Toys for Tots drive a success
Seattle Fire collected six vehicle loads of toys, books, games and stuffed animals during its Toys for Tots collection day on Dec. 10.
All items were delivered the next day to the U.S. Marine Corps, which partners with the Salvation Army and other social service agencies in Seattle/King County to fulfill gift wish lists.
A huge thank you to our neighbors who showed up with armloads of items. We enjoyed welcoming you to our stations in Magnolia, Ballard, West Seattle, Capitol Hill and Hawthorne Hills.
According to those working at each event, many of you brought multiple items. Your generosity was amazing, and many struggling families have gifts under their tree this year because of you.
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Patient reunification with Mark Staveley
 Mark Staveley recently experienced sudden cardiac arrest, and Seattle firefighter/EMTs and paramedics responded promptly to the scene. Over the weekend, he was able to reunite with some of the SFD members who helped to provide life-saving treatment. We are so appreciative to Mark and his family for stopping by - it brings a smile to our faces when we see the patients we treat make a full recovery!
Recap of King County Diversity and Recruitment Workshop
 On Dec. 16, the King County Fire Chiefs Association held their fifth semiannual Diversity and Recruitment Workshop at Shoreline Community College. 123 participants attended the event, and the feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to the Shoreline Fire Department for hosting the event and managing the logistics. Thank you to our personnel and partner agencies for helping to make this a successful event.
The next workshop will be held later this spring. We will post updates when registration is available for you to share with prospective candidates.
Local 2898 drive delivers warm coats
 On Dec. 23, several members of Local 2898, the union representing Seattle Fire’s chief officers, delivered 116 new coats to the Children’s Home Society in Lake City. Thank you to everyone who donated warm, new coats for children in need.
Position highlight: Operations Admin
 There is more than meets the eye when it comes to operating the Seattle Fire Department. Many duties and responsibilities occur behind the scenes to keep the department running and our apparatus in-service to respond to emergencies. That’s where Operations Admin personnel come in, or as we like to call them internally “Ops Admin.”
These members provide administrative support to the Operations Division, which includes
all firefighter/EMTs, firefighter/paramedics, firefighter/dispatchers and chiefs. Ops Admin
personnel help to ensure daily staffing needs are met, maintain the Activity Scheduler for
training and events, hire for special events and coordinate all travel and training requests.
The unit prepares materials for various meetings within the division and manages projects, business systems and new initiatives. Ops Admin develops the division budget for technical teams, committees and workgroups, and helps to identify and close gaps in service delivery both internally and externally to the public.
Encompassing all of the work conducted by the hard-working members of the Ops Admin team is no easy feat - we appreciate them for all they do to support the SFD.
Electrical fire safety
 Last month, firefighters responded to several fires caused by overheated small appliances, extension cords and overloaded outlets. Please take a few simple measures to stay safe before plugging in your new coffee maker, space heater or toaster oven:
- Small appliances, like the toaster or coffee maker should be unplugged when not in use
- Use as few cord adapters and extension cords as possible.
Instead use a power strip that has a surge protector
- Extension cords should only be used for temporary use. They
should not be tacked to walls or run under rugs
- Check your electrical cords. If they are cracked or damaged,
replace them. Don’t try to repair them
- Don’t overload extension cords or wall outlets
- Never use extension cords with appliances. Plug them directly into wall outlets
Seattle Public Utilities composting Christmas trees
 From Dec. 26 to Jan. 31, customers can compost trees and holiday greens for free. Just follow these steps:
- Remove all decorations
- Cut into sections 4-foot or less
- Place trees or bundled greens next to your Food & Yard Waste cart on your collection day
- Apartment residents, you're included too! You can place up to two trees next to each Food & Yard waste cart at no charge
- Drop off up to 3 trees less than 8 feet in length at a Transfer Station
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