ISSUING OFFICER: Mike Inman / Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/11/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1904 E. Gordon
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207
NARRATIVE: At just after 2pm Saturday afternoon July 11, 2009 the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 1904 E. Gordon in the Northeast part of the city. Due to the fast action of the homeowner by calling the Fire Department and a quick coordinated fire attack from below the attic fire and ventilating the roof with a chainsaw the fire was kept to a minimum. Upon arrival of the first fire crew, smoke could be seen coming from every opening in the roof. A search of the house was made to make sure all occupants had gotten out. Simultaneously a hole was cut in the roof to ventilate the hot gasses out of the attic and a 1 ¾" fire hose was pulled to the upstairs and used to extinguish the fire. The utilities to the house were shut off for safety and an investigator was called to determine the cause of the fire. Fire crews had a knockdown of the fire about 15 minutes after arrival. There are no reports of injuries to either the homeowner or the fire crews. 4 Engine companies, 2 Ladder companies, a Rescue unit, 2 Battalion Chiefs and an investigator responded to the fire but crews began to be put back in service about 45 minutes after the fire attack began.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation but first look by responding crews it appears to be electrical.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Ceiling on the second floor, roof decking and some smoke/water damage on the second floor.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/8/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 614 West Montgomery
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202
NARRATIVE: On Wednesday July 8, 2009 at 08:30 AM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Hanna responded to a reported residence fire at 614 West Montgomery. A resident in the two-story single family residence converted to an apartment contacted Fire dispatchers via 911 at and reported that the residence was filling with smoke and there was a fire.
The neighborhood fire company arrived within four-minutes and reported smoke showing from all sides of the two-story apartment house. They followed up with additional information that a significant amount of fire was spreading in the rear of the home from the first floor to the second floor. It was unknown at the time of the alarm whether all occupants were able to evacuate from the home during the fire. The first engine stretched pre-connected hose lines to the first floor with four firefighters to attack the fire and confine it in order to allow for a safer atmosphere for other companies as they searched for possible victims. Nearly simultaneously, a Ladder Company arrived and immediately entered and began to search both floors of the home to locate potential victims. Additional companies placed ground ladders to the exterior, ventilated the roof and backed up the initial attack crews and extinguished the fire in the adjoining areas while continuing to search victims. The fire was controlled in just twenty minutes. They were successful in confining the fire to the rear of the home and attic and limited spread into the address side (front) of the structure.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The official cause is under investigation currently by the SFD's Special Investigation Unit. Preliminary information given from residents at the scene to the media suggested that the cause was electrical; however the cause has not been determined at the time of this release.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Significant structural damage on all floors and attic in the rear of the converted structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/8/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 614 West Montgomery
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202
NARRATIVE: On Wednesday July 8, 2009 at 08:30 AM, 7 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 3 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Green and Hanna responded to a reported residence fire at 614 West Montgomery. A resident in the two-story single family residence converted to an apartment contacted Fire dispatchers via 911 at and reported that the residence was filling with smoke and there was a fire.
The neighborhood fire company arrived within four-minutes and reported smoke showing from all sides of the two-story apartment house. They followed up with additional information that a significant amount of fire was spreading in the rear of the home from the first floor to the second floor. It was unknown at the time of the alarm whether all occupants were able to evacuate from the home during the fire. The first engine stretched pre-connected hose lines to the first floor with four firefighters to attack the fire and confine it in order to allow for a safer atmosphere for other companies as they searched for possible victims. Nearly simultaneously, a Ladder Company arrived and immediately entered and began to search both floors of the home to locate potential victims. Additional companies placed ground ladders to the exterior, ventilated the roof and backed up the initial attack crews and extinguished the fire in the adjoining areas while continuing to search victims. The fire was controlled in just twenty minutes. They were successful in confining the fire to the rear of the home and attic and limited spread into the address side (front) of the structure.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The official cause is under investigation currently by the SFD's Special Investigation Unit. Preliminary information given from residents at the scene to the media suggested that the cause was electrical; however the cause has not been determined at the time of this release.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Significant structural damage on all floors and attic in the rear of the converted structure.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Monday, July 06, 2009
PRESS RELEASE - SPOKANE FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Spokane Firefighters IAFF LOCAL 29 and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF) Burn Foundation team up to provide citizens of Spokane free smoke detectors.
The WSCFF has matched a $500 donation made by the Spokane Firefighters Union to buy $1000 worth of smoke detectors for Spokane families. 55 smoke detectors have already been purchased. They will be presented to Jan Doherty, the Spokane Fire Department’s education officer by Greg Borg, President of Local 29. There will be more smoke detectors to follow.
When the fire department responds to a call in a residential home, if there is no detector, one - if available, can be installed by Local 29 members - City of Spokane firefighters. This service, as well as the detector, is free to homeowners and renters. However, landlords are required by law to provide detectors for their renters, and may be charged for the cost of the detector. City of Spokane residents can also stop by a fire station to obtain a detector. Detectors will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis until all are distributed.
Greg Borg, IAFF Local 29 president says, “There is no doubt that smoke detectors save lives. As we are seeing more and more fires in the last few weeks, it is just a matter of time for a tragedy to occur. Unfortunately, someone will soon be killed or seriously injured in a fire because their home did not have a detector. We want to provide that ounce of prevention.”
The smoke detectors will soon be available.
For more information, please contact Local 29 President Greg Borg at 998-3617, Vice-President Mark Vietzke at 710-2045, or the Local 29 office at 484-5598.
Spokane Firefighters IAFF LOCAL 29 and the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters (WSCFF) Burn Foundation team up to provide citizens of Spokane free smoke detectors.
The WSCFF has matched a $500 donation made by the Spokane Firefighters Union to buy $1000 worth of smoke detectors for Spokane families. 55 smoke detectors have already been purchased. They will be presented to Jan Doherty, the Spokane Fire Department’s education officer by Greg Borg, President of Local 29. There will be more smoke detectors to follow.
