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)
