SAFER is helping to keep Oregon communities safe - even in these tough economic times...

United States Senator from Oregon visits Clackamas Local 1159  
Firefighters  - US Senator Jeff Merkley (D) from Oregon visited Clackamas Fire  
District Engine/Boat 8. The Senator's stop was to evaluate the effects  
of the SAFER Grant Program on the Oregon Fire Service. Met by  
Operations Chief Jonathan Smith and IAFF Local President Karl Koenig  
he toured Clackamas Fire District #1 Training Center and Engine/Boat 8  
quarters. Joining the tour was all four SAFER companies, Engine 1,  
Engine 2, Engine 8 and Truck 15.  The 12 SAFER hires increased  
staffing on each of the mentioned apparatus to four per day 24 hours  
with no work down.

During our tour we stressed the impact increased crew strength has on  
fire ground operations, safety and response coverage. This program  
increases fire ground effectiveness 70% for a 25% increase in cost.  
The SAFER Grant also has a positive effect on crew safety and  
accountability. It reduces the time it takes to assemble the minimum  
numbers of firefighters on a scene prior to commencing on interior  
attack, therefore lessening the impact of fire by keeping the fire in  
check or the ability to quickly extinguish it .

The SAFER Grant has allowed our employer to increase staffing, improve  
service during the toughest economic times Oregon has experienced  
since the early 1980's. Without this program these living wage jobs  
are not a reality.

Karl Koenig
Local President
Professional Fire Fighters Association of Clackamas County
IAFF Local 1159
503-351-6797
kkoenig@local1159.com
local1159@mac.com