Serving the community through preparedness, teamwork, and commitment

As a firefighter, you have to be ready at a moment's notice. We'd all been watching the wildfire news out of Los Angeles, and we knew we could get a call. Then the Oregon State Fire Marshal requested our help. A few hours later, we were on our way.

I joined a task force from the Portland area who went to respond. Right now, we've got five engines and 22 firefighters from Portland Fire & Rescue, Gresham Fire Department, and Port of Portland Fire Department. We're teaming up with thousands of firefighters battling one of the most destructive blazes in L.A.'s history.

I was born and raised in southern California, so the safety of the community is really on my mind. Hundreds of thousands of acres burned,thousands of houses lost. Not sure how many fatalities. It's absolutely horrible. We're going to give all that we can to those who have already been in this fight for days.

When I was younger, I had no idea that women could be firefighters. I learned about it when I was in my early twenties. I was drawn to the physicality of it, the challenges, and the constant learning. I worked for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, then joined a hotshot crew, which is a team specializing in fighting wildfire. I joined Portland Fire & Rescue 18 years ago. I love getting to work with wonderful people who all have the same mission -- to do the best we can for our community.

Portland Fire & Rescue is in Los Angeles as mutual aid: It means we're here for you,you're here for us. It means coming together as a bigger team and working with our partners outside the city of Portland. We are honored to put ourselves out there and do our part and do everything we can to get this thing under control.