GP Police & Firefighters Braved Extreme Heat while Protecting the Community
Grants Pass police officers and firefighters braved extreme heat last week while protecting the community. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 641 calls for service along with 268 officer-initiated calls last week that resulted in 47 arrests, 28 citations, 62 warnings and five highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 76 traffic stops in the city and they made 20 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS). The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) contacted a total of 14 potential troublemakers while arresting three people, citing six more and warning two others. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 116 calls last week including 44 for emergency medical service, six reports of fire or smoke, 11 lift assists, nine rescue situations, 13 assists to other agencies and four false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,263 emergency calls last week. ...Read more

GP & Douglas County Fire Departments Get High-Tech Water Rescue Tools
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management has announced the delivery of advanced water rescue equipment to two Southern Oregon communities as part of the State Preparedness and Incident Response Equipment (SPIRE) grant program. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and Douglas County Fire District #2 have each received an Emergency Integrated Lifesaving Lanyard or EMILY -- a swift-water rescue device designed to support life-saving efforts in dangerous water conditions. The compact, remote-controlled, battery-powered devices can travel through swift currents to bring a flotation device directly to a person in distress, making them a vital tool for rapid water rescues. Joe Hyatt, Deputy Chief of Grants Pass Fire & Rescue, said the EMILY device will provide rescuers with a much-needed tool to mitigate water rescue incidents safely and successfully. The new equipment was received by the City of Grants Pass and Douglas County in May. ...Read more

GP Firefighters & GP Police Engage in "Battle of the Badges" to Benefit Red Cross
Grants Pass Fire & Rescue and the Grants Pass Police Department will once again engage in a friendly competition benefitting the American Red Cross this week. The "Battle of the Badges" is set for Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Grants Pass Parkway Public Safety Station on East Park Street. Those who wish to donate blood during the event can show their support for either agency by telling volunteers you are there to donate on behalf of the department of your choice. You can make your appointment by calling 1-(800)-RED-CROSS or by scheduling online at "RedCrossBlood.org/give.html/find-drive." It's Grants Pass Fire & Rescue versus the Grants Pass Police Department in the "Battle of the Badges" on Wednesday. ...Read more