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

ISSUING OFFICER: Captain C Jones
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/31/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1021 E 41st
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Department responded firefighting crews and their apparatus to the South Hill for a structure fire at 1021 E. 41st Avenue. The alarm was reported at 07:17 hundred hours this morning, Wednesday, March 31st, 2010. The first arriving fire company reported light smoke coming from the front door of a single-family residence. They reported further that they were going to stretch a hose line to the front door and make entry to locate and extinguish the fire. As additional firefighting resources began arriving on scene they were given various assignments, which included ventilation of the house and pulling additional hose leads to protect the firefighting crews who had already made entry into the fire structure. Other firefighting crews supplied water from the hydrant a block away. The fire structure is a one story single family dwelling with a full basement. The first arriving crew discovered that the fire was in the basement, and it was confined to a laundry dryer. A quick knock down of the fire was achieved with a minimal amount of water.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the morning fire is being investigated by members of the Spokane City Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: No fire damage to the structure had occurred due to the fire being contained within the dryer unit itself. In addition to the dryer, damage was confined to smoke damage throughout the basement and the first floor.
DOLLAR LOSS: 5,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
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: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/29/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3009 E. 53rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: On Monday March 29th, 2010 at 9:39 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 3 Engine Companies, 1 Ladder Company, 1 Pumper Ladder Company, a Rescue Unit and 2 Battalion Chiefs to a structure fire in an apartment complex located at 3009 E. 53rd. Upon arrival, first in fire crews found a fire located on an upper floor balcony burning and extending into the exterior wall of the apartment complex. A quick aggressive fire attack using ground ladders, preconnected hose lines, a thermal imaging camera, self contained breathing apparatus, axes and pike poles resulted in a quick knock down of the fire and this limited the fires spread to the interior of the apartment complex where there was a single occupant sleeping. The occupant of this apartment unit was unharmed even though the apartment unit was not equipped with a smoke detector. Due to an alert neighbor who noticed the fire and called 911, and the quick response and aggressive actions of the firefighters, the fire was kept small. Because the fire was quickly engulfing the exterior siding of this apartment, the fire was only minutes away from vertically extending into the soffit space and attic above where the outcome could have been very different for not only this occupant, but for all of the occupants in this complex. A total of 19 firefighters responded to this alarm. The fire cause at this time appears to have started from a discarded cigarette near a planter and wooden bench kept on the exterior balcony. Many people are of the belief that planter material in a container is made of dirt and non-flammable and therefore capable of extinguishing a cigarette. This is not the case. Planter material is in fact very flammable as it is composed of combustible fuel and because this fuel is in fine form, it readily ignites and will sustain flaming combustion. The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when using ignited materials and to extinguish these materials properly. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians at this fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Improperly discarded cigarette.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage to exterior balcony decking, bench, exterior siding and insulation.
DOLLAR LOSS: 750
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 19
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: 3/22/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5408 North Washington
CITY: Spokane
STATE:
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On March 22, 2010 the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 7:22 PM to 5408 North Washington on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported smoke and fire showing at the northeast corner of the 1.5 story, wood framed and concrete block, single family residence. The structure's basement was fully involved with fire and the fire was advancing to the main floor area via an open stair way leading from the basement. The fire was also entering the attic space through a gable vent on the structure's east side. Fire fighters aggressively performed an interior attack on the fire while additional fire crews completed search and rescue, roof ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for a possible leg injury. Nine fire companies with 27 firefighters and 2 chief officers responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.0 hours.

Four adults were displaced by the fire and are being assisted by the Spokane Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Spokane Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to state the importance of installing properly working smoke detectors through out your home. The occupant's of the home were alerted to the fire in the basement by a smoke detector and were able to safely exit the structure.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the basement with heat and smoke damage through out the rest of the structure.
DOLLAR LOSS: 60,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 29
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

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2010 EMS Levy

Spokane voters are being asked to consider an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) levy as part of the April 27, 2010, special election. The Spokane City Council approved placing the levy on the ballot at their March 8 meeting.

The current EMS levy will expire on Dec. 31, 2010, and City voters are being asked to approve the continuation of the levy for the next six years.

The EMS levy raises about $8 million annually and would assist with paying for:

First Response basic and advanced life support response.
Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians and Firefighter/Paramedics.
Medical supplies and equipment plus general operating costs.
Vehicle and equipment maintenance.
EMS training.
EMS management and quality improvement programs.
The EMS levy would be at the same rate as approved in 2004. It cannot exceed 50 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value; that’s $50 a year for a property worth $100,000 or $100 a year on a property worth $200,000.

The Fire Department has been involved with EMS for more than 50 years. The EMS Levy has been in place since 1980. The funding raised by the EMS levy equals about 25 percent of the City’s General Fund allocation to the Fire Department.

Since 2005, the Spokane Fire Department has responded to more 20,000 emergency medical calls. Those calls have accounted for more than 80 percent of incident calls annually since 2005. During that time, the City’s population has grown somewhat—from about 198,000 to about 205,000.

