Chief's Desk

Fire Season 2011

2011-08-30T11:01:00.000-07:00

It was beginning to look like we wouldn't have much of a summer or fire season and the restrictions in the use of fire wouldn't be exercised this year. Then the summer sun and drying occurred and as a result fire season and the restrictions that go along with it were imposed. What does this mean? It means there are no recreational fires, chainsaw use during certain hours, smoking as a pedestrian, or any welding or cutting allowed, and motorized vehicles off road use, in almost all of our fire district. An exception is allowed for the Oregon State and Clackamas County parks within our district.
We have responded with fire crews to two separate conflagrations within the State and currently have a crew in Warm Springs on the High Cascade Complex fire. The Governor has the authority to declare a conflagration whenever a fire has exceeded all local jurisdictions and surrounding mutual aid districts capacity to control a fire.
We encourage all citizens to be alert and report any smoke or fires to 911. One of our greatest assets as a fire district is our citizens ability to give us an early warning through early detection of incipient fires, thus allowing us to extinguish fires while they are still small and manageable.
While man caused fires have a significant impact on the total number of hostile fires, nature also can play a big role in increased fires, as is the case this year across our state.
Be safe!

Chief's Blog

2011-07-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

Fire District purchases properties

The Estacada Rural Fire District #69 (ERFD) recently completed the purchase of 3 properties east of the existing main station property. With the addition of properties purchased previously, Currin St., and property that the existing facility is built on, we feel we have the land necessary to build upon.

The Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) signed many years ago with the Urban Renewal Agency, will help pay for the land most recently purchased, the decommissioning or vacating of the street, and will eventually waive the System Development Charges (SDC) when a new station is built. The bulk of the property purchased in prior years, the money used to obtain a training facility grant, and the fees necessary to retain an architect, all came from money recovered from our past embezzlement. Although I do not like to minimize the impact this theft had on our District, a few benefits (if I may call it that) did occur as a result. The most notable has been our ability to purchase those properties necessary to build a new station (some day) after we get voter approval.

The Department's current "Strategic Plan" calls for placing a bond measure on the ballot for a new station in May of 2012. This of course will be evaluated again at a later date to verify the practicality of this decision based off of the probability of it passing.

Fire District adopts strategic plan

2011-02-14T09:45:00.000-08:00

At the regular February 2011 Board meeting, Estacada Fire District Directors adopted the 2011 Strategic Plan. This plan is a modificated and updated version of a plan first developed in 2001. A strategic plan is important for any group to be able to plan for the future and set your sights on specific goals and objectives.
I will see that this Strategic Plan is viewable on line in the near future. Until it is posted, if a member of the community would like to review our adopted plan I would be happy to email the document to them.
Future agenda items for upcoming Board Meetings include review of Standard Operating Guidelines. Board Meetings are always on the second Thursday of the month at 7pm. The public is always welcome to attend. Please be safe.
Alan L. Hull

Keep the Holidays Happy

2010-11-22T09:10:00.000-08:00

Estacada Fire District had a fatal fire last week in a motor home. Although the fire cause was not positively identified, the point of origin was, and a space heater could not be ruled out as the fire cause.
I would like to take this opportunity to stress to all our citizens the importance of making sure portable heaters are used properly. Clearances to combustibles and tip over safety switches, as well as UL (Underwriters Laboratory) tested and approved appliances are essential fire prevention measures that need to be adhered to. Working smoke detectors and home fire escape planning and practice should also be included in your personal home prevention activities. Extension cords should be used with caution, and never ran under carpet or used to replace permanent wiring. If you heat with wood, check your chimney, if it needs cleaned, your fire department loans brushes and poles- free of any charge.
For more fire safety tips, or questions, please call our department or check out the fire safety tips on our website. http://www.estacadafire.org/prev_ed/prev_ed.htm
Please be fire safe this Holiday Season!

