Apparatus

Speed Bumps Slow Responses in Ore.

July 8, 2010

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The Portland city auditor said speed bumps are one of the reasons Portland Fire and Rescue is not always meeting its response goal. The audit released Wednesday says the fire marshal should be involved in decisions on traffic calming devices and developments that can narrow streets and slow emergency vehicles.

PORTLAND, Ore. --

The Portland city auditor said speed bumps are one of the reasons Portland Fire and Rescue is not always meeting its response goal.

The audit released Wednesday says the fire marshal should be involved in decisions on traffic calming devices and developments that can narrow streets and slow emergency vehicles.

Portland Fire and Rescue has a goal of responding to 90 percent of emergencies within five minutes and 20 seconds. The audit found that crews are responding within that period only 75 percent of the time. Traffic, distance from fire stations and hills are other reasons for delays.

A majority of the emergency calls are for medical problems.