Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Tips

The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) and Spokane Police Department (SPD) want everyone to have a safe and happy Halloween. Public safety officials from both departments recommend that families plan children's Halloween activities by teaching and practicing basic everyday safety. Those basic safety elements include not getting into cars with people they do not know, not talking to strangers, being visible to motorists, keeping all decorations away from open flames and watching both ways before crossing streets.

To help everyone celebrate safely below are a few Halloween safety tips:

• Heads Up, Phones Down: Don’t Be Distracted. Put electronic devices down and be aware of your surroundings.
• Driver Safety: Motorists should slow down, use extra caution and watch for children and families walking on roadways, medians and curbs.
• Pedestrian Safety: Go over pedestrian safety rules with kids before heading out. Be careful crossing streets and look both directions to make sure no cars are coming. Always use crosswalks and sidewalks. Where no sidewalk is present, stick close to the curb and walk facing the direction of traffic.
• Adult Supervision: Children should not trick or treat alone and should be taught to never go into the home of a stranger or get into their car. Instruct children not to eat treats until they return home and families have had a chance to inspect those treats.
• Be Visible: Costumes should be light, bright and clearly visible to motorists. Carry a flashlight or glow stick and/or wear reflective tape.
• Costume Safety: Costumes, masks, beards and wigs should be flame resistant. Make sure the costume does not obstruct vision.

• Home Fire Safety: Do not leave candles unattended. Try flameless candles or glow sticks in jack-o’-lanterns. Keep decorations away from candles, light bulbs or heaters. Keep exits clear of decorations.

 

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments are dedicated to making sure our community is safe each day of the year. For more Halloween safety tips visit the National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/wildfire-and-seasonal-fires/halloween-safety or the National Safety Council at http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/halloween-safety.aspx.

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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

 

Laundered towels ignite causing small fire at River Park Square Mall Food Court

Laundered towels ignite causing small fire at River Park Square Mall Food Court

 

Just after 1 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded to the River Park Square Mall on a report of a fire on the third floor. Crews located smoke in the food court area and found a small fire in a plastic bucket that was full of rags in the kitchen area of the restaurant Classic Burger. Fortunately, the fire did not spread and was contained to the bucket of cloths. 

Investigators with the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit says kitchen rags recently laundered served as the cause for the fire. The towels (used to wipe out the restaurant’s fryers) were washed, dried and then tightly stored in a bucket which caused a chemical reaction and for the towels to ignite without an external heat source.

“This could happen to anyone and happens more often than you think,” says Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “These types of fires often occur after items with remnants of oil or cleaning solvents are cleaned and removed from dryers and placed in containers or piled on tables or in closets.”

Fire damage was limited to a five-gallon plastic bucket and the rags within it along with minimal smoke damage to the restaurant establishment and surrounding food court area.

 

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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

 

Mother and child suffer burn injuries from fire

Mother and child suffer burn injuries from fire

A little after 3:30 p.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 2200 block of E. Cataldo Ave. on a report of a mother and child with burn injuries. Before crews arrived, the fire had been extinguished.

Firefighters advise the mother suffered burns while attempting to help her child and extinguish the fire. The child suffered significant burns and is being transported to Harborview Medical Center.

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

The fire did not cause any structural damage to the residence.

 

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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

 

Hillyard garage fire forces crews to use defensive tactics

 

Hillyard garage fire forces crews to use defensive tactics

 

Spokane firefighters had to work quickly to contain a Hillyard garage fire late Saturday and keep it from spreading. The cause of the fire is under investigation and no one was injured.

 

The fire, reported at about 7:15 pm, was producing heavy fire and smoke from a detached garage and shop area when crews arrived at 3714 E. Princeton. The large volume of fire within the 20-by-30-foot garage, as well as the numerous contents and suspended material forced the crews to
use defensive tactics to control the fire, which took about an hour.

 

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage was estimated at $20,000. Spokane Fire District 9 firefighters also responded as part of a mutual aid agreement with the city.

 

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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

      

 

No injuries reported after fire in travel trailer

No injuries reported after fire in travel trailer

 

Last night at 6:35 p.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded on a report of a travel trailer on fire in the 1900 Block of W. 15^th Ave. First arriving crews found a 5^th wheel trailer fully involved with fire.

Firefighters performed a search of the trailer to ensure all occupants had evacuated and quickly extinguished the fire, protecting the nearby dwellings. Once extinguishment was complete, crews continued working on putting out hot spots. During searches of the trailer, a family dog was found alive and in good condition. The dog was turned over to the homeowner.

