Portland Professional Fire Fighters Local 5356

04/13/2026

📞✨ National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week ✨📞

This coming week, L5356 proudly recognizes National Telecommunications Appreciation Week, a time to honor the unseen heroes of emergency services.

Behind every call for help is a calm, steady voice guiding the way. Our dispatchers are the first to answer, the lifeline in crisis, and the constant support for both the public and first responders. Though they may not be seen, their impact is felt in every emergency response.

This week, we ask our community to join us in saying THANK YOU to these dedicated professionals who work tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to keep us all safe.

👏 Take a moment to show your appreciation for the voices that never waver when it matters most.

03/20/2026

03/13/2026

🚒 A Challenging Friday the 13th for Portland Firefighters 🚒

Today is proving to be a very demanding and difficult day for the members of the Portland Fire Department and Portland Professional Fire Fighters Local 5356. We would like to commend all of our full-time and part-time firefighters for their professionalism, dedication, and resilience throughout this challenging Friday the 13th.

Throughout the day so far, PFD has responded to multiple motor vehicle accidents with injuries, including one tragic fatal accident. Crews also are battling a working structure fire, and responded to a dangerous incident where a tree fell onto a residence with possibly entrapping a resident inside the home.

The extreme high winds throughout the day created additional hazards and significantly increased the difficulty and danger of each of these incidents. Despite those conditions, our firefighters continued to respond quickly, work together, and do everything possible to protect and assist our community.

We would also like to extend a sincere thank you to our partner agencies who assisted throughout the day. Incidents like these require strong teamwork, and we greatly appreciate the assistance and coordination from the surrounding area fire departments, the sheriff’s department, police department, EMS, and the street department who all worked together to keep our community safe.

Also, a special group that needs recognized today are the dispatchers handling an enormous amount of 911 calls, landline calls, and all the radio traffic associated with these incidents. We appreciate the behind the scenes work you do to keep us all functioning!

Days like today serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous nature of the fire service, and the dedication it takes from the men and women who answer the call. We are proud of every member who stepped up today and remained committed to serving the citizens of Portland and Jay County.

Please keep everyone affected by today’s incidents in your thoughts. We ask that you take a moment to pray for the first responders and for all those affected by these tragic and difficult events. ❤️

Stay safe, Portland. 🚒

03/07/2026

🚨 National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training 🚨

Today, members of Portland Professional Fire Fighters Local 5356 helped host National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training at the Portland Fire Department, bringing together multiple agencies and partners who respond to emergencies on our roadways.

Traffic incidents are some of the most dangerous environments that firefighters, police officers, EMS providers, and tow operators work in, and training like this helps ensure scenes are managed safely, efficiently, and with strong coordination between agencies.

A special thank you to Jay County EMS Supervisor Jessica Curtis for spearheading the planning and organization of this training. Her efforts helped bring together responders from across the area to strengthen interagency cooperation and roadway safety.

This training was open to Fire, Police, EMS, EMA, and local Tow Truck Companies, reinforcing the importance of teamwork among everyone who responds to roadway emergencies.

The TIM course has also become a mandatory requirement for public safety personnel renewing their medical certifications, highlighting the importance of proper traffic incident management and responder safety.

L5356 is proud to support training opportunities that improve safety for our responders and the citizens we serve every day.

03/06/2026

🚨 L5356 Safety Reminder 🚨

This Sunday as you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time, take a moment to test your smoke detectors and replace the batteries if needed.

Working smoke alarms are one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your home and family from fire. A few seconds of prevention can make a life-saving difference.

✅ Test every smoke detector
✅ Replace batteries if needed
✅ Make sure alarms are installed on every level of your home

If you are a homeowner or renter and do not have a working smoke detector, you can stop by the Portland Fire Department between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM to receive a free smoke detector. Our goal is to make sure every home in our community has this important life-saving device.

This program is intended for homeowners and renters and does not apply to landlords, as smoke detectors are required to be provided by the property owner.

Change your clocks. Check your alarms. Stay safe.

— Portland Professional Firefighters Local 5356 🚒🔥

03/06/2026

🚒 Protecting Those Who Protect Our Communities 🚒

Firefighters face dangers that most people can see: flames, smoke, collapsing structures. But one of the greatest threats to firefighters is often the one you cannot see: cancer.

Studies have shown that firefighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it compared to the general population. This elevated risk comes from repeated exposure to carcinogens, toxic chemicals, and cancer-causing contaminants encountered during emergency responses and carried on protective gear.

Because of these risks, early detection and prevention are critical.

In 2023, the City of Terre Haute partnered with Terre Haute Fire Department and Terre Haute Firefighters Local 758 to include advanced cancer screening as part of firefighters’ annual physicals. The results of this program highlight just how important proactive health screenings are. Out of 112 firefighters screened, 153 actionable findings were discovered, including heart issues, liver and kidney concerns, and potential cancer indicators that otherwise may have gone undetected.

Programs like this demonstrate how investing in firefighter health can literally save lives. Firefighters dedicate their lives to protecting their communities, and they deserve the same level of protection when it comes to their long-term health.

