Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/10/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1303 East Rowan
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:

NARRATIVE: On Thursday, April 10, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 11:00 PM to 1303 East Rowan on a reported structure fire. The first crew on scene reported heavy smoke coming from the front door of a 1-1/2-story, wood framed house. Aggressive interior attack by on scene fire crews confined the majority of the fire to a bedroom on the main floor with heat and smoke damage through out the structure. The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes and there were no reported injuries to firefighters or civilians.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is under investigation by Spokane Fire Investigator Captain Kevin Smathers and he can be contacted at 625-7052. However, preliminary examination indicates the possibility of children playing with matches' ignited bedding in a bedroom located on the main floor of the house with fire spreading from that location.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the main floor with heat and smoke damage through out the residence.
DOLLAR LOSS: 25,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

END OF RELEASE

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 4/5/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3711 W. Queen
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: At 1030 am Saturday April 5, 2008, the Spokane Fire Department responded with 20 Firefighters on 7 apparatus to a single family house at 3711 W. Queen for a reported structure fire. The first Fire Department apparatus on scene, Engine 16, reported light smoke coming from roof vents. A quick search of the house indicated that everyone was out and the fire was above the ceiling in the attic area. Using a thermal imaging camera along with overhaul equipment a portion of the ceiling in both the living room and kitchen were removed along with the insulation to determine the extent and spread of the fire. Some of the roof trusses were burned as were areas of the attic insulation. With careful removal of the insulation and a diligent investigation on the amount of burned insulation, all spread of the fire was stopped and damage minimized to the structure. There was very little water damage or smoke damage to the living area of the house. Utilities were left on and the windows remained intact so the resident was able to occupy the house immediately after the fire. Cause was determined to be electrical. The resident had replaced a blown fuse and heard a crackling noise. Upon exiting the house smoke was seen coming from roof vents. At this time the Fire Department was called. It was also determined that the incident was accidental and nobody was hurt. To minimize the chance of fire when a breaker trips or a fuse blows, you should determine the reason for the failure and correct any problems in the system. An electrician can be very helpful in running down electrical problems.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Electrical (accidental)
DAMAGE EXTENT: Some structural damage to roof trusses, living room ceiling and a small portion of the kitchen ceiling.
DOLLAR LOSS: 3000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

State Patrol Finds Nothing in Todd's Computers...

So, I guess the big question is whether they will have Todd come back to work before or after the inspection work is done!

Congratulations Todd! All of us are happy to see justice start to prevail. We're sure you will finish the job.

Bellingham votes to replace fire apparati

From Paul B.

New CP Freq.

Here you go scanner geeks (OK, I'll admit I'm one) - the new city primary frequency:

154.055

New amber is the old primary, so no need to erase it.

Program this in right away, so you won't miss any BBQ smoke, skunk odor, cigar smoke, flag flapping, sunset/sunrise, roof dew evaporation, lawn sprinkler mist, dryer vent steam, television set flickering , Christmas light flashing or inflatable lawn ornament calls!!

From Paul Binkoski...

March 25, 2008

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Orange County ends Rural/Metro contract, to allow firefighters to take over ambulance transport duty
Christine Show and David Damron | Sentinel Staff Writers
March 19, 2008


Orange County leaders voted unanimously Tuesday to dump a private ambulance company and take over the service using firefighters.

Fire officials and the Orange County Comptroller's Office said taxpayers could net $6 million to $13.8 million in added revenues over five years by taking over the service from Rural/Metro Ambulance.

Company officials questioned those projections and said commissioners may regret the takeover move later.

Currently, county firefighters are the first to respond to emergencies in unincorporated Orange County. Rural/Metro workers arrive later and take patients to a hospital. But sometimes, Rural/Metro workers are tied up or arrive late, and firefighters handle hospital transports as well.


County leaders liked the added revenue potential but also wanted a more seamless system so patients were not handled by multiple emergency responders.

"Even if we just break even, I think the continuity of care is worth it," Commissioner Bill Segal said.

County firefighters already handle both patient response and hospital transport in the north and east parts of the county. One smaller slice of the west side of the county is served by another company.

Dozens of firefighters applauded the commission's decision. Many said the takeover was necessary for the well-being of patients.

Jason Brown, president of the department's union Orange County Professional Firefighters, said the workload will increase, but the plan, which takes effect Oct. 1, will smooth out the transport process.

"We no longer have to wait for commercial services to come. There won't be any delay," he said. "It will bring better service for the community."

A Rural/Metro executive said Tuesday's unanimous vote reflected takeover support from the firefighters union, a sometimes potent political force.

"There was clearly a short-term political decision" at play, said Rural/Metro official Robert Heffner.

The company declined to release its Orange County revenues.

Rural/Metro manager Roger Duryea said the loss of county patient-transport business would not put its workers out of jobs, saying they would be added to crews that handle the contracts for hospitals and the city of Orlando.

A spokesman for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said there are no plans to drop Rural/Metro, but officials will watch how the county's takeover plays out.




Christine Show can be reached at cshow@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5735. David Damron can be reached at 407-420-5311 or ddamron@orlandosentinel.com

Never in our wildest dreams...

