vernonia rural fire protection district
august21
2014
15
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District
Major Scenes
It doesn’t happen very often,
but occasionally we do have major
events such as fire, emergency rescue
and EMS calls in our area. The problem
that we seem to have when one of these
events occur is an adequate number of
personnel to respond.
On August 9 th there was a
significant motor vehicle crash on Stoney
Pt. Road. This day happened to be one
of those days where the only volunteer
immediately available for VRFPD was
the duty officer. The training kicked in
and the officer radioed in for assistance
from both Scappoose Fire and Mist-
Birkenfeld Fire. A few of our volunteers
were able make it to the call with a delay
due to their immediate availability, and
we also had an off duty Tualatin Valley
Fire and Rescue Firefighter assist as well.
The extrication, although
lengthy, was a success and the patient
was transported by Life Flight in stable
condition. Given the circumstances, the
outcome was a positive one.
VRFPD pays one person to
make sure that the trucks can roll,
that at least one rescue personnel will
respond to the call and to organize the
scene. Unavailability is becoming more
common among the few fire volunteers
that we do have. They are busy working
two jobs, attending their children’s
activities, taking care of household
chores, and spending what little time
that they have left over with family.
Their demanding schedules make it
difficult, and at times impossible, to
stop what they are doing and provide
service for another in need. During the
week, the majority of the volunteers are
out of town. Some have a condensed
work week and may have availability
to respond some days, if they are not
already overwhelmed with the list of
things they need to get done when they
are home. But like the majority of the
working population in Vernonia, our
volunteers don’t return back into town
until the evening.
The nine active volunteer
firefighters that currently provide
service to the community within the
Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District,
work tirelessly to keep up to date on
training, respond to calls and community
events, all while trying to maintain a
personal life. Currently, five volunteer
duty officers take turns working shifts
each weeknight and weekends. With
summer in full swing and school rapidly
approaching, time for these volunteers
gets stretched pretty thin.
The fact is your fire district
needs help filling the gaps in response
time. With the volunteer’s overflowing
schedules, it is evident that there is a
need for more personnel. This will better
the odds that more than one responder
will be available for your emergencies.
The time to discuss the importance of
the fire department in the community,
and how responders can better serve you
is now.
Vernonia RFPD Monthly Update
Vernonia Night Out was on August 5, 2014.
Station and Grounds:
• Several of our volunteers
rebuilt and installed the new Fire
Danger sign next to the station.
• The district is working on bids
to upgrade and install more
efficient lighting inside, as well
as add some exterior lighting for
safety of our responders.
Fleet:
• The red Suburban (previously
C450) has been re-numbered
U458 and is being used to
transport students to class and
for response by our duty shift
officers.
• The new C450 is a few steps
closer to being finished. All
the lights have been installed
and the wiring is in progress.
Construction of a tool mounting
system is underway for the rear
storage tray.
• Repairs to Water Tender 452
last month included some light
bulbs and a transmission filter
seal kit. The district is looking to
update the filter assembly to ease
maintenance and prevent further
fluid leak issues.
Volunteers:
• 41 total calls for July.
• Volunteer totals are nine active
firefighters, three Officers,
two Officers in training, two
emergency logistics, and one
non-emergency logistics.
• Crews attended a day out at
Echoing Evergreens Day Camp.
• Crews worked with Metro
West personnel through
Jamboree.
• The volunteer association held
its annual golf benefit at the
Vernonia Golf Club.
• The station hosted National
Night Out.
District Duties:
• WT452 was one of several
Columbia County apparatus’
called in to duty at the Rowena
conflagration fire from early
August 6 th to late August 9 th .
The task force performed duties
from structural triage and burn
preparation to front line defense
of the advancing flames.
VERNONIA
FIRE
**RECRUITMENT**
We Need Volunteers
www.vernoniafire.us
Burn Ban in effect. 503-429-8252
Calls responded to July 1-31
Fire
Emergency Medical Service
Hazardous Condition
Service Call
Good Intent
No Emergency Found
False Alarm
Total
2
25
2
6
6
0
0
41
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a firefighter? Have you
ever wanted to volunteer in your community? The Vernonia Rural Fire
Protection District is in need of additional personnel and we have positions
for everyone. From firefighting to support positions, we can use your help.
All training and equipment is provided free of charge. Being a volunteer
firefighter is a very rewarding job. Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District
provides a vast array of Emergency Services ranging from Vehicle
Extrication to fire scene Rehab & Firefighting. We respond to over 400 calls
per year. We hold our general membership meeting every second Monday
of the month at the Fire station. You can call Dean Smith at 503-429-8252
with any questions. Feel free to email us at anytime at
vrfvolunteers@gmail.com
