Message from the Fire Chief

The pace of 2021 doesn’t seem to be any slower than last year, but we are excited to be an integral part of the vaccine effort in our community – there is hope on the horizon! On Jan. 9, the Seattle Fire Department became the first fire and emergency medical services agency in the state to be approved by Washington State Department of Health to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Following this approval, we quickly launched two Mobile Vaccination Teams (MVTs), which are each staffed with one firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic and two civilian registration technicians. The MVTs first deployed to 85 adult family homes within the City to vaccinate residents and staff and are now deploying to affordable and permanent supportive housing to vaccinate those eligible in Phase 1B, Tier 1 and continuing to fulfill vaccinations for those eligible in 1A.  These teams are helping to fill gaps in the healthcare system to vaccinate our most vulnerable population with the limited supply of vaccine that is available. As of Feb. 1, we have vaccinated more than 2,400 vulnerable Seattle residents and workers. Even as more residents get vaccinated, public health measures like social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands remain critical to fight the spread of disease. In January, I was pleased to join other fire chiefs from the King County Fire Chiefs Association (KCFCA) in recognizing members who have gone above and beyond to serve others. Seattle Firefighter Joshua Materi was selected as the King County Firefighter of the Year, which is a significant honor to be chosen from over 3,000 firefighters in the county. Acting Captain Brian Wallace received special recognition for development of the City’s community testing sites, and so did Seattle Fire’s Medical Director Dr. Michael Sayre for his excellent medical direction during the pandemic. The President of the KCFCA Chief Matt Morris took me by complete surprise and presented me with the King County Fire Chief of the Year award. I am incredibly humbled to receive this award and feel so fortunate to be a member of an association with so many impactful leaders in our region. February is Black History Month, and I’d like to share this video about the KCFCA promise for equity in public safety. We are listening to our communities and stand united in support of a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce and community. In 2017 our association established a Diversity Subcommittee, which was created to recruit, hire and retain a workforce that reflects the diversity of our county. This committee is dedicated to being 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. Finally, to all who celebrate the Lunar New Year, I wish you a prosperous year ahead! Stay safe and healthy, Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief “Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” - Francis of Assisi

Seattle Fire around the community

Seattle Fire launches Mobile Vaccination Teams

On Jan. 9, the Seattle Fire Department became the first fire and emergency medical services agency in the state to be approved as a COVID-19 vaccine administrator. Following this approval, SFD quickly launched two Mobile Vaccination Teams, which are staffed with one firefighter/EMT or firefighter/paramedic and two civilian registration technicians.

Since launching vaccination efforts on Jan. 14, SFD has vaccinated over 2,400 of Seattle’s most vulnerable populations. The City has not wasted a single dose and continues to administer 100% of its allocation within one week of receiving it. The City expects to receive another 1,000 doses from the state on Tuesday, Feb. 2.

Even as more residents get vaccinated, public health measures like social distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands remain critical. Visit Washington State Department of Health’s vaccine Phase Finder to see when you are eligible to receive the vaccine, and check out the City’s new vaccine website to sign-up for weekly emails and see where we are deploying the MVTs.  

KCFCA award winners

From left-to-right: Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, Acting Captain Brian Wallace, Medical Director Dr. Michael Sayre, KCFCA President Chief Matt Morris, Medical Director Dr. Thomas Rea and Acting Lieutenant Josh Materi.

The King County Fire Chiefs Association Executive Board travelled to several locations in the County in January to recognize fire personnel who have gone above and beyond to serve others. Several of our personnel were nominated to receive awards through the newly developed Distinguished Service Awards program, and we are proud to announce that multiple Seattle Fire members were selected as winners. This is an incredible honor, as each of these individuals were competing against a large number of personnel nominated in each category from across the county. Congratulations to all!

• Chief of the Year– Fire Chief Harold Scoggins
• Firefighter of the Year– Acting Lieutenant Josh Materi
• Special Recognitionfor COVID-19 community testing development – Acting Captain Brian Wallace
• Special Recognitionfor excellent medical direction during COVID-19 – SFD Medical Director Dr. Michael Sayre and King County Medical Director Dr. Thomas Rea

Keeping you safe

February is heart month: learn hands-only CPR and download PulsePoint

Knowing how to perform hands-only CPR (without breaths) can save a life. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, you should know the risk of becoming ill as a result of giving hands-only CPR is low. According to the Seattle Fire Department Medical Director, Dr. Michael Sayre, “performing Hands-Only CPR is essential to help buy precious time for help to arrive. Even if the victim (were to be ill), your risk of catching anything is quite low since you are not giving mouth-to-mouth breaths.”

Around 70% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests happen at home so you’re more likely to perform hands-only CPR on someone you know. A cardiac patient’s chance of becoming a long-term survivor are more than doubled if a someone on scene administers prompt CPR.

Administering hands-only CPR is a simple technique that only takes a few minutes to learn. Watch this short video to learn the steps for performing hands-only CPR – you could save a life.

Download the PulsePoint App

We have partnered with PulsePoint, a free mobile app used to alert Seattle residents when a person is suffering from sudden cardiac arrest in their immediate vicinity. We encourage you to learn CPR and download the PulsePoint App onto your mobile phone.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year safely

COVID-19 safety guidelines have prohibited large gatherings, but many families will be celebrating at home for this Lunar New Year (Feb. 12).

Celebrations typically mean cooking and sharing food, which means fire safety should be a consideration. Be sure to read our Fireline Blog for how to celebrate safely.