Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue is working with dozens of landlords and apartment complex managers today to prevent some of the most dangerous fires we encounter in our fire district: apartment fires.  The District conducts this training quarterly and, [...]]]>

TVF&R's landlord training provides an opportunity to learn about safely operating a fire extinguisher

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue is working with dozens of landlords and apartment complex managers today to prevent some of the most dangerous fires we encounter in our fire district: apartment fires.  The District conducts this training quarterly and, in the past several years TVF&R has trained more than half of the landlords and apartment managers in the District’s service area. 

TVF&R’s Apartment Program was started in 2002 following numerous fatal apartment fires without working smoke alarms. That year the District secured an $85,000 federal grant and hired a Portland market research company to conduct focus group research with its landlords and tenants. The research highlighted the fact that landlords play a significant role in motivating tenant behavior and reducing fires. Armed with that data, TVF&R implemented a multi-faceted program that today includes inspections, quarterly training for landlords and multi-family housing property owners, and professionally produced, strategic educational materials. Today, TVF&R data shows that not only have apartment fires decreased overall—in spite of apartments increasing—but 98% of participating landlords in TVF&R’s service area have not suffered a significant fire after attending this training.  TVF&R has now partnered with Clackamas Fire District #1 and Hillsboro Fire and Rescue to educate apartment managers through all three service areas.

Apartment managers see how a fire truck operates and learn about fire lanes

The program maintains regular contact with graduates through an electronic newsletter and periodic apartment complex inspections. In follow-up surveys, participants give the training very high marks and report changes in how they manage the safety of their apartment complexes. In a separate survey, tenants in participating complexes report better safety behavior by their apartment managers than respondents whose managers did not attend the training program. The incidence and severity of fires in multi-family buildings in the TVF&R response area has declined significantly since this program was instituted.

The symposium is sponsored by Vision [...]]]> Over 150 fire prevention experts from across the nation will gather in Baltimore, Maryland on June 28 and 29 to learn about model fire prevention programs that have proven results in reducing the risk of fire.  TVF&R’s Apartment Program is one of about 20 programs being presented at this national symposium.

The symposium is sponsored by Vision 20/20 under a Fire Prevention and Safety Grant from the Department of Homeland Security to the Institution of Fire Engineers. Funding has been provided for representatives of all 50 states to attend and learn more about proven programs that can be replicated in their own community.

TVF&R’s Apartment Program was started in 2002 following numerous fatal apartment fires without working smoke alarms. That year the District secured an $85,000 federal grant and hired a Portland market research company to conduct focus group research with its landlords and tenants. The research highlighted the fact that landlords play a significant role in motivating tenant behavior and reducing fires. Armed with that data, TVF&R implemented a multi-faceted program that today includes inspections, quarterly training for landlords and multi-family housing property owners, eNewsletters and mass media education, and professionally produced, strategic educational materials. Today, TVF&R data shows that not only have apartment fires decreased overall—in spite of apartments increasing—but 98% of participating landlords in TVF&R’s service area, have not suffered a significant fire after attending this training.

The next TVF&R Landlord Training will be held on July 20^th.

In addition, to help create safer apartment communities across Oregon, TVF&R and the Oregon State Fire Marshals Office now conduct train-the-trainer sessions for fire departments interested in starting the program in their community. Over 40 fire departments have attended this training thus far.

Congratulations to the following TVF&R personnel [...]]]> On Saturday, May 22, the Oregon Fire Chief’s Association held its 9^th Annual Meritorious Awards Banquet. The event honored fire service personnel and citizens throughout Oregon for their extraordinary service in the categories of Honor, Valor, Distinguished Conduct, Excellence, Unit Citation, Citizen Life Saving, Public Service and Lifetime Achievement.

Congratulations to the following TVF&R personnel who were recognized at this year’s event. For more details on each award see our press release at www.tvfr.com.

Gold Trumpet Award  (OFCA’s most pretigious award)
Retired Assistant Fire Chief Paul LeSage

Unit Citation
Division Chief Brian Sherrard; Captain Deric Weiss; Lieutenant Jeff Miller

Golden Sparky Award
Public Education Chief Officer Joanne Hatch; Assistant Fire Marshal Kate Stoller

Unit Citation
Lieutenant Doug Napoli; Engineer/Paramedic Jared Whitney; Firefighter/Paramedic Genaro Esparza, Jr.; and Firefighter/Paramedic Jason Hachmuth

TVF&R Captain Troy Spisla has received the American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award for the state of Oregon.  This annual award is conferred upon one firefighter in the State of Oregon who, according to the American Legion, exemplifies the virtues of professionalism and dedication and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of [...]]]>

Captain Troy Spisla

TVF&R Captain Troy Spisla has received the American Legion Firefighter of the Year Award for the state of Oregon.  This annual award is conferred upon one firefighter in the State of Oregon who, according to the American Legion, exemplifies the virtues of professionalism and dedication and has demonstrated a distinct pattern of community service to his/her community, State or Nation.

