Fatality Apartment Fire

Incident Date: October 18, 2010
Issuing Officer: Dan Crotty
Incident Location: 5928 6th Ave

Incident Type: Apartment Fire

Narrative: At 8:11 p.m. 10 companies of Tacoma firefighters, 5 engines, 2 ladders, 2 medic units and command staff responded to a reported apartment fire.

First arriving companies found smoke showing from a ground floor unit of the two story multi-unit apartment building.  The fire was contained to the apartment of origin and primary search and rescue revealed that one adult occupant was deceased upon our arrival.

Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.  There were no other injuries to report.

UPDATE 10/19/10:  Investigators have determined that the fire started when the occupant accidentally caught their clothing on fire on a burner on the stove.  The fire resulted in $1,700 of damage to the property and contents and did not displace any other tenants in the building.  

Exceptional Turnout for CPR Sunday

Nearly 900 participants turned out to learn basic first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation at our 13th annual CPR Sunday event October 10, 2010. Thanks to the numerous sponsors and instructors who supported the event and a special thank you to all who attended.

Station Open Houses - Thanks for Attending!

Tacoma Fire Department would like to thank all who visited their neighborhood fire stations today in support of National Fire Prevention Week.

Residential Fire on S. Verde Street

Incident Date: October 4, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 5810 S. Verde St

Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 12:56 p.m. 6 companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 4 engines, 1 ladder, 1 medic unit and command staff responded to a reported kitchen fire.

First arriving companies found smoke and flames showing from the rear of the 2 story single family residence. An aggressive interior attack contained the fire to the kitchen and a portion of the attic and roof area.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation and there were no injuries to report. The Red Cross was called to provide assistance for the 2 adults and 6 children displaced from the fire.

UPDATE:
The cause of the fire was unattened cooking, resulting in an estimated $60,000 damage to the building and contents.

Industrial Fire In The Tide Flats

Incident Date: October 3, 2010
Issuing Officer: Toryono Green
Incident Location: 1902 Marine View Drive

Incident Type: Commercial Fire

Narrative: At 5:00 p.m., 9 companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 5 engines, 2 ladders, 2 medic units and command staff responded to a reported fire at Schnitzer Steel metal recycling yard.

First arriving companies found heavy smoke and flames coming from a large pile of compacted cars. After approximately three hours of firefighting using aerial master streams, firefighters were finally able to extinguish the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.  Three people were transported to local hospitals in relation to this event.

Fire Prevention Week Open Houses!

Residents can celebrate Fire Prevention Week by visiting six neighborhood fire stations from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, October 9. This year’s theme, “Smoke Alarms: A sound you can live with,” encourages everyone to team up and spread the message that fire safety saves lives!

Equipment will be on display and firefighters will answer questions about escape planning, fire safety and disaster preparedness.

The following six stations will host open houses:

Station 3 -   206 Browns Point Blvd, NE Tacoma
Station 4 -   1453 S. 12th (Earnest S Brazil St), Hilltop
Station 11 - 3802 McKinley Ave., McKinley Hill
Station 13 – 3825 N. 25th, Proctor
Station 16 – 7217 6th Ave., Skyline/West End District
Station 17 – 302 Regents Blvd., Fircrest

For more information on the activities hosted at each station, call the Tacoma Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau at 591-5740. We look foward to seeing you there!

Free CPR Training - CPR Sunday - October 10th

CPR Sunday is an annual community event offered free-of-charge to anyone interested in learning the basic life-saving skills of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). On the second Sunday in October each year, students are taught the fundamentals of CPR and then given the opportunity to practice with CPR manikins and Automated External Defibrillators (AED). Upon successful completion of the course, students receive a Tacoma Fire Department certified CPR card (good for two years).  Over 6,000 participants have attended this life saving class.

CPR Sunday will be held Oct. 10, at Foss High School, 2112 S. Tyler St. in Tacoma.

In order to secure your preferred class time please pre-register at www.cprsunday.net/registration.html.

What Attendees Can Expect

• More than 50 certified Basic Life Support instructors
• 1 1/2 hours of classroom training
• Four class options: 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, or 2 pm
• Practical training with CPR manikins and AED's.

What Attendees Will Learn

• What happens when you call 9-1-1
• Patient assessment
• One rescuer adult/child/infant CPR and obstructed airway
• Automated external defibrillator use
• Foreign body airway obstruction management
• Essentials of a home first aid kit
• CPR-related information/reminder list for home and wallet