Seattle Responder - September 2024 Edition

City of Seattle, Washington sent this bulletin at 09/04/2024 06:23 PM PDT

A message from the Fire Chief

On Monday, we celebrated Labor Day. This is a time to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being. In the SFD, we have four labor unions: the Seattle Fire Chiefs Association Local 2898, Seattle Fire Fighters Union Local 27, Protec 17 and Teamsters 117. We also have employees who are non-represented. I appreciate all they do in service to the Seattle community.

In August, we celebrated the successful completion of recruit school and probation for Recruit Class 119. The members of this class are now full-fledged firefighter/EMTs who will serve this City for many years to come. We also welcomed in August 30 new members to Recruit Class 121. I wish them all the best as they embark on their career with SFD by going through our rigorous 15.5-week mentally and physically challenging recruit school. Upon completion, these recruits will enter their probationary phase in Operations.

We have had two multiple alarm fires recently, which drew in a large response from the fire department. From the 3-alarm fire near Genesee Park where a home under construction caught fire and extended to two adjacent homes, to the 2-alarm vacant building fire in the First Hill/Capitol Hill neighborhood, our crews are staying busy. They put their training and skills to work at both of these large events to effectively fight these fires.

This week, school starts back up for students of Seattle Public Schools and for many private schools. I want to remind all drivers in our city to be cautious around school buses and obey school zone speed limits for the safety of children.

Finally, I am excited to announce that we now offer CPR classes in Spanish through our Medic 2 bystander CPR program. Visit seattle.gov/Medic2 or email Medic2@seattle.gov to register a community group or an individual for a hands-only or CPR certification course. Be sure to indicate your preferred language if other than English.

Stay safe,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief

"Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation, our economy and our collective prosperity. It gives us a chance to show gratitude for workers' grit, dedication, ingenuity and strength, which define our nation's character." — Tom Perez

Significant incidents

Firefighters put water on a rooftop fire in a three-story vacant apartment building in Capitol Hill

Photo by John Odegard

Aug. 16: 2-Alarm fire in a vacant apartment building in the 1700 block of Belmont Ave.

Firefighters worked through the early morning to extinguish a fire in a vacant apartment building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. An AlertSeattle message was sent to encourage impacted residents to keep their windows and doors closed to avoid smoke. One person was treated for minor injuries. Investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined.

Firefighters put water on a house on fire in the 4000 block of 43rd Avenue South, near Genesee Park.

Photo by John Odegard

Aug. 23: 3-Alarm fire in a home under construction in the 4000 block of 43rd Ave. S.

Crews extinguished a fire in a home under construction near Genesee Park. The fire extended to two adjacent homes. Residents in both homes were displaced. No injuries were reported. Investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined.

In the community

Seattle firefighters to “Fill-the-Boot” in September for Muscular Dystrophy Association

Graphic promoting the "Fill the boot" campaign fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association

Seattle firefighters are hitting the streets with boots in hand to collect donations in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) on Sept. 7, 8 and 10. Funds raised through the Fill-the-Boot campaign are put towards hundreds of important research projects and grants to make new treatments available for adults and children living with muscular dystrophy.  

Help the fire department raise awareness to encourage donations toward treatments to help individuals walk again - and live longer and stronger. Seattle firefighters will collect donations from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 7, 8 and 10 at Fire Station 5 (925 Alaskan Way) and near Greenlake (Greenlake Way N. and NE 71st St.). Members of the public can also make donations online.

Recruit Class 119 graduates

Recruit Class 119 group photo for graduation

We recently celebrated the graduates of Recruit Class 119 with a swearing-in ceremony at Seattle City Hall. Surrounded by family and friends, the department officially welcomed them to the SFD. Each of these individuals successfully completed SFD’s mentally and physically challenging 15.5-week recruit school and subsequent probationary period and took their oath of office given by the Fire Chief.

Their class motto is “forward together” - and they will certainly depend on one another throughout their SFD career. Over their first year on the job, they’ve received the training and learned the skills necessary to provide effective medical care and fire suppression to the Seattle community. We look forward to seeing them save lives in their roles as Seattle firefighter/EMTs for many years to come!

One month until SFD accepts applications for entry-level firefighter/EMT positions

Graphic promoting the upcoming application period for entry-level firefighters.

It’s the one month countdown! SFD’s application period for entry-level firefighter/EMT positions will open on Oct. 4 and close on Nov. 29. The application window only opens every two years, so if there are individuals interested in the fire service within your network, be sure to share the opportunity. The department recently released the second episode of the Fire Connect: Podcast Series on YouTube. This episode focuses on preparing for the hiring process and can be found here.

Visit seattlefirejobs.com for more information and to place your email on the interest list.

Fallen Firefighter Memorial on Friday, Oct. 4

Graphic promoting the Fallen Firefighter Memorial from 9:30 to - 10:30 a.m. on October Fourth at Occidental Park.

The public is invited to join us as we remember our fallen firefighters on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook. No Facebook account is required to watch.

Never Forget - Remembering Sept. 11, 2001

Members of the Seattle Fire Department will pay tribute to those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001 during several activities:

Holding a moment of silence at our fire stations and reciting the names of each firefighter who perished on 9/11
Raising the U.S. flag atop the Space Needle
Packing meals for Food Lifeline as part of the 9/11 Day Foundation’s day of national service and remembrance

Keeping you safe

Graphic of children heading back to school

Back to school safety

Children are heading back to school this week. In 2022, 7,522 pedestrians died in U.S. traffic crashes. That is nearly 21 pedestrians a day. Below are a few safety tips in an effort to reduce vehicle and pedestrian collisions:

Drivers

Watch for children at all times
Obey school zone speed limits and signs
Follow laws regarding
Never block a crosswalk or pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks
Pay attention to school crossing guards
Eliminate distractions
Watch for school zones & pedestrians

Children and caregivers

Discuss road safety with kids and teens who are walking, biking or driving to school
Never walk while texting and or cross the street while using an electronic device
Cross streets at intersections and crosswalks
Pay attention and listen to crossing guards
Use designated student drop-off and pick-up zone

Events

Sept. 17: Fire Connect virtual coaching session

Graphic promoting the September Fire Connect Virtual Coaching Session available on Zoom

In preparation for accepting applications for entry-level firefighter/EMT, the department is sharing tips about the hiring process and preparing to become a successful candidate.

On Sept. 17, Seattle firefighter/ EMTs and specialists from our Human Resources division will present valuable information about becoming a firefighter with the Seattle Fire Department during an online coaching session on Zoom. The session runs between 4 and 5:15 p.m.

We hope you will share this webinar information with those you know who may be looking at a career change or interested in working in the fire/EMS world.