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/17/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 6014 N Howard
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. responded fire fighting crews and their apparatus to 6014 N Howard at 10:35 in the morning on Wednesday, March 17th, for a reported structure fire. The first arriving fire company reported smoke coming from the front door of a single story wood/frame residence and they reported further that they were going to stretch a hose line to the front door and attempt to make entry into the residence to locate and extinguish the fire. Additional fire fighting resources began arriving on scene and as they arrived they were given various assignments which included horizontal and vertical ventilation of the house, a back-up hose line to protect the fire fighters who had already made entry, water supply, RIT team for fire fighter's who might be injured or become lost inside the structure, an additional hose line for fire attack, and Safety. The building on fire was fairly small and the fire was in one room of the house so fire fighters were able to quickly locate the seat of the fire and get a fast knock down of the rapidly growing fire. A search of the home was conducted even though neighbors reported that all of the residents were safely outside; the search confirmed the neighbor's report. The house was being leased by a couple; the female was not at home when the fire broke out however the male was in the house and he was asleep. The male resident is partially paralyzed and is dependant on a wheelchair. He credits his service dog with waking him up by barking and pulling on the bedding, and by doing so this dedicated and resourceful dog quite probably saved the man's life. Red Cross volunteers were on scene to assist the couple with temporary lodging and needed supplies. There were no reports of any injuries to civilians or to the fire fighters at the scene. The fire was contained to the room of origin but that room sustained heavy fire damage as did the contents located in that room. Electrical service to the structure was disconnected by Avista since most of the electrical circuits inside the residence were damaged by the fire. Until all of the electrical and the structural repairs are finished inside the building it will not be able to be used by anyone as a residence. The cause of the mid-morning fire is being investigated by members of the Spokane City Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit. Six pieces of fire fighting apparatus and two Command vehicles delivered 23 fire fighters to the scene.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation at this time.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Room of origin but with collateral damage outside of that single room.

DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000.00
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

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

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Larry Mummey
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/16/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2217 E Sprague Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202

NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. responded fire apparatus and fire fighting crews to 2217 E Sprague Avenue at 0533 in the morning on Tuesday March 16, 2010, for a reported structure fire. Fire crews responding to this incident reported smoke coming from the structure.
The first arriving fire crew reported a one story wood/frame dwelling that had been converted into multiple apartments. They reported fire in the southwest corner of the building. Assignments were made to the other responding fire companies by the officer of that first arriving fire apparatus and as those companies began arriving on scene the crews went about undertaking their assigned tasks. In an aggressive and coordinated effort, fire attack hose lines were advanced into the structure at the same time that other firefighters, on the roof, were cutting vertical ventilation holes in the structure's roof. Other crews were sent inside to pull ceilings, open up walls and search for any possible victims,. Four residents were removed from the structure. Other personnel were assigned as back-up for the crews inside. A fire crew was also assigned as the "rapid intervention team"; a safety mandated unit that is available for rescue of injured, lost, or trapped fire fighters.
The quick attack of Spokane Engine 7 extinguished the main body of fire. While the extinguishment of the fire was dramatic and quick the fire still caused serious damage to the involved apartment. Once the fire had been darkened down the labor intensive task of overhaul began as fire fighters went about digging out the hidden fire from those concealed spaces that are inherent inside of every structure. Fire damage was mostly confined to the involved unit. There was also some smoke damage and water damage to apartments on the main floor. The electrical supply to the building was disconnected, by Avista Utilities because of the damage. Red Cross representatives were requested to the scene and they were in the process of assisting the tenants with temporary lodging and supplies. There were no reported injuries to any of the fire fighters at the scene or the tenants of the dwelling who were able to get out safely along with their pet dog. Investigation into the cause of the fire is being conducted by a member of the Spokane City Fire Dept.'s Special Investigation Unit.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Smoke and Fire damage to the involved unit. Moderate smoke damage to the other first floor units. Minor water damage to the structure. Ventilation hole through the roof. Extinguishment/search for fire extension damage to first floor units, attic and roof.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 30
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: Jan Doherty / Community Educator
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/10/2010
INCIDENT TYPE: Information
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 44 W. Riverside Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: CHANGE YOUR CLOCKS AND CHECK YOUR DETECTORS!

When you change your clocks ahead one hour for Sunday, March 14, to begin Daylight Savings Time, please remember to check on the condition of your smoke detectors as well.
. Test 9-volt batteries. Buy a supply to have on hand in case your detector begins to "chirp".
. Alkaline 9-volt batteries should last 1 year. Lithium 9-volt batteries will last up to 10 years.
. Read the information on the back of your smoke detector to determine two important facts: age and type of detector. If the manufacture date is before 3-14-00, replace the detectors immediately. Smoke detectors are not reliable for more than 10 years of service. If you just have ionization detectors in your home, be sure to add at least one photoelectric detector on each level of the house ASAP. Photoelectric detectors are much more efficient at detecting slow-burning, smoldering fires.
. If you have problems with "nuisance alarms" when you cook or when someone takes a shower, replace ionization detectors within 20 feet of the kitchen or bathroom with photoelectric units. Photoelectric detectors seldom give a nuisance alarm.
. Help your neighbors check the condition of their detectors if they are not able to safely reach them to replace batteries or detectors.

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