Report recommends participation in national out-of-state hospital cardiac arrest registry

 

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INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE REPORT RECOMMENDS PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL OUT-OF-STATE HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST REGISTRY

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​ATLANTA – A new report from the Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends participation in a national registry to track and improve out-of-hospital cardiac arrests (OHCA) survival and bystander intervention rates. The Emory-based CARES (Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival) Program is an OHCA registry that has the potential to serve as the recognized registry for the US.

 

CARES, established through a collaborative effort between Emory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), began in 2004 and has since expanded both nationally and internationally. Currently more than 800 EMS agencies and over 1,300 hospitals in 36 states representing a population footprint of 80 million people participate in the program.  Spokane County Fire Agencies, including SFD, have been submitting data to the CARES Registry since 2010.  AMR and the SFD have pragmatically made investments in the City of Spokane EMS system specifically to improve the survival from sudden cardiac arrest.

 

AMR practices began using CARES in 2008 as part of ongoing community efforts to improve survival and the community response to out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.  In 2015, more than 60 of AMRs agencies are actively participating in the program along with almost 250 local hospitals to which OHCA patients are transported. AMR contributed 7,500 cases in 2015 (16% of the total CARES cases) and reported a company-wide overall survival rate higher than the national average (AMR: 11.8%; National 10.8%).  Lynn White, National Director of Resuscitation and Accountable Care at American Medical Response.

 

"CARES has been able to track improvements in survival and bystander interventions amongst participating communities over time. Our ultimate goal of the program is to serve as a standard platform for quality assurance efforts and improve survival from OHCA," says Bryan McNally, MD, MPH, Executive Director of CARES and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine.

 

"CARES has been an incredibly robust tool for Spokane County," says Brian Schaeffer, Spokane Fire Department assistant chief.  "By linking EMS data with outcomes from our local hospitals, CARES allows us to accurately measure and evaluate cardiac arrest survival. The data that the CARES system compiles allows us to develop strategies to improve our practice. There is no doubt that this has directly led to an increased number of individuals alive and neurologically intact following sudden cardiac arrest." 

 

McNally goes on to say, "We are excited to see that the IOM has recognized the importance of having a national registry for OHCA. We believe CARES is well positioned to be the registry for the US as we currently cover approximately 25% of the US population and have approximately 200,000 cardiac arrest events in the registry."

 

The full IOM report can be accessed via www.iom.edu/cardiacarrestsurvival

 

Currently, CARES is funded by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Medtronic Foundation and ZOLL Corporation. These partners have supported the concept of CARES as a national registry and emphasized the importance of promoting bystander interventions such as CPR and AED use.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Amateur fireworks ban continues on sale, use

 

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AMATEUR FIREWORKS BAN CONTINUES ON SALE, USE

VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO $513 MINIMUM FINE

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​Approaching the July 4^th holiday, Spokane Fire Department reminds everyone that the selling and use of all amateur fireworks is illegal in the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

 

This marks the 23rd year in which all consumer fireworks are illegal. Individuals lighting consumer fireworks are subject to the minimum of a $513 fine.  Violations of the fireworks ban should be reported to Crime Check at 456-2233.

 

The fireworks ban in Spokane has worked.  Based on the number of fireworks-caused fires between 1983 and 1992, the fireworks ban has prevented an estimated 2,178 fires.  In the 10 years prior to the fireworks ordinance in 1993, Spokane firefighters responded to an average of 104 fireworks-caused fires just in the City of Spokane during the nine-day period between June 28 and July 6.  During the past 22 years of the ban, the average number of fireworks-caused fires has dramatically dropped to five.  Prior to the ban, there were so many fireworks-caused fires around July 4 that some emergency medical calls to 9-1-1 had to be stacked until first responders could be dispatched.

 

With the dry conditions currently in our region, it is particularly important for everyone to respect the fireworks ordinance this year.

 

In addition to the number of fires and injuries caused by amateur fireworks each year throughout the U.S., there is a very negative impact from fireworks noise on veterans suffering from PTSD, on neighbors, and on pets. 

 

Spokane Fire Department thanks the community for celebrating Independence Day without using individual fireworks. Everyone is invited to the community display provided the night of July 4^th by licensed pyro technicians at Riverfront Park or at Liberty Lake in Pavilion Park.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire departements to discuss fireworks

 

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FIRE DEPARTMENTS TO DISCUSS FIREWORKS

NEWS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY AT 10 AM

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​Spokane Fire Department will host a press conference regarding the status of the Fireworks Ordinance that affects the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Millwood, Cheney, Liberty Lake, and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

The press event is scheduled for Tuesday, June 30 at 10 am outside the field house at the Spokane Fire Training Center, 1618 N. Rebecca.

