Have you checked your smoke alarm batteries recently?

Tacoma Fire Department urges you to check your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks back to Standard Time this weekend.

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries, so maintenance is a simple and effective way to protect your family and reduce home fire deaths.

For best protection, it is recommended that you install alarms utilizing both ionization and photoelectric technology, and ones that have long life 10 year lithium ion batteries.

Visit the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association for additional information regarding smoke alarm types, installation, maintenance and safety.

Oath of Office Ceremony

Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Tacoma Fire Chief James P. Duggan was sworn in at an Oath of Office Ceremony this afternoon.  A Tacoma native, Chief Duggan began his career over 29 years ago as a firefighter with the Tacoma Fire Department.  He served as Assistant Chief of the department's Emergency Medical Services Division for six years before being appointed to the role of Interim Chief by City Manager T.C. Broadnax.  Chief Duggan assumed command of his current role as the Tacoma Fire Department's 21st Fire Chief when appointed September 27, 2012. Congratulations Chief Duggan!

House fire on S. Warner determined to be intentionally set

Incident Date: 10/27/12
Issuing Officer: DC Faith Mueller & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 6617 S. Warner Street
Incident Type: House Fire

Narrative:  At 11:37 p.m. seven companies of Tacoma Firefighters (four engines, one ladder, one medic company and command staff) were dispatched to a reported house fire.

Crews arrived to find fire and smoke showing from the 1 story approximately 600 square foot house.  Firefighters conducted an interior attack with 1 3/4 hose lines, ventilated the roof and completed search and rescue.  There were no occupants home at the time of the fire and no injuries to report.

Fire investigators have determined that the fire was intentionally set and have referred the incident to Tacoma Police for follow-up.  The fire resulted in an estimated $103,500 dollars damage to the building and its contents.