A message from the Fire Chief

As we gear up for summer, I hope you will join me in spreading awareness about the dangers of personal fireworks use. Even though fireworks have been illegal in the City for many years (and now countywide), each year we still see preventable injuries and fires that result from fireworks use. Encourage those you know and love to celebrate safely and instead attend one of many area professional fireworks displays. 

On June 6 we commemorate the Great Seattle Fire, which occurred 136 years ago in 1889. This is a significant mark in our City's history, as the City acted to form the professional Seattle Fire Department as a result of this devastating fire. To help honor our past and recognize fire safety, we will host our annual Seattle Fire Day on June 7 with our partners at MOHAI from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Saturday's weather forecast is for the mid-70s, so grab your sunscreen and head to MOHAI to enjoy our family-friendly and free fire safety activities and to meet your local firefighters. Fireboat Leschi will also be on site for public tours. 

Recruit Class 122 graduates from recruit school this month and will head out into Operations to serve the remainder of their first year with SFD as probationary firefighter/EMTs. They will participate in additional on the job training and learn from more experienced firefighters to obtain the skillset necessary to serve this City for many years to come. I wish each of them well as they begin their journey responding to our community's medical emergencies, calls for fire suppression and rescues. 

In June we will recognize Juneteenth, and all month long, we will show our support for our LGBTQIA+ neighbors during Pride Month. 

Stay safe, 

Harold D. Scoggins 

Eleven members of the SFD joined other firefighters from the region and U.S. in becoming certified as rescue swimmers through the Rapid Entry Rescue Swimmer program. The 40-hour physically and mentally demanding training occurred at various pool, lake and saltwater locations in late May.

Course participants are taught hands-on skills on water safety, rescue and survival techniques as well as scene management.

SFD members who completed the course will join the department's cadre of 55 rescue swimmers after they complete SFD-specific rescue swimmer training in early June.

Every summer, the Seattle Fire Department responds to preventable drownings. According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, 25 King County residents died in preventable drownings in 2024. Many more near drownings go unreported. Below are a safety tips and resources:

• Wear a life jacket – discounts and loaners are available.
• Do not consume alcohol and drugs when around water.
• Remember that lakes, rivers and the ocean can remain dangerously cold even when the air temperature is warm.
• Take extreme caution around rivers. If you do choose to enter a river, always tell someone where you plan to enter and exit before you leave home.
• When children are swimming or playing near the water, designate an adult to watch and stay nearby at all times.
• Swim at public pools monitored by lifeguards and enroll in swim lessons. More information about public pools, including free and low-cost swim lessons, from Seattle Parks and Recreation.

The personal use of fireworks in Seattle and King County is illegal. Even though they are banned, each year fireworks cause fires and injure people in the city and surrounding areas.

In 2023, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 58 fireworks-related incidents.

An example of how quickly a firework can escalate to a major incident: in 2020, a fireworks ignited dry brush in front of a four-story apartment building in West Seattle and quickly extended to the top floor balcony.

Fortunately, no one was injured but several residents were displaced and the total estimated loss was $100,000.

Fireworks can cause serious injuries.

In 2023, Harborview Medical Center treated 58 patients for injuries caused by fireworks. Patient ages ranged from 10 months to 57 years old. Of those injured, 74% sustained injuries to the extremities, 40% sustained injuries to the eyes, face and head, 45% underwent amputation and 47% sustained burns. While 78% of those injured were outside of King County when the incident took place, we still saw injuries locally.

It’s best to keep the use of fireworks to professionals to avoid fires and injury; instead consider attending a public fireworks display such as the one held at the Lake Union. Additionally, the upcoming warm and dry weather significantly increases the risk for dry grass, bark and brush fires.

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; place in a closed bin.
• Keep a garden hose with nozzle hooked up and ready to use.

Test your smoke alarms in your home. If you experience a fire, please call 911 immediately after you are in a safe location away from the fire.

On a historically busy day for first responders, please reserve the use of 911 only for life-threatening emergencies. Do not call 911 for the illegal discharge of fireworks, you can instead report to the City of Seattle non-emergency number at (206) 625-5011.

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!

Save the date for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on June 7 for our annual Fire Day event at the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI)!

Mark the 136th anniversary of the Great Seattle Fire with MOHAI and the Seattle Fire Department at this free, family friendly event. Your firefighters-in-training will love meeting local firefighters, learning about fire safety at home and climbing aboard a real working fire engine and ladder truck! Kids can also explore hands-on artifacts, take home fire safety activities, and so much more.

Access to the Faye G. Allen Grand Atrium is free 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., regular admission charged for access to upstairs galleries.