Estacada Rural Fire District #69 http://www.estacadafire.org Desire to Serve - Courage to Act Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:17:53 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 New Station Bond to be on May Ballot http://www.estacadafire.org/new-station-bond-to-be-on-may-ballot/ http://www.estacadafire.org/new-station-bond-to-be-on-may-ballot/#comments Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:17:53 +0000 Alan Hull http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=991 At the February 16, 2012 Board Meeting the Board of Directors discussed the recent phone poll and then took public input to eventually come to the decision to proceed with a ballot measure for a new fire station. The existing station built in 1964 has been inadequate for quite some time. I will post more [...]]]> At the February 16, 2012 Board Meeting the Board of Directors discussed the recent phone poll and then took public input to eventually come to the decision to proceed with a ballot measure for a new fire station. The existing station built in 1964 has been inadequate for quite some time. I will post more information as we get closer to the ballot with details on the cost and term of the bonds.

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/new-station-bond-to-be-on-may-ballot/feed/ 0 2011 Certifications http://www.estacadafire.org/2011-certifications/ http://www.estacadafire.org/2011-certifications/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000 Alan Hull http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=987 Certifications

Over the past year our members have worked very hard to achieve the following certifications:

NFPA Firefighter I - Cody Anders - Michael LaMedica - Craig O’Meara NFPA Firefighter II - Matt Gabel - Richard Hoefer - Cornelio Leon - Mike Platz NFPA Operations Level Responder (Haz-Mat/WMD) - Cody Anders - Michael LaMedica - [...]]]> Certifications

Over the past year our members have worked very hard to achieve the following certifications:

NFPA Firefighter I
- Cody Anders
- Michael LaMedica
- Craig O’Meara
NFPA Firefighter II
- Matt Gabel
- Richard Hoefer
- Cornelio Leon
- Mike Platz
NFPA Operations Level Responder (Haz-Mat/WMD)
- Cody Anders
- Michael LaMedica
- Cornelio Leon
- Craig O’Meara
NFPA Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator
- Travis Aldridge
- Cornelio Leon
- Adam Redmond
NFPA Wildland Fire Apparatus Operator
- Travis Aldridge
- Cornelio Leon
- Adam Redmond
NFPA Fire Apparatus Equipped with Fire Pumps
- Adam Redmond
NFPA Mobile Water Supply Apparatus Operator
- Adam Redmond
- Jeremy Townsend
Fire Ground Leader
- Bruce Courtain
NFPA Fire Officer I
- Jason Crowe
- Don Ireland
- Mike Platz
NFPA Swift water Rescue Technician (Bridged from old surface water tech cert)
- Trystan Hall
- Bruce Courtain
- Bob Morrisey
- Paul Pletcher
NFPA Vehicle & Machinery Rescue Technician
- Jason Crowe
- Richard Hoefer
- Jeff Holman
- Steve Kent

NFPA Fire Instructor I
- Cornelio Leon
NFPA Fire Instructor II
- Jason Crowe
NFPA Public Fire & Life Safety Educator I
- Fred Hertel
- Michael Silva
NFPA Haz-Mat Incident Commander
- Jason Crowe
NFPA Public Information Officer
- Michael Silva

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/2011-certifications/feed/ 0 January 2012 http://www.estacadafire.org/january-2012/ http://www.estacadafire.org/january-2012/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:27 +0000 Alan Hull http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=980 Estacada Fire lost a friend when Brad Day drowned in Hawaii. Brad had served on the Fire Board for three – four year terms (12 years) in the 1980′s. I had the pleasure to discuss with Brad some of the long discussions by the board he served on, just prior to his vacation that turned so [...]]]> Estacada Fire lost a friend when Brad Day drowned in Hawaii. Brad had served on the Fire Board for three – four year terms (12 years) in the 1980′s. I had the pleasure to discuss with Brad some of the long discussions by the board he served on, just prior to his vacation that turned so tragic. Brad will be missed.

Estacada Fire District Directors made the decision at the January meeting to hire an impartial pollster to interview 250 (out of 1737) voting members of the fire district to evaluate the current economic climate of the fire district. The concern is not entirely on whether or not a new station bond would pass or not, but also on what the impact of a seven or eight dollar a month tax increase would do to our average citizen. As much as we need to have a new station, we are cognisant of current conditions and will wait if necessary for economic conditions to improve.