When the fire department responds to a call in a residential home, if there is no detector, one - if available, can be installed by Local 29 members - City of Spokane firefighters. This service, as well as the detector, is free to homeowners and renters. However, landlords are required by law to provide detectors for their renters, and may be charged for the cost of the detector. City of Spokane residents can also stop by a fire station to obtain a detector. Detectors will be provided on a first-come-first-served basis until all are distributed.
Greg Borg, IAFF Local 29 president says, “There is no doubt that smoke detectors save lives. As we are seeing more and more fires in the last few weeks, it is just a matter of time for a tragedy to occur. Unfortunately, someone will soon be killed or seriously injured in a fire because their home did not have a detector. We want to provide that ounce of prevention.”
The smoke detectors will soon be available.
For more information, please contact Local 29 President Greg Borg at 998-3617, Vice-President Mark Vietzke at 710-2045, or the Local 29 office at 484-5598.
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Fire Press Release - Three Fer
ISSUING OFFICER: Brian SchaefferDATE OF INCIDENT: 7/3/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5408 East Commerce Avenue
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99212
NARRATIVE: On Friday July 3, 2009 at 08:41 AM, 8 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5 Engines, 2 Senior Ladders and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Cornelius and Inman responded to a reported residence fire at 5408 East Commerce Avenue on the City's far east side. The neighborhood's Fire Engine (Engine 8) arrived within five minutes and reported a single family home fully involved in fire. Nearby residents also reported that fire was blowing from all of the windows of the home and the front yard. As the first company was establishing a water supply and preparing to take action on the fire, two patients were identified as occupants from the home by neighbors. An adult female and 4-year old male (mother and son) were able to escape from the home prior to the Fire Department's arrival and were found across the street suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. Simultaneously, other companies arrived and provided advanced life support to the patients as other companies made entry into the home to search for additional family members and attack the fire. Neighbors had reported to on-scene personnel that multiple family members routinely stayed at the home which resulted in companies searching the home and its basement four-times under heavy fire conditions.
Both patients were transported to Sacred Heart and are receiving treatment there for injuries received from the incident. The fire was controlled in 30-minutes with all of the assigned resourced working extremely hard in difficult conditions. Firefighters were successful in confining the fire to the home, limiting loss to the family's possessions and preventing the fire's spread to adjacent homes. The Spokane Police Department's Chaplain was also successful in locating and accounting for family members which were off-site with relatives.
The outcome of this incident reinforces the importance of the Fire Department providing Paramedic-Level Emergency Medical Services in the fashion that we do. Dual trained Firefighters as Paramedics allows us to immediately treat injured/ill people without delay and truly bring the Emergency Room to the patient in need. In a Fire/EMS deployment system, time is of the essence; and the life saved today is a perfect example of the components of the system coming together for a successful outcome.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire has been determined to be the child playing with a lighter.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The majority of the home was destroyed by the fire. Some of the family's possessions were removed by firefighters and salvageable.
DOLLAR LOSS: 200,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 27
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/4/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 111 East Sinto
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: On Saturday July 4, 2009 at 4:33 AM, 9 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 5 Engines, 3 Senior Ladders, 1 Pumper-Ladder and 1 Heavy Rescue under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Inman and Cornelius responded to a reported residence fire at 111 East Sinto near the Gonzaga Campus.
A patrolling Police Officer discovered and reported the fire through SPD Dispatch. Police Officers made attempts to evacuate residents of the apartment prior to SFD's arrival. The first company arrived within 5-minutes and reported an older multiple-story home with smoke and fire coming from the back of the building. The building was actually a large older home converted into apartments occupied with multiple tenants. Initial arriving companies were able to rescue two persons which crawled onto a roof their bedroom window with ladders and evacuate the remaining tenants through doorways. Other companies ventilated and attacked the fire simultaneously while performing detailed searches on all three floors. One occupant was treated on-scene by SFD Paramedics and transported via AMR due to injuries received from the fire and products of combustion. Her condition was listed as stable at the time of this release.
The fire was confined to bedroom and adjoining area within 15 minutes. Aside from the occupant transported, no other injuries were reported. Both SFD and SPD are anticipated to be remaining on scene for most of the morning.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause is currently under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Smoke damage throughout and focused fire damage to the rear of structure. Seven adualts and three children are receiving assistance by the American Red Cross/ Inland NW Chapter.
DOLLAR LOSS: 75,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 32
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Steve Sabo
DATE OF INCIDENT: 7/4/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1516 E. Sharp Ave.
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202
NARRATIVE: At 7:42 P.M. on July 4th, the Spokane Fire Department responded to a reported fire in an attached garage at 1516 E. Sharp Ave. Multiple crews reported heavy smoke visible while enroute to the scene. The first crew arriving on scene reported an attached garage fully involved in fire, and fire extending through an enclosed breezeway and beginning to enter the house. Arching overhead power lines which burned through and dropped to the ground presented an additional hazard to the firefighters. As some crews began extinguishing the fire, others searched the house to make sure any occupants were out. No one was found in the house, and it was later determined that the tenant was visiting at a nearby house at the time of the fire. An aggressive fire attack combined with rapidly opening-up concealed spaces stopped the advancing fire before it could gain a strong foothold in the house. Crews remained on scene for more than three hours completing salvage and overhaul.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The area of origin of the fire appeared to be on the exterior of the garage, but the exact cause is still under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department's Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The single car garage and breezeway attaching it to the house were heavily damaged. The house received some fire damage and will not be habitable until repairs can be made.
DOLLAR LOSS: 30000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Never mind the previous post.
Our condolences to the Jackson family, friends and fans. Sounds like the fire department did their best, but it was too late. There are numerous fansites set up where fans can leave their thoughts. This is not really one of them, but if you would like to say something you can.
Fire Department Saves Michael Jackson's Life...
Another good reason for you guys who are on the fence to consider becoming paramedics. No word on Bubbles the chimp.
