Corvallis CERT

Welcome to Corvallis CERT too!

Welcome Aboard!

Today, we welcome Sierra Anderson, a seasoned emergency management professional, to the CFD team. Sierra has served as the Emergency Manager with Lewis and Clark County Disaster and Emergency Services and the City of Eugene. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to CFD. We are excited to have Sierra join our team and help us protect the lives, property, and environment of the communities we serve with professionalism, integrity, and compassion!

Awesome pictures!

Great people, committed to a life of service to the community!

The City and County Emergency Managers invite you to a discussion on community evacuation on Thursday, May 2ND 6-8pm!

This is an opportunity to learn about this challenging subject, which better prepare you for this year’s fire season or any other incident that will require evacuation.

Topics include:

**Local preparations for fire season and beyond.
**OSFM Hazard Assessment process and how you can create a Defensible Space. This is important for both urban and rural homes.
**CFD Managed OSFM Grant funding opportunities for neighborhood associations and all community members that will assist in the above.
**A review and demonstration of the new Genasys Evac zone based evacuation software supported by traffic modeling.
**A discussion on our 18 May Community Evacuation Exercise and why you should participate.
**Most important - answering your questions and getting your feedback!

Please join us! https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81467313994?pwd=TtnWmOYD2nfNffO15XyfXA6aJyU5al.1

Our amazing Admin staff does so much to keep the operations of Corvallis Fire Department going.
Unsung heroes that serve our community with pride and dedication!

Happy "Administrative Professional Day" to our hard-working admin staff! We appreciate you tremendously!

Corvallis Fire serving with pride!

Station 2 coming along nicely! Thinking of the amazing things that will come out of this house and the wonderful professionals that will work and live in it. So blessed to have a community like
Corvallis that supports our firefighters!

Amazing work from our Firefighters. This was a tough call.

Corvallis Fire Responds to Fatal Crash at 53rd Street Train Trestle March 5, 2024 - 53rd Street is closed between Touchstone Place and Reservoir Road on the west side of Corvallis following a fatal single vehicle crash on March 4 that severely damaged the train trestle.

So proud of our sponsoring Agency. The remodels of Station 3 and now Station 2 will allow them to serve the community for decades to come. The best deserve the best!

The upcoming start of the new year brings on resolutions and planning for the upcoming year

Why not set a goal to start planning on getting more prepared.

There are so many ways you can be more prepared for any kind of disaster.

Please visit www.ready.gov for all the ways you can be more prepared.

For many of us the forecast of snow or the sight of white stuff falling from the sky brings out the excitement

But it is always good to remember that snow can bring many challenges

So before you go out to play, shovel the snow, or just be outside, remember these helpful tips

** Wear loose fitting, lightweight, warm layers rather than one heavy layer of clothing

** Take Breaks while shoveling snow - overexercising can bring on a heart attack

** Help firefighters by keeping fire hydrants clear of snow

For other tips about Winter Weather Safety please visit https://www.ready.gov/winter-weather

As the weather changes and you are updating your closet

Remember to also update or build a kit for the car specific for the current weather.

To learn what should be in your car kit, please visit www.ready.gov/car

The Holidays are all around us, and we are all gearing up to put up the holiday decorations.

No matter which holiday you celebrate, please remember these helpful hints when using holiday lights

** Throw away any light strands with frayed or pinched wires
** Unplug Holiday lights before going to bed or leaving your home

To learn more about Home Fires and how to prevent them, please go to
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/home-fires/

As the weather continues to get colder

Many people are looking for ways to keep their homes warm

There are many ways to do so, but never use your oven or stove to heat your home or space.

As you prepare for upcoming holiday cooking

Please remember to never leave cooking food unattended.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths. Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn off the burner.

For more information about cooking safety, please go to fpw.org

Corvallis CERT is not just here after a disaster

We are also here to support our local Corvallus Fire Department.

Tonight, Corvallis CERT members will be staffing the first aid stations and supporting our local EMT’s during the OSU vs Washington game.

In this photo, 6 CERT volunteers pose after last weeks game

Corvallis CERT participants practicing fire safety and cribbing exercises during the Skills Check Weekend October 15th. If interested in learning out more about how to become a member of Corvallis CERT click the link below.
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/fire/webform/welcome-corvallis-cert

The weather is starting to change....

As you start turning on your heaters or starting to use your fireplace to keep your home warm

Please also take this time to check your carbon Monoxide Testers.

Carbon Monoxide is called the Invisible Killer as it is odorless and colorless.

