A message from the Fire Chief

Several members of Seattle Fire leadership recently returned from a trip to Washington D.C. to meet with our congressional delegation. We and several other fire chiefs from across the state met with our elected officials to discuss issues important to the fire service. We spoke about the federal grants we receive and the uncertainty of whether they will be fully funded. Many of our grants are funded on three-year cycles, and shutdowns have caused a lot of issues with whether we will be reimbursed as promised.

We also spent time advocating for stability for the U.S. Fire Administration. This is the fire service’s voice in Washington, D.C., and the position has not been permanently appointed under this administration. The most recent acting administrator is leaving for another role soon.

We continue to advocate for federal standards for lithium-ion batteries, which so many of us use on a daily basis but have no consistent standard. We also let our leaders know how important it is for fire departments to be reimbursed for costs of care that we provide, such as whole blood infusions for trauma patients and for emergency medical services to patients in their homes. I’ll be back in D.C. again this spring with the Western Fire Chiefs Association to continue making the case for these and other issues impacting our service.

Late in March, we held a Swearing-in Ceremony to administer the oath of office for the 24 members of Recruit Class 122. There were hundreds of proud parents, spouses, children, grandparents and friends there to witness this occasion. In May, it will be a full circle moment as they become mentors to the members of Recruit Class 124 who will soon enter their probationary service.

I’d like to invite you to celebrate with us the brave actions and excellent work of Seattle Fire employees at our annual awards luncheon on April 30. We will also celebrate several community members who displayed courage and bravery at an emergency scene. If you’d like to join us, there is registration information in the newsletter below, or you can click here: Seattle Fire Department Awards Ceremony - April 30, 2026

Yours in safety,

Harold D. Scoggins, Fire Chief
Seattle Fire Department

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." — Francis of Assisi

The 19,000 fire hydrants located within the City of Seattle are maintained and repaired by Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and are inspected by the Seattle Fire Department. Firefighters inspect all fire hydrants across the City on an annual basis to ensure they are working properly and will provide sufficient water when needed for fighting a fire. Inspecting hydrants can help save lives and protect property. 

Seattle Fire aims to inspect each hydrant within City limits once per year. Inspections occur between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and when the temperature is above 35 degrees. If you live near a fire hydrant that has recently been inspected, your drinking water may appear discolored for up to a few hours. This can happen when hydrant flushing changes the direction or rate of flow in a nearby water main. The discoloration comes from internal pipe rust and sediment getting stirred up. Drinking the water is not harmful but the water can be unsightly.

As we gear up for spring and tackle those home and yard projects, it’s essential to prioritize fire safety every step of the way. Please check out our helpful safety tips and recommendations to minimize the risk of fires and associated hazards.