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

Fireworks Ban in Spokane

Incident #:  n/a
Date of Incident:  6/29/2012
Issuing Officer:  Lisa Jones / Fire Marshal

Narrative:
As we approach the July 4th holiday, Spokane Fire Department wants to thank the community for complying with the fireworks ban that was enacted 20 years ago for the City of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated parts of Spokane County. Last year, City of Spokane Fire responded to 5 fireworks-caused fires and local hospitals treated 5 persons for injuries that occurred outside of Spokane County. Compare that with State of Washington data showing a total of 264 fireworks-caused fires and 212 injuries. With fireworks stands now operating in various parts of WA and ID, Spokane Fire Department has some reminders for the community. . Bottle rockets, missiles and fire crackers are illegal in every part of Washington State with the exception of some tribal land where fireworks may be allowed in designated areas. . Fines begin at $513 for individuals lighting any type of firework in the City of Spokane. Fines in Spokane County begin at $1,000. . Fireworks cannot be lit on any forested land or in any park area. . In addition to fines and court costs, persons who start fires with fireworks are liable for restitution of damaged property and recovery of Fire Department (or Department of Natural Resources) response costs. . To report violations of the fireworks ban, call CRIME CHECK at 456-2233. Please enjoy the large scale Fireworks display in Riverfront Park that is provided annually for the entire community at 10 PM on July 4.

Cause:
n/a

Damage:
n/a

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

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

corrected phone Fireworks

Incident #:  n/a
Date of Incident:  6/27/2012
Issuing Officer:  Jan Doherty / Public Education Officer

Narrative:
CORRECTED contact phone number: should read 435-7058 Spokane Fire Department will host a press briefing at 9:00 AM on Thursday, June 28, 2012 outside the Fire Training Center at 1618 N. Rebecca St. This briefing will provide information regarding the 20th anniversary of the fireworks ban in the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Millwood, Cheney, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County. Based on the reduction in fireworks-caused fires in the City of Spokane when comparing the 10-year period prior to the ban with the 19 years of data since the complete ban, we have had 1,881 fewer fires just in the city limits. In a similar manner, our region shows 450 fewer fireworks-caused injuries treated at local hospitals. Fines for the illegal use of fireworks range from $513 to $1,000. Persons who cause fireworks fires are also liable for property damage and recovery of firefighting costs. For violations of the ban, citizens can call CRIME CHECK at 456-2233. For additional information regarding the press briefing, call (509) 435-7058.

Cause:
n/a

Damage:
n/a

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

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

Press Briefing on Fireworks Ban

Incident #:  n/a
Date of Incident:  6/27/2012
Issuing Officer:  Lisa Jones / Fire Marshal

Narrative:
Spokane Fire Department will host a press briefing at 9:00 AM on Thursday, June 28, 2012 outside the Fire Training Center located at 1618 N. Rebecca St. This briefing will provide information regarding the 20th anniversary of the fireworks ban in the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Millwood, Cheney, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County. Based on the reduction in fireworks-caused fires in the City of Spokane when comparing the 10-year period prior to the ban with the 19 years of data since the complete ban, we have had 1,881 fewer fires just in the city limits. In a similar manner, our region shows 450 fewer fireworks-caused injuries treated at local hospitals. Rather than risk the dangers associated with the individual use of common fireworks, citizens are encouraged to attend the community fireworks displays at Riverfront Park, Liberty Lake and other regional venues. Fines for the illegal use of fireworks range from $513 to $1,000. Persons who cause fireworks fires are also liable for property damage and recovery of firefighting costs. For violations of the ban, citizens can call CRIME CHECK at 456-2233. For additional information regarding the press briefing, call (509) 453-7058.

Cause:
n/a

Damage:
n/a

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

The Fireworks Ban in Spokane is Working!

This July marks the twentieth anniversary of a complete fireworks ban in Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated parts of Spokane County..

