FALL 2015 NEWSLETTER

CHIEF’S CORNER

I’d like to start this newsletter with a sincere thank you

to our citizens for having a very fire safe summer. This

was the hottest and driest summer in a number of

years. We responded to 4 significant grass/brush fires

this season and not one of them was caused by

disregard for the burn ban by a citizen of Fire District

14. Great job!

The Fire District had a very busy summer, responding on

209 calls for service in June, July and August. We had

many trail rescue calls in the Gorge, a number of motor

vehicle accidents and quite a few water rescue calls on

the Sandy and Columbia Rivers in addition to almost

daily calls for emergency medical assistance.

On July 1st, 2 long-time Fire District Board members

retired; Leroy Smith with 25 years of Board service and

Bill McGinnis with 12 years of Board service. Both men

had previously volunteered as fire fighters for many

years before their Board service. We also had 2

firefighters leave over the summer; Travis Mershon (14

years) and Frank Weber (33 years). Travis moved out of

the area and Frank retired (kind of… read further).

I’d like to thank all 4 of these individuals for their

commitment and service to our community, they will be

missed.

With the departure of two Board members, we

welcome 2 new Board members to the District; David

Shannon from Aims and Frank Weber from Corbett

(Frank didn’t stay “retired” very long). I’d like to thank both

of them for volunteering to help lead the Fire District

into the future.

This fall we will be starting another Training Academy

for new firefighters. The Academy takes 6 months and

involves approximately 130 hours of training. We are

planning on 4 members to start in mid October.

Thanks again for having a very fire safe summer and I

hope to see you at our community open house on

on October 10th. This is a great event for families and

anyone who would like to get to know us better.

Chief Dave Flood

CHIMNEY CLEANING

When was the last time your chimney was

cleaned? If it was more than a year ago, it could

contain a dangerous amount of highly combustible

creosote. Creosote and other hydrocarbon compounds

are deposited on the inside of your chimney every time

you light a fire. If these are not brushed away those

deposits can ignite, causing a chimney fire that could

destroy your home.

There are numerous companies that offer

professional chimney cleaning services. The Fire

Department also has chimney brushes that you can

borrow if you want to do the job yourself. Just come by

the Corbett Station any Monday night between 7:00

and 9:00 p.m. or call the office at 503-695-2272 to

reserve the brushes.

Plan ahead to safeguard your home before you light

that first fire this winter.

(Fire District #14 will not be responsible for injuries or damages

associated with use of the brushes.)

ADDRESS SIGNS

If you need us can we find you?

Have you noticed those reflective green and white

address signs at the end of your neighbors’ driveways?

Do you want your driveway marked so we can find your

home quickly in the event of an emergency? Ordering

an address sign is easy. TO ORDER: Call our office 503-

695-2272 to request an address sign order form OR,

pick up a form at the OPEN HOUSE October 10th at the

Corbett Fire Station. There is a minimal cost for the

sign. The Fire Department Volunteers will install the

sign for you when it is received.

Help us find you during an emergency order your

sign today!

WHAT YOUR FIRE

DEPARTMENT COSTS YOU……

Multnomah County Rural Fire

Protection District #14 is funded

through property taxes. The

permanent tax rate for the Fire

District is $1.2624 per $1,000 of

assessed value. This means if your

house is assessed at $200,000 you

pay approximately $253.00 per year

for your Fire Department.

WHAT DO YOU GET ... **Three Fire Stations – 1 in Aims, 1

in Corbett and 1 in Springdale

** 1 Community Fire Hall

** 4 Fire Engines

** 2 Water Tenders

** 2 Brush trucks

** 1 Rescue

** 1 squad specialty rescue vehicle

** 1 utility pickup

**33 Dedicated Volunteer

Firefighters trained to State

Firefighter Standards including 12

Emergency Medical Responders

10 Emergency Medical Technicians

and 1 Paramedic

**All the equipment necessary to

respond to your calls for help

including, house fires, brush fires,

auto accidents, falls, high angle rope

rescues, water rescues, hazardous

material spills, public assistance,

power lines down and many

different emergency medical

problems.

** Peace of mind knowing that help

is just a phone call away anytime

day or night.

Thank you for your support!

Fall Holiday Safety Tips

HALLOWEEN Halloween is a fun and spooky time of year for kids. Make trick-

or-treating safe for your little ones with a few easy safety tips

*** When choosing a costume, stay away from billowing or long trailing fabric.

If your child is wearing a mask, make sure the eye holes are large enough so

they can see out.

*** Provide Children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part

of their costume.

*** Dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these

and other decorations well away from open flames and heat sources, including

light bulbs and heaters.

*** It is safest to use a flashlight or battery-operated candle in a jack-o-lantern.

If you use a real candle, use extreme caution. Make sure children are watched

at all times when candles are lit. When lighting candles inside jack-o-lanterns,

use long, fireplace style matches or a utility lighter. Be sure to place lit

pumpkins well away from anything that can burn and far enough out of way of

trick-or–treaters, doorsteps, walkways and yards.

***Remember to keep exits clear of decorations, so nothing blocks escape

routes.

THANKSGIVING

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially at Thanksgiving.

Safety in the kitchen is important, especially on Thanksgiving Day

when there is a lot of activity and people at home.

***Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep

an eye on the food.

*** Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should

stay 3 feet away.

***Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash

from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.

***Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or

mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.

***Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.

***Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.

*** Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test

button.

Backyard Burning Season

Backyard Burning season has re-

opened. Things to remember

when backyard burning:

Call the backyard burn number

503-695-2225 every time you

want to burn and find out if

burning is allowed that day.

Be sure you tend your fire and

keep a water supply nearby.

All fires must be out by dark.

Keep piles small, no larger than

8’-10’ in diameter. If you have

large piles, consider starting a

smaller pile and feed it from the

large pile. Small piles will help

you keep control if the winds

pick up unexpectedly.

Only yard debris and similar

items can be burned. NO

garbage, plastic, roofing

materials, sheetrock, insulation

or similar materials can be

burned. Burning these items

may result in a DEQ violation

and fine.

Written burning permits are

required for large agriculture or

reforestation burning. Call our

office 503-695-2272 to set up

a time to have an inspection and

receive a written permit.

For more information on backyard

burning and recreational burning

visit our website at

firedistrict14.corbettoregon.com

Reproduced from NFPA’s website, www.fpw.org, copyright 2015 NFPA

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK October 4th through the 10th

During Fire Prevention week volunteer firefighters of the Fire Department

will visit the Corbett Grade School to teach fire Prevention and Home Safety

to our students. We will be spending time with Grades K-5 to stress the

important message of fire prevention and safety. The end of the week we

will host our annual

OPEN HOUSE

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2015

FROM NOON TIL 4:OO P.M. at the

Corbett Fire Station.

36930 E. Historic Columbia River Highway.

We’ll have hot dogs, chili, balloons, fire truck

rides and fire safety demonstrations.

Take this opportunity to find out more about Home Fire Safety and

pick up some free literature on Fire Prevention.

Something for everyone so

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!

See you there.