Change your batteries with your clock

Change batteries with your clock

When you change your clocks back to Standard Time this weekend, Spokane Fire Department asks you to also check the condition of your smoke detectors.

In the past, the slogan was "Change Your Clock / Change Your Battery!"  Now we recognize the importance of knowing the type of battery in the detector and the age of the detector itself.

• Replace alkaline 9-volt batteries at least once a year or whenever they begin to chirp.
• When long-life lithium batteries chirp, it means the detector itself needs to be replaced.  Lithium batteries should last 10 years and smoke detectors must be replaced every 10 years.
• To determine the age of smoke detectors, look for the date of manufacture on the back label of the detector itself.
• When replacing smoke detectors, choose the PHOTOELECTRIC or dual-sensor PHOTO-ION type because they are more effective at detecting smoldering fires than the common ionization smoke alarm.

When you turn your clock back one hour this weekend, please make time to also check on the condition of the smoke detectors in your home.  You need at least one working smoke detector on each level of the house, one outside each sleeping area and one in each bedroom.
 
About 2,800 persons died in home fires in the U.S. last year.  Two of every three fatalities happened in homes that were not protected by a working smoke alarm.

 

For more information on smoke alarms, please call Spokane Fire Department at 509.625.7058.

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Fire damages three North Side garages

Fire damages three North Side garages

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a North Side fire early today that destroyed one garage and damaged two others nearby.

Firefighters responded to 1217 W. Chelan at 3:47 am for a reported garage fire, and discovered that the fire had spread to two other garages. Crews quickly extinguished all three fires. A cause has not been determined and is under investigation.  

Total damage was estimated at $35,000. One garage was a total loss. A second suffered extensive damage to approximately 25 percent of the structure. Damage to the third was light.

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Burn restrictions lifted

 

Burn restrictions implemented on July 17 were lifted today, the Spokane Fire Department announced. Outdoor recreational fires, including campfires, are allowed in the cities of Spokane, Spokane Valley, Airway Heights, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Millwood and throughout all unincorporated areas of Spokane County.

 

Citizens may also use backyard barbecues, chimineas, portable outdoor fireplaces or other patio/deck warmers, as long as approved fuel is used and other requirements are satisfied.  Approved fuel includes seasoned (clean and dry) firewood, briquettes, propane, or natural gas.

 

Other requirements for outdoor fires include:

 

·         Fires must be in designated areas or on private property with owner approval.

 

·         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.

 

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

 

·         Adequate clearance from combustibles must exist.

 

Ø  A minimum 25' clearance to combustibles is required for campfires and fire pits.

 

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

 

Ø  For multi-family dwellings, provide a minimum of 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 7-10 mph [DNR Guideline]) must be present.

 

·         A Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency "green light" indication for air quality must be present. 

 

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

 

Fires not meeting the above listed requirements that are unsafe or otherwise restricted will be required to be extinguished.  As always, bonfires or pig roast type fires must receive an inspection, pre-approval, and a permit from the Spokane Fire Department.  Outdoor burning for disposal purposes are illegal in the City of Spokane at all times.  Failure to comply with the recreational fire regulations are subject to a class 1 civil infraction, which carries a $513 fine in addition to other serious consequences.  A person who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or otherwise discontinue unauthorized burning when ordered to do so is subject to a misdemeanor charge. That person can face an additional fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to 90 days in jail.

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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

      

 

SFD, Red Cross to conduct smoke detector canvass

 

The Spokane Fire Department is partnering with the American Red Cross and Gonzaga University to canvass the Logan neighborhood and ensure homes in this area have working smoke detectors. In addition to handing out fire safety and emergency preparedness information,  SFD will be installing and scheduling the installation of free smoke detectors for households in need.

 

Tomorrow, Saturday, October 11, 2014, from 12:30 to 5:00 pm, the Spokane Fire Department, the American Red Cross and Gonzaga University will be handing out fire safety information, installing smoke detectors for residents who are home, and scheduling future smoke detector installation opportunities in the Logan neighborhood.   The Logan neighborhood has been nationally identified as one of the highest risk areas for fires in Eastern Washington (see attached flyer for additional information).  

