Tuesday, May 22, 2012
National Emergency Medical Services Week
May 20-26, 2012 is National Emergency Medical Services Week. Providing emergency medical services (EMS) is one of our department's primary objectives, and towards that end, all Tacoma firefighters are trained as emergency medical technicians and 75 firefighters are capable of delivering advanced life support service as firefighter paramedics.
TFD would like to thank all providers in the continuum of EMS care, including 9-1-1 dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, physicians, hospital technicians and support staff as they assure the comfort, recovery and survival of all who turn to them when afflicted with sudden illness or injury.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
"Bike to Work" Safety Tips
In recognition of National "Bike to Work" week, TFD offers the following safety tips on bicycle safety from the League of American Bicyclists and AAA.
On the Road:
On the Road:
- The same laws that apply to motorists apply to cyclists
- Obey all traffic control devices
- Use hand signals to indicate stops and turns
- Never wear headphones or listen to loud music while riding
Always wear a properly fitting helmet:
- Wear a helmet, no matter how short the trip
Ride on the Right:
- Always ride in the same direction as traffic
- Use the furthest right lane that heads to your destination
- Use bike trails (not the sidewalk) when available
Ride predictably:
- Ride in a straight line
- Don't swerve in the road or between parked cars
- Check for traffic before entering the street or intersection
Be Visible:
- Wear brightly colored clothing that provides contrast
- Use a white front light and red rear light in low light conditions
- Ride with more then one rider, when possible, to increase visibility
- Always warn pedestrians or other riders when approaching from behind
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Fire Extinguisher Training
Need a fire extinguisher class for your group or business? Tacoma Fire Department offers free fire extinguisher training classes where participants learn:
- about Class A, B & C fires
- the appropriate type of extinguishers to use and what the extinguisher size rating means
- the limits of portable fire extinguishers
- how to extinguish a fire using the four step P.A.S.S. method
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monthly Service Requests - April 2012
Fire Communications Center (FCC)
Dispatch totals for TFD & CPFR response area
FCC Total Calls Recieved
April =6,842 / YTD 2012 =29,236 / YTD 2011 =27,355
FCC Total Fire Companies Dispatched
April =10,454 / YTD 2012 =38,772 / YTD 2011 =37,390
TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type
Fire Incidents
April =86 / YTD 2012 =341 / YTD 2011 =345
Emergency Medical Incidents
April =2,629 / YTD 2012 =10,637 / YTD 2011 =9,842
All Other Incidents
April =514 / YTD 2012 =2,368 / YTD 2011 =2,061
Total Incidents by Type
April =3,229 / YTD 2012 =12,346 / YTD 2011 =12,248
Dispatch totals for TFD & CPFR response area
FCC Total Calls Recieved
April =6,842 / YTD 2012 =29,236 / YTD 2011 =27,355
FCC Total Fire Companies Dispatched
April =10,454 / YTD 2012 =38,772 / YTD 2011 =37,390
TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type
Fire Incidents
April =86 / YTD 2012 =341 / YTD 2011 =345
Emergency Medical Incidents
April =2,629 / YTD 2012 =10,637 / YTD 2011 =9,842
All Other Incidents
April =514 / YTD 2012 =2,368 / YTD 2011 =2,061
Total Incidents by Type
April =3,229 / YTD 2012 =12,346 / YTD 2011 =12,248
Monday, May 7, 2012
May is National Stroke Awareness Month
The City of Tacoma has proclaimed May as "Stroke Awareness Month," and Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) encourages everyone to learn the signs, symptoms and prevention strategies surrounding strokes. The fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. is stroke, and the National Stroke Association recommends the use of FAST to remember the warning signs:
- Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
- Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms in front of them with palm's up. Does one arm drift downward?
- Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase, like "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Is their speech slurred or strange?
- Time: If you observe any of these signs, call 9-1-1 immediately and note the last time the person was seen "normal."
Arson Awareness Week 2012
Arson Awareness Week is May 6-12, 2012 and this year's theme is "Prevent Youth Firesetting." Nationally, between 2005-2009, fires started by children accounted for an average of 56,300 fires with associated losses of 110 civilian deaths, 880 civilian injuries and $286 million in direct property damage per year.
Parent should teach young children that fire is a tool, not a toy; keep matches and lighters out of reach, in high, ideally locked cabinets; and set a good example by safely using matches, lighters and fire. The most important thing a parent of caregiver can do is always supervise young children.
For more information or to make a referral to Tacoma Fire Department's "Fire Stoppers" program please call 253-591-5740.
Parent should teach young children that fire is a tool, not a toy; keep matches and lighters out of reach, in high, ideally locked cabinets; and set a good example by safely using matches, lighters and fire. The most important thing a parent of caregiver can do is always supervise young children.
For more information or to make a referral to Tacoma Fire Department's "Fire Stoppers" program please call 253-591-5740.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Thank You for Attending the Destiny Christening Ceremony
A special thank you to all who attended the Christening Ceremony for the new patrol/fireboat Destiny.
| Council Member Victoria Woodards |
| Port Commissioner Dick Marzano and Council Member Woodards do the Honors! |
| GO Destiny GO! |
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