Hazardous materials release prompts evacuation of nursing facility

 

Hazardous materials release prompts evacuation of nursing facility

Last night at approximately 7:30 p.m., two companies from the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to an activated fire alarm at a nursing care facility located in the 1800 block of E. Upriver Dr. 

 

Upon arrival crews discovered there was a leak from a hazardous gas container. Immediately, the incident commander upgraded the call to a hazardous materials response in order to have additional resources respond.  

 

Four firefighters and two facility staff were exposed to the gas and were transported to a local hospital due to medical symptoms resulting from the exposure.

 

A portion of the facility was evacuated while another area of the facility was cordoned off to allow residents to safely stay. Approximately 75 residents in total were evacuated. SFD along with American Medical Response (AMR) worked with staff to ensure all evacuees were stable and did not need medical attention. 

 

SFD’s Hazardous Materials Response Team was able to make entry to determine the gas leak had stopped, monitor the area, and determine the gas had been cleared, so residents could safely return to using the entire facility. No residents were injured or exposed to the gas. An additional facility staff member was injured during the evacuation process.

 

At the time of this release, the four firefighters that were exposed were released from the hospital are expected to make a full and quick recovery. There is no information available regarding the medical condition of the two facility staff members.

 

 

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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 City Fire Marshal issues outdoor recreational fire restrictions

 

Spokane City Fire Marshal issues outdoor recreational fire restrictions

 

​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 today, July 7, 2017, by order of the Spokane City Fire Marshal.  The restriction will continue until further notice; such restrictions are subject to change depending on conditions. 

 

Citizens may still use backyard barbecues, manufactured 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, charcoal, propane, or natural gas.

 

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

      

 

Man injured by Browne's Addition apartment fire

Man injured by Browne’s Addition apartment fire

 

A man was treated by paramedics and transported to the hospital today with non-life-threatening injuries sustained from a fire in his Browne’s Addition apartment, which Spokane firefighters quickly confined to his unit.

 

Firefighters were called to the fire at 2321 W. Second Avenue at 8:05 am and discovered a heavily involved unit on the second floor. Heavy smoke was coming from unit 203, and another resident had helped the primary occupant evacuate his apartment.

 

Crews worked quickly to contain the fire to the individual unit and evacuate the rest of the building. The victim was treated on scene for smoke inhalation before he was transported to the hospital and is expected to recover fully.

 

The Spokane Fire Department is investigating the cause of the fire.

 

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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

      

 

Weekend river rescue reminder to use personal floatation devices

Weekend river rescue reminder to use personal floatation devices

 

Spokane Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team members pulled four victims who were clinging to a tree to safety after the swift-moving Spokane River overwhelmed the inner tubes they were using. A fifth person in the group managed to make it to shore before rescuers arrived.

 

No one was injured during the Saturday afternoon incident near People’s Park, but the Spokane Fire Department strongly encouraged people on the river to use personal flotation devices and proper floatation equipment. River flows continue to be dangerous.

 

Rescue teams received a call about 1:20 pm of four people trapped in the river. Crews found the victims clinging to a tree approximately 50 feet from the shore. A fifth person had made his own way to shore.

 

Rescuers provided personal floatation devices and helmets to each of the victims and used a kayak to move them to shore one at a time. The response included 35 rescuers from the Spokane Fire Department, Spokane Police Department, Spokane Valley Fire Department, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, AMR and Life Flight.

 

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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 hosting public safety forum tomorrow

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

May 1, 2017

 

Contact:        Brian Coddington

Communications and Marketing Director

(509) 625-6740

 

**********************************************

CITY HOSTING PUBLIC SAFETY FORUM TOMORROW

 EVENING WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS IN SMALLER GROUPS

**********************************************

 

The City of Spokane is hosting a public safety forum tomorrow at the Shadle Public Library branch to discuss neighborhood safety and answer questions people have about their neighborhoods. Discussion begins at 5:30 pm.

The forum will begin with brief presentations from representatives of the Spokane Police Department, Spokane Fire Department and Spokane C.O.P.S. Small group discussions with each of the representatives will follow.

“Improving public safety is a community effort,” Spokane Mayor David Condon said. “This forum is a great opportunity to empower citizens to take an active part in preventing crime and increasing fire safety in their own neighborhood.”

WHEN:          Tuesday, May 2

 

TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

 

WHERE:        Shadle Public Library, 2111 W Wellesley Avenue

 

 

About the City of Spokane

The City of Spokane, home to more than 210,000 people, is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest.  Our 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit spokanecity.org and follows us @spokanecity on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  

 

 

 

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

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

      

 

No one injured in West Central fire

No one injured in West Central fire

 

An unattended candle likely caused a fire that damaged a West Central home and chased an occupant from the house uninjured.

