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 September 2017 As the weather changes and fall arrives, Clackamas Fire District #1 is preparing for a number of community events to help keep you safe and support the communities we serve. Inside this issue September is Emergency Preparedness Month, but preparedness doesn’t stop when Chief’s Message………………... 1 October begins. On October 19, 2017 at 10:19 am, Clackamas Fire will be participating in Board of Directors……………… 2 the “Great Shake Out” and we ask for your participation as well. More information will be available on our website at www.clackamasfire.com. Safety/Public Education……….. 2 Health and Safety…………….... 3 October is also Fire Prevention Month and this year’s theme is, “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” The Fire District will be hosting community fire station open houses Employee Highlights………….... 4 every Saturday during the month. Apparatus Operator Sworn-In… 5 During the months of November and December, the Fire District will be asking for your Facilities Update……………...... 6 help in supporting our annual Operation Santa Claus program focused to help those in Community Outreach…………... 7 need throughout our community. Donations of new toys and non-perishable food are Clackamas Emergency received through 15 community parades, local businesses, schools, and other community 7 partners, and then distributed back into our community. Services Foundation…………… Upcoming Events………………. 9 In addition to emergency response, community outreach, public engagement, and fire and life safety education helps us meet our mission, “To safely protect and preserve life and Fire Prevention…………………. 10 property.” Station Activities………………... 11 Hilltop Health and Safety Fair On Saturday, September 16, 2017, Clackamas Fire District #1 hosted the Annual Hilltop Health and Safety Fair at the Danielson Hilltop Mall in Oregon City. This is a wonderful event that features numerous public agencies, businesses, and non-profits that serve the Oregon City community. This year, attendees were able to take rides in the Fire District’s antique fire engine, Old Red, visit with Oregon City Police officers, as well as K-9 demonstrations from the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office. The event also featured free bicycle helmets purchased by the Clackamas Emergency Services Foundation, two live auto extrication demonstrations (vehicles donated by Bud’s Towing), and a live fire sprinkler demonstration. Clackamas Fire staff, crews, explorers, and volunteers did a great job of sharing important fire and life safety information with attendees, gave tours of fire apparatus, and assisted community members and vendors during the event. Thanks to ABRA Auto Body and Glass for their generous donation of bicycles and a scooter, which were raffled off throughout the day. A special thank you to Shannon Gross Photography who was hired to take photos of the event. The fair was a great success, and members of the Oregon City community were provided with invaluable health and safety information and resources. A huge thank you to all of the vendors who volunteered their time and resources for the event and to everyone who attended! 1 Message from the Board of Directors New officers were elected at the September 18, 2017 Board of Directors’ meeting. These officers will serve in their positions for one year. President – Marilyn Wall Vice President – Jim Syring Secretary/Treasurer – Don Trotter Director – Jay Cross Director – Thomas Joseph Congratulations to the new officers! The Board approved the following: Proclamation 17-04 – To Designate the Month of October 2017 as Fire Prevention Month. Contract for Emerick Construction for Station 16. The next board meeting will be Monday, October 16, 2017 at 6:30 pm at the Mt. Scott Fire Station 5 located at 9339 SE Causey Avenue, Happy Valley, Oregon. Safety/Public Education Backyard Burning Season Delayed The Clackamas Fire District #1 backyard burning (Domestic Open Burning) season was scheduled to begin October 1, 2017. However, as of Thursday, September 28, 2017, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) decided to not end the fire season in time for backyard burning to reopen on October 1. ODF will meet on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 to re-evaluate the conditions. The backyard burning seasons, typically, are March 1 – June 15 and October 1 – December 15, unless fire danger levels are “High” or “Extreme.” Backyard burning is the burning of organic yard debris on the property of origin, on approved burn days, during approved burn hours, as indicated by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Clackamas Fire District #1 has a daily burn message line that is a recording of whether DEQ determined the day to be a burn day. The burn message line is 503.632.0211. The burn information applies to the areas served by Clackamas Fire District #1. If you