February 2018
Published by the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal
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Success rarely comes through a sole endeavor
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he winter Olympics are just around the corner and I truly look forward to watching the winter and summer games with so many committed athletes performing at their best.
What always strikes me when the winning athletes are interviewed is the number of people they mention who played a large part in their success.
To reach the pinnacle of any endeavor, it certainly takes a singular focus and commitment, and an abundance of hard work. However, when you listen to successful athletes talk about the work and dedication it took to get where they are, they always mention their tremendous support network that helped them get there. No one achieves success alone. That's true for the success of organizations as well as individuals.
The OSFM is responsible for many things including regulations, inspections, education, and enforcement just to name a few. When we succeed in our responsibilities, I am reminded of all of the support and assistance from members of the fire service and other agencies that have helped us get here.
2017 turned out to be a challenging year, but with our partnerships and dedication to our mission, the year was a success. Success came in the form of the continued superb responses by our hazmat teams, incident management teams, and fire agencies to incidents not only here at home, but also assisting California.
I also appreciate the participation by agencies with our Oregon Life Safety Team for fire safety education, assisting with code related technical bulletins, and participating in the OSFM code committee meetings to set the direction of future fire protection in Oregon.
Our success is also supported by the many that volunteer their time and service with important groups such as the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association, Oregon Fire Marshals Association, Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association, and the Oregon Fire Service Office Administrators Association. All of your work goes a long way to protecting your communities.
Finally, yet importantly, our fire prevention success is also enhanced through our continued partnerships with the Oregon Department of Forestry, Keep Oregon Green, and the American Red Cross Cascades Region.
As with those champion Olympic athletes, it is the many connections and support that few see working behind the scenes that have a big role in one’s progress and ultimate success.
Thanks to all of you for supporting the OSFM and your communities so that we all can be champions in fire prevention and safety.
Thanks for all you do!
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Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker
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Oregon’s Youth Fire Intervention Networks -
Collaboration is Key
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T
hough the processes and practices of addressing youth misusing fire have changed and evolved through the 25 years of this program’s existence, one thing has remained the same, one person or agency cannot carry the burden alone. Oregon’s diverse population and landscape provides the need for variety and a well-rounded collaborative approach to youth fire prevention and intervention.
Youth Fire Intervention Networks are a collaboration with community partners addressing youth set fires, and has proven to improve agency efficiency through the sharing of resources, thus eliminating duplicate efforts and reducing gaps in services for youth and their families
.
The fire service plays an important role in this process, while the support and insight from schools, law enforcement, social services, mental health partners, and juvenile justice provides a better understanding of the roles and common practices of each agency. Networks also provide a forum for problem solving, decreasing the occurrence of one agency carrying the entire burden of this topic. For example, the Washington County Network, led by Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, has brought school resource officers from around the county to discuss youth incidents they have been involved in. This works to keep network members informed and creates meaningful collaboration between disciplines.
The longevity and commitment of a number of youth networks is impressive. Clatsop County Network, for example, has come together consistently since its inception in 1992. There are several committed partnerships throughout the state showing countless examples of their success. Jackson County, for instance, maintains an active local network, where Jackson Fire District 3 and Medford Fire work hand in hand with juvenile and restorative justice partners to identify young people as early and quickly as possible. They provide youth and families with support and resources to increase safety awareness and accountability. Central Oregon recently began reengaging their network through commitments from both structural and wildland fire service partners. Current networks are encouraged to reach out to the OSFM Youth Fire Prevention and Intervention Program for continued support.
When starting a network there are a few things to keep in mind. Leadership support is important to promote consistency and longevity of the multi-disciplinary team. While historically, fire departments have taken the lead for county-based networks, it is important to work with other key community resources when building a group. Participants may include mental health providers, child welfare caseworkers, educators, juvenile justice counselors, and law enforcement as well as other local community resources such as volunteer organizations, hospitals, and public and private insurance representatives. An organized, consistent, and task-oriented approach is key. Agreeing on the purpose and mission of the network maintains commitment and avoids misunderstanding.
