Seattle Responder — July 2023 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 07/03/2023 03:22 PM PDT

A message from the Fire Chief

Summer is in full swing, if the rising temperatures and pace of activities provide any indication. This month, Seattle takes center stage as the city hosts the Major League Baseball’s All-Star Week (July 7-11) and the Asia Pacific Economic Coordination 2023 meetings. This is in addition to a robust return of festivals, concerts, parades and summer activities. Seattle Fire has a role supporting many special events across the city, providing fire prevention and emergency medical services. Feel free to come say “hi” to any of our personnel you see in community.

We want you to be safe during this busy time of the year. We have a number of resources on our website to keep you and your loved ones from injury while enjoying summer activities. These cover timely topics such as outdoor grilling and water safety.

With July 4 upon us, our focus is on preventing fireworks-related injuries and fires. Personal use of fireworks is illegal in the city and all of King County. We have been publishing reminders on our website, social media and blogs. We encourage you to leave the fireworks to the professionals! If you have unused fireworks you’d like to dispose of, Seattle Police Department precincts have collection boxes set up. We have more tips further in Responder for how to reduce the risk of fires from illegal fireworks.

Wishing you and yours a festive and safe holiday.

Yours in safety,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

Seattle Fire Department

Significant incidents

June 1: 2-Alarm commercial building fire
4200 block of Rainier Ave. S.

At 6:12 a.m., the Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting a fire in a three-story commercial building in the 4200 block of Rainier Ave. S. Engine 30 was the first unit on scene and confirmed flames showing from the rear side of the building. Engines 6 and 28 along with Ladders 3 and 12 arrived soon after. The crews worked together to quickly knock down the exterior portion of the fire, then made their way inside to check for extension.

June 2: Residential fire 900 block of N. 87th St.

Just before 5 p.m., a Good Samaritan was on his way home from work via Aurora Ave. N. when he saw a column of black smoke coming from a residence in the 900 block of N. 87th St. He drove up to the residence, got out of his truck and started yelling for help. Fortunately, neighbors heard his pleas and called 911 to report the fire.

June 5: 2-Alarm residential fire
300 block of NE 133rd St.

At 2:47 p.m., the Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting a backyard deck on fire and extending into two homes in the 300 block of NE 133rd St. in the Haller Lake neighborhood. Dispatched firefighters saw a large column of smoke shifting due to the wind and requested a 2-alarm response to provide additional resources to prevent the fire from spreading to more homes.

Photo by John Odegard

June 25: Residential fire
5500 block of 25th Ave NE

At 11:49 a.m., firefighters responded to a fire in the 5500 block of 25th Ave NE. The first units on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the back of the home and requested additional resources. They worked quickly to get water on the fire and search the home. Fortunately, no one was found, and no injuries were reported. The fire was extinguished by 12:14 p.m. Investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined. Estimated loss is $100,000.

Seattle Fire in the community

More than 1,200 attend Fire Day at MOHAI

Children gather for firefighter story time with SFD during Fire Day at MOHAI

We had so much fun at the annual Fire Day at MOHAI on June 17. Approximately 1,300 adults and children had the chance to meet our firefighters, tour a fire boat, learn about the Great Seattle Fire, watch a rescue dog demo, learn fire prevention tips and so much more.

We are so lucky to have amazing partners in Museum of History and Industry who collaborate with us each year to hold this special event.

Thank you to all who came out to meet Seattle Fire, climb aboard some of our responding units and learn about fire safety!

SFD participates in the Seattle Pride parade

SFD staff joins other City of Seattle employees and citizens in the 2023 Pride Parade

On June 25, hundreds of thousands of people gathered in downtown to watch the Seattle Pride parade. We had a great time marching in the parade with our personnel and showing the community that we are here to serve and celebrate all!

Chief Sealth High School students learn about fire careers

WABS Event with Students from Chief Sealth High School at Station 37

On June 8, we hosted 28 students from Chief Sealth at headquarters and Station 32 as part of a career readiness and student engagement effort.

