SFD reminds citizens that fireworks are illegal

 

 

 

SFD reminds citizens that fireworks are illegal
 Consumer fireworks have been illegal for more than 25 years

With the Fourth of July holiday just one week away, the Spokane Fire Department reminds everyone that the sale and use of all amateur (consumer) fireworks is illegal in the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Millwood, Liberty Lake and the unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

 

Illegal possession or use of fireworks can result in infractions of $536 for each violation in addition to fines and court costs. Individuals who start a fire are also liable for restitution of damaged property and for the recovery of Fire Department response costs.

 

All fireworks are prohibited, including – but not limited to – non-detonating military devices such as large flares, certain propellants, specialty fireworks and larger devices used in public displays, firecrackers, torpedoes, skyrockets, roman candles, sparklers, bottle rockets and similar materials that contain any explosive or combustible compound.

 

This year marks the 26th year in which all consumer fireworks are illegal. Based on the number of fireworks-caused fires between 1983 and 1992, the fireworks ban has prevented an estimated 2,200 fires. In the 10 years prior to the fireworks ordinance in 1993, 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 25 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 the Fourth of July that some emergency medical calls to 9-1-1 had to be stacked until first responders could be dispatched.

 

In addition to the number of fires and injuries caused by consumer fireworks each year, fireworks can have a negative impact on neighbors, pets, and veterans suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Violations of the fireworks ban should be reported to Crime Check at (509) 456-2233.

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to wish the community a Happy Independence Day and encourage everyone to celebrate the holiday safely by leaving fireworks up to the professionals. Everyone is invited to the community celebration on July 4th at Riverfront Park, starting at noon and continuing until the 10 p.m. fireworks display provided by licensed pyrotechnicians.

 

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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

 

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments want to remind HoopFest fans to have fun and also stay safe

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments want to remind HoopFest fans to have fun and also stay safe

 

To ensure the largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the world remains safe and fun, City of Spokane public safety officials ask attendees to follow a few safety tips.

 

The Spokane Police Department will be helping to provide security and safety for all Hoopfest fans. In addition, 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 will be working throughout the event. Additional behind the scenes measures will be implemented as well.

 

To help ensure the safety of people attending as well as those that are in the area, public safety officials are asking for the community’s help by following a few safety tips:

 

• Choose an alternative route to avoid congestion if you do not need to be downtown.
• Take public transportation if you can.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Immediately report suspicious activity to law enforcement officials.
• Never leave children unattended.
• Lock ALL vehicle doors and secure windows. If possible use a vehicle anti-theft device.
• Do not leave any valuables in vehicles.
• Drivers should slow down and be aware of extra pedestrian activity.
• Pedestrians should exercise extra caution and watch for traffic.
• Do not leave purses or bags unattended. 
• Animals are prohibited during special events, so please leave them at home (service animals are permitted).
• Remember open containers are not allowed.

 

Yellow and/or red bags have been placed on many meters in the downtown area. Please do not park at meters that are bagged or your vehicle will be towed. These areas will be used for Hoopfest equipment, emergency vehicles, event equipment vehicles, and STA buses.

 

With warmer temperatures expected for the event, the Spokane Fire Department wants to remind attendees and participants of the importance of preventing heat related illnesses by following a few safety tips:

 

• Avoid heavy exertion, extreme heat, sun exposure, and high humidity when possible.
• If you are active, monitor your physical condition and that of your friends or teammates for signs or symptoms of heat illnesses.
• Drink plenty of water – don't wait until you're thirsty to drink more fluids.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting, breathable clothing such as cotton.

 

Throughout the year, the safety of our community is of the utmost importance to your Spokane Police and Fire Departments. We are dedicated to making sure our community is safe and secure each day of the year and during all of our special events.

 

The 2018 Hoopfest map can be found here.

 

 

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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

 

House fire remains under investigation

 

House fire remains under investigation
No injuries reported

 

A fire remains under investigation after damaging a detached garage and spreading to an unoccupied home in east central Spokane.

 

The fire started just before 6 p.m. last evening at a single family residence in the 100 block of E. Providence Ave.