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Bruce Moline/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/25/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1908 E. Wellesley
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207
NARRATIVE: On the morning of June 25th, 2009 at 3:15 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 26 firefighters with 4 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, 1 pumper ladder company, 1 rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a house fire located at 1908 E. Wellesley. Engine 15 under the command of Capt. Ryan Reding found a single family home with fire coming out the back side. A report was received by the dispatch center stating that there were two people possibly trapped inside. A fast and aggressive search of the structure was started utilizing two fire crews. These search crews split into two groups and were able to cover the main floor of the burning home in rapid fashion. At the same time of the ongoing search, a fire attack team along with a roof team were working together in order to confine the fire as soon as possible. A roof ventilation hole was cut by the roof team and the fire attack team below was starting to darken down the fire but the fire had gained a significant amount of headway and was continuing to spread inside void areas above, in the attic. After a hard battle of hose line stretching, extinguishment, searching, cutting and breaching it was determined to "go defensive" as the house had been considerably weakened by the fire. An immediate withdrawal of firefighters from the interior was ordered. Although the majority of the home had been searched for victims, a small portion remained that had not been searched. Defensive tactics began which involved crews controlling the fire from above using an aerial nozzle stream and from hose lines on the ground on the outside of the structure. As soon as defensive tactics were underway, a report was received that the two occupants were out of town and this was later confirmed to be true. Fire crews also searched the garage behind the home and found a number of dogs to be in good condition. Shortly after this, a partial collapse of the porch roof occurred on the back side of the house momentarily trapping 3 firefighters. The Rapid Intervention Team consisting of firefighters from Ladder 1's crew were deployed to assist. All 3 firefighters were removed from the debris very quickly and one firefighter sustained a minor back injury and was transported to Holy Family Hospital. He was released a few hours later and is expected to recover soon. The other 2 firefighters were not injured. Another firefighter also sustained a minor back injury in the later stages of the fire while operating on the outside of the home and was not transported. As the fire was burning, two separate multi-occupancy complexes on either side of the home were under threat. Fire crews successfully kept the fire from extending to these structures. A complete evacuation was ordered early to ensure the safety of these occupants. All occupants were allowed to return after the fire was contained. The Red Cross arrived and assisted the family of the burned home with shelter, food and clothing. The home was a total loss and plans were being made early this morning to demolish the structure. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time but is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown at this time. Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The home and the majority of it's contents were a total loss.
DOLLAR LOSS: 170,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/25/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1908 E. Wellesley
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99207
NARRATIVE: On the morning of June 25th, 2009 at 3:15 A.M. the Spokane Fire Department responded 26 firefighters with 4 engine companies, 2 ladder companies, 1 pumper ladder company, 1 rescue unit and 2 battalion chiefs to a house fire located at 1908 E. Wellesley. Engine 15 under the command of Capt. Ryan Reding found a single family home with fire coming out the back side. A report was received by the dispatch center stating that there were two people possibly trapped inside. A fast and aggressive search of the structure was started utilizing two fire crews. These search crews split into two groups and were able to cover the main floor of the burning home in rapid fashion. At the same time of the ongoing search, a fire attack team along with a roof team were working together in order to confine the fire as soon as possible. A roof ventilation hole was cut by the roof team and the fire attack team below was starting to darken down the fire but the fire had gained a significant amount of headway and was continuing to spread inside void areas above, in the attic. After a hard battle of hose line stretching, extinguishment, searching, cutting and breaching it was determined to "go defensive" as the house had been considerably weakened by the fire. An immediate withdrawal of firefighters from the interior was ordered. Although the majority of the home had been searched for victims, a small portion remained that had not been searched. Defensive tactics began which involved crews controlling the fire from above using an aerial nozzle stream and from hose lines on the ground on the outside of the structure. As soon as defensive tactics were underway, a report was received that the two occupants were out of town and this was later confirmed to be true. Fire crews also searched the garage behind the home and found a number of dogs to be in good condition. Shortly after this, a partial collapse of the porch roof occurred on the back side of the house momentarily trapping 3 firefighters. The Rapid Intervention Team consisting of firefighters from Ladder 1's crew were deployed to assist. All 3 firefighters were removed from the debris very quickly and one firefighter sustained a minor back injury and was transported to Holy Family Hospital. He was released a few hours later and is expected to recover soon. The other 2 firefighters were not injured. Another firefighter also sustained a minor back injury in the later stages of the fire while operating on the outside of the home and was not transported. As the fire was burning, two separate multi-occupancy complexes on either side of the home were under threat. Fire crews successfully kept the fire from extending to these structures. A complete evacuation was ordered early to ensure the safety of these occupants. All occupants were allowed to return after the fire was contained. The Red Cross arrived and assisted the family of the burned home with shelter, food and clothing. The home was a total loss and plans were being made early this morning to demolish the structure. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time but is currently under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown at this time. Under investigation by the Spokane Fire Department Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The home and the majority of it's contents were a total loss.
