Body Recovery Effort

Incident Date: 2/25/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.255.3260
Incident Location: Northbound 1-5 and S. 38th street
Incident Type: Body Recovery

Narrative: At 6:58 a.m. Thursday February 25th, 2010 four companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 1 Engine, 1 ladder and 1 medic unit and 1 Technical Rescue Team responded to a reported car upside down in the water retention pond off the exit of Northbound 1-5 and Westbound 38th street.

A joint investigation effort by the Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Dive Team and Tacoma Fire Department revealed a deceased person inside the late model Kia 4 door sedan. The vehicle was towed from the pond, the body was recovered and it has now been transported to the Pierce County Medical examiner’s office for follow-up.

Car Fire at Gas Station

Incident Date: 2/7/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.255.3260
Incident Type: Car Fire
Incident Location: 8247 Pacific Ave
Fire Cause: Under investigation
Damages Estimates: approximately $150,000
Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Narrative: At 7:15 a.m. Sunday February 7, 2010, 10 companies of Tacoma and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue Firefighters – 5 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic units and Command Staff responded to a reported car fire at a gas station at 8247 Pacific Ave.

First arriving companies found a fully involved sedan with fire extending into the gas station overhead. Crews attacked the fire in the roof structure with a hand line and used a compressed air foam system to fight the fire in the vehicle (foam helps put out petroleum based (Class B) fires). Aggressive work by the crews contained the damage to the vehicle and minimized the damage to the nearby pumps and the overhead roof of the station.

Currently the cause of the fire is under investigation and there were no injuries to report.

Burn Awareness Week February 7-13 "Scald's"

According to the American Burn Association and Shriners Children’s Hospital, every day 300 young children are taken to emergency rooms a crossed the country with a burn injury. These children weren’t even near a flame. The children are victims of scalds.

Scald burns (caused by hot tap water, hot beverages, steam or foods) are the most common burn injury among children age 4 and younger. Surprisingly, most scald injuries occur while children are bathing.

Here are some recommendations to help prevent scald injuries.
- Lower the temperature settings on water heaters to 120° F (49° C) or less.
- Install anti-scald devices on water faucets and shower heads.
- Use knob covers on faucets.
- Create “kid free zones” in the kitchen near the stove.

Basic First Aid for scald injuries.
- Remove all affected clothing, diapers, shoes etc.
- Cool scalded area briefly with cold water
- Cover with clean, dry covering
- Do not apply creams, salves, ointments or butter
- Depending on the situation seek medical attention or call 9-1-1

Additional resources:
Center for Disease Control
Safe Kids of Pierce County
Home Safety Council

Winter Blaze 2010

It's time to “ignite the night” at the annual Tacoma Firefighters Ball - Winter Blaze 2010. This years Mardi Gras themed event will be held at the Emerald Queen Casino this Saturday January 30th at 5:30 p.m. Activities include silent and live auctions, dinner and outstanding raffle prizes. Emcee's Brooke & Monti of Movin' 92.5 FM, (The Ladies Room), will keep the evening movin' in true Mardi Gras tradition. You may find yourself caught-up in a parade, catching beads and dawning masks. Back by popular demand to headline the entertainment for the evening will be the Spazmatics and Afrodisiacs. Proceeds for the event benefit the American Cancer Society - Camp Goodtimes. For ticket information visit the Tacoma Firefighters Local #31 web site. We hope to see you there!

Fire Destroys Tacoma Home

Incident Date: 1/7/2010

Issuing Officer: Dan Crotty, 253.255.4858

Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Incident Location:

1419 S. Prospect St.

Fire Cause: Suspicious

Damage Estimate: $146,800

Narrative: At 11:04 p.m. Thursday night, 27 Tacoma Firefighters responded with 5 Engines, 1 Ladder Company, 1 Medic Unit and 2 Command/Safety Units to a reported house fire. The first arriving Engine Company reported they had a 2-story home with fire showing from the rear of the building and heavy smoke showing from all four sides on both floors. They started an aggressive interior fire attack while other units started interior search and rescue operations. Additional interior attack lines were extended into the building as other units arrived. Firefighters managed to knock down most of the fire on the first floor and started advancing to the second floor where they found fire had already burned a large hole through the floor at the top of the stairs. Further signs of structural instability forced firefighters to withdraw from the building and continue their fire attack from defensive positions outside. Firefighters continued to hit hot spots through out the night.

Fire Investigators are not expected to be able to enter the build until morning and listed the cause as under investigation at this time. Although no damage estimate is available yet, the building appeares to be a total loss.

Update: 1/8/2010 @ 5:00 p.m.

Due to the instability of the structure, fire investigators were only able to complete a limited investigation of the fire scene and listed the fire as suspicious. The probable cause was listed as “Un-authorized person in residence with no accidental causes found.” The building and it’s contents were considered a total loss with an estimated value of $146,800.

2-Alarm Early Morning Structure Fire

Incident Date: 1/3/10
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke 253.255.3260
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire
Incident Location: 7202 S. Lawrence Street
Fire Cause: Undetermined
Damage Estimates: Undetermined
Injuries/Fatalities: 1 Fatality

Narrative: At 3:23 a.m. Sunday January 3, 2010 eleven companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 7 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units and Command staff responded to a reported residential structure fire at 7202 S. Lawrence St.

First arriving companies found a fully involved 5th wheel recreational vehicle with fire extending into the primary residence. Crews attacked both the fire in the trailer and the fire that had spread into the attic of the house. Primary search and rescue revealed that there were two occupants in the house. One patient was transported to a local area hospital and one was deceased upon our arrival. Currently, a death investigation is being conducted by Tacoma Police Department and a fire investigation into the cause and origin of the fire will begin at the conclusion of the death investigation.

Happy New Years

From all of us at the Tacoma Fire Department - Happy New Years. During this years holiday festivities, please remember the following:

- City ordinance prohibits the use of Fireworks in the City of Tacoma - including on New Years Eve. Violators of the fireworks law are subject to a $257 dollar fine and the confiscation of their fireworks.

- Please celebrate responsibly (no drinking and driving).

From our TFD family to yours, have a safe and healthy New Years and we look forward to serving in 2010.