 

First arriving crews noted heavy fire involvement in the detached garage behind the residence. The fire was spreading into the eaves of the home and had involved the attic area. Fire crews entered the structure to locate and extinguish the fire while performing a search of the building for occupants. The house was determined to be clear of any occupants. Firefighters were able to effectively bring the fire under control within minutes of entering the structure. The house sustained significant fire damage to the first floor and attic and smoke damage throughout, the detached garage behind the home also suffered heavy fire damage.

 

There were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians.

 

Anyone with information about the fire should call 509-625-7000 so the information can be forwarded to the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigations 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

 

Improperly discarded smoking materials to blame for early morning fire

 

Improperly discarded smoking materials to blame for early morning fire

Fire investigators say improperly discarded smoking materials caused this morning’s fire at a commercial building.

 

At approximately 5:47 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 3800 block of E.  Boone Ave. on a report of a commercial structure fire. 

 

The first arriving engine company reported smoke and flames visible from the exterior of the building and extending inside. Firefighters immediately initiated fire attack on the exterior. Additional crews gained entry into the structure to check for fire extension and conducted a search of the interior to ensure no one was inside.

 

Crews contained the fire to the exterior of the building and extinguished it within 5 minutes of the first fire crews arriving on scene.

 

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind the community about some important safety tips related to smoking.

 

• Put cigarettes out in an ashtray or bucket with sand. Use ashtrays with a wide base so they won’t tip over and start a fire.
• Put cigarettes out completely. Don’t walk away from lit cigarettes and other smoking materials. Put water on the ashes and butts to ensure they are out before they are properly discarded. 
• Be alert. Do not smoke after taking medications that cause drowsiness.
• Never smoke around medical oxygen. Medical oxygen can explode if a flame or spark is near. Even if the oxygen is turned off, it can still catch on fire.
• Never smoke in bed. Mattresses and bedding can catch on fire easily. Do not smoke in bed because you might fall asleep with a lit cigarette.
• Smoke outside. Many things in a home or business can ignite if they touch something hot like a cigarette or ashes.

 

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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

 

Early morning garage fire quickly contained

 

Early morning garage fire quickly contained

 

This morning at approximately 1:00 a.m. the Spokane Fire Department responded to the 2200 E block of Mission St. on a report of a detached garage on fire. 

 

The first arriving crew reported smoke and flames visible. Firefighters gained entry into the structure and quickly confined and extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading. A search of the structure was completed to ensure no one was inside.

 

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

 

The fire caused moderate smoke and heat damage throughout garage. The cause of the fire is under investigations by the Spokane Fire 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

 

FW: fire/dv call on north maple (information from SFD)

 

At approximately 4:40 p.m. hours on Saturday, the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Police Department and Spokane County Fire District 9 were dispatched to a structure fire in the 7700 block on N. Maple St. on the 5 Mile Prairie.

Members of the Spokane Police Department arrived on scene first and reported that the structure was on fire and had been evacuated.

First arriving fire department crews arrived within 7 minutes and found an advanced fire in a single-story home of newer construction. The fire was threatening adjacent homes on either side and protection of these two homes was quickly accomplished by on scene crews. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, but the home ultimately sustained very heavy fire damage to the interior as well as to the entire attic. One of the homes next door sustained damage to its vinyl siding, but the fire was kept out of the structure itself.

Firefighters worked to contain this advanced fire and successfully prevented any significant fire extension to the 2 adjacent homes.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by members of the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit (SIU), The Spokane Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).

There were no reported injuries as a result of this fire.

 

 

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From: Van Tassel, Ronald
Sent: Saturday, June 16, 2018 7:51 PM
To: SPD Media <PoliceMedia@spokanecity.org>
Subject: fire/dv call on north maple

 

The Spokane Police and Fire Departments responded to 7700 N Maple for what started out as a domestic violence. Minutes later the residence was engulfed in flames. Officers arrested a male at the location and the Fire Department was able to put the fire out.

On June 16^th, 2018, just before 4:30 in the afternoon, Spokane Police Officers responded to a residence in the 7700 block of north Maple (5-mile area) for a reported domestic violence. While Officers were enroute for that call, 911 started to receive calls from neighbors stating that the same residence was now on fire.

Officers arrived onscene and discovered everybody was outside of the residence. They contacted the female victim. Officers located the male in front of the residence. There was nobody else inside the residence during the incident.