 

This fire prevention effort is the final event scheduled in recognition of National Fire Prevention Week, which launched on October 5^th. Other activities during this week have included fire safety presentations to grade school children at Lincoln Heights and St. Aloysius elementary schools.

 

The goal of National Fire Prevention Week is to help bring awareness to the importance of fire safety and education and to remind citizens that working smoke detectors save lives. Last year, more than 2,700 people throughout the nation died in residential fires. Two-thirds of those who died had been living in a home that did not have a working smoke detector. 

 

The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind citizens to take just 5 minutes this weekend to check your smoke detectors!  Click here to learn more about how working smoke detectors can help to keep you and your family safe. For questions about fire prevention and community education, contact Jan Doherty at 509.625.7058 or JDoherty@spokanecity.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

      

 

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

Check your smoke detectors for National Fire Prevention Week

Date: 10/03/2014

Smoke detectors save lives. That is the message the Spokane Fire Department is delivering as National Fire Prevention Week begins Sunday.

Every home needs one detector on each floor level, outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom.  Two out of three deaths in residential fires occur in homes without working smoke detectors. The fire department invites citizens to participate in National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 5-11 by testing the readiness of smoke detectors in your home. 

This year's National Fire Protection Association theme, "Working smoke alarms save lives. Test yours every month!" is based on an increase in civilian fire deaths in 2013 when 2,785 civilians died in residential fires. Two-thirds of those who died had been living in a home that was not protected with working smoke detectors. Either the detector or battery was missing or the detector was too old to be able to respond.

The Spokane Fire Department asks every household to do three things this coming week.

1. Press the test button on each detector to make sure the batteries are still working.  Common 9-volt batteries should be replaced each year or whenever they chirp. Long-life lithium batteries should last 10 years, the same lifespan as the smoke alarm itself.
2. Determine the age of the smoke detectors in your home by checking the back label. If the date of manufacture was more than 10 years ago, replace the alarm as soon as possible.
3. Locate the words "ionization," "photoelectric," or "photo-ion" on the back label to determine the type of detectors you have. The Spokane Fire Department recommends having at least one photoelectric or photo-ion detector on each level of the home. They provide greater protection in a smoldering kind of fire and will sound an alarm up to 40 minutes faster than ionization models.

In the event of a home fire, you have less than three minutes to get everyone safely outside. Take five minutes this Fire Prevention Week to check out how well your smoke detectors could work for your family in a fire emergency!

 

For more information on smoke alarms, please call Spokane Fire Department at 509.625.7058.

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Firefighters quickly extinguish downtown kitchen fire

Incident #: 2014048720
Date of Incident: 09/21/2014

Firefighters quickly knocked down a fire in a downtown restaurant this morning and confined the damage to the kitchen.

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department responded at 8:52 a.m. to an alarm at 827 W. First in downtown Spokane. Crews located a fire burning in a restaurant kitchen, which was part of a four-story complex of businesses. Firefighters quickly knocked down the fire with a dry chemical extinguisher. No structural damage was sustained; however, a waste container was totally destroyed and nearby appliances were scorched. The business, which was not occupied at the time of the alarm, sustained some smoke damage throughout. The cause is under investigation.

Cause:
Under investigation by the Special Investigative Unit of the Spokane Fire Department.

Damage:
Some kitchen appliances were scorched and a waste container was destroyed. Smoke damage throughout business.

# Firefighters Responding: 23

Dollar Loss: $ 2,000

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N. E. house fire dispaces four

Incident #: 2014048727#
Date of Incident: 09/21/2014

Fire heavily damaged a northeast Spokane house this morning and displaced a family of four. No one was injured and the cause is under investigation.  

