Requests for Service - November 2013

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	November	2013 (YTD)	2012 (YTD)
Fire	91	1,352	1,429
Emergency Medical	2,623	29,532	29,268
All Other (e.g. hazardous conditions, search and rescue, automatic fire alarms)	424	4,939	5,752
Total	3,138	35,823	36,451

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Protecting People, Property & the Environment

Freezing temperatures can lead to frozen water pipes!

As the recent cold snap comes to an end  many homeowners and businesses will be dealing with yet another hazard - broken water pipes. As the water in pipes freezes it expands - causing the pipes to crack or burst. You won’t often know there is a problem until the temperatures warm enough to melt the ice and allow for water to flow. If you are experiencing the unfortunate dilemma of frozen or busted water pipes, here are a few things you need to know.

Homeowners:

• Most importantly, know where and how to shut off your main water supply before you have a problem. There should be a main valve for your house (usually located in the basement or crawl space) and one at the water meter pit. 
• The pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
• Make sure pipes located in exterior walls, or in floors over unheated spaces (such as a bathroom above an attached garage) are insulated and protected. Keep your garage door closed.
• Remember to never use an open flame torch (fire danger) or boiling water (will cause the pipes to burst) when thawing pipes. A hair drier on low setting works well.
• Select a licensed plumber to assist you in making any necessary repairs.
• If you are a Tacoma Water customer, and you have a water leak emergency, call the trouble line at (253) 502-8384. 

Businesses:

• Make sure that any exterior piping is insulated and hose bib’s are covered.
• Increase the building temperature to prevent freezing (particularly warehouses – storage facilities).
• Fire Sprinkler systems that go out of service require you to institute a Fire Watch until the system is operable.

MVA with Technical Rescue on E.35th

Incident Date: 12/8/13
Issuing Officer: BC Jolene Davis & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1801 E. 35th St
Incident Type: MVA with Technical Rescue

Narrative: At 3:54 am, Firefighters from stations 1,2,3,7,8, and 11 responded to a reported motor vehicle crash involving a car over an embankment.

The first arriving company found a single car had left the road and plunged approximately 100 feet down a steep ravine. With two injured occupants struggling in the sub-freezing temperatures, TFD's technical rescue team worked quickly to set up high-angle rope system to safely remove them from the crash scene. Both occupants were transported to an area hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.