In the community

Tribute for Lt. Larry Doll

Photo by King 5 News

Hundreds gathered with us on Aug. 27 to celebrate the life of Lieutenant/Paramedic Larry Doll, who passed away Aug. 17. Lt. Doll was a member of Recruit Class 91, entering in January 2006 and spending nearly 20 years as a firefighter, paramedic and Medical Services Officer. He was also a beloved husband, father, son, uncle, cousin and friend to all. We will miss Lt. Doll's leadership in our Medic One program, his inspirational approach to life and genuine goodness. Our thoughts remain with the Doll family, who will always remain a part of ours. King 5 News recently covered Lt. Doll's celebration of life.

Seattle firefighter/EMTs administer buprenorphine at 100th patient encounter in the field

In August, our Seattle firefighter/EMTs who work on the Post Overdose Response Unit (Health 99) administered buprenorphine at their 100th patient encounter in the field. Buprenorphine is given to patients who are being treated for an opiate overdose or to those actively experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It temporarily stabilizes patients and provides short-term relief from withdrawal symptoms to allow emergency responders to better engage in conversations around treatment, recovery and social services.

Testimonial from the field:

Health 99 responded to an overdose in the Belltown neighborhood and administered buprenorphine to a patient experiencing withdrawal symptoms. Once his symptoms were relieved, he began talking to the crew about his desire to stop using fentanyl. The patient was transported to the DESC Opioid Treatment Network where he was able to receive an immediate intake and a first dose of Sublocade, a long-acting injectable form of buprenorphine.

Following this visit, the team picked him up from the clinic and took him back to his shelter bed in Queen Anne, with plans to continue engaging with the clinic. Two days later the crew met with him again and reported that he looked healthy, well-rested, and was making plans to continue his recovery and reunite with family.

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

Seattle firefighters are hitting the streets with boots in hand to collect donations in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) from Sept. 20 through 23. 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. 20, 21, 22 and 23 at Fire Station 5 (925 Alaskan Way) and near Green Lake (East Green Lake Way N. and NE 71^st St.). Members of the public can also make donations online.

Lateral paramedics out to ops

On Aug. 5, we celebrated Lateral Recruit Class 1's graduation from SFD's rigorous recruit school. This is the only class of lateral firefighter/paramedic recruits in the department's history. The seven members of this class will now begin their probationary training on our medic units or attend the expedited Medic One Paramedic School if they haven't already been through this world-renowned program. SFD's firefighter/paramedics respond to emergencies requiring Advanced Life Support (cardiac arrest, strokes, major trauma, etc.).

Oct. 3 Fallen Firefighter Memorial

You are invited to join us in person on Friday, Oct. 3 as Seattle Fire remembers all its fallen firefighters since the department’s inception in 1889. The event is at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Occidental Park, beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Seattle Fire will also livestream the memorial service on our Facebook Page.

The Fallen Firefighter Memorial was inspired by the death of four firefighters during the Jan. 5, 1995 fire at the Pang Warehouse. It was designed by UW School of Art student Hai Ying Wu and unveiled in 1998. Each year, on the first Friday of October, the Seattle Fire Department pauses to remember all Seattle firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

Keeping you safe

Back to school safety

Children are heading back to school this week. In 2023, 7,314 pedestrians died in U.S. traffic crashes. That is about 20 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. 27 Fire Connect in-person workshop

Have you considered a career in the fire service? The Seattle Fire Department is accepting applications for entry-level firefighter/EMTs from Oct. 7 through Nov. 25, 2025 – now is the time to explore!

Attend this workshop to learn about the hiring process, hear from SFD Human Resources and meet with local firefighters. The workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Fire Station 32 (3715 SW Alaska St.). RSVP online.

Oct. 18-19 Future Women in EMS and Fire Workshop

Registration for the Future Women in EMS and Fire Workshop is open until Sept. 22nd! This free two-day workshop helps women throughout King County explore a career in fire and EMS through hands-on activities, discussion panels, live demos and networking with other women in these fields. This fall session will be hosted by Seattle Fire on Oct. 18-19. Space is limited, so register today.