November 15th Wind Storm

Incident Date: November 15, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: Area Wide
Incident Type: Wind Storm

Narrative: At approximately 9:00 p.m., a wide spread high wind storm swept through the greater Tacoma area causing numerous power outages and knocking several trees down. TFD relied on it's back-up generators to power several fire stations and our dispatch center, during the outage. Tacoma Fire Communications Center dispatched units to 47 incidents (in Tacoma's response area) between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

The majority of these calls were for downed power lines and fallen trees, but they also included calls for people trapped in elevators or offices, and a boat house that broke loose in the narrows marina and drifted into a dock.  Fortunately, there were no injuries to report to citizen's or firefighters.

Storms like these illustrate the value of having a family disaster preparedness kit and remember that in the event of an extended power outage, use flashlights instead of candles (fire hazard) for light and never bring your barbecue indoors to heat or cook with (carbon monoxide poisoning).

A Bird Stuck in A Tree?

Tacoma Fire Department recently responded to a request for assistance for a "bird stuck in a tree...".  How could a "bird be stuck in a tree" you ask?  Upon arrival, the crew from TFD's Ladder 3 had their answer.

A Falconer was training a wild Red Tailed Hawk by tethering it to a very long, thin cord and letting it practice flying back and forth.  Unfortunately on one of the flights, the cord got caught up high in the branches of a large maple tree near the duck pond at Point Defiance Park.

Ladder 3's crew extended a 35' ground ladder allowing a firefighter to climb up, unhook the tangled tether, and re-hook their own rope to carry the hawk down safely. 

All-in all a successful operation, with no injuries to report to the falcon or firefighters.    



Ladder-3 (C-Shift), Captain Tom Zurfluh, Firefighter Ted Wold, Firefighter Zach Prida (on ladder)



Cushman Street House Fire

Incident Date: November 4, 2010
Issuing Officer: Jolene Davis

Incident Location: 5401 S. Cushman
Incident Type: House Fire

Narrative: At 3:07 p.m. units were dispatched to a reported house fire at 5401 S. Cushman Street. Five Tacoma Fire Engines, along with one Central Pierce Fire and Rescue Ladder Company, Tacoma Medic Units and Command staff responded.

The first arriving crews found heavy smoke and flames coming from the 2 story house. Firefighters entered the first floor of the home to attack the fire and search the home, but found the stairway to the second floor was burned through. Firefighters had to use ground ladders from the exterior of the building to access the second floor of the structure for fire attack and search and rescue.

As a result of the fire, one person was transported to an area hospital and one pet perished. The fire displaced 6 occupants, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE:  Investigators have determined that the cause of the fire was a child playing with ignition materials.  The fire caused an estimated $90,000 damage to the house and it's contents.  

Be Alarmed! Change your Smoke Alarm Batteries This Weekend

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries, so maintenance is a simple and effective way to protect your family and reduce home fire deaths.

According to the Washington State Fire Marshal, the majority of fire deaths in our State occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Furthermore, the peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. - when families are sleeping and most vulnerable!

For best protection, it is recommended that people install alarms utilizing both (ionization and photoelectric) technology and ones that have long life 10 year lithium ion batteries.

Visit the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association for additional information regarding smoke alarm types, installation, maintenance and safety.

A Pair of Early Morning Fires

Incident Date: October 20, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 302 S. 9th Street
Incident Type: Commercial Structure Fire

Narrative: At 1:17 a.m. 10 companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 5 engines, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units and Command Staff responded to a reported commercial structure fire.

First arriving companies found a fire in a back storage room of the Subway Shop located on the ground floor of the three story business occupancy. Firefighters quickly forced entry and mounted an aggressive interior attack, knocking the fire down, containing it to the area of origin and preventing it from spreading to the additional 10 suites in the building.

Fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire was an overheated extension cord that ignited combustible materials. The fire caused an estimated $30,000 damage to the building and contents.

There were no injuries to report.

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Incident Date: October 20, 2010
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1203 S. 96th St.
Incident Type: Garage Fire

Narrative: At 1:55 a.m. 7 companies of Tacoma and Central Pierce Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported garage fire.

First arriving crews found a fully involved garage fire. A defensive strategy was used to prevent the spread of the fire to the adjacent structures. The fire caused approximately $160,000 damage, completely destroying the 1,100 square foot garage, 2 vehicles and its contents.

The cause of the fire was an overheated Chiminea being used to heat the garage. These devices are not designed for interior use.

There were no injuries to report.

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.