Seattle Responder - December 2022 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 12/02/2022 12:39 PM PST

December has made its arrival, which means we have entered the holiday season and are rapidly nearing the end of the year. The fire department is on track to reach 100,000 incident responses by the end of the calendar year, which is the highest number of responses on record in recent years. Being able to effectively serve the community for fire and medical emergencies wouldn’t be possible without your support. We look forward to continuing our work as public servants in 2023.

Seattle Fire is partnering with the Marine Corps again this year to host three collection events for the Toys for Tots program in December. The department will accept new and unwrapped toys, and monetary donations to help bring joy to children in our area. Consider picking up a gift for donation next time you are out shopping, and telling your neighbors about the event (more information on specific dates/times is available in this newsletter).

2023 Budget approval for Ladder 13 and Medic 26 in service in West Seattle

At the end of November the Seattle City Council adopted the 2023 and endorsed the 2024 budget. This budget reflects Mayor Harrell’s continued commitment to bold action on the priorities of our communities – investing to address urgent needs and emphasizing the essentials as we build One Seattle. The budget included funding to support the permanent operation of Ladder 13 and Medic 26, which has been a long-time need of SFD to better serve the South Park and south West Seattle communities for fire responses and serious medical emergencies.

Seattle Mayor and City Council approve 90 recruit hires and additional paramedic training for 2023

The Council and Mayor also approved funding for an additional 30 firefighter recruits, which will enable SFD to hire a total of 90 recruits in 2023. Funding to increase the number of firefighters to receive paramedic training, and a proviso for consultant services provided to the Health One program by Advanced registered Nurse Practitioners was also approved. I want to thank the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27 for their advocacy and Mayor Bruce Harrell and the Seattle City Council for their partnerships through the budget process.

We have a lot to be grateful for this year. Be safe and well,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

Significant Incidents Recap

Fire in a commercial building at the 1100 block of Harrison Street.

Photo by John Odegard

Nov. 1: Firefighters extinguished a fire in a commercial building at the 1100 block of Harrison St. Investigators determined the fire was accidental, and likely caused by an electrical malfunction. Estimated loss was $100,000 and no injuries were reported.

Vacant building fire at the 2100 block of Beacon Avenue South

Photo by John Odegard

Nov. 16: Crews extinguished a fire in a vacant building at the 2100 block of Beacon Ave. S. Investigators ruled the fire as undetermined. An adult male was treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Box truck collision into a home at the 8200 block of Wallingford Avenue North.

Nov. 7: Crews responded to a box truck that collided into a home at the 8200 block of Wallingford Ave. N. Fortunately, the residents of the home were not there at the time of the incident. The occupants of the truck both sustained minor injuries. Click here for a recap of the incident.

Vacant building fire at the 2000 block of Rainier Avenue South

Nov. 21: Firefighters extinguished a fire in a vacant commercial building at the 2000 block of Rainier Ave. S. Crews were unable to enter the building to conduct a search due to unsafe conditions. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.

Seattle Fire around the community

Dec. 10 King County Diversity and Recruitment Workshop

Our third semi-annual King County Diversity and Recruitment Workshop is on December 10th in Renton

The King County Fire Chiefs Association looks forward to hosting its third semi-annual Diversity and Recruitment Workshop on Dec. 10, 2022 in Renton. Fire departments across the county are seeking qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds who may be interested in becoming firefighters but are unsure of how the hiring process works. Attendees of this workshop will have the opportunity to learn about the benefits
of a fire service career as well as how to navigate the complex hiring process. They will also have a chance to meet with mentors in the field.

This workshop is open to anyone at least 16 years of age, and is geared towards recruiting members of the BIPOC community, women, bilingual adults, LGBTQIA+ or those with no prior fire service experience. Fire departments in King County are asking for your help in sharing this incredible opportunity with your network to help bring a diverse array of applicants to local fire departments who may serve as future firefighters in King County.

Visit the event website for information about the workshop and to register. The deadline to register is Dec. 4.

