Saturday, December 23, 2006

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: BC Craig Cornelius
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/23/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2812 W Mallon
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: This morning, December 23, 2006 at 05:17 hours, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported house fire located at 2812 W Mallon.

Engine 3, the first fire company arrived within 5 minutes. Engine 3's Officer reported smoke showing from the east side of the second floor of a single family home. Fire crews verified that all family members had escaped the fire before attacking the fire. Fire crews immediately advanced pre-connected hose lines into the home. The fire, which started in the ceiling of the first floor extended up the home's exterior walls and into the attic area of the second floor. 28 Fire Fighters brought the fire under control within 20 minutes and the majority of the home and contents were saved.

Cold winter conditions contributed to the challenges at this fire. This was the second "working fire" during the night time hours where water from fire hydrants was brought into play. Dealing with wet, frozen hose and fire clothing is routine during these cold periods.

There were no injuries at this fire. The family, (two adults and one child) were alerted to smoke in the home by their child who was having difficulty sleeping. The child's parents had invested in their families' safety by recently servicing the home's smoke detectors. These detectors did eventually activate and would have warned the family of the fire. Old electrical wiring in the home's ceiling appears to have been the cause of this fire.



PROBABLE CAUSE: Old electrical wiring.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Ceiling and Walls first and second floors.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 28
MUTUAL AID: None Given

City councilmember submissions regarding Greg Borg...

“Greg spells out the issues in terms we all can understand. I appreciate his straight talk and input.” Councilman Bob Apple

“I am impressed with his presentations to City Council. He is an informed communicator and I, as a new council member appreciate that.” Nancy McLaughlin, Council Member

“I have the greatest respect for Mr. Borg. He is a man of integrity and an excellent communicator. I know that I will get the truth from Greg when I ask him about an issue.” Al French, Councilman

“I have always appreciated the way in which Lt. Borg presents Fire Department issues and his direct communications with the council.” Councilwoman Mary Verner

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Joel Fielder
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/22/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 921 North Ash
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On December 22, 2006, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately11.40 PM to 921 North Ash. The first crew on-scene reported smoke showing at the back of a 2-story, wood framed apartment building extending from the main floor to the roof. Fire fighters found the fire in a concealed crawl space located at the back of the structure. The fire had vented through an opening in the foundation and was extending up the vinyl siding to the second floor when it was extinguished. Additional fire crews completed search and rescue, ventilation and salvage and overhaul. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to the occupants or firefighters. Eight fire companies with 26 firefighters responded to this fire and were on scene for approximately 2 hours. The Spokane Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to stress the importance of working Smoke Detectors in your home as they played a vital role in alerting the occupant of this apartment who was home at the time of the fire.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Fire Investigators Lieutenant Greg McClatchey and Captain Kevin Smathers and they may be contacted at 625-7053.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the exterior siding on the north side of the structure and the crawl space in the basement with smoke damage through out the rest of the structure
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Thursday, December 21, 2006

Greg Borg Letter

To all my brothers and sisters,

Here we are, a few days from Christmas and the election is not over yet! Never before in my 31 years as a firefighter and 29 years of union involvement have I seen a tie in an election. This says a lot about your mood and thinking. Thank you for the reality check.

But first, a big thanks to all of you who have trusted me with your vote. I have talked with Doug Bacon and Dan Renner to get their input about what people are telling them. Thanks to them for their insights and their endorsements for my reelection. I have also talked to many of you during this campaign process about your concerns. This job of union president is never easy, and when decisions are made many may be happy with the result, but some are not. I have strived to do my best for everyone; that is my job as union president. It is also important to protect the minority’s view and make sure they are respectfully heard. In six years of decisions, I have made some mistakes and perhaps not followed through for the minority view when I should have. Needless to say, I have learned a lot in the past two months of campaigning. Thank you.

With your support, together we can fix the things that you want fixed and foster better communication to make job improvements for all of us. I have heard your worries and unease, and I am making the adjustments that I need to make.

The elections committee is mailing the ballots Friday the 22nd, so we can have the election complete by the January 9th union meeting.

I will be in the office over the next two weeks. If you need anything or have ideas, please call or stop by.

Merry Christmas to you and your families. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!

In unity, Greg

Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Newsletter On Hold...

Valued Readers,

This afternoon, Greg talked to me about the newsletter. We had planned on getting it out today along with news of who won the election. He had felt that it was important to wait until the end of the election so he wouldn't have an unfair electoral advantage speaking as president in the usual "President's Message." So today was to be the day. But now, it looks like it'll be January before the newsletter comes out - unless there's another tie!

So, even though neither Greg nor Chris won yesterday, there was one winner - your newsletter editor - with yet another reprieve. Happy Holidays! Another Mexican huevo nog - and don't skimp on the tequilla this time!!

Cheers,

John

Doug Bacon endorses Greg Borg for Local 29 President...