Portland Professional Fire Fighters Local 5356 strongly supports continued efforts to provide comprehensive cancer screenings and preventative health programs for firefighters. Taking care of those who serve is not just important, it is essential.

For more information about firefighter cancer risks and screening programs, visit:
https://tinyurl.com/4nd3a86s

🚒🧑‍🚒

Fire fighters face a significantly higher risk of cancer than the general population. National studies show that fire fighters are 9% more likely to be diagnosed with cancer and 14% more likely to die from it. This increased risk is largely due to repeated exposure to carcinogens, toxic chemicals, and cancer-causing contaminants encountered on the job and carried in protective gear.

Because of this risk, early detection is critical. Thanks to comprehensive cancer screenings and physicals, cancers and other serious health issues are being identified earlier for members of Terre Haute Firefighters Local 758.

In 2023, the City of Terre Haute partnered with Local 758 and the Terre Haute Fire Department to include advanced cancer screening as part of fire fighters’ annual physicals. Out of 112 Terre Haute fire fighters, the test found 153 actionable findings, which include heart issues, liver and kidney issues, and possible cancer.

For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/4nd3a86s.

02/26/2026

🚨🔥 A Busy 20 Hours for L5356 & PFD 🔥🚨

It has been a full and productive few hours for the members of L5356 and the Portland Fire Department.

Last night, just as our on-duty members were pulling chicken breasts off the grill to sit down for supper and host the final planning meeting for Splashin’ with a Passion, tones dropped for a structure fire involving a mobile home and camper.

Without hesitation, plates were set aside and members quickly transitioned from dinner prep to fire suppression operations. That’s the nature of this job, dinners and meetings can wait when our community calls.

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Redkey Volunteer FIRE Department for assisting on scene and providing a tanker. Mutual aid partnerships like this are critical in rural fire operations, and we greatly appreciate their quick response and teamwork.

Then early this morning, our Apparatus Planning Commitee with members of L5356, along with our City Mechanic/Part-time Firefighter, traveled to Spencer Fire Trucks in South Haven, MI to begin the pre-construction process on the committee’s plan to purchase a new tanker truck, a purchase that was approved last year by the City. This step is crucial to ensuring the apparatus is built to meet the operational needs of our department and the citizens we proudly serve.

We are hopeful to take possession of the new tanker in the Fall of 2027. While the build process takes time, we are confident that the end result will be a modern, reliable apparatus that will serve our community for decades to come.

While emergency response will always be our primary mission, planning for the future of our fleet and capabilities is just as important. It’s about being prepared not only for today’s emergencies, but tomorrow’s as well.

We are proud of the dedication shown by the members of the department from the fireground to the planning table.

02/21/2026

✈️🔥 TRAINING FOR WHAT WE HOPE WE NEVER NEED — BUT ALWAYS PREPARE FOR 🔥✈️

Today, the members of all Jay County Public Safety Providers had the opportunity to participate in specialized airport safety training at the Portland Municipal Airport KPLD and we want to take a moment to recognize the leadership that made it happen.

A huge THANK YOU to L5356 member Zach Hudson for spearheading this important training. Zach’s initiative and commitment to preparedness ensures area departments are ready to respond safely and effectively to incidents involving aircraft and airport operations. Training like this doesn’t happen by accident, it takes planning, coordination, and dedication. Zach delivered.

We also want to extend our appreciation to L5356 Firefighter Mike Weitzel, and Sam Rhodehamel with Jay County Emergency Management Agency for their assistance in planning and coordinating today’s event. Strong partnerships and collaboration are what make our community safer.

Today’s presenters and those who helped prepare for today’s training shared invaluable knowledge and real-world experience:

• Hal Tavzel & Amy Blakely – Sonrise Aviation LLC
• Ron Whetstone, Jeremy Davis, Fred Fenning & Sarah Ullom – Lutheran Air
• Stan Klepper – Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority

Your willingness to educate and collaborate with our firefighters and public safety providers strengthens not only our department, but regional public safety as a whole. We are grateful for your time, expertise, and dedication to aviation safety.

We also want to sincerely thank our local public safety partners who took the time to attend and train alongside us. The Bryant Volunteer Fire Department, Dunkirk Fire Department, Pennville Volunteer Fire Department, Portland Fire Department, Redkey Volunteer Fire Department, Salamonia Volunteer Fire Department, Jay County EMS, Jay County Emergency Management Agency, Portland Police Department, and the Jay County Sheriff’s Department. Training together builds relationships before an emergency ever happens, and that coordination is what ultimately protects our citizens.

L5356 was happy to provide an amazing lunch to all participants today. A special thank you to Mrs. P's Kitchen for preparing a delicious lunch for everyone in attendance. Supporting first responders and public safety partners during a full day of training does not go unnoticed. We are grateful for your continued support of those who serve our community.

Preparation is professionalism. Training is commitment. Partnership is progress.

Local 5356 is proud to continue investing in the safety of our members and the citizens we serve. 🚒✈️

02/15/2026

Proud of all members of our department and our surrounding departments for always being ready to serve our communities!