 

Firefighters were called to the house in the 3600 block of W. Princeton about 8 pm on Friday and quickly contained the fire. Fire damage was reported to the kitchen, dining and laundry areas with smoke damage throughout the house.

 

One occupant and pets had evacuated the home prior to the arrival of firefighters. Damage was estimated at $15,000.

 

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

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

      

 

Cutting torch appears to be cause of boat trailer fire

Cutting torch appears to be cause of boat trailer fire

 

A cutting torch appears to have caused a fire that damaged a boat trailer plant in north Spokane. No one was injured and the Friday morning fire was contained to a wall adjacent to where the torch was being used.

 

The Spokane Fire Department called to the EZ Loader facility, 717 N. Hamilton, found the fire burning plywood and insulation inside the wall near the machinery. Firefighter quickly extinguished the fire and employees, who were evacuated, were allowed to return. The fire was reported at 8:24 am.

 

The fire remains under investigation by the fire department’s Special Investigation Unit, but appears to have been started by the cutting torch operation. Damage was estimated at $20,000.

 

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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

      

 

Cause of fatal residential fire under investigation

Cause of fatal residential fire under investigation

 

This morning at approximately 3:45 a.m., the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) responded to a residential structure fire in the 1900 block of W. Fairview Ave. One of the occupants of the home indicated there was another person unaccounted for within the house.

 

During the interior search, firefighters were successful in locating the remaining occupant within minutes. Unfortunately, medical efforts to revive the patient on scene were unsuccessful. The other occupant of the home was treated and transported to a local hospital for further medical care. The patient’s status is unknown at this time.

 

First arriving crews indicated heavy fire involvement from the single-story family residence. Firefighters made an aggressive fire attack coupled with an interior search and were able to bring the fire under control within 20 minutes of their arrival. Damage was limited to the building of origin with no other damage reported.

 

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the SFD Special Investigations Unit and Spokane Police Department. Any information about this fire should be forwarded to the SFD Special Investigations Unit at (509) 625-7000.

 

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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

 

great media opportunity

Media partners:

 

Good morning! I thought you would be interested in a great visual story for today. SFD fire crews are at 32^nd Ave. and Grand Blvd. until 5 p.m. conducting training operations. They will be training on roof ventilation, rescue tactics, etc. at three houses that were donated by Washington Trust. We hope to see you there!

 

Thanks,

Michele

 

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: Don’t forget to check your smoke alarms!

Spokane Fire Department: Don't forget to check your smoke alarms!

 

With the upcoming time change, the Spokane Fire Department (SFD) says it's a good, easy reminder when changing clocks to check your smoke alarms and change batteries.

 

In a fire, working smoke alarms in a home can mean the difference between life and death. "Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained provide an early warning signal which could allow everyone in the home to safely escape," advises SFD Fire Marshal Mike Miller. "When we spring forward one hour, it is a good time to also check the age and condition of your smoke alarms."

 

Residents should use batteries recommended by the manufacturer and make sure they are firmly connected to the smoke alarm contacts. Remember if a smoke alarm starts making "chirping" noise, it's a signal battery levels are low and need to be replaced. Dusting smoke detector surfaces and vacuuming the air vents regularly will keep dust and spider webs from fouling detection elements or causing false alarms. All smoke alarms should be tested monthly and new batteries should be installed at least once a year.

 

Checklist for your smoke alarm:

• Have at least one alarm on every level of your home.
• Have an alarm outside every sleeping area and inside every bedroom.
• Check the back label on each alarm to know the date of manufacture. Make sure no alarm in your home is more than 10 years old.
• Look for "ionization" or "photoelectric" or "photo-ion" on the back label of each alarm. Make sure you know the type of alarm you have!
• Have at least one photoelectric alarm on each level of the home.
• Check if your alarms have "hush buttons" so you don't ever have to remove a battery to silence a nuisance alarm.
• Check if your alarms have lithium batteries so you don't have to replace the 9-volt batteries every year. Lithium batteries may last the life of the smoke alarm.
• Test all of your alarms on the first day of every month to make sure they are still working!

 

Residents wanting more information on smoke alarms or fire safety can contact the SFD's Fire Prevention Bureau at 509-625-7058. A variety of community education resources are also available to help meet the needs of both children and adults. Fire safety presentations can be arranged for neighborhood, business, civic, or education groups.

