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For more information about City participation at the Earth Day Celebration at EWEB Plaza, contact Kathy <br />Eva, Public Works public information specialist, at 682-2739, or visit www.earthdayoregon.com. <br />th <br />Fire & EMS Department Observes 136 Anniversary <br />th <br />This month marks the 136 anniversary of <br />continuous operation of the Eugene Fire & <br />EMS Department, the City's oldest. The <br />department began operating in April 1872, <br />staffed by the seven volunteer members of <br />Eugene Hook and Ladder Company No. 1. <br />Funds for equipment were raised entirely <br />through donations from businesses and <br />citizens, though the City did authorize $50 for <br />the purchase of leather helmets. (One such <br />helmet is on display in the lobby of the <br />Downtown Fire Station.) <br />By 1900, the City had four fire stations. <br />Horses (including Pete and Jerry, for whom <br />the conference room in the Downtown Station <br />is named) were purchased in 1905, and the <br />first gas-powered fire truck was delivered to <br />the City in 1913. Over the years, the <br />department and the City it protects continued to grow and change. Stations, staffing, and equipment <br />were added gradually as the need increased. The department assumed responsibility for ambulance <br />service in 1981. <br />Today's Eugene Fire & EMS Department has 11 fire stations and a staff of 219.25 (FY09 proposed <br />budget); in 2007 the department responded to more than 20,000 calls for service. Although the <br />department has a long and proud history, the challenges of the future are always on the horizon, and Fire <br />& EMS continues to work to address those challenges. For more information, please contact Fire & EMS <br />Chief Randy Groves, 682-7100. <br />Earth Day Clean-Up of Downtown Vacant Lot <br />City of Eugene officials, staff and community members are invited to participate in cleaning up the site of <br />th <br />the former Woolworth’s building, between 10 Avenue and Broadway, adjacent to the Centre Court <br />nd <br />building in honor of International Earth Day. This event will occur on Tuesday, April 22 at 11:30 a.m. <br />The City will provide gloves for those who don’t bring their own, safety tools and a dumpster. Volunteers <br />are encouraged wear sturdy shoes or boots as they remove litter and other debris. BRING Recycling has <br />been contacted to assist with reuse of any materials. <br />The idea for the clean-up is credited to Drix, a former chair of the West University Neighborhood <br />Association. Drix views the clean-up as a way to celebrate the vision for downtown’s future development. <br />For more information please contact Richie Weinman, Planning and Development at 682-5533 or <br />Richie.d.weinman@ci.eugene.or.us. <br />Unplug Yourself for Turnoff Week <br />An important message from Eugene Public Library, "kids: unplug yourself! Turn on your imagination and <br />turn off your screens for a fun week without TV, movies, or computers, April 21, through April 27,” or just <br />cut down on screen time each day -- every hour counts. Visit any Eugene Public Library starting April 14 <br />to pick up Turnoff Week pledge cards and get great ideas for stuff to do and a bookmark too. <br />Kids ages 5 - 12 are invited to create posters on the theme “Power Down, Dream Big.” Drop in at the <br />Downtown Children’s Center Monday, April 21, through Friday, April 25, anytime between 3:30 p.m. – <br />5:00 p.m. Posters can be entered in the national contest, brought home for display, or posted at the <br />Library. <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 <br />April 17, 2008 <br />