Just a Reminder...

Tacoma Fire Department would like to remind everyone that when you change your clocks tonight for daylight savings time, be sure to change the batteries in your home's smoke alarms as well.

When smoke alarms fail, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected or dead. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries.

For more information about installing and maintaining smoke alarms visit the National Fire Protection Association or United States Fire Administration.

Vehicle Extrication Incident

Incident Date: 3/12/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1801 E. 56th St.
Incident Type: Vehicle Extrication

Narrative: At 4:02 p.m. Friday, March 12, 2010, 3 companies of Tacoma Firefighters – 1 Engine (E-15), 1 Ladder, (E-2) 1 Medic Unit (M-5) and Command Staff (B-2) responded to the 1801 E. 56th Street for a one car roll over motor vehicle crash.

First arriving companies found one patient trapped inside a rolled over sports utility vehicle. Crews quickly assembled a stabilization system to protect the patient from injury and used hydraulic tools to cut the top of the car off to safely remove the occupant. Fortunately, the patient was able to walk away from the incident once freed.

Suspicious White Powder Discovered at Tacoma Public Utilities

Incident Date: 2/26/2010
Issuing Officer: Toryono Green 253.255.4857
Incident Type: Suspicion of Hazardous Material
Incident Location: 3628 S 35^th St

Narrative: At 2:44 p.m. Friday February 26, 2010, E17, M2, and B2 responded to the Tacoma Public Utilities building at 3628 S 35^th St for the report of a suspicious white powder in an envelope. The white powder was discovered when a TPU cashier opened a recently received payment from a customer.

Upon TFD arrival, the lobby of the building was evacuated, the cashier was assessed and isolated, and the TFD Hazmat team (E12, L4, and HM44) was dispatched to investigate. After making entry and evaluating the white substance, the powder was determined to be a harmless.

Shooting at Elementary School

Incident Date: 2/26/2010
Issuing Officer: Toryono Green 253.255.4857
Incident Type: Shooting
Incident Location: 1202 S 76^th St

Narrative: At 7:37 a.m. Friday February 26, 2010, E10 and M2 responded with the Tacoma Police Department to reports of a shooting at Birney Elementary School, 1202 S 76^th St.

TFD crews arrived to find an approximately 30 year old female victim that had been fatally shot. The shooting occurred outside of the school. According to law enforcement officers, the shooter was apprehended and shot outside of the Tacoma city limits a short distance away.

The school has been closed. All buses have been rerouted to a nearby community center located at 7802 S L St. Any children arriving at the school will also be taken there.

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