June 2020 Published by the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal

Adapting to our New Normal this Summer The start of summer is when many in the Oregon fire service engage residents at events, at their facilities, and in their community. So, what makes this summer more challenging than all the others and why must we adapt our fire prevention messaging? What challenges us is that with the personal health concerns over COVID-19 and state rules preventing large gatherings of more than 25 people, it will make fire and life safety education that much harder. While education will remain a critical tool in our toolbox, this summer will test our creativity. COVID-19 continues to impact nearly all of our fire agencies, who are managing critical PPE supplies and implementing protocols to minimize the risk of transmission to our all-important workforce. That means fewer booths at community gatherings, fairs, farmers markets, and other places where we meet with our communities. Our challenge will be safeguarding our residents’ health while finding meaningful ways to connect. This summer, an engaged public will play an important role as we head into a challenging fire season. The Governor’s Council on Wildfire Response described our conditions as out of balance, as we confront this “new wildfire reality.” Unfortunately, we expect warmer and drier-than-normal conditions in most of the state by July and August, and nearly all of the state will potentially be under extreme wildfire conditions. As an example, southwest Oregon declared fire season a month early, and we’ve already seen escaped burns throughout the state, with residents trying to use unseasonal, warm spring weather to burn woody debris. On average from 2013 through 2019, Oregon experienced more than 500,000 acres burned annually on all lands, and escaped debris burns remain the leading cause of wildfires statewide. Our goals are clear: educate residents how they can prevent wildfires and be safe when they occur. Whether it’s escaped outdoor burns, careless campfires, or accidents with equipment, our activities lead to unwanted fires that threaten our homes and communities. Human caused fires started in the wildland urban interface can also lead to larger conflagrations that can be costly and impact communities near and far from unhealthy smoke. So, what are we doing? Our office has already mailed our Bigfoot “Believe in Fire Safety” boxes with Bigfoot-branded materials, wildfire guides, RV fire safety brochures, and yard debris fire safety materials to fire agencies statewide. These tools help our fire service partners inform and engage residents how they can prevent wildfires. We’ve mailed more than 140 of these kits, on top of providing a wealth of online materials to mobilize residents as wildfire safety ambassadors. When we can’t connect in person, we can connect online. Now, more than ever, our residents can help our fire service through steps they can take in prevention efforts to harden their homes and create defensible space, to steps they can take when recreating this summer in the outdoors. The OSFM will continue to work with agencies in encouraging our Oregon residents to own the moment. We need to let them know their actions matter. Please continue to be safe in all you do for your agencies and our communities in these trying times. Excellence in all we do gives me confidence we will get through this challenging time together.

Oregon State Fire Marshal Jim Walker

This Fireworks Season, Please Keep it Legal and Safe

As summer approaches, the Office of State Fire Marshal is promoting the safe and legal use of fireworks in Oregon, with sharable social media and an online campaign similar to its efforts from last season. The 2020 Oregon fireworks retail sales season opens June 23 and runs through July 6. Though the use of legally purchased fireworks is allowed in Oregon, they continue to create risks for Oregonians and first responders. The cost from fires caused by fireworks in Oregon, in jurisdictions served by local fire agencies, also have risen each year since 2015. For the last reported five years through 2019, there were 1,173 reported fireworks-related fires in Oregon, resulting in more than $4.9 million in property loss and contents damage, according to data collected in the National Fire Reporting System. During that same period, fires resulting from fireworks resulted one death and 37 injuries. Starting this month, the OSFM will provide information through social media posts, videos, information on its web site, and printed materials. The materials will promote the OSFM’s fireworks safety and education materials for its fire service and other partners, as well as the public. The OSFM will also be collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to amplify messages about the safe and legal fireworks use, where fireworks are allowed. The OSFM encourages its partners to share the information with their communities and Oregonians, especially on their social media and online platforms. Because of the impacts of COVID-19 to many planned events with large gatherings, July 4 fireworks displays statewide may be impacted, potentially leading to more individual fireworks use and increased risks for accidental fires. Users can download the information from the OSFM website. Go here. The website also features FAQs for commonly answered questions about the sale and legal use of consumer fireworks, permits for the retail sale of fireworks, enforcement, and information on the impacts of COVID-19 on the sale and use of legal fireworks. Some fireworks are legal to use in Oregon without a permit. The FAQs highlight where they are permitted to be used and the important safety steps to take when using fireworks. Remember, officials may seize illegal fireworks and charge offenders with a class B misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $2,500 per violation and a civil penalty of up to $500. Those who misuse fireworks or allow fireworks to cause damage are liable and may be required to pay fire suppression costs or other damage. Parents are also liable for fireworks damage caused by their children.