Until next time, stay warm and dry, and be safe out there!

 

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/january-2012/feed/ 0 New Facebook Page http://www.estacadafire.org/945/ http://www.estacadafire.org/945/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:09:53 +0000 bmorrisey http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=945 “Like” us on our new Estacada Fire Facebook Page.

]]> “Like” us on our new Estacada Fire Facebook Page.

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/945/feed/ 0 Board of Directors – Regular Meeting http://www.estacadafire.org/estacada-fire-regular-board-meeting/ http://www.estacadafire.org/estacada-fire-regular-board-meeting/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:41:11 +0000 bmorrisey http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=940 There will be a regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 7 PM. The location is in the main fire station in downtown Estacada (261 SE Fifth Ave.).

]]> There will be a regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday, December 8, 2011 at 7 PM. The location is in the main fire station in downtown Estacada (261 SE Fifth Ave.).

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/estacada-fire-regular-board-meeting/feed/ 0 Board of Directors – Regular Meeting http://www.estacadafire.org/board-of-directors-regular-meeting/ http://www.estacadafire.org/board-of-directors-regular-meeting/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:17:36 +0000 bmorrisey http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=895 There will be a regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7 PM. The location is in the administration building behind the main fire station downtown (445 SE Currin Street, Estacada, OR).

]]> There will be a regular meeting of the Board of Directors on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7 PM. The location is in the administration building behind the main fire station downtown (445 SE Currin Street, Estacada, OR).

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/board-of-directors-regular-meeting/feed/ 0 FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test Of The Emergency Alert System http://www.estacadafire.org/fema-fcc-announce-nationwide-test-of-the-emergency-alert-system/ http://www.estacadafire.org/fema-fcc-announce-nationwide-test-of-the-emergency-alert-system/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:40:22 +0000 bmorrisey http://www.estacadafire.org/?p=887

Similar to local Emergency Alert System Tests, this Test is Scheduled to Take Place on November 9, 2011

Release Date: June 9, 2011Release Number: HQ-11-099

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency [...]]]>

Similar to local Emergency Alert System Tests, this Test is Scheduled to Take Place on November 9, 2011

Release Date: June 9, 2011
Release Number: HQ-11-099

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will conduct the first nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). The nationwide test will occur on Wednesday, November 9 at 2 p.m. eastern standard time and may last up to three and a half minutes.

The EAS is a national alert and warning system established to enable the President of the United States to address the American public during emergencies.  NOAA’s National Weather Service, governors and state and local emergency authorities also use parts of the system to issue more localized emergency alerts. 

Similar to local EAS tests that are already conducted frequently, the nationwide test will involve broadcast radio and television stations, cable television, satellite radio and television services and wireline video service providers across all states and the territories of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa.

 

On November 9, the public will hear a message indicating that “This is a test.” The audio message will be the same for both radio and television. Under the FCC’s rules, radio and television broadcasters, cable operators, satellite digital audio radio service providers, direct broadcast satellite service providers and wireline video service providers are required to receive and transmit presidential EAS messages to the public. A national test will help the federal partners and EAS participants determine the reliability of the system and its effectiveness in notifying the public of emergencies and potential dangers nationally and regionally.

“A national test of our Emergency Alert System, with the vital communications support and involvement of participants, is a step towards ensuring that the alert and warning community is prepared to deliver critical information that can help save lives and protect property,” said Damon Penn, FEMA’s Assistant Administrator of National Continuity Programs. “Because there has never been an activation of the Emergency Alert System on a national level, FEMA views this test as an excellent opportunity to assess the readiness and effectiveness of the current system.  It is important to remember that this is not a pass or fail test, but a chance to establish a baseline for making incremental improvements to the Emergency Alert System with ongoing and future testing.  It is also important to remember that the Emergency Alert System is one of many tools in our communications toolbox, and we will continue to work on additional channels that can be a lifeline of information for people during an emergency.”

“The upcoming national test is critical to ensuring that the EAS works as designed,” said Jamie Barnett, Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.  “As recent disasters here at home and in Japan have reminded us, a reliable and effective emergency alert and warning system is key to ensuring the public’s safety during times of emergency.  We look forward to working with FEMA in preparation for this important test.”