Because of the ban on individual consumer fireworks, fireworks-related fires in the City of Spokane between June 28 and July 6 dropped from an average of 104 in the ten years prior to the ban to an average of 5 in past nineteen years. Another way to say this: we have NOT had an average of 99 fireworks-caused fires in the City of Spokane the past 19 years. This adds up to 1,881 fires that did not impact people and property!  Most residents obviously understand and appreciate the ban.  

Common fireworks are NOT “Safe-and-Sane”!  There are still more than 8,000 fireworks-related injuries serious enough to require emergency room care or hospitalization each year in the U.S. during the July 4^th period.  Nationally, most fireworks injuries involve devices that are legal under current federal law.    Children under age 15 suffer the highest rate of injuries from fireworks.  Sparklers account for a significant percentage of burn injuries. Sparkler bombs have become an additional concern. Partners who strongly support consumer fireworks bans throughout the U.S. indicate the type of damage often associated with common fireworks : The American Academy of Pediatrics,  American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Association for Hand Surgery, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Center for Injury Research & Policy, Emergency Nurses Association, Fire Department Safety Officers Association, International Association of Arson Investigators, International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Firefighters, International Fire Marshals Association, National Fire Protection Association and Prevent Blindness America.

Individual fireworks are NOT cheap entertainment! Millions of dollars in direct property damage occur each year in less than a 2-week period as Americans celebrate their July 4^th Independence. In recent years, the Colville Tribe lost $15 million in timber from a bottle rocket launched from a boat on Lake Roosevelt and taxpayers lost over $8 million in damage to schools in Washington State. The “big 3” of firecrackers, bottle rockets and missiles have been illegal throughout the State of Washington for more than 60 years. Fines for using fireworks in Spokane start at $513.  Violations of the Spokane ban on consumer fireworks can be reported to Crime Check at 456-2233

 Spokane Fire Department encourages the community to celebrate the Fourth of July by enjoying the annual public fireworks display in Riverfront Park. 

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

Firefighter Combat Challenge Results

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  6/24/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
Over the weekend, seven off-duty members of the Spokane Fire Department competed as individuals and teams in a national Firefighter Combat Challenge competition and qualified a team for the 2012 Scott Safety World Firefighter Combat Challenge Championships. The multi-day, multi-event competition was held in Casper, Wyoming on Friday and Saturday. The Combat Challenge seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and demonstrate the profession's rigors. Wearing "full bunker gear" and the SCOTT Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life firefighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-sized, 175 lb. dummy, or "victim" as they race against themselves, their opponent and the clock. Members of the Spokane Fire Department's team competed individually on Friday before heading into the team relay and tandem races on Saturday. The relay team consisting of Jason Keen, Jeff Baxter, Darin Neiwert, Jeremy Mulvey, and Jeff Webb excelled, finishing the course in a time of 1 minute and 48 seconds, which was good enough to earn them a spot at the 2012 World Challenge Championships in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina later this year. Three of Spokane's tandem teams competed on Saturday; the tandem team of Baxter and Webb placed 2nd in the tandem relay for the over 40 category. Keen and Neiwert finished in the top 10 of the general tandem category. "The Spokane Fire Department values physical fitness and wellness - obviously it is a necessary component of being able to complete the physical demands of our job day in and day out. A competition like the Combat Challenge is a great way to inspire individual firefighters to work out, take their health to a new level and represent our department. I couldn't be more proud of what our team has accomplished this weekend and we are looking forward to representing Spokane at the international level this fall," said Team Captain Darin Neiwert, who is a Lieutenant on Spokane's Ladder 2. Each year, the Combat Challenge attracts hundreds of firefighters from municipal fire departments to competitions at more than 25 locations around the world, including New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. ESPN provides regular coverage of Challenge events.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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

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

Unknown Powder at Federal Building Downtown

Incident #:  2012025236
Date of Incident:  6/19/2012
Issuing Officer:  Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
At 11:40 A.M. on June 19th, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded with it's Hazardous Materials Team from Station 1 downtown along with additional fire crews to a report of an unknown powder substance at the Federal Building located at 920 W. Riverside. An employee inside the building had noticed this substance inside the women's bathroom on the first and sixth floors. Occupants were kept out of these general areas and the bathroom doors locked to isolate the incident. Federal Protective Services coordinated their efforts with the Fire Department and ensured the safety of all occupants. Once they arrived, the Spokane Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team donned their protective clothing and entered the structure making sure a "Hot Zone" was created. As the situation unfolded, it was reported that there may be another substance present on the 5th floor in a bathroom. After this third location was confirmed, The Haz Mat Team used their Mass Spectrometer instrument and were able to take samples and successfully identify all three substances found in each of the bathrooms. All substances were determined to be safe and ranged from "food additive" to "thickener" and "chalk". At this time, the building was turned back over for normal business. There were no injuries reported.

