COMMISSIONER RANDY LEONARD'S BLOG

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It was a busy morning for fire crews in North and Northeast Portland. This Morning at 3:28 am firefighters were called to 9026 NE 13th Ave. for a hazardous materials spill. Reports indicate that a forklift punctured a container holding 240 gallons of weed killer. Firefighters arrived, assessed the situation and worked to ensure that the leak was contained until a hazardous materials cleanup company arrived and took over. No one was injured and the leak was contained to the immediate area. While the leak was still being mitigated fire crews were called to a house on fire at 8330 N. Chautauqua Blvd. When they arrived, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from a vacant, single story house. Firefighters entered and began searching for the fire, but they quickly encountered conditions consistent with Hoarding . Firefighters had to fight through significant clutter while trying to locate the fire. The fire was found in the basement, on the first floor and in the attic.Fire commanders made the call to switch from offensive (interior) to defensive (exterior) operations, siting the increased danger posed by the hoarding and the fact that the house was vacant. A majority of the fire has been extinguished at this point but firefighters will be on scene for most of the day assisting with the investigation. No injuries were associated with this fire. Fire investigators are on scene and will be working throughout the day to determine the fires cause. Damage estimates will be made available as they are determined.Portland Fire Rescue reminds residents that resources are available and should be utilized if you or someone you know suffers from Compulsive Hoarding Syndrome. According to the Mayo Clinic hoarding is the obsessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Hoarding can lead to the increased likelihood of fires as combustible items have a greater chance of contacting heat sources. Fires in hoarder houses are also more severe as the amount of combustible material is usually greater. Resources: Community Resource Database- Call 211, Online-http://211info.org or Text your zip code to 898211.Mental Health Crisis Line-at (503)988-4888 Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 At 10:06 pm on Christmas Eve firefighters from Portland Fire Rescue were called to an apartment fire at 15904 E. Burnside. Firefighters arrived and found fire in two apartments (one was directly above the other). The fire was difficult to extinguish because it was burning in the walls and had extended into the attic.Firefighters determined that the occupants of both apartments had gotten out safely. The fire was extinguished, however due to the damage to the apartments the residents will be displaced. The American Red Cross will be assisting the residents with shelter. Three adults and one child lived in one apartment, while the other was home to two adults and one infant. Fortunately most of the residents belongings were saved as the majority of damage was to the structure.Fire investigators were called to the scene and determined that the fire was caused by improper wiring. Investigators estimate damages at $60,000. This was a single alarm fire.Portland Fire Rescue reminds residents to ensure that all wiring is installed by a licensed electrician and properly inspected. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 At 8:20 Sunday morning dispatchers received report of fire in a garage extending into a house at 5114 NE 109 Avenue.The 9-1-1 call came from the resident who had gone back into the smoke to search for her dogs. An ambulance was immediately added to the response as a precautionary measure. The two occupants were outside when fire crews arrived and were evaluated for smoke inhalation but were not transported. An engine and truck from Parkrose Station 2 were first to arrive and reported smoke and flames coming from the back of the house. A quick search of the house found three dogs. Two of the dogs were successfully resuscitated using donated specialized pet rescue equipment from a local veterinary clinic. A third dog died at the scene is and is in the custody of the owners.Complicating this incident were overhead electrical lines that were down over the top of cars in the driveway. In addition to the power line hazard, water pipes were energized by power lines that were compromised, making it difficult to shut off the municipal water supply to the home. The quick initial response contributed to the overall successful outcome of this incident said battalion chief Rich Stenhouse.Portland Fire Rescue has fire stations strategically located throughout the city to maximize efficiency and response times. The fire was knocked down within ten minutes.PF R Investigators are on-scene working, fire cause and damage estimates will be released as they become available.