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Portland Mercury article about the city's involvement in the Joint Terrorism Task Force since the City rejoined in April.
Portland Tribune article about Commissioner Leonard's decision not to run for re-election.
Oregonian article about upcoming possible candidates for Randy's vacating Council seat.
KATU article about Randy's decision not to run for re-election, followed by a video summing up some of his work.
At 6:01 am, Portland firefighters responded to reports of heavy smoke coming from an upper story window of a 2-story home located at 5716 SE 84th. Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that individuals were jumping out of the upper story window.
Initial reports indicate that two individuals were sleeping in the upstairs bedroom when the fire broke out. They were awakened by working smoke alarms and were able to make it to a nearby window and both jumped to safety. Two other occupants were downstairs at the time of the fire. A 52-year-old female, who requires use of a walker, was able to evacuate safely on her own. An 83-year-old female was helped out of the home by a neighbor. "Fortunately, all four residents escaped this fire safely and without injury. This is due in large part to the fact that this home had working smoke alarms," said Public Information Officer Paul Corah. The fire was brought under control at 6:27am. Firefighters were challenged by the fact that there was an excessive amount of contents in the home. They will remain on scene for the next several hours cleaning up from this fire. Fire investigators are currently on scene working to determine the cause of this fire. Damage is estimated at $40,000. The Red Cross was called in to assist the four occupants who were displaced by this fire with finding alternate living arrangements. Portland Fire & Rescue reminds citizens that working smoke alarms significantly increase your chances of surviving a fire. Make sure that every sleeping area in your home has a working smoke alarm.
Contact Info:
Public Information Officer Paul Corah
Media Pager: 503-940-6003
Oregonian article about Commissioner Leonard's announcement to not run for re-election.
Oregonian article about Randy's endorsement of Steve Novick for his Council seat.
Willamette Week article about Charlie Hales' run for Mayor.
Willamette Week article about the flushing of Mt. Tabor Reservoir 1 due to urine.
At Approx. 7:00 pm Saturday, firefighters were called to 4324 SE Madison to extinguish another fire caused by improperly discarded Barbecue ash. Firefighters arrived to find fire extending up the wall of a duplex to the roof. The occupants stated that they'd disposed of the briquette ash in a garbage can that was stored on the side of the house.
All occupants were out by the time firefighters arrived and no one was injured. This fire was made more challenging as it was burning in the attic. Firefighters were forced to tear down the interior ceiling and cut into the roof of the apartments to ensure that the fire was out. Firefighters from Station 9 (1706 SE 39th) were able to quickly extinguish the blaze with the help of other nearby Portland Fire Stations.
Damage estimates will be provided as soon as they are available. Some occupants will be displaced but it is unclear at this point whether they will stay with friends and relatives or if they'll need the assistance of the Red Cross. This is the second fire today caused by improperly discarded barbecue ash. The other fire occurred at Approx. 4:14 am at 2010 NE Lombard.
Portland Fire & Rescue once again asks residents to use a metal container with a tight fitting metal lid to dispose of ash. The container shouldn't contain any other combustibles and should be stored in a area free of combustible items.
This release will be updated with photo's as soon as they are available.
Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003
At Approx. 4:14am Saturday morning, Portland Fire and Rescue began receiving reports of fire at a Northeast Portland Apartment (2010 NE Lombard). On arrival firefighters found heavy fire on the exterior of a duplex. The occupants of the apartment were out and safe thanks to an astute neighbor who alerted them to the fire.
Firefighters from Station 14 (19th and Killingsworth) quickly extinguished the blaze with help from Station 8 (7134 N Maryland). Fortunately the majority of this fire was on the exterior, however the occupants of the affected apartment were forced to run very near the fire to escape as the apartment had only one exit. The apartment had bars on the rear windows making the front slider the only viable exit, unfortunately this was also the side that was on fire.
The next door neighbor stated that an unusual sound woke him and he looked outside and saw flames. After ensuring that his own family was out and safe the man alerted the occupants of the apartment that was on fire. The helpful neighbor was transported to Legacy Emanuel Hospital for evaluation as he was exposed to a large amount of smoke while trying to wake the occupants of the burning apartment.
This fire started in an outdoor storage area. The fire was caused by improperly discarded Barbecue ash. This press release will be updated with damage estimates when they are available.
Portland Fire & Rescue would like to remind resident to properly discard ashes in a metal container with a securely fastened lid.
We would also ask everyone to create and practice a fire escape plan. Any good fire escape plan should include at least two exit points from a residence and a safe meeting area.
Portland Fire & Rescue recognizes the quick and decisive action of the neighbor who helped to ensure that the occupants escaped safely while not putting himself in danger.
Fast Facts
Dispatched- 4:14am
First Unit Arrived- 4:18am
Recalled (incident under control)- 4:34am Approx. 30 PF&R Firefighters responded.
Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003
What:
Join Commissioner Leonard at the David Campbell 100th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony When: Sunday, June 26th
9:45 am - memorial procession from Station 1 - 55 SW Ash 11:00 am - memorial ceremony at 19th & West Burnside 1:00 pm - Campbell grave site memorial at River View Cemetery - 0300 SW Taylors Ferry Rd.