Cause:
Unknown powder substance present in three bathrooms on different levels of government building.

Damage:
No damage.

# Firefighters Responding: 12

Dollar Loss: $0

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

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

Update on recent incidents

Incident #: 
Date of Incident:  6/18/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
Updates on Recent Investigations: 2012024464 6/18/2012 11:41:40 Location: 7022 N COLTON ST The three alarm fire at the Autumn Ridge Apartments originated on the exterior balcony of apartment A205; a second level unit. The fire originated in combustibles located in the far south portion of the balcony. The vinyl siding contributed to the rapid laddering of fire to the soffits where it entered the attic. All sources of ignition were eliminated with the exception of smoking materials. The cause of the was Accidental. 2012024546 6/15/2012 05:27:32 Location 7101 N COLTON ST-CS. LOT J206 This was an unrelated fire to the third alarm, however it occurred in the same complex in building J, apartment J206. The fire was discovered by Engine 8 personnel while on fire watch at approximately 0500. The company saw a slight smoke column rising to the east of their location. Upon investigating, they identified that the smoke was coming from a second story apartment. The fire apartment was vacant, and being used by maintenance personnel as a location to store a few non operational appliances and general materials related to repair of the other apartments. The cause has been determined to be incendiary. 2012024834 6/16/2012 19:07:34 Location: 3417 W 6TH AVE-CS Vehicle mechanical failure resulting in a fire which spread to an detached garage and nearby trees. The cause has been determined to be accidental. 2012024871 6/17/2012 00:58:20 6220 N ASTOR ST-CS Residential fire resulting in a damaged interior. The cause was determined to be accidental and related to smoking materials.

Cause:
N/A

Damage:
N/A

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

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

Early Morning Fire in the North Battalion

Incident #:  2012025038
Date of Incident:  6/18/2012
Issuing Officer:  AC Schaeffer

Narrative:
On Monday, June 18, 2012 at 4:23 AM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 1 Senior Ladder, 1 Heavy Rescue, 4 Engines under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Clive Jones and Dave Haworth, responded to a Structure Fire at 5510 West Woodside Avenue in Northwest Spokane. Spokane Firefighters arrived within 5-minutes to find heavy smoke and fire showing from the roof and garage of a single family house. They also reported that they had found the occupant of the home and that the patient was burned. The first arriving Chief declared a working fire which added an additional Senior Ladder company and AMR ambulance and AMR Supervisor. He also updated the situation as a rapidly progressing fire that had consumed the far west of the home and had extended to an adjacent home to the west. Fortunately, the second arriving company was Paramedic Engine E17 from the Indian Trail neighborhood. Their company began to immediately provide emergency medical care to the patient and transported the critical patient to a local Trauma Hospital. Once additional companies arrived, the firefighters commenced an aggressive attack on the fire in both homes with Engine Companies. The first arriving Ladder Company searched both of the homes for victims while the second arriving Ladder Company immediately laddered the roof and manually cut a ventilation hole above the fire. The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the primary structure (5510) and limited the damage into the adjacent home to the west to the attack and soffit areas. The fire was declared under control in 45-minutes and companies are still on scene conducting overhaul and salvaging resident's belongings. There were no injuries reported from either residents or firefighters.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU.

Damage:
There is significant structural damage and many contents have been damaged by the heavy smoke. Though loss from the fire was concentrated to the original building, the adjacent structure also suffered minor damage from the quickly progressing fire. Vehicles parked in the driveway were also destroyed. The occupant is being referred to the American Red Cross for interim placement assistance once released from the hospital as the structure is not inhabitable in its present state.

