COMMISSIONER RANDY LEONARD'S BLOG

Efforts of Portland Police Officers, Firefighters and Nurse, Save Veteran's Life on Veterans Day

On November 11, 2011 - Veterans Day - a group of veterans were gathered at the McDonalds located at NE 40th and NE Hancock.  All were planning to attend the Veterans Day Parade on NE Sandy Blvd.  Around 9:00 am veteran James McCabe, age 74, and became ill and collapsed on the floor of the McDonalds.  Luckily for Mr. McCabe, two Portland Police officers were nearby and came to his aid.

Having been trained in First Aid and CPR, Officers Brian Sweeney and Darke Hull immediately began to evaluate and assess McCabe's condition.  They noted he did not have a pulse and did not appear to be breathing.  Officer Sweeney began chest compressions based on his training following American Red Cross guidelines. 

A citizen, Susan Voegtlin, identified herself as a nurse and asked if she could assist.  Officer Sweeney directed her to begin rescue breathing on McCabe as he transitioned back and forth with Officer Hull in administering chest compressions.  Portland's Bureau of Emergency Communications dispatch was advised by Officer Sweeney that they needed Fire/Rescue to the scene immediately; they continued CPR until Portland Fire and Rescue arrived.

Firefighters from Portland Fire and Rescue's Hollywood Fire Station 28 arrived within minutes to start advanced life support.  Within 10 minutes the crew was able to help Mr. McCabe regain a pulse and a blood pressure.  Mr. McCabe returned to spontaneous circulation and was transported to Providence Portland Medical Center where he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit.

Portland Police along with Portland Fire and Rescue urge all citizens to become CPR trained and certified because it can save lives.  Visit the American Red Cross website at www.oregonredcross.org to sign up for classes.

Contact Info: Portland Police PIO Robert King 503-790-1779 or Portland Fire PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

Arrest made for Fire at the World Trade Center

Portland Fire and Rescue Fire Investigators, assisted by Portland Police and ATF, have arrested David Joseph Hodson (10-13-82) in connection with an incendiary device associated with the fire at the World Trade Center located at 121 SW Salmon Street. Investigators are not releasing any specifics about the device or motive at this time. Hodson has been charged with Arson I, Unlawful Manufacture of a Destructive Device, Possession of a Destructive Device, and Criminal Mischief II. 

Investigators identified Hodson as a suspect shortly after the fire late Tuesday evening. Hodson was detained by observant uniformed PPB officers of Central Precinct early Wednesday morning. Investigators and Special Agents of Portland Fire & Rescue and ATF were able to determine that Hodson was responsible for the incendiary device along with a separate act of vandalism to the Smart Park parking structure at 123 SW Jefferson.

Hodson was arrested and charged with multiple arson related crimes during the evening hours of Sunday 11/6/11 in connection with three separate rubbish fires set on SW Taylor Street between 3rd and 5th Avenues.

Contact Info: Contact PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

Portland Firefighters Respond to Serious Early Morning Vehicle Crash on NE 60th & Portland Hwy.

At 4:40 am, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a single vehicle accident at NE 60th Ave. and NE Portland Hwy. Upon arrival, firefighters from Portland Fire Station 12 (Sandy Blvd.) found a white Ford SUV on its side. The vehicle apparently collided with a two-foot diameter tree at a high rate of speed.

Two individuals - a male and female - were trapped inside the vehicle that was wedged against the tree. Firefighters had to cut off the top of the SUV and within a few minutes were able to access the female patient on the passenger side. The bigger challenge for fire crews was to access the male driver. As a result of the crash, the vehicle was on its side with the driver's side down and wedged up against the tree. The driver was trapped in a tight spot inside the SUV. Firefighters eventually called in two trucks to gently pull the vehicle away from the tree and slowly put it upright on its wheels. At that time, firefighters used the Jaws of Life to extricate the driver.

"This was the most technical extrication I've seen in my career," said Captain Ryan Fox, a 12-year veteran of Portland Fire & Rescue. "Normally, we will have someone out of a vehicle in minutes. The driver was so severely pinned that it took us over an hour to reach him."

Both the driver and passenger were transported to Emanuel Hospital with life-threatening injuries.　

Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003

 

Portland Fire & Rescue Responds to a Traffic Accident with 5 Patients-One Ejection and One Pinned in ( 82nd &Prescott)

 
Sunday morning at 11:23 am Portland Firefighters were dispatched to a two car motor vehicle accident. On arrival Firefighters found five patients in need of care. Incident commanders immediately called for more resources while firefighters began caring for the injured.

The two involved vehicles were a pickup with 4 patients (an adult and three children) and a minivan with one patient (an adult). One of the children in the pickup was ejected from the vehicle but was reportedly conscious when firefighters arrived. The driver of the minivan was pinned in and had to be extricated using the "Jaws of Life".

The four patients from the pickup were transported to Emanuel and the driver of the minivan was transported to OHSU. The patients had injuries of varying severity but all were Trauma System* entries.

Portland Police are investigating this accident and any questions pertaining to the investigation (cause, fault, seat-belt use, speeds etc.) should be referred to the Portland Police Bureau.

* Entry into the Trauma System is reserved for patients with very serious or potentially serious traumatic injury. With Entry into the Trauma System in the Portland Metro Area patients are transported to OHSU or Emanuel (Oregon's two Level 1 Trauma Centers), where they are assessed and treated by a Trauma Team.

-Lt. Damon Simmons　

Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah, Media Pager (503)940-6003

Portland Fire & Rescue Responding to HazMat Incident at 6701 NE Prescott

At 8:25 pm approximately 15 people were congregating inside the Northeast Baptist Church located at 6701 NE Prescott. Because of the cold weather, the church's furnace was turned on for the first time this season. Shortly thereafter people began experiencing symptoms of nausea, dizziness, redness of the skin, and fainting. Everyone evacuated the building and called 9-1-1.

Upon arrival, Portland firefighter/paramedics began treating patients and preparing them for transport. A total of nine individuals were transported to area hospitals and two more were treated at the scene.

Upon investigation of the source of the problem, specially trained HazMat firefighters determined that exceptionally high levels of carbon monoxide were coming from the area of the church's furnace.

"In the basement, carbon monoxide levels were at 1,400 ppm, which can be deadly after prolonged exposure," said HazMat Coordinator Grant Coffey. "Elsewhere in the church, levels were at up to 400 ppm, which can also make people extremely sick."

Because carbon monoxide is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed. It is important to have home/building heating equipment serviced regularly, particularly prior to turning it on for the upcoming cold weather season. Portland Fire also urges citizens to install a carbon monoxide alarm on each level of their home or business.

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Portland firefighters and HazMat team are responding to reports of multiple people experiencing symptoms of illness at the Northeast Baptist Church located at 6701 NE Prescott. At this time, five patients have been transported to area hospitals and an additional three patients are being treated onscene by Portland Fire paramedics. It is unknown what made the building's occupants ill and firefighters are investigating the source.

A Public Information Officer is en route to the scene. Media staging will be in the church parking lot.　

Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003