Fire Prevention Paper

2010-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:00

When asked to contribute to the special Fire Prevention Edition of our local paper I pondered over what I would write about. There have been so many new and exciting events and changes over the last year in our department; I barely know where to start.

The most obvious transformation in the immediate vicinity of the fire station has been the demolition of the apartment to the north and houses to the east of our administration building. This perhaps signifies the greatest step forward in planning and preparing for a new fire station. For years the fire district has needed a facility designed and built to accommodate career and volunteer firefighters working 24 hour shifts 7 days a week. As we continue to train our firefighter and emergency medical technicians to higher levels and competencies, respond to more varied and complex emergencies and situations, and equip them with the tools necessary to complete their missions, we find we are continually searching for solutions to combat overcrowding and a lack of physical space. Our training is often interrupted by poor facility design and apparatus are often subjected to extreme weather conditions. Our protective firefighting gear needs to be stored in darkness, yet current design limitations require it to be inefficiently stored in bags in order to protect and thus prolong its serviceable life. Gender issues can manifest when privacy cannot be ensured, and as fortunate as we have been in not experiencing these issues, we are aware of this potential exposure.

For the sake of brevity I will break from my discussion of why someday a new facility needs to be built, and get to the point. Through the years Estacada Fire has worked with the City of Estacada, and eventually the Urban Renewal Board, to minimize the negative impact urban renewal would have on the Fire District. The intergovernmental agreement the City Council signed many years ago will be of greatest value to the Fire District when a new station is built. The Fire District Board of Directors has been delaying a bond measure to build a station until the economy improves and the citizen’s can better afford it. We have taken funds recovered from the embezzlement and dedicated this money to a special fund solely to be used to obtain the properties needed for a station, thus lower the cost to complete the project. Someday we will ask the voters for their support, until then we will plant grass seed on our new properties and wait. We will continue to do our best to maintain a state of readiness, to respond as effectively and efficiently as possible, and to treat all people with respect and compassion.

Estacada Fire District members have a strong commitment to serve our friends and neighbors; it’s not just stated in our philosophy of operations, it’s in our blood. It’s what we believe in and what we practice in a professional manner, every day.

Summer

2010-07-14T15:20:00.000-07:00

Summer has arrived and fire season is sure to follow. This has been an unusually wet and cool spring and as a result all the light fuels, grasses and brush, have grown taller and more dense than normal. People assume that these light fuels are green and for now they are, but as the hot weather continues and these grasses dry out, there will be a considerable larger quanity of fuel for wildland fires. I guess if I have a point to make it is that residents need to be careful with fire and in particular recreational fires and cooking fires as the season continues.
Estacada Fire now operates a Radio station - 1680 khz (AM). This station was provided to the Fire District through a grant. The purpose of the station is to provide emergency instructions and information to our citizens in an emergency or disaster.

Budget

2010-05-18T16:02:00.000-07:00

As soon as I can figure out how to post the proposed budget on the web site, you'll see it here! Until I can get some help accomplishing that, your welcome to pick up a copy at the administration building 445 SE Currin-
Alan L. Hull

2010-05-18T15:30:00.001-07:00

2010-2011 budget

2010-05-18T15:24:00.000-07:00

Budget Meeting

2010-05-05T11:24:00.000-07:00

Estacada Rural Fire District #69 will be holding the annual budget committee meeting on May 20th 2010 @7pm. This is an open meeting with members of the public welcome. The meeting takes place in the main fire station 261 SE 5th Ave. Estacada Oregon.
Copies of the proposed budget will be available either at the administration office, 445 SE Currin St., from 8am till 5pm, or on line. The budget should be both posted and available as of Friday May 7th.

Summit Report

2010-03-03T13:13:00.000-08:00

Estacada Rural Fire District- Summit Report

Past: Estacada Fire was able to recover 1.2 million of the 1.9 million that was stolen from us. The Board has chosen to place this money in a fund to be used strictly toward property acquisition for future fire station construction. Fiscal Controls including separation of duties and financial oversight have been initiated. The Fire Chief and Division Chief both attended a two week class at the National Fire Academy on Fire Service Financial Management. All agree that with what had occurred in the past, efforts to safeguard Fire District funds were a priority.