(4) Engines, (1) Truck, (2) Chief Officers, (1) Investigator and a PIO responded to this incident for a total of (23) personnel.PF R reminds its citizens that re-entering a structure that is charged with smoke and fire can have dangerous or even fatal results. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location, and be ready to give arriving fire crews any information that can aid in search and rescue efforts. UPDATE, 12/23/2012 @ 4:16 pmInvestigators are continuing to work towards identifying a cause of the fire, however it has been determined that the fire originated in the garage. The resident heard a noise in the garage and opened the door from the house to the garage and encountered heavy fire and thick, black smoke that had banked all the way down to the floor. Introducing fresh air to the garage accelerated the fire. It is important to remember that closing any doors between a fire and occupied space can reduce a fire s growth, limit damages and allow for more time to escape or be rescued.During the course of the investigation, it was discovered that there were no working smoke detectors in the home. Unrelated to the fire cause in this case, it was also noted by investigators that there were large quantities of extension cords in use in the garage, which in some cases have been known to be an ignition source.PF R Investigations estimates the damages at around $50,000.Photos courtesy of PF R Photographer Dick Harris Contact Info: PIO / Firefighter Tommy Schroeder Media Pager: (503) 940-6003 On Saturday, December 22nd, local artists will be performing at a concert to raise money for a local non-profit group, Global Mission Readiness (GMR). The mission of GMR is to travel to developing countries and teach first responders in a variety of subjects including Emergency Medical Service, high angle rope rescue, swift water rescue, Urban Search Rescue, and auto extrication. As a non-profit organization, GMR relies solely on donations and fund raisers. The money raised at this weekend s concert will go towards travel costs and equipment procurement.This April a Global Mission Readiness team consisting of off duty Portland Firefighters, Police Officers and other local first responders will be traveling to Lima, Peru. The team will be teaching members of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) Rescue (Rescate) team, which is tasked with responding throughout the country of Peru for a variety of emergencies including earthquakes, mine collapse, terrorist events, and other disasters. The April training will consist of Emergency Medical Services, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, Hazardous Materials Awareness, Defensive Tactics and Patrol Tactics.Concert Information-Date-December 22, 2012Location-Biddy McGraw s (6000 NE Glisan)Time-8:30 pmPerformers- Michael Meanwhile and Supervisor Contact Info: Portland Firefighter Ed Resch at (503) 702-5880 The Portland City Council gives Commissioner Randy Leonard a standing ovation after voting to name a fire station for the outgoing official. Beth Slovic/The Oregonian By Beth Slovic, The Oregonian on December 19, 2012 at 11:07 AM, updated December 19, 2012 at 3:37 PM The Portland City Council gives Commissioner Randy Leonard a standing ovation after voting to name a fire station for the outgoing official. Beth Slovic/The Oregonian The Portland City Council voted Wednesday morning to name a rebuilt fire station for Commissioner Randy Leonard, who retires Dec. 31 after more than 10 years at City Hall.A former firefighter and president of the firefighter s union, Leonard also led the Fire and Rescue Bureau while a city commissioner.Before voting, Leonard s colleagues gave him a giant poster depicting the station -- which is being rebuilt on the eastern edge of the Willamette River near the Hawthorne Bridge. It displayed a few joking embellishments, including a giant neon rose and a neon helmet and axe. (Leonard famously sidestepped the city s sign rules to put a giant neon rose next to the headquarters for the Portland Rose Festival Foundation.) A tongue-in-cheek rendering of Randy Leonard Station 21 City of Portland It wouldn t be a Randy Leonard celebration without detractors.Two people testified against naming the station for Leonard, a sometimes polarizing figure at City Hall, saying Leonard had damaged the city s Water Bureau and bullied opponents. I know you guys want to say goodbye, said Joe Walsh, one such Leonard critic. So do I. Council colleagues then showered Leonard with praise, causing Leonard to tear up at least once when Commissioner Nick Fish alluded to the death last year of Leonard s only daughter, who killed herself after a long struggle with drug abuse. Fish said Leonard had endured the tragedy with grace, displaying the greatest measure of a man. The city of Portland is rebuilding the station with money from a $72.4 million bond that Leonard pushed in 2010 to benefit the Bureau of Fire and Rescue. The project has been dogged by complications, including unbudgeted costs and a formal contract protest that has since been resolved.