Fire Destroys Mobile Home in Winchester

At 05:11 p.m. on Monday, October 7th, Douglas County Fire District No.2 firefighters were dispatched to a reported mobile home fire at the Pine Wood Mobile Home Park located at 5000 NE Stephens Street in Winchester. On arrival at the scene firefighters reported heavy smoke and flames coming from the back area of the mobile home at space #40. Firefighters confirmed that all occupants had exited the house and were able to extinguish the fire that was also threatening two adjacent mobile homes within 16 minutes of their arrival at the scene. However, they remained at the scene for approximately 2 hours clearing smoldering debris.

The fire was discovered by the home owner Lucinda Atterbury in a bedroom on the back side of the mobile home. After alerting her husband and sons, they all exited the home safely, and reported the fire to 911. Ms. Atterbury confirmed that she first saw the fire on the bed of her three year old son.

Fire investigators determined that the fire started when Ms. Atterbury’s 3 year old son ignited a toy while playing with a butane torch type lighter in his bedroom. Fire and smoke damage were extensive throughout the entire mobile home. No injuries were reported.

Initial losses are estimated at $9,000.

DCFD2 responded to this incident with 3 fire engines, 1 ambulance, 2 command units, and 17 firefighters. They were assisted by Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputies, Roseburg Police, Pacific Power and Light, and Avista Utilities.

“It is extremely important to keep matches and lighters out of sight and out of the reach of children at all times in order to avoid unfortunate fires like this one, and prevent serious burn injuries said Fire Marshal Josep Pedrola.”

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.