City Council Newsletter - 08/09/07

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Firefighters Get New Look Departing from longstanding tradition, Eugene's firefighters have now been outfitted with black turnouts (protective clothing), replacing the familiar gold that has been worn at local fire scenes for many years. Recent advanced maintenance inspections on the department's old turnouts yielded an excessive failure rate caused by factors such as age, exposure to sunlight and toxic substances, and breached vapor barriers. Based on these results, the decision was made to replace all primary, front-line turnouts with new sets. The purchase was funded primarily through federal Assistance to Firefighters Grant funds which had been earmarked to purchase backup turnouts. The funding, including a 20-percent City match, was sufficient to purchase 164 sets of turnouts at approximately $2,000 per set (boots, helmet, hood, pants, coat, gloves, and flashlight). When the department learned that black turnouts were available at the same cost as gold, and that there were no functional or safety-related differences between the colors (all turnouts have large reflective surfaces), Eugene's line firefighters were polled, and black was the preferred color. One factor in the choice was consistency with neighboring departments, including Springfield Fire & Life Safety. (As illustrated in the photo, the new turnouts also have the effect of making firefighters appear to be taller.) Meanwhile, inspections continue on the older turnouts. Sets that still meet all safety standards will remain in service as second sets, and the others will be used as training sets (non-live fire situations). The department continues with its plan to provide every firefighter with a primary and backup set of turnouts that meet all safety criteria. For more information, please contact Jeff Narin, Fire & EMS logistics manager, at 682-7152. Children’s Art Mural Installed in Hult Center Lobby An abstract art mural collaboratively created by 45 children enrolled in a Recreation Services summer art camp at Amazon Community Center has been installed in the Hult Center Lobby. To create the mural, the children used 13 pieces of the City’s “Art for All” equipment, including pogo paint sticks, mini rollers and art rollers. The equipment is designed to be used by people with and without disabilities to enable them to produce large art displays. The mural includes the words, “Hult” and “Art for All”. The mural is being used to obscure the public’s view of construction underway to renovate the Hult Center ticket office and is expected to be in place through Sept. 22. The renovation will enlarge the space and address heating and ventilation issues. The public can view the mural one hour prior to and during Hult Center performances. During the renovation, ticket office operations are being housed in a temporary modular building located on the Hult Center Plaza. For information, contact Mark Loigman, Hult operations director, 682-5307. Volunteer Team to Give Retired Police Vehicle New Life The volunteer patrol team, which has expanded to 18 members since its founding in 2001, was coming – up short on transportation for patrol teams. Community serviceminded retirees on the Senior Patrol travel the city in pairs on weekdays and weekends, often with more than one duo working at a time. With just two vehicles at their disposal, Senior Patrollers were limited to scheduling two teams at a time or staying close to City Hall with bicycle patrols. The volunteer team’s new vehicle will supplement the Senior Patrol Team's small fleet, bringing the total number of team vehicles to three. Already in service are a pickup truck, donated five years ago by the EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 August 9, 2007