Portland Fire & Rescue

Portland Fire and Rescue
Always Ready, Always There
Operational area
Country United States
State Oregon
CityPortland
Agency overview
EstablishedJanuary 3, 1883 (1883-01-03)
(volunteer force established 1850)
Annual calls67,191 (2010)
Employees
  • 756 total personnel (2010)
  • - 699 uniformed members
  • - 57 civilian personnel
Annual budget$91 million (2010)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefSara Boone
EMS levelALS
IAFF43
Facilities and equipment
Battalions4
Stations31
Engines30
Trucks10
Squads3
Rescues1
Tenders1
HAZMAT1
USAR1
Wildland4
Fireboats4
Rescue boats2
Light and air2
Website
Official website
www.portlandfirefighters.org
Station #1, the Headquarters of the Portland Fire Bureau.
Portland Fire and Rescue Boathouse.
Truck #4.
A Fireboat in the background during the Portland Rose Festival's Fleet Week.
A Portland Fireboat during Portland Rose Festival's Fleet Week.
Station 21, Portland's newest fire station. It is located on the shore of the Willamette River next to the boathouses.
An engine at Station 21.

Portland Fire and Rescue Bureau, also known as the Portland Fire Bureau, and sometimes informally the Portland Fire Department, is the principle fire suppression, prevention, and rescue agency of the City of Portland, Oregon, United States. The department is the largest fire protection and emergency medical services provider in the state of Oregon, responsible for an area of 151 square miles (390 km2), with a population of over 632,309. Oversight of Portland's bureaus shifts among the five City Commissioners. Currently Mayor Ted Wheeler has assigned the Fire Bureau to Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty.

History

Portland's fire department has its origins in the year 1850. Seeing the need for a more organized firefighting force in the growing community, Oregonian editor Colonel Thomas Dryer began writing editorial pieces in the paper about the need for a volunteer firefighting force. Failing to see a group form, Dryer took the idea into his own hands and recruited a group of 37 men to volunteer for the first firefighting company in Portland; this group became known as the Pioneer Fire Engine Company No. 1. While only having a hand pump to fight fires with, Dryer desired to find funding for a steam engine for his company. In April 1851 Portland was incorporated into a city by the Oregon Territorial Legislature. On May 6, 1851, Dryer offered his company's firefighting services to the City Council. The city council voted to approve Dryer's recommendation. Despite the council's passage of a bill to purchase a steam engine for the company, it was never acquired due to mayor Hugh O'Bryant's refusal to sign the bill.

A new city charter was adopted in 1852 that allowed the Portland to form a city fire department. In May 1853, Dryer was appointed the Chief Warden in charge of the new fire department. A resolution was passed by the city council that stated:

“Resolved. That the whole city be a district for the organization of a Hook and Ladder company; and further, that all that portion of the city lying north of Washington street, be one district for the organization of an engine company and all that part of the city south of that street be another district for the same purpose.”

A fire at a steam mill in 1853 illustrated the need for an organized firefighting force, and on July 29, 1853, the Vigilance Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was created, consisting of 36 volunteers. On August 6 of the same year 22 volunteers formed the Willamette Engine Company No. 1 covering the Southern District. Willamette Engine Company No. 1 acquired an engine owned by future mayor of Portland, George W. Vaughn and the first engine house in Portland was built on a donated lot on Yamhill Street., bordered by 1st, 2nd, and Morrison. The Portland City Council purchased a hand pump for the company in 1856, which was later replaced by a 2nd Class Amos keag steam apparatus. While these companies together formed the Portland Fire Department, each company had its own by-laws and constitution, and were in many ways operated as separate entities.

On May 22, 1854, the Portland city council passed an ordinance establishing the Portland Fire Department. H. W. Davis was elected as the first "chief engineer" (or chief), replacing the chief warden, and was reelected to the position in 1855 and 1856. On July 4 of the same year, the volunteers of the Portland Fire Department displayed their new uniforms, black pantaloons, red shirts, black cravats, and navy caps. Due to their uniform shirts, people started referring to the firefighters as "redshirts," a name that stuck with them for some time.