-- Beth Slovic; on Twitter © OregonLive.com. All rights reserved.RESOLUTION No.Rename the Portland Fire Rescue Bureau’s Station 21 the Commissioner Randy Leonard Fire Rescue Station 2l (RESOLUTION)WHEREAS, Commissioner Randy Leonard, who was born and raised in NE Portland, has been in public service for 35 years; andWHEREAS, Commissioner Leonard served 25 years in the Portland Fire Bureau as a Firefighter, Fire Inspector, and Fire Lieutenant; andWHEREAS, Commissioner Leonard served nine years in the State Legislature, and he has served the last l0 years as Portland City Commissioner; andWHEREAS, in 2009, Mayor Adams assigned Commissioner Leonard the Fire Bureau, and Commissioner Leonard has spent the last four years proudly serving as the City of Portland’s Fire Commissioner; andWHEREAS, over the years, Commissioner Leonard has championed countless policies and legislation at both the state and local levels aimed at fire safety, all of which have served to make the citizens of Oregon and of Portland safer; andWHEREAS, in Portland, perhaps his most enduring legacy is the voter-approved $72 million fire safety bond. In 2010, under Commissioner Leonard’s leadership, the City of Portland passed the fire safety bond to fund new fire apparatus, a digital radio system, and a new fire station to replace the aging station at the foot of the east side of the Hawthorne bridge; andWHEREAS, Commissioner Leonard’s commitment to public safety has truly earned him the title of Public Safety Commissioner; andWHEREAS, the Portland City Council wishes to mark the occasion of Commissioner Randy Leonard’s retirement from his many years of dedicated public service.NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Portland City Council renames Station 2l at the east end of the Hawthorne Bridge as the Commissioner Randy Leonard Fire Rescue Station 21, and directs the Portland Bureau of Fire Rescue to appropriately sign the station. Adopted by the Council: Mayor Sam AdamsCommissioner Nick FishCommissioner Amanda FritzCommissioner Dan SaltzmanPrepared by: Amy RuizDate Prepared: December 13, 2012 On December 18th 2012 Commissioner Leonard and Portland Fire Rescue will be celebrating the donation of an antique American LaFrance Pumper. The Engine was originally purchased new by PF R in 1918 and served at Station 19 (Mt. Tabor). The Engine was used for many years, but was eventually retired in the early 1950 s. It was acquired at auction by Don Letson in 1952 for approximately $295.The Letson family kept and maintained the pumper for over 60 years and worked to restore it. Now the old engine is coming home. Please join Fire Commissioner Randy Leonard, Chief Erin Janssens, the Letson family and the Crew of Station 19 for the celebration. The engines history will be recounted and light refreshments will be served.Who-Everyone is welcome.When- December 18th, 2012 from 3:00 pm-5:00 pmWhere- 7301 East Burnside (Station 19) Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 At 5:11 pm, Saturday Portland Fire Rescue responded to report of a house on fire at 7827 N Hodge Ave. Engine 26 (Portsmouth/University Park) arrived at 5:14 pm and found dark smoke coming from the front of the house and fire coming from the top of the front door. Because of safety concerns, fire crews had to wait on the street for police to arrive. Just 3 minutes later the Portland Police Bureau arrived and took an individual, who was keeping firefighters from extinguishing the blaze, away from the house.Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire while searching for people and/or animals inside the house. Fire crews were able to rescue a dog from the structure who was suffering from smoke inhalation. Supplemental oxygen was given to the dog through an oxygen mask specifically designed for animals. This mask is kept on all PF R Battalion Chief s apparatus for this exact situation. The name, age and breed is unknown at this time but the dog is being taken care of by animal control.The fire was declared under control at 5:34 pm and a Portland Fire Investigator is on scene working to determine the fire cause. The estimated fire damage is $40,000. Additional information will be given as it becomes available.For Any information regarding the individual in custody please contact the Portland Police Bureau s on-duty PIO. Contact Info: Public Information Officer AJ Schaffer, Media Pager (503) 940-6003. News Release from: Portland Fire Rescue IT S TIME FOR THE 2012 HOLIDAY SAFETY HOUSE! ***UPDATE-THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.