Never in our wildest dreams would we have expected to see Todd sandwiched between Chico the monkey and Mary Ann from Gilligan's Island. Yet, it happened today on KREM 2's website.

On a more serious note, looks like Todd has cleared his name. Thank God. It still makes you wonder about the people that the WSP has prosecuted that were also innocent, but didn't have Todd's tenacity and resources. It should send a chill down every American's spine.

Policeman vs. Fireman...

Thanks to Greg Haff for this link!

Click here to see photos from the stair climb...

Thanks to Jesse Ayotte's wife, Jennifer, for these great pictures. As usual, her photography is top-notch!

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/9/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4610 N. Maple
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205

NARRATIVE: On March 8th 2008 at 6:27 pm the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 4610 N. Maple. The house sat at the intersection of two major arterials in north Spokane creating a traffic concern. The first apparatus on scene, Pumper Ladder 13, reported heavy smoke coming from a 1 story approximately 900 square foot single family residence. As the first crew inside advanced a pre-connected hose line into the basement they found fire in the area of the furnace where combustibles had been stored. The crew did a fast knock down of the fire then proceeded to determine if the fire had spread to any other areas or into the structure. The fire was contained to the one area. Simultaneously a search of the house found that everyone had gotten out safely. Two adults and 3 children were assisted by Red Cross as the house was not safe to occupy due to the heavy smoke damage. The fire is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department. There were no injuries reported to civilians or Firefighters. The Fire Department is not saying that combustibles to close to the furnace was the cause of this fire but caution should be practiced when storing anything in the vicinity of any type of heating appliance.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Contents in basement, heavy smoke damage throughout the structure
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 23
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

END OF RELEASE

Two firefighters killed, many others injured in Salisbury NC fire...

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/6/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2627 South Southeast Blvd.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99223

NARRATIVE: At 10:05 this morning, March 6, 2008, the Spokane Fire Department was dispatched to the area of 27th Avenue and Southeast Blvd. for smoke reported in the area. Upon arrival, the first engine investigated and found a 2 ½ story, single family house with smoke issuing from the basement. A full structure alarm was requested, responding four additional engines, a ladder, a rescue truck, and two Battalion Chiefs. Crews forced entry and attacked the fire, while other crews ventilated and searched for victims. The were no occupants home at the time of the fire. The fire was knocked down within ten minutes, but complete overhaul of the burned area took nearly three hours. There was heavy fire and smoke damage to the basement and additional heat and smoke damage to the upper floors. There were no firefighter injuries. The homeowner arrived while crews were still on the scene. The homeowner lives alone, and will be unable to occupy the house until repairs are made. The American Red Cross is assisting him with lodging.

PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire was determined to be a wood stove in the basement, installed with its chimney too close to a combustible wall surface.
DAMAGE EXTENT: There was heavy fire and smoke damage to the basement and additional heat and smoke damage to the upper floors.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

END OF RELEASE

Video from Local 257 Meeting...

It looks like their meetings are a little more lively, but not as well attended.

KXLY Report on Todd's work to clear his name...

Thanks to Dean Carr for sending this information. If I read this correctly, they are "letting" Todd have a computer image of his hard drive, but only if he promises not to tell anyone what his investigator does/does not find on it.

Incredible! Is that legal?

And the way the story now reads on the KXLY post, Todd's home was searched one day and he was arrested the next! Wasn't Todd arrested first and then his home searched? This revision falls perfectly into line with the way the WSP says it does business in the article - namely seizing evidence without any notice to the alleged perpetrator (so he/she can't erase it), examining that evidence and then making the arrest if there is, indeed, evidence.

But, that's not what happened, is it? And even, it was, why would they seize evidence, arrest a suspect and then examine the evidence?

Strange. Very, very strange.

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/29/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 4214 N WASHINGTON ST
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99208

NARRATIVE: On Friday February 29, 2008 at 1:31 PM an SFD Pumper-Ladder 13 was dispatched to check on a good samaritan report of smoke that appeared to be coming from a vent at a home in the 4200 block of Washington. After the dispatch, Spokane Police Officers that we in the area arrived and reported a two story home with fire showing on both the first and second floors. The officers also reported that they were not sure if anyone was inside and they had attempted to make entry. The officers were prevented from doing so by security measures (bars on windows and doors) placed by the home owner.

The alarm was upgraded to a full-response and added 4 Engines, 1 Heavy Rescue, one Senior Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Inman and Cornelius. When the first company officer arrived, she reported a two story house with heavy smoke and fire showing. The home was an older "balloon frame" constructed home which included a full basement. First, second and third-in companies established a water supply and forced entry into the north and west sides of the home in attempts to search for victims and attempt to extinguish the quickly moving fire. The truck company performed vertical ventilation over the fire which had already extended into the attack and void spaces on the second floor. A two-person team from Engine 3 was nearly trapped in the basement during the attack and made it out as the basement flashed over. At that point as the incident commander was confirming all personnel were accounted for, a second alarm was struck to assist the companies operating at the fire.

