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Peak Activity Rescue Units
In March 2006, TVF&R put five
rescue
units in service. These units are strategically
positioned in high demand areas including Aloha, King City,
Progress, north Beaverton, and Wilsonville.
Unlike other District apparatus that typically serve a specific
area, the rescues are mobile resources that can be deployed
throughout the District’s 210 square mile jurisdiction for emergency
incidents or non-emergency tasks including fire station coverage for
scheduled training, community events, and emergency move-ups.
The rescue units are expected to help the District
meet its goal of having a first unit on scene within six minutes,
90% of the time. Assistant Fire Chief Paul LeSage states, “Our
response data shows that we have areas in which we are not meeting
our response goal and eventually those communities will need a fire
station. However, in the interim we are committed to utilizing every
possible option to maximize the deployment of our resources to
ensure a quick and adequate response.”
The new rescues replace three Peak Activity Units
that were utilized in a similar manner for many years and will be
utilized as reserve apparatus. TVF&R was the first department in
Oregon to conceptualize and implement this non-traditional
deployment of resources.
In addition to responding to incidents quickly, these
units are also referred to as the “Swiss Army Knife” of TVF&R's
response force. While they can’t take the place of traditional fire
engines or trucks, they have a multitude of innovative tools that
allow them to handle small scale incidents and begin to mitigate a
large incident before more substantial resources arrive. The units
carry 500 gallons of water and have a Compressed Air Foam System
which firefighters can use to “blanket” a structure with heavy
shaving cream-like foam as a protective barrier against an
encroaching fire or mix with water to aid in extinguishing vehicle
and brush fires. In addition, the vehicles have 4-wheel drive
capability for times of inclement weather and wildfire situations.
Like all TVF&R
units, the rescues are staffed with at least one paramedic. Three of
the rescues are staffed for 12 hours (7 am to 7 pm), six days a
week. The fourth unit remains in service 24 hours a day, four days a
week. The fifth unit is in service 24 hours, six days a week.
For more information, contact TVF&R Battalion Chief Dennis Bonin at
Dennis.Bonin@tvfr.com |