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire at 2119 East Everett at 9:38 am. The home and a detached garage were both burning heavily when firefighters arrived. Witnesses reported that one occupant was still in a bedroom inside the home. Crews attempted to get inside, but due to the intense fire were forced to initially fight the fire from the exterior. Eventually, all occupants were determined to have made it out of the home. The Red Cross assisted the family of four with their clothing and shelter needs. No injuries were reported.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is actively being investigated by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit and has not been determined at this time.

Damage:
 
There is extensive fire and smoke damage to the involved home along with moderate fire damage to the detached garage.

# Firefighters Responding: 32

Dollar Loss: $ 70,000.00

Other Agencies Responding:
A.M.R. Ambulance, Avista and the Red Cross.

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Fire damages two garages, power lines

Incident #: 2014048687#
Date of Incident: 09/21/2014

Fire in northwest Spokane destroyed a detached garage, damaged a neighboring garage and knocked down power lines in the alley behind the house early today. No one was injured, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a detached garage fire at 1309 West Shannon at 1:26 am. Firefighters found a detached garage fully involved with fire, which had extended to a neighboring garage to the west of this address. Power lines in the alley also were damaged and fell to the ground. Firefighters remained on scene for two hours to make sure the fire was completely extinguished. No one was injured.

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

Damage:
The involved garage along with contents was a total loss. The exposed garage suffered damage to the exposed exterior wall and the roof.

# Firefighters Responding: 18

Dollar Loss: $ 12,000.00

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista

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Northwest Spokane Kitchen fire

Incident #: 2014048623#
Date of Incident: 09/20/2014

A kitchen fire that started on the stove was quickly extinguished Saturday night, but not before it displaced one person from a north Spokane home. No one was injured.  

Narrative:
On Sept 20 at 6:08 pm, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported kitchen fire at 3907 West Wellesley. Smoke was coming from the open front door of a single-family home when firefighters arrived. They quickly extinguished the stove top fire, which had extended into the cabinets and wall. No one was injured, and the Red Cross helped one adult occupant find a place to stay.

Cause:
The cause of the fire was unattended cooking.

Damage:
There was fire damage to the kitchen stove top, cabinets and wall along with smoke damage throughout the single-family home.

# Firefighters Responding: 21

Dollar Loss: $ $5000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Dept for traffic control and the Red Cross for shelter needs.

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Electrical fire evacuates north Spokane restaurant

Incident #: 2014045636
Date of Incident: 09/04/2014

A fire in an electrical vault damaged a north Spokane restaurant last night and forced the evacuation of its occupants. Firefighters used extinguishers to contain the fire to the electrical vault until Avista could shut off power to the Tomato Street Restaurant. No one was injured.

Narrative:
 
Last night, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 9:10 pm to 6220 North Division on a reported structure fire. Restaurant occupants were evacuating the building and smoke was showing from the northeast corner of the Tomato Street when firefighters arrived. Further investigation found fire coming from an electrical vault located outside the structure on the northeast corner. Firefighters used several dry powder extinguishers to prevent the fire from spreading to the building or to a near-by natural gas line and meter. Avista shut down the power to the building at the power pole, helping firefighters to keep the fire from extending into the restaurant.  

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the SFD Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the electrical vault and its associated wiring.  

# Firefighters Responding: 27

Dollar Loss: $ unknown

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista

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Fire damages Hillyard basement

Incident #: 2014044479#
Date of Incident: 08/29/2014

Fire damaged an unoccupied Hillyard house early Friday morning causing approximately $10,000 in damage to the basement. No one was injured.

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department responded to a structure fire at 804 East Joseph at 4:51 a.m. today.  Smoke was coming from the boarded up home when firefighters arrived. The fire was knocked down within 20 minutes, and confined to the basement. No one was in the house, and no one was injured.

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation at this time by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the basement with smoke damage throughout the structure.

# Firefighters Responding: 23

Dollar Loss: $ 10,000.00

Other Agencies Responding:
A.M.R. Ambulance and Avista.