There were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters.

The trailer received heavy fire and smoke damage. The fire is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. The fire does not appear to be suspicious and most likely caused by an electrical source.

 

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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

 

Reminder for Saturday - Fire Safety Campaign

Good morning!

 

Just wanted to send a quick reminder that the Spokane Fire Department, the American Red Cross and numerous community volunteers will be visiting 400 homes in the Garland neighborhood on Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Details are below and attached.

 

SFD’s Community Risk Reduction Manager Jamie McIntyre will be available at the number listed below if reporters have questions on Saturday.

 

Thanks~

 

 

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For Immediate Release: October 4, 2017

Contacts:    Megan Snow, American Red Cross (509) 990-0969

                     Elysia Spencer, Spokane Valley Fire Department (509) 892-4104

                     Jamie McIntyre, Spokane Fire Department (509) 435-7058

 

More than 850 Homes Targeted for Fire Safety Campaign
Local Agencies Partner to Promote National Fire Prevention Week – October 7 – 14, 2017 

Spokane, Wash. – More than 850 homes are targeted to receive free Home Fire Safety Visits on October 7 and October 14 as the American Red Cross, Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) partner to kick-off National Fire Prevention Week, October 7 – 14, 2017.

 

With the resident’s permission, teams of volunteers will test existing smoke alarms and install new smoke alarms as needed to ensure working smoke alarms are in the right locations throughout each home. Residents will receive information and instructions focused on this year’s National Fire Prevention Week emphasis – “Every Second Counts – Plan Two Ways Out!” In addition, residents will receive a Home Fire Safety Checklist with important information about cooking safety, smoking, heating, electrical safety and more.

 

Volunteers will visit more than 450 homes in the University (Valley) neighborhood on Saturday, October 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 400 homes in the Garland neighborhood on Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

 

SVFD and SFD analyzed fire department data, demographics, the age of homes in the area, and risk factors including fire fatalities within the last 10 years to identify high risk neighborhoods within service areas. With nearly 60 percent of all home fire fatalities occurring in residences without working smoke alarms, the goal is to prevent residents in these neighborhoods from becoming part of that statistic.

 

“The Red Cross responds to almost 66,000 disasters across the United States every year, and most of these are home fires,” said Megan Snow, Executive Director of the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter. “Here in the Inland Northwest, we responded to over 200 home fires in 2016. These home fires are devastating for the people involved and are also responsible for a number of deaths and injuries. That is why our partnership with local fire departments during National Fire Prevention Week is so important.  We want to help save lives by installing smoke alarms in homes that don’t have them and educating people about home fire safety.”

 

On Saturday, October 7, approximately 40 volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at SVFD University Fire Station #1, 10319 E. Sprague Avenue, for training. Door-to-door installation will run from 10 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. After a break for lunch, volunteers will continue until all homes have been contacted. Volunteers include many off-duty SVFD firefighters, Red Cross personnel and volunteers, volunteers from PEMCO Insurance and members of the Washington Spokane LDS Mission (Mormon).

 

The target area for the Spokane Valley campaign is roughly E. Broadway Ave to E. Sprague Ave and N. University Road to N. Mullan Road. The area was selected based on a risk assessment conducted by SVFD personnel as part of the agency’s comprehensive Community Risk Reduction program.

 

Volunteers will be working in 3-person teams to educate, install and document each visit. A supply of more than 600 smoke alarms is available to volunteers, with 300 units provided by the American Red Cross, 50 units donated by Kidde Fire Safety, and the remaining smoke alarms provided by Spokane Valley Fire Department.

 

On Saturday, October 14, approximately 30 volunteers will meet at 9 a.m. at City Church, 1047 W. Garland Avenue, for training. Door-to-door installation will run until 3pm. After a break for lunch, volunteers will continue until all homes have been contacted. Volunteers include Red Cross personnel and volunteers, students from Eastern Washington University and members of the Washington Spokane LDS Mission (Mormon).

 

The target area for the Spokane campaign is roughly W. Garland Avenue to W. Glass Avenue and N. Cedar Street to N. Howard Street. The area was selected based on a risk assessment conducted by SFD personnel as part of the department’s Community Risk Reduction program.

 

Volunteers will be working in 3-person teams to educate, install and document each visit. A supply of more than 400 smoke alarms is available to volunteers, with 300 units provided by the American Red Cross, and the remaining smoke alarms provided by Spokane Fire Department.