In January 1856, the city council ordered that cisterns were to be built under the city streets, in order to provide a water source for the fire department. There were originally nine wooden cisterns throughout the city, measuring 15' by 9'. These proved to be difficult to upkeep, and the city began using brick for these cisterns.

An attempt had been made in 1853 to put together an engine company for the northern district, however that district never obtained an engine or engine house, and never became an operating company, leaving little historical information about them. As such, there was no engine company covering the northern district until the Multnomah Engine Company No. 2 was formed on November 26, 1856. Initially using Vaughn's small engine, money was later raised to purchase a Hunneman hand pump engine for this company.

In 1857, businessman S. J. McCormick was elected chief. A reorganization of the department in 1857 brought the Willamette Company no. 1, the Multnomah Engine Company no. 2 and Vigilance Hook and Ladder Company no. 1 into the Portland Fire Department, which thereupon had a total of 157 members (volunteer firefighters). Another reorganization in June 1859 added the Columbia Engine Company no. 3 to the department; it was the first engine company in Portland to use horses. As the city's population grew, additional fire companies were organized, including the Protection Engine Company no. 4, in November 1862; the Tiger Company no. 5, in 1873; and the Couch Engine Company no. 6, in 1880.

While the city was going through a drought, on August 2, 1873, the Great Fire of 1873 broke out at the Hurgren and Shindler furniture shop at the corner of First & Taylor. The alarm bell at the Willamette Fire Company #1 was drowned out by the noise of the fire and not heard. The fire quickly spread, and twelve hours later, twenty-two blocks of the city had been burned. The cause of the fire was never determined; however, it was suspected that arson was the cause. Due to the alarm not being heard, the city ordered a new alarm bell which could be heard as far away as Oregon City. In 1875 the system was replaced by alarm boxes and engine gongs connected through telegraph wires. In 1879 the members of the department's five companies totaled 375.

Portland Paid Fire Department

In 1883 the Portland Fire Department, while still augmented by volunteers, became known as the Portland Paid Fire Department. In January of this year, the department submitted it first budget totaling $55,340 for the entire year, with $25,940 being for the annual salary for the department's 52 employees, which included a Chief Engineer, two Assistants, a Secretary and 48 firefighters in five companies. Under this new name, the volunteer companies in the downtown area were replaced by full time firefighters, while the volunteers still responded to alarms and worked side by side with the full time staff. Unlike today, firefighters during this time did not work shifts and they rarely left or traveled far from their station houses; with many actually living in the fire station. Paid firefighters worked seven day weeks, getting only 12 hours off during an entire week.

The importance of volunteers expanded in 1891 when Portland consolidated with the cities of East Portland and Albina, more than doubling the size of the city.

In 1904 the department officially became a fully paid fire department, with the temporary firefighters being paid for their time served. Even still, some outlying areas in the city felt they needed additional protection, and continued to operate volunteer companies, with these companies being provided resources by the city fire department. Most of these volunteer companies were gone by the 1930s. The City of Portland provided the funds for the department to purchase their first fire boat, the George H. Williams in 1904.

By 1906 firefighters with the Portland Fire Department had begun wearing turnout gear. This year also saw Chief Engineer Campbell elected President of the Pacific Coast Fire Chief's Association. With the automobile becoming more available after the turn of the century, the department began purchasing motorized apparatus in 1909. 1911 saw the department purchase its last horse drawn piece of equipment, enabling the department to become completely motorized by 1920.

Due to the departments ranks being cut after the start of World War II, volunteer firefighting returned to Portland. While not part of the front line firefighting forces, auxiliary companies were created and given reserve status, with their own company numbers. Following the end of the War, the auxiliary forces expanded, having their own officers and chiefs through seven districts. When the city of Portland withdrew from the Federal Civil Defense Administration in 1963, all forms of volunteer firefighting in the city disappeared.