DOLLAR LOSS: 170,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 26
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Bob Green/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/15/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1708 W Mission
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205
NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 telephone call from a concerned passer-by at approximately 12:20 in the early morning on Monday, June 15th, 2009. The caller reported that a building located at the corner of Mission and Ash was on fire. Immediately a full fire response was sent out, fortunately one of the Stations dispatched is located just a couple of blocks north of that intersection and they arrived on scene within minutes and reported that the building was involved by fire and that the fire was growing in intensity and beginning to gain entry into the building. That initial fire crew rapidly set about attacking the fast spreading fire and was able to get it knocked down very quickly. They forced entry into the locked building at the front door and extinguished the fire that had penetrated to the inside of the structure. As other fire crews began arriving on scene they were directed to begin laddering and ventilating the building, still other crews began the labor intensive process of pulling ceilings and opening walls to get into the concealed spaces where fire tends to hide. The actual address of the burned structure is 1708 W. Mission. An investigator from the Spokane City Fire Special Investigation Unit was requested to respond to the incident since the circumstances surrounding this fire appeared to be suspicious; his work on this case is on-going at this time.. There were no reports of injury to any of the firefighters at the scene. The damage to the building was confined to the area around the front door, including the large soffit area above the front door which is a conduit to the attic spaces. Fire damage was also present in the foyer area just inside the building. Smoke damage occurred throughout the interior of the structure.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Dept.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Front door area ouside of the building including the large overhanging soffit that conceals the attic space, interior damage to the entry area inside the front door, and smoke damage throughout the building.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/15/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1708 W Mission
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99205
NARRATIVE: The Spokane City Fire Dept. Dispatch Center received a 9-1-1 telephone call from a concerned passer-by at approximately 12:20 in the early morning on Monday, June 15th, 2009. The caller reported that a building located at the corner of Mission and Ash was on fire. Immediately a full fire response was sent out, fortunately one of the Stations dispatched is located just a couple of blocks north of that intersection and they arrived on scene within minutes and reported that the building was involved by fire and that the fire was growing in intensity and beginning to gain entry into the building. That initial fire crew rapidly set about attacking the fast spreading fire and was able to get it knocked down very quickly. They forced entry into the locked building at the front door and extinguished the fire that had penetrated to the inside of the structure. As other fire crews began arriving on scene they were directed to begin laddering and ventilating the building, still other crews began the labor intensive process of pulling ceilings and opening walls to get into the concealed spaces where fire tends to hide. The actual address of the burned structure is 1708 W. Mission. An investigator from the Spokane City Fire Special Investigation Unit was requested to respond to the incident since the circumstances surrounding this fire appeared to be suspicious; his work on this case is on-going at this time.. There were no reports of injury to any of the firefighters at the scene. The damage to the building was confined to the area around the front door, including the large soffit area above the front door which is a conduit to the attic spaces. Fire damage was also present in the foyer area just inside the building. Smoke damage occurred throughout the interior of the structure.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Currently under investigation by the Special Investigation Unit of the Spokane Fire Dept.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Front door area ouside of the building including the large overhanging soffit that conceals the attic space, interior damage to the entry area inside the front door, and smoke damage throughout the building.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Friday, June 12, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Joel Fielder/ Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/12/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2122 West Gardner
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On Friday June 12, 2009, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 4:10 AM to 2122 West Gardner on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported smoke showing from the roof and fire showing from the eaves on the east side of the home. An aggressive interior attack by on scene fire crews confined the majority of the fire to the attic. The fire was brought under control with in 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 Department Investigators.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the attic and the ceilings in the kitchen and living room
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/12/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2122 West Gardner
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On Friday June 12, 2009, the Spokane Fire Department responded at approximately 4:10 AM to 2122 West Gardner on a reported structure fire. The first crew on-scene reported smoke showing from the roof and fire showing from the eaves on the east side of the home. An aggressive interior attack by on scene fire crews confined the majority of the fire to the attic. The fire was brought under control with in 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 Department Investigators.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire damage was confined to the attic and the ceilings in the kitchen and living room
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Monday, June 08, 2009
Fire Press Release
NARRATIVE: On 06/08/09 at approximately 0232 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to 303 W North River Drive, Red Lion Inn at the Park Hotel, upon activation of the fire alarm system. First arriving crews could smell smoke but initially did not see any active fire. Upon further investigation SFD crews found a fire in the laundry room in the lower level of the hotel. Firefighters advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the fire area, and with the assistance of the sprinkler system quickly extinguished the fire. Many tenants of the hotel had evacuated the building prior to the arrival of firefighters on scene.
While the fire was being extinguished, other SFD units checked the floors above the fire to assure no fire extension to those areas. Once all areas of the hotel were determined to be safe tenants were allowed to return to their rooms.
A total of 31 firefighters on 10 apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported. Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 0500 hrs.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire is currently under investigation. No final fire cause has been determined at this time. More information to follow.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire is currently under investigation. No final fire cause has been determined at this time. More information to follow.
DOLLAR LOSS: 2,500
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 31
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
While the fire was being extinguished, other SFD units checked the floors above the fire to assure no fire extension to those areas. Once all areas of the hotel were determined to be safe tenants were allowed to return to their rooms.
A total of 31 firefighters on 10 apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to firefighters or civilians were reported. Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 0500 hrs.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The fire is currently under investigation. No final fire cause has been determined at this time. More information to follow.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire is currently under investigation. No final fire cause has been determined at this time. More information to follow.
DOLLAR LOSS: 2,500
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 31
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Friday, June 05, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/4/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1710 East 12 Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202
NARRATIVE: On the 4th day of June 2009 at 5:00 p/m the City of Spokane Fire department responded 6 fire apparatus and 2 command personnel to 1710 East 12th for a reported structure fire. The first company on scene reported light smoke coming from the basement on side Delta. Upon further investigation a fire was discovered in the basement of the one and one half story house. Hose lines were advanced to the interior and the fire was quickly extinguished. A search of the residence was made and no one was home at this time. The fire was confined to the basement and contents with heavy smoke damage. The fire did not extend to the main floor which did suffer some smoke damage. There were no reported injuries. The residents were displaced and will be staying with relatives. Fire department investigators were called in to determine the cause.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Electronic Gaming Device shorted out.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Basement and contents . Smoke through out
DOLLAR LOSS: 60,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 6/4/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 1710 East 12 Ave
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99202
NARRATIVE: On the 4th day of June 2009 at 5:00 p/m the City of Spokane Fire department responded 6 fire apparatus and 2 command personnel to 1710 East 12th for a reported structure fire. The first company on scene reported light smoke coming from the basement on side Delta. Upon further investigation a fire was discovered in the basement of the one and one half story house. Hose lines were advanced to the interior and the fire was quickly extinguished. A search of the residence was made and no one was home at this time. The fire was confined to the basement and contents with heavy smoke damage. The fire did not extend to the main floor which did suffer some smoke damage. There were no reported injuries. The residents were displaced and will be staying with relatives. Fire department investigators were called in to determine the cause.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Electronic Gaming Device shorted out.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Basement and contents . Smoke through out
DOLLAR LOSS: 60,000.00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 20
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Thursday, June 04, 2009
An open response to the Journal of Business’ open letter to the Workers of City Hall.
An open response to the Journal of Business’ open letter to the Workers of City Hall.
Dear Journal of Business Editorial Staff:
I write this letter as a member of Local 29 - the city firefighters’ union - a member of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce (Greater Spokane), and as a citizen of Spokane.
