Estacada Rural Fire District #69

EAST CLACKAMAS COUNTY FIRE DISTRICTS UNIFIED CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION ANNOUNCEMENT FOR EXAMINATION FIREFIGHTER/EMT-BASIC/INTERMEDIATE & PARAMEDIC

bmorrisey — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 20:51:23 +0000

Estacada, Hoodland & Sandy Fire Districts will be testing for the purpose

of establishing a current Civil Service eligibility list for the positions

of Firefighter/Engineer/EMT-Basic/Intermediate & Firefighter/ EMT Paramedic.

The testing process will consist of a supplemental questionnaire and assessment

center. Individual districts may conduct additional interviews and/or

assessments, physical ability, medical physical and psychological evaluations

prior to or at time of a job offer.

Please see the documents below for further information.

Test Announcement (PDF)

Employment Application (PDF)

Do we need a new fire station

Alan Hull — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 17:01:01 +0000

There are many unknown variables in our future. All a Chief can do is make his predictions of future needs and services based off of current practices and trends from like organizations, co-mingled with our Districts’ history and traditions, current opinions, and an endorsed Strategic Plan.
I doubt if any fire department ever built a station that, once completed the firefighters stated it was too big and would never be utilized to its’ full potential. I believe a station needs to be a reasonable representation of what your community expects and can support in terms of being cost effective and prudent. I also believe what is built needs to accommodate not only the occupants and support today’s mission, but also needs to have the ability to continue to meet the firefighters and the communities need at least 50 years into the future.
The current station was built in 1964 and has been in service close to 50 years. In that time we have seen an increase in call volume of 100 alarms to 1400. Staffing has gone from 2 career members to 11, volunteer numbers have fluctuated over the years and are declining as it is more and more challenging to maintain training and certifications.
The construction of a new fire station that reflects the pride of the fire service 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.
The following is a list of some of the public programs and functions the District currently engages in:
EMS- both at scenes and walk in first aids at station.
• Fire prevention open house and in schools and other events
• Public relations / community relations/ liaison with other organizations
• Public Education CPR and first aid classes
• Fire Suppression- structural and wildland
• Plans review and inspections
• Public assists- animal rescues, lock outs, meals on wheels, etc.
• Health checks- blood pressure and monitors, loan O2 if necessary
The following is a list of some internal functions our District currently is involved in:
• Training of firefighters and EMTs for recertification
• Minor maintenance of vehicles- oil changes, tire swapping, lubes.
• Office work including- report writing, supply ordering, policy writing and reviews, accounts receivable and processing bills, answering phones, budgeting, program development, evaluations.
• Maintenance of building and grounds.
• Maintain state of readiness in personnel and equipment.
Options/ questions
• Substation development/ build out- could make main station smaller
• Consolidation, mergers, contracts- less office space
• Transport- additional transport capable units
• Privatization- sell the building!
• Full time paid or contract, paid on call, other- need more sleeping quarters
• Law enforcement satellite station- more office space/ holding cell/breathalyzer
• Ambulance quarters- need crew quarters, ambulance parking
• East county training facility- larger training grounds

New facilities Public meeting

Alan Hull — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 16:58:35 +0000

scanned image new stationEstacada Fire will be hosting a meeting with the Architect and public to discuss the future bond measure and fire station construction. This meeting will be on Wednesday March 14th at 7 pm. We hope anyone with questions or comment will attend. We have also invited bond council to attend to answer any questions about what impact a bond would have on taxes and any associated bond costs.

New Station Bond to be on May Ballot

Alan Hull — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:17:53 +0000

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.

2011 Certifications

Alan Hull — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:31:00 +0000

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

January 2012

Alan Hull — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:38:27 +0000

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!

New Facebook Page

bmorrisey — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:09:53 +0000

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

Board of Directors – Regular Meeting

bmorrisey — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:41:11 +0000

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.).

Board of Directors – Regular Meeting

bmorrisey — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:17:36 +0000

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).

FEMA, FCC Announce Nationwide Test Of The Emergency Alert System

bmorrisey — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:40:22 +0000

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.