Brothers & Sisters,
I had planned to stay out of this and maybe my opinion doesn't matter to any of you. If it does, this is what I think.
Chris is energetic & willing to learn, but there really is an awful lot to learn and little time to learn it. Greg has spent almost his entire firefighting career working for the betterment of firefighters. Chris is the "outsider" with many new and interesting ideas and a willingness for "outside" opinions, but no experience in dealing with the Administration & City as a negotiator. Greg hasn’t always appeared to listen to “outside" opinions, but he tells me that this will definitely change. Chris's inexperience in how the union "works" will mean it has to take him some time to learn the rules, as we do have to follow the rules of the State of Washington, the WSCFF, the IAFF and the other labor organizations we belong to. Greg knows what a Union is and how it works. If Chris is elected, can he get things done, I’m just not sure he can. If Greg is reelected will he continue his way of doing things, he tells me that things will change. That is really the question, is it time for new leadership. I think it is time for a new leadership style. Greg brings the experience to find the way to change things. This election will not give either one of them a "mandate" and I truly hope the winner realizes this! The bottom line is that I believe Greg will be able to better lead this Union with our help. If Greg takes this opportunity to reach out to the disaffected and encourages everyone on this job to communicate their thoughts and ideas to the Union, we can make progressive changes to this Union and improved benefits for us.
Doug Bacon

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/20/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5807 N. Division Apt. 32
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207

NARRATIVE: At 12:51 am December 20, 2006 the Spokane Fire Department responded to 5807 N. Division on an apartment fire. The first fire crew on scene reported light smoke coming from a 2nd floor apartment. Upon entering the apartment they were met with a kitchen fire and heavy smoke. Both adults in the apartment at the time got out on their own but the female resident complained of smoke inhalation and a tightness in her chest. She was transported to Holy Family Hospital in Spokane Washington. The Fire Department responded 3 Engine companies, 1 Ladder, 1 Pumper Ladder, 1 Rescue and 2 Battalion Chiefs. A quick knock down of the fire prevented it from getting into the structure and the fire was contained to contents of 1 apartment. Red Cross was called to assist the apartment resident as the apartment sustained significant heat and smoke damage. All other apartment residents in the building were allowed back into their apartments shortly after knocking the fire down. 25 Firefighters were on scene about 30 minutes when the fire was reported contained. There were no Firefighter injuries. Fire damage to the kitchen was significant with heat and smoke damage throughout the apartment. The fire will be looked at by an investigator but initial impression is a fire caused by combustible materials on the kitchen stove and a burner on. It cannot be overstressed the importance of not leaving a kitchen stove unattended when in use.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Combustables unattended on a kitchen stove that was turned on.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Significant damage to the kitchen, heat and smoke damage throughout the rest of the apartment. Confined to one apartment in the building
DOLLAR LOSS: 15,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given

Chris Phillips Letter

Brothers and Sisters,
I just wanted to thank you all for the overwhelming support during this never ending presidential campaign. Your letters, phone calls, and words of encouragement have been humbling to say the least. I appreciate all the challenging questions and the opportunity you’ve given me to discuss the things which are important to each of you. I hope I have been able to answer your questions thoroughly and thoughtfully while at the same time expressing my position in a satisfactory manner. If I've accomplished nothing else it’s clear that I provided at least 137 of you with some additional cannon fodder! I’ll be out of town for the holidays, but if anyone has a question or comment, please feel free to email me at local29phillips@yahoo.com. I should be able to check my email while out of town -- unless sand or beer manages to destroy my computer first! Tis the season, so again I wish to say thank you. I am proud to work alongside each and every one of you, and wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
Fraternally,
Chris Phillips

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 12/17/2006
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3908 E 2nd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: Wa
ZIP: 99201

NARRATIVE: On 12/17/06 at approximately 0840 hrs units of the Spokane Fire Department responded to 3908 E 2nd upon report of a house on fire. First arriving units found heavy smoke coming from an approximately 900 square foot, one story, single family residence. These crews were also able to determine that all occupants of the house had exited safely prior to SFD arrival on scene. Fire Department crews advanced pre-connected hose-lines in the front door of the structure and extinguished a fire in the kitchen area. While the fire was being extinguished, others crew members laddered the roof of the building, set-up fans to ventilate smoke from the house, and established a water supply for engine operations. The fire was extinguished within approximately 10 minutes with overhaul of the fire area continuing for about the next hour. Damage to the structure included fire damage to the kitchen and an adjacent utility room, with smoke damage evident throughout.

A total of 34 firefighters on 12 apparatus responded to this incident. No injuries were reported to either firefighters or civilians.

Three tenants occupied this structure two adult males and one adult female. The structure is considered un-tenable at this time and the Red Cross is working to find housing for those displaced.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire has been determined to be a cooking fire. Cooking oil was being heated on the stove, it was left unattended, and the oil ignited. The fire then spread from the stove to surrounding materials in the kitchen.

It should be noted that the house did have a smoke detector but that the battery had been taken out so it could be replaced. Unfortunately the new battery had not been re-installed. This incident could have easily been a tragedy as the tenants were asleep at the time the incident started and were actually awakened by the smoke from the fire itself. Fortunately in this incident all tenants were able to safely exit the structure. The Spokane Fire Department would like to remind everyone that fire detectors do save lives but only if they are in proper working condition. Test all smoke detectors often and change the batteries often.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the structure included fire damage to the kitchen and an adjacent utility room, with smoke damage evident throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 34
MUTUAL AID: None Given