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About Vernonia's voice. (Vernonia, OR) 2007-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 18, 2016)
vernonia rural fire protection district august18 2016 Vernonia Rural Fire Protection District 15 Tips for Your Safety and Health Over the past few months, residents of Vernonia have either driven themselves or had a family member drive them to the Fire Department for a medical condition, such as chest pains. We realize that some of you are concerned about your personal privacy, and don’t want your neigh- bors to see an emergency vehicle pull up to your residence. Others of you just aren’t sure if you should call an ambulance to your home for specific health issues, so you go to the fire station to get yourself or your family member checked out. On two recent occasions, individuals went to the fire station complaining of chest pains. This can be a very critical period of time where medical conditions can rapidly deteriorate. The added stress on your body and your heart, created by the added physical exertion of traveling to the station could become fatal. PLEASE, if you are having chest pains that are painful enough to cause you enough concern to travel to the fire station, call 911 and have the ambulance and paramedics come to where you are. Just relax and keep your physical activities to a minimum while you wait for emergency responders to arrive. VRFPD Could Use Your Help Recently we have received some inquiries from the public concerning volunteer opportunities with the department. We do have several areas where we could use an extra hand from any interested citizens from our community. We realize that not everyone is cut out for becoming a fire fighter, with all of the training requirements and personal time commitments, so we have come up with some areas where you can volunteer to help us out, without having to go through a lot of training and time away from your families. If you are interested in learning more about the areas where we could use your help, contact the Fire Chief. We could use some vol- unteers to help with: • Vetting Map Books • Answering Phones • Filing Paperwork • Public Education Program • Grant Writing • Computer Data Entry • Station/Grounds Maintenance • Fire Prevention Program • Address Program OSP Arrests Suspects in Fire on Weyco Near Scappoose The Oregon State Police arrested four suspects on suspi- cion of starting a fire that burned August 5 on Weyerhaeuser prop- erty along Holladay Road in the Scappoose area. The wildfire, thought to have resulted from an illegal campfire that spread out of control, ignited several log- ging slash piles. An OSP trooper arrested four males ranging in age from 19-23 on August 6. They were charged with reckless burning, trespass and littering. The suspects later confessed to having built the campfire, which is prohibited under current fire safety rules. OSP obtained video from social media that shows the individuals at the campfire site. Text messages accompanying the video contain comments to the effect that they thought they had extinguished the campfire. Weyerhaeuser security could file a complaint against the men. And the Oregon Department of Forestry intends to take legal action against the suspects to collect fire suppression costs. Regulated Use rules were in force when the wildfire occurred and will continue in effect until significant fall rains allow them to be lifted. These heightened safety restrictions prohibit campfires and other open fires in order to prevent wildfires during periods of high fire danger. “Oregon State Police would like to remind the public that having a campfire when prohibited is a potential criminal act,” said OSP’s Bill Fugate. “If an unintended wildland fire occurs, the crime would be more severe. Please obey fire restrictions so all may enjoy our forests.” Firefighting crews worked through the night to control the wildfire. No homes were threatened by the blaze. Scappoose Fire District was assisted in the suppression effort by Columbia River Fire & Rescue and the Oregon Department of Forestry. If they determine that you do not need to seek immediate medical attention, you can then contact your personal physician for medical advice. We would much rather come to where you are than to see you because you failed to call us for help attempt to travel to the fire station when you needed it. That’s why we and have your condition worsen are here! It’s for you and your family! Check Out Our New Website! We would like to let everyone know that we now have a new website. Check us out at www.VernoniaRFPD.us. You can catch up on our recent run activity, view our call volume, check out our Calendar of Events, sign up for our newsletter, and more. As time goes on, we will continue to update the site with photos, videos, our Volunteer Profiles, and some educational materials. Please sign our Guest Book and then like and share our website with the links that are provided at the top of the page for Facebook and Twitter. Like other websites, it’s a “Work in Progress,” so check back often to see what’s new. You can email the Fire Chief at, FireChief@VernoniaRFPD.us, and you can email the Public Information Officer at, PIO@VernoniaRFPD. us. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation! Burn Legally • Burn Responsibly Burn Permits, Rules & Regulations Vernonia RFPD 555 E. Bridge St. Mon-Thurs 9am-4pm or by appointment 503-429-8252 VOLUNTEERS WANTED VERNONIA RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT VRFPD is currently accepting applications for Volunteer Fire Fighters. • You must have a High School Diploma or G.E.D., a valid Oregon Driver’s License, and be at least 18 years of age. • Currently, you must be able to attend weekly training on Monday nights Here’s What We Do! • Willing to attend the Fire Academy VRFPD • Live or work (employer willing to let you respond to calls) within VRFPD’s District 555 E. Bridge St. Vernonia, OR 97064 503-429-8252 • Applications can be picked up at the Fire Station. VRFPD FIRE CHIEF Earl Dean Smith dc4502@yahoo.com 503-709-882) (cell) 503-429-8252 (office) VRFPD P.I.O. Robert Schattschneider pio.vrfpd@gmail.com 97)-225-8332 (cell) 503-429-8252 (office)