Annual Fire Defense Board Meeting set for June 11

The Annual State Fire Defense Board Meeting takes places June 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has sent Skype invitations, an agenda, and materials to all Fire Defense Board Chiefs and Alternates. Topics this year will include: the Oregon Fire Service Mobilization Plan, fire season outlook, and fighting large fires in the COVID-19 environment. Over the past several weeks, the OSFM has been engaged with our suppression partners to plan for what looks to be a challenging season. The OSFM is prepared and aligned with our partners to ensure we are prioritizing the protection of our firefighters and the public this fire season. The plan will be briefed during our meeting. In addition to working with our response partners, the OSFM recently surveyed the Fire Defense Board Chiefs on preparedness and readiness. The survey results showed that the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System is prepared to respond with a capacity similar to past years, with minimal training needs. Most Fire Defense Board Chiefs have alternates prepared to step into the role, and most are procuring or have procured PPE specific to the pandemic environment. We want to thank you all for your responses and local planning efforts. Given the forecast and impacts of COVID-19, it will truly take efforts at all levels – local, regional, and state. Thank you for your continued preparation and support.

Save the Date: Task Force Leader Meeting on June 19

The Office of State Fire Marshal will host a Skype meeting for Task Force Leaders on June 19, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. More information will be shared the first week of June by email.

Collaborating with the Oregon Food Bank

As the Youth Fire Safety Program with the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM), we recognize the increased fire risk as people continue to shelter at home during the COVID-19 crisis. Cooking fires are the number one cause for home fires in Oregon. We also know that children are among the most vulnerable for fire injuries. At the time same, the demand for food assistance has greatly increased, and the Oregon Food Bank network has increased its efforts to eliminate hunger. The challenges facing many Oregon families, however, also represented an opportunity for a new partnership, starting in April, when the OSFM’s Youth Fire Safety Program reached out to the food bank to serve the same population. The OSFM is now collaborating with the Oregon Food Bank to get fire safety messaging to Oregonians who are sheltering in place. OSFM youth safety messaging materials are being distributed to 20 regional food banks throughout Oregon. Youth activities are included with the distributed food boxes. The age-appropriate activities bring engagement and fun to kids at home, but also reminds families to be safe with cooking. “We’re delighted to work with a group who serves so many residents,” said Assistant Chief Deputy Claire McGrew, who manages the OSFM Fire & Life Safety Education Division. “Together we can make a difference for all Oregonians.”

Reporting Wildfires through NFIRS

If a wildfire starts within your agency’s jurisdiction, a full National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) report should be completed by your agency. If you are providing mutual aid resources for a wildland fire, including a Mobilization fire, your agency is responsible for completing a Basic Module only. Per the United States Fire Administration’s guidelines for NFIRS reporting, if your agency is providing mutual aid to another agency on a wildland fire and the fire crosses into your jurisdiction, a complete NFIRS report will need to be completed by your agency, as this is no longer considered mutual aid. Unprotected Lands: If your agency responds to a fire in unprotected lands, complete an NFIRS report, and select “5-Other Aid Given” under the Mutual Aid Section. Documentation of Wildland Incidents for Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs): Full Incident report, including all required modules Report all Civilian Fire Casualties (injuries or death), if they occur Fire Service Casualties (injuries or death) for your agency, if they occur Record Estimated Dollar Loss – this is required for all fires Narrative/Remarks – While not required, we highly encourage you to use this area to record your narrative or other pertinent incident information/data.  Documentation of Wildland Incidents for Agencies Providing Mutual Aid: Only the Basic module is required DO record the Fire Department ID (FDID) and incident number of the AHJ in the Mutual Aid section DO record your agency’s Fire Service Causalities (injury or death), if they occur DO NOT record Civilian Fire Casualties DO NOT record Estimated Dollar Loss Apparatus/Personnel Module – while not required, it is highly recommended to complete this module, as it allows you to better document the resources you provided to help mitigate the incident.