Fire stations and apparatus

As of May 2016, the department operates out of 31 fire stations strategically located the city.

Station # Location Address Engine Company Truck Company First Aid Unit Special Unit Chief Unit
1 Old Town 55 SW Ash Street Engine 1 Truck 1 Rescue Craft 1

Technical Rescue Unit 1

Urban Search and Rescue Unit 1

Squad 1

Utility 1

Deputy Chief 103
2 Parkrose 4800 NE 122nd Avenue Engine 2 Truck 2
3 Northwest/Pearl District 1715 NW Johnson Street Engine 3 Truck 3 Battalion Chief 1
4 Portland State University 511 SW College Street Engine 4 Truck 4
5 Hillsdale 1505 SW DeWitt Street Engine 5 Rescue 99 Rehabilitation Unit 5
6 Northwest Industrial 3660 NW Front Avenue Engine 6 Fireboat 6

Fireboat 6R (reserve)

7 Mill Park 1500 SE 122nd Avenue Engine 7 Truck 7 HazMat Coordinator 458

HazMat 7

Recon 7

Battalion Chief 3
8 Kenton 7134 North Maryland Avenue Truck 8
9 Hawthorne 1706 SE Cesar E. Chavez Blvd Engine 9 MC9 Battalion Chief 4
10 Burlingame 451 SW Taylors Ferry Road Engine 10 Truck 10
11 Lents 5707 SE 92nd Avenue Engine 11 Rescue 11
12 Sandy Blvd. 8645 NE Sandy Boulevard Engine 12 Squad 12
13 Lloyd 926 NE Weidler Street Engine 13 Truck 13 Water Tender 13
14 Alberta 1905 NE Killingsworth Street Engine 14 Brush Unit 14
15 Arlington Heights 1920 SW Spring St Engine 15
16 Sylvan 1715 SW Skyline Engine 16 Brush Unit 16

Water Tender 16

17 Hayden Island 848 North Tomahawk Island Drive Engine 17 Fireboat 17

Fireboat 17R (reserve)

Rescue Boat 17

18 Multnomah Village 8720 SW 30th Avenue Engine 18 Brush Unit 18

Heavy Squad 18

19 Mt. Tabor 7301 East Burnside Street Engine 19 Rescue 19 (Brush Unit) Rehabilitation Unit 19
20 Sellwood 2235 SE Bybee Boulevard Engine 20
21 Eastbank 5 SE Madison St. Engine 21 Fireboat 21

Rescue Boat 21

Utility 21

22 St. Johns 7205 North Alta Street Engine 22 Truck 22 Brush Unit 22

Utility 22

23 Lower Southeast 2915 SE 13th Place Engine 23 Rescue 23
24 Overlook/Swan Island 4515 North Maryland Street Engine 24 Foam Unit 24

Heavy Squad Unit 24

Battalion Chief 2
25 Woodstock 5211 SE Mall Street Engine 25 Truck 25
26 Portsmouth/University Park 5247 North Lombard Street Engine 26
27 Forest Heights 3130 NW Skyline Boulevard Engine 27 Brush Unit 27
28 Hollywood 5540 NE Sandy Boulevard Engine 28
29 Powellhurst 13310 SE Foster Road Engine 29 Brush Unit 29 ATV29
30 Gateway 13313 NE San Rafael Street Engine 30 Rehabilitation Unit 30
31 Rockwood 1927 SE 174th Avenue Engine 31 Rescue 31