***Posted: December 11th, 2012 8:05 PMUpdate- Due to today s tragic events at Clackamas Town Center, this event has been cancelled. The resources listed below are still available and can be found on line and by phone. Please have a safe holiday season.On Wednesday, December 12, 2012, a home in North Portland will open its doors to the media to provide a visual and interactive one-stop shopping experience demonstrating the top holiday hazards and how to avoid them.Organized and sponsored by local injury prevention experts and public safety personnel; the media will be invited to attend and watch demonstrations on common home holiday hazards. Experts will also be available to provide holiday safety advice. Details are below.WHEN: Wednesday, December 12th, 20129:00 am to 12:30 pmWHERE: 2224 North Willamette, Portland OR 97217DEMONSTRATIONS AVAILABLE:-Wheeled Winter Sports - Trauma Nurses Talk Tough (TNTT)-Simone Carter -Toy Safety - Tom Sargent Safety Store-Marianne Bridwell-Chapman -Winter Driving - Oregon Department of Transportation-Kristie Gladhill -Cooking Fires - Portland Fire Rescue-Damon Simmons -Fall Prevention - American Medical Response (AMR) and the Metro Area Safe Kids Coalition (safekids.org)-Lucie Drum -Candle Fires - Sandy Fire District-Alice Bush -Christmas Tree Safety - Tualatin Valley Fire Rescue-Tim Nokes -Burn Prevention - Legacy Oregon Burn Center-Curtis Ryun -Poison Prevention - Oregon Health Science University, Oregon Poison Center-Lisbeth Ward-Fowler Contact Info: Alice Bush, Public Information Officer, Sandy Fire Cell Phone-(971)563-3051 This morning at 9:58 am Portland Fire Rescue was called to a house at 5237 SE 104th Ave. When firefighters arrived, they found heavy smoke coming from the front door. Firefighters from Station 11 (Lents) entered the house and began fighting the fire. At this point Ladder Truck 7 (Mill Park) arrived. The firefighters on the truck began searching the home for trapped victims and ventilating the structure by cutting a hole in the roof to release trapped smoke and flammable fire gases.All of the homes occupants had escaped safely and were at a neighbors house. The fire was quickly extinguished but the home will be uninhabitable. No one injuries were associated with this fire. A fire investigator was called to the scene and estimated damages at $40,000. This fires cause has not been released. Firefighters determined that many of the homes smoke alarms weren t operable.Portland Fire Rescue reminds residents to have working smoke alarms on every floor and in every sleeping area. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003This morning at 6:28 am Portland Firefighters were called to a house fire at 3044 NE 32nd Place. When the crew of Station 14 (Alberta Park) arrived, they found fire in the basement of the house. Engine 14 began fighting the fire while firefighters from neighboring Truck 13 searched for victims and ventilated the structure to release smoke and flammable gases from the building.The search revealed that there were no victims in the house. The occupants, a husband and wife, were found outside uninjured. The fire was quickly extinguished and firefighters began searching for hidden fire. A fire investigator was called to the scene and determined that the fire was caused by an issue with the homes heating system. The investigator has placed a preliminary estimate on damages at $60,000. The house is uninhabitable. However the occupants have stated that they will be able to stay with friends or family. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 PORTLAND, ORE.- After more than a century of helping make Portland a better place to live and visit, the Portland Rose Festival Foundation walks the talk to City Hall Wednesday morning to present a comprehensive, independent economic impact study showing the Festival generates $75.5 million for the local economy annually. For a small non-profit with a $4 million budget this is a significant return of dollars into the local economy for Portland s Official Festival and further validates the City of Portland s contribution of support. The Rose Festival is an integral part of what Portland is. I could not me more proud of anything I have done than the work I have done to help the Rose Festival, says Randy Leonard, Portland City Commissioner. From locating them in their beautiful building on Portland s front porch to bringing new and exciting events to the city, I have not enjoyed anything more in 10 years on the City Council