Washington Alliance for Better Schools (WABS) is a collaborative of school districts and industry leaders that leverages resources, talent and intellectual capital to help over a quarter million students graduate career and college ready.

Worksite tours provide career exposure to students who are furthest from opportunity, including BIPOC, low-income and first generation.

Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, over 1,200 students from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties participated in these interactive, career-focused learning opportunities. SFD has hosted almost 80 students this year.

Thank you to the members of Station 32 and the administrative staff who took the time to interact with the students.

Seattle Fire in the news

Energy Response Unit unveiled at Capitol Hill (Station 25)

Mayor Bruce Harrell, SCL Interim GM Mike Haynes, SFD Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and SFD Capt. Mike Green speak at press conference

The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle City Light unveiled their new Energy Response Unit – ENERGY 1 – the nation’s most capable apparatus for fighting electrical fires in substations and underground vaults. The collaboration exemplifies the Mayor's One Seattle approach, with our departments working together to minimize the impact of fire-related power outages for residents and businesses throughout the city.

Forty-four firefighters are specially trained to fight energy-related fires.

In the event of a vault fire, CO2 is poured into the vault while covering the opening with a fire-resistant tarp. This robs the fire of oxygen. Once the fire is out, Seattle City Light personnel deenergize electrical equipment, making the area safe for crews to begin repairs.

The partnership between City Light and Seattle Fire began in 2014. In 2018, they put in service a rig retrofitted to hold 900 pounds of liquid CO2 flowing through 125 feet of hose line. The new ENERGY 1 has the capacity of storing 11,000 pounds of CO2 dispersed through 600 feet of hose line, making the unit capable of accessing every substation and underground vault in the city.

“Seattle is the only city in the nation where the city utility and fire departments are working together to make sure energy fires are fought efficiently and with the most effective tools,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. “By responding quickly and safely to high energy incidents, we can prevent major power outages and infrastructure loss. When we do our job well, these incidents go unnoticed by the public.”

Keeping you safe

Safety message: Fireworks banned in Seattle and King County

Fireworks likely caused a fire in a townhome in North Seattle

Every year, the personal use of fireworks cause fires and injure people in the Seattle area. Last year, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 16 fireworks-related fires, including two structure fires. A significant fire happened on Saturday, July 1, 2023, when fireworks likely ignited a second-floor balcony of a townhome in North Seattle. Fortunately, no one was injured, but several residents were displaced and the total estimated loss was $100,000.

The recent warm, dry weather significantly increases the risk for dry grass, bark and brush fires. A firework can easily start a fire in these conditions.

Here are ways to reduce fires caused by fireworks near your home:

Remove branches, dry grass and anything that can burn from around your home
Make sure tree branches are not touching your home
Clear roof and gutters of pine needles and leaves
Don’t leave cardboard or loose paper recyclables outside – make sure they are in a closed bin
Keep a garden hose with nozzle hooked up and ready to use

Also, make sure smoke alarms are working by pushing the test button.

If you experience a fire, please call 911 immediately after you are in a safe location away from the fire.

Remember, fireworks are illegal in the City of Seattle. 911 call centers are inundated on the 4th of July with reports of fireworks-related injuries and fires. Because of that, please limit the use of 911 to only report life-threatening emergencies. For other issues, call the police non-emergency number 206-625-5011. Law enforcement and other first responder agencies will be busy with life-threatening emergencies and property crimes, so reports of illegal use of fireworks will be low priority for response. As always, we are also unable to respond to any crime reports or reports of illegal use of fireworks sent via Twitter, Facebook and other social media.

If you have unused fireworks, you can safely dispose of them at drop-off boxes located at each Seattle Police precinct.

Have a safe and festive Independence Day!

Every year, the personal use of fireworks cause fires and injure people in the Seattle area. Last year, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 16 fireworks-related fires, including two structure fires. A significant fire happened on Saturday, July 1, fireworks likely ignited a second-floor balcony of a townhome in North Seattle. Fortunately, no one was injured, but several residents were displaced and the total estimated loss was $100,000.