Legend

Callsign Full title
T Truck Companies (PF&R operates tillers, towers and quints all under the callsign "Truck") Truck Companies have the equipment needed for responding to a variety of emergencies including Motor Vehicle Accidents, Medical calls, fire and rescue emergencies and other calls.
E Engine Companies. Engine Companies carry various firefighting tools and equipment as well as basic medical gear.
S Squad (PF&R operates one heavy rescue squad, located at Station 1) The equipment this unit carries includes a variety of specialized rescue tools including specialized power saws, air bags, hydraulic, battery, pneumatic and electric rescue tools and other gear.
R Rescue response vehicle (modified GMC Yukons which respond to medical emergencies and can provide Advanced life support services) Equipment carried on these vehicles include Medications, Defibrillators and heart monitors, Oxygen equipment, intubation supplies and more.
HS Heavy Squad (These units are assigned to Chemical and Biological, Radiological/Nuclear and Explosive (CBRNE) responses, as well as responding to high-rise fires). There is a variety of CBRNE response equipment as well as equipment for fighting fires in High-Rise buildings on these units.
FU Foam Unit. Foam is an agent that can be used in any fire situation including vehicle fires, high rise fires and others.
FB Fireboat. Fireboats are unique to Portland and areas surrounding it. they have high amounts of water on board and they can be set up for first aid if needed
RB Rescue Boat. Rescue boats have equipment that can be used in any rescue situation on the water or on land.
RC Rescue Craft (specially outfitted SeaDoos which respond to water rescues from Station 1). Although they don't have regular emergency equipment, they are useful on the water and respond to any emergency on the water.
C Battalion Chief or Deputy Chief (PF&R always has four battalion chiefs on duty across the city, as well as a deputy chief at its headquarters at Station 1). The Battalion Chiefs and the Deputy Chief have the responsibility of making sure everything is going well not only on an emergency scene but also at their respective stations. The Battalion Chiefs and Deputy Chief have vehicles that are equipped and designed for their duties.
BU Brush Unit (responds to brush fires and emergencies in areas not accessible by normal fire apparatus). They have Brush fire equipment and other items that are used in brush fire scenes and other emergencies if needed.
JP Jeep (responds to emergencies in areas and weather conditions not accessible by normal fire apparatus), Jeeps have equipment that can assist in any situation where other fire apparatus can't go.
UT Utility (ATVs which respond along trails and other areas not accessible by normal fire apparatus). Utility ATVs can be equipped with firefighting tools and medical equipment in case of a fire or other emergency where other apparatus can't go.
HM HazMat Unit (Hazardous Materials Unit) Hazardous Materials responses are handled by the HazMat Unit. there is a variety of Hazardous Materials supplies and equipment including head protection gear, HazMat clothing and other equipment that the Hazardous Materials Unit carries.
HC HazMat Conditions Unit (Hazardous Materials Conditions Unit) This unit is responsible for responding to Hazardous Materials calls and can assist the HazMat Unit and has additional equipment for all Hazardous Materials Incidents.
RHB Rehabilitation Unit. This unit is tasked with providing rehabilitation and help for those who have been affected by any major emergency. This can include providing Drinks and Food for first responders, a place for comfort or other responsibilities at any incident.
AU Air Unit. This unit is equipped with extra air bottles and sources for lighting and air during fires or other incidents.
TR Technical Rescue Unit. The Technical Rescue Unit has an extensive array of specialized equipment for any type of technical rescue. There are Pneumatic, Electric, Battery and Hydraulic powered rescue tools for any type of rescue discipline as well as additional rescue equipment.
USAR Urban search and rescue unit. Urban Search and Rescue is when specialized personnel and equipment are needed for any rescue response. Pneumatic, Hydraulic, Electric, and Battery operated Power tools and specialized rescue equipment is found on the Urban Search and Rescue Unit.

Line of duty deaths

Since the establishment of Portland Fire & Rescue, 75 firefighters have died while on duty or as a result of their job. Portland firefighters who have died as a result of their occupation are:

