Salem-News.com Fire articles Page 43

Hazardous Materials Call Evacuates Inmates and Staff from Salem Prison

Two correction personnel have been transported to Salem Hospital to be evaluated.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Both inmates and correction personnel have been evacuated from the Santiam Correctional Institution, a state prison in Salem, over a hazardous Materials call. Exact numbers were not yet available.

Firefighters were on scene at the institution at 4005 Aumsville Highway in Salem shortly after the call came in advising of a problem at the prison at 10:39 AM.

Keizer CERT Members Continue Assistance of Detroit and Idanha Residents

Keizer CERT Executive Director Greg Biben, said that his CERT members are highly motivated people who are always looking for way to help others and use their training.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Community Emergency Response Team was activated and dispatched on Wednesday to the cities of Detroit and Idanha, Oregon.

The team spent Wednesday and Thursday assisting residents with snow removal following the largest snow accumulation recorded in decades those cities.

FEMA Provides $400,261 in Grant Funding to Oregon Fire Departments

Agencies receiving funds were Ashland Fire & Rescue, the Boring Fire District, Halsey-Shedd Rural Fire Protection District and the Mohawk Valley Rural Fire District.

(SEATTLE) - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded $400,261 in Assistance-to-Firefighters Grants (AFGs) to four fire departments and emergency medical service organizations in Oregon.

Recruitment Underway for Volunteer Firefighters

The classes, which are held evenings and some weekends throughout the spring, will end with a graduation in June. There is no cost to the students.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - Local fire districts including Turner, Jefferson, Aumsville, Scio, Stayton, Lyons, Sublimity, Gates, Detroit, and Idanha are recruiting community members who would like to become volunteer firefighters.

Keizer CERT Team Members Respond to Snowbound Detroit

The coordinator for Marion County CERT groups hopes new CERT teams are formed.

(KEIZER, Ore.) - The Keizer Citizen Emergency Response Team has been dispatched to the Idanha and Detroit area east of Salem to assist residents who are under feet of snow. The group is trained through the Keizer Fire Department and their recent activation to service was called by Marion County Emergency Management to help with relief efforts for homeowner's in regions.

Stephanie Cooke with the Keizer CERT Team says the people really need the assistance, "At this point, residents have no one to help remove snow from roofs that can sometimes be large amounts as we saw today in Idanha. Other relief groups are unwilling to help because of liabilities and lack of training."

Man In Serious Injury Crash Connected to Arson Fire

The resident of the home that burned was involved in a weather related single car crash as firefighters battled the flames.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Fire Department received the call for a structure at 1940 Lana Ave NE fire at 4:22 AM this morning and the first arriving crews found a mobile home and attached shed fully involved with fire.

Salem Fire Spokesman Bill Holmstrom says firefighters battled the blaze at the home of 76-year old Donald Hirschy for over 15-minutes to keep flames from both burning structures from spreading to any neighboring homes. Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the building of origin.

Salem`s Emergency Preparedness Manager Wins Crystal Award for 2008

Roger Stevenson of Salem Public Works Emergency Preparedness Manager won the award for Regional Excellence.

(SALEM, Ore.) - City of Salem's Emergency Preparedness Manager Roger Stevenson was recently presented the Crystal Award - 2008 for Regional Excellence by the Hospital Preparedness Program in Region 2.

This federally sponsored program is a multi-county consortium of hospitals and other health care providers working to improve their ability to respond to disasters.

Apartment Fire Blamed on Improperly Discarded Cigarette

Fire damages were estimated to be $5,000.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Fire investigators say an apartment fire today at 1529 Salishan Street SE was started by a smoldering cigarette. Fortunately no injuries were reported as a result of the fire that broke out at 11:15 AM today in the 6-plex unit.

Salem Fire Spokesperson Chris Riffle says the first firefighters on scene reported that fire and smoke were seen coming from the exterior siding of the 2-story residence.

Red Cross Gala to Support Disaster Budget Deficit

The evening is described as a “fabulous evening of romance” which includes wine, hors d’ oeuvres, silent & live auctions, dinner, live music, dancing.

(SALEM, Ore.) - A record number of local disasters in the Marion and Polk Communities has increased the importance of the Red & White Gala fundraiser which supports local American Red Cross disaster responses.

The Willamette Chapter has spent over $50,000 responding to local house fires and weather related disasters since the beginning the current fiscal year on a budget of $47,800. With five months left in the fiscal year, the chapter is relying heavily on its Fifth Annual Red & White Gala fundraiser to raise desperately needed funds for the Local Disaster Relief Fund.

Gresham Fire Issues Safety Tips in Wake of Fire Related Death

A growing list of hazards accompany the state's cold snap, fire officials hope residents pay attention and live.

(GRESHAM, Ore.) - Gresham Fire has issued some important safety tips that they hope residents will pay attention to as colder than usual conditions prompt some residents to utilize home heating methods that are questionable.

Gresham Fire Marshall Gus Lian says one of the first things to remember is that you should never utilize area heaters that do not have tip over and temperature limit switches. A 39-year old woman died in an overnight fire that was related to a space heater.