than working with the Rose Festival Foundation. The International Festivals Events Association was contracted by the Portland Rose Festival to conduct an economic impact assessment for its 2012 event held May 20 - June 17, using IFEA s assessment model. Intercept surveys were collected over three key weekends of the festival at CityFair, Starlight Parade, Grand Floral Parade and Rose Cup venues. Further data was also collected from other sources like the Competitor Group, which produces the Rock n Roll Marathon series. The Portland Rose Festival has been a leader in the special events industry for more than a century. We were pleased to be able to validate the significant return the Rose Festival makes to the region through the results of this study, said Steve Schmader, CEO- International Festivals Events Association. It s a reminder that special events, along with their many other benefits, make dollars and sense for their host cities--they return significant dollars, and that makes good sense. This study indicates that a large percentage of the event s attendees traveled from outside Portland, which brings new dollars to the community to create economic impact that would not have occurred without the event. The addition of the Rock n Roll Portland Half Marathon in 2012 accounted for $14 million of the impact enhancing the Festival s already world class status with a highly renowned running event. As a destination city that draws fitness enthusiasts from across the country, Portland’s beauty and unique energy made it a perfect fit for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series,” said Josh Furlow, Senior VP of Operations for Competitor Group, Inc. “Our inaugural half-marathon gave thousands of visiting runners an unforgettable tour of the Rose City as they explored its eclectic neighborhoods and parks, while also giving a boost to local businesses during their stay. In two of the past five years, the Portland Rose Festival was named the Best Festival in the World by its trade organization, the IFEA. The prominence of the Rose Festival has far exceeded the expectations of its origins, heaping benefits - both economic and intrinsic - as well as considerable praise on a place that more than a century ago became internationally known as the City of Roses. 106-years ago the festival was founded on the principle of economic development, says Jeff Curtis, Portland Rose Festival CEO. We are proud to have a significant impact to our local economy, especially in recent years when financial uncertainty dominated the conversations throughout our community. The Portland Rose Festival Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit that serves families and individuals with programs and events that promote the arts, education and volunteerism. We value environmental responsibility, diversity, patriotism and our historic floral heritage. Go to RoseFestival.org for more detailed information on all festival activities.An executive Summary of the 2012 impact study is available on request. Contact Rich Jarvis for details.# # #Contact: Rich Jarvis, Portland Rose Festival Foundation | ph: 503.227.2681 Stu Oishi, Commissioner Leonard s Office | ph: 503.823.3005 This afternoon at 1:14 pm Portland Firefighters were called to assist after a vehicle went over an embankment and rolled. The vehicle landed on it s top in a small drainage. The accident occurred at 9725 SW 18th Place. When firefighters arrived they found that the driver had already gotten out. The driver was the only person in the car. Firefighters assessed the occupant (an adult female) and determined that she should be transported to a hospital. The embankment was fairly steep so firefighters used a rope system to help as they carried the patient up the hill. The patient was transported to Oregon Health Sciences University Hospital (a regional trauma center).Tow trucks are working to remove the vehicle. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003This evening at 6:42 pm Portland Firefighters were called to 2119 NE Liberty Street to fight a fire in a garage. When they arrived fire crews from Station 24 (Overlook/Swan Island) found fire burning through the roof of a two car garage. The owner of the garage was attempting to extinguish the fire with a garden hose. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters and no one was injured. Firefighters had to proceed carefully as the garages structural integrity was in question because of the fire. The nearby home and a car suffered some cosmetic damage. Fire investigators are on scene working to determine the fires cause and to estimate the amount of damage sustained. The homeowners will be able to occupy the house.Portland Fire Rescue reminds residents not to attempt to fight structure fires (call 911 from a safe location). Fire can quickly weaken a building and structural collapse is a very real hazard. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 On Wednesday November 28th, 2012 Portland Fire Rescue will be honoring citizens who went above and beyond to help others over the past year. These individuals, at times risked their own safety to to help when it mattered most. PF R will honor this outstanding group in our annual awards ceremony tomorrow at 7:00 pm. Also recognized will be recent promotions; including Portland s Fire Chief Erin Janssens. Fire Commissioner Randy Leonard will be on hand to help honor the award recipients. The media is welcome and encouraged to attend.When- 7:00 pm, Wednesday, November 28th, 2012Where- 4800 NE 122nd Avenue (PF R s Training Center)Who- Commissioner Randy Leonard, Portland Fire Chief Erin Janssens, Firefighters and CitizensContact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 Thursday evening at 5:51 pm Portland Fire Rescue was called to help a dog that had fallen into a hole in the backyard of 5120 SE 104th Ave. The hole appears to be an old well or cesspool. The hole is approximately 15 deep and 2 across. Portland s Engine 11 (Lents) arrived and determined that specialized resources were required to safely rescue the dog.Portland Fire s Trench Rescue Team was called in, to free the dog. These incidents present rare training opportunities for the team. All units remain available to respond should a human need rescuing.Ground pads were placed around the hole to prevent further collapse and firefighters were able to secure the dog using an animal restraint pole and a rope. The dog was then lifted from the hole. The dog; a male, named Frito was reunited with it s owner. Frito appears uninjured after being in the hole for just over an hour. The hole has been covered over until it can be assessed and permanently filled. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003 Thursday afternoon, at 1:06 pm Portland Fire Rescue responded to reports of a house on fire at 2002 SE 101st Avenue. Firefighters arrived and found heavy fire in the basement of a single story house. The fire had also traveled up through the walls and into the attic. Firefighters from Station 7 (Mill Park) arrived, fought the fire and searched for occupants. The homes occupant stated that everyone was safely out of the house and a thorough search by firefighters indicated the same. The fire was extinguished and recalled (declared under control) within 20 minutes. At that time firefighters began searching for hot spots. No injuries were associated with this fire.Fire investigators are on scene and working to determine the cause of this fire and the amount of damage it caused. This release will be updated with this information when it becomes available.Fast Facts-Dispatched-1:06 pmRecalled-1:26 pmResponse-24 firefighters Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003***Update-Photo s courtesy of PF R Photographer Dick Harris. Investigators have determined that this fire was caused by improperly discarded smoking materials. Investigators estimate damages associated with this fire at $60,000. This morning at 5:55 am a Portland Police Officer on patrol noticed smoke in the area of 3600 NE Martin Luther King JR BLVD. The officer called for Portland Firefighters to check as the smoke was increasing. Fire crews responded and found a fire at Mack Dub s Excellent Chicken and Waffles. The fire was quickly extinguished, but it had already burned through a portion of the roof. No injuries were associated with this fire and this was the only building affected. Fire investigators are working to determine the fire s cause and to estimate damages. A portion of NE MLK JR Blvd. was closed for a time because of the fire, but it has since reopened. Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503)940-6003 This week, PF R will be wrapping up training for firefighters on Urban Search Rescue (USAR). USAR teams focus on the location, extrication and stabilization of victims trapped in confined spaces. Entrapments often follow many natural and man-made disasters including: earthquakes, hurricanes and terrorist acts. This extensive training focuses on the skills that members of these teams need to conduct search and rescue operations in these difficult environments. On Thursday, November 15th, participants will be conducting the final day of operations and the media is invited to observe. A member of the Portland USAR team will be available to answer questions. Members of the media should call Portland Fire Rescue s media pager to schedule a time to attend.Contact Info: Lt. Damon Simmons, Media Pager (503) 940-6003

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