Spokane Fire responded and were able to extinguish the fire. The home suffered extensive damage from the fire.

After the initial stages of the investigation Officers determined there was probable cause to arrest the male, 49 year old Fabian Harper for domestic violence assault. He was also charged with unlawful possession of a firearm due to a previous DV order that was in place.

Fire investigators are going to continue to conduct their investigation to see what the cause of the fire was. Depending on the results of that investigation, more charges could come in the future.

Cpl Van Tassel

 

Spokane Fire Department Announces the Achievement of 100% Paramedic Staffing at all 16 Fire Stations

 

Spokane Fire Department Announces the Achievement of 100% Paramedic Staffing at all 16 Fire Stations

 

The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) proudly announces full-time paramedic staffing at all of its fire stations. The announcement comes after the launch of paramedics being staffed at Spokane Fire Station #8 (1608 N. Rebecca St.) during all shifts. 

 

“The overwhelming majority of emergencies that we respond to involve a medical nature and the complexity of those incidents are ever-increasing,” said Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “Currently our life-threatening incidents year-to-date are 12% last years, and the data indicates that the trend is showing no sign of decreasing. It’s paramount for our department to have the most prepared and resilient system possible to meet the needs of our community.”

 

In 2017, out of the 40,304 calls for service within city limits for the department 32,047 of the calls were medically-related. The SFD Annual Report contains more data and can be found at: https://goo.gl/GsSMVT.

 

SFD has 16 stations staffed 24-hours a day, seven days a week. All 365 SFD firefighters are at least Emergency Medical Technician certified if they are assigned to the Field Operations Division and 98 are Paramedics—including Fire Chief Schaeffer. Firefighters that are chosen to for paramedic training receive approximately 1,300 hours of education and training including: 672 hours of didactic and lab training, 260 hours of supervised hospital clinical time and a minimum of 360 hours of supervised paramedic field internship. SFD Paramedics attend clinical rotations and field internships throughout several hospitals and EMS agencies in Spokane and Northern Idaho. In addition to the Paramedic Training, they also receive certifications in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and Prehospital Trauma Life Support. The SFD Paramedics are among the best in the country, and can now be found in every neighborhood protecting our citizens and visitors throughout the City of Spokane.

 

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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 Honored with 2018 Heart Safe Community Award

 

Spokane Fire Department Honored with 2018 Heart Safe Community Award

 

The Spokane Fire Department (SFD) was selected as the winner of the 2018 Heart Safe Community Award – Large Community from the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

 

The Heart Safe Community Award is presented to fire service-based EMS agencies that have played a key role in improving the quality of out-of-hospital cardiac care and resuscitation efforts and have demonstrated creative approaches to improving therapies for patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes and its life-threatening complication, Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

 

“We feel honored to be recognized and to receive this award, says Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer. “A robust EMS system has been a cornerstone of our organization, and we have been on the leading wave of advanced cardiac care for more than 20 years with regionalized cardiac care.”

 

Over the course of several years, SFD has implemented a multifaceted program aimed at improving community-wide cardiac arrest outcomes. The department has achieved this through a targeted and focused training program that emphasizes a “Pit-Crew” style of CPR in which each firefighter has a pre-designated role in patient care delivery; highly efficient CPR and improved community response through CPR education and AED awareness; expanding bystander CPR education efforts; streamlining the local telephone CPR protocols; increasing public access to AED use; ongoing collaborations with local Level 1 Cardiac Centers of Excellence; and emphasizing high performance, team-based CPR by EMS providers.

 

“We continue to utilize data to help focus our efforts which has resulted in survival rates that exceed the national rate and Washington State,” adds Schaeffer. “We also analyze our annual results and overall trends in survival to identify areas for improvement to ensure that we are delivering top-tier cardiac care for our community.”

 

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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

 

statement from Fire Chief Schaefferr

Statement from Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer:

 

At the Spokane Fire Department we are deeply sadden to hear of the untimely passing of retired firefighter Ronny F. Weston. Firefighter Weston was hired by the department on March 1, 1999 and proudly served the community of Spokane for 14 years until his retirement on March 29, 2013. Our thought and prayers remain with his family and friends during this difficult time.

 

 

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

cell 509.742.0063 | office 509.622.5868 | mlanderson@spokanecity.org