City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 12/02/2019 05:32 PM PST
Message from the Fire Chief
On behalf of the Seattle Fire Department, I want to wish you and your family happy holidays. We are posting weekly tips on our Fireline Blog and social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) to help keep you and your family safe this winter season. The department is participating again this year in the “Toys for Tots” drive, which benefits children in our community. New and unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any fire station in Seattle through Dec. 8 – read more below about how you can help.
On Nov. 4, we launched our new Health One unit into service. This unit – which operates in the downtown core and Capitol Hill neighborhood – is staffed with a specially trained team of firefighters and a social worker. In just one month, we have already seen the positive impact of this new method for addressing non-emergency 911 calls in Seattle. The Health One team is equipped with the training and resources necessary to provide patients with individually tailored services and diversion options.
Our Fire Prevention Division is launching three new initiatives in 2020. We are introducing citations for “false” or preventable alarms, untested and unrepaired fire protection systems, and unsafe conditions at nightlife venues. Read more below about how these initiatives will help keep members of the public, employees, firefighters and buildings safer in Seattle.
Thank you for your continued support. We will continue to think of innovative ways to provide the best service to the community members we serve.
Stay safe,
Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief
Significant incidents recap
Crews responded to a fire inside a Fred Meyer department store at the 13000 block of Lake City Way NE.
Crews utilized a unique rope rescue technique where our firefighter was lowered headfirst to retrieve a person trapped in a construction hole.
Firefighters responded to an electrical fire in an alley near University Way NE and 43rd Ave. NE.
On Nov. 24, firefighters responded to a 2-alarm fire in a residential building on the 10500 block of 8th Ave. NE. Recap of the incident is on our Fireline Blog.
Seattle Fire around the community
Fire Prevention Division to implement three initiatives in 2020 to keep public safe
To help prevent fires and keep people in Seattle safe, the department's Fire Prevention Division is launching three new initiatives that go into effect on January 1, 2020. All of these initiatives are supported by a new non-criminal citation program with penalties of $373 or greater for certain cases of non-compliance with the Seattle Fire Code.
Preventable Alarms 2020 Initiative:Each year, the department responds to over 5,000 preventable or "false" alarms in Seattle, accounting for approximately one of three fire calls received by dispatchers at the Fire Alarm Center. Preventable alarms take firefighters out of service, making them unavailable to respond to fire and emergency medical emergencies. The intent of this initiative is to encourage maintenance and needed modification of alarm systems and discourage acts that result in alarm activation.
Systems Testing 2020 Initiative:Sprinklers, fire alarms and suppression systems are among the most important components of any building for saving lives and protecting property in the event of a fire. However, too many buildings in Seattle have untested or unrepaired fire protection systems. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the "responsible party" of a building maintain their systems in good working condition and test their systems annually.
Nightlife Safety 2020 Initiative: The Seattle Fire Department inspects nightlife and event venues to promote an environment that is safe for employees and patrons. Some violations at nightclubs pose a significant and immediate threat to life safety. The intent of this initiative is to keep venues safer by writing citations for overcrowding, blocked exits and unsafe conditions at the time of inspection.
To help keep buildings safe and prepare for successful inspections, the Fire Prevention Division has developed a new webpage with links to translated documents of the division's most popular guides and forms.
PHOTOS: Seattle Fire's Future Women in Fire and EMS Workshop
On Oct. 26 and 27, Seattle Fire hosted the "Future Women in Fire and EMS" workshop at Seattle’s Joint Training Facility. Thirty-nine participants interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Medical Services or serving their community as a firefighter or paramedic attended the workshop. Attendees spent a weekend learning CPR and firefighting tasks, watching demonstrations and participating in hands-on training. View photos from the workshop online.
Rescue Swimmers conduct night operation drills
SFD rescue swimmers conducted night operation drills at Myrtle Edwards Park in November. They simulated several scenarios of rescuing “patients” from shallow water and in low-visibility conditions. With nearly 200 miles of shoreline in Seattle, these swimmers are ready to respond in warm and cold weather.
