have a way to maintain my EMT license and to be able to offer support to families who have pets who are injured in the fire. I currently work as a Certified Veterinary Technician and have always been passionate about veterinary disaster response. I grew up in the Portland area and moved to Oregon City in 2006. My family is all local except for my dad who is living in Columbus, Ohio. I have one sibling, my little brother who is a police officer. I share my home with my husband Josh, and a three legged pit bull named Archie. I am an intermittent federal employee with the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS). Within NDMS, I am on the National Veterinary Response Team (NVRT). We will be going to the 2017 Presidential Inauguration this January to provide veterinary medical support to the secret service working dogs and equine mounted patrol. In my spare time, I enjoy trail running, snow shoeing, and anything that gets me outdoors. One of my goals is to run around all the volcanoes in the Pacific Northwest. So far, I have ran around Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainer, Mt. Hood, and the Three Sisters. I hope to do Mt. Adams this next fall.

Accounting Technician/Accounts Payable Mike Goodenough This December is my first month working at Clackamas Fire District #1. I am the Accounting Technician, which takes care of all of our accounts payable. My time is spent making sure that our paperwork is in order to pay our bills and then I get to pay them. At one of the meetings I attended during my studies at Portland State University, we had several governmental accountants speak to us about their profession and how much they enjoyed their work fulfilling the missions of the entities they worked for. After listening to them, I knew I wanted to be involved in the same field. Once I interviewed with CFD and met some of the people who work here, I was sold! The dedication, professionalism, camaraderie and integrity of my coworkers, constantly gives me inspiration to be better and improve myself. My wife, Vanessa, teaches 7th grade Language Arts at a middle school in Hillsboro. This is her seventh year of teaching. We celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary earlier this year. Right before Christmas, we adopted a new cat from the Oregon Humane Society named Fizzy. My immediate family is living in the greater Portland area, and Vanessa’s family lives in San Jose, California. I spend a lot of time reading and fantasizing about cars. My wife thinks I’m obsessed and she’s probably right (she usually is right about most things)! Now that I’ve finished school, I can begin reading for pleasure again. Science fiction and fantasy are my favorite genres, but I’ll read anything that is good no matter the genre. Once the weather gets a bit nicer, it will be time to play some disc golf as well, or as my wife says, “throw a piece of plastic, pick it up, and throw it again (she’s not a big fan).” My wife and I got to spend two weeks in Spain a few years ago visiting her family. It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to go back again! Her family lives in Denia, a small city on the Mediterranean Sea about four hours from Madrid. We saw so many fascinating historical sights and picturesque villages that make me want to go back and explore even more!

Congratulations to EMS Division Chief Bill Conway for completing his degree! Chief

Conway has achieved a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Services Administration

with a minor in Communications from Eastern Oregon University. He also completed a

certification from the National EMS Management Association as a Supervising EMS

Officer.

Division Chief Earns Degree

Emergency Management

What is it? Written by Captain Brian Burke

WATER TENDER - In the rural parts of the county there are no fire hydrants to attach our hose to, so we bring the "fire hydrant" with us. Each water tender carries around 3,000 gallons of water. They also carry portable tanks that look like swimming pools so we can dump the water from the tank and go get more water. During a large fire, the water tenders may dump and fill with water several times.

Pledge to Prepare

As we look forward to the New Year, many of us will be resolving to do things to improve our health and

well-being, like eating better and exercising more. While these things are important, Clackamas Fire would like to

remind you of the importance of emergency preparedness. In 2017, Clackamas Fire is encouraging our staff and

neighbors to take the “Pledge to Prepare” for disasters.

Disasters can take many forms and strike at any time. Following a large disaster, first responders may be delayed

for hours or even days. In the midst of uncertainty, there are positive steps you can take to prepare you and your

family to be resilient to disaster.

Please join us in taking the pledge:

I am committed to improving my family’s resilience to disaster. I pledge to:

Be informed

- Learn about the types of disasters that threaten my community.

- Research the information and resources available in my community.

Make a Family Communication Plan

- Following a disaster, one of the first things we’ll want to do, is check on our families and verify their

safety. Having and practicing a plan, will help us do just that.

Build a two week Disaster Preparedness Kit

- Following a disaster, emergency responders may be delayed in providing assistance. It is essential that

we are prepared to be self-sufficient for up to two weeks.

Get involved

- Get to know my neighbors. Following a disaster, the first relief effort will be neighbors helping

neighbors.

- Spread the preparedness message where you work, go to school, where you worship, etc.

- Consider joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

______________________ _____________________

Name Date

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Upcoming Events

REDLAND FIRE STATION 11 18265 S Redland Rd.

Oregon City, OR 97045

Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 2:30pm 503-742-2600

www.clackamasfire.com

YOU’RE INVITED!