On the morning of June 26, 1911, Wiebka Campbell stood on the Hawthorne Bridge and looked east as Portland's morning sky filled with thick, black smoke. The Union Oil Company at 1204 SE Water was on fire. Every Portland firefighter was at the scene including her husband, Fire Chief David Campbell.
Suddenly, a thunderous explosion echoed through the air. Several hours later her worst fears would be confirmed - her husband would not be coming home. Campbell was last seen silhouetted against the flames, holding up his arms to brace against the falling roof. He had gone into the burning building to warn his men to get out when the fire flashed over.
Chief Campbell was so beloved by the City of Portland that his 30 years in the fire service earned him the nickname "Our Dave". At his funeral, 150,000 people turned out and lined the streets of Portland to pay their respects. 100 years later, this remains the single largest funeral procession in Portland's history - a testament to Portland's profound sense of loss.
David and Wiebka Campbell represent the sacrifice made by 36 Portland firefighters who have died in the line of duty and their families. Portland Fire & Rescue's 700 firefighters and their families confront this scenario every day while protecting lives and property in the City of Portland. Every firefighter knows that he or she may not go home at the end of their shift - and yet they serve Portland's communities faithfully and proudly.
On Sunday, June 26th, the entire Portland community is invited join Portland Fire & Rescue in a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor these 36 firefighters and all Portland firefighters - past, present, and future - on the 100th anniversary of Chief Campbell's death.
A horse-drawn antique steamer, bagpipers, and firefighters from around the state, will lead a memorial procession from Portland Fire Station 1. The procession will begin at 9:45 am at 55 SW Ash, take the second right onto SW 2nd, take the second left onto West Burnside, and end at 11:00 am at 19th & West Burnside where a memorial ceremony will take place. The public is invited to watch and participate in these events. Also planned is a 1:00 pm grave site ceremony at Chief Campbell's grave in River View Cemetery - 0300 SW Taylors Ferry Rd.
More information about the history and life of Chief David Campbell can be found at:
Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003
Portland Fire & Recue's (PF&R) Station 7 has the chance to win $10,000 in America's Best Firehouse BBQ Cook-Off presented by Tree Top, and YOU can help!
Earlier this year, Tree Top invited firefighters from all over the United States to enter their most delicious, mouth-watering BBQ recipe using Tree Top apple juice or apple sauce, and PF&R's Station 7 firefighters stepped up to the challenge. Station 7 was selected as one of the ten finalists in the cookoff! As a finalist, firefighters were required to record a video that explained why Station 7's firehouse and recipe was deserving of the $10,000 prize. Station 7 firefighters created two crowd-pleasing recipes that best represented their fire station. The AppleWood Smoked Chicken is made with Tree Top apple juice while the Waldorf Salad includes Tree Top apple sauce. Both recipes are posted online at For the next six weeks, the public will have the chance to watch the videos online and vote for their favorite all-American firehouse. Help Portland Fire's Station 7 to win $10,000 by accessing
If Station 7 wins the grand prize of $10,000, the money will be donated to a non-profit charitable organization that focuses on helping the families of first responders during crisis situations.
Contact Info: Public Information Officer Paul Corah Media Pager: 503-940-6003
Portland Fire & Rescue's (PF&R) Fire Camp 2011 will draw in young women ages 16 to 19 from around the Portland metro area to learn the basics of firefighting. Close to three dozen female campers will participate this weekend in the third annual Fire Camp, part of a new effort to recruit more women to PF&R and firefighting as a career.
"We're providing this opportunity for young women to safely learn that they can be a firefighter. It's a very positive and encouraging environment," said Training & Safety Division Chief John Nohr. The 3-day training camp was created and will be taught and supervised by female professional firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue, Albany Fire Department, Medford Fire-Rescue, Camas Fire Department, Salem Fire Department, Clackamas County Fire District #1, and Gresham Fire & Emergency Services with the goals of instilling confidence, building leadership and team skills in young women, and providing an opportunity to try firefighting through hands-on training. The camp will teach young women specific firefighting skills, including how to lower oneself from upper-story windows using a rope, how to take a hose, and how to climb an aerial ladder on a fire engine. Campers will take part in practical, physical, and team-building exercise drills, familiarization of fire equipment, and equipment exercises. The campers will practice search-and-rescue skills with a dummy, use chain saws to cut through wood, and learn to work while wearing up to 100 pounds of gear. Campers are responsible for only their travel expenses to and from the camp. Food, snacks, t-shirts, and water bottles are donated from various community members or businesses. Irene Concepcion, a 12-year-veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue, said it's worth it. "It's not so much a fire camp as a fun, leadership and fire camp," Concepcion said. "More than giving them knowledge of the fire services, this is giving them the confidence to know that if they want to do something, they really can achieve it. Even if they don't become firefighters, they'll take that with them forever."
Further information about the camp can be found on PF&R's website at http://www.portlandonline.com/fire/firecamp.
Contact Info: Paul Corah, Public Information Officer Media Pager: 503-940-6003