Three Seattle Fire Toys for Tots collection events on Dec. 9, 10, 11

Toys for Tots events on Dec. 9, 10 and 11

Help the Marine Corps bring joy to kids in the community this holiday season! Seattle Fire will host three Toys for Tots collection events:

Dec. 9, 5 - 7 p.m. University Village QFC: 2746 NE 45th St.)
Dec. 10, 12 - 2 p.m. at Westwood Village QFC: 2500 SW Barton St.
Dec. 11, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at SFD HQ: 301 2^nd Ave. S.

The Marine Corps will accept new and unwrapped toys or monetary donations for the Toys for Tots campaign. As you are out shopping this holiday season, consider picking up an extra gift for a child to open on Christmas.

New Seattle Fire Rescue 1 apparatus put into service

SFD placed a new Rescue 1 apparatus in-service in November. This new rig is a 2021 Pierce Walk-in Rescue and has seating for six rescue technicians. The apparatus has the full complement of rescue tools among many other new and exciting features and will respond to the community’s emergencies for many years to come.

Rescue 1 is dispatched in addition to other operations units to the City's most challenging responses that require special equipment and training. Rescue 1 responds out of Fire Station 14 in SODO area, and goes to structural collapses, trench/cave-in rescues, rope rescues, dive rescues, confined space rescue, heavy machinery and vehicle entrapment incidents, tunnel emergencies and other complex emergencies.

Photo credit: Fire Dog Photos

New firefighter/dispatchers in training

SFD’s firefighter/dispatchers who work at the Seattle Fire Alarm Center must go through intensive training to be able to answer 911 calls for fire and medical emergencies, and to dispatch critical resources to incidents. Being a firefighter/dispatcher not only requires technical skills, but also a calming and assertive presence to quickly obtain necessary information to be able to send SFD units to our community’s emergencies. These SFD members recently completed their 1-month classroom training and now begin phase 2 of a 5-month floor training with certified firefighter/dispatchers. From left to right are: FF Wayne Hunter, FF/Dispatcher and Instructor Jody Wilhelm, FF/Dispatcher and Instructor Hill Almond, Lt. Brandon Smith, Lt. Mike Fawcett and FF Edgar Valentin. Well done to all on completing phase 1 of training!

Health One program celebrates 3-year anniversary of operating

November 4 marked the 3-year anniversary of the Health One program. Since it’s launch in 2019, the members staffing these units have had 2,821 unit responses and 2,391 hours spent with clients. SFD currently operates three Health One units, and they are staffed by a rotating team of six Seattle Human Services Dept. case managers and 28 specially-trained firefighters.

This program is designed to respond to individuals immediately in their moment of need and help them navigate the situation - whether they need medical care, mental health care, shelter or other social services. Read more about Health One on SFD’s website: http://seattle.gov/HealthOne.

November Promotional Ceremony

Four professional staff received promotions

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins held a promotional ceremony in November at Fire Station 10 to promote members to new ranks in the department and welcome new employees. Congratulations to SFD's four professional staff members, seven lieutenants, three captains and three battalion chiefs as they step into their new leadership roles! Visit the Fire Line blog for a complete list of those who were recognized at the ceremony.

Recruit Class 117 Out to Ops

Congratulations to Seattle Fire Recruit Class 117 on successfully completing SFD's physically and mentally challenging recruit academy! Over the past 15.5-weeks, these 43 new members have worked tirelessly to meet the department and community’s expectations for performing firefighting skills. Some came to SFD with previous experience, and most had never been firefighters before. Each of them persevered and committed to serving the Seattle community now as probationary firefighters. Well done Recruit Class 117!

Keeping you safe

Use your fireplace safely

With the sudden arrival of fall and cooler weather, fireplaces are being put to greater use. Whether you use a gas or wood-burning fireplace, keep these tips in mind to ensure safety at home. Read more.

Heating fire safety tips for the start of winter

Home heaters are working extra hard with the cold weather Seattle is experiencing. Heating-related fires are the second most common type of fires this time of year. As a reminder, make sure to give your heaters space and consider taking these precautions to prevent heating-related fires in your home. Read more.

Holiday cooking safety

Fall has made it's arrival and holiday preparations are in full swing. As you plan for the upcoming holidays, please keep cooking safety tips in mind to keep your loved ones safe.Read more.