SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/28/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4327 North Ash Street
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: The Spokane Fire Department will be training on the Shadle "Field School" located near the intersection of Wellesley and Ash in Spokane from January 27 - January 30. Thanks to Spokane Public Schools, Garco Construction and Rob's Demolition; many of the on-duty fire companies from the City Of Spokane, Fire District 9 and Spokane Valley Fire Department are conducting multi-company drills in the most real settings possible. Training and Operations Staff from all three organizations have developed real-life scenarios in the vacant building that simulate vertical ventilation, forcible entry, self-rescue techniques, below ground searches and complex technical rescue situations. Even more important than the drills, is the fact that all three agencies are working together and coordinating a large-scale training exercise to become more familiar with each other's policies, practices and equipment.

If media is interested in covering the event, BC Haworth is the IC for the four-day training. Contact me on my office phone and I will make arrangements for a site visit.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/28/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 West Riverside
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: ** NOTE THE DATE CHANGE **

On February 20th, David's Pizza and Spokane Firefighters are teaming up to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to fight blood cancers. David's Pizza will be donating portions of sales on that day to the Firefighters participating in the 2010 Scott Firefighter Stairclimb which is one of the largest Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's events of its type in the country. Nearly 30 Spokane Firefighters will be participating in the event which challenges firefighters with 788 feet of vertical elevation at the Columbia Center (formerly Bank of America Tower) in downtown Seattle. The building is the second tallest building west of the Mississippi and it takes 69 flights of stairs and 1,311 steps to reach the highly acclaimed observation deck overlooking the city. The City's Firefighters will have to ascend to the top in complete firefighting gear, while "on-air" through their self-contained breathing apparatus-all with the goal of raising money to fight blood cancers.

The Scott Firefighter Stairclimb supports the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, raising money through sponsorships, individual and department fundraising, and entry fees. In 2009, the event featured over 1,500 firefighters from 244 different departments and brought in a record $640,000 for blood-cancer research and patient services.

Firefighter Jason Keen is the team leader for the SFD Team and is available at 208-640-4240. FF Keen has made a challenge to the local media to participate in a mini-stairclimb with firefighter's gear at the Bank of America Building in the morning of February 20th. If you are interested (KREM, KHQ and KXLY.) he would love to hear from you.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/26/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5112 W. Rosewood
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99204

NARRATIVE: Late this evening, January 26, at 2146 hours, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched a total of 7 fire apparatus and 2 chief officers to a reported structure fire located at 5112 W Rosewood Ave.

Engine 16 from Fire Station 16, arrived on the scene 4 minutes after being dispatched. Captain Jim McNamee reported that he had a single story home with heavy fire involvement across the front porch and living room area of the home. He and his crew made an immediate attack on the fire located on the front entry portion of the home. Simultaneously, Engine 16s crew worked in an effort to determine if the home was occupied.

Captain McNamee made contact with a woman who was living in the home. She informed him that she was alright, but that she was unsure if her son had arrived home from work. She stated that her son might be in home's basement.

Incoming fire companies extended additional hose lines into the home to extinguish the fire while other firefighters searched the home in an effort to locate the son. The fire was knocked down within 5 minutes and it was determined that the son was not home.

The aggressive actions of the first arriving crews confined the fire damage to the front porch and living room. Most of the first floor sustained smoke damage. There were no injuries reported relating to this fire. The fire cause is still being investigated at the time of this media release.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: See narrative
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/14/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4110 North Cedar
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Yesterday, January 13, 2010 the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 7:15 PM to 4110 North Cedar. The first crew on-scene reported light smoke showing from the front of the 1-1/2-story, wood framed house and they could hear the home's smoke detectors sounding. The fire crews forced the front door and aggressively attacked the fire from the front of the structure while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants. One firefighter received a laceration to his hand and was sent to the hospital for treatment. Six fire companies with 22 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to state the importance of having properly working smoke detectors through out your home. This fire was detected in its early stage by the next door neighbors who heard the smokes detectors activating within the house and they called 911 to report the fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by SFD Special Investigation Unit
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the main floor living area with smoke damage through out the rest of the structure
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

Fire damages apartment building

ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/11/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3004 N. Crestline
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: Early Monday morning at 12:42 A.M., the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a fire in an apartment complex located at 3004 N. Crestline. Engine 15 from the neighborhood fire station at Wellesley and Crestline was the first to arrive within minutes and found heavy smoke and fire enveloping the second floor of a two story apartment building. An early call for additional fire companies was made given the large volume of fire and smoke coming from the structure. Within minutes these resources arrived and assisted in the extinguishment of the fire. A rapid thorough search was coordinated on the second level of the building and at the same time, a ventilation crew was vertically venting the flat roof overhead for the fire crews inside involved in the extinguishment and search efforts. Two adult occupants were found to be safe outside of the structure and all the other neighboring occupants were able to safely evacuate. A rapid knockdown of the flames was achieved after 20 minutes. Fire crews were then busy with overhaul work which consists of searching out all areas within the building for hot spots. A top to bottom secondary search of the entire complex was also begun to confirm reports that all occupants were out of the building.