The OSFM is working hard to update materials that support the mission of these networks. Ensuring these updated materials meet your needs can only be accomplished through feedback and your guidance. We welcome your ideas and concepts.
In addition to materials and resources, we would also like to provide support to those who are interested in beginning or re-introducing the network process to their area. Youth fire safety continues to be a community based approach. Please let us know how we can help you.
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Fire agencies encouraged to check for "legacy foam"
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he Oregon fire service is no stranger to the advantages of using aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) to combat flammable liquid fires. Used effectively, AFFF suppresses fuel vapors to control, cool, and extinguish fires.
Increasingly referred to as “legacy foam,” AFFF manufactured before 2002 contained one key ingredient now linked to increased health risks: perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS).
This substance is a fluorocarbon surfactant used to “reduce surface tension and positive spreading coefficient, is toxic to aquatic life and is a persistent chemical that accumulates in the blood of humans and other animals” (Sontake & Wagh, 2014). As noted by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, “studies have also shown a link to [PFOS to] certain types of cancer, including bladder, kidney, and testicular cancer” (2017). The half-life to metabolize PFOS is also reportedly 4.1-8.7 years for PFOS (ADEC, 2017). Furthermore, the EPA has determined that PFOS is, “toxic to laboratory animals and wildlife, producing reproductive, developmental, and systemic effects in laboratory tests” (EPA).
In addition to implementing regulations designed to reduce environmental contamination, the EPA initiated a stewardship program partnering with companies – including those who manufacturer firefighting foam – to eliminate the use of PFOS in products (EPA). AFFF containing PFOS has not been manufactured since 2002 when 3M – the primary manufacturer of PFOS-containing AFFF – voluntarily discontinued production.
Modern AFFF is manufactured in two general formulations: fluorine-free and flourotelmer-based foam (Sontake & Wagh, 2014). While both formulations aim to be used safely and minimize impact to the environment, research on their toxicity is not well established and there is additional debate over which formulation is more technically effective in firefighting (Cortina, 2010).
The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal recommends that firefighting agencies in Oregon inventory their foam caches to determine if stored AFFF was manufactured prior to 2002 and potentially contains PFOS.
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Works Cited
- ADEC. (2017, August). Fact sheet: Risks of aqueous film forming foam. Retrieved from Department of Environmental Conservation, State of Alaska: http://dec.alaska.gov/spar
- Cortina, T. (2010, May). The phaseout that didn't happen: AFFF foams move into the future. International Fire Protection(42), 29-33. Retrieved from https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/331cad_6a73acd21c0c43658479b79b7f275cfc.pdf
- EPA. (n.d.). Risk management for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) under TSCA. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency: https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-managing-chemicals-under-tsca/risk-management-and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfass
- Sontake, A., & Wagh, S. (2014). The phase-out of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and the global future of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF): Innovations in fire fighting foam. Chemical Engineering and Science, 2(1), 11-14. doi:10.12691/ces-2-1-3
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News from the Analytics & Intelligence Unit
by Fire Data Specialist Candice Clark
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he Image Trend Elite System is the state’s new free reporting system and is available to use.
The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal has received great feedback regarding the Image Trend Elite System. Here is what a few of the current users are saying about it:
Juniper Flat RFPD Chief Eugene Walters said, “I really like the whole Elite program.” Chief Walters has been instrumental in helping other Wasco County fire agencies utilize both the Oregon Fire Bridge™ System and the Image Trend Elite System since inception.
Union Emergency Services Fire Chief Tod Hull stated, “The Elite system is much quicker and easier to use and understand than the Oregon Fire Bridge system, it is user friendly.”
Lowell RFPD Fire Chief Lon Dragt said, “I find the Elite system to be very user friendly.”
North Lincoln F & R Dist. #1 Fire Chief Doug Kerr stated, “It is a tremendous time saver for our agency. It created better methods for records management and report writing for statistical data to give to the board.”
The OSFM is currently responsible for two data repositories (Oregon Fire Bridge™ and Image Trend Elite). Below is a breakdown of where agencies currently fall:
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Contact the OSFM Analytics & Intelligence Unit today to start using the Image Trend Elite system, to obtain access to the Elite Demo Site, or to receive Elite training.