Estacada Fire responded to 1,326 calls for help in 2009. Fire Calls included: 17 structural fires, 18 vehicle fires, 11 wildland (brush) fires, and 65 other fires. We responded to 836 medical alarms and 77 motor vehicle accidents. We had one” code save” in 2009, within the boundaries of the city, resulting in a citizen returning home after suffering cardiac arrest. Early recognition, CPR, rapid defibrillation, and advance life support (ALS) all came together in what’s commonly referred to as the “Chain of Survival”.

Awards banquet was held for 2009 last weekend. Firefighter of the year was Jeff Holman, Jeff has proven to be a valuable volunteer with our district and had not only answered 288 alarms last year, but also became certified as a Firefighter 1, Haz Mat first responder- Operations, Wildland interface firefighter, NFPA Driver, and Pumper Operator. Jeff signed up and staffed more duty shifts than any other volunteer. Emergency Medical Technician of the year was Career Engineer Jason Crowe. Jason has been serving as the EMS coordinator, ensuring EMTs meet State requirements for training. Jason attended all regular drills in 2009 and answered 372 alarms. Officer of the year was Volunteer Lieutenant Michael Huret. Michael responded to 139 toned alarms and put in an additional 101 hours of training above the regular drills. Recruit of the year was Richard Hoefer. Although relatively new to our organization, Richard has established his desire to commit to our community by being a representative on the East County Fire District Civil Service Commission, as well as taking on many projects when requested. Richard also responded to 175 toned alarms. Fire Corps member of the year was Pam Peters. Pam has helped develop the Fire Corps into a first class support group for our firefighters. Constantly striving to better herself through continuing education and attendance at almost every drill, and assisting in every way possible.

Present: Contract negotiations with career firefighters resulted in a three year contract with minimum staffing of 2 one of our greatest challenges. Recognizing the importance of increasing minimum staffing to help us complete our Mission Statement: To provide the best care possible while maintaining a cost effective service. This begins with an increased commitment from our volunteers and when necessary, overtime for our career employees.

ERFD will not use the same auditor more than 3 consecutive years and are presently in the process of selecting our 2009-10 auditors.

We are currently reviewing our Strategic Plan and are preparing to meet the challenges of putting together next year’s budget.

Property negotiations are progressing with the owner of the properties east of the present station site. Mr. Misley has been given a copy of the “friendly condemnation” letter and has been negotiating with our department the final details of the purchase.

Future: We are in the process of accepting the final bid for a new fire engine, and will, if all goes according to the plan, be accepting delivery in December of this year. We have an equipment replacement schedule that takes the projected useful life of fire apparatus and recommends when each unit should be replaced. Through preventative maintenance and loving care we have been able to extend industry standard service life by a small amount. By conscientious planning, money is dedicated to reserve funds each year in order to be able to outright purchase needed replacement apparatus when their service life is over. This process has worked well for us and our citizens by providing reliable equipment without any additional cost to taxpayers.

Our department continues to explore grant opportunities. We have just been informed of several successful grant awards. One involves a security system for our stations and includes cameras and recording equipment for $3000, another is for 3 thermal imaging cameras to allow each of our engines to be able to use modern technology to search through smoke to find either the seat of the fire or trapped victims. This second grant is for about $25,000. We also received a grant for the entire east Clackamas County Fire Districts to sponsor training in the incident command system and firefighter 2 training, this grant is for up to $20,000. We have also been advised of a grant we have been awarded for an emergency AM radio transmitter to deliver lifesaving directions and information to citizens in an emergency or natural disaster. The National Guard and State surplus have upgraded our emergency standby generators with “like new” units, adequate for powering our complete operations in a power failure, at no cost to our department.

