SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS SAFETY TIPS AHEAD OF MEMORIAL WEEKEND

 

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SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS SAFETY TIPS AHEAD OF MEMORIAL WEEKEND
HELP TO AVOID A HOLIDAY TRAGEDY

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The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) wants to stress the importance of safety so residents can avoid a holiday weekend tragedy.

 

“Memorial Weekend is often the unofficial start of summer for many families and community members,” Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “Whether traveling, grilling, or enjoying our beautiful area, we want people to have a great holiday weekend, but we want to also stress following a few safety precautions to help avoid a holiday tragedy.”

 

Water safety precautions: 

 

The Spokane River along with many area creeks and streams have faster currents, higher water levels, and extremely cold water temperatures. Visitors must be cautious as an outing can easily turn deadly.

 

·         The safest decision may be to not enter the water. Think about the risks when swimming, boating, inner tubing or rafting due to dangers from currents, logs, log jams and cold temperatures.

·         Avoid prolonged exposure to cold water which can lead to hypothermia. Hypothermia can incapacitate anyone, overcoming their swimming skills and ultimately lead to drowning. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature is dramatically lowered. Among other results, there is a loss of strength and muscular coordination as well as mental confusion and often erratic behavior.

·         Make sure children are under constant supervision regardless of a child’s swimming skill level or depth of water. If near a river or a lake make sure to keep them away from the banks where they can easily fall in, or where erosion can result in the bank collapsing. The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental/caregiver supervision

·         If you see someone fall into the river or drowning, immediately call 9-1-1. DO NOT attempt a rescue by entering the water. A rope or flotation device such as an inflated toy or sports ball, or even a Styrofoam ice chest can be thrown to the victim to assist them.

·         All swimmers, boaters, rafters, and kayakers should wear approved personal floatation devices and necessary safety protection (e.g. helmets, shoes, thermal protection). 

·         Never use alcohol or other impairing drugs during water and boating activities or while supervising children around the water.

 

Grilling safety tips:

 

·         Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.

·         Place grills well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

·         Keep children and pets away from the grill area.

·         A gas or charcoal grill should not be used on any porch or balcony.

·         Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.

·         Never leave your grill unattended.

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL EMS WEEK WITH A SPECIAL MEETING

 

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SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZES NATIONAL EMS WEEK WITH A SPECIAL MEETING

TWO SPOKANE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREFIGHTERS MEET RECOVERING PATIENT AND HIS FAMILY

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This year to help recognize National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week, Fire Chief Bobby Williams and Mike Lopez (Integrated Medical Services Manager) helped to arrange a special meeting for two Spokane Fire Department firefighters—Nate Denison (Firefighter/Paramedic) and Andrew Polomis (Firefighter).

 

The meeting allowed Denison and Polomis to reconnect with a recovering patient they had helped during the Bloomsday Race.

 

“As frontline emergency medical responders, we do not often have the opportunity to see the people we help as they are recovering,” advises Chief Willliams. “This is why I felt it was important that we facilitated this special reunion. The exceptional collaboration by the entire medical team for this emergency should be commended.”

 

The goal of the Spokane Fire Department is to provide patients with care that is as close as possible to the care a patient would receive in an emergency room.

 

During the visit, the patient’s family (who wish to remain anonymous for privacy reasons) said the following:

 

“Our families are enormously grateful to the Spokane EMS community for saving our son after he collapsed at the Bloomsday Race finish line earlier this month. The EMS team noticed that our son was struggling as he crossed the line, guided him into a wheelchair, and rolled him to the medical tent. The team resuscitated him and packed him off to Sacred Heart Hospital, where he has made a strong recovery.”

 

Family members also said that in light of National EMS Week, they would like to pass on a couple of suggestions that reflect what they learned from this experience:

·         Have your family learn CPR. My wife took our family to a course a few years ago. The American Red Cross and other organization offer the course. Now I would like my family to take a refresher course. I would love to pay this forward.

·         Enable the Medical Identification (ID) on your smartphone. On the iPhone, this ID contains key medical information and can be accessed from the locked screen (https://support.apple.com/en-us/). Android offers a similar Medical ID app.

·         Hug your local EMS members during EMS week. They all deserve it.

 

Denison and Polomis were part of a highly effective team of medical professionals assigned to the Finish Line Aid Station at the Bloomsday Race. They were a dedicated resource if resuscitation was needed.

 

“While every EMS incident in Spokane involves a team of dedicated prehospital health professionals, special events like Bloomsday require additional team members from the local healthcare system. In this case, in addition to the key role played by Paramedic Denison and EMT Polomis, others from American Medical Response and the Providence Health System worked together to provide life-saving care. We want to recognize the efforts of everyone involved in this case. It truly demonstrates the importance, and benefit, of collaboration between the various health care teams in the community,” says Lopez.

 

In 2015, the Spokane Fire Department responded to 33,881 emergency calls, representing 86 percent of all the incidents the department responds to. For more information about the Department’s Emergency Medical Services visit https://my.spokanecity.org/fire/operations/ems/.

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

CITY OF SPOKANE FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC HONORED AT LILAC LUNCHEON

 

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CITY OF SPOKANE FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC HONORED AT LILAC LUNCHEON

JESSE AYOTTE NAMED FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR

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Today at the 78^th annual All Civic Military Luncheon, City of Spokane Firefighter/Paramedic Jesse Ayotte was named Firefighter of the Year by the Spokane Lilac Association. Ayotte has spent his 15 year career in some of Spokane’s busiest fire stations.

