Pictures from Pinehurst fire where 14yo boy and friends saved woman from fire. - 08/23/10
Pictures from Pinehurst fire.

Life Flight Network Brings Joy to Damascus Accident Victim. - 08/19/10
On May 3, 2010 10 year-old Joy Kendall was critically injured when she was struck by a car in Damascus. Boring Fire and Clackamas Fire #1 responded to the accident; Life Flight Network was then activated to transport Joy Kendall from the accident scene to OHSU, where she remained in critical condition for several weeks. Doctors were not optimistic Joy would live, but miraculously she has defied the odds and is in the process of an amazing recovery. Because of the extent of her injuries, Joy has no memory of the life saving care and rapid transport provided by Life Flight Network. When she was told about the efforts taken to save her life, Joy was disappointed she could not remember the helicopter ride.

After hearing her story, Life Flight Network offered to provide Joy with a free helicopter ride over the metro area. The flight will take place Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 11:00 am, departing from Life Flight Network's helicopter base at the Aurora State Airport. Joy will also have the opportunity to meet the crew who helped save her life the day of the accident. Media will be allowed to meet and interview Joy and her parents for the first time since the accident. In addition, a television news photographer will be allowed on the helicopter to film Joy's flight. Life Flight Network will also be hosting an Open House for the community on Saturday from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Life Flight Network has been in operation for over 32 years with bases in Aurora, Eugene, Hillsboro, and Ontario, Oregon; Dallesport and Longview, Washington; and Boise, McCall, Mountain Home, and Lewiston, Idaho. In addition to a modern fleet of 9 medical helicopters, Life Flight Network also provides ground critical care ambulances and fixed-wing aircraft. Life Flight Network is wholly owned by Legacy Emanuel Hospital, Oregon Health & Science University, Providence Health System – Oregon, and Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. Rotor-wing aircraft are operated by Air Methods Corporation, fixed-wing aircraft are operated by Aero Air, LLC and Conyan Aviation, Inc.

For more information about Life Flight Network visit: www.lifeflight.org.

Clackamas Fire crews rescue woman that lands 50ft down a cliff behind her home. - 08/18/10
Today, August 18, 2010 at 3:35pm Clackamas Fire crews were called to Shadowbrook mobile home park at 13640 SE Hwy 212 in Clackamas for an elderly female that fell nearly 50ft over a cliff behind her home. When crews arrived they found the elderly female lying on the nearly dry creek bed of river rocks and her husband was up against a tree halfway down this very steep incline, trying to talk to her. This could have easily turned into a rescue of 2 people since the husband started down after her. As hard as it might be in this type of situation, rescuers suggest not attempting a rescue yourself but instead being there to help guide them to the person needing rescue. Crews were able to get a verbal response from her as they were rigging the rope system to reach her. This "cliff" consisted of 25ft of a very steep angle then became a vertical 20ft drop straight down to the rocks.
Once crews reached the female and stabilized her, they had to assist the husband back up the cliff before they could begin bringing her up, secured in the rescue basket. Crews used a ladder truck to reach out over the home to use as a high point. This worked well in getting everyone safely up and over the edge of the cliff. The vertical part of the cliff actually had an overhang that had eroded out making this a difficult rescue. Eventually, Clackamas firefighters were able to bring the woman safely to the top. She was then transported to a waiting Lifeflight helicopter and taken to Emanual Hospital for further evaluation. There were no injuries to firefighters during this rescue and the patient was awake when she was brought to the top of the cliff.

Burning Ban - 08/13/10
Effective immediately, Clackamas Fire District #1, along with the Clackamas District Fire Defense Board, will be moving to a total burn ban. All fire station signs will read "Red", indicating that the fire danger level is extreme.

The imposed burn ban is being employed due to high temperature's, low humidity, and moderate to strong east winds. The above mentioned burn ban will be in effect until further notice.

Please use extreme caution when extinguishing cigarettes, as even the smallest ignitions source can cause a grass or forest fire.

Firefighters "fill the boot" to fight muscular dystrophy - 08/10/10
August 12th through the 14th Firefighters across the metro-area will be teaming up to raise money for their annual "Fill the Boot" campaign benefiting the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Clackamas, Portland, Vancouver, Hillsboro, Gresham, Scappoose, and Tualatin Valley Firefighter unions will all be hosting events on these dates. Last year these agencies raised a combined $105,000 to fight neuromuscular disease and hope to raise more this year. Proceeds are used to pay for medical expenses, specialized equipment, MDA camp for kids, and local support groups. The times and locations of this year's events are as follows:

Clackamas: Hillsboro:
8/13 noon to 4pm: SE 82nd/Causey 8/12, 3:30-7pm: Hwy 26/ Shute; Baseline/ 10th
8/14 noon to 4pm: Mollala Ave/Gaffney Ln 8/13, 3:30-7pm: Baseline/ Brookwood
Oregon City Gresham:
Portland: 8/13-14, 9am-5pm Eastman Pkwy/Division
8/12-13, 3-6:30pm NW 23rd/ Burnside Scappoose:
SE 122nd/ Stark 8/14, 10am-4pm Hwy 30/ NW Havlik
Vancouver: Tualatin Valley:
8/12-13, noon-4pm Fourth Plain/ Andresen Multiple times/ locations
162nd Ave/ NE 18th St