Current Elite users can access the Image Trend Elite Help/University from the Community tab.
For questions or more information, please contact the Analytics & Intelligence Unit at 503-934-8250 or by email at
osfm.data@state.or.us
.
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by Deputy State Fire Marshal David Mills
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SAFETY RECALL
On November 2, 2017, in conjunction with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Kidde announced a recall to replace certain Kidde fire extinguishers. The replacement program was initiated because certain fire extinguishers can become clogged or require excessive force to activate, posing a risk of failure to discharge. In addition, the nozzle can detach with enough force to pose an impact hazard.
Description:
The product recall involves two styles of Kidde disposable fire extinguishers: plastic handle fire extinguishers and plastic push-button fire extinguishers.
For a full list of affected fire extinguishers please see the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at:
Plastic Handle Fire Extinguishers:
The recall involves 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015.
These extinguishers were sold in red, white, and silver, and are either ABC- or BC-rated. The model number is printed on the fire extinguisher label. For units produced in 2007 and beyond, the date of manufacture is a 10-digit date code printed on the side of the cylinder, near the bottom. Digits five through nine represent the day and year of manufacture in DDDYY format. Date codes for recalled models manufactured from January 2, 2012 through August 15, 2017 are 00212 through 22717. For units produced before 2007, a date code is not printed on the fire extinguisher.
Push-button Pindicator Fire Extinguishers:
The recall involves eight models of Kidde Pindicator fire extinguishers manufactured between August 11, 1995 and September 22, 2017. The no-gauge push-button extinguishers were sold in red and white, and with a red or black nozzle. These models were sold primarily for kitchen and personal watercraft applications.
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If you have one of the recalled units, you should immediately contact Kidde to request a free replacement. Call Kidde at (855) 271-0773 or visit the company's website for more information. Visit
cpsc.gov/recalls
or
Kidde.com
to see if your fire extinguisher is affected.
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Reminder - HMEP grant period is open til February 28th
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he FY 2018-19 Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant application period is now open until Wednesday, February 28, 2018. The recipients of the current HMEP Grant Cycle (FY 2017-18) have just begun their grant projects, but preparations for the FY 2018-2019 HMEP Grant Cycle (for projects completed between October 1, 2018 and September 30, 2019) are starting now! See the link below to apply!
The application deadline is 5:00 PM Wednesday, February 28, 2018.
If you need more information regarding the application process, please contact Terry Wolfe at 503-934-8245 or
terry.wolfe@state.or.us
.
To learn more about the HMEP Grant Program, guidance on eligible planning and training expenditures, and other grant specifics, visit our
HMEP grant webpage
.
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New deputy incident commanders selected
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he OSFM is pleased to announce the selection of Chief Tom Williams as OSFM Green Incident Management Team Deputy Incident Commander and Chief Andy Louden as Blue Incident Management Team Deputy Incident Commander. After thoughtful consideration of their experience at the local and state level – in addition to their contributions to the fire service – these selections are necessary to continue to help support the team's incident commanders and their teams, and continue to build partnerships and relationships across the state. Their collaborative approach to leadership and commitment to the OSFM mission will serve them well in their new positions.
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Division Chief Tom Williams
Portland Fire & Rescue
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Division Chief Williams started his career in 1990 as a firefighter/paramedic with Hermiston Fire Department. In addition to his duties with Hermiston FD, he was a part-time flight medic with Air Life of Oregon in Bend and taught EMT classes at Blue Mountain Community College.
In 1995, Chief Williams was hired by Portland Fire & Rescue. After working several years as a firefighter/paramedic, having served in several assignments including EMS trainer, hazmat team member, and SERT (SWAT) tactical medic, he promoted to lieutenant/paramedic.
