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."

Locally, St. Joseph Medical Center and Tacoma General Hospital are designated Level 1 Stroke centers meaning that they provide the highest level of emergent stroke care and intervention available in the State.  TFD works closely with the two facilities to ensure that our EMS providers are trained in the early recognition of stoke-like symptoms and best practices for pre-hospital care. In 2011, we transported 230 stroke patients, and have transported 70 stroke patients the first quarter in 2012.

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.

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!

 

Dump Truck Crash N. 36th Street

Incident Date: 5/2/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: N. 36th and N. Lawrence Street
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Crash

Narrative: At 10:00 a.m. Tacoma Firefighters were called for a report of a motor vehicle crash involving a dump truck.

The first arriving engine company found a dump truck that was fully loaded with asphalt had crashed into a parked car, smashed through a concrete barrier and came to rest lodged against a large tree.  TFD's hazardous materials team and tech rescue team were called in to stabilize the scene, determine if any of the fluids from the vehicles were leaking and prevent the truck from sliding any further.

One patient was transported from the scene, and the Tacoma Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

The road remains closed from Alder Way (at Ruston Way) and North Warner Street, while the asphalt is removed from the vehicle and tow trucks can clear the wreckage.

   

Partially Capsized Boat in Foss Harbor Marina

Incident Date: 5/1/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 900 Dock Street
Incident Type: Partially Capsized Boat

Narrative:  At 8:18 a.m. firefighters responded to a report of a boat that had sunk and was leaking fuel.

Crews arrived to find an approximately 27 foot boat had partially capsized while tied up at it's slip in the Foss Harbor Marina.  Operationally, the crews worked quickly to move a neighboring boat, deploy absorbent booms to contain the leaking fuel, and monitor the air for potentially dangerous levels of gasoline fumes.  The Incident Commander also coordinated the response with the US Coast Guard, Department of Ecology and a third party organization that was called in to use inflatable air bags to raise the boat.   It is not yet known what caused the vessel to take on water, and there were no injuries to report.

You're Invited-Fireboat Destiny Ceremony

You're invited to the launch of Fireboat "Destiny."  The Tacoma Fire Department, the Port of Tacoma, and City of Tacoma will be holding a christening ceremony on:

Friday, May 4

1:30-2:00 p.m.

535 Dock Street
(at the north ramp in front of Thea's Park)

Free parking for the event is available along Dock Street and in Thea's Park.

The Destiny is a rapid response patrol/fireboat that was acquired to improve safety in the Commencement Bay area.  In a unique partnership aimed at meeting security and safety needs, the Port of Tacoma purchased the boat with funding from the Tacoma Fire Department, Port of Tacoma and grant funding from the Department of Homeland Security.  The operation of the boat will be conducted by the Tacoma Fire Department.

Rope Rescue Point Defiance Park

Incident Date: 4/22/2012
Issuing Officer: Battalion Chief Dale Vaughn
Indent Location: Point Defiance Park
Incident Type: Technical Rescue

Narrative: At 6:14 p.m. Tacoma Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team responded to a rope rescue in Point Defiance Park.

First arriving companies found two men clutching onto trees and stuck about 30 feet from the top of the cliff.  The pair's access out of the beach area was cut off by the rising tides and their attempt to climb the steep cliffs near the Gig Harbor view point area left them stranded. 

Using a sopisticated rope system, crews were able to rappel the cliff, secure the pair, and bring them to safety.  There were no injuries to report.