|
|
I hope all were able to find ways to stay cool and hydrated during our heat wave last week. Seattle firefighter-EMTs, firefighter-paramedics and our Health One crews stayed busy responding to individuals with heat-related medical issues and helping to provide outreach to vulnerable individuals in our community. Though it was a hot one this year, after a two-year hiatus, I enjoyed seeing many of you at this year’s Seafair Torchlight Parade.
Last week you may have been one of the unfortunate travelers who became stuck in the traffic back-up on Interstate-5 after a flatbed truck carrying oxygen, acetylene, argon and propane tanks caught fire. I am incredibly proud of the response to this incident by on-duty firefighters and our Hazardous Materials unit, who took the appropriate precautions to keep the public safe as the contents continued to burn. Luckily, the driver of the vehicle was able to escape uninjured.
We hope you will come together with neighbors tonight (Aug. 2) for Seattle Night Out. Seattle Fire members will visit as many community events as they are able to in the allotted time frame to meet with neighbors and share fire safety information. This event is an opportunity to bring neighborhoods together, build community and heighten crime awareness.
On Aug. 3, Seattle Fire will welcome 69 new firefighter recruits to the department. They will begin our mentally and physically challenging 15.5-week recruit academy which prepares recruits to serve the community as probationary firefighters. In August 2023, those who successfully complete recruit academy and the subsequent probationary period will graduate to become full-fledged firefighter/EMTs. We wish them luck as they start on this journey.
Stay safe Seattle,
Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief
|
|
|
 July 5: Crews helped a person in crisis get out of Lake Union at the 2700 block of Westlake Ave. N. The patient was an adult male is in stable condition. He was transported to a hospital for further medical care.
 July 16: Crews extinguished a fire in a townhome under construction at the 9400 block of 20th Ave. SW. One firefighter sustained injuries related to the fire. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. Investigators ruled the fire as intentionally set with an estimated loss of $195,000.
|
 July 11: Firefighters responded to a vehicle collision into a commercial building at the 7300 block of Roosevelt Way NE. The building sustained significant structural damage. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
 July 28: Firefighters shut down both directions of I-5 between the Lakeview and Mercer St. exits due to a truck carrying tanks of oxygen, argon, acetylene and propane being on fire. Several tanks exploded, causing a second fire at a nearby construction site. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
|
|
|
Health One units stay busy during heat wave
SFD's Health One units worked efficiently last week to help vulnerable individuals during the heat wave. They equipped the rigs with water, Gatorade, nutritional snacks and ice packs for the heat, in addition to other supplies.
Health One members work extensively with SFD's partners at the Human Services Division and King County Regional Homeless Authority to prepare for these events to target services towards those who need them. During the heat wave, the units focused on assisting outreach partners, coordinating transport to cooling shelters for vulnerable individuals and providing proactive outreach to clients of the Health One program.
|
Attend Fire Career Day on Aug. 17
We invite you to join us for a time this summer to learn, connect and explore together career opportunities in the fire service
Join us Sunday, Aug. 28 for our Fire Safety Fair
How blood donors help to save lives through Seattle Fire's Whole Blood program
In 2019, the Seattle Fire Department implemented a new program to allow paramedics to give blood transfusions to trauma patients in the field. Because of generous donors in our region, through the Whole Blood program the SFD has treated more than 120 patients with blood transfusions before they arrive at the hospital. If you have O+ blood type, your blood could be utilized for this purpose. Consider donating to Bloodworks NW, and learn more about the program in their two recent podcasts:
In 2019, the Seattle Fire Department implemented a new program to allow paramedics to give blood transfusions to trauma patients in the field. Because of generous donors in our region, through the Whole Blood program the SFD has treated more than 120 patients with blood transfusions before they arrive at the hospital. If you have O+ blood type, your blood could be utilized for this purpose. Consider donating to Bloodworks NW, and learn more about the program in their two recent podcasts:
|
 The Seattle Fire Foundation is now on social media! Give them a follow as they begin to fundraise to provide much needed financial support for Seattle Fire Department programs, employee development and community partnerships.
Stay safe on the water
King 5 news recently interviewed Seattle Fire Lieutenant Dan Johanns about the department's Rescue Swimmer program and how to stay safe on the water. View the story online here, and make sure to always wear a life jacket when recreating on the water!
|
Close before you doze
Did you know that keeping a door closed in a fire can slow the spread of fire, reduce toxic smoke levels and keep temperatures significantly lower? Keeping doors closed can give a person more time to escape the fire and smoke. For those reasons, the Seattle Fire Department recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms and keeping the door to bedrooms closed while sleeping.
If a fire starts in your home, close the door behind you as you exit the room to contain the fire to one area. This is especially important in apartment buildings. Closing the door to the hallways and keeping stairwell doors closed prevents the spread of smoke and fire.
|
|
|
|
|
