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A message from the Fire Chief
Happy New Year! On behalf of the Seattle Fire Department, we hope you found moments of peace and joy during the holiday season.
The end of each year offers an opportunity to reflect on all that took place and also express our gratitude. Among the events and activities that defined 2025 for the Seattle Fire Department:
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Sent members to Los Angeles in January to help with the wildfires
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Hired seven firefighter/paramedics through a lateral hiring process in early 2025
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Graduated seven paramedics from the traditional nine-month intensive training course in July
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Received 4,780 applications for firefighter/EMT during our fall recruitment cycle
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Responded to and investigated a series of arson files in the Columbia City neighborhood
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Added a third Rescue Watercraft, new fitness equipment for fire stations, and rescue swimmer wetsuits, courtesy of the Seattle Fire Foundation
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Expanded our services to people experiencing overdoses, including our Post Overdose Response Team, staffing a pop-up clinic to provide long-acting injectable buprenorphine, and partnering with others on a recovery center
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Coordinated patient reunions with the firefighters and paramedics who responded to their medical incidents
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Came together to grieve the unexpected passing of beloved Firefighter/Paramedic Larry Doll
We are grateful to you, our community, for the ways that you welcome and support us. Whether it’s through the Medic One Foundation or Seattle Fire Foundation, attending one of our fire safety fairs, thank you notes or even a friendly wave, we appreciate our connection with you.
Be safe,
Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief
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 Photo by John Odegard
Dec. 11: Residential fire in the 11000 block of Bartlett Ave. NW
Firefighters extinguished a fire in a residence in the Matthews Beach neighborhood. No injuries were reported. Red Cross was requested to provide aid for the displaced resident. Investigators ruled the fire as accidental, likely caused by overloaded electrical or improperly discarded smoking materials.
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 Dec. 19: 3-alarm residential fire in the 500 block of 34th Ave.
Crews extinguished a house fire in the Leschi neighborhood. The incident was upgraded to a 3-alarm response for additional resources to prevent the fire from spreading to neighboring homes. No injuries were reported. Investigators ruled the fire as accidental, likely caused by a recently operated outdoor grill.
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Recruit Class 123 Out to Ops on Dec. 2
 Congratulations to 37 members of Recruit Class 123 on their successful completion of recruit school. They will now enter our Operations Division as probationary firefighters to use the skills they've learned when serving the Seattle community. Well done.
Washington State Task Force 1 deployed to Skagit County
 Washington State Task Force 1 was deployed to Skagit County in the aftermath of the recent floods. As they worked to assist those in the affected area, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community provided rooms at the Lodge to the team at no-cost for responders. Our appreciation to the Swinomish Tribe for their warm welcome.
Successful 2025 Toys for Tots campaign
In partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves Toys for Tots program, we hosted four toy collection events at stations 21, 29, 38 and 41. Local 27 also hosted a box at their business office.
Our incredible community filled over 30 Toys for Tots boxes in just two hours, providing holiday joy for children and families across King County. A special thank you to KIRO 7 for their help in receiving and delivering truckloads of donations to those who need them most.
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Seattle Public Utilities offering free Christmas tree disposal
 Seattle Public Utilities is offering free Christmas tree composting now through Jan. 31. Please remove all decorations and cut trees into 4-foot sections. Place up to two trees by your yard waste cart on collection day or drop off up to three trees at Seattle’s North or South Transfer Station.
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