Burn Awareness Week February 5-11, 2012

National Burn Awareness Week (Feb. 5-11), is a great reminder to parents and caregivers that fire is just one cause of burn injuries - children can also be seriously injured by hot foods and beverages, heating appliances, hot pots and pans, electrical currents and chemicals. Of particular emphasis this year is the prevention of scald injuries. According to the American Burn Association and Shriners Children’s Hospital, about 95 percent of scald burns (which are caused by hot liquids, steam or foods) occur in the home. Scalds are the most common burn injury among young children and one of the leading causes of accidental death in the home for children under age four. U.S. hospitals treat an estimated 16,000 children under five for scalds every year.

Here are some recommendations to help prevent scald injuries.

• 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
• Reduce water temperature - the maximum recommended residential water temperature is 120° F (48° C)

Additional resources:
NW Burn Foundation
Center for Disease Control
Safe Kids

House Fire on South 86th Street

Incident Date: 1/27/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1050 S. 86th Street
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 1:49 a.m seven companies of Tacoma and Central Pierce Fire & Rescue firefighters were dispatched to a reported residential house fire.

The first arriving company found about 50% of the front and carport side of the approximately 950 square foot single story residence engulfed in flames. Operationally, crews attacked the fire with handlines, conducted ventilation of the toxic smoke and completed search and rescue to assure no one was in the house.  All 5 of the homes occupants were able to escape safely and there were no injuries to report. 

Fire investigators believe the cause of the fire appears suspicious and are referring the case to Tacoma Police Department for further investigation.  The fire caused an estimated $65,000 dollars damage to the building and contents.

UPDATE: Preliminary investigation suggested this fire was possibly suspicious in nature, however, upon further investigation this morning, fire investigators now believe that the fire cause is undetermined.

Sound Transit Bus Fire 17th and Pacific Ave

Incident Date: 1/18/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 17th and Pacific Ave  
Incident Type: Vehicle Fire

Narrative:  At 3:23 p.m firefighters responded to a report of a transit bus fire on 17th and Pacific Ave.  First arriving crews found flames and smoke showing from the rear axle and wheel area of the sound transit bus.  Crews quickly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to the interior of the vehicle. 

There were two occupants on the bus, and no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

TFD PARTNERS WITH THE NEWS TRIBUNE'S KATHLEEN MERRYMAN TO DELIVER THE SOCKS!

A big “Thank you” to everyone in the community who dropped off socks at Tacoma, Fife and Fircrest Fire Stations! Supporting the Tacoma News Tribune's 9th Annual Sock drive and thanks to your generosity, TFD’s Engine 1 delivered a monster pile of socks to Mr. Wes Wesley at the Hospitality Kitchen this afternoon.

Assistant Chief Faith Mueller said TFD is grateful for the community’s generosity and the importance of this event:

“Every day, Firefighters respond to medical aid calls to assist homeless individuals in our community. The effects of cold, damp weather can be especially profound. I have seen firsthand the health problems that inadequate winter clothing can have on someone’s health. Clean, dry socks might seem like a small thing, but can make a big difference for those who must walk to receive assistance.”

Residential House Fire 50th and N. Visscher St.

Incident Date: 1/13/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 5043 N. Visscher St
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 4:19 a.m. seven companies of Tacoma Firefighters responded to a reported residential structure fire.

First arriving crews found heavy smoke showing from the back of the approximately 1,800 square foot one story house with a basement.  Crews attacked the fire with handlines, conducted a search of the house and ventilated the heavy smoke from building. The fire displaced two occupants and their were no injuries to report.

The probable cause of the fire was an electrical malfunction in a portable space heater, resulting in an estimated $35,000 dollars damage to the property and its contents.

As we continue with some "winter" like weather conditions over the next several days TFD reminds everyone of the following safety tips regarding portable space heaters.

• Select heaters with tip-over and overheat protection
• Give heaters their space – 3 feet from combustibles
• Plug heaters directly into outlets – not extension cords
• Turn off heaters when leaving them unattended

  

TFD Bestows Medal Of Valor Awards For 5 Tacoma Firefighters

It is with great pride that the Tacoma Fire Department recognized five firefighters with the medal of valor award in a ceremony today.  The departments highest award, the medal of valor is given to firefighters who demonstrate:

• A conspicuous act of bravery and heroism in an extremely hazardous situation - above and beyond the call of duty
• By such action, the employee placed him/herself in imminent danger that probably would have resulted in great bodily injury or death
• The objective was of sufficient importance to justify the risk

The awards were given related to a tragic 2009 house fire incident, where crews rescued two occupants out a bedroom window and one occupant (who later passed away) down a narrow stairway with intense fire threatening their escape route.

Award Recipient's were:

Ben Flesher, Battalion Chief - 28 years of service

Alex Wilsie, Lieutenant - 15 years of service

Casey Novak, Lieutenant - 9 years of service

Richard Turley, Lieutenant - 12 years of service

Paul Purdy, Firefighter/Paramedic - 5 years of service

Patient Extrication From Commercial Fishing Vessel

Incident Date: 1/11/2012
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 401 E. Alexander Ave
Incident Type: Patient Extrication

Narrative:  At 1:45 p.m. Tacoma Firefighters responded to a reported person injured on a commercial fishing vessel moored at a pier in the Port of Tacoma.  

First arriving crews arrived to find a injured worker in the hold of the vessel.  The incident commander called for the technical rescue team to assist with the removal of the patient from the ship.  Firefighters secured the patient, used a stokes stretcher to lift them safely from the hold and transported them to an area hospital.