Clackamas Fire's Community Newsletter
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Clackamas Fire’s Community Newsletter To safely protect and preserve life and property Clackamas Fire District #1 www.clackamasfire.com Message from the Chief, Fred Charlton July 2017 July, August, and September are shaping up to be very busy months for Clackamas Fire District #1. From emergency responses, to ground breakings for new facilities, weeks of hot dry weather, and many community events keep us very busy this time of year. Here are a Inside this issue brief summary of recent and upcoming events across the Fire District and the communities Chief’s Message………………... 1 we serve: Swearing-In Ceremony………… 1 An official ground breaking took place on July 6 for our new 20,000 square foot Fleet Board of Directors…………..….. 3 and Logistics Building, which is set to be completed by August 2018. Health and Safety…………….... 4 The next ground breaking ceremonies will be for the new Oregon City Fire Station 16 Employee Highlights………….... 4 and the new Damascus Community Fire Station 19. Both of these projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2018. Retirements…………………..…. 5 Ground Breaking Ceremony…... 6 Congratulations to our newest Firefighter Recruit Class, which will be graduating from their academy on August 3. The current academy consists of 14 new incredibly talented Community Outreach………...... 7 Firefighters and Firefighter/Paramedics, ready to respond across our communities. What is it?.................................. 9 Clackamas Emergency The Fire District is currently at HIGH Fire Danger and the weather forecast shows no 9 immediate change. To learn more about how you can help prevent a wildfire and what Services Foundation…………… outdoor burning restrictions are in place, please visit us at www.clackamasfire.com. Emergency Management.……... 10 Fire Prevention……………......... 11 Tuesday, August 1 is the annual National Night Out and we will be attending several community events across the Fire District to include the communities of Clackamas, Station Activities………………... 12 Happy Valley, Milwaukie, and Oregon City. On Monday, August 21 there will be the much anticipated solar eclipse. We are preparing within the Fire District to address the potential increased threat for wildfire, congested roadways, and a significant number of visitors. Promotional and Swearing-In Ceremony On July 25, 2017 at the Providence Willamette Falls Community Center in Oregon City, the Fire District held the Promotional/Swearing-In Ceremony recognizing the number of promotions and introductions of new employees. The ceremony included reciting the oath of the position and the pinning of the badge for line personnel along with the recognition of promoted administrative staff and new hires. The ranks of Firefighter, Apparatus Operator, Lieutenant, Deputy Fire Marshal Lieutenant, Fire Inspector, Captain, Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief were sworn-in. There were four new hires that were introduced and four administrative staff who were recognized for their promotions. Friends and family members were invited to attend to show their support. Everyone in the organization is deserving of recognition and congratulations to all of the promoted staff and newly hired! Clackamas Fire’s Honor Guard posting of the colors. From left to right: FF Josh Tyler, Volunteer Blake Gendvilas, FF Dave Doornink, and FF Shane Thomas. 1 Promotional and Swearing-In Ceremony (cont.) Firefighter Academy 17-02 Newly hired administrative staff, from left to right: Senior Accountant/Payroll Shanti Burns, Senior Accountant Anh Le, Shelby Hopkins promoted to Data Systems Manager, Administrative Assistant Lauren Stevens, Administrative Assistant Stephanie Walker. Lieutenants being sworn-in from left to right: Chief Fred Charlton, Kevin Schurter, Scott Walker, Ami Brown, and Clay Buford. Apparatus Operators being sworn in from left to right: Chief Fred Charlton, Kyle Carrothers, Thomas Bicket, and Brett Pictured left: Fire Inspector Glover. Rich Stenhouse being sworn-in. Pictured left: Deputy Fire Marshal/Lieutenant Alex McGladrey being sworn-in. Pictured below from left to right: Captain Josh Santos, Battalion Chief Brian Burke, and Deputy Chief Doug Whiteley. 