Academy Class 2012-1 Trains in Five Mile Wildland Urban Interface Areas

Members from Fire Academy Class 2012-1 could be seen yesterday in wildland fire gear working in the Five-Mile area near Austin Road completing their hands-on-training requirements for S130/S190. This curriculum is a Federal Standard and a ...basic foundation for wildland firefighting which allows the recruits in the Academy to respond and operate safety in the wildland urban interface when they graduate. As a value-added aspect to this training, the fuel cleanup benefitted the Waste Water Treatment Department, added a layer of safety by reducing wildland urban interface fuels for the residents of 5-Mile as well as using the fallen wood for heat by donating it to SNAP.

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SIU Arrests Resident of HiFumi En Apartments for Attempted Arson

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  4/25/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit has arrested Ian W. Godfrey (29 year old male) for Attempted Arson 1st Degree. During a response to an automatic fire alarm at the HiFumi En Apartments yesterday, fire companies on scene noticed evidence of the attempted arson as they searched the building. Members from the SIU were contacted and able to gather physical evidence at the scene and interview a number of residents which confirmed the suspect had burned material in the stairwell between the first and second floors, as well as the lobby. The suspect was booked into Spokane County Jail yesterday. The HiFumi En Apartment's life-safety systems functioned correctly may have truly prevented a catastrophe in this case.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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Automatic fire sprinklers contain blaze

Incident #:  2012016269
Date of Incident:  4/21/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Steve Sabo

Narrative:
At 1550 hours on Saturday, April 21, 2012, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to an automatic fire alarm activation at St. Margret's Shelter, 101 E. Hartson Ave. The first crew arrived within four minutes and reported smoke showing from second floor windows of the two-story women and children's shelter, and requested a full structure fire response. The first crew immediately initiated a primary search of the structure to confirm reports that all occupants had exited the building. As additional crews arrived on-scene, fire attack hose leads were stretched to the fire area, and ventilation procedures initiated to remove the pent-up smoke. Additionally, crews evaluated all occupants who were evacuated from the building, for any injuries. One adult female was treated for minor smoke inhalation and was transported by ambulance to Sacred Heart Medical Center for further evaluation. The fire was located in a closet in a second floor apartment-style room. Automatic fire sprinklers, activated by the fire, kept it from spreading to the contents of the apartment. Final extinguishment was completed by the fire crews. Although the fire damage was confined to the contents of the closet, there was considerable water damage from the activated sprinkler heads, to the first and second floors of the front end of the building. Due to the water damage, and until the sprinkler and alarm system can be returned to service, all occupants are being relocated to other accommodations, either through Catholic Charities or the Red Cross. Also assisting at this incident were supervisory and ambulance crews from American Medical Response and Spokane Police Department patrol officers.

Cause:
Investigators from the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit determined the cause of the fire to be children playing with a cigarette lighter.

Damage:
There was minor fire and smoke damage to the fire apartment and considerable water damage to the first and second floors of the front end of the building.

# Firefighters Responding: 28

Dollar Loss: $100,000

End Of Release
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Whooping Cough in Washington

Whooping cough cases have reached epidemic levels in Washington and we are headed towards our highest number of cases in decades.  Babies are most at risk for serious disease and are too young to get enough doses to be protected.  So, it’s up to families, caregivers, and communities to protect them by getting vaccinated against whooping cough (pertussis).

There has been a lot of media coverage and many questions have come from the public, health care providers, and our partners.  The epidemic has led to national news coverage—the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and CNN.  Staff from across the Public Health agencies are working on the response—disease tracking, communication and outreach activities, and coordination with local health and other partners.

I’m sure you’re getting questions from family and friends, and that’s an opportunity for you to be an ambassador for public health.  You can deliver important health messages.  Check out the many resources on our home page to help answer questions you get from partners, friends, and family.  You’ll find a weekly tracking report (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/Immunize/documents/pertupdate.pdf) that’s updated Tuesday afternoons, and facts about whooping cough (http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/pertussis.htm), including information about the disease and vaccines.

Just as important as sharing this information is making sure that we are all up-to-date on pertussis vaccine.  Many people don’t know the vaccine wears off eventually, so all teens and adults should get a booster to protect themselves and others—especially the babies in our communities.  The vaccine is widely available at pharmacies, health care offices, and clinics.