We are still awaiting word on our application for a new fire station grant. With the present state of our economy, the Fire Board has determined not to pursue construction of a new station unless the grant application is awarded. The responsible choice is to wait until the economy improves before asking voter approval of any tax increase.

We will continue our focus on training, improving our member’s knowledge and resources available to them. We will be focused on preparedness and response capabilities and technological advances in both the firefighting and medical fields. We will continue to improve our communications equipment utilizing mobile data computers obtained when possible through grant funding.

Holidays and Cold Weather

2009-11-13T13:58:00.001-08:00

As we get closer to the holidays and colder weather, I would like to remind everyone to stay warm and stay safe. Be prepared for winter driving and carry essential supplies in your vehicle for roadside emergencies. Remember that certain physical factors adversely effect both the very old and the very young, making them more susceptible to injury in cold weather. As walking surfaces become more slippery the chances for serious falls become more prominent.
So much has been in the news and other media on the H1N1 or "swine flu" that I probably don't need to dwell on this subject, other than to advise you of the fact that proper hand washing and plenty of rest (sleep) is probably your best defense.
Estacada Fire District has several new Firefighter/Apparatus Operators on our staff and promoted one of our personnel to the Lieutenant/Training Officer position. Ronald Schmitt and Donald Ireland are the two new employees, Richard Anderson is our new Lieutenant/Training Officer. I am impressed with the enthusiasm and desire to serve these individuals possess and I expect their presence in our organization will have a profound impact on all our members and the public we are here to protect.
I am proud of all our members; firefighters, emergency medical technicians, fire corps, chaplains, management, and board members, all are here to serve. Countless hours of training and giving of themselves makes them more proficient each and every day. I am especially taken back when I observe our new members studying their Emergency Medical Technician course and preparing themselves for a future of comforting and assisting those that are sick and injured.
I hope all our citizens have a safe and happy holiday season. Be safe.

September POST

2009-09-16T15:38:00.001-07:00

From the Chief’s Desk
As we prepare this year’s fire prevention paper dedicated to former Fire Chief Daniel D. Burke, I can’t help but reflect on how much I miss this man, I called a friend. I respected Chief Burke mostly for his dedication and desire to always do what was right and best for Estacada Fire. He always considered each resulting reaction from every decision he made and the impact those decisions would have on the Fire District. After he retired from the District he was still available as a confidant and consultant to me as the current Chief. I do miss his guidance and advice and often when I’m faced with a particularly tough decision I ask myself, “What would Chief Burke do in this situation?” Although our leadership styles are significantly different, our intentions to serve the Fire District and its’ citizens are very closely aligned.
A subject that unfortunately, over the last couple of years, has been a major concern and point of discussion, was the proven embezzlement of $1.9 million dollars from the District. To date the Fire district has recovered $1.2 million of those dollars and the Fire District Board of Directors have established a reserve fund that effectively restricts the use of this money to purchase property and assist with a new fire station construction. As I stated in last year’s fire prevention article, measures are in place to ensure our district will never again allow a theft of this magnitude to occur. We have applied for a fire station construction grant through the President’s stimulus plan and as of this date do not know if we will be chosen or denied the funds requested. We continue to collaborate with the Urban Renewal Agency to obtain some of the property needed for a new station site. A new fire station continues to be one of the priorities of the Fire District Board of Directors. With the current economic situation of our citizens the Fire Board consensus is to wait until this “recession” is over before requesting voter approval to build a new station.
Until recently, our minimum staffing levels have been only one EMT/firefighter on duty at a time. Normally 2 people would be working at all times except when we had an employee sick or on vacation, at which time we would just work short- handed. To increase our service and ability to administer the most cost effective, high quality emergency care in a reasonable amount of time, our career employees, volunteers, and administration have agreed to support a minimum staffing level of two EMT/firefighters on duty at all times. This quota of two can be reached with either a hired back firefighter or a volunteer with emergency medical technician certification and apparatus operator certification. We are in a trial period of commitment for this staffing level in order to ascertain the actual cost involved in providing this increased level of service. We have agreed to analyze and revisit this issue each year for the next two years and to spend no more than $25,000 per year during this study. Our goal is to decrease response times, enhance our proficiency, increase survival rates in patients, and increase firefighter safety.
One of the most asked questions this time of year is, “When can I burn?” There is no set date that burning will open. Depending on current and predicted weather conditions burning normally opens between October 1 and October 15. Of course, it must be a DEQ approved burn day and a valid permit is required for all but small recreational fires. 503 630-7714 is the burning information phone number.
As members of the public, I work for you. I value your input on any concerns and appreciate any recommendations you may have to better our fire department. I can be reached directly at 503 630-7766.
Alan L. Hull, Fire Chief
Estacada Rural Fire District #69

