Forest Grove
Firefighters Association
| "Trained to Save, Committed to Serve" |
(503) 992-3240 FAX (503) 992-3243 Email Us 1919 Ash Street Forest Grove, Oregon 97116 Website Created and maintained by Forest Grove Firefighters Association |
| 2009 Monthly Call Totals: |
| January: 198 February: 197 March: 190 April: 202 May: 211 June: 206 July: 217 August: 218 September: 196 October: 213 November: 192 December: Total: 2241 |
| 2008 Total Calls: 2704 |
| Department News |
| Apparatus |
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| The following are Department forms you can download and returned to the fire station. Volunteer Firefighter Application Rural Address Sign Order Form Ceremonial Bonfire Application |
| F A Q |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
| and Department Forms |
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.
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.
| Pictures |
| Videos |
| FAQ & Forms |
| History |
| CPR Classes |
| Safety Tips |
| Volunteer Info |
| Car Seat Clinics |
| 2010 Monthly Call Totals: |
| 2009 Total Calls: 2505 |
| January: 234 February: 187 March: 215 April: 176 May: June: July: August: September: October: November: December: Total: 812 |
| January: 234 February: 187 March: 215 April: 176 May: 209 June: 201 July: August: September: October: November: December: Total: 1222 |