Getting the Tdap vaccine can make a big difference in your life and the lives of those around you.

Take care of yourself!  Get vaccinated and help us stop the spread of whooping cough.

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

     

Zombie Preparedness

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  4/17/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
SFD and the Centers for Disease Control say there are all kinds of emergencies out there that we can prepare for. Take a zombie apocalypse for example. That's right, we said z-o-m-b-i-e a-p-o-c-a-l-y-p-s-e. You may laugh now, but when it happens you'll be happy you read this, and hey, maybe you'll even learn a thing or two about how to prepare for a real emergency. "How do I prepare for a zombie apocalypse?" Well, we're here to answer that question for you, and hopefully share a few tips about preparing for any emergency! 1. Water (1 gallon per person per day) 2. Food (stock up on non-perishable items that you eat regularly) 3. Medications (this includes prescription and non-prescription meds) 4. Tools and Supplies (utility knife, duct tape, battery powered radio, etc.) 4. Sanitation and Hygiene (household bleach, soap, towels, etc.) 5. Clothing and Bedding (a change of clothes for each family member and blankets) 6. Important documents (copies of your driver's license, passport, and birth certificate to name a few) 7. First Aid supplies (although you're a goner if a zombie bites you, you can use these supplies to treat basic cuts and lacerations that you might get during an earthquake) If your equipped to deal with a zombie apocalypse, you are prepared for a pandemic, earthquake, or terrorist attack. It can be tough to get people thinking about emergency preparedness before disaster strikes, so we hope this entertaining attempt got your attention. Get a kit, make a plan, and be prepared!
Cause:
N/A
Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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Disaster Exercise (Wednesday)

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  4/16/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer
Narrative:
This Wednesday April 18, beginning at 8:00 a.m., health care agencies and emergency responders from across eastern Washington state will conduct an intense, live "disaster" exercise to test their response capabilities. The catalyst for the exercise, called Rumble in the Rubble, is a catastrophic collapse of a hospital, which leaves several injured victims trapped. Born of extensive training efforts, funds and experience, Rumble in the Rubble comprises two simultaneous, coordinated exercises. Multiple agencies will participate under the banners of the Washington State Region 9 Health Care Coalition (HCC) and the Spokane County Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. The agencies' will be tested on their ability to manage the incident, including performing search/rescue and emergency triage, while at the same time assessing the hospital and medical system's ability to handle a partial evacuation within a hospital along with an influx of patients during a disaster. The HCC exercise will end at noon, with the USAR continuing until 4:00 p.m. During the exercise, the HCC, which works to strengthen emergency preparedness and response planning for all aspects of health care in its 10-county and three-tribe region, will be examining and validating the coordination between regional health care agencies-more than 19 hospitals, community health clinics and many other community agencies will participate. This is a computer-assisted simulation and does not involve any "boots on the ground" (i.e., first responders or emergency officials responding to an incident in real time). Simultaneously, the USAR team will be testing its capability to respond to a collapsed structure. This portion of Rumble in the Rubble will be a full-scale, boots-on-the-ground exercise and involve approximately 110 personnel from multiple agencies "responding" to the structural collapse and managing the associated casualties. Media, please note that this is only an exercise and that there may be increased scanner traffic on certain frequencies. An additional heads-up will be given prior to the exercise beginning. For the last several years, through the use of multiple agency budgets and homeland security grant funds, fire service in Spokane County has been building its USAR capability. Agencies specific to the USAR function of the exercise include Spokane County Incident Management; American Medical Response; and fire agencies from the City of Spokane Fire, Spokane Valley Fire Department, and Fire Districts 3, 4, 8, 9, and 10; and numerous other response agencies. If you have any questions, please contact either Kim Papich at Spokane Regional Health District (509) 324-1539, or Brian Schaeffer at Spokane City Fire (509) 625-7002. Media- please plan on attending. Those wishing special access to areas for b-roll should call Brian Schaeffer early the morning of April 18. Work-style clothing is acceptable. Both exercises will begin at 0800. HCC exercise ends at 1200, with the USAR continuing until 1600.
Cause:
N/A
Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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Arrest Made in Suspicious North Battalion Residence Fire