The Red Cross arrived to assist the occupants with shelter and belongings. The Spokane Fire Department assisted in making transportation arrangements for the occupants to stay in a nearby hotel. There were 3 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, a rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs on the first alarm. The fire was then upgraded which brought another engine company to the scene. Shortly after this, a second alarm was struck sending an additional engine, pumper ladder and ladder company to the fire. Two apartment units suffered damage in the blaze with most of the damage confined to the apartment where the fire originated. The cause is undetermined at this time; however the Special Investigative Unit of the Spokane Fire Department has been searching for a cause since the early morning hours and will be at the incident site throughout much of the day. One firefighter sustained a shoulder injury while on the roof top engaged in ventilation. He was treated and released from Deaconess Hospital.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Undetermined at this time. Currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Department.
DAMAGE EXTENT: One apartment unit received heavy fire, smoke and structural damage including damage to contents. An adjacent apartment unit sustained minor fire damage and moderate smoke damage.
DOLLAR LOSS: 100,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 34
MUTUAL AID: None Given

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: Dave Haworth/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/9/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1712 W Nora Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On 01/09/2010 at 1409 hours, the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engines, 3 ladders, 1 pumper-ladder, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 1712 W Nora Ave. First arriving company, SE3, reported heavy smoke coming from a 2 story residential structure. The first arriving ladder company was assigned to search the structure for occupants while other companies began a coordinated attack on the fire, which was located on the first floor and the basement. The basement location presented a challenge due to the fact there was no access for fire attack companies or windows to remove smoke. Companies had to manually create openings to expose and extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to civilians and one firefighter received a minor laceration to his hand.

PROBABLE CAUSE: This fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigative Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heat damage was confined to the basement and the first floor with smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 28
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: Dave Haworth/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/9/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2311 N Stevens St
CITY: Spokane
STATE:
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On 01/09/2010 at 1110 hours, the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 engines, 2 ladders, 1 pumper-ladder, and 2 battalion chiefs to a reported structure fire at 2311 N Stevens. First arriving SE3 reported smoke coming from the structure. After ensuring all occupants were out, companies began a coordinated attack on the fire which was located in the basement. Basement fires present a unique challenge to firefighters due to the fact they can be very hard to access, difficult to ventilate, and have the potential to extend vertically throughout the structure. Companies had to remove a large portion of the first floor to finally expose and extinguish the fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigative Unit determined that the fire was caused by a space heater which was placed in a crawl space under the first floor to keep water pipes from freezing. The heater ignited wood framing under the floor.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Heat damage was confined to the basement and first floor with smoke damage throughout the rest of the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

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SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: AC Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/2/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5611 North Perry
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On Friday, January 2, 2010 at 5:18 PM, Spokane Firefighters responded to a reported vehicle on fire in an alley near 5611 North Perry. As per the previous media release, Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire coming from what originally seemed to be a recreational vehicle well-involved in fire. Once a closer survey of the scene was initiated, they found two-critical patients in desperate need of lifesaving medical care. The alarm was upgraded to include another Paramedic Engine Company, Ladder Company, Battalion Chief and two AMR ambulances.

The first company's Firefighter/Paramedics immediately treated both patients who necessitated advanced airway techniques and wound care. The patients were treated and transported to Sacred Heart Hospital where they received continuing treatment while awaiting rapid transportation to Harborview Medical Center. At the time of this release, a 44 y/o Female is listed as Critical Condition and 55 y/o male is listed as Serious Condition at Harborview.

The cause, pre-existing situation, and how these individuals were critically injured will be determined by the Spokane Fire Department's SIU. The official cause of the fire will remain part of an active Fire Department investigation.

No other additional information is available.

PROBABLE CAUSE: N/A
DAMAGE EXTENT: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE

SFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 1/1/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Injured Civillian
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5611 North Perry
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: Today, January 01, 2010 the Spokane Fire Department responded at 5:18 PM to 5611 North Perry on a reported motor home on fire. The first crew on-scene reported fire showing from the back of a motor home located at the back yard of this address. As the fire crews advanced a hose line to the back they discovered 2 adult, burn victims in the alley near the motor home. Additional fire crews were called to the scene to assist in patient care and aid in transport to a local hospital. The current condition of the burn victims is not known at this time. There were no injuries to any firefighters.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department SIU.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the motor home which was a total loss.
DOLLAR LOSS: 5000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 14
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com

END OF RELEASE