Seattle Responder - February 2022 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 02/11/2022 08:51 AM PST

Seattle community members -

I am pleased to announce that on Feb. 8 we launched an innovative partnership with American Medical Response (AMR) that will give our dispatchers in the Fire Alarm Center an alternative pathway for treatment when addressing the medical issues of 9-1-1 callers. Through our new Nurse Navigation program, we will be able to better serve our residents by more appropriately triaging the needs of some of our 9-1-1 utilizers. We know that not every 9-1-1 call requires an ambulance to respond to transport a patient to the hospital. The nurseline allows a trained nurse to provide some callers who have non-emergent needs with options for self-treatment, a TeleHealth appointment or a free Lyft ride to an alternative destination, such as urgent care.

In February, we will highlight American Heart Health. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the U.S. according to the American Heart Association's 2021 Heart and Stroke stats - one woman dies of cardiovascular disease approximately 80 seconds. Be sure to check out our Facebook for important heart health and CPR safety skills. February is also Black History Month, where we will share on our social media platforms the contributions of our fellow Black/African Americans.

Finally, I want to congratulate Recruit Class 114 for their successful completion of our mentally and physically challenge drill school and subsequent probationary period. These firefighters look forward to serving the Seattle community for many years to come!

Stay safe and healthy,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

“Don’t aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference.”— Denzel Washington

Significant Incidents Recap

Commercial fire on the 11000 block of Pinehurst Way NE

Photo by John Odegard

Jan. 5: Firefighters extinguished a fire in a vacant building near the 11000 block of Pinehurst Way NE. Investigators ruled the fire as undetermined. No injuries were reported, and the estimated loss was $50,000.

Dog rescued from collapsed home from last week's landslide near the 2400 block of Perkins Lane West

Jan. 13: Firefighters rescued the dog that was reported missing days later from the home involved in the landslide that occurred near the 2400 block of Perkins Lane W. The pup was in stable condition transported to a veterinary hospital for additional care.

Crews rescue person from collapsed house due to landslide at the 2400 block of Perkins Lane W

Jan. 7: Crews rescued a man from a partially collapsed home caused by a landslide near the 2400 block of Perkins Lane W. The man was in stable condition and transported to a hospital for further medical care. On the day of the incident, one dog was found deceased while the second was still missing.

Firefighters rescue woman from burning home

Jan. 26: Crews rescued a woman found on the second floor of a two-story home at a fire on the 1100 block of NW 65th St. Paramedics transported her to a hospital in critical condition. A man was able to escape the fire on his own and was also transported in stable condition. Investigators ruled the fire was accidental with an estimated loss of $200,000.

Seattle Fire around the community

Recruit Class 114 is ready to serve

On Feb. 4 we congratulated Recruit Class 114 on their completion of the rigorous 15.5-week drill school and subsequent probationary period. These individuals have graduated from probationary firefighter to firefighter and will serve the Seattle community for many years to come! Well done, RC 114 - you’ve earned it!

Recruit Class 116 begins

On Feb. 2, we welcomed Recruit Class 116 to the Seattle Fire Department. Fifty-five new recruits began the rigorous 15.5-week drill school that will test them both physically and mentally. Upon completion, these recruits will enter their probationary phase in Operations.

Best of luck to each of them as they begin their journey with SFD.

Health 3 unit expected to launch in early 2022

Third Health One unit to serve South Seattle

Good news for neighborhoods in South Seattle! In late December we announced that a third Health One unit will become operational in early 2022 and will regularly serve individuals in the Mt. Baker, Central District, Rainier Valley and Beacon Hill neighborhoods. Our Health One program helps those with mental/behavioral health or substance abuse disorders and those with non-emergent medical issues. Similar to the other two units, the third unit will be staffed with two specially-trained Seattle Fire Department firefighter/EMTs and a case manager from the Human Services Department's Aging and Disability Services division.

Health One focuses on providing alternatives to hospitalization and offers referrals to a wide array of services, crisis intervention, as well as alternative transport, such as to shelters or clinics. Read more on Fireline.

Feeling COVID-19 symptoms? Stay in the know on where to get tested.

As the Omicron variant continues to spread in our community, it's important that we are all paying attention to possible symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking testing when needed. Mayor Bruce Harrell recently announced new and expanded testing options in Seattle through a partnership with Curative. Visit the Mayor's website for more information on where these sites are located, and how you can obtain a rapid or PCR test.

Also remember that you can have rapid tests delivered at no cost from both the federal and state government. Visit COVIDtests.gov - Free at-home COVID-19 tests and Home - Say Yes! To Covid Test (sayyeshometest.org) to order yours today (if supply is available).

Keeping you safe

February is American Heart Month

For American Heart Month, we conducted a Facebook Livestream featuring hands-only CPR taught by Johnny Bell, our Medic 2 CPR instructor and retired lieutenant from Renton Regional Fire Authority. Johnny also educated viewers on how to locate, then use, an AED as well as how to download the Pulse Point app to be notified of a person nearby that is in need of CPR. Watch the recording here.

2022 is the Year of the Tiger

Feb. 1 was the Lunar New Year and many celebrated with fireworks, gatherings and sharing food. During times of celebration, there are common fire safety issues that all communities experience. Cooking-related fires remain the main cause of fires during holidays and celebrations. Read more on Fireline.

Fire and life safety videos

Please watch our new home fire safety videos available on our website as well as our YouTube channel. The safety videos are also available in American Sign Language, Spanish and Vietnamese (New).

Topics include: