Portland Mercury article about the new Portland Loos that will be installed in the near future. (Correction, the Portland Loo is not automated, as reported).
KATU story about the lessons learned from James Chasse's death.
July 2010
July 29, 2010
Randy In the News 7.29.10
July 28, 2010
Randy In the News 7.28.10
Willamette Week article about the new online overgrown grass/weeds reporting system.
Daily Journal of Commerce about the commitment to eventually ban single-use plastic bags that City Council approved today.
July 27, 2010
Gresham Fire Department and Regional Partners Respond to Water Rescue at Oxbow Park
Emergency responders were called to a water rescue on the Sandy River at Oxbow Regional Park located at 3010 SE Oxbow Parkway in Gresham, Oregon at approximately 6:10 pm yesterday.
The Gresham Fire Department, with assistance from Corbett Fire, Portland Fire & Rescue, Multnomah County Sherriff's Office, AMR, and Life Flight all responded to reports that a 21-year-old male, who was last seen swimming near the boat ramp, began to struggle in the water and eventually did not resurface.
Rescuers searched the water for nearly 40 minutes before locating the victim. Bystanders, with the help of firefighters, extricated the swimmer from the river at 6:49 pm. Unfortunately, efforts to revive the man were unsuccessful.
Regional responders have been busy again today responding to calls for help on local water ways. Portland Fire & Rescue reminds everyone to use caution when near or in the water.
Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003
July 26, 2010
Portland Fire & Rescue responds to house fire in SE Portland
Update #2:
Portland Fire & Rescue investigators state that the fire was caused by smoker's carelessness.
Portland Fire & Rescue reminds smokers to please use caution when disposing of smoking materials.
Update: #1
Reports indicate that there were four occupants in the home at the time of the fire including an 84-year-old female and three males, ages 50, 54, and 58. A 54-year-old disabled male was able to crawl to the door and was reportedly carried out of the home by another male occupant. He was transported to Adventist Medical Center due to smoke inhalation.
Another male occupant received minor burns to his hand as a result of trying to put out the fire from the exterior of the home with a garden hose. His injuries did not require transport to a hospital.
Estimated value of the home was $220,000. The structural loss is estimated to be $150,000 and the home's contents are considered a complete loss. There is no information available at this time on the cause of the fire.
Photos courtesy of Dick Harris.
Update: Posted at 10:00 am
Reports indicate that there were four occupants in the home at the time of the fire including an 84-year-old female and three males, ages 50, 54, and 58. A 54-year-old disabled male was able to crawl to the door and was reportedly carried out of the home by another male occupant. He was transported to Adventist Medical Center due to smoke inhalation.
Another male occupant received minor burns to his hand as a result of trying to put out the fire from the exterior of the home with a garden hose. His injuries did not require transport to a hospital.
Estimated value of the home was $220,000. The structural loss is estimated to be $150,000 and the home's contents are considered a complete loss. There is no information available at this time on the cause of the fire.
Photos courtesy of Dick Harris.
Posted: July 26th, 2010 7:52 AM
At 6:49 am, Portland firefighters responded to reports of a house fire at 14535 SE Rhine Street. Upon arrival, crews found heavy fire coming from the front window of the house.
A male in his 50's was helped out of the house by neighbors prior to the arrival of firefighters. The resident inhaled some smoke and was transported to Adventist Medical Center.
An investigator is currently on scene and is investigating the cause of the fire. The Gresham Fire Department assisted Portland Fire & Rescue on this fire.
Quick Facts:
Units Dispatched-6:49 am
Units Arrived-6:54 am
Units Recalled-7:15am
Response Information:
4 Engines, 1 Truck, 2 Chiefs, and 1 Investigator
23 total personnel
**Photos will be posted as soon as they are available.
Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 940-6003
Regional Resources Busy Responding to Local Bodies of Water
Posted: July 24th, 2010 8:19 PM
Regional responders have been busy today responding to calls for help on local water ways. Portland Fire & Rescue reminds everyone to use caution near the water.
1. Use life jackets when near water.
2. Remember cold water cools the body 32 times faster than cold air.
3. Untrained individuals should only attempt water rescue from the shore by throwing a life preserver or using something to reach out to the victim.
4. Swim in areas with a lifeguard present.
5. Use a feet first entry unless the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.
6. Do not mix alcohol and swimming.
7. When boating always wear a personal flotation device, know your equipment and have a good understanding of safety procedures.
**Regional responders request that members of the media (especially with helicopters) be hyper-vigilant on calls where Life Flight is responding. This request is made in the interest of safety and to avoid impeding this valuable resource.
Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons-Media Pager (503)940-6003
Portland Fire and Rescue Pulls Man From the Willamette River
Posted: July 24th, 2010 2:48 PM
Today at Approx. 1:00 pm Portland Fire & Rescue responded to reports of a man struggling in the Willamette river near the Steel Bridge. The man was located by a kayaker and the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol. The victim was pulled From the Water By Portland Fire & Rescue. The victim was conscious and speaking as he was transported to a waiting ambulance.
An alert kayaker heard someone calling for help while on the river near the Steel Bridge. The woman investigated further and found a man clinging to the pilings beneath the Bridge. The kayaker called 911 and rescuers responded.
The MCSO Marine Patrol boat was the first on scene and was able to throw the man a life jacket. Within minutes Portland Fire and Rescues' "Rescue Craft 1" ( a Personal Water Craft) arrived and a rescue swimmer pulled the man from beneath the bridge. The man was transferred to a waiting ambulance for further treatment.
Reports indicate that the man was conscious and talking when he was pulled from the river. The patient was reportedly very cold and was unable or unwilling to tell responders how he came to be in the river. The man stated that his legs had begun cramping badly in the cold water. The patient was transported by AMR to OHSU.
Fast Facts
Dispatched- Approx. 1:08pm
Recalled- Approx. 1:30pm
Portland Fire & Rescue Response
1 Engine
1 Rescue Craft
1 Fire Boat
1 Chief Officer
Water Safety Reminders:
1. River temperatures are still very cold (around 60 degrees).
2. Life jackets are strongly recommended when near the water.
3. If you find someone struggling in the water "Throw Don't Go" and call 911.*
* Water rescue by untrained individuals should only be attempted from the safety of shore.
Throw a life preserver or reach out with a stick or rope.
Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons- Media Pager (503)940-6003
Portland Fire & Rescue responding to report of person in Willamette River
Posted: July 23rd, 2010 10:02 PM
Portland Fire & Rescue's dive team has recovered the body of a man who was earlier reported to be in the Willamette River. The call was initially received at 8:14 p.m. The body was found in about eight feet of water. The body was recovered at 9:33 p.m. and turned over to Multnomah County Sheriff's Office.
Portland Fire & Rescue responded with a combined water and land response. The U.S. Coast Guard was also on scene. Portland Fire & Rescue provided a rescue boat, rescue crafts, and a dive team, along with five engines, a truck, and an air unit. Thirty-four firefighters, four divers, one chief, and one public information officer responded.
Contact Info: Justin de Ruyter 503-940-6003
July 23, 2010
Portland Fire Treats Fourth Burn Patient in Three Days
Posted: July 23rd, 2010 2:38 PM
Portland Fire & Rescue has now treated four patients for cooking-related burns in the last three days.
A cause has been determined by Portland Fire Investigators for a fire that happened earlier today at 4617 NE 95th Ave. Investigators report that a grease fire on the stove caused the fire, resulting in three occupants who needed treatment at the scene for smoke inhalation. One of the patients, a female, was transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns. A photo of the scene is attached.
On Wednesday, Portland Fire treated three burn patients in two separate incidents. One incident resulted in a female being transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns that occurred from a barbecue fire. The fire started when a cap fell off a bottle of lighter fluid and squirted a large amount onto the fire.
Later that day, Portland Fire responded to reports of a grease fire on a stove. Two occupants were injured when they moved a pan that spilled flaming vegetable oil. This resulted in two patients being transported to Emanuel Burn Center with severe burns.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
A Public Information Officer will be at Portland Fire Station 5, located at 1505 SW DeWitt in Portland, from 4:00– 4:30 pm today to meet with reporters for a cooking safety demonstration involving live fire and fire suppression techniques.
Portland Fire reminds citizens to exercise caution when cooking and if a cooking fire does happen…
• Cover the pan and turn the stove off• Only use baking soda or an approved extinguisher on the fire (no flour or water)
• Do not move a pan until cooled completely
• If a fire extends, or you are unable to immediately extinguish it, evacuate all occupants and call 9-1-1 immediately
Contact Info: PIO Paul Corah 503-940-6003
Randy In the News 7.23.10
Portland Water Bureau Announces Temporary Shut Down of Ira Keller Fountain
Due to mechanical problems, the popular Ira Keller fountain at SW 3rd Ave & Clay St. will be shut down Friday, July 23 and through much of next week. The Water Bureau is waiting for the arrival of a part that is essential to the operation of one of the fountain’s water pumps, and expects the fountain to be up and running by next weekend.
The Water Bureau recommends that the public take this opportunity to visit one of our other popular fountains nearby, including two new fountains:
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Salmon Street Springs Southwest Salon in Waterfront Park |
(NEW!) Teacher’s Fountain at Director Park Right behind Fox Tower on the west side 877 SW Taylor |
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(NEW!) Bill Naito Legacy Fountain Waterfront Park near the Burnside Bridge
For a complete list of fountains maintained by the Portland Water Bureau, visit Portlandonline.com/water and type “decorative fountains” in the search engine. |
Jamison Square 810 NW 11th Ave |