Everyone knows that business is the economic engine of our city. Your fine publication showcases and promotes regional businesses that are directly responsible for the success of Spokane. We firefighters, more than anyone, want to see local businesses flourish. I think you would be hard pressed to find a group of people who are more willing to give (and have given their all) for the physical structures of business, the employees and owners of Spokane businesses and their families. We are sure that you know, that like the military that protects our freedoms, your firefighters are willing to lay it on the line to protect you, your business, your customers and the entire infrastructure of a city. Without protecting this infrastructure and human population, chances are Spokane’s days would be numbered. To say the least, that would be bad for business. We are intertwined with each other and dependent upon each other - as it has been since the earliest days of our nation and our city.
You didn’t say much about how it is that our wages are determined. Simply put, our wages and working conditions are basically derived by comparison to similar cities in similar economic conditions. Both sides (labor and administration) negotiate along these lines and binding arbitration assures a fair settlement for all (and also forbids us from striking). When comparable firefighter wages go up, ours could go up in a future contract. Likewise, if there is an economic downturn and wages fall, ours could follow suit.
Your letter states that as a public relations gesture, we should lower our wages. With that in mind, I would like to tell you about our experience with your suggestion. A few years ago, the city administration came to the city’s three unions and asked if they would make some concessions to help them out of a financial bind they were in. This request was brought to the firefighters of Local 29. A vote was taken. Overwhelmingly, we voted to gift the city with 48 hours of free labor from each and every firefighter (over a two-year period). This saved the city over $600,000. Press releases were dispatched, and we awaited feedback from citizens, The Spokesman-Review and even The Journal of Business. Nothing happened. The news was never reported. We made contacts again with the press - nothing. I think many of our members now see this effort as a failed trial balloon. It would be hard to believe that any further future concessions would sway those who already have a bias against us and unionized labor in general. Our experience is that these concessions would not even be made public by members the news media (The Journal of Business included).
The Journal of Business, businesses in Spokane, unions, city workers, citizens - retired, employed, unemployed, our families - we are all in this together. You need us and we need you. It’s time to drop some of our biases and take a truthful look at what we can do together.
First off, a simple question. “Why are city employees costing the city so much money?” Raises have been modest. Well, the truth of it is something that you mentioned in your letter - health insurance. Twenty years ago, affordable health insurance was the norm for all workers. Even the smallest of businesses were able to insure their employees. You are right, city employees still enjoy this traditional benefit. But here’s something that you leave out of your analysis. It is the health insurance companies that are responsible for a greediness that has catapulted insurance costs higher than many mortgages. Is The Journal of Business, right now, willing to advocate for a national single-payer health care system, or some other reform, that would allow all to enjoy the benefits that city employees now enjoy? These are benefits that all workers used to enjoy until deregulated insurance companies took us to the cleaners. To be sure, their coffers are overflowing with cash. This cash makes its way into your publication. Most citizens and business owners know this. Maybe it’s time for you, not just as a public relations stunt but because you care about Spokane, to take a stand for small businesses, for government, for citizens and for our future against the true culprits of the budget - one of your patrons - the health insurance industry.
When you compare Spokane’s fire department with Tacoma’s (our most comparable) or any other city in Washington, the numbers are pretty stark. Spokane responds to more emergency calls with less firefighters for a fraction of the cost compared to other cities' fire departments. Citizens and businesses in Spokane get more bang for their buck. This is great news for all of us. However, there’s more to the picture. In Spokane, homeowners foot a bigger percentage of the city’s operating costs, when compared to cities where businesses offset property taxes with their contributions to a B and O tax. There is a B and O tax in every Washington city except Spokane. Will The Journal of Business advocate a city, or even a county, B and O tax? This would alleviate Spokane’s budget problems and help take some financial pressure off of our citizens and customers.
A new era has dawned in our nation, and in Spokane. We are beginning to see the folly of blindly following an ideology without question, and not looking with rational eyes at our circumstances. We need to logically consider, and perhaps implement, what has worked in other cities, states and countries. So far, your editorial board seems to want to stay on a course that has proven to be beneficial in the short run for a few, and disastrous in the long run for all. That’s understandable. It's a comfortable place for you. This is where The Journal of Business, like many, has strayed the past 20 years, intensifying in the last eight. But the times, they are a’changing. It won’t be easy to set aside a comfortable ideology. It may cost you (or us) some money, in the short run. Together we owe the future of Spokane nothing less, if there is to be a future for Spokane.
Here is one “Worker of City Hall” who has read what you had to say. I have taken it to heart. I hope you now have a better idea of why we need each other. And I hope you have considered what I have to say.
John Griffith
IAFF LOCAL 29
Dear Journal of Business Editorial Staff:
I write this letter as a member of Local 29 - the city firefighters’ union - a member of the Spokane Chamber of Commerce (Greater Spokane), and as a citizen of Spokane.
Everyone knows that business is the economic engine of our city. Your fine publication showcases and promotes regional businesses that are directly responsible for the success of Spokane. We firefighters, more than anyone, want to see local businesses flourish. I think you would be hard pressed to find a group of people who are more willing to give (and have given their all) for the physical structures of business, the employees and owners of Spokane businesses and their families. We are sure that you know, that like the military that protects our freedoms, your firefighters are willing to lay it on the line to protect you, your business, your customers and the entire infrastructure of a city. Without protecting this infrastructure and human population, chances are Spokane’s days would be numbered. To say the least, that would be bad for business. We are intertwined with each other and dependent upon each other - as it has been since the earliest days of our nation and our city.
You didn’t say much about how it is that our wages are determined. Simply put, our wages and working conditions are basically derived by comparison to similar cities in similar economic conditions. Both sides (labor and administration) negotiate along these lines and binding arbitration assures a fair settlement for all (and also forbids us from striking). When comparable firefighter wages go up, ours could go up in a future contract. Likewise, if there is an economic downturn and wages fall, ours could follow suit.
Your letter states that as a public relations gesture, we should lower our wages. With that in mind, I would like to tell you about our experience with your suggestion. A few years ago, the city administration came to the city’s three unions and asked if they would make some concessions to help them out of a financial bind they were in. This request was brought to the firefighters of Local 29. A vote was taken. Overwhelmingly, we voted to gift the city with 48 hours of free labor from each and every firefighter (over a two-year period). This saved the city over $600,000. Press releases were dispatched, and we awaited feedback from citizens, The Spokesman-Review and even The Journal of Business. Nothing happened. The news was never reported. We made contacts again with the press - nothing. I think many of our members now see this effort as a failed trial balloon. It would be hard to believe that any further future concessions would sway those who already have a bias against us and unionized labor in general. Our experience is that these concessions would not even be made public by members the news media (The Journal of Business included).
