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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (June 16, 2016)
vernonia rural fire protection district june16 2016 Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District Thank You! Bond Update The Board, staff, and volunteers at VRFPD would like to thank the citizens and businesses within our district for approving the Tax Levy in the May Election. These additional tax dollars will allow us to hire a full time “Training Officer.” Not only will this new Captain be in charge of training, but he or she will also be another full time first responder. The hiring process for potential candidates will begin as soon as possible. Thank you Vernonians! The Board of Directors would like to update all of you concerning the Bond that was previously passed for VRFPD last year in May of 2015. VRFPD received the funds and would like to announce that a new 2016 Spartan “Pumper Tender” with a 3,000-gallon tank has been recently ordered. The Spartan will replace a 1982 Ford Water Tender. The Ford Fire Wise Safety Tips We would like to remind the residents of our district to get your property ready for this year’s fire season. There are several steps that you can take to prepare your property and protect your home from wild fires. Please take the fire season seriously and follow all of these safety tips to help protect you, your family, and your property. Follow VRFPD on Facebook for notices, burn conditions and closures, and updates concerning what’s going on in the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District. Action steps for around your home: • CLEAR leaves and other vegetative debris from roofs, gutters, porches and decks. This helps prevent embers from igniting your home. • REMOVE dead vegetation and other items from under your deck or porch, and within 10 feet of the house. • SCREEN in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. • REMOVE flammable materials (wood piles, propane tanks) within 30 feet of your home’s foundation and outbuildings, including garages and sheds. If it can catch fire, don’t let it touch your house, deck or porch. • Wildfire can spread to tree tops. PRUNE trees so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground. • KEEP your lawn hydrated and maintained. If it is brown, cut it down to reduce fire intensity. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire. • Don’t let debris and lawn cuttings linger. DISPOSE of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire. • INSPECT shingles or roof tiles. Replace or repair the shingles that are loose or missing to prevent ember penetration. • COVER exterior attic vents with metal wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch to prevent sparks from entering the home. • ENCLOSE eaves and screen soffit vents using 1/8 mesh metal screening to prevent ember entry. Here are some safety tips for outdoor grilling that will help protect you and your home: Water Tender is 34 years old and ready for retirement. The new Spartan will have many of the new features that are available today that weren’t possible 34 years ago. One such feature will allow this Pumper Tender to pump water while the truck is in motion. This feature will be a great asset during the fire season. The Board of Directors, • The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. • Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area. • Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. • Never leave your grill unattended. • Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it. Charcoal Grills: • There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel. • If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. • Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. • There are also electric charcoal starters, staff, and the volunteers of VRFPD would like to thank those responsible for passing the bond that allows us to update the fleet with new and better fire apparatus. Again, Thank You! which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use. • When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container. To view these tips and many more, go to http://firewise.org/ and search their website for hundreds of safety tips that cover numerous topics. Feel free to call Chief Smith for questions or concerns at (503) 429-8252. Burn Legally Burn Responsibly Burn Permits, Rules & Regulations Vernonia RFPD 555 E. Bridge St. Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm or by appointment 503-429-8252 • Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. Burn Restrictions In Effect This year the burn restrictions are in effect earlier than usual. The Oregon Department of Forestry has been keeping records of rain fall verses the moisture content in the forest for several years. This is expected to be an unusually dry year, and much earlier than normal. You may still use your gas and charcoal grills, and you can still have your campfires in an approved burn pit on your own personal property, but burning of yard debris is not allowed, even if you have a current burn permit. Please monitor our Facebook page for updates concerning burning in the Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District’s area. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. its Calls responded to May 1-31 Fire Emergency Medical Service Hazardous Condition Service Call Good Intent Severe Weather & Natural Disaster Special Incident No Emergency Found False Alarm Total 1 44 2 9 1 0 0 0 1 58 19 Training Captain is an exempt salaried position. Establishment of full residency within 12 months preferred.
