Department News Archives

Interviews: (Apr. 05, 2007)

Interviews for the first firefighter position were held today. There will be 3 more positions opened in July and more people from the eligibility list will be interviewed for those positions. The curent list will expire Dec. 2008.

List Complete: (Jan. 05, 2007)

The eligibility list for firefighter positions is complete and will expire in Dec. 2008. Currently there are no positions open for new hires.

The Next Step: (Oct. 29, 2006)

For everyone who took the written test on October 21st, the interview process to establish the new eligibility list for Firefighters will be taking place between now and January. This process takes a long time, so don't get discouraged. You should be receiving your test scores by the end of November. Remember, this is not for a job opening, it's for an eligibility list which will be good for two years.

Testing for Firefighter Eligibility List: (Oct. 5, 2006)

The Port of Portland is testing for a new eligibility list for Firefighters. The current list will expire in December. WHEN: October 21st (Saturday). WHERE: Portland State University, Hoffmann Hall. TIMES: Last names A-L @ 9:00 AM, last names M-Z @ 12:00 PM. You will need to bring (2) #2 pencils, photo ID and $10.00. For more detailed information about the testing and the position, visit the Port of Portland's Website: Port of Portland website (job listings)

New Fire Chief Announced: (July 22, 2006)

Kevin Elmore, Division Chief with the Indianapolis Airport Fire Department, has been selected as our new Fire Chief. He is scheduled to begin working August 7th. Chief Elmore is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant and previously served as Fire Chief for Van Buren Township in Monroe County, IN. Chief Elmore was elected President of the ARFF Working Group in 2001 and has been serving as the Training Chief and Fire Inspector at the Indianapolis Airport Fire Department. Welcome Chief Elmore!

ARFF Mock-up: (May 9, 2006)

Final testing of the new drill pit mock-up is being completed this week. Once the department determines the pit is safe, we will begin utilizing the simulated aircraft in various scenarios.

Fire Chief's Position: (May 9, 2006)

The Fire Chief's position will soon be filled out of the final five remaining candidates.

Fire Chief's Position: (Jan. 29, 2006)

The Port of Portland is currently seeking applicants for the Position of Fire Chief at the Portland International Airport Fire Department. Information on the opening can be obtained by visiting this link: Port of Portland website (job listings)

Cargo Plane Crashes: (Dec. 24, 2005)

On December 24, 2005, at 7:44am, a Cessna 208B collided with an antenna and terrain during takeoff from runway 21 at Portland International Airport, Portland, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries. There was substantial damage to the airplane, which was registered to Federal Express Corporation and Operated by Empire Airlines, Inc., of Hayden, Idaho. The airplane failed to gain altitude and struck the glide slope antenna and a fence before coming to rest on a golf course located adjacent to the airport.

With great sadness: (Nov. 8, 2005)

With great sadness we announce the death of our Fire Chief, Brian Pugh. Brian worked with the Salt Lake City Fire Department for 29 years, 9 of which were as Fire Training Captain for the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Facility (ARFF). Following their retirement in 2004, Brian and his wife, June, moved to Portland, Oregon where Brian began a new career as our Fire Chief. His dedication and expertise gained our department the highest rating from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) this year. He was caring and compassionate, and he will be sorely missed.

Monetary donations will be accepted to help the family with any needs they may have via the Portland Firefighters Association, Local 43. http://portlandfirefighters.org

A Memorial Service will be held on November 17th at "New Hope Community Church" 11731 SE Stevens Rd., Portland, OR

For directions to the church, follow this link: New Hope Community Church

Firefighters return from New Orleans: (Oct. 15, 2005)

Six Port of Portland ARFF Firefighters were sent to Lius Armstrong International Airport to assist the airport fire department with emergency response and fire protection in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The crews spent two weeks working shifts at the airport to cover for firefighters who were dealing with the loss of their homes. In addition to working at the airport, the crews also volunteered in the community for "Operation Chainsaw", clearing away debris and aiding in salvage and recovery operations. The firefighters were thankful for the opportunity to help and they feel like they made a real difference.

New Firefighters: (Oct., 2005)

Congratulations and welcome to our newest firefighters, Alena Lewis and Justin Obie!

New Mobile Triage Vehicle: (Sept 9, 2005)

"SQUAD-881" is replacing our old Triage vehicle. Operated by paramedics, this Pierce vehicle has excellent patient triage and treatment capabilities and can light up the scene with it's impressive light towers.

Airport has Triennial Drill: (May 5, 2005)

On May 5th, 2005, the Portland International Airport hosted a Triennial Drill involving Port personnel and outside agencies, including Portland Fire, Police, AMR ambulances and the Red Cross. The drill is conducted to prepare personnel for a real aircraft disaster. This year's drill simulated an aircraft crash (busses used for fuselage) involving live patients to be triaged and treated.

New ARFF Vehicle is here! (May 2005)

Our newest ARFF vehicle has joined our fleet. It's an OSHKOSH "Striker". The vehicle's firefighting agents are water, foam and dry chemical. The Striker will be placed in service after driver's training is complete.