Information was received (and confirmed) by the incident commander that the two occupants of the house were outside and accounted for. The strategy of the incident was changed to 'defensive' and the arriving second alarm companies deployed master streams from Ladder Companies and from the ground to confine the fire to the residence of origin.

Despite the difficulties with access and rapid fire growth prior to the SFD's arrival, the fire was contained. Both company members on Engine 3 were seen by paramedics, but not transported. They are still at work, and at time of this release are on the second structure fire at 1528 West Alice.


PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause is under investigation by the SIU.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The home is a complete loss. Two occupants are being assisted by the Spokane Fire Department CARES Team and Red Cross.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 35
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

END OF RELEASE

Happy Birthday Local 29! What have you ever done for us?!?!

This from Dan Renner, and of course, Monty Python and the JPF (not to be confused with the PFJ).

See you at the party tonight!

Minneapolis Bars figure out a way around smoking ban - "Theatre Night"...

It has been nice - going on calls into what were once smoky bars.

But, I have to admit I voted against banning smoking in bars. I thought, and I still do think, that it was an unnecessary government intrusion into the lives of those who frequent bars.

Looks like the folks in Minneapolis have found a way around the law. I don't know if Washington's law is the same, but if it is, don't be surprised to go to the Rainbow Tavern on an assault and find a very smoky rendition of Hamlet taking place.

Alas poor Yorick...

Fire Press Release

ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 2/24/2008
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 3724 South Tekoa
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99203

NARRATIVE: On the afternoon of February 24, 2008 at 5:01 pm the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 3724 South Tekoa for a reported fire in the kitchen ceiling. The first apparatus on scene reported light smoke showing from the roof. Upon further investigation fire was discovered in the ceiling above the kitchen. Crews quickly removed the ceiling and extinguished the fire. This fire was confined to the underside of the roof and insulation above the ceiling. The fire was knocked down with in minutes of the fire departments arrival. The crews checked for extensions and completed overhaul in about an hour and a half. Damage was confined to the kitchen ceiling and light smoke throughout the main floor. The cause of the fire appears to be an over heated recessed light above the kitchen sink. There were no injuries to report

PROBABLE CAUSE: Over heated recessed light
DAMAGE EXTENT: Ceiling above the kitchen. Light smoke throughout the main floor
DOLLAR LOSS: 7000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 19
MUTUAL AID: None Given

For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002

END OF RELEASE

Fire Press Release

Issuing Officer:

Ken Kirsch/ Battalion Chief

Date of Incident:

2/14/2008

Incident Address:

1228 W Chelan



Spokane, Wa

Structure Fire

On 02/14/08 at approximately 1828 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 1228 W Chelan upon report of a structure fire. First arriving Fire Department units found a 1 ½ story, wood-frame, duplex, heavily involved in fire. Fire was evident in the rear or south portion of the residence. Fire Department members advanced pre-connected hose-lines into the south side of the structure, advanced to the second floor and soon had the fire under control. While the fire was being extinguished, other firefighters, searched the 1st and 2nd stories for possible victims, and ventilated the roof to allow smoke to escape the building. The fire was brought under control within about 30 minutes but SFD crews remained on to scene assure extinguishment for about another 4 hours. A total of 28 firefighters on 10 trucks initially fought this blaze with many other crews rotating into the scene to assist with overhaul and to provide security throughout the night. No injuries were reported to either firefighters or tenants of the residence. Significant fire damage was evident to the south stairway of the residence and to most portions of the second floor. The first floor had moderate water damage. Four tenants were displaced from the duplex with the Red Cross assisting each.

Probable Cause:


The cause of this fire is still undetermined and under investigation. Investigators were on scene during the evening hours and will return in the morning to continue the origin and cause determination.

Damage Extent:

Damage was extensive to the south stairway as well as to most of the 2nd floor. Water damage was evident on the 1st floor.

Firefighter Response: 28

Dollar Loss: $

Mutual Aid: None Given

END OF RELEASE

For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002

Fire Press Release

Issuing Officer:

BC Craig Cornelius

Date of Incident:

2/13/2008

Incident Address:

4016 N. Division



Spokane, WA 99201

Structure Fire

This evening, February 13, 2008 at 2210 hours, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported fire in the Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant located at 4016 N. Division St. The first arriving fire companies arrived within 5 minutes of being dispatched and found heavy grey smoke coming from the rear of the building. Workers from the restaurant reported that the fire was in the rear kitchen area and that everyone had safely evacuated the burning building. Fire crews forced a rear metal door off the kitchen area and attacked the fire with several fire attack leads. Additional crews ventilated the roof and front windows to assist the firefighters advancing the leads inside the building. Interior crews fought fire throughout the entire kitchen and rear roof areas. The firefighters brought the fire under control within 30 minutes. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters at this incident. The restaurant sustained heavy fire and smoke damage. The cause of this fire is still under investigation. The official pronouncement will be made by investigators after all evidence has been reviewed. Fire crews will likely be on the scene for the remainder of the night.

Probable Cause:


Still Under Investigation.

Damage Extent:

Extensive damage to the entire kitchen area.

Firefighter Response: 24

Dollar Loss: $

Mutual Aid: None Given

END OF RELEASE

For more information on this release please call (509)625-7002