 

Contact information:    Mike Miller, Assistant Fire Marshal 

Spokane Fire Department

509.625.7041

mmiller@spokanefire.org

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Attic fires damage two homes

 

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ATTIC FIRES DAMAGE TWO HOMES

ELECTRICAL CAUSES REPORTED IN BOTH FIRES

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​Electrical malfunctions started attic fires in two homes late Sunday causing more than $10,000 in damage to each house. No one was injured in either fire.

 

Firefighters cut through wired lath in the ceiling to contain a fire at 1218 E. Walton to an attic space above the kitchen area. The fire was reported at 8:36 pm, and all of the occupants of the home were out when firefighters arrived.

 

An area of approximately 4 feet by 4 feet was on fire and it appears that this fire's cause was due to electrical wiring and a kitchen ceiling fan. Engine 2, responding from an earlier fire on E. Illinois Ave., was the first on scene. Damage was estimated at $10,000.

 

The fire at 2601 E. Illinois, reported at 6:27 pm, was also in the attic. This fire also appears to be electrical in nature and caused an estimated $25,000 in heavy damage to the attic and smoke damage.

 

Many fire crews responded to both fires and were assisted by a fire department Rehab Unit to help them combat fatigue and exposure conditions in the extreme heat. No injuries were reported at either fire.

 

The Spokane Police Department and the American Red Cross assisted at the scenes.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Train, truck collision brings HazMat response

 

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TRAIN, TRUCK COLLISION BRINGS HAZMAT RESPONSE

SPILL CONTAINED, CLEANED FROM SCENE

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​A train and tractor trailer collided at a crossing in east Spokane spilling several hundred gallons of magnesium chloride onto the street.

 

The Spokane Fire Department HazMat team was called to the railroad crossing Friday at North Havana Street near East Sprague Avenue to contain the spill from the trailer, which rolled onto its side during the collision. Magnesium chloride, which is commonly used for low-temperature de-icing of highways and streets, is relatively harmless, but creates an environmental concern in high quantities and concentrations.

 

Fire companies created dams in front of the storm sewer drains and prevented any product remaining in the trailer from reaching the drains and eventually vacuumed up the product.  Department of Ecology, City of Spokane Wastewater and the transporter/shipper cooperated to mitigate the spill and clean the area of remaining product.  ​

 

No one was injured, but the collision caused $80,000 in damage.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Fire damages north Spokane home

 

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FIRE DAMAGES NORTH SPOKANE HOME

NO ONE INJURED, FIRE CAUSES $15,000 IN DAMAGE

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​Investigators are trying to determine what caused a fire that damaged a home in north Spokane. No one was injured by the Friday evening fire.

 

Neighbors reported smoke coming from a home at 2927 North Smith at 5:35 pm. Firefighters arrived within 6 minutes and put the fire out within 45 minutes.

 

Four engines, one ladder, one rescue and two chief officers were dispatched to the incident. Structural damage was limited to the main living area. Smoke damage was reported throughout the home.

 

Damage was estimated at $15,000.    ​

                                                                 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

North Spokane house fire under investigation

 

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NORTH SPOKANE HOUSE FIRE UNDER INVESTIGATION

NO ONE INJURED, FIRE CAUSES $100,000 IN DAMAGE

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​The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the cause of a fire that heavily damaged a north Spokane home causing an estimated $100,000 in damage. No one was injured by the Friday evening fire.

 

Callers reported a possible explosion and a fire on the back porch of a home at 8116 N. Standard. Fire crews reported seeing a smoke column from station 18 at Lincoln and Division and 30 firefighters responded to the 4:30 pm fire.

 

Firefighters found heavy fire coming from the rear of the home that had climbed into the roofline and attic. The fire was brought under control after about 20 minutes. There was heavy damage to the rear of the structure and in the attic spaces with smoke and water damage throughout. 

 

The Spokane Police Department, Red Cross and Avista also assisted.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

One escapes injury in kitchen grease fire

 

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ONE ESCAPES INJURY IN KITCHEN GREASE FIRE

FIRE QUICKLY CONTAINED AND EXTINGUISHED

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​Cooking grease on a stove ignited and caused a kitchen fire in a single-family home late yesterday that spread smoke throughout the structure. No one was injured.  

 

The home located in the 1200 block on E. Illinois Ave. sustained fire and smoke damage to the entire kitchen area.  Six fire trucks and 21 firefighters responded and quickly contained and extinguished the fire. 

