Seattle Responder - April 2022 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 04/05/2022 11:03 AM PDT

The application period for our entry-level firefighter/EMT positions will remain open through April 19, 2022. This is an exciting opportunity that only comes around every couple of years. Please think of at least one person in your life who has a passion for serving others and who shares our core values, and pass along this information. Details about the testing process and a link to apply is available on our website at seattlefirejobs.com.

On April 9, Seattle Fire will host the King County Fire Chiefs Association second semi-annual Diversity and Recruitment Workshop at our Joint Training Facility. The single-day workshops are designed to help potential firefighter applicants navigate the hiring process and are geared towards recruiting a more diverse workforce. Workshop participants will begin the day with a keynote speaker and then rotate through various breakout sessions on preparing for the hiring process. Participants will leave the workshop with an enhanced understanding of what it takes to apply to become a firefighter/EMT. Register online.

As the weather gets brighter and we enter this next season, we want to remind you to be safe as you partake in spring cleaning. This includes taking proper steps to secure yourself when climbing ladders, knowing how to clean out dryer vents and knowing how to grill safely the first time you break out the BBQ. More safe cleaning tips are available on our Fireline blog.

Stay safe Seattle, and happy spring,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” - Nelson Mandela

Significant Incidents Recap

Photo by John Odegard

March 11: Crews extinguished a fire in an encampment near 7th Ave. S. and S. Michigan St. An adult male was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Investigators ruled the incident as accidental and determined it was caused by a propane stove used for warming.

Photo by John Odegard

March 13: Firefighters spent several hours extinguishing a well-involved fire in a vacant building near the 4000 block of 5th Ave. NE. No injuries were reported, and investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined.

Carbon monoxide leads to apartment building evacuation

March 13: Residents of an apartment building at the 900 block of NE 65th St were woken up by their carbon monoxide alarms. Firefighters evacuated the building after confirming unsafe levels of (CO). An adult male was transported to a hospital in stable condition, and residents were able to return to their homes after crews ventilated the building.

Marina fire destroys 84-foot yacht in South Lake Union

March 26: Crews responded to a well-involved fire on an 84-foot yacht docked in South Lake Union near the 800 block of Fairview Pl. N. The vessel drifted away from its dock, but our fireboat was able to secure it away from other vessels. No injuries were reported. Investigators determined the fire was intentionally set, with an estimated loss of $1,500,000. Seattle Police are conducting a follow-up investigation.

Seattle Fire around the community

We're hiring entry-level firefighters

We're hiring! Our application period for entry-level firefighter/EMT is open through April 19, 2022. If you have a passion for helping others, then this may be the job for you. Read more about a career with the Seattle Fire Department, and apply online at seattlefirejobs.com

In March, we hosted three webinars with topics focused on the hiring process, recruit school and advancement opportunities. Click here to watch the recordings.

King County Diversity and Recruitment Workshop

There is still time to register for our upcoming King County Diversity and Recruitment Workshop. The workshop is designed to help prepare candidates for all aspects of the hiring process. The event will occur on April 9 at Seattle Fire's Joint Training Facility (9401 Meyers Way S.). If a fire service career is for you or someone you know, this is an event not to miss.

This workshop is open to anyone at least 16 years of age, and is geared towards recruiting members of the BIPOC community, women, LGBTQIA+, bilingual communities or those with no prior fire service experience. Click here to register.

Seattle Fire highlights Women's History Month

Seattle Firefighter and Paramedic Amanda Righi

Last month was Women’s History Month, a national recognition of the vital roles women have played throughout history. Women’s History Month is a time to reflect on the courageousness of women in past generations and to celebrate how their efforts and bravery afforded women the opportunities and freedoms they have today.

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Firefighter Stair Climb

Firefighter Stairclimb for Leukemia and Lymphoma Research and Support

On March 13, thousands of firefighters climbed the 69 floors of the Columbia Tower in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - in full turnout gear and on air. Team Tristan climbed in honor of Lt. Luis Batayola, who we lost to a duty-related aggressive blood cancer in late 2021.

Firefighters ascend the tower to raise awareness as well as support blood cancer research and patient services.

Keeping you safe

As we ease into warmer weather and longer days, we would like to remind you to keep safety in mind when starting your 2022 spring cleaning and other home projects. Click here for tips to help keep you and your family safe!

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
Arabic (New)
Cantonese (New)
Khmer (New)
Korean (New)
Mandarin (New)
Oromo (New)
Somali (New)
Spanish
Vietnamese

Topics include (in English):