Technical Rescue Trench Training

One of the most potentially challenging and multidisciplined incidents fire service personnel may face is Trench Rescue. It is a dynamic environment that tends to be physically and mentally challenging due to the duration and unpredictable environment. Earlier this month Tacoma Fire Department's Technical Rescue Team conducted their monthly trench training. The goal of this training was to address rescuer safety; understanding WAC regulations covering trenches and excavations; preplanning; assessing soil composition; cave-in evaluation; stabilization and shoring using wood and air shores. Not only must the mechanical issues of stabilization be considered, but patients may also be facing traumatic injuries, hypothermia or experiencing the often forgotten complications of Crush Syndrome. Trench and excavation incidents are "Low Frequency, High Hazard" rescues. This ongoing training provides the necessary skills and knowledge for TFD's Technical Rescue Team to respond to Trench Rescue emergencies.

Thank You For Attending

The Tacoma Fire Department would like to thank all of you who attended our E-10 dedication ceremony. Despite the blustery weather conditions we had a great turnout; said a heart felt goodbye to our outgoing apparatus, and introduced the south end neighborhood to our new Engine #10. We hope you enjoyed the festivities as much as we did!

You're Invited!

Tacoma Fire hosts Engine Dedication

Please join us for a traditional “Housing Ceremony” dedication of our new Fire Engine #10. The Ceremony will be held at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 30 at Station #10, located at 7247 South Park Ave.

The retiring Engine #10 proudly served the South End Neighborhood beginning in 1996, traveling a remarkable 201,428 miles on nearly 60,000 calls in its service lifetime. The new Engine #10 is a Darley Custom Pumper on a Spartan Gladiator Chassis. The Engine includes state of the art safety features, is compliant with EPA emission and fuel conservation standards and has improved electronic pump and valve controls (for regulating the water supply) to increase its dependability and efficiency.

For more information regarding this event, please contact Joe Meinecke at (253) 591-5740.

Pt. Defiance Rescue

Incident Date: Sunday, March 21, 2010
Issuing Officer: Dan Crotty
Incident Type: Confined Space Rescue
Incident Location: Pt. Defiance Park, 5400 N Pearl St.

Narrative: At 11:48 a.m. today, Engines 13, and 14, Ladder 3, Medic 1, the Technical Rescue Team, the Hazardous Material Team and Command Staff responded to the Rocky Shores exhibit at the Point Defiance Zoo to assist a person that had fallen into a maintenance vault.

Firefighters located the person in the vault approximately 20 feet below grade. Employing special tools, equipment and training, firefighters were able to extricate the person in about an hour. Tacoma Fire Department Medics transported the person to a local hospital.

Commercial Structure Fire

Incident Date: 3/15/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 2210 Court A
Incident Type: Commercial Structure Fire
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Damages Estimates: Under Investigation
Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Narrative: At 7:20 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2010 nine companies of Tacoma firefighters – 5 Engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units and Command Staff responded to 2210 Court A for a reported commercial structure fire.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke showing from the fine furniture workshop located in the bottom of the two story building. Upon further investigation it was determined that the fire was contained to the dust collection unit. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, checked for fire extension into other areas of the building and used positive pressure ventilation to remove the heavy smoke layer from the business. There were no injuries to report.

Structure Fire

Incident Date: 3/13/2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1211 Alexander Ave
Incident Type: Structure Fire
Fire Cause: Under Investigation
Damage Estimates: Under Investigation
Injuries/Fatalities: 0

Narrative: At 4:54 p.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, seven companies of Tacoma firefighters – 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported structure fire at 1211 Alexander Ave.

First arriving companies found flames and smoke showing from the side and rear of the 1 story mobile home smoke shop. Crews attacked the fire with hand lines, worked around downed live power lines and prevented the fire from spreading to an adjacent fireworks stand and a nearby house. Crews were able to contain the fire to the smoke shop and there were no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

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.