Fire Department dedicates new fire truck

"September 11, 2001, was a bad day for the Fire Service...September 11, 2014, is a good day for the Albany Fire Department...." These words were spoken by Albany Fire Chief John Bradner on September 11, 2014, at a ceremony remembering the past and honoring the future while dedicating the City's newest firefighting vehicle and retiring another.

Approximately 60 people gathered at Albany Fire Station 13, 13 years post 9/11.  The crowd included Albany Mayor Sharon Konopa, Albany Public Safety Commission members, Albany Rural Fire District Board members, current and retired Albany firefighters, Albany Fire Department officers and staff, neighboring fire service officials, and vendors responsible for assisting the City in purchasing and equipping the new fire truck.

They listened as Chief Bradner described how the realization of the new truck started four years ago and became a reality today due to the generous financial contribution of the Albany Rural Fire District, the leadership of Battalion Chief Kevin Anderson, and the countless hours of the Fire Department's Fire Advisory members. He acknowledged the community support and expressed thanks to citizens "for providing for the ability of our firefighters to safely respond to their emergencies."

Chief Bradner spoke about fire service traditions saying, "At the Albany Fire Department, we value old and new traditions alike. Our fire engines are red, the front bumpers of our engines contain a bell, and we formalize the arrival of new emergency vehicles by holding a ceremony like this."  He went on to describe how traditions such as dedicating an emergency vehicle are a way to create a feeling of security and stability in a profession that is based on uncertainty.

"Firefighters never know what the next emergency will be or when it will occur, and traditions like this help hold us together through good times and bad."

The following was heard countywide as a Linn County 9-1-1 dispatcher announced over the air, "The City of Albany Fire Department would like to announce the retirement of Truck 151 and welcome Truck 153 to its fleet.  We would like to wish this truck and those assigned to it a safe journey and the skills necessary to provide the best possible service to our citizens and visitors.  Truck 153 is hereby placed in service this 11th day of September 2014."

Chief Bradner then asked the Station 13 truck crew to remove their gear and transfer it from Truck 151 to Truck 153, announcing, "Truck 153 is now officially in service and responding to calls to protect our community."

B Y O Boat to the Great Willamette River Cleanup October 4

The 6th annual Great Willamette River Cleanup happens along the length of the river on Saturday, October 4, 2014, including 13 miles between Michael's Landing in Corvallis and Albany's Bowman Park.  Volunteers are needed to help.

Registration is open at http://www.eventbrite.com/o/willamette-riverkeeper-1477897368.

Volunteers should report to the Bowman Park parking lot by 8:30 a.m. for shuttles to Michaels Landing.  The group will put in at Michael's Landing by 9:30 a.m. and take out at Bowman around 2:30 p.m.  Pack water, snacks, and a lunch.

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department will provide a jet boat for trash-hauling.

An optional post-cleanup gathering will begin at Calapooia Brewing Company after 2:30 p.m.

Albany Public Works Department is partnering with Willamette Riverkeeper for the event by sponsoring a dumpster at Bowman Park.

Willamette Riverkeeper is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting, restoring, and celebrating Oregon's great Willamette River.

Hydrant flushing:  
what happens and why

Albany's water distribution system includes approximately 290 miles of water mains of various sizes and types of pipe; 7,500 water valves; 2,000 fire hydrants; and 17,000 water service lines and meters.  Two water treatment plants provide high-quality water from the Santiam River.

Even with high-quality treatment, natural sediment and mineral deposits accumulate in the system over time.  If the deposits are not cleaned out, water quality can become degraded.  Accumulated sediment can cause discoloration, bad tastes, and odor.  In an effort to rid the water system of this sediment buildup and maintain high water quality, the City flushes the water distribution system.

Flushing also allows the City to test and record water quality parameters within the system, including flushing turbidity, pH, chlorine residual, and temperature; and allows field crews to check valves, hydrants, and water flow to ensure the system is in proper working order.

A well thought-out and executed flushing program saves water over the life of the program.  Less water is needed to remove sediment and achieve flushing velocities if flushing is performed on a regular basis.

Since Albany's flushing program began in 2000, the City has been able to maintain better water quality through proactive capital pipe replacement.  This reduces the time needed for flushing water mains to meet water quality standards.  In the last five years, Albany has been able to cut the amount of water flushed and time needed for flushing by about 50 percent (from 3 million gallons per year to 1.5 million gallons last year).  Last year, Albany produced 2.3 billion gallons of water; the flushing program accounts for less than 0.07 percent of the water that passes through the system each year.

Flushed water is dechlorinated and allowed to go into the city's storm drain system to reenter creeks and rivers.  It has not proven to be economically feasible to use flushed water for other uses.

Water distribution crews flush water mains in neighborhoods on a regular annual rotation in late spring and summer.  However, depending on needs, system flushing can occur at any time.  Signs are posted in areas prior to flushing.  Crews flush water through fire hydrants and dead-end flushing valves.

If you see a flushing crew working in your neighborhood:

• Please drive carefully and avoid driving into the water.  Flushing water is returned to the river and should remain as clean as possible.
• Avoid running tap water and using the washing machine or dishwasher until the flushing is completed to avoid drawing discolored water into your home plumbing.
• Do not use hot water when flushing is being performed.  Using hot water could draw discolored water into your water heater.  Discolored water in your water heater could allow discolored water to persist for long periods of time in your home.

When flushing is completed:

• Turn on the cold water tap first.  If you see discolored water, shut the water off, wait several minutes, then check again by running cold water for several minutes.  Running the cold tap water will allow new water from the main to replace the discolored water in your plumbing.  The water can remain slightly discolored for up to a few hours.

Questions?  Contact Karen Kelley, Water Superintendent, at karen.kelley@cityofalbany.net. 

Arts Commissioners, past and present, display in November

Albany Arts Commissioner Billie Moore and former members Marsha Meidinger and Michael Moore will display their work at Albany City Hall during the month of November.

Michael Moore has been drawing and "painting" since 1991.  He uses hard to buttery-soft dry pastel sticks to apply color to various paper surfaces; sandpaper is his favorite.  He likes strong contrasts between light and dark areas and blends with his fingers to achieve a watercolor-like quality.  Most of his works are landscapes and seascapes.

Michael Moore has participated in live drawing demonstrations at the Northwest Art & Air Festival, at Samaritan hospitals in Albany and Lebanon, and at various locations on the Albany Master Gardeners Tour.

Billie Moore is self-taught and has explored many art forms: sketching portraits, stained glass, beading, crochet, knitting, and clothing design.  She has also taught high school drawing and oil painting, sciences, and health careers classes.

Oil painting is Billie Moore's enduring passion and is inspired by her cats, gardens, and the Oregon countryside.  She likes lots of color and prefers working on canvas or gesso.

With her husband Michael, Billie Moore has shown at many locations in the Willamette Valley, including Benton County Historical Museum, LaSells Stewart Center, Albany Public Library, Albany City Hall, Spring Hill Country Club, Timberhill Athletic Club, and numerous businesses and restaurants in Albany and Corvallis.

Meidinger is a retired teacher who paints with watercolor.

Art displays are open to the public during regular City Hall business hours, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and some evenings when public meetings are scheduled.