The Journal of Business, businesses in Spokane, unions, city workers, citizens - retired, employed, unemployed, our families - we are all in this together. You need us and we need you. It’s time to drop some of our biases and take a truthful look at what we can do together.
First off, a simple question. “Why are city employees costing the city so much money?” Raises have been modest. Well, the truth of it is something that you mentioned in your letter - health insurance. Twenty years ago, affordable health insurance was the norm for all workers. Even the smallest of businesses were able to insure their employees. You are right, city employees still enjoy this traditional benefit. But here’s something that you leave out of your analysis. It is the health insurance companies that are responsible for a greediness that has catapulted insurance costs higher than many mortgages. Is The Journal of Business, right now, willing to advocate for a national single-payer health care system, or some other reform, that would allow all to enjoy the benefits that city employees now enjoy? These are benefits that all workers used to enjoy until deregulated insurance companies took us to the cleaners. To be sure, their coffers are overflowing with cash. This cash makes its way into your publication. Most citizens and business owners know this. Maybe it’s time for you, not just as a public relations stunt but because you care about Spokane, to take a stand for small businesses, for government, for citizens and for our future against the true culprits of the budget - one of your patrons - the health insurance industry.
When you compare Spokane’s fire department with Tacoma’s (our most comparable) or any other city in Washington, the numbers are pretty stark. Spokane responds to more emergency calls with less firefighters for a fraction of the cost compared to other cities' fire departments. Citizens and businesses in Spokane get more bang for their buck. This is great news for all of us. However, there’s more to the picture. In Spokane, homeowners foot a bigger percentage of the city’s operating costs, when compared to cities where businesses offset property taxes with their contributions to a B and O tax. There is a B and O tax in every Washington city except Spokane. Will The Journal of Business advocate a city, or even a county, B and O tax? This would alleviate Spokane’s budget problems and help take some financial pressure off of our citizens and customers.
A new era has dawned in our nation, and in Spokane. We are beginning to see the folly of blindly following an ideology without question, and not looking with rational eyes at our circumstances. We need to logically consider, and perhaps implement, what has worked in other cities, states and countries. So far, your editorial board seems to want to stay on a course that has proven to be beneficial in the short run for a few, and disastrous in the long run for all. That’s understandable. It's a comfortable place for you. This is where The Journal of Business, like many, has strayed the past 20 years, intensifying in the last eight. But the times, they are a’changing. It won’t be easy to set aside a comfortable ideology. It may cost you (or us) some money, in the short run. Together we owe the future of Spokane nothing less, if there is to be a future for Spokane.
Here is one “Worker of City Hall” who has read what you had to say. I have taken it to heart. I hope you now have a better idea of why we need each other. And I hope you have considered what I have to say.
John Griffith
IAFF LOCAL 29
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Craig Cornelius/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/24/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 809 N. Canon
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: On Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 4:31pm, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched a full alarm consisting of 6 fire apparatus and 2 chief officers to a reported house fire located at
809 N. Cannon St. The first arriving company, E3 under the direction of Lt. Greenamyer arrived at the scene within 4 minutes of being dispatched.
The initial report from Lt. Greenamyer was that he had a one story wood frame home with fire on the exterior that had extended up the siding into the attic. Engine 3's crew immediately stretched pre-connected hose lines to start extinguishment of the fire while verifying that all occupants were out of the structure. The additional arriving crews provided roof ventilation, covered interior furnishings with water proof tarps, and searched for a missing family cat. The main body of fire was knocked down within 15 minutes. Fire crews were on the scene for approximately 1 ½ hours.
There were no injuries at this incident.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by members of the Spokane City Fire Dept. Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage was confined to the exterior siding on the north side of the house, the attic area where the fire went up the siding and into the attic via the roof soffit, two bedrooms where fire fighters had to open walls and pull ceilings to get at the fire, and of course a major section of the building's roof.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/24/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 809 N. Canon
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99201
NARRATIVE: On Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 4:31pm, the Spokane Fire Department dispatched a full alarm consisting of 6 fire apparatus and 2 chief officers to a reported house fire located at
809 N. Cannon St. The first arriving company, E3 under the direction of Lt. Greenamyer arrived at the scene within 4 minutes of being dispatched.
The initial report from Lt. Greenamyer was that he had a one story wood frame home with fire on the exterior that had extended up the siding into the attic. Engine 3's crew immediately stretched pre-connected hose lines to start extinguishment of the fire while verifying that all occupants were out of the structure. The additional arriving crews provided roof ventilation, covered interior furnishings with water proof tarps, and searched for a missing family cat. The main body of fire was knocked down within 15 minutes. Fire crews were on the scene for approximately 1 ½ hours.
There were no injuries at this incident.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of this fire is currently under investigation by members of the Spokane City Fire Dept. Special Investigation Unit.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage was confined to the exterior siding on the north side of the house, the attic area where the fire went up the siding and into the attic via the roof soffit, two bedrooms where fire fighters had to open walls and pull ceilings to get at the fire, and of course a major section of the building's roof.
DOLLAR LOSS: 20,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 24
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
Friday, May 15, 2009
TEAM SFD IN CANADA!
For those of you who have been reading the facebook entries about the "Wherethefugawi" team you already know what a tough race this was! For those who don't, you'll have to hear it firsthand from Jason, Jeff B., Doug or Jeff W. They were one of only six teams that actually finished the race. It looks like a lot of work and courage went into this.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Brian Schaeffer
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/13/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Multiple Alarms
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5111 South Regal
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99203
NARRATIVE: On Wednesday May 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder and 1 Pumper-Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Sabo and Cornelius responded to a reported apartment fire at 5111 South Regal on the City's South Hill. A citizen reported what appeared to be a deck on fire on the second floor of a two-story apartment building with ten units. While the first-alarm assignment was enroute, the first due Engine reported a heavy column of smoke showing and requested a second alarm.