Medics reunite with patient they treated in 2017
In summer of 2017, SFD Paramedic Ryan Ellis, retired SFD Paramedic Patti Mann, and two paramedics who were students at the time (Chris Olson and Jacob Black) were dispatched to Fisherman's Terminal for a medic response. This week, they got to meet the patient they treated and transported at a patient reunification meeting at Station 18 in Ballard. They were very happy to see that Mr. Hearne has made a full recovery!
Seattle launches Health One unit into service
The department's new Health One unit is officially IN-SERVICE! The Health One unit began operating in the downtown core and Capitol Hill neighborhood on Nov. 4. The unit is staffed with a team of specially trained Seattle firefighters and a civilian social worker and is helping people with non-emergency 911 requests for issues like substance abuse, low acuity medical issues, and a need to access services.
Fire Prevention Division employees receive "Government Service Award"
Congratulations to Necia Marte and Jeannette Banobi on receiving the “City Government Service Award” from the Seattle Management Association. Necia and Jeannette work in the SFD Fire Prevention Division (and Necia also spends time working at public records office) and were recognized on Nov. 7 at the 2019 Excellence in Leadership Awards Dinner.
This award is given to city employees who “implement innovation and dedication to enhance the quality of service delivery and have significantly impacted the efficiency and excellence in public service for internal services.”
Seattle Fire welcomes 28 new firefighters to department
Twenty-eight firefighters were officially welcomed to the Seattle Fire Department at recruit graduation on Nov. 8. Congratulations to the members of Class #109 for successfully completing recruit academy and probation. These firefighters are ready to serve the Seattle community for many years to come.
Seattle firefighters return from CA wildfires
The four Seattle firefighters who deployed to assist with the California wildfires returned to Seattle on Nov. 4. They were assigned to the Kincade Fire where their overall job was to remain flexible and available to complete any task assigned. When they left California, the Kincade Fire was reported to be 80% contained. Thank you to our firefighters and those from across the county and state who deployed to help California residents and responders during an event that caused widespread devestation.
Keeping you safe
Keep your holiday decorations safe this season
During the winter months, lights and candles get lit to brighten up our homes for the holidays. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when the fire department responds to more fires involving candles and holiday lights.
Be mindful of your candles and festive lights this holiday season, and take a few steps to ensure your holidays are joyful and safe.
Be Safe with Candles
More than half of all candle fires start when combustible materials (such as drapes, clothing, and bedding) are too close to the candle. December is the peak month for candle fires and roughly 1/3 of all candle fires start in the bedroom.
Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
If you use candles:
Be safe with your holiday lights
Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or before going to sleep.
Put candles in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders.
Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else.
Keep burning candles away from items that can catch on fire such as furniture, drapes, bedding, carpets, books, paper, etc.
How to handle holiday lights
Avoid overloading electrical outlets for both indoor and outdoor lights.
Limit connecting of holiday lights to three strands.
Do not use frayed, broken or worn string lights.
Use low wattage mini lights at 2.5-watts or energy efficient LED bulbs, which operate at a cool-to-the-touch temperature.
Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
And finally, make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working. To learn more about the Seattle Fire Department’s free smoke/CO alarm program visit us online or email fireinfo@seattle.gov or call 206-386-1337.Click to edit this placeholder text.
Events
The Seattle Fire Department is collecting toys as part of the Marine Corps’ annual Toys for Tots drive. We have been part of this community tradition for more than 50 years and are pleased to be involved again this year.
Now through Sunday, Dec. 8, the public can drop off new and unwrapped gift items at most fire stations and the department’s administrative offices across the city.
Note: Fire Station 31 is closed; donations are being accepted at neighboring stations. If crews are responding to an emergency, personnel may not be at the station to accept donations. We apologize if that should happen.