 

One occupant and pets were home at the time of the fire, but escaped unharmed. Damage was estimated at $10,000. 

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

Investigators determine smoking materials sparked fire at Park Tower Apartments

 

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INVESTIGATORS DETERMINE SMOKING MATERIALS SPARKED FIRE AT PARK TOWER APARTMENTS

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​A fire in a high-rise building downtown yesterday afternoon temporarily displaced over one-hundred residents and brought temporary closure of a busy thoroughfare through a period of rush hour.  The blaze, reported to the Communication's Center at 3:35 PM, eventually brought over 60 firefighters to 217 West Spokane Falls Boulevard at the Park Tower Apartments.

 

The fire was reported by numerous residents and from passersby as it was seen throughout the downtown area as heavy smoke emanated from an apartment unit on the 17^th floor of the building.  The building's fire alarm was activated and many of the occupants from the building's 184 units were sent evacuating thought the interior stairs.  Some residents reported encountering dense smoke as they attempted to escape through the stairways and were assisted in their descent by firefighters.  Eventually, many of the 180 residents were sheltered in-place by fire companies that were working on floors below the fire while those in floors above the fire were evacuated.

The incident was immediately upgraded to a three-alarm fire and summoned all of SFD's available resources as well as multiple mutual-aid companies from Spokane Valley Fire Department, Fire District 8 and multiple others for assistance with coverage and simultaneous incident responses.

 

Since this building is not protected by a fire sprinkler system, firefighters were forced to climb to the 17th floor via stairwells with all of their firefighting equipment and stretch attack lines to the fire floor and receive high pressurized water supply from the building's standpipes via fire engines on the street.  The process of moving equipment and supplies in a high-rise during a fire is extremely personnel-intensive and requires a significant amount of resources. 

 

The fire was fully extinguished and declared under control at 4:02 p.m. - and no injuries were reported.  Family members from a 17^th floor apartment were displaced by the fire, and referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.  Many of the residents received care and medical treatment from SFD and AMR Paramedics including some meals and temporary sheltering provided by the neighboring Azteca restaurant for those residents who were at-risk from disease processes such as diabetes and others. 

 

A total of four Ladders, eleven Engines, two Medical Service Officers, one Heavy Rescue, two Safety Officers and three Quints responded to the multi-alarm incident. 

 

The cause of the nature of the fire was determined to be accidental and cause was smoking materials.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org

      

 

City issues outdoor recreational fire restrictions

 

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FIRE MARSHAL ISSUES RESTRICTIONS ON OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL FIRES FOR THE CITY OF SPOKANE

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​Due to the hot, dry conditions, specified outdoor recreational fires (in ground campfires, fire bowls and fire pits) are prohibited in the City of Spokane effective tomorrow, June 17, 2015, by order of the Spokane City Fire Marshal.  The restriction will continue until further notice; such restrictions are subject to change depending on conditions.  Also click on the SFD website for info. 

 

Citizens may still use backyard barbecues, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, provided the appliance has a spark arrester and a chimney, approved fuel is used and weather conditions support safe recreational fires.  Approved fuels include seasoned (clean/dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

 

Here are other requirements for outdoor fires:

 

·      Recreational fires may be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.

·      Keep it small - Fires must not exceed a fuel area of 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

·      Fires must be attended by a responsible adult (knowledgeable in the use of the fire extinguishing equipment) at all times.

·      Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be on hand and ready for use.

o  Equipment can include a garden hose, dirt, sand, bucket, shovel, or a minimum 4A rated portable fire extinguisher.

·      Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist (25 feet in general).

o  For one and two-family dwellings, follow the device manufacturer's instructions for clearance.  Be safe and use good judgment.

o  For multi-family dwellings, use at least a 15-foot clearance from combustibles and structures.  Be safe and use good judgment.

·      Fires must not present a health hazard or nuisance to others.

·      Safe wind conditions (no more than 7 mph) must be present.

·      A Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency "green light" indication for air quality must be present: https://spokanecleanair.org/current-air-quality.

·      Ash and charcoal remnants must be safely disposed of in noncombustible waste containers.

 

Unsafe or otherwise restricted fires will be required to be extinguished.  Failure to comply with the burning restrictions could have serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is guilty of a misdemeanor.  That person can face a fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

 

Please see the attached for additional information.

 

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Brian Coddington | City of Spokane | Director of Communications and Marketing

509.625.6740 | fax 509.625.6563 |bcoddington@spokanecity.org| spokanecity.org