The closest fire company arrived on the scene within seven-minutes and immediately established a water supply and stretched hose lines to attack the rapidly progressing fire which had already extended into adjoining units and the attic. Ladder 4 arrived five minutes after the first companies and quickly laddered the apartment building's roof and placed a ventilation trench cut at the building's fire wall to prevent additional extension into multiple other adjacent units. Additional companies from the second alarm (3-Engines, Heavy Rescue, CARES Team and multiple Chief Officers) were utilized to; simultaneously attack the fire from multiple areas, search for victims, ventilate and protect means of egress. The SFD's CARES Team was specifically utilized to manage the reunification of arriving children that had their homes affected by the fire from school busses with their families. The members also coordinated with the Red Cross in arranging temporary accommodations as well as assisting the citizens with coping with the trauma of losing their homes.
Due to the complexity of the fire and its continued escalation, a third alarm was requested at 1301 which brought three additional companies from the City's farthest north Stations. At several points throughout the near three-hour incident, all of SFD's Fire Companies were committed to either the third alarm fire or many other simultaneous incidents. Off-duty Spokane Firefighters as well as mutual aid companies from Fire District 9, Spokane Valley Fire Department and Fire District 8 were utilized for City coverage.
The fire was declared under control in approximately 90 minutes with all of the assigned resourced working extremely hard. They were successful in confining the fire to approximately five units and limiting damage to one side of the building.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters and companies are still on the scene at the time of this release. There were a total of 17 adults and 12 children living in 9 of the 10 apartment units.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The determination of the fire's cause is under investigation by the SFD's Special Investigation Unit. A formal cause will be issued when the investigation is concluded.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage varies in different areas of the building, however it is significant in at least 4 units. There appears to be moderate structural damage and smoke damage throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 68
MUTUAL AID: Fire District 1, Fire District 8, Fire District 9
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/13/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Multiple Alarms
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 5111 South Regal
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99203
NARRATIVE: On Wednesday May 13, 2009 at 12:25 PM, 6 Companies of Spokane Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Senior Ladder and 1 Pumper-Ladder under the direction of Battalion Chiefs Sabo and Cornelius responded to a reported apartment fire at 5111 South Regal on the City's South Hill. A citizen reported what appeared to be a deck on fire on the second floor of a two-story apartment building with ten units. While the first-alarm assignment was enroute, the first due Engine reported a heavy column of smoke showing and requested a second alarm.
The closest fire company arrived on the scene within seven-minutes and immediately established a water supply and stretched hose lines to attack the rapidly progressing fire which had already extended into adjoining units and the attic. Ladder 4 arrived five minutes after the first companies and quickly laddered the apartment building's roof and placed a ventilation trench cut at the building's fire wall to prevent additional extension into multiple other adjacent units. Additional companies from the second alarm (3-Engines, Heavy Rescue, CARES Team and multiple Chief Officers) were utilized to; simultaneously attack the fire from multiple areas, search for victims, ventilate and protect means of egress. The SFD's CARES Team was specifically utilized to manage the reunification of arriving children that had their homes affected by the fire from school busses with their families. The members also coordinated with the Red Cross in arranging temporary accommodations as well as assisting the citizens with coping with the trauma of losing their homes.
Due to the complexity of the fire and its continued escalation, a third alarm was requested at 1301 which brought three additional companies from the City's farthest north Stations. At several points throughout the near three-hour incident, all of SFD's Fire Companies were committed to either the third alarm fire or many other simultaneous incidents. Off-duty Spokane Firefighters as well as mutual aid companies from Fire District 9, Spokane Valley Fire Department and Fire District 8 were utilized for City coverage.
The fire was declared under control in approximately 90 minutes with all of the assigned resourced working extremely hard. They were successful in confining the fire to approximately five units and limiting damage to one side of the building.
There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters and companies are still on the scene at the time of this release. There were a total of 17 adults and 12 children living in 9 of the 10 apartment units.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The determination of the fire's cause is under investigation by the SFD's Special Investigation Unit. A formal cause will be issued when the investigation is concluded.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage varies in different areas of the building, however it is significant in at least 4 units. There appears to be moderate structural damage and smoke damage throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS:
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 68
MUTUAL AID: Fire District 1, Fire District 8, Fire District 9
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Battalion Chief Dan Brown
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/7/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2220 south Grand Blvd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99206
NARRATIVE: On Thursday May 7th at 2:32 in the afternoon the City of Spokane Fire Department responded seven fire apparatus and two command vehicles to 2220 South Grand Blv. for a structure fire. Engine Company 9 the first fire apparatus on scene reported heavy smoke showing from a 2 story wood frame house. Crews advanced attack leads into the main floor and to the upstairs. A search was conducted as crew attacked the fire. Ladder companies laddered the roof and ventilated the hot smoke and gases from the structure. This coordinated effort resulted in a quick knock down and extinguishment of the fire. The structure had severe damage to the first floor living room and a small amount of fire extension to the up stairs. There was smoke damage throughout. This fire was brought under control in about 25 minutes. There were no injuries to report. The family cat was lost in the fire. This fire is under investigation to determine the cause.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire in the main floor living room, upstairs bedroom, and smoke throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS: 110,000,00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/7/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 2220 south Grand Blvd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: WA
ZIP: 99206
NARRATIVE: On Thursday May 7th at 2:32 in the afternoon the City of Spokane Fire Department responded seven fire apparatus and two command vehicles to 2220 South Grand Blv. for a structure fire. Engine Company 9 the first fire apparatus on scene reported heavy smoke showing from a 2 story wood frame house. Crews advanced attack leads into the main floor and to the upstairs. A search was conducted as crew attacked the fire. Ladder companies laddered the roof and ventilated the hot smoke and gases from the structure. This coordinated effort resulted in a quick knock down and extinguishment of the fire. The structure had severe damage to the first floor living room and a small amount of fire extension to the up stairs. There was smoke damage throughout. This fire was brought under control in about 25 minutes. There were no injuries to report. The family cat was lost in the fire. This fire is under investigation to determine the cause.