Code Corner

By OSFM Code Deputy David Mills  Ensuring Fire Safety while Protecting Patrons and Employees from COVID-19

Recently, we have been seeing a wide range of physical distancing and confinement measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. As business and communities adapt to physical distancing, many have found it necessary to alter the way people move in and out of their establishments. We have been forced to reassess and retrain common habits, from handshakes to the simple act of opening a door. Creative forms of physical distancing have emerged, such as inventive barriers to limit the transmission of the virus, directional queuing in aisles, and limiting the egress routes by blocking or the locking of emergency exits. Fire and life safety requirements, including those mandating a minimum number of emergency exits, have not changed as a result of the virus. The potential for a fire, and the need for emergency exits, has not changed, regardless of the number of people in a building. Factors to consider: The number, placement, and capacity of exits is based on more than just the occupant load. The occupancy classification and use, travel distance, fire protection/detection features, and remoteness or separation of exits are examples of other factors typically considered when designing a building. Some occupancies are required to have at least one large exit capable of serving at least half of the total occupant load of the building. This capability could be impacted by some of the measures discussed above. All other fire and life safety features shall be maintained. As we continue to combat the spread of COVID-19 in our workplaces, it is important that the new business protocols do not create any additional life safety concerns. To reduce the spread, we are all looking to reduce virus transfer in locations that require frequent contact. One such area is door handles. If a business has identified this as an area of concern, they may be inclined to implement administrative controls by propping open doors, minimizing the need to have employees contact these surfaces. While this may be a permissible practice for some doors, this is not the case for all. To control the spread of a fire, the Oregon Fire Code (OFC) and Oregon Structural Specialty Codes (OSSC) have requirements regarding the use of fire and smoke rated doors in certain locations. In the event of a fire, these doors keep smoke, heat, and hot gases from spreading to throughout the building, protecting occupants and minimizing overall property damage. OFC 705.2 Inspection and maintenance. Opening protectives in fire-resistance-rated assemblies shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 80. Opening protectives in smoke barriers shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 80 and NFPA 105. Openings in smoke partitions shall be inspected and maintained in accordance with NFPA 105. Fire doors and smoke and draft control doors shall not be blocked, obstructed, or otherwise made inoperable. To ensure that employee safety is not compromised in the event of a fire, a safer alternative to combat the spread of COVID-19 is to increase awareness of how this virus is transmitted. Encourage employees to take the time to frequently wash their hands and implement cleaning and disinfecting protocols. During this period, the Office of State Fire Marshal joins the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Codes Council (ICC), two internationally recognized leaders in building safety, to urge local governments as well as building and business owners to remember that all fire protection and life safety systems are to be maintained in all commercial and multi-occupancy residential buildings.

HazMat by Rail Program Mid-Year Report

This is the first part of a two-part article on the incidents in Oregon involving hazardous materials by rail for mid-year of 2020. Transporting goods and passengers by railroad has been proven to reduce highway congestion, poor air quality, and carbon emissions. However, as with all forms of transportation, there is an inherent risk of an incident occurring that may require an emergency response. Such incidents offer data that helps guide planning efforts and the allocation of resources. In quantifying and analyzing rail incident data, it is important to be aware of Oregon’s railroad footprint. Oregon has more than 2,400 miles of railroad track, which includes 1,100 miles of Class 1 railroads. In 1991, the Surface Transportation Board defined a Class 1 railroad as “having an annual carrier operating revenues of $250 million or more.” Adjusted for inflation, this can be equated to more than $470.5 million in annual carrier operating revenues. In Oregon, Class 1 railroads includes Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Union Pacific (UP), and Amtrak. These railroad lines roughly follow the Willamette, Columbia, and Deschutes rivers, as well as Interstate 84. There are also Class II and Class III railroads, which are referred to as “Short Line” railroads and operate with less than $250 million in operating revenue. Many of these lines connect with Class 1 rail lines or are able to operate independent spur lines. Short Lines typically operate in Oregon’s more rural communities. Of Oregon’s 36 counties, there are 32 counties that have either Class I or Short Line rail traversing through their geography. All railroads are able to transport a variety of commodities from passengers to lumber to hazardous materials. Many bulk shipments of hazardous materials are transported every day throughout Oregon. Because of the complexity involved with a rail incident that involve the spill or release of hazardous materials, in 2015, the Oregon Legislature authorized the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to establish the HazMat by Rail Program . This program, in partnership with the railroad industry, assists local communities with training and planning for rail incidents involving hazardous materials. The program works closely with local emergency planning committees (LEPCs), public health officials, law enforcement, and the fire service. Funding for the program has been used to create rail response plans, commodity flow studies, tabletop, and full exercise response scenarios, as well as procuring rail-specific response equipment. The program also provides training to emergency personnel to respond to rail incidents around the state. To determine if your county has an LEPC or rail response plan, the OSFM created a web-based map that highlights where these already exist. Please click on this link and use the map filters to find out more information regarding your community. To learn more about your county’s existing plan or how the OSFM can support your county with developing a new rail response plan, please contact Fraser Wick, hazmat by rail operations and policy analyst, at (503) 934-8283 or fraser.wick@osp.oregon.gov .

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