During these times, Firefighters will be taking donations from passing vehicles to "Fill the Boot" while they are stopped at the Red light. The stop lights will operate as usual, and there will be minimal impact on the flow of traffic. We do ask motorists to slow down for the safety of the volunteers working in the roadway. If you drive to one of these locations, please do not stop in the road unless the light is red, park in a nearby parking lot.
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is the single largest sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Association raising over $400 million since the relationship started in 1954. Clackamas Fire and all of the metro-area Fire Departments are proud of this long standing relationship and work hard to keep it stronger than ever. Because the MDA is supported entirely by donations, they work hard to ensure that over 76 cents of every dollar is spent directly on services. MDA represents more than 40 neuromuscular diseases, 200 clinics, 330 research projects, and over a million people with neuromuscular diseases.
For more information contact:
Nick Fisher
Firefighter, Clackamas Fire
Cell: 503-550-9899
E-mail: nicolas.fisher@gmail.com

Clackamas Fire crews make a dangerous save of a log cabin house from nearby shop fire. - 08/06/10
Today at 12:14 pm a resident of 14938 S. Burkstrom Rd. in Oregon City called 911 to report that their shop was on fire and beginning to catch the house on fire. The first arriving engine company arrived to find the shop, that was located directly behind the house, had flames rolling out of the front doors and flames shooting 20-30 feet in the air. At this point firefighters knew they had to work hard to save the home. All arriving engine and truck companies were sent to the back of the home to concentrate all efforts into saving this home. The close proximity of the shop to the house made this effort a dangerous and challenging feat. Crews fought the house fire as the shop flames burned at thier backs. Due to the persistence of the firefighters and tactical decisions made by incident command, the house received extensive damage but was saved. Battalion Chief Jamie Karn stated later, "This was one of the best saves of a house that I can remember". He went on to say, "These firefighters here today never gave up and that's what saved this home".
The homeowner and a friend were working on a fully restored 1932 Ford Coupe in the shop when the fire broke out. They were working on a gas leak that the car developed. As they were searching for the leak, they pulled the carpet back in the car when it suddenly ignited. A 911 call was quickly made and the two went to grab a nearby fire extinguisher. By the time they got back to the car with the extinguisher, which was seconds, the car had become fully involved. They were able to get 2 more vintage vehicles out just before the shop became fully engulfed in flames. Everyone got outside and waited for fire crews to arrive as they watched their dreams go up in smoke.
The log cabin home is 33 years old and the couple has lived there for 24 years. They just celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary yesterday.
There was one minor firefighter injury which was a twisted ankle. He was treated on scene and did not go to the hospital. Clackamas Fire investigators were on scene to verify the cause and begin to estimate fire damage which will exceed $250,000 dollars. Fire crews were also able to save the family pictures, their computer and 2 file cabinets with important documents inside.
The couple was applauded by firefighters for having working smoke alarms, calling 911 quickly, having a fire extinguisher close by and getting outside and staying outside. These are all the right things to do in this situation.

Redland Road Mobile Home Fire - 08/05/10
This morning, August 5th at 9am, Clackamas Fire crews were dispatched to a mobile home on fire at 16429 S Redland Rd., just south of Oregon City. The 911 call came in from a passerby that reported thirty foot flames.

The first arriving engine company called for a second alarm due to the twenty foot flames, the heavy smoke engulfing the south end of the home, and the homes rural location. They immediately went to work at getting the flames knocked down while waiting for other apparatus to arrive.

This mobile home had many additions made to it, including a large wrap around deck and was placed on top of another basement type of structure. All of this made it very dangerous for firefighters and difficult to get to the seat of the fire and extinguish it. After nearly 30 minutes, firefighters were able to bring the fire under control. Thirty firefighters were on scene from Clackamas Fire with some assistance from Gladstone Fire.

The residents of the home were able to make it outside, but they did re-enter the home to try and rescue their pets. Because of that, they did inhale some smoke and carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is found at all fires and is the incomplete combustion of whatever materials are burning. This is a very dangerous gas once it is inhaled and the only way to get rid of it, once high levels are consumed, is by being put into a hyperbaric chamber which basically pulls it out of the bloodstream. Five people lived in the home and three (one adult and two teenagers) were transported due to the high levels of carbon monoxide. Four of their cats were rescued and resuscitated by firefighters, but six to seven did not survive.

While firefighters were performing overhaul duties and checking for hot spots they came across a smoke alarm that was sitting on a shelf with the battery lying next to it. If they would have had a working smoke alarm, these people would have had a much earlier warning and may have not received any injuries and most assuredly would have kept the damage to the home at a minimum. As it stands now, investigators are saying their preliminary findings are pointing to an unattended candle as the cause of the fire with damage estimates nearing $200,000.

It is proven over and over again that a working smoke alarm can save your life. Have one on each level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Never leave a candle unattended, or better yet, use flameless candles which are available at many stores today.