Needed: Better Safety on Our Rivers - First Step Taken

The River Public Safety Charter

On consecutive Wednesdays, Oct. 11, and Oct. 18th, 2006, City Council and the County Board of Commissioners passed almost identical resolutions. The Councils approved reports from two public safety collaboration efforts and directed implementation of tasks to increase effectiveness and efficiency of public safety services on our County's waterways. A team lead by citizen volunteer Brad Howton and composed of public safety providers and other citizen volunteers had undertaken a thorough investigation of the existing services from March through early June of 2006. Sam and Sheriff Giusto were the designated "champions" of the project charging the team to identify and assess the public safety services on our rivers, and lakes, to identify gaps and overlaps, and develop strategies for improved service delivery.

The team found that waterway users feel confident in the service they receive during distress calls, but see need for improvement in non-distress call service. Too many calls bring several responders: Sheriff's deputies, Fire & Rescue, Coast Guard, and perhaps the Port of Portland boat often show up when one provider, or even a private provider with a can of gas would do. The recommendations developed by the team identify operating protocols, radio communication, standardized emergency dispatch methods, and a unified reporting system as high priorities for improvement. They also recommend that private towing companies provide non-distress service based upon predetermined rates and standards for service. Boaters had been hesitant to call the private operators because of stories of outrageous fees, and public agencies that tow, or provide assistance, for free.

Effective public safety provided in the most efficient manner is always the goal. The impressive River Public Safet Team made prioritized recommendations highlighting the communication, coordination and clarity of roles that will improve our waterway's public safety. A task force of public safety leaders from the jurisdictions that serve our waterways will set to work in January. Their charge is to implement improvements in dispatch, radio communications, operations protocols and the recommendations set out in the City's and County's resolutions.

Related Documents

Community Partners:

Media Mentions:

Oregonian: Review of River Public Safety.

Blog:

River Public Safety: More Collaboration Needed

Milestones

Oct. 11, 2006; City Resolution passed:

Public Safety Collaboration Project Report Accepted.
River Public Safety Report Accepted.
Portland and Multnomah County endorsed formation of a task force to implement specific recommendations from the Public Safety Partnership Team.
River Public Safety Collaboration Task Force: In December 2006, the task force is identified with work scheduled to begin in January 2007.

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