Captain Spisla is in charge of TVF&R’s Fire Station 35 in King City.  At TVF&R, Station Captains are expected to act as the local “fire chief” regarding community and intergovernmental affairs within the city served by their station. Captain Spisla is considered one of TVF&R’s most noteworthy examples in this role. 

“Captain Spisla has his finger on the pulse of the community he serves,” says TVF&R’s Deputy Fire Chief Mike Duyck.  Last summer after a series of arson fires in a mobile home park for senior citizens, Captain Spisla took it upon himself to organize two town hall meetings to discuss the fires and security measures the seniors should take. In addition, he helped organize a four hour door-to-door smoke alarm ‘blitz’ in which firefighters and fire prevention staff visited each mobile home in an effort to ensure there was a working smoke alarm in every home.  The event saw over 200 smoke alarms tested, 75 new smoke alarms installed, and numerous batteries replaced. “While Captain Spisla’s actions may not have been heroic in the traditional sense of a fire department,” Chief Duyck says, “you can bet he was a “Hero” to the 200 seniors he impacted that day.”  

“TVF&R is proud of Captain Spisla.  He exemplifies the qualities to which all of our firefighters aspire,” says Chief Duyck. 

Captain Spisla is now eligible to win the American Legion’s National Firefighter of the Year award.

The action [...]]]>

Fire Chief Jeff Johnson

The action is the culmination of a succession plan that began five years ago in anticipation of the retirements of TVF&R executive staff, including Chief Johnson. Since that time the District has been promoting and integrating individuals to key positions so as to ensure continuity of leadership and TVF&R’s future success.

Since July 2009 Chief Duyck has been responsible for the administration of TVF&R in Chief Johnson’s absence while serving as IAFC President. Chief Duyck’s 15 years of service with TVF&R includes all ranks in Emergency Services from Firefighter to Deputy Chief. He also has experience on the support side of the organization including logistics, fleet services, human resources, and governmental affairs. TVF&R Board President Bob Wyffels states, “No one has been under more scrutiny by the Board in the past year than Chief Duyck. With that said, we believe there is no better candidate for TVF&R, its members, and the community we serve, than Mike Duyck.”

Deputy Fire Chief Mike Duyck

Between now and September 1st, the Board of Directors will work to finalize the terms of a contract with Chief Duyck, and the District will continue the steps of a smooth and orderly transition. During that time, Chief Johnson will retain command and control of TVF&R, while Chief Duyck continues to manage all day-to-day operations. Chief Duyck will assume command and control of TVF&R on September 1st, 2010.

Fire Chief Jeff Johnson states, “I could not be more excited about the Board’s decision and trust in Chief Duyck’s ability to lead TVF&R’s next generation of firefighters and staff.” Johnson added, “I have no doubt that he and his team will take TVF&R to the next level of excellence and innovation.”

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue’s Fire Station 59, also called the Willamette Station, is officially open for business.  The Willamette Fire Station is located at 1860 Willamette Falls Drive in the heart of West Linn. In addition to responding to fire, medical and rescue incidents, firefighters at Station 59 respond to a significant [...]]]>

Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue’s Fire Station 59, also called the Willamette Station, is officially open for business.  The Willamette Fire Station is located at 1860 Willamette Falls Drive in the heart of West Linn. In addition to responding to fire, medical and rescue incidents, firefighters at Station 59 respond to a significant number of motor vehicle accidents on Interstate 205, as well as water emergencies in Clackamas County.

The station is home to a daily engine company crew of four firefighters and the District’s Water Rescue Team.  The 12,260 square foot building includes sleeping rooms, a kitchen, physical fitness area, an office, a large apparatus and storage bay, and a community room. 

The new station replaces an older fire station that was too small for current fire apparatus and was not seismically stable.  During construction, firefighters from Fire Station 59 worked out of a temporary fire station located directly behind the old structure. With the temporary station being located so close to the former location, incident response times were not affected during construction. 