# Firefighters Responding: 24

Dollar Loss: $250,000

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

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

Colton Apartment Fire

Incident #:  2012024464
Date of Incident:  6/15/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Clive Jones

Narrative:
On June 14, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire in an apartment complex at 7022 N Colton Street. On scene personnel up graded the first alarm response to a second alarm response. The fire was up graded again to a third alarm by an arriving Battalion Chief. Twelve fire apparatus and seven command staff were on scene to battle this blaze. The fire was contained to five apartment units, with damage to two others. The attached apartment units to the North suffered minor damage. Fire crews were on scene through out the night. There were no injuries to residents, citizens, or firefighters on this fire scene.

Cause:
The fire is under investigation by the Fire Department's SIU

Damage:
Fire loss to five apartment units, minor damage to two others units.

# Firefighters Responding: 37

Dollar Loss: $250,000

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

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

North Battalion House Fire

Incident #:  2012024346
Date of Incident:  6/13/2012
Issuing Officer:  Battalion Chief Mike Thompson

Narrative:
On Wednesday evening, 06/13/2012, at 6:53 PM the Spokane Fire Department responded to 4101 E Fredrick on a reported structure fire. The first crew on scene was Engine 2 from the Logan Neighborhood, who was returning from a Marine Rescue call on the Spokane River and stopped to investigate a smoke odor they detected. The Engine 2 crew had no Fire Officer on the Apparatus due to splitting crews for the previous rescue call. They discovered a room and contents fire on the back side of the single family residence. They ensured the resident was evacuated, turned in a full structure fire response, and extended pre-connected hose lines to prep the scene for an offensive interior fire attack, once backup arrived. Later arriving company's established a water supply, removed security bars from windows so they could be used for ventilation, and stretched more hose lines to provide back-up for initial crews. The incident was mitigated within 1 hour and there were no reported injuries to civilians or fire fighters. Six fire companies with 20 firefighters were dispatched to this incident.

Cause:
The cause of the fire was smoking related.

Damage:
The fire was confined to the bedroom of origin and with the exception of some water and smoke; damage to the structure was minimal.

# Firefighters Responding: 20

Dollar Loss: $10,000.

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

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

2918 East Diamond

Incident #:  2012023195
Date of Incident:  6/5/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief

Narrative:
Last night at 11:19 PM, June 5, 2012 the Spokane Fire Department responded to 2918 E. Diamond on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported a fully involved structure fire, with reports from the neighbors that some occupants were still inside the 2-story, wood-framed apartment building containing 2 apartments on the first floor and 2 apartments on the second floor. Fire fighters aggressively attacked the fire from the interior of the structure while additional fire crews completed a vent-enter-search tactic on two rooms on the 2nd floor at the front of the building. Within a matter of minutes the fire had spread from the first floor to full fire involvement of the 2nd floor and attic requiring a change from an interior (offensive) attack to an exterior (defensive) attack. Additional fire crews were called in due to a serious exposure hazard consisting of a 2-story apartment building located 6-feet to the west of the fire building. This exposure building was staffed with fire crews to prevent that structure from igniting due to the significant amount of radiant heat coming from fire building. The fire was brought under control within 2 hours and fire crews were on scene throughout the night to complete the salvage and overhaul process. Two adults and 2 children were transported to a local hospital and treated for smoke inhalation and one civilian was treated for a burn to his hand. In addition, one firefighter injured his arm during a search of the second floor. Six Engine companies, Two Ladders, a heavy rescue truck and 2 Battalion Chiefs were on scene during the initial operations of this incident. Red Cross arrived on scene and their initial assessment was 26 individuals will be relocated for the night. The Spokane Police Department was also on scene and provided traffic control and scene security during the operational period of this incident.

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

Damage:
The second floor and attic sustained significant fire damage with smoke and water damage to the rest of the structure. There was minimal heat damage to the exposure building to the west.

# Firefighters Responding: 31

Dollar Loss: $70,000

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