2009-07-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

We made it well into July this year before closures in residential burning were implemented. Estacada Rural Fire District officially closed burning at midnight on July 16, 2009. Neighboring fire districts and the Oregon Department of Forestry have all banned fires except in approved campgrounds. Citizens disregarding the closure may be liable for any costs associated with extinguishing a fire resulting from their illegal burning, which can be very costly. You don't want to pay for one of these!

I had the honor on July 15th at our Wednesday night drill, to give the “Oath of Office” and pin badges on 9 new volunteer firefighters. These firefighters started their intensive training last January and after many hours of classroom and practical training, have graduated from our “Recruits” to fully fledged “Firefighters”. Although the most intense portion of their training is complete, they are not finished... you never complete your training in the fire service, it is ongoing and is constantly updated. New members will continue to learn from classroom and hands on instruction, as well as personal experience gained from the field.

From January 2009

2009-06-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

It has been way too long since I updated my web page, and I apologize for my procrastination. Life here at the Estacada Fire District offices have been very busy and at times there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything completed.

Mother Nature is at the top of my list of reasons why we at the Department have been so busy. The “Arctic Blast” followed by the monsoon type rains have kept us very busy this winter. This no doubt has been one for the record book. I have never seen so much water come down in this area in such a short period of time. It wasn’t the Clackamas River that was of most concern, but instead it was the small streams, storm drains, and ditches alongside roads and driveways that had us scrambling to find more sand and bags to put it in. Several slides and flooded roadways cut communities off from help or egress. Many normal routes were impassable. One mud slide pushed a house off its foundation and into a tree; the resulting fire had crews working for over 3 hours. Extinguishment was not possible without putting firefighter’s safety in jeopardy from further earth movement so a defensive fire attack was initiated. As our crews and those from several neighboring departments returned to quarters in the wee hours of the morning on January 2, a blizzard of snow greeted the wet and tired firefighters. Fortunately the water receded as fast as it rose. January 1 through the 4th was declared a disaster in Clackamas County thus making federal funds available to those brave enough to transverse the paperwork.

If any lesson could be learned from this event I think it would be first and foremost; Estacada is a great place to live, with neighbors wanting and willing to help each other out when needed. As I surveyed the damage and recovery efforts I was impressed with the citizens doing whatever it took to clean up debris and open roadways. Your Public Works employees in the City got right on the work of restoring infrastructure and preventing any further property damage. Randy Ely, City Manager, immediately began hiring local contractors to supplement public work crews in clean up efforts. Portland area news crews broadcasted our state of emergency and before we knew it we had more volunteers than tasks for them to complete. The problem with large number of volunteers showing up on your doorstep is in ensuring the accountability and safety of each one of them and in knowing their abilities as well as their limitations.

Every citizen should be prepared to care for themselves and their family for 72 hours after a disaster strikes. Emergency services have stressed the importance of individuals being prepared for many years, and even teach classes to help you get ready for “the big one”. Taking an all hazard approach to preparedness will increase your family’s chances of coming through a catastrophic event unscathed. Contact our Department if you would like a formal class or brochure on how to prepare.

Be Safe!
Alan L. Hull, Fire Chief