Firefighter Rank Date of Death Details
James Reed Volunteer Firefighter August 21, 1881 Collapsed from a heart attack after pulling a hand-drawn fire engine to the scene of a fire on August 16. Died at a hospital 5 days later.
Fred Wagner February 28, 1890 Struck in head by nozzle while testing a new fire engine at the corner of SW 7th & Salmon.
Tom O’Keefe August 21, 1891 While en route to a fire at 16th & Burnside, O'Keefe fell from vehicle while rounding a corner and was crushed under the wheels.
John G Hewston October 3, 1892 Died from a fractured skull after being knocked from his ladder by falling timber while fighting a fire in the Kamm Block (SW 1st & Pine).
Tom Grenfell March 25, 1896 Died from injuries sustained while responding to a fire call in January 1896. Grenfell fell while pulling a fire truck up a steep grade badly injuring himself. He sustained a similar injury a few days prior to his death resulting in his admitting himself to the hospital for surgery on a perforated appendix.
David Campbell Chief June 26, 1911 Campbell entered a fire at the Union Oil building at SE Salmon & Walter to evacuate his crew from an impending building collapse. Campbell's crew evacuated the building, but it collapsed on him before he was able to get out.
William Higdon June 6, 1912 While driving Engine 6, Higdon was thrown under the engine and dragged 100 feet, dying at the scene.
Emil Gustafson March 16, 1916 Was electrocuted after coming in contact with a 10,000 volt power line while working on telegraph wires for the fire alarm at NW 26th & Nicolai.
Francis H. McCormick August 15, 1919 Died fighting a fire at the Northwest Box Company in SW Portland after being struck with a fire hose causing him to fall from a train trestle.
Karl Gunster June 15, 1921 Suffocated in a fire on the third floor of the May Apartments at SW 14th & Taylor.
Oscar H. Lehman October 3, 1921 Died as a result of a skull fracture received following an accident between two fire engines at SW 4th & Jefferson.
James S. Baldwin June 19, 1922 Electrocuted in basement of home at 387 Yamhill after contacting a live drop cord and falling in water from the firefighting efforts.
Oscar B. Gabriel October 25, 1922 Died under a wall collapse fighting fire at Washington High School.
Fred H. Rittenour February 1, 1923 Fell from loft at Station 19 (6049 SE Stark).
Adolph W. Wefel Lieutenant June 1, 1923 A chimney fell collapsed on Wefel at North Benton Ave & Clackamas St during overhaul.
William E. Wilbur April 7, 1926 Had a seizure and then heart attack while fighting a fire at 848 NE Clackamas St.
Charles A. Ryan May 20, 1928 Died with Firefighter William McCreery when a safety belt holding him to McCreery broke, causing them to both fall to their deaths. Ryan & McCreery were practicing Rose Festival Parade Ladder Drill Team at SW Taylor & Chapman.
William John McCreery May 20, 1928 Died with Firefighter Charles Ryan when a safety belt holding Ryan to McCreery broke, causing them to both fall to their deaths. Ryan & McCreery were practicing Rose Festival Parade Ladder Drill Team at SW Taylor & Chapman.
Harry Josephson July 23, 1928 Fell from a power pole at SE 51st & Hawthorne suffering a skull fracture while working on the fire alarm system.
Walter McBride December 19, 1929 Found unconscious in bed at Station 9 (900 SE 35th) and taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Richard D. Laisner July 4, 1930 Died of a heart attack while fighting a fire at SE 37th Ave.
Henry Krimbel October 23, 1932 Fell through a skylight at the Councelor Apartments on August 16, 1930. Krimbel returned to work for a short time, but later died due to the injuries sustained in the fall.
Clement M. Kemmer April 21, 1933 While playing handball, as part of a physical fitness program at Station #8(45 NE Russell St), died from a heart attack.
Gustave A. Stephan Inspector June 26, 1933 Died of a heart attack at 68 NE Stanton while on duty.
