Safety Briefs: Gresham Fire gets ‘wet work’ along Columbia River

Gresham Fire Water Rescue trains on river

Last month, members of the Gresham Fire Water Rescue Team performed training evolutions on the Columbia River.

Members of the team are trained in swift water rescue, and go through specialized training to ensure they are properly prepared for the challenges water can pose.

As always, Gresham Fire stresses the use of a life jacket when in or around bodies of water. While there have been some sunny days, which could tempt folks into one last day at the river before winter descends, this time of year can be dangerous.

Bodies of water like the Columbia and Sandy Rivers can be deceptively cold. Firefighters said cold water shock can occur as quickly as within the first minute of jumping in, with loss of muscle control happening at 10 minutes and hypothermia between 20 and 30 minutes.

Gresham Police welcomes two new officers

The city of Gresham celebrated two new officers swearing an Oath of Office Monday morning, Sept. 30, during a ceremony at Council Chambers.

Recruit Officers Denis Prasad and Jed Simmons were brought on board. Three support staff were also welcomed to the department — Executive Assistant Laela McCready, Police Records Specialist Cassandra Wagoner, and Body Worn Camera Technician Stephanie Fleming.

Car full of ski-masked armed men leads to dangerous elude

A car with multiple armed men wearing ski masks (in 70 degree weather) that was driving recklessly through Rockwood caught the eye of Gresham officers Wednesday, Oct. 2.

The driver of the Honda Accord sped through the intersection of 190th Avenue and Stark Street. Upon the officer pulling out behind, the driver eluded the traffic stop and crashed into two cars waiting at the light near the Ruby Junction MAX Station. All three occupants of the car fled on foot.

Two guns were left in the abandoned car, while a third “ghost gun” was later discovered hidden in the vehicle.

One suspect was caught attempting to hide in a nearby mechanic shop. He had two magazines of bullets in his bag. That suspect taken into custody had been arrested multiple times before with firearms. He was cited and released.

The driver and other passenger escaped arrest.