VIDEO: The devastation from the sudden wildfires in Southern California earlier this year still seems stunning. Thousands of homes are a loss, there are billions in damages, and there remains serious questions about preparedness and resources. Preparation can be pivotal when disaster strikes, and itโs one reason Portland Fire and Rescue makes a point to keep its fleet ready to go at a momentโs notice.ย
“Not knowing when that next emergency is going to hit, we need to be ready,” says John Harrell, one of the departmentโs longtime fire inspectors. On the day KOIN 6 stopped by, Harrell and others were examining every inch of a โcallbackโ rig. Those fire trucks – along with reserves rigs – let the departmentโs 31 fire stations function at close to 100% all the time. โWith those, thereโs no interruption in their service to the public because of that reserve apparatus,โ says Jason Erhardt, the departmentโs maintenance supervisor.