The Willamette Station was constructed to survive a major earthquake and is large enough to accommodate today’s modern fire apparatus.  It also allows the District’s Water Rescue Team to keep its water rescue vehicle hooked up to Boat 59, dramatically improving the team’s response time.

The station is also energy efficient and designed to meet a certification from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.  The building incorporates extensive use of natural light, solar panels to preheat water, on-demand water heaters, rain-water capture for toilets, use of low emission and recycled construction materials and high-efficiency lighting, heating and cooling systems. 

The $2.26 million station was designed with extensive public input.  TVF&R participated in over 40 public meetings with neighborhood associations, historical resource advisory groups, the Planning Commission, and the West Linn City Council detailing plans for reconstructing fire stations in West Linn. 

Fire Station 59 is one of two TVF&R stations to be built in West Linn.  TVF&R is also building a new fire station in the Bolton neighborhood to replace the aging Fire Station 58.  Both projects are paid for by bonds approved by 68.6% of voters in November 2006. The $77.5 million general obligation bond pays for capital improvements across the District and is expected to improve and maintain TVF&R’s response to emergency incidents.  To learn more about the bond, click here.

Finally, the Willamette Fire Station incorporates an important part of West Linn firefighting history: A historic bell that called firefighters to action for half a century now sits atop the new building for all to see.

The Willamette Fire Station will host an open house celebration on Saturday, April 3^rd from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. so the community can explore the new building and meet their firefighters.

Click here to see how the Willamette Station’s construction progressed from the foundation up.

The suspect fled the scene of the crash, however, was quickly apprehended [...]]]> At approximately 5:30 pm Friday evening, a vehicle operated by an intoxicated driver lost control and sheared off a natural gas meter at a business in Tigard. The incident occurred at the Casual Car Wash located at 9855 SW Walnut Place off Highway 99.

The suspect fled the scene of the crash, however, was quickly apprehended by a Tigard Police Officer a short distance from the car wash. The driver was assessed by medics on scene and taken into custoday by Tigard Police Department.

Until the broken gas line could be shut down, TVF&R Firefighters ensured safe perimeters for both the public and emergency service personnel. As a precaution, Highway 99 – between School Street and Johnson Street – was closed for about one hour.  Firefighters remained on scene as NW Natural crews brought in heavy equipment to access the line and control the leak.  The situation was resolved at 7:30 pm.

Ronald Shinn is alive today because of two men who knew what to do when he collapsed in a parking lot last Fall.  Thursday, he had a chance to shake the hands of the men who saved his [...]]]>

John Pilon (left), survivor Ronald Shinn (center) and Dr. Ray Costantini with the AED that saved Shinn's life

Ronald Shinn is alive today because of two men who knew what to do when he collapsed in a parking lot last Fall.  Thursday, he had a chance to shake the hands of the men who saved his life and talk with reporters about the importance of knowing CPR and how to use an AED.  Shinn, who is 67, collapsed while walking across a parking lot at the Providence Tigard Business Center. He was having a sudden cardiac arrest.  Fortunately for Shinn, Providence Security Guard John Pilon and Providence eHealth Regional Medical Director Ray Costantini were nearby and immediately came to his aid. The pair began CPR and utilized an on-site automatic external defibrillator (AED) to shock Shinn’s dying heart. 

Survivor Ronald Shinn speaks with news crews about his experience

Emergency crews from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue and Metro West Ambulance arrived on scene approximately three minutes later. A single shock by paramedics converted Shinn’s heart back to a normal rhythm and he was immediately loaded into the ambulance. While en route to the hospital, paramedics continued advanced life support measures. Remarkably, Shinn was semi-conscious and attempting to speak to paramedics when he arrived at the hospital. He was able to leave the hospital three days later.

 The survival rate for cardiac arrest patients is bleak; the national average for patients who live to be discharged from a hospital is about 5 percent. However, TVF&R’s survival rate over the past three years has ranged from 10.8 percent to 22.9 percent – making it among the top in the nation. TVF&R attributes its strong survival rates to several factors: quick calls to 9-1-1, dispatchers instructing callers to perform Hands-Only CPR, the growing availability of AEDs in the region, and TVF&R’s quick EMS response.

 TVF&R Public Information Officer Karen Eubanks added, “John and Dr. Costantini were instrumental in saving Ron’s life. Their immediate response, coupled with their willingness to begin CPR and utilize a portable AED, made all the difference that day.”

To learn more about AEDs and where you can learn how to use one, click here.