Saturday, May 17, 2008
Fire Department: Frequently Asked Questions Print E-mail

Q:When I call 9-1-1 for a medical emergency why does a fire engine show up?

A:Because Forest Grove Fire & Rescue firefighters can get there quicker, and in the case of a medical emergency every second truly does count. Four minutes is a critical time frame for someone who has experienced a heart attack, injury, or other illness that makes them stop breathing. The heart and brain have a better chance of full recovery if they receive oxygen in four minutes or less. After that, a person can suffer brain damage or worse. Firefighters and paramedics can use life saving techniques and medications to help prevent death or permanent injury much more effectively if they can get to a patient within the first four minutes.

Q:Why do I see fire engines turn their emergency lights off when they are driving, are they just trying to get through traffic lights?

A:Often times we will be cancelled by another unit while we are still responding. For instance in the case of a car accident, if an ambulance, police officer, or other firefighters arrive first and determine that the additional equipment isn't needed they will cancel the rest of the responding equipment. Emergency driving is very important, but is also very dangerous, we make every effort to ensure that our firefighters as well as the community that we serve are safe in every aspect of our service delivery. 

Q:Why did the Fire Department cancel backyard burning today, but it was open yesterday? 

A:DEQ regulates open burning in our area. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue receives burning notices from the Oregon DEQ the day prior. Often they determine this decision based on the anticipated air quality conditions for that day. We provide the information that DEQ requires on our Open Burning Hotline at 503.992.3242 which is updated daily by 8:00 am.

Q:  When I call the open burn hotline it says that backyard burning is allowed outside the burn ban area, where exactly is the burn ban area?

A:  The Oregon DEQ has established a burn ban area in the heart of the metro area.  This area begins in East Hillsboro and extends East towards Gresham.  Forest Grove and the surrounding area is not in the burn ban area.  To see a map of the burn ban area click on the DEQ Metro Area Burn Ban Area Map.pdf link provided here.  Because our Open Burning Hotline is used throughout Washington County we include the information regarding the Burn Ban Area on the recorded message.

Q:  I live in a rural community can I burn on a day when agricultural (Ag) burning is allowed?

A:  Agricultural burning is for the disposal of debris from an agricultural operation that provides a significant amount of income to the property.  For instance a hazelnut grower burning limbs from their operations is considered Ag Burning.  Burning of yard debris in a rural community is not considered agricultural burning and is under the requirements of the backyard burning regulations.  More detailed information on backyard burning can be found here.

Q:Can I take a tour of your fire stations?

A:Forest Grove Fire & Rescue offers tours to large and small groups at any of our two fire stations which are located in downtown Forest Grove and the rural community of Gales Creek. To schedule a tour for your group contact our administration office at 503.992.3240. Small groups of people or individuals who are nearby that wish to stop and visit may also do so, after normal business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm) our office is closed, but if the firefighters are in the station, and not on a call, they would love to show you around. The Gales Creek Station is all volunteer and is not staffed, to request a tour of the Gales Creek Station use the same office contact number listed above. Fire Station tours can be a fun and educational experience with children and families, children of all ages are welcome and cameras are also allowed when visiting. 

Q:How do I become a firefighter?

A:For those who are interested in becoming a full time career firefighter we strongly encourage that you complete college level coursework in fire protection and emergency medical services. There are outstanding programs in this field that are available at local community colleges as well as advanced fire service management programs at four year schools in Oregon. It is also recommended that you spend time serving a community as a volunteer firefighter. For information on being a volunteer firefighter with Forest Grove Fire & Rescue visit our homepage, or contact us directly at 503.992.3240.

Q:  What do the different colored fire helmets signify?

A:  At Forest Grove Fire & Rescue we use helmet color to identify the roles and responsibilities of the individuals within our ranks.  This is imperative on an emergency scene so that everyone from the most senior officer to the newest firefighter can quickly identify an individual in order to complete a task. 

            White Helmets: Chief Officers, these individuals are members of the senior leadership team of our department.  On large incidents these individuals may be in command of the entire incident or in other incident management system positions that are essential to supporting the Incident Commander.

            Red Helmets:  Company Officers, these specifically trained and experienced individuals lead smaller groups of firefighters and may be in charge of small incidents such as car accidents or house fires. 

            Yellow Helmets:  Firefighters, these individuals range in experience and training and perform the hands on tasks involved with mitigating the emergency. 

            Black Helmets:  Support Personnel, these individuals are volunteers with our agency who perform tasks on scene that may support the control of the emergency but are not directly involved with handling the emergency.  Support Personnel provide services that are essential to the emergency such as ensuring that firefighters stay hydrated or gathering of equipment, they may also assist the Incident Commander with our personnel accountability system that tracks the location of firefighters on our emergency scene.  Support Personnel also support department activities, assisting with everything from day to day operations to large public education events. 

            Blue Helmets:  Safety Officers, these specifically trained individuals are experienced members of our agency who on an emergency scene are responsible for nothing other then the safety and well being of our personnel who are on scene.  Safety Officers are observers of fire conditions and other safety hazards that pose a significant risk for our personnel.  Our number one priority in all that we do is the safety of our people; Safety Officers are an integral part of ensuring that is done effectively on an emergency scene. 

            Orange Helmets:  Cadet Firefighters, this select group of high school junior and seniors do not perform any tasks on an emergency scene.  They may participate in some department training, but do to their age and lack of experience we require that they act as observers only when they ride along with our fire suppression shifts.