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Rescue Task Force training at NorthTown

08/26/2014

The joint Spokane Fire/Police Department Rescue Task Force is conducting training this week in the basement of the NorthTown Mall.

The team will be train to work in a tactical environment, including response to active shooter and post-explosive incidents that would involve a combined response from both agencies. Training will continue through Thursday.

NorthTown Mall Management and Security has been very proactive in offering cooperation and the use of their facility to the Task Force. Community Partners such as this add valuable experience and knowledge in regards to responding to these kinds challenging events.
 

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Fire damages north side garage

Incident #: 2014042064#
Date of Incident: 08/16/2014

A homeowner who had been using a torch to burn weeds next to his garage accidentally set it on fire on Saturday afternoon, mistakenly thinking he had extinguished the weeds before leaving for lunch. Firefighters quickly put the fire out and limited the damage to two exterior walls and the roof.

Narrative:
The Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported detached garage on fire at 102 West Amherst at 12:01 pm. They found a one car detached garage on fire with smoke emitting from the roof with no other structures threatened. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and remained on scene for one hour overhauling the affected walls and roofing of the garage. There were no injuries.

Cause:
 
The home owner returned to the scene after the fire had been extinguished. The owner stated to the Fire Department Investigator that he had previously burned off weeds with a propane torch behind the garage then left his residence to go out for lunch. The Spokane Fire Department Investigator has determined the physical evidence confirmed the fire started on the exterior of the garage at ground level where the weeds were burned off.

Damage:
 
Portions of two exterior walls and the roof of the affected garage were damaged by the fire. Light smoke damage occurred inside the garage with no loss of personal property.

# Firefighters Responding: 18

Dollar Loss: $ 2000.00

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department for traffic control.

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Fire damages unoccupied home

Incident #: 2014041817
Date of Incident: 08/15/2014

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating a fire that damaged an unoccupied home Friday morning on the lower South Hill. No one was injured, and the fire was contained to a bedroom.

Narrative:
 
The Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 8:30 AM to 312 South Ray Street on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported smoke showing from a one-and-a-half-story wood-framed house. Firefighters started their attack through the front door of the house and concentrated their efforts on a bedroom in the southeast corner. Additional fire crews assisted with search and rescue, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was confined to the bedroom of origin, and the fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. The structure was found to be unoccupied at the time of the fire and there were no reported injuries. Four engine companies, two ladders, a heavy rescue truck and two battalion chiefs totaling 25 firefighters responded to this fire. Fire crews were on scene for approximately two hours. Avista was on scene to mitigate our electrical concerns to the overhead wires to the home.  

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the SFD Special Investigation Unit

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the room of origin with smoke damage throughout the structure.  

# Firefighters Responding: 25

Dollar Loss: $ 20,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Spokane Police Department, Avista

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Fire damages backyard playhouse, garage

Incident #: 2014041808
Date of Incident: 08/15/2014

A fire that destroyed a backyard playhouse Friday morning also heavily damaged a garage in east central Spokane. No one was injured and the cause is under investigation.

Narrative:
 
The Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 7:47 AM to 2113 E. Fifth Ave. on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported fire showing from a large wood-framed playhouse in the backyard of this address. The playhouse was fully involved with fire that extended to a single-story garage to the east. Firefighters concentrated their initial fire attack on the garage while additional fire crews assisted with fire attack on the playhouse and ventilation, salvage and overhaul. The playhouse was a total loss and the garage sustained heavy fire damage. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries. Four engine companies, one ladder, a heavy recue truck and two battalion chiefs totaling 21 firefighters responded to this fire. Fire crews were on scene for approximately one and a half hours. Avista was on scene to mitigate electrical concerns to the overhead wires in the alley.  

Cause:
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the SFD Special Investigation Unit.

Damage:
Fire damage was confined to the structure of origin and the garage to the east.  

# Firefighters Responding: 21

Dollar Loss: $ 15,000

Other Agencies Responding:
Avista

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