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.
