TVF&R Urges Skyline Property Owners to Consider a Rural Property Evaluation
Virgil Hall, captain of Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Station 64, and his crews have been working on updating rural response data and maps for properties in the area to ensure they are able to provide the most rapid response in the event of an emergency.
The limited information crews currently have for some properties dates back to June 2000 or further and is captured on hard-copy maps.
When it comes to a fire or medical emergency, seconds count. Today, we operate our response efforts using a computer-aided mapping and dispatch system. Knowing important details about how to best find your property and unique characteristics of the property can be critical in helping our crews navigate a large response vehicle to an emergency scene.
In an effort to provide you with outstanding emergency response services, Capt. Hall would welcome meeting with you to conduct a property evaluation focusing on addressing, road/driveway access, bridges, gates, water supply, and size/characteristics of the structure(s).
The information we obtain will be entered into our automated dispatch system, and if we should need to respond to an emergency at your property, we will be alerted to this important information that could enhance our response capability.
If you are interested in scheduling a rural property evaluation, please call 503-259-1402 to set up an appointment for a Station 64 crew to visit your property.
During a rural property evaluation, firefighters will evaluate the following topics with you:
Addressing/Markers:
Road/Driveway Access:
Bridges/Culverts:
Gates:
Structure Size:
Water Supply:
Defensible Space:
(Ridge Runner, 10/15)
The limited information crews currently have for some properties dates back to June 2000 or further and is captured on hard-copy maps.
When it comes to a fire or medical emergency, seconds count. Today, we operate our response efforts using a computer-aided mapping and dispatch system. Knowing important details about how to best find your property and unique characteristics of the property can be critical in helping our crews navigate a large response vehicle to an emergency scene.
In an effort to provide you with outstanding emergency response services, Capt. Hall would welcome meeting with you to conduct a property evaluation focusing on addressing, road/driveway access, bridges, gates, water supply, and size/characteristics of the structure(s).
The information we obtain will be entered into our automated dispatch system, and if we should need to respond to an emergency at your property, we will be alerted to this important information that could enhance our response capability.
If you are interested in scheduling a rural property evaluation, please call 503-259-1402 to set up an appointment for a Station 64 crew to visit your property.
During a rural property evaluation, firefighters will evaluate the following topics with you:
Addressing/Markers:
- Ensure a clear and visible address is posted on the house.
- We recommend using a contrasting color from the house/building color or reflective numbers.
- Ensure there is an address marker that is visible from the roadway.
- If you do not have a reflective address marker for your property, we can recommend how you can obtain one.
Road/Driveway Access:
- Ensure your access road or driveway is clear of debris, dense vegetation, and low-hanging branches so that emergency response vehicles have adequate clearance.
- Ensure there is signage at the entrance to any branching driveways to ensure responders can locate your home.
- Dead end roads less than 150 feet long create challenges for emergency responders, especially at night. Space to turn around response vehicles is appreciated.
Bridges/Culverts:
- Due to the weight of emergency response vehicles, bridge capacity should be clearly posted. Without bridge capacity information, emergency response may be hindered.
Gates:
- While security gates provide a measure of security for rural properties, locked security gates can delay emergency responders trying to reach your property. Firefighters would appreciate the opportunity to discuss your current security gate arrangements.
Structure Size:
- If your home or business is 3,500 square feet or larger, it would be helpful for us to note that in our mapping system so that in case of a fire, the right amount and type of resources are dispatched for the size of the structure.
Water Supply:
- Establishing a water supply in case of a fire is of critical importance, especially in rural areas where there is limited/no access to hydrants. It is helpful to know where the closest hydrant is and if your property has a cistern, pond, or other source of water nearby.
- Also, if your driveway is more than 350 feet from the main road, we would like to note that in our mapping system for the purpose of determining how best to establish a water supply to fight a fire and resources we need to deploy in order to do so.
Defensible Space:
- If you live in a wildfire hazard zone, it is recommended that you have a minimum of 30 feet of defensible space around your home. Homes on a slope should have 100 feet of defensible space. Defensible space is an area in which flammable vegetation has been cleared.
(Ridge Runner, 10/15)
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