 

“Jesse is an aggressive firefighter, excellent clinician and has committed himself to always improving, advises Assistant Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “We are truly honored to have Jesse as an integral part of our Fire Department.”

 

Ayotte is an avid cyclist and a pivotal member of the Spokane Fire Department’s PedMed Program, a special operations program that deploys fire department paramedics in areas that are routinely inaccessible due to large crowds or terrain. Members of PedMed are commonly seen on bicycles, on foot, and even on off-road vehicles. Since Ayotte took over the logistics of the program, he has replaced all of the bicycles, the medical equipment and many of the safety devices for the team. 

 

“He purchases and maintains everything, all year and works in the background to make sure that we can save lives when someone has a bad day during any of Spokane’s wildly popular events,” added Chief Schaeffer. “Jesse is the epitome of the expectations of a Spokane firefighter and absolutely deserves to be recognized for his dedication to serving our community.”

 

Proudly serving the City of Spokane, the Spokane Fire Department is an innovative organization dedicated to public service by providing emergency response, prevention and training.

 

 

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(from left to right)

*Photo 1: SPD Assistant Chief Meidl, SFD Chief Williams, Firefighter/Paramedic Jesse Ayotte, Officer Craig Hamilton, Mayor Condon, Director McDevitt

*Photo 2: SFD Chief Williams, Firefighter/Paramedic Jesse Ayotte, SFD Assistant Chief Schaeffer

*Photo 3: Firefighter/Paramedic Jesse Ayotte and son

 

 

Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

DAMAGE FROM AN EVENING RESIDENTIAL FIRE LIMITED TO THE ROOM OF ORIGIN

 

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DAMAGE FROM AN EVENING RESIDENTIAL FIRE LIMITED TO THE ROOM OF ORIGIN

SMOKE DAMAGE THROUGHOUT, CAUSE UNDER INVESTIGATION

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An evening fire on the north side caused extensive damage to a single-family home. The fire damage was contained to the room where the fire originated.

 

Yesterday at 7:45 p.m., the Spokane Fire Department and crews from Spokane County Fire District 9 were dispatched to a structure fire at a residence in the 7900 block of N. Graycoat Court. First arriving crews reported smoke from the front of the structure with flames visible on the lower back level of the home.

 

Upon making entry into the residence, fire crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and limit the fire damage to the room where the fire originated. The fire did cause extensive smoke damage throughout the structure. The total property damage is estimated to be $30,000.

 

A quick search of the home was conducted with all residents out of the home. One resident was evaluated on scene by fire crews but the individual refused care.

 

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

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

UNATTENDED COOKING MATERIALS CAUSE RESIDENTIAL FIRE

 

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UNATTENDED COOKING MATERIALS CAUSE RESIDENTIAL FIRE
NO REPORTED INJURIES, EXTENSIVE SMOKE AND FIRE DAMAGE

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Yesterday’s residential fire in the 1500 block of  E. Houghton Court serves as an important reminder to not leave cooking materials unattended. No injuries were reported and damage to the north Spokane home was estimated at $150,000.

 

At 11:39 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department along with units from Fire District 9, were dispatched to a structure fire. The first arriving fire crews reported near total fire involvement of a two-story, single-family home. The neighboring home to the east was in close proximity and was beginning to show signs of imminent ignition. Crews from both the City of Spokane and Fire District 9 were able to protect the home next door, search for any possible victims, and extinguish the fire within 30 minutes.

 

Two occupants were home at the time of the fire and were able to escape without injury. There were no reported injuries to firefighters.

 

The house suffered extensive fire and smoke damage to all floors. The Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit determined the cause of the fire to be accidental in nature due to unattended cooking materials being left on the covered rear deck.

 

According to the U.S. Fire Administration cooking is the leading cause of residential building fires.

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org

 

FIREFIGHTERS CREDIT SISTER MADONNA BUDER IN HELPING SLEEPING NEIGHBOR ESCAPE FIRE

 

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FIREFIGHTERS CREDIT SISTER MADONNA BUDER IN HELPING SLEEPING NEIGHBOR ESCAPE FIRE

NO INJURIES REPORTED, FIRE WAS ACCIDENTIAL AND RELATED TO SMOKING MATERIALS

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A man was able to safely escape a fire at his mobile home on Monday morning thanks to an alert neighbor. Fire and smoke damaged the home, but no injuries were reported.

 

Yesterday just before 6 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded to report of a residential fire in the San Souci Mobile Home Park at 3231 W. Boone Ave. The first-arriving engine reported fire coming from the back deck area and extending into the home.

An alert neighbor who noticed the smoke knocked on the door of the home and was able to successfully wake up the sleeping resident.

“Sister Madonna Buder helped save a life on Monday, advised Assistant Chief Brian Schaeffer. “Her quick thinking and immediate action in waking up this gentleman helped to ensure he was able to safely evacuate without any injuries.”

Fire crews were able to knockdown the fire within 14 minutes and conducted several searches of the residence to make sure no one else was inside. Crews remained on scene through the morning checking that all hot spots were extinguished and to assist with making arrangements for the occupant.

 

The mobile home sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. The total property damage is estimated to be $60,000. The cause of the fire was determined to be accidental and related to smoking materials.

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind everyone to have working smoke detectors in the home and to develop and practice an escape plan.

 

 

 

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Michele Anderson | Public Safety Communications Manager
Spokane Police Department | Spokane Fire Department

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 |mlanderson@spokanecity.org