DCFD2 Firefighters and Paramedics Go Pink Again to Fight Breast Cancer

October is celebrated as “National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.” Local and State Governments take traditionally prominent steps throughout the month to raise awareness and alert citizens about the devastating effects of this deadly illness.

After a successful first year, DCFD2 Firefighters and Paramedics are holding again a pink T-shirt fundraiser during the month of October. Last year’s campaign raised approximately $2,000 for the Treva Hoffman Foundation, far more than originally expected.

Firefighters from IAFF Local 2091 and Paramedics from IAE&P Local 307 will wear and sell custom designed pink T-shirts with the distinctive Breast Cancer Awareness ribbon, District acronym (DCFD2), and the logo of their respective Unions in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The shirts will sell for $15.00 each. All proceeds will benefit the Treva Hoffman Foundation, which supports advanced cancer research in Oregon and helps provide the valuable resources scientists need to do vital cancer research towards the finding of a cure.

Fire Chief Greg Marlar stated “Often times, even timely diagnosis and treatment are not enough for those affected to beat the disease. That is why Douglas County Fire District No.2 and its Firefighters and Paramedics are joining forces to spread the message that early detection may make a major difference in thousands of lives.”

Breast cancer Awareness T-shirts can be ordered at any DCFD2 Fire Station and at the District’s Headquarters. They can also be ordered by calling 541-673-5503.

Back to School Safety Tips

Douglas County Fire District No.2 is reminding motorists to be extra alert this time of the year as Tuesday, September 3, 2013 marks the beginning of the school year for most schools in the greater Roseburg area. With the opening of the schools citizens should expect to see an increased traffic on roadways and streets, as teachers, parents, student drivers, and school buses make their way to and from school during week days.

This time of the year is without a doubt exciting for children, especially those that will be attending or driving to school for the first time. Unfortunately, it also means that during the school months young children are often times oblivious to their surroundings in the mix of the daily vehicular traffic; and therefore, at risk to be struck by vehicles or involved in motor vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for children ages 3 to 14 years old.

Motorists can greatly help in reducing the risk to children on their way to and from school by observing the following safety tips:

• Slowing down to posted speed limits in school and residential areas
• Watching for children present in the area when school buses, street crossing guards, and bicycles can be seen
• Observing traffic laws related to school buses
• Obeying all traffic signs and signals
• Avoiding school zones during arrival and dismissal times
• Adjusting daily travel times to allow for school traffic
• Exercising extra precautions in bad weather

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Firefighters Undergo Rope Rescue Training

DCFD No. 2 firefighters will be practicing simulated over-the bank rescue scenarios this coming Wednesday and Thursday (August 14^th and 15^th) from 09:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the fish ladder area of the Winchester Dam in north Roseburg.

Some of the rescue calls firefighters are called to each year involve motor vehicle accidents, all-terrain vehicles, and farm equipment sliding down embankments; or boaters stranded in areas of rivers and creeks to which there is no easy access by the water.

Deputy Chief Bullock said “the kind of scenarios practiced represent closely the type of terrain and degree of difficulty encountered by firefighters several times every year when responding to rescue calls.”

Members of the District’s Technical Rescue Team will train their fellow firefighters, who will have the opportunity to utilize specialized rescue equipment and practice a number of rope-related techniques to reach and pull injured parties to safety.

Because of their nature, over the bank rescues demand good familiarization with equipment to be used,  close attention to safety practices, and require also a significant number of firefighters to participate to ensure their success.  Firefighters are undergoing this training to increase their responsiveness to the public.

DCFD2 maintains a Technical Rescue Team that responded in 2012 to 6 such requests from the public in the District’s service area.  Its members also respond to requests for rescue from other jurisdictions in Douglas County.

Juvenile Set Brush Fire Burns Close to Eagles Rest Avenue Homes

Douglas County Fire District No.2 firefighters were dispatched to a reported brush fire at 2500 SE Eagles Rest Avenue off of Ramp Road in Roseburg. It was reported that three juveniles were seen running away from the area of the fire. Responding fire crews reported smoke visible from several miles away. On arrival at the scene firefighters encountered a brush fire burning in deep grass, shrubs and trees along the nature’s trail that runs south of Eastwood Elementary School. Gusty winds pushed the fire up a slope on the terrain causing it to move quickly in the direction of several homes. The homes were never threatened as firefighters were able to commit multiple fire engines and contain the blaze on the green area around the trail. The fire was declared under control 20 minutes after the arrival of fire crews at the scene; although, firefighters remained on scene for approximately 50 minutes mopping up hot spots. In all this fire consumed ½ acre of vegetation.

Fire Department and Law Enforcement Officials were able to locate and question three white male juveniles who admitted to have been walking along the nature trail, lighting matches, throwing them on the dry grass to see it burn, and stomping the fire out. They indicated that a sudden gust of wind got the fire to quickly grow out of control despite their attempts to put it out. All three were taken into custody by Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies.

“It is reckless for anyone to light fires given the daytime temperatures and drying conditions we are experiencing” said Fire Marshal Josep Pedrola.
No one was injured during the fire, and no structures or vehicles were damaged.

Fire Chief Greg Marlar stated “we were very fortunate today; all local resources were available, and worked seamlessly to stop the fire quickly and locate those responsible for it.”

DCFD2 responded to this incident with 2 brush engines, 1 fire engine, 1 water tender, 3 command units, and 18 firefighters. They were assisted by Douglas Forest Protective Association with 3 wild land engines, 2 brush engines, 1 Helicopter, 3 command units and 11 firefighters; Douglas County Sheriff; Roseburg Fire Department; Roseburg Police Department; and Oregon State Police.