Frank L. Kearney January 7, 1934 Kearney was killed, and nine other firefighters injured, during an accident between Engine 21 and Squad 1 at the intersection of SW 4th & Pine while responding to the Holly Dairy at 406 NW 14th.
Harry B. Morrow July 1, 1934 Died of a heart attack at SE 17th & Division fighting an automobile fire.
Harry U. Gardner January 19, 1935 Died of a heart attack while fighting a fire at NE 57th & Sandy.
William D. Heath March 18, 1935 Died from a heart attack at Station 22 (1233 SW 1st) after responding earlier to a fire at the Hotel Lindquist.
Frank A. Platt March 11, 1937 Was crushed between Engine 10 and the wall at Station 10 (5830 SW Kelly) while inspecting the engine. The driver mistakenly put the vehicle in reverse.
Harry R. Howard December 31, 1939 Died of a heart attack while on duty at Station 36 (5247 N. Lombard).
Ernest W. Bills June 3, 1940 Died from carbon monoxide poisoning in a fire at the Portland Furniture Manufacturing Company (5331 SW Macadam) when his canister mask failed. Firefighter Carl Markstrom suffered the same fate trying to safe Bills.
Carl. G. Markstrom June 3, 1940 Died in a fire at the Portland Furniture Manufacturing Company (5331 SW Macadam) while trying to save Firefighter Ernest Bills, who also died in the fire.
Peter P. Kumpf December 5, 1940 Died from a heart ailment while on duty at Station 23 (1917 SE 7th).
Owen Peterson 1943
Elmo St. Clair Bradford October 25, 1944 Died while fighting a roadside fire at SW Broadway & Hoffman.
Joseph F. Allerton October 2, 1945 Allerton commanded the fireboat at the Oregon Shipyard Fire on August 30, 1945. He became ill after the fire, and later died of bronchial pneumonia, having never returned to work.
William Inglesby July 19, 1946 Died while on duty at Station 33 (10803 NW Front)
Gregory A. Warner December 30, 1946 Suffered a heart attack on December 23 after returning from a fire at 2401 NW 23rd Ave, he died a week later.
Marion Stark March 31, 1947 Died of a heart attack in bed at Station 8 (45 NE Russell).
Alfred E. Berg November 2, 1948 Died of a heart attack while fighting a fire in a commercial building at 8950 N Bradford.
Daniel G. Shaw April 24, 1949 Died of a heart attack while at a house fire at 432 NE Russell.
Victor D. Brown December 4, 1957 Died of acute pneumonia and arterial sclerosis. No further details.
John Drain 1960
John T. Metcalf August 14, 1960 Died when Truck 7 was in an accident with a bus at the intersection of SE 12th & Hawthorne, throwing him from the vehicle.
Benjamin Steele 1963
Frank Benedict 1963
Robert Edner 1965
James Hamilton 1965
Virgil L. Spencer October 29, 1966 Fell from a catwalk at the BP Johns Furniture Company fire when flames from a sawdust bin shot up towards him.
Louis Merchant 1969
Randy Hammer 1970
Donald Turner 1971
Roy A. Bray 1971
Jack Stephens February 8, 1971 Stephens died of an apparent heart attack following Run #843 to 329 SW Woods for a “smoke scare.” After returning he went to bed and was found deceased at shift change at Fire Station #2 at 630 SW Gaines Road.
Aldro Stuck 1972
Jefferson Morris 1974
Melvin Sethmann 1975
John L. Devaney February 15, 1977 Died from a heart attack while fighting a fire at 4000 SW Shattuck Road.
Charles Weberg 1979
Tommy Tucker 1984
Willis Hubener 1987
Thomas G. Tyner 1987
Richard H. Bradley 1988
Lonnie M. Zimmerman 1990
Gerald Quimby 1991
Jeffrey S. Tuggle April 1, 1993 Died from cancer that was caused by the cumulative effects of fire byproduct exposure during his career.
Robert J. Hebisen 1995
Richard A. Harder 1996
Paul T. Kahn 2001
James T. Woodward 2002
Jeffrey S. Calvi 2003
Steven E Higley December 30, 2004 Died from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that was caused by the cumulative effects of fire byproduct exposure during his career.
George L. Godson 2007
Keith Kosky 2013
Jerry Richardson Lieutenant November 21, 2021 Died from occupationally linked cancer.

This page was last updated at 2022-11-27 22:41 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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