Firefighters drilled in donated hotel near NE 2nd and Weidler for a month

Portland Fire & Rescue crews trained inside a former hotel in the Lloyd District for the entire month of September. The building is located near NE 2nd Avenue and Weidler Street and was owned by Holy Rosary Church. The structure was scheduled for demolition and donated to the bureau for unrestricted training access.

The building featured a classic center-hallway design, a layout common in Portland. This configuration includes multiple units accessed from a shared corridor. Firefighters used the space to practice hose deployment and truck operations in a real-world environment. The bureau stated this approach enhances operational readiness more effectively than standard drills.

PF&R typically trains at its dedicated Training Campus. While that facility provides controlled conditions, it cannot fully replicate the complexity of navigating unfamiliar buildings during emergencies. The acquired structure allowed crews to address that gap by working in a space they did not know in advance.

Crews stretched hose lines from engines parked outside to rooms on upper floors. They had to estimate the length of hose required without prior knowledge. Firefighters maneuvered around corners, up stairwells, and through hallways. These repeated evolutions reinforced team coordination and individual proficiency in dynamic situations.

After hose operations, crews transitioned to truck-company skills. They practiced forcible entry, window cutting, and rooftop ventilation. Because the work involved cutting into real building materials rather than simulated props, the training closely mirrored true emergency conditions. PF&R noted that this hands-on experience cannot be replicated at its training grounds.

The bureau is seeking more buildings for future training. PF&R welcomes community members and property owners to offer structures scheduled for demolition or standing vacant. These buildings will be used under an agreement between the owner and the PF&R Training Division. Crews can perform non-destructive activities such as search and rescue and extending hose lines without flowing water. If permitted, destructive skill drills including forcible entry and saw work will also be employed.