Over the past two years and as part of ongoing national preparedness planning efforts, FEMA, the FCC and other federal partners, state, local, tribal and territorial governments, Emergency Alert System participants and other stakeholders have been working toward making this test a reality. 

As the federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments prepare for and test their capabilities, this event serves as a reminder that everyone should establish an emergency preparedness kit and emergency plan for themselves, their families, communities, and businesses.  Anyone can visit www.Ready.gov for more information about how to prepare for and stay informed about what to do in the event of an actual emergency.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/fema-fcc-announce-nationwide-test-of-the-emergency-alert-system/feed/ 0 Fall 2011 http://www.estacadafire.org/fall-2011/ http://www.estacadafire.org/fall-2011/#comments Wed, 26 Oct 2011 19:57:40 +0000 fhertel http://www.estacadafire.org/erfd/?p=691 Driving Safety

More crashes occur in fall and winter than other seasons. Darker, colder conditions call for different driving tactics. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. Look carefully for bikes and motorcyclists – they are small and hard to see. Don’t get over confident with four-wheel drive. It won’t help you [...]]]> Driving Safety

  • More crashes occur in fall and winter than other seasons. Darker, colder conditions call for different driving tactics.
  • Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely.
  • Look carefully for bikes and motorcyclists – they are small and hard to see.
  •  Don’t get over confident with four-wheel drive. It won’t help you stop any faster.
  •  Slow down in inclement weather and maintain extra distance between you and other vehicles.
  • Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing traction and control of the vehicle.
  • Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
  • Trucks take longer to stop. Don’t cut in front of them.

During the holiday season, and year-round, take steps to make sure that you and everyone you know avoids driving under the influence of alcohol. Following these tips from NHTSA can help you stay safe:

  • Plan ahead. Always designate a non-drinking driver before any holiday party or celebration begins.
  • Take the keys. Do not let a friend drive if they are impaired.
  • Be a helpful host. If you’re hosting a party this holiday season, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver, always offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver. www.nhtsa.gov/Impaired

Hunter Safety

  • Learn about hunter responsibility and ethics.
  • Discover how firearms work and learn about firearm safety.
  • Improve your wildlife identification, game care, survival, and first aid skills.
  • Know your target, ensure there is a backdrop.
  • Wear hunter orange.
  • Hunter education is not just for kids and not just for hunters, but for all who enjoy the outdoors and have an interest in conservation.
]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/fall-2011/feed/ 0 Thank You for Allowing Me to Serve http://www.estacadafire.org/mobile-post-test/ http://www.estacadafire.org/mobile-post-test/#comments Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:48:44 +0000 admin http://estacadafire.org/erfd/mobile-post-test/ This will be my last year working for Estacada Fire and serving our citizens as the Fire Chief. As I look back at my career here that began as a firefighter in 1977, I realize that I have been blessed by being able to work in an occupation that I love and to serve a [...]]]> This will be my last year working for Estacada Fire and serving our citizens as the Fire Chief. As I look back at my career here that began as a firefighter in 1977, I realize that I have been blessed by being able to work in an occupation that I love and to serve a community that has become my home.

There is no occupation as rewarding as one where you can help someone, to be able to take what could very well be their very worst day, and make it better. To have the tools, equipment, and knowledge to save a life or alleviate pain and suffering has always left me with a feeling of accomplishment. I thank the current and past Board of Directors for their vision and commitment to reach and then maintain “state of the art” emergency life saving equipment and continuing education for our fire department members. I appreciate the opportunity to work alongside people who honestly care for their fellow man, many of them volunteers, who juggle as hectic a schedule as many of you, with work, family, and civic responsibilities, and at the same time, answering the call for help, each and every time.

To those I have been summoned to help over the years, I hope I made your day better, and I thank you for allowing me the honor to serve. I truly believe our moments together enriched my life, for there is no better feeling than knowing you made a difference in someone’s life – in a good way.