2 Message from the Board of Directors On July 17, 2017, Clackamas Fire District #1’s Board of Directors held several meetings. The first was a work session where staff discussed a ground lease with Clackamas Community College for the construction of an administration building at the Harmony Campus, updates of the Strategic Business Plan, and discussion of the Damascus Lane property. The regular board meeting was followed by the work session. The Board approved the following: A ground lease with Clackamas Community College. An Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for CFD to provide fleet services to the City of Lake Oswego Fire Department. Resolution #17-06 – Authorizing Interfund Loans for Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Surplus of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA). Safety/Public Education Tips to Protect your Home from Threats of Wildfire Zone 1: Protect your Home Remove leaves and needles from gutters, roofs, and decks regularly. Remove tree limbs that overhang from the roof and chimney. Keep shrubs and decorative plants watered and trimmed back 18 inches from the house. Zone 2: Within 30 Feet of your Home Maintain 30 feet of non-combustible clearing around your home and outbuildings. Mow, prune, and water regularly. Dispose of debris safely. Follow all fire regulations and consider burn barrels instead of open burning. Zone 3: Within 100 Feet of your Home Remove dead trees, plants, and brush. Prune branches of mature trees 10-15 feet above the ground. Trim brush and shrub heights to less than 3 feet. Mow grass to 5 inches. 3 Health and Safety Summer Food Safety The number of cases of food poisoning increases during the summer months. Illnesses caused by food-borne pathogens can be anywhere from merely unpleasant to deadly. Food poisoning can be especially dangerous for young children, whose immune systems are still developing, says Shelley Feist, executive director of the Partnership for Food Safety and Education. Summer’s heat and humidity encourage the growth of bacteria in food and elsewhere. Add the fact that a lot of us cook and eat outdoors in the summer – at picnics, while camping – without safeguards such as refrigeration, dishwashers and food thermometers, and you’ve got a recipe for food poisoning. Feist says the two-hour rule – which holds that it’s safe to let food sit outside the fridge or cooler for that length of time – doesn’t apply outdoors when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. Tips for Summertime Food Safety: Don’t allow food to sit out longer than one hour. Put it right back in the cooler after serving your meal. For those manning the grill, remember to cook ground beef to 160 degrees and poultry to 165 degrees. Be sure to clean the grill rack thoroughly between uses – don’t assume the bacteria just “burns off” with each cooking. Wash your hands, and bring jugs of bottled water on picnics for preparing food and cleaning utensils and dishes. Also, bring along a pack of moistened towelettes for washing hands and preparing surfaces. Keep raw meats separate from other foods in the cooler and on prep surfaces. Don’t use the same utensils and plates for raw meat and cooked meat. Keep cold foods cold; pack them in a cooler with plenty of ice. If you don’t have access to a cooler and ice (or ice packs), consider dining on foods that don’t require refrigeration such as fruit and vegetables, hard cheeses, canned or dried meats, bread, peanut butter, and crackers. Source: www.washingtonpost.com Employee Highlights Finance Intern Spencer Burkholder I have been with Clackamas Fire District #1 for two weeks. My current position is the Finance Intern, focusing on Fixed and Capital Assets. I was born in Portland and have lived in Oregon my entire life. I graduated from Corbett High School and have yet to attend college. However, that is a goal of mine to complete a four year degree in business or a two year certificate in mechanics. The main factor for wanting to work here was that I wanted to be in the public service industry. I was tired of the Manufacturing, Sales, and Labor field. I was looking to get into something I could appreciate doing and in an environment where family is cherished and workers are acknowledged. From what I have heard, this was a great route for that and so I jumped on board! My family includes myself, my son, and my significant other, Stephanie Walker. They’re both the reason I work as hard as I do and are the shining moments of my day! My son is eight going on nine and is a soccer and basketball fanatic. My hobbies include collecting and the rebuilding of various vehicles, playing disk golf, attending the Portland Timbers Soccer games, camping, and traveling as often as possible. An interesting fact about me, is that when I was nine I met the entire team of the Globetrotters, received their official gear, and a signed photo of all the members. 4 Employee Highlights (cont.) Volunteer Association President Ryan Kragero I have been volunteering with Clackamas Fire District #1 since January 2013. I am an Engineer Suppression Volunteer for the Fire District. After serving as the Volunteer Association Vice President, I was recently elected to be the President. The fire service is the perfect confluence of a team atmosphere, community service, and just getting after it and going to work. I married my high school sweetheart, Amy. We are working on our 24th year of marriage. We have three children: a 21-year-old son who is attending Utah State, a 19-year-old attending Azusa Pacific and a 16-year-old daughter who attends Clackamas High School. I’m an active member and small group leader at my church, Abundant Life in Damascus.