Incident #:  2012013038
Date of Incident:  4/15/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
The SFD's Special Investigation Unit has made an arrest in the investigation of residence fire that occurred on the morning of March 30, 2012. After obtaining a full confession, a 13 year old male was arrested at Glover Middle School and subsequently booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention and charged with Arson 1st Degree.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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2717 N Altamont Structure Fire

Incident #:  2012014841
Date of Incident:  4/11/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
On, Wednesday April 11, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 7:20 PM to 2717 North Altamont on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported heavy smoke and fire showing at the back of a vacant 1-story, wood-framed single family home. After further investigation the fire crew discovered a fire that had originated at or near the back porch of the residence had extended into the kitchen and attic of the structure. The firefighters aggressively attacked the fire from the interior while additional fire crews completed vertical ventilation, search and rescue, salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes and there were no reported injuries to any civilians or firefighters. Seven fire companies with 25 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2.5 hours.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the back porch, kitchen and attic with minor smoke damage through out the rest of the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $40,000

End Of Release
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National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  4/10/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department Communication Center (CCC) is celebrating the week of April 8-14, 2012 as National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week! This week, sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and celebrated annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls for help, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to the world's citizens. "What is the location of your emergency?" starts the process that defines the nature of the emergency which in turn sets the emergency response in motion. These Fire Department professionals are the critical link not only for the caller but also for the Firefighters and Paramedics in the field. Their role is critical to the outcome of the incident and many times contributes to the survivability of our patients. The CCC dispatches for 15 Fire and EMS agencies that serve a population of over 500,000 in Spokane County. The Communication Center is located at the SFD Training Campus and jointly occupys are in the Combined Communications Building with Spokane County 911, Spokane Sheriff and Spokane Police Department Dispatching Agencies. Working 24 hour shifts with their Station counterparts, these trained professionals routinely handle over 53,000 calls received a year. SFD Dispatchers are not normally the first personnel that are thought of in Fire and Medical Emergencies, but they are a vital component in every Fire Department response. Our SFD Dispatchers are the unseen first responders whose work is invaluable and critical to the successful handling of any emergency situation. Additionally, these men and women help countless people who may not have an emergency situation but are just trying to get an answer to a troubling circumstances. This week provides an opportunity for our community to show their appreciation for the difficult job that our Fire Dispatchers perform daily and the quality service they provide to everyone. The Fire Department Dispatchers are an important and vital part of our community, and maintain that role with professionalism, integrity, and competence. You can help us help you when calling in an emergency by following these simple tips: Be prepared to answer the question, "What is the location of your emergency?" -Stay on the line until you are directed to hang up. -If possible, when at home use your home phone, not your wireless phone. 9-1-1 calls on wired lines provide caller name, phone number and address as well as other information that is useful for processing the 9-1-1 call. -The use of cell phones accounts for the majority of 9-1-1 calls. When using your wireless phone, know where you are. 9-1-1 calls on wireless phones provide only the phone number. In many cases, depending on type of phone, the carrier, and the signal strength, the location of the caller may plot on a map, but we may not be able to obtain an accurate address.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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Man Rescued from Spokane River

Incident #:  2012013953
Date of Incident:  4/6/2012
Issuing Officer:  BC Dave Haworth

Narrative:
On Friday, April 06, at 07:58 AM, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched crews to a report of a man in the Spokane River at 1200 E Mission near the Mission Street bridge. First arriving SE7 reported that a man was in the water on the west side of the river near the railroad bridge located just downstream from the Mission Street bridge. The victim was located approx 20 feet from shore and was hanging onto some brush. Shore base crews were positioned to retrieve the victim if he were to let go while units of the Spokane and Spokane Valley Water Rescue Teams launched the boat. The boat crew was able to successfully rescue the victim and delivered him to medical personnel on shore. The victim reported that there was possibly another victim in the water as well so crews were deployed to search along both banks and in the river itself. No other victim was located during the extensive search. The victim was transported to the hospital for further evaluation.