reside within the city limits of Happy Valley, the city requires a residential burn permit. For more information, Happy Valley residents can visit the city website at: http://www.happyvalleyor.gov/services/code-enforcement/ residential-open-burning/. Backyard burning is only allowed on property located outside of the DEQ Burn Ban Area and is not allowed in compact housing developments. Backyard burning materials must be dried, to the extent practicable, loosely stacked (to provide adequate air supply) to ensure good combustion; therefore, avoiding smoldering fires. If the smoke or odor emission affects others, the fire must be extinguished. Materials prohibited from burning, include but are not limited to, garbage, plastic, rubber, petroleum treated materials, and any other material that creates dense smoke and noxious odors. Backyard burn piles can be no larger than 10’x10’x10’ and must be a minimum of 50-feet from a structure or other combustible materials. A maximum of two burn piles may be burned at any one time, if space allows. All backyard fires must be attended to at all times and extinguished by the fires out time, which means no flames or smoke beyond the end of the established burn hours. For more information on backyard burning, associated rules, best burning practices, and all other types of regulated burning, please visit the Open Burning Categories information on our website at http://www.clackamasfire.com/ outdoor-burning/outdoor-burning-categories/. 2 Health and Safety 10 Natural Remedies for Anxiety Almost everyone experiences anxiety at one time or another. Whether it’s about money, work or relationships, modern life seems to be a minefield of anxiety-producing situations. But everyday anxiety isn’t necessarily something that requires turning to medications or therapy. Below are some simple anxiety remedies to try. 1. Exercise. Exercise is well-known as one of the fastest ways to alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Moderate exercise releases those feel-good endorphins, and increased body heat may boost cognitive function and increase feelings of relaxation. 2. Meditation. This classic practice is still one of the best ways for people to tame anxiety. No equipment is needed. Simply dedicate 15-30 minutes each day to take control of your mind. 3. Chamomile tea. Chamomile is among the best natural remedies for anxiety, due to its high levels of mood-boosting apigenin, luteolin, and bisabolol. If you’re experiencing a particularly anxious day, a nice strong cup of chamomile can help you feel calm and relaxed. 4. Omega-3 fatty acids. The brain is very susceptible to inflammation, and research shows that omega-3 fatty acids lower inflammation and levels of stress chemicals – all of which contribute to anxiety. Thus, foods rich in omega-3s, like salmon, walnuts, and flax seeds should be eaten for a low-stress diet. 5. Lavender. Breathing in lavender has been shown to relax the body and reduce anxiety. You can put a few drops of lavender oil onto your pillow, into a bath, or rub some directly on your skin. Another method is to drop some of the oil into a cup of boiling water and inhale the aroma. 6. Hot baths. A steaming hot bath is a time-honored method for calming the mind. Try adding a half-cup of Epson salts to the bath water, which is thought to lower blood pressure, or add essential oils such as lavender, vanilla, or bergamot. 7. Cut caffeine. Limit your coffee or black tea intake to one cup a day, and see if this helps reduce anxiety symptoms. 8. Journaling. Journaling is simply the act of writing down your thoughts and feelings to help you sort them out. Keeping a daily journal can help you understand yourself and gain control of chaotic emotions. 9. Yoga. Like meditation, yoga is considered a “ mind -body therapy,” which is increasingly being recommended for people who suffer from anxiety. Whether you sign up for a class, or just practice at home, yoga can be very calming. 10. Sunlight. The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, which has been linked to lowered symptoms of anxiety and depression. Try to get outside in natural sunlight for 15 minutes per day. If symptoms of anxiety are interfering with your daily life, you can start to feel better by trying some of these tips. If you are having trouble managing your anxiety, consider getting professional help. Source: Providence Health Team Newsletter, May 26, 2017 3 Employee Highlights Firefighter Joe Mendoza I have been working at Clackamas Fire District #1 for two months. My current position is Firefighter/Paramedic. I chose a career with the fire service because I found that I enjoyed the instant feedback and gratification from helping those in need. I would go weeks with inadequate feedback in my former career. I decided to continue my career with Clackamas Fire District #1 because I experienced the family-oriented relationship with Fire District personnel on multiple occasions.