Aircraft "Mock-Up" (Mar. 13th, 05)

Construction will begin soon on the new Aircraft Training Mock-Up at the Airport. The steel constructed aircraft will provide firefighters and police officers with multiple training scenarios such as evacuation, hijacking, extrication, rescue, and live fire using propane, jet fuel or class A materials. Once construction begins, the mock-up should be completed in 3 months.

Firefighter packs faith for aid work in Darfur camps:

Saturday, November 27, 2004
JAMES MAYER (Oregonian)
Firefighter Rick Williams cites Psalm 91 when asked if he is nervous about going to Sudan to help homeless villagers displaced by recent fighting in that country's bloody, 21-year civil war.
" He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will abide in the shadow of the almighty," Williams quoted from memory.
He surely finds shelter in his faith, but as the Northwest Medical Teams volunteer paramedic prepared Friday to leave Portland, he said he really doesn't know what to expect when he arrives in the Darfur homeless camps.
" I've been a firefighter for 25 years, and I've seen a lot of stuff. I honestly can't imagine what I'll see."
Williams, a Silverton resident employed by the Port of Portland, will join Carol Zada, a nurse from Bothell, Wash. The pair will be the third team Northwest Medical Teams has sent to the region since Sept. 1.
United Nations officials recently rated it as "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today."
An estimated 2 million people have been killed in the civil war in Sudan, the largest nation in Africa. Nearly 200,000 displaced people poured into homeless camps in Darfur, a region the size of California, in September and October. They fled farms and villages ravaged by violence and looting. Thousands face starvation and disease.
Williams, 46, has been involved with Tigard-based Northwest Medical Teams since 1985 and has traveled to Honduras and Uzbekistan, where he helped set up the first emergency response center in the former Soviet republic.
But those were training missions. "This is my first disaster response team," he said.
After the organization's leader asked him to consider a trip to Sudan, Williams said he talked it over and prayed with his wife, Karen, a substitute teacher.
" She is incredibly supportive all the way," he said. "There has not been one shadow of a doubt." The couple have three children, the youngest is 19. Williams is scheduled to return to Portland Dec. 21.
Williams and Zada will be a working under a Congolese doctor in charge of the medical care in three Sudanese villages. They will assess the medical condition of "internally displaced persons" and provide treatment for preventable illnesses such as dehydration, malaria and dysentery.
He said there are 450 preventable deaths a day in the Darfur camps.
Williams said he's not too concerned about news that fighting is continuing despite a new agreement between the government and rebels signed earlier this month.
The fighting is in the north, and the camps are in the west. "There's a mountain range between the two," he said. "They're not in jets and tanks. They're on horseback."
Williams knows the help he can offer in Darfur won't be much compared to the high-tech emergency care he can bring to bear as a paramedic at the Portland International Airport.
But small step are critical, he said, citing the ancient proverb: "Small drops of water hollow out a stone."
Williams said he plans to fight any personal despair he experiences by focusing on children, who love life even in the direst of circumstances. But, he adds: "I'm pretty emotional. I'm sure there will be some tears."
James Mayer: 503-294-4109; jimmayer@news.oregonian.com

Welcome Chief Pugh: (Sept. 2004)

Brian Pugh was sworn in as our new Fire Chief on Monday, Sept. 27th, 2004. Chief Pugh and his wife June join us from Salt Lake City, where Brian worked as a Captain at the Airport and had over 29 years of duty in the Fire Department.. Please help us welcome Chief Pugh to our department and to the Port of Portland.

New Baby!: (Oct. 2004)

Congratulations to Lt. Tracy Brill and her husband Nowell who had a baby girl on September 4th, "Shelby Brill". Tracy will return to work in late October to get some rest....

In Memory: (Aug 2004)

Retired Fire Chief Niles L. Place died on Friday, Aug. 6th. Memorial Services will be on Friday, Aug. 13th at 11:00 am at the Multnomah Presbyterian Church 7555 S.W. 45th in Portland. Chief Place retired as Fire Chief in 1983. He was one of the original members of the department when it began in 1962.

Chief Place was the third loss to our department this year. Earlier this year, retired Lieutenant John McArdle and retired Assistant Chief Fred Cantrell passed away. They were also members of the department since the 1962 beginning.

Burn to Learn: (May 2004)

Firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue and Port of Portland trained together during a "Burn to Learn" on May 26th. Crews were able to practice working as a team under live fire conditions. Click here for photos.

Fire Manager's Last Day:

Airport Fire Department Manager Ken Cook received a farewell "wetdown" from an ARFF vehicle on Friday, February 20th. Ken is retired from the Port and will be moving to Arizona to work at Falcon Field as an Airport Manager. Good luck Ken!

C-Shift Delivers Baby:

On January 14th, 2004, C-Shift helped deliver a baby boy at PDX. The mother was nine months pregnant and had boarded an aircraft ready for take-off. She went into labor and it wasn't long before she was holding her new son.

Hunting for New ARFF Vehicle:

Our department is in the process of writing specifications for a new dual-agent ARFF vehicle. The new truck will replace our 1981 Fire-X "Truck 810". Most likely it will have a 1500 gallon water tank. The truck will hopefully be in production this January.