Seattle Responder — October 2023 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 10/03/2023 04:09 PM PDT

A message from the Fire Chief

We begin this month by honoring the exemplary work of our firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers and professional staff, and the heroic actions taken by community members at our Annual Awards Ceremony on Oct. 5. The window for purchasing tickets has closed, however, we hope you can join us on our livestream if you are not attending in-person. I extend my gratitude to the Seattle Fire Foundation and their generous donors for sponsoring this year's event, which allows us to take time out of our busy schedules to reflect on all of the exceptional work performed by Seattle Fire personnel.

The fall season is upon us and the weather as of late has certainly shown it. That's why during this Fire Prevention Month (October), you'll see many of our tips focused on ensuring you practice fire safety during the colder months and around the holidays. Information about checking smoke alarms, cooking safely, knowing evacuation routes, and more will be shared to our social media accounts throughout the month. I also invite you to attend our Fire Safety Fair at Fire Station 30 on November 4 from 12 - 2 p.m. for an afternoon of fire safety and family fun.

In September, we celebrated the recent promotions of two battalion chiefs, three captains, 11 lieutenants, one firefighter and one professional staff member at a promotional ceremony at Fire Station 10. I look forward to seeing each of these individuals excel in their new leadership role for many years to come.

Also last month, I joined Mayor Bruce Harrell, Councilmember Lisa Herbold and other health leaders to give a progress update on our post overdose response unit, which began operations in July 2023. This pilot program was created to help address the public health and safety impacts of the opioid and fentanyl crisis. I am incredibly proud of our firefighter/EMTs and caseworkers who are regularly assigned to this unit and performing this difficult work in our community. With this new unit (Health 99), we can now expand our impact to patients who experience an overdose by connecting or reestablishing them with services to get them on the right path for addiction treatment.

To round out October, we will recognize Hispanic/Latinx heritage, LGBTQIA+ heritage, breast cancer awareness, sudden cardiac arrest awareness and Indigenous People's Day on Oct. 9.

Stay safe,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

Significant incidents

Tragic fire and scene of violence in the Wallingford neighborhood.

Photo by John Odegard

Sept. 2: Fire and scene of violence at the 1000 block of N. 48th St.

Around 8:45 a.m. the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) and the Seattle Police Department (SPD) responded to a tragic scene of violence and a fire at a residence in the Wallingford neighborhood where two adults and two children were found deceased. Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz provided an update at the scene. Seattle Police is investigating the incident.

Fire in the Lake City and Pinehurst neighborhoods

Photo by John Odegard

Sept. 4: Residential fire at the 2000 block of N.E. 130th St.

Just after 4 p.m., firefighters responded to a fire in a residence in the Lake City and Pinehurst neighborhoods. Upon arrival, the detached garage was fully engulfed in flames and the fire had already spread to the single-story house. Crews fought the fire defensively from the exterior and searched survivable spaces within the back of the home for possible occupants. A man who lived in the home was able to make it out safely, with escort of fire personnel. Approximately 40 minutes after arrival on scene, the fire was put under control. Fire investigators ruled the fire as “accidental.”

Seattle Fire in the community

Sept. promotion ceremony

Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins held a promotional ceremony on Sept. 21 to promote 17 members to new ranks in the department. Two battalion chiefs, three captains, eleven lieutenants and one firefighter took the oath of office to serve those who live, work and visit Seattle in their new leadership role. He also announced the promotion of a senior fire protection engineer. For a complete list of those who promoted, visit our promotional ceremony post on our Fire Line blog.

Remembering 9/11

First responders recognized at Mariners game

SFD joined SPD to mark the 22^nd anniversary of 9/11 with several activities, including raising the flag on the Space Needle and being featured in the pre-game activities at the Mariners game that evening. SFD’s employees of the year for 2022 joined the Fire Chief atop the Space Needle. Later, SFD joined fire personnel from around the region to welcome Mariners players on the field while the Seattle Firefighter Pipes and Drums and Walter Kilgore Memorial Honor Guard performed. Chief Scoggins and SPD Chief Diaz threw out the ceremonial first pitch before meeting players Julio Rodriguez and Andres Munoz.

Seattle firefighters fill the boot for muscular dystrophy

Seattle firefighters filled many boots with donations from the community during this year’s Fill the Boot for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. With the generosity and kindness of Seattle residents and visitors, SFD was able to raise funds to help individuals walk again and live longer and stronger. The funds go towards ensuring effective treatments and therapy are found for those living with neuromuscular disease. If you missed the in-person collection events, you can still donate online.

Firefighters in West Seattle visit troll

Firefighters from Engine 37 in West Seattle headed to Lincoln Park to visit the Brunn Idon troll. The sculpture project Northwest Trolls: Way of the Bird King is the work of Danish environmental artist Thomas Dambo. West Seattle is one of five locations in the Puget Sound region where trolls as part of this project are located. Can you find the other trolls?

Training exercise with U.S. Navy

Seattle Fire apparatus staging for exercise with U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy

Photo by Russ Read

Seattle firefighters, members of the U.S. Coast Guard and personnel from other regional fire departments participated in a U.S. Navy exercise last week at Vigor Shipyard to practice fire responses to ships and radiation detection on the water. Ship fires present many challenges for first responders, so it’s critical to exercise before a real emergency occurs with local and federal partners to learn best practices.

Seattle Fire events

Watch the Annual Awards Ceremony livestream on Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m.

Registration has closed for attending the in-person Annual Awards Luncheon, but the event will be livestreamed on Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. for friends, family and community members unable to attend.

Fire Safety Fair at Station 30 on Nov. 4

Southeast and central Seattle neighbors, please join us for SFD's upcoming Fire Safety Fair at Station 30 (2931 S. Mt. Baker Blvd.) on Nov. 4 from 12 - 2 p.m.

This family-friendly event is free and for all ages:

Learn about fire prevention and life-safety at home
Meet local firefighters
Explore a working fire engine and fire station
Watch CPR demonstrations
Get creative at the arts and crafts table
Firefighter story time
Light refreshments provided

Keeping you safe

October is Fire Prevention Month. This is a time to focus on the safety measures we can take to prevent fires from occurring in our homes and communities. It’s a time to educate ourselves on the potential hazards of fire and to take the necessary steps to help ensure that our homes and communities are safe from the devastating effects of fire. Each week, SFD will highlight a different fire safety message on the Fire Line Blog and on social media.

Learn more about this year’s Fire Prevention Week national campaign which focuses on cooking safety.

Week one: smoke alarms

Week two: cooking safety

Week three: apartment evacuation

Week four: lithium-ion battery safety with E-bikes and E-scooters

Week five: heating safety

Firefighter story time at Seattle Public Library branches

Join us for firefighter story time:

Listen to preschool safety stories
Learn about firefighter uniforms and tools
Meet local Seattle firefighters
Tour a fire engine (time and weather permitting)

10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17: South Park Branch (8604 8th Ave. S.)

10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25: Lake City Branch (12501 28th Ave. N.E.)

10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31: Central Library (1000 4th Ave.)

Let’s make this Fire Prevention Month a time of action and commitment to safety.

Fire Line Blog

Seattle Fire uses its Fire Line Blog to share information about significant incidents, share safety information and learn about upcoming department events. Please take a look!