National Preparedness Month - September 2014

The City of Tacoma Emergency Management Division encourages everyone to participate in National Preparedness Month (NPM). NPM focuses attention on what citizens should do to ready themselves, their families and their communities for potential disasters. This year's theme is "Take Action to Prepare."     

According to Ready.Gov, the U.S. government’s official preparedness website, there are three key steps for each citizen to become prepared for an emergency:

1. Build A Kit:  Keep enough emergency supplies on hand for you and those in your care. For example, water, non-perishable food, first aid, prescriptions, flashlight, and a battery-powered radio.
2. Make A Plan:  Discuss, agree on, and document an emergency plan with those in your care. Work together with neighbors, colleagues and others to build community resilience.
3. Be Informed:  Free information is available to assist you from federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial resources.

Want to get involved?
Consider enrolling in a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to learn about how to prepare and respond to a disaster in our community.

Suspicious fire causes heavy damage to office building on East 44th St.

Incident Date:  9/3/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  1421 E. 44th St
Incident Type:  Commercial Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 7:01 am, firefighters from stations 1, 2, 8, 10 ,11, 12, and 15 responded to a reported commercial structure fire. 

The first arriving company found heavy smoke and flames showing from a single story office building of a rental storage business. Crews attacked the fire with handlines and searched the building to confirm no one was trapped inside.

There were no injuries to report. The fire resulted in an estimated $62,500 damage to the building and it's contents. 

The cause of the fire was determined to be intentionally set, and the incident has been referred to the Tacoma Police Department for further investigation.

Save the date - TFD hosts remembrance and World Trade Center Steel dedication on Sept 11, 2014

On Thursday September 11, 2014, the Tacoma Fire Department will honor the heroes and victims of 9/11 at a public remembrance ceremony beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Firefighter’s Memorial, 3301 Ruston Way. This year marks the 13th anniversary of this tragic event. 

The program will include speeches by Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma Fire Chief James P. Duggan and retired Lieutenant James Joyce of FDNY. There will also be a dedication of a piece of World Trade Center Steel.  

Please join us as the nation keeps its solemn vow that “we have not forgotten.”