Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR 97523, October 16, 2002
Page 14
GPDPS awarded for reduced
number of lives lost in fires
The Grants Pass Dept.
of Public Safety (GPDPS) was
presented a Life Safety
Achievement (LSA) Award
for 2001 by the Residential
Fire Safety Institute (RFSI).
The award was announced
by Roy L. Marshall, director
of the RFSI.
For nine years, the LSA
Award has recognized the fire
prevention activities that con-
tributed to reducing the num-
ber of lives lost in residential
fires. GPDPS qualified for this
award in 2001 because it re-
corded zero fire deaths in
structures during that year.
Although residential fires
in the United States account
for only 20 percent of all fires,
they result in 80 percent of all
fire deaths. RFSI is committed
to reducing that number. A
total of 1,106 fire departments
in the United States and Ice-
land received the 2001 LSA
Award.
“Experience tells us that
fire prevention activity and
public education can signifi-
cantly reduce life and property
loss from residential fires,”
Marshall said. “Prevention
and education are very cost
effective compared to the tra-
ditional approach of relying
on fire suppression. The LSA
Award recognizes fire depart-
ments for their fire prevention
efforts and encourages them to
continually improve those ef-
forts.”
RFSI is a public interest
group whose mission is to re-
duce residential fire deaths
and injuries. RFSI advocates
the use of residential fire
sprinklers, smoke alarms, car-
bon monoxide detectors and
teaching people fire-safety.
RFSI assists fire depart-
ments with implementing resi-
dential sprinkler/smoke alarm
programs on a local basis.
RFSI’s membership includes
the United States Fire Admini-
stration, the National Assoc.
of State Fire Marshals and
private industry/associations
with an interest and commit-
ment to residential fire safety.
RCC DEPOT program relocates
Rogue Community Col-
lege’s Diploma Equivalency
Program for Outreach Teens
(DEPOT) has been relocated
to the K Bldg. Learning Cen-
ter on the Redwood Campus
in Grants Pass.
DEPOT had been located
in Downtown Grants Pass.
The program for teen-
agers will run from 1 to 4:30
p.m. Mondays through Thurs-
days. The program will con-
tinue serving 16-to-20-year-
olds “in a structured setting”
for GED preparation.
Phone (541) 956-7253 for
more information.
The Illinois Valley Learn-
ing Center at the RCC Belt
Bldg. in Kerby will continue
to provide English as a Sec-
ond Language classes, GED
preparation, basic skills, and
brush-up for college place-
ment tests.
The center is open 16
hours a week. The fall term
schedule is 3 to 6:30 p.m.
Mondays and Wednesdays,
and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tues-
days and Thursdays.
For more information,
phone 592-2103 or (541) 956-
7455.
West Nile; Quoth the raven
A raven found in north-
eastern Washington state has
tested positive for West Nile
Virus and is one more sign
that it’s only a matter of time
before the disease comes to
Oregon, according to public
health officials at the state
Dept. of Human Services
(DHS).
“It’s clear that West Nile
is on its way, but that does not
mean people should panic,”
said Emilio DeBess, state pub-
lic health veterinarian in DHS.
“Because mosquito breeding
season is over in Oregon, we
probably won’t see the virus
until next spring.”
Many species of birds,
along with horses and other
animals, may become infected
and die from West Nile Virus.
The disease spreads to humans
through the bites of infected
mosquitos, DeBess said.
He said that most West
Nile infections are mild, with
fever and flu-like symptoms.
More severe infections may
cause inflammation of the
brain, but rarely death.
“People can take precau-
tions to protect themselves
from mosquito-borne diseases,
and it doesn’t hurt to start
now,” DeBess said. He ad-
vises:
*Eliminate all sources of
standing water that can sup-
port mosquito breeding.
*Because mosquitoes are
most active at dawn and dusk,
avoid playing or working out-
side at these times.
*When outdoors, wear
long pants, long-sleeve shirts
and other protective clothing.
*Wear insect repellant
that contains DEET.
*Make sure that doors and
windows have tight-fitting
screens. Repair or replace
screens that have rips.
(Behind Century 21)
Riverside Physical
Full Rehabilitation Services:
•Physical Therapy
•Occupational Therapy
•Speech Therapy
TWO LOCATIONS
TO SERVE YOU
Cave Junction Office
218 N. Redwood Hwy.
(541) 592-6580
grants Pass Office
1619 N.W. Hawthorne Ave.
Suite 109
(541) 476-2502
•Mike Johnson, P.T.
•Jeff Wood, M.S., P.T.
(Located at the corner of Rockydale Road and Hwy. 199)
333 Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction
Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
592-5386
Stock up now for next years
planting projects.
ALL PACKAGED SEEDS
50% OFF
FALL BULBS ARE HERE
PLANT THEM NOW FOR EARLY
SPRING COLOR!
We feature many
Tues. - Sat. - Noon to 9 p.m.
Sunday - Noon to 8 p.m.
(Closed Monday)
Take-Outs: U-Bet!
Gardner & Bloome
Soil Amendments
Better Quality
Better Quantity
Better Prices!
592-6434
or Lounge
592-4984
Stevereno’s Lounge
(the new party place)
Come in and watch
Monday Night Football
on large screen TV with
GREAT FOOD
starting at $2.00 a plate.
“FREE” chip & dip
1/2 time drink specials.
Come join the fun & meet new friends.
333 Redwood Highway - 592-4984
(Behind Stevereno’s Family Restaurant)
Full Lottery & pool table too!