Cause:
It is undetermined how the victim got into the river

Damage:
NA

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $0

End Of Release
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Commercial Garage Fire In City's East End

Incident #:  2012013576
Date of Incident:  4/3/2012
Issuing Officer:  Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
Narrative:
On Tuesday, April 3rd at 2:55 P.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded to a commercial garage fire located at 120 N. Ralph in the city's east end. Engine 7 from their neighborhood station at 1st and Magnolia was first to arrive and noticed heavy black smoke coming from the garage. They immediately began an interior offensive attack using hose lines while later arriving crews began to search and ventilate the interior. All occupants made it out of the building safely. After 20 minutes, the fire was reported to be knocked down. Fire crews were able to successfully keep the fire out of the adjacent office areas and confine the fire to the area of origin which was a truck parked inside the garage. A total of six engines, two ladders, and two battalion chiefs responded on this fire. After the fire was out, fire crews assisted in removing water from the floor of the garage. The cause of the fire at this time appears to be caused by a welding operation near the parked truck. There was gasoline involved in this fire which makes for a very fast and hot fire. Through the use of water and foam carried on the fire apparatus, fire crews were able to achieve a quick knockdown and much of the building complex was saved. The Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Department investigated this fire. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
Cause:
Welding operation.
Damage:
Truck was destroyed. Significant fire and smoke damage throughout garage.
# Firefighters Responding: 29
Dollar Loss: $30,000

End Of Release
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Update from 4/1/2012 South Hill Structure Fire

Incident #:  2012013309
Date of Incident:  4/2/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
(Update) The nature of yesterday's structure fire at 3111 E. 17th has been determined to be accidental. The cause was attributed to be an incorrectly installed wood burning fireplace insert. The fireplace had no metal liner up the chimney and the brick lined firebox above the insert was thickly coated with creosote. A chimney fire in this area ignited wooden structural members embedded in the brickwork above the fireplace, and rapidly extended up a stud cavity into the attic spreading fire horizontally throughout the structure.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

End Of Release
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South Battalion Single Family House Fire

Incident #:  2012013309
Date of Incident:  4/1/2012
Issuing Officer:  B.C. Mike Thompson

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department dispatched fire fighting crews and their apparatus to 3111 East 17th at 10:34 AM on Sunday, April 1, for a reported structure fire. The first arriving fire company, Engine 14 from the Southeast neighborhood Fire Station reported fire coming from the roof near the chimney of a single family wood frame structure. Based on the first arriving company's report of fire showing Battalion Chief Thompson upgraded the incident to a Working fire, which added a senior ladder Truck to the incident. Arriving engine companies stretched pre-connected hose lines into the structure to confine the fire's progress while ladder companies went to the roof to provide vertical ventilation and to the interior of the structure for search and rescue. The search confirmed that all occupants were out of the structure. Because the structure had undergone extensive remodeling much of the interior finish had to be stripped to expose the hidden pockets of fire after the main body had been extinguished. The last fire company left the scene approximately four hours after the incident began. There were no injuries reported to firefighters or civilians.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by members of the Spokane Fire Dept. Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
The house suffered severe damage to the main floor living areas and also to potions of the roof.

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $100,000

End Of Release
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Commercial Roof collapse and Natural Gas leak

Incident #:  2012013266#
Date of Incident:  4/1/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Bill Donahoe

Narrative:
On Sunday, April 1st, 2012 at 12:59 AM three engine companies, one dedicated ladder, one heavy rescue, along with the Hazmat team and Technical Rescue team responded to a reported commercial flat roof collapse and natural gas leak. The affected business was Ulrick's Transmission at 3001 North Division. The first engine company on scene reported the odor of natural gas along with a collapse of the roof section over the office portion of the business. Division Street was closed to all traffic for a short period of time until the gas could be shut off to the building. Crews made a quick search of the building and confirmed no one was in the building at the time of the roof collapse. An Engine Company pulled a protection lead to protect the exposed multifamily dwellings. The Hazmat Team monitored the surrounding dwellings for natural gas and other crews had residents shelter in place until the incident was mitigated. The Technical Rescue team evaluated a bulging partially collapsed exterior wall and determined that it should to be torn down for public safety. At this time the Fire Marshal is on scene coordinating with a demolition company and utilities to finish mitigating the incident.

Cause:
The collapse of the flat membrane roof was caused by trapped water from the previous heavy rain. The natural gas line was broken inside the structure from the collapsing roof.

Damage:
There was extensive damage to the roof and office area along with an exterior wall.

# Firefighters Responding: 23

Dollar Loss: $200,000.00

End Of Release
For more information on this release please call (509) 625-7002