Water Tender Christenings at Stations 11 and 14

BORING FIRE STATION 14 28655 SE Hwy 212 Boring, OR 97009

Thursday, January 12, 2017 at 6:30pm

Fire Prevention

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November 2016 Date: 11/8/2016 2:43:13 AM Address: 8626 SE Sunnyside Rd. Clackamas, OR 97015 Investigator(s): Olson Type of Fire: Off-road vehicle or heavy equipment fire Fire Area of Origin: Vehicle area, other Fire Cause: Cause under investigation Estimated Dollar Loss: $17,500 Investigator Narrative: The fire was intentionally set, involving a forklift behind World Market. There was no

person of interest identified. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office involved. Date: 11/8/2016 3:26:48 AM Address: 12300 SE 82nd Ave. Happy Valley, OR 97086 Investigator(s): Olson Type of Fire: Outside. Dumpster or other trash receptacle fire. Fire Area of Origin: Outside area, other Fire Cause: Intentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $0 Investigator Narrative: Fire was intentionally set, involving a trash compactor. This fire was directly related to

the forklift fire approximately 40 minutes prior. Video surveillance footage was obtained. One person seen, not identifiable. The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office is involved. Date: 11/12/2016 2:59:28 AM Address: 15651 SE 125th Ct. Clackamas, OR 97015 Investigator(s): Liljefelt Type of Fire: Building Fire Fire Area of Origin: Processing/manufacturing area, workroom Fire Cause: Unintentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $150,000 Investigator Narrative: A metal quenching tank caught fire when the agitator was not turned on. The

suppression system was activated but did not extinguish the fire. Date: 11/12/2016 8:14:19 AM Address: 13380 SE Beech St. Milwaukie, OR 97222 Investigator(s): Dahlgren Type of Fire: Building Fire Fire Area of Origin: Vehicle storage area; garage, carport Fire Cause: Unintentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $46,715 Investigator Narrative: This was a residential fire in a lower level garage. The area of origin was in the corner of

the garage being fueled by plastic buckets and garden tools. This fire is classified as accidental.

Fire Prevention (cont.)

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Date: 11/22/2016 1:35:49 PM Address: 5201 SE King Rd. Milwaukie, OR 97222 Investigator(s): Olson Type of Fire: Building Fire Fire Area of Origin: Bedroom - < 5 persons Fire Cause: Failure of equipment or heat source Estimated Dollar Loss: $127,000 Investigator Narrative: The fire originated in a bedroom. A Witness stated seeing fire below the window sill. Fire

patterns indicated the point of origin as the power strip located under the window sill and bed. Date: 11/24/2016 6:40:04 PM Address: 9965 SE 91st Ave. Happy Valley, OR 97086 Investigator(s): Olson Type of Fire: Building Fire Fire Area of Origin: Vehicle storage area; garage, carport Fire Cause: Unintentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $6,000 Investigator Narrative: An occupant sees fire coming from the SE corner of the garage. There was no electrical

or ignition source identified. The most probable cause of the fire is a chemical chain reaction involving unknown substances. Date: 11/24/2016 10:49:54 PM Address: 19371 S South End Rd. Oregon City, OR 97045 Investigator(s): Olson Type of Fire: Building Fire Fire Area of Origin: Bedroom - < 5 persons Fire Cause: Unintentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $20,000 Investigator Narrative: The fire originated from the back bedroom. Witness statements reported large quantities

of items throughout the home. The most probable cause of the fire is careless smoking. Date: 11/29/2016 10:47:20 PM Address: 13451 SE Wiese Rd. Damascus, OR 97089 Investigator(s): Liljefelt Type of Fire: Off-road vehicle or heavy equipment fire Fire Area of Origin: Vehicle area, other Fire Cause: Intentional Estimated Dollar Loss: $15,000 Investigator Narrative: Attempted theft. The excavator caught fire when it was being hotwired and possibly

arced across the battery.

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Station Activities Clackamas Fire District #1

Apparatus Summary Reports by Apparatus Station November 2016

(Including Mutual Aid Given)

Beavercreek/Clarkes Area

Station 10 – Beavercreek Fire Station

Total Number of Responses for Station 10 Apparatus 51

Station 13 – Clarkes Fire Station


City of Milwaukie Area

Station 1 – Town Center Fire Station


Station 2 – Milwaukie Fire Station


Station 3 – Oak Grove Fire Station


Station 4 – Lake Road Fire Station


Number of Medical Aid Calls 28 Number of Fires 5 Other 18






Station Activities (cont.)

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City of Happy Valley Area

Station 5 – Mt. Scott Fire Station


Station 6 – Happy Valley Fire Station


City of Happy Valley/City of Damascus Area

Station 8 – Clackamas Fire Station


Logan/Redland Area

Station 11 – Redland Fire Station


Station 12 – Logan Fire Station


City of Oregon City Area

Station 9 – Holcomb Fire Station









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Station 16 – Hilltop Fire Station Total Number of Responses for Station 16 Apparatus 245

Station 17 – South End Station


Boring/Damascus Area

Station 7 – Pleasant Valley Fire Station


Station 14 – Boring Fire Station


Station 18 – Eagle Creek Fire Station


Station 19 – Damascus Fire Station


Station 15 – John Adams Fire Station








Number of Medical Aid Calls Number of Fires 2 Other 13


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District – Wide 2015 2016 % Increase Total apparatus responses in November Total apparatus responses in January - November 26,197 26,868 2.56%

Documents

Clackamas Fire’s Community Newsletterclackamasfire.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/201612.pdf · 2017. 4. 3. · Your support made a difference in our community this holiday season