Summer 2020 City ENews – Out in the Hood

In its natural setting, the Hood River community is surrounded by wildlands of forest, shrub and grass lands subject to unplanned wildfires. It’s important to note that close to 90% are caused by humans and could have been prevented. The local fire season generally lasts from July 1 though October 15, so taking safety precautions could save lives and property.

Seven safety precautions can help protect your home and stop the spread of wildfire:

1. Keep flammable objects (lawn mowers, oil/gas cans, propane tanks, wood piles) at least 30 feet away from the home at all times. Move any flammables (lawn furniture, toys) during wildfire activity.
2. Keep roofs, gutters, decks and patios clear of leaves, pine needles or other flammables.
3. Remove flammable mulch and vegetation within 5 feet of the home and replace with nonflammable material.
4. Remove tree or shrub branches that overhang within 10 feet of your house, roof or chimney.
5. Keep lawns watered and mowed, or if water-conserving, make sure debris is removed within 30 feet of home.
6. Trim tree limbs 10 feet above the ground.
7. Install 1/8-inch metal mesh screens over vents and under decks to prevent ember intrusion.

For more information on prevention at home, work or play, visit::
oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/pages/FirePrevention.aspx

The City reminds residents of the importance of “backflow” protection to protect water customers from foreign substances in the system caused by water flowing opposite of its intended direction. It’s Oregon law to have a backflow prevention assembly installed on underground irrigation systems, with other risks including submerged hoses, sprinklers, and other water uses onsite. To find out more about backflow prevention and protecting your drinking water, visit cityofhoodriver.gov/public-works/water-system/.
Questions regarding cross connection requirements, including backflow prevention device installation and testing requirements, may be directed to the Public Works Department at 541-386-2383.

The U.S. Census is in progress. Operational changes were necessary due to COVID-19, which means it’s important to respond to the Census by mail, email or online in order for the Census Bureau to get a complete, accurate count of all communities. Your participation will help the Hood River area receive the resources it needs. The Census determines our state’s representation in the US House of Representatives, and how billions of dollars of federal funding are distributed each year to programs in our community like Head Start, the National School Lunch Program, Medicare Part B, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and dozens more.
You can complete the Census questionnaire by phone, mail or online:.

• By Mail: fill out and mail back the paper questionnaire sent to your home.
• By Phone: English 844-330-2020, Spanish 844-468-2020
• Online at: 2020census.gov/en/ways-to-respond/responding-online.html

Response rates so far for the City of Hood River (60.4%) and Hood River County (53.1%) are lower than the State of Oregon’s response rate of 64.2%. You can view how your area ranks against others in Oregon here.

Please spread the word! Thank you for responding for Hood River County.

The first of a pair of pursuit-rated hybrid police vehicles has been delivered to the Hood River Police Department (HRPD) and is now in use. The 2020 Hybrid Ford Interceptor is estimated to save the City 933 gallons of fuel (roughly $2700) per year as well reduce carbon dioxide by 22,560 pounds per year.

The Ford Interceptor, exclusively designed for law enforcement use, is the first-ever hybrid police utility vehicle. HRPD has been pleased with the performance, comfort, and reliability of the Ford Interceptor non-hybrid. If the hybrid version stands up to anticipated performance, this will be the direction for all future vehicle purchases moving forward as the purchase aligns with the City’s environmental sustainability goal and the Hood River County Energy Plan.

Data shows the 2020 Ford hybrid has a 40% increase in miles per gallon from the non-hybrid model. The biggest fuel savings is during vehicle idle time and patrol vehicles spend approximately 60% of time idling while officers resolve service calls. The purchase of these vehicles was included in the City’s Adopted FY2019-20 Budget in the Equipment Replacement Fund.