 

About the American Red Cross – The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. Visit www.redcross.org or call the Greater Inland Northwest Chapter at (509) 326-3330.

 

About SVFD - Spokane Valley Fire Department serves the Cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Millwood, and unincorporated areas of Spokane County with a combined population of 125,000 across approximately 75 square miles. SVFD firefighters and paramedics responded to more than 16,250 emergency calls in 2016. Established in 1940, SVFD is an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, one of only a handful in Washington State. SVFD operates 10 fire stations providing fire, emergency medical, rescue and other emergency services. SVFD also provides free Home Fire Safety visits at www.spokanevalleyfire.com.

 

About SFD – The Spokane Fire Department serves a population of more than 210,000 residents within the City’s 76 square miles. Proudly serving its residents and visitors, SFD is an innovative organization dedicated to providing its community and visitors with the best possible all risk emergency service. Responding to more than 39,000 calls for service annually, SFD is committed to enhancing quality of life, always earning trust, by saving lives, preventing harm and protecting property with compassion and integrity. For more information, visit www.spokanecity.org/fire, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.                                                                 

 

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No injuries reported in early morning office fire

No injuries reported in early morning office fire

Thanks to a fire alarm sounding, construction workers were alerted to a fire on the roof of a large medical office building located in the 600 block of E. Holland Ave.

Just after 1:00 a.m., fire crews from the Spokane Fire Department and Spokane Fire District 9 responded to a report of a fire at a commercial building. Automatic aid allowed the resources to quickly respond to the incident and minimize damage.

First arriving firefighters advised of flames showing on the northeast side of the structure in a new addition. Due to the location of the fire, crews had to access the fire with aerial apparatus. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to the main building.

The fire caused damage to a portion of the roof and limited damage to the interior of the office building. The preliminary investigation shows construction activity may have caused the fire.

 

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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 responds to two more garage fires in Hillyard neighborhood

 

Spokane Fire responds to two more garage fires in Hillyard neighborhood
No injuries were reported

Last evening, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to two more garage fires in the Hillyard neighborhood. The cause of both fires remain under investigation by SFD’s Special Investigation Unit.

At 7:05 p.m., SFD was dispatched to a structure fire in the 800 block E. Hoffman Ave.

Crews arrived to find a detached garage that was fully involved with fire. The fire had already spread to the residence that was just feet from the garage. The fire was threatening an adjacent home to the west as well.

The fire caused extensive damage to the residence and was ultimately controlled by firefighters within 45 minutes. Crews worked to contain the fire to the garage and the second floor of the home. 

Avista responded to secure the natural gas meter and to de-energize electrical lines that had fallen as a result of the fire. The American Red Cross was on the scene to provide housing for three adults and two children displaced by the fire.

Approximately 50 minutes after the fire on Hoffman was reported, a fire in the 1600 block of E. Joseph Ave. was dispatched.

Crews arrived to find another detached garage on fire. Fire damage to the single car garage was limited to the exterior. The interior of the garage did sustain smoke damage.

Thankfully there were no reported injuries to civilians or firefighters on either fire.

The cause of both fires are currently under investigation by members of the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit. Investigators are looking into the possibility that the two fires are related.

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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 respond to garage fires in Hillyard neighborhood

 

Firefighters respond to garage fires in Hillyard neighborhood
No injuries were reported

Within several hours, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to two garage fires in the Hillyard neighborhood. The cause of the fires remain under investigation by SFD’s Special Investigation Unit, but investigators believe both fires are unrelated and independent from each other.

Just after 7:30 p.m. last evening, firefighters responded to the 2900 block of E. Francis Ave. First arriving crews located fire that spread from a pile of debris to a fence, motorhome, and a shed/shop. Firefighters were able to contain the fire from spreading and causing further damage. The fire caused extensive damage to the motorhome, fence, and the wood shed/shop along with minor damage to two vehicles.

Several hours later at approximately 1:10 a.m. this morning, fire crews responded to the 2600 block of E. Diamond Ave. Firefighters located a detached single-car garage engulfed in flames in the backyard of a residence. The fire rapidly spread to a larger sized shop on the west of side of the property. Quick work by firefighters prevented the fire from extending to the residence or damaging any other neighboring structures. The fire destroyed the one-car garage and heavily damaged the shop.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported on either fire. 

 

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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