House Fire on 49th and North Pearl Street

Incident Date: 9/14/2011
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 4921 N. Pearl Street
Incident Type: Mutual Aid - Residential House Fire

Narrative:  At 2:15 p.m. seven units of Tacoma firefighters (four engines, one ladder, one medic company and command staff) joined Ruston firefighters on scene for a mutual aid residential house fire.

Crews used handlines and vertical ventilation techniques to swiftly attack and bring under control a fire that originated in the basement area of the house and had spread to the first and second floors. 

The fire displaced four occupants (two adults and two children) and their were no injuries to report.

The cause and origin investigation is being conducted by the Ruston Fire Department.

Thank You for Attending the 9/11 Ceremony

Thank you to all who attended this years "A Decade of Courage" Remembering 9/11 ceremony. A special thank you to the Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard, and Unit Commander Karen Leming for organizing the event, Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One for bringing a piece of World Trade Center Steel and to the dozens of other participants who contributed to the 10th anniversary remembrance of lives lost and forever changed. Finally, we are grateful for the hundreds of who joined us in honoring our nations solem vow - we have not forgotten!

Ammonia Leak Forces Evacuation

Incident Date: 9/7/11
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 8220 Pacific Hwy E
Incident Type: Hazardous Materials

Narrative:  At 6:46 a.m. 7 units of Tacoma firefighters (three engines, one ladder, one medic unit, haz-mat 44, and command staff) responded to a reported ammonia leak at a fuel and ice distribution business.

Hazardous materials technicians made entry into the building and confirmed that a leaking pipe caused a minor Ammonia release.  Air monitoring equipment indicated elevated levels of Ammonia vapors in the building representing a significant respiratory risk.

Operationally, the leak was located and stopped, the occupants of the source business, one adjacent business and four nearby houses were evacuated for precautionary measures.   Firefighters are currently conducting a methodical process of ventilating the building and monitoring the air quality to mitigate the hazard.

There were no injuries to report.      

Firefighters Embark On Tribute Ride to New York City

Tacoma, WA: Nearly 40 firefighters from Western Washington joined forces today to embark on a roughly 3,000 mile motorcycle ride in honor of the victims of the September 11th attack. Departing from the Tacoma Firefighters Memorial on Ruston Way, the group is currently making its way along I-90 and will be joining thousands of firefighters from the International Association of Fire Fighters who are riding in solidarity. The group is expected to reach New York City on September 9.

One of several riders from Pierce County, Tacoma firefighter Will Yuste considered this opportunity a "great honor to pay tribute to all who lost their lives that day and to let those left behind know that the extended fire service family has not forgotten”.

National Preparedness Month - September 2011

The City of Tacoma Emergency Management would like to remind everyone that September is National Preparedness Month (NPM).  NPM focuses attention on what citizens should do to ready themselves, their families and their communities for potential disasters.  This years theme is "a time to remember a time to prepare".  You can help remember the tragic events of 9/11 by joining us at our annual  September 11th ceremony and you can get prepared by completing the following.     

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. Get 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.

Like to stay informed?  Sign up for Pierce County emergency alerts to be notified about emergencies and other important community news such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and evacuation of buildings or neighborhoods.

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

CPR Sunday Registration Is Open

CPR Sunday is an annual community event offered free-of-charge to anyone interested in learning the basic life-saving skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). On the second Sunday in October each year, students are taught the fundamentals of CPR and then given the opportunity to practice with CPR manikins and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Over 900 participants attended this life saving class last year.

CPR Sunday will be held Oct. 9, at Foss High School, 2112 S. Tyler St. in Tacoma.

In order to secure your preferred class time please pre-register at http://www.cprsunday.net/registration.php.

What Attendees Can Expect

• More than 50 certified Basic Life Support instructors
• 1 1/2 hours of classroom training
• Four class options: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., or 2 p.m.
• Practical training with CPR manikins and AED's.

What Attendees Will Learn

• What happens when you call 9-1-1
• Patient assessment
• One rescuer adult/child/infant CPR and obstructed airway
• Automated external defibrillator use
• Foreign body airway obstruction management
• Essentials of a home first aid kit
• CPR-related information/reminder list for home and wallet

Note - this class is "Citizen Level CPR" and does not meet the Washington State Health Care Provider Level card requirements.

Save the Date - September 11, 2011

The Tacoma Fire Department Honor Guard invites you to join us for the 10th anniversary “Remembering 9/11” ceremony.  The event begins at 9:30 a.m. Sunday September 11, at the Tacoma Firefighters Memorial at 3301 Ruston Way.

Firefighters will also be accepting donations on behalf of the Pierce County Emergency Food Network at this event.  Please bring non-perishable food items (e.g. peanut butter) to drop off in support of this important community service.

We Have Not Forgotten