TFD Media Release - Rope Rescue

Incident Date: 11/19/09
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.255.3260
Incident Type: High-Angle Rope Rescue
Incident Location: 4500 -5000 block of Marine View Drive near Herron Ridge Dr NE

Narrative: At 10:17 a.m. Thursday November 19th 2009, Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) responded to a reported vehicle over an embankment in the Herron Ridge area off of Marine View Drive in North East Tacoma.

After assessing the location of the vehicle, the first arriving companies quickly called for a technical rescue operation. Approximately 21 firefighters and command staff conducted a High-Angle Rope Rescue (due to the very steep slope) using a Stokes Stretcher to rescue one patient from the vehicle.

The patient was transported to a local area hospital.

Focus on Fire Safety - Home Heating Equipment

According to the National Fire Protection Association home heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during the months of December, January and February, In fact in 2006, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 64,100 reported U.S. home structure fires, with associated losses of 540 civilian deaths, 1,400 civilian injuries, and $943 million in direct property damage. Given these sobering statistics, the Tacoma Fire Department encourages you to check your heating systems and watch how you heat as winter approaches.
Chimneys
Make sure your fireplace and wood stove have a clean chimney.
Portable Heaters
Remember, keep combustibles three feet from the heat.
Furnaces
An annual inspection is key.
Barbeque's and carbon monoxide poisoning
Never use a barbecue indoors for heating due to winter storms and extended power outages.