To keep your family safe, install and test your CO2 detectors as you start to get your heater ready for colder weather.

Corvallis CERT provided first aid assistance to the Corvallis Fire Department at the OSU vs Stanford game November 11th at Reser Stadium. This was also Veteran’s Day, the day we honor America’s veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve and sacrifice for their country. OSU took great pride in showcasing the American flag prior to kick-off.

We have changed the clocks for fall....

So now is the best time to change the batteries in your smoke detector and to test it to make sure it works.

Smoke Detectors should be installed outside all sleeping areas of the home and can save lives.

Some other good tips in regards to smoke detectors are
** Replace the batteries twice a year
** Test your smoke detector every month
** Replace your smoke detector every 10 years or if it is not working
** Never disable or tamper with any part of the smoke detector.

Corvallis CERT participants practice the head to toe assessment on each other during the Skills Check Weekend. Disaster medical operations, fire safety, team organization and light search and rescue are basic disaster response skills you will learn during the weekend. To find out more https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/fire/webform/welcome-corvallis-cert

Halloween cane be fun for so many. From Parents getting the kids ready to go out, to people decorating their house, to handing out candy, and of course kids and those young at heart going trick or treating.

Halloween can also be dangerous for those who are not thinking about safety.

Tomorrow, when you are getting your house ready for the trick or treaters, please remember this special safety tip brought to you by FEMA, the US Fire Administration and the Fire is Everyone's Fight Initiative.

**Use Flashlights and battery Operated Candles in Halloween Decorations.
They are safer than candles and using them can prevent kids costumes from catching on fire.

This month, you have learned about what to do in an earthquake and how to get alerts...

Now it is time to learn how to shake-proof your home.

Making sure your how is ready for an earthquake is something you can do any time to prepare your home.

1. Bolt all tall furniture
2. Secure loose objects
3. Know how to turn off utilities

For more information on Earthquake safety and what you can do go to
https://www.ready.gov/earthquakes

The Corvallis Fire Department’s Annual Open House and Safety Fair was held October 21st from 11:00-2:00PM at the downtown fire station. This year’s theme focused on Prevention, Resiliency and Recovery. Corvallis CERT gave tours of the facility, interacted with the community, discussed emergency preparedness and handed out balloons to the hundreds of kids that attended the event. Fire Station 6 will be having an Open House and Safety Fair October 28th from 11:00-2:00PM at 544 NW Lewisburg Avenue. We hope to see you there!

In this photo 4 Corvallis CERT Volunteers pose with members of the Corvallis Fire Department.

Last night at our October’s monthly refresher training, Corvallis Fire Planning Manager Dave Busby was recognized for his role in accepting everybody in CERT.

Dave was recognized by the Blind Community in honor of Blind Equality Achievement Month.

FEMA says all are welcome in CERT, and Dave follows this philosophy.

In this photo Dave and one of the Corvallis CERT members pose for the camera shaking hands as Dave holds his certificate.

All CERT volunteers have gone through 2 specific steps to become a CERT volunteer.

1. Each individual must go through the CERT curriculum through the University of Utah and past the test at the end.

2. Each individual must take part in a in person skill check.

Over the weekend, Corvallis CERT held an in person skills check for those who have gone through the class and are looking at becoming a CERT volunteer.

Throughout the weekend, these individuals were able to have hands on experience in practicing First Aid Techniques, Cribbing Exercises, Using a Fire Extinguisher and so much more.

Thank you to everybody who helped make this skills check successful and we look forward to welcoming our new Corvallis CERT volunteers and we encourage them to find their place in CERT.

In these photos, the Corvallis CERT volunteers pose for photos following the final exercise.

If you are interested in learning more about Corvallis CERT, please visit our website:
https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/fire/page/community-emergency-response-team-cert

Many of us were taught to duck and cover in an earthquake....

But what if you or a loved one walks with a walker, support cane, or is in a wheel chair?

Knowing how to protect yourself or helping loved ones know how to protect themselves in an earthquake can save lives.

In this graphic, the drawings show how to protect yourself in an earthquake.

Option 1 (If Possible): Drop to the floor, Cover under a table, and hold on until the movement ends

Option 2 (If using a walker): Lock the brakes, Sit if possible, lower your head and cover your neck and head, and Hold on. until the movement stops.

Option 3 (If using a support cane): Drop to the floor, Cover under a table with your cane, and Hold on until the movement stops.

Option 4 (If using a wheel chair): Lock your brakes, lower your head and cover your neck and head, and hold on until the movement stops.

For more information go to EarthquakeCountry.og/steps