Seattle Responder - October 2022 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 10/06/2022 03:38 PM PDT

September was filled with remembrances for 9/11, the International Association of Fire Fighters Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial and the city’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Seattle Fire uses the words “never forget” to keep our fallen close in our hearts but to also keep aware of the dangers we face in our profession. This coming weekend, Lt. Luis Batayola and Lt. Willy Cababat will be honored in Emmitsburg for the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial. We thank the community for the support and for continuing to keep our fallen members and their families in your thoughts.

On Oct. 13 from 12-1:30 p.m., the Seattle Fire Department will honor the exemplary work of our employees and community members. Tickets cost $75 for non-Seattle Fire Department employees and can be purchased through Oct. 7 at 12 p.m. online. If you are unable to join us in person, check our Facebook page on the event date for a link to access the ceremony virtually.

This October marks the 100th anniversary of the National Fire Prevention Week. In Seattle, we have traditionally expanded the observance to the full month to have more time to share tips and information. Be sure to keep up with us on social media as we focus on various fire safety topics this month and promote multi-lingual videos to reach our non-English speaking neighbors with these important messages.

Stay safe Seattle,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

Significant Incidents Recap

Kitchen grease fire in a restaurant at the 700 block of South King Street

Photo by John Odegard

Sept. 1: Firefighters extinguished a fire in a restaurant at the 700 block of S. King St. The fire traveled up a ventilation shaft then extended to the roof. No injuries were reported, and investigators ruled the incident as "accidental" and determined it was caused by a grease fire. Estimated loss is $125,000.

HazMat response for refrigerant leak in a business at the 1400 block of Northwest 46th Street

Sept 11: Crews responded to a hazardous materials leak in a commercial building at the 1400 block of NW 46th St. The building was evacuated as a safety precaution, and no injuries were reported. The Mobile Ventilation Unit was dispatched to help clear the air. People were able to return to the building a few hours later after crews confirmed the air quality was safe.

Vacant building fire at the 1100 block of 13th Avenue

Photo by John Odegard

Sept. 9: Crews responded to a fire in a vacant building at the 1100 block of 13th Ave. Nearby residents were temporarily evacuated as a safety precaution until the fire was under control. Crews stayed overnight to monitor for flare ups. No injuries were reported. Investigators ruled the cause of the incident as undetermined. Zero dollar loss due to the building being slated for demolition.

Fire in a commercial building at the 600 block of 1st Avenue

Photo by John Odegard

Sept. 19: Firefighters extinguished a fire in a commercial building at the 600 block of 1st Ave. Investigators ruled the fire as "accidental", and determined it was likely caused by an electrical failure within the building's ventilation system. No injuries were reported. Estimated loss is $325,000.

Seattle Fire around the community

Join us: Seattle Fire Department Awards Luncheon

Link to purchase tickets to attend our annual awards luncheon

Members of the public are invited to join members of SFD in person or virtually on Thursday, Oct. 13 to celebrate the exemplary work of department personnel and community members. This year’s awards luncheon is hosted by the Seattle Fire Foundation. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. and the ceremony is from 12-1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased on eventbrite through 12 p.m. on Oct. 7.

For details on how to access the free livestream, visit Seattle Fire’s Facebook page a few days prior to the event.

If you would like to support Seattle firefighters by becoming a sponsor of this event, please contact the Seattle Fire Foundation via their website.

Seattle firefighters visit school to teach fire safety, rescue bouncy balls

Firefighters from Fire Station 32 visit children at Hope Lutheran School

Firefighters from Fire Station 32 in West Seattle visited Hope Lutheran School in September. Among sharing other age-appropriate information, SFD always try to teach young children that firefighters are their friends, so they know to come to us if we are ever searching a home during a fire event.

Firefighters also took the opportunity to raise Ladder 11's aerial ladder to the roof of the school to rescue some bouncy balls that had landed up there... that may have been their favorite part of our visit!

Seattle Black Firefighters Association and members of Fire Station 30 visit John Muir Elementary

Members of Seattle Black Firefighter Association and crews from Fire Station 30 visit students at John Muir Elementary School

Students of John Muir Elementary School tour fire engine 30.

On Sept. 29, members of the Seattle Black Firefighters Association along with firefighters from Fire Station 30 greeted the students and faculty of John Muir Elementary School. Students had the opportunity to tour a fire engine, hang out with local firefighters and even play basketball! Spending time with the students and teachers reinforces that we are all part of the community.

Just before the students walked to class, Lt. Drew Andrews addressed the kids with a final message, "it is important for all of you to believe in yourselves."

Seattle Fire Marine Training Group hosts training for area firefighters and US Coast Guard personnel

Seattle Fire Marine Team hosts training for US Coast Guard and area firefighters

Group photo of the Seattle Fire Marine Training Team and US Coast Guard personnel

The Seattle Fire Department must be prepared for all types of emergencies we could face in the City, including those that might occur on a large vessel either docked or on the water. In September, SFD's Marine Training Group held a Marine Firefighting and Damage Control course in Seattle for area fire personnel and members of the US Coast Guard.

Attendees had the opportunity to practice with live-fire scenarios, better understand the layout of large vessels and their communication systems, learn tips for vessel stability and dewatering, and more. Special thanks to SFD Lieutenant Noah Katka for his work to put this training together and to the other instructors from SFD, US Coast Guard, Resolve Marine, Maritime Institute of Technology and the US Navy.

9/11 Remembrance

Seattle Fire and Seattle Police honor guard raise and lower the nation's flag in remembrance of 9/11

On the 21st Anniversary of 9/11, the Seattle fire and police departments gathered on top of the Space Needle to raise, then lower our nation’s flag to half-staff to honor and remember all of the lives lost on this tragic day.

Seattle Fire Chief of the Year, Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year threw out the first pitch at the Mariners game on 9/11

Thank you to the Seattle Mariners for allowing Seattle Fire to have a strong presence in a pregame 21-year remembrance on Sept. 11 to honor all who lost their lives and the families forever impacted by the tragic events of that day. Firefighter Jessica Swenson sang the National Anthem, the Honor Guard posted colors, a Seattle Firefighters Pipes and Drums Band solo piper played "Amazing Grace", and our 2021 Firefighter, Officer and Chief of the Year each threw a ceremonial first pitch. Seattle firefighters and the Fire Chief welcomed the Mariners on the field as part of the tunnel team to honor the bullpen's new nickname: "Los Bomberos".

Keeping you safe

October is Fire Prevention Month

For Fire Prevention Month, the Seattle Fire Department is focusing on four key safety topics: 1) cooking safety, 2) home fire evacuation, 3) smoke alarms and 4) heating safety. Each week, the Seattle Fire Department will publish multilingual safety videos of each topic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The videos are available on the department’s YouTube channel and are listed below:

City of Seattle Proclamation for October to be Fire Prevention Month