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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

 

Evening fire causes extensive damage to detached carport

Evening fire causes extensive damage to detached carport

No reported injuries

An early evening fire on the north side of Spokane caused extensive damage to a detached carport. 

 

Last night at 7:21 p.m., the Spokane Fire Department and a crew from Spokane Fire District 9 were dispatched to a reported house fire with adults and 3 children still inside the home. A large column of smoke could be seen by fire crews prior to their arrival. Multiple extra apparatus and personnel were assigned to handle the potential of trapped civilians.

 

Upon arrival, it was quickly determined that all occupants of the structure, including the children, had escaped unharmed. The majority of the fire was found to be in a detached carport at the rear of the home. There was some limited extension of fire into the home, but was quickly extinguished by firefighters.

 

There were no injuries reported to civilians or fire department personnel. 

 

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined and is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit (SIU).

 

 

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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

 

Media Advisory: Bridging the Gap – Building Trust & Legitimacy

Media Advisory: Bridging the Gap – Building Trust & Legitimacy

 

The Spokane Police Department and Spokane Faith Alliance would like to invite community members and media representatives to attend the next Police & Community Forum. 

 

"We have heard from our community members that the Police & Community Forums have been instrumental in successfully building bridges," says Chief Craig Meidl. "The forums provide an opportunity for participants to engage in a healthy, constructive dialogue and work through issues that can strain relationships between law enforcement and community members."

 

The public forum will include a panel discussion, small-group facilitated discussion, and a question and answer time with the audience.

 

Please see the attached flyer for more information. 

 

What: Police & Community Forum 

 

When: Thursday, February 23 from 6 to 9 p.m.

 

Where: Salvation Army, 222 E. Indiana Ave.

 

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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

 

Working sprinklers make a difference during a fire

Working sprinklers make a difference during a fire

A video captures the start of a commercial fire at downtown Spokane business and highlights the importance of having a working sprinkler system.

 

It is fortunate that a security camera was positioned in such a way to capture the entire life cycle of this fire. It does not happen very often that fire departments get video that shows how a fire might start, how it progresses, and how it can be controlled in a true, unsupervised everyday environment.

 

“This video shows how something that starts out small can quickly escalate without the proper fire suppression systems in place,” says City of Spokane Fire Marshal Michael Miller. “If not for the working sprinkler, this fire could have been much worse. This is another example of why we stress the importance of installing and properly maintaining automatic fire suppression and detection systems.”

 

The video captures a fire that started on January 28, 2016 in the Symons Building (15 S. Howard St.), a four story commercial building. The first indication of a problem can be seen when there is a brief flicker from a light fixture that is located in a main floor storage room. Hot material begins to drip from the fixture to the floor level where it ignited some plastic and consequently moved into the adjacent wood wall. The sprinkler head activated and helped confine the fire to a small area. Fire crews also credit the business for having a clean and orderly storeroom which helped in not providing a lot of fuel to the fire in its earliest stage. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 20 minutes. No injuries were reported.

 

 

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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

 

Chief Williams Retirement

We hope you will join us to celebrate the career of retiring Spokane Fire Chief Bobby Williams. Details are attached. Please feel free to share with others outside of SFD and our media partners.

 

Thank you,

Michele

 

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 stresses importance of functioning smoke detectors after early morning fire

 

 

Spokane Fire Department stresses importance of functioning smoke detectors after early morning fire

In the early morning hours, crews from the Spokane Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire in the 1600 block E. Nebraska Ave. in the northeast portion of the city. Engine 15, from the Hillyard neighborhood, was the first fire apparatus to arrive on scene and reported significant smoke conditions from the single family home. The two occupants of the home had escaped prior to the engine's arrival and were in the front yard.

 

Engine 15 firefighters, assisted by firefighters from Station 2 and Station 13 in the Hillyard and Shadle neighborhoods, aggressively attacked the fire while simultaneously conducting search and ventilation activities. The fire was declared extinguished within 20 minutes of the arrival of fire department apparatus.

 

The occupants of the home stated that they were alerted to the fire by the smell of smoke.  While the home did have smoke detectors, they were not in an operable condition at the time of the fire. 

There were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians.

 

The home sustained significant fire and heat damage to the room of origin as well as smoke damage throughout. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.

 

The Spokane Department would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the importance of properly functioning and maintained smoke detectors. Along with keeping a supply of fresh batteries on hand for your smoke detectors, the batteries should be changed semiannually at daylight savings time and tested monthly. Were it not for the occupants sleeping in a bedroom with a closed door and awakening to the smell of smoke from the fire, there could have been a much more tragic outcome to this 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