Seattle Responder - July 2020 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/03/2020 02:31 PM PDT

Message from the Fire Chief

Happy Fourth of July, Seattle! As we recognize the birth of American independence this year, I hope you all gather and celebrate safely. We are all adapting to the changes that come along with a global pandemic, and physical distancing yourself from others and wearing a face covering is still critical to stopping the spread. I also want to emphasize that the use of fireworks in the City of Seattle is illegal. While the cancellation of professional fireworks shows is disappointing to many, the personal-use of fireworks can have unintended consequences including brush and structure fires, critical injuries and in the worst case-scenario, deaths. Please be safe and follow the law that is in place because of unfortunate events that have occurred in the past.

I also want to share that the King County Fire Chiefs Association released a statement this week supporting the abolishment of institutionalized racism. As an organization purpose-built to serve one of the most diverse counties in the state, we must understand and act on the strong message that police brutality and systematic racism will not be tolerated. Our association knows that making a statement of support is not enough – we must have a plan for moving forward to make long-lasting change in our communities.

In 2017, I helped to establish the KCFCA Diversity Subcommittee, which was created to recruit, hire and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of our county. This committee has worked to be an active voice in addressing and breaking down barriers that disproportionately impact Black and underserved communities, and we know there is more work to be done. Read the complete statement here.

During these difficult and challenging times, I want each of our community members to know that your Seattle Fire Department remains committed to serving you.

Stay safe Seattle,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

Significant incidents recap

June 2: Rescue extrication
Firefighters responded to numerous vehicle collisions in June where the patients required extrication, including this one on June 2 in downtown Seattle.

June 17: Sinking vessel at Fisherman's Terminal
Crews helped remove water from a vessel and placed a containment boom around it to prevent hazardous chemicals from dispersing into Elliott Bay.

June 8: Fire at the old Shanty Café
Crews arrived to find a fully-involved fire in a vacant building on Queen Anne, which turned out to be the old Shanty Café were many enjoyed meals in the past.

2-Alarm fire at Chinatown International District

June 25: 2-Alarm fire in Chinatown/International District
Over 75 firefighters battled a well-involved fire at the 800 block of S. Weller St. Due to the structural instability of the building, fire investigators are unable to enter the building and have ruled the cause of the fire “undetermined”. After talking to witnesses they do not believe the fire was intentionally set.

Seattle Fire around the community

Fire Chief promotes ten members to new positions

Chief Scoggins promoted eight members to lieutenant and two to captain at a promotional ceremony on June 24. In compliance with social distancing guidelines, we held a live-stream for families to join in the celebration, and all members wore face coverings. Congratulations on this well deserved accomplishment!

Recruit Class 110 graduates and celebrates completion of probation

On June 3, we officially welcomed 23 firefighters (one absent in the photo) of Recruit Class 110 to the Seattle Fire Department. These members successfully completed the rigorous recruit academy and their probationary period, and are ready to continue to serve Seattle residents as firefighter/EMTs. Congratulations to all!

Community Fire Safety Advocate Program celebrates 10-year-anniversary

Ten years ago this month, a deadly house fire in the Fremont neighborhood killed four children and a young woman – all were members of Seattle’s Ethiopian and Eritrean communities. This tragic fire was the deadliest fire in Seattle in over 30 years and greatly impacted members of our department and the wider community. This tragedy was especially difficult for Seattle’s East African communities.

Shortly after the fire, our members met with community leaders to begin gathering ideas on how to reach more East African communities with fire safety information. The Community Fire Safety Advocate (CFSA) program was developed as a response to this tragedy. This became the department’s primary program for outreach and safety education for community members with limited-English proficiency.

Engine 37 helps congratulate bride and groom

Celebrating a wedding during COVID-19 is difficult in and of itself, which is why crews from Engine 37 decided to brighten this couple's special day. Congratulations on your marriage!

Station 25 conducts traditional "move-in" for new engine

On June 2, firefighters from Station 25 conducted a traditional "move-in" ceremony for the new Engine 25 apparatus into the bay. Firefighter-Driver Corey Bostick, who has spent the last 22 years at Station 25 will be the new senior driver of Engine 25. We look forward to seeing this rig hit the streets!

Thank you to fire departments across the region for providing mutual aid

Thank you to all of our neighboring fire departments who immediately sent resources to Seattle on May 30, to be in a position to help with our fire and medical emergencies during the protests. When Fire Chief Scoggins put in the call for assistance, you answered.

Keeping you safe

Register for free COVID-19 Testing

We are here to serve and are committed to the overall health of our community. On June 5, our firefighters began conducting COVID-19 testing for members of the public at the new locations in the City of Seattle designated for community testing.

Two sites have been designated: North Seattle at 12040 Aurora Ave. N. or South Seattle at 3820 6th Ave. S. Obtaining a test at these sites is quick, easy and free of charge to the patient. Pre-register for an appointment and find out more at seattle.gov/COVID19testing.

SFD and Airlift NW hold helicopter drill in West Seattle

Partnering with Airlift NW to transport critical patients during West Seattle Bridge Closure

We are partnering with Airlift NW and Seattle Parks to provide airlift transport of patients during the West Seattle Bridge closure under extreme circumstances. This is occurring in response to the anticipated traffic impacts during peak travel times, which could delay our ability to provide transport via the typical method of a medic unit for critical patients. The frequency of helicopter transports is expected to be very low (only a few times per year, if any) but is an added capability of the fire department to serve West Seattle residents. Additionally, as previously announced, the department is dedicating an extra medic unit (Medic 26) and ladder truck (Ladder 13) during the bridge closure.

Last month, we conducted drills at the Alki and Walt Hundley Playfields in West Seattle. During the drill, Airlift NW's helicopters landed at the playfields and simulated a patient hand-off with firefighters and paramedics.

This 4th of July, “Don’t Blow It” – Celebrate with family, not fireworks!

Every year at this time, Seattle and King County medics can be heard rushing to the scene of fireworks-related injuries. It happened again, just last Friday night. A patient was Airlifted to Harborview and now faces a long recovery at the Harborview Burn Center.

Like firefighters and medics, burn doctors and nurses stand ready to serve. Their doors are always open for those in need. But every 4^th of July, they really don’t want to be popular. For them, the fewer people, the better.

Water safety tips

Every summer, the Seattle Fire Department responds to preventable drownings. According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, 16 people King County residents died in preventable drownings in 2018. Many more near drownings go unreported.

Washington waters are often cold enough to cause muscles to not work. Even when the outside temperatures are high, water temperatures can be cold enough to overwhelm even the strongest swimmer.

If you plan to be in or near water this summer, follow these recommendations.