One of the greatest rewards of a career in the fire service is the respect one gets just for joining. It is one of the few professions in which an individual doesn’t have to immediately earn respect. It’s given to you on the first day you pin the badge on your shirt. We MUST be trusted. We are in peoples’ homes, we know medical histories, we share intimate secrets, we stick needles in them, and we provide drugs (medications)!  As a result, when a firefighter does something wrong, it hurts our entire community and occupation. The embezzlement from our department was just that sort of incident which damaged our pride and our confidence. Although the single person responsible for the theft wasn’t a firefighter, she was a fire district employee. I hope citizens remember that this individual acted alone and know those events hurt our entire department. For a very short time in my career I didn’t look forward to coming to work. We did recover most of the money lost and have dedicated that money toward our greatest need, a future fire station. I can assure you the controls we initiated immediately after discovering the theft insure protection of fire district funds.

Many ask about my health and future plans. My health is good, four years after my heart attack and resulting cardiac arrest. Again, thanks for that life saving equipment and training – although I’d still rather be on the “giving” than the “receiving” end of a defibrillator!  And, as for future plans, I want to spend time with my family and friends. I thank my family for all the understanding over the years for alarms, meetings, and phone calls in the middle of the night and for those family meals interrupted. I may volunteer at the fire district, after a short break in service; I know the district needs help at all levels, although for me, not as a firefighter – my heart is only in “good” shape. If you want to do some good; both for you, your family, and your community, check out the volunteer opportunities available at Estacada Fire District. If you have the opportunity to serve, you’ll never be sorry you did!

]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/mobile-post-test/feed/ 0 Latest Update on proposed New Fire Station… http://www.estacadafire.org/hello-world/ http://www.estacadafire.org/hello-world/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:42:58 +0000 admin http://estacadafire.org/erfd/?p=1 Estacada Fire District provides fire protection, suppression, and medical services to an approximate 85 square mile area with an estimated population of 13,000 residents.  The district is composed of the City of Estacada and surrounding residential communities and farmland.  The annual responses have increased to about 1400 alarms per year; with about 80% of all calls medical in nature.The current station was built in 1964 – almost 50 years!  In that time we have seen an increase in annual call volume from 100 to 1400 alarms.  Staffing has gone from 2 to 11 career members, volunteer numbers have fluctuated over the years and are declining as it is more and more challenging to maintain training and certifications.

The District performs the following services and functions:

  • Emergency medical response
  • Fire suppression
  • Fire prevention activities
  • Fire and life safety education
  • Public relations
  • Public assists
  • Training of firefighters and emergency medical technicians
  • Facilities and vehicle maintenance
  • Administrative responsibilities
Old station deficiencies
New station solutions
New Station Images
  • Electrial system is overloaded and substandard
  • Living quarters are inadequate and not gender friendly
  • Lakc of equipment decountanination facilities
  • Disconnect of current three building operations
  • Inadequate training accomodations
  • Earthquake vulnerable facility
  • Limited responder parking = delayed response time
  • Heating & cooling systems are inadequate and expensive
  • Lack of storage = damages to current equipment
  • A modern and energy efficient electrical system
  • Facility for an increasingly diverse staff
  • Facilities to reduce contamination risks to our staff
  • One facility operations, reducing facility redundancies
  • Increased ability to train and hold community events
  • Modern code compliant facility
  • Designated responder parking
  • A modern, energy efficient and cost effective system
  • Appropriate storage to protect district equipment
Proposed Station Aerial View
Site Plan
Site and Building Views (PDF)

Why Now and Not Later?

In light of the current economy it would seem prudent to hold off on building until things get better, but to the contrary, now is the time to be building.  Bids awarded to public contracts in the present economy are more competitive than ever and a lower cost to taxpayers will result in a lower cost per thousand of property values.  Public projects started now will help lower unemployment numbers and boost the economy.  The Fire Districts’ need for a new modern facility continues to intensify as training requirements grow and volunteers willing to dedicate the hours necessary to complete our mission decline.  The construction of a new fire station that reflects the pride of the fire service and the community it serves can have an enormous impact on recruitment and play a crucial role in shaping a department’s future.  This is particularly true in the volunteer sector of the fire service.  Volunteerism in the United States is at an all-time low for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is our busy lifestyles, and we have been told by fire chiefs all over the country that a new station is a vital piece of the recruitment puzzle. ]]> http://www.estacadafire.org/hello-world/feed/ 0