News

Coombs Promoted to Captain

09.02.2008

Tappan, announced the promotion of Lieutenant Dave Coombs to Captain, a position vacated by the retirement of Captain Dave DePriest.

Captain DePriest was hired by the District in 1981. He promoted up through the ranks and most recently, served as the Rainier Station Captain, overseeing the operations and personnel assigned to that station. A reception was held at the Rainier Station on his final shift, Wednesday, August 27th, in his honor.

Chief Tappan said “following an in-depth interview and review of qualification by both myself and the senior staff, Lt. Dave Coombs has been selected for augmentation to the Captain position vacated by retiring Captain Dave DePriest. This decision was particularly difficult due to the impeccable credentials and extremely high levels of performance demonstrated over many years by both of the candidates that interviewed for this position.”

Captain Coombs, who was hired by the District in July 1994, will officially be sworn in at the Board of Directors meeting on September 9th, and will be assigned to the Rainier Fire Station.
 

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Lee Broadbent Training Center

09.18.2008

The Lee Broadbent Training Center was officially dedicated on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 with a brief ceremony and hose uncoupling, which took the place of a formal ribbon cutting. Board President Diane Dillard and Tina Broadbent, the wife of late Lee Broadbent, uncoupled the hose and declared the training facility officially open for training. 

 

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Back to School... Please Slow Down!

08.08.2008

 

Summer months are coming to an end and children will be heading back to classes soon. Please slow down and watch out for our kids! Here are a few tips to make heading back-to-school safe for our local youth.
· Be aware of speed zone changes near schools. Most speed changes are indicated by a sign or flashing lights.
· Observe pedestrian right-of-way and stop for children in crosswalks. Proceed only after they have completely crossed the roadway.
· Watch for children loading and unloading from school buses and come to a complete stop when their lights are flashing. Failure to do so could result in fines of up to $679, or worse, injuring or killing a child.
· Children are difficult to see around parked cars and can misjudge when it is safe to cross. Be alert and prepared to stop.
Help protect our children and our future. Slow down! This message brought to you by Columbia River Fire and Rescue where we wish all of our students a safe and wonderful school year!

 

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Congratulations Captain DePriest

08.27.2008

Congratulations to Captain Dave DePriest on his retirement. Dave served St. Helens Rural Fire Protection District, later to become Columbia River Fire and Rescue, for 27 years. Most recently, Dave was the Rainier Station Captain. We wish the best to Dave and his family. 

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Fallen Scappoose Fire Fighter

08.21.2008

Scappoose Fire District regrets to inform our community that we have lost one of our very dedicated volunteer firefighters, and our local hero, Robert Hales, age 40, Sunday afternoon in a motor vehicle accident on Scappoose-Vernonia Hwy in Scappoose Oregon. Robert just finished volunteering 12 hours responding to several natural cover fires started by the thunder and lightning storm.

Robert has been an active volunteer with the Scappoose Fire District for over eight years. He also became an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He has been honored several times throughout his career as “Volunteer of the Month” and in 2001 was named “Volunteer Firefighter of the Year.”

When Robert was not volunteering, he worked for Hertz Equipment Rental as a professional mechanic. Robert had told many of his fire district family members that the reason he wanted to become a volunteer firefighter was to help his community and to meet new people. Robert also stated that he wanted to be a firefighter because it is one of the few professions that you can actually save another person’s life.

The Office of State Fire Marshal’s Green Incident Management Team and the Oregon Fire Service are providing support to Scappoose Fire District. Plans are being developed to have coverage for the District Friday through Monday. Citizens may see out of area units providing coverage. This gives our firefighters time off to be with their families and fellow firefighters.

Robert’s death is considered a Line of Duty Death (LODD) because he suffered from a cardiac event soon after fighting fire. According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), there were 118 firefighters who lost their lives while on duty across the United States last year. Cardiac events were the most frequent cause of death.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Grange Museum c/o Evelyn Hudson, 34101 Quail Lane, Scappoose OR 97056.

The funeral will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, August 25th at Scappoose High School, 33700 SE High School Wy. Scappoose OR 97056.
 

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