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As a fire lieutenant, he worked at various stations throughout the city and became the SERT team leader. As a captain/paramedic chief, Williams was assigned to manage Fire Station 22 which is responsible for Forest Park responses, the largest city park on the west coast, and he oversaw the department's ATV program. Eventually, Chief Williams returned as captain of Fire Station 7, the home of an Oregon State Regional Hazmat Team, where he built strong relationships with police and fire agencies throughout Oregon.
As a battalion chief, he managed one of four battalions that are home to 8-10 fire stations within Portland Fire & Rescue. Chief Williams was promoted to chief safety & loss prevention officer where he worked with city risk management and other bureau safety teams, as well as served on several city committees. Chief Williams was then promoted to shift deputy chief where he was responsible for managing the four on-duty battalion chiefs and ensuring the day to day operations of the department. Currently, Chief Williams is Portland Fire & Rescue's Emergency Operations Division Chief, responsible for overseeing all aspects of emergency operations including all city fire response assets and personnel. Chief Williams is a board director for the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association and serves on committees supporting the mission of the Department of Public Safety and Standards as well as the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association.
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Battalion Chief Andy Louden
Corvallis Fire Department
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Battalion Chief Andy Louden is poised to retire from the Corvallis Fire Department at the end of this month. He was originally hired by the department on his birthday, February 6, 1984. Prior to that, he was employed by both Marion County Fire District #1 and Keizer Fire District.
In 1989, Chief Louden was promoted to EMS team leader, and promoted to battalion commander in 1994. Andy has been with the Regional Hazardous Materials Emergency Response Teams since prior to his promotion to battalion chief, and also served as an agency administrator for the state Southern Region USAR Team, in addition to holding water rescue certifications.
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Chief Louden has been part of the OSFM incident management teams since the early days of the program, initially appointed as a deputy operations chief on the Blue Incident Management Team in 2001.
For the past 17+ years, Andy has worked to improve the program and facilitated much progress, both operationally and administratively. Chief Louden has served on numerous committees and participated in the planning and execution of many all-hazard exercises. Andy began working towards the deputy IC position in 2015 and has been instrumental in succession planning for the operations section as a whole.
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2018 Oregon Hazardous Materials Response Teams Conference set for April
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he 2018 Oregon Hazardous Materials Response Teams conference is scheduled for April 16–19, 2018, at Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. The conference will bring together emergency hazardous materials responders, provide training classes, offer networking opportunities, and showcase the latest in technology for hazmat response.
Attendees will learn from experienced presenters as they share, inform, and help prepare them for hazmat response under varying circumstances, such as:
- Hazmat Officer Strategy and Tactics
- Risk Assessment Techniques
- BHO Lab Response
- Homemade Explosives
- Case Studies
- Grounding and Bonding
- Pipeline Emergency Response
- Detection Technologies
- Midland Kit
- Command and Control
- PPE Selection
Online registration will be available by the middle of February 2018. Registration is $325.
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AFG grant application period opens this month
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he FY 2017 Fire Prevention & Safety grant application period will open on Monday, February 12, 2018, at 8 AM ET and will close on Friday, March 16, 2018, at 5 PM ET.
Please make sure to thoroughly review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) prior to beginning your application, as it contains the latest updates to the FY 2017 FP&S Grant Program. Begin preparing your application now by using the following application assistance tools:
FP&S Grants Help Desk: If you have questions about the NOFO or technical assistance tools listed, call or e-mail the FP&S Grants Help Desk. The toll-free number is 1-866-274-0960; the e-mail address for questions is
firegrants@fema.dhs.gov
.
Telephone Toll-Free: 1-866-274-0960
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Smoke Alarm Installation Program training
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he Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal Smoke Alarm Installation Program (SAIP) provides smoke alarms to Oregon fire agencies to install in residences that are unprotected.
Due to changes with the program, training is required for all agencies who choose to participate. If you would like to participate in the program and you
have not completed training in 2017
, please see the below information and links for available training dates.
The OSFM is offering free one-hour webinar trainings on the SAIP.
Topics include:
- Project planning and ideas
- Smoke alarms and installation
- Safety materials
- Program eligibility, changes, and requirements
Upcoming webinars:
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Oregon Fire Sprinkler Coalition upcoming meetings
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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