PROBABLE CAUSE: Under investigation
DAMAGE EXTENT: Fire in the main floor living room, upstairs bedroom, and smoke throughout.
DOLLAR LOSS: 110,000,00
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 25
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
From Don Waller - A culture of safety vs. a culture of extinguishment...
An interesting video:
Wow, looks like they pulled it again. Don Waller has been chasing this thing around the Internet. Is it really that controversial here is a synopsis.
Looks like it might be back.
Wow, looks like they pulled it again. Don Waller has been chasing this thing around the Internet. Is it really that controversial here is a synopsis.
Looks like it might be back.
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Fire Press Release
ISSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/2/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 726 E. 43rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: wa
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On 05/02/09 at approximately 1216 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a 726 E. 43rd upon report of a structure fire. First arriving crews found a commercial structure, the Rocket Market, with smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the second floor to extinguish the fire, laddered the roof and ventilated the second floor, and made sure all civilians were out of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews then concentrated on making sure no hidden fire was present within walls of the structure. The fire was under control within approximately 15 minutes with SFD crews remaining on scene another 90 minutes conducting overhaul operations.
A total of 22 firefighters on eight apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to either firefighters or civilians were reported.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. For more information on the cause of this fire contact Steve Jones of The Special investigation Unit at 625-7057.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire was confined to a small, second floor, office area. This is the only area that had significant fire damage. Damage to other areas of the building was confined to a small amount of water damage on the first floor directly below the fire area. Smoke damage on the first floor was also minimal.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/2/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 726 E. 43rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: wa
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On 05/02/09 at approximately 1216 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a 726 E. 43rd upon report of a structure fire. First arriving crews found a commercial structure, the Rocket Market, with smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the second floor to extinguish the fire, laddered the roof and ventilated the second floor, and made sure all civilians were out of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews then concentrated on making sure no hidden fire was present within walls of the structure. The fire was under control within approximately 15 minutes with SFD crews remaining on scene another 90 minutes conducting overhaul operations.
A total of 22 firefighters on eight apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to either firefighters or civilians were reported.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. For more information on the cause of this fire contact Steve Jones of The Special investigation Unit at 625-7057.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire was confined to a small, second floor, office area. This is the only area that had significant fire damage. Damage to other areas of the building was confined to a small amount of water damage on the first floor directly below the fire area. Smoke damage on the first floor was also minimal.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Saturday, May 02, 2009
Fire Press Release
SSUING OFFICER: Ken Kirsch/Battalion Chief
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/2/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 726 E. 43rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: wa
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On 05/02/09 at approximately 1216 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a 726 E. 43rd upon report of a structure fire. First arriving crews found a commercial structure, the Rocket Market, with smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the second floor to extinguish the fire, laddered the roof and ventilated the second floor, and made sure all civilians were out of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews then concentrated on making sure no hidden fire was present within walls of the structure. The fire was under control within approximately 15 minutes with SFD crews remaining on scene another 90 minutes conducting overhaul operations.
A total of 22 firefighters on eight apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to either firefighters or civilians were reported.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. For more information on the cause of this fire contact Steve Jones of The Special investigation Unit at 625-7057.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire was confined to a small, second floor, office area. This is the only area that had significant fire damage. Damage to other areas of the building was confined to a small amount of water damage on the first floor directly below the fire area. Smoke damage on the first floor was also minimal.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
DATE OF INCIDENT: 5/2/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: Structure Fire
INCIDENT ADDRESS: 726 E. 43rd
CITY: Spokane
STATE: wa
ZIP:
NARRATIVE: On 05/02/09 at approximately 1216 hrs units of the City of Spokane Fire Department responded to a 726 E. 43rd upon report of a structure fire. First arriving crews found a commercial structure, the Rocket Market, with smoke coming from the second floor. Firefighters advanced pre-connected hose-lines to the second floor to extinguish the fire, laddered the roof and ventilated the second floor, and made sure all civilians were out of the building. The fire was quickly extinguished and crews then concentrated on making sure no hidden fire was present within walls of the structure. The fire was under control within approximately 15 minutes with SFD crews remaining on scene another 90 minutes conducting overhaul operations.
A total of 22 firefighters on eight apparatus fought this blaze. No injuries to either firefighters or civilians were reported.
PROBABLE CAUSE: The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. For more information on the cause of this fire contact Steve Jones of The Special investigation Unit at 625-7057.
DAMAGE EXTENT: The fire was confined to a small, second floor, office area. This is the only area that had significant fire damage. Damage to other areas of the building was confined to a small amount of water damage on the first floor directly below the fire area. Smoke damage on the first floor was also minimal.
DOLLAR LOSS: 10,000
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE: 22
MUTUAL AID: None Given
For more information on this release, please call (509)625-7002 and/or check out the SFD Blog at www.spokanefire.blogspot.com
END OF RELEASE
Monday, April 27, 2009
Last Call Bloomsday
Last call for our Bloomsday water station...
If you haven't come down before or have other plans, cancel them and come help out.
We really need to support this event with a shown of force. KZZU 92.9 has agreed to give us PR/ads the week leading up to the event, they'll start tomorrow.
- I'm looking for a couple volunteers that would be willing to go on the Dave, Ken and Molly in the morning show to help promote the event this next week as your E-board is in Yakima attending educational classes.
- I also still need someone willing to take care of an Engine for the event (bring it down, take it back).
We have purchased two large banners promoting who we are, and have the radio station DJ's on site telling the runners who is supporting them. I let the promoters know this year we can handle our own station without the help of ShopKo, Walmart, or whoever else is always wanting in, so lets take charge of our own water station.
We will have shirts there for you to wear, other than that I usually wear warm-up pants over my shorts and comfortable sneakers.
After set-up, the peak of the work is between about 10am and noon or so, if you can show up for a couple hours or come back after running the race for a bit, great.
Every year there is a core group of about 25 people that come and work their butts off and go home exhausted - we really need 60-75 people to work this station.
Sun May 3rd 7am Broadway/Nettleton
Thanks - Thad 9A
251-6336 cell
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