House Fire on 55th Ave NE

Incident Date: 7/30/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3429 55th Ave NE
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 2:15 p.m. seven companies of Tacoma Firefighters (four Engines, one Ladder, one Medic company and Command Staff) responded to a report of a house fire.

The first arriving engine company found heavy flames and smoke showing from the garage area and side of the 1,412 square foot tri-level house.  Crews attacked the fire with handlines, conducted vertical ventilation to release the heat built up in the attic area and completed search and rescue to assure no one was in the structure.

Fire crews removed three pet birds from harms way, and there were no injuries to report.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: The cause of the fire was undetermined, with an estimated $79,000 damage to the building, its contents, and vehicles exposed to the fire.

         

Boat sinks at Foss Marina

Incident Date: 7/25/12
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 821 Dock Street
Incident Type: Sunk Boat

Narrative: At 7:44 a.m. firefighters responded to a report of a boat that had sunk and was leaking fluids.

Crews arrived to find an approximately 32’ boat listing while tied up at its slip. Operationally, crews stabilized the boat, deployed absorbent pads to contain leaking fluids, and set up a “fog” nozzle to suppress any potentially dangerous fumes. The Incident Commander coordinated the environmental response with the US Coast Guard, Department of Ecology, City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services and Vessel Assist for salvage operations. This is the second sinking incident in the past two months and illustrates the value of preventative maintenance on watercraft.

According to the Boat U.S. Foundation, the most common reasons boats sink at the dock are:

• Leaks at underwater fittings 
• Heavy rain or snow
• The boat getting caught under a dock or banging against a piling

At least twice a season inspect any fittings above or below the waterline, check your hoses at thru-hulls and make sure your bilge pump is in proper working condition. 

TFD Bestows Medal of Valor to Tacoma Firefighter

The Tacoma Fire Department awarded Firefighter Matt Fleming with the medal of valor in a special ceremony yesterday. The department’s highest award, the medal of valor is given to firefighters who demonstrate acts of bravery and heroism in an extremely hazardous situation.  There have been only four emergency incidents in the last twelve years that have resulted in medals of valor.

The accolade stemmed from a June 5, 2012 water rescue incident. Crews responded to a report of a capsized boat in Commencement Bay and upon arrival found one of the boats occupants had made it to shore and the other was clinging to a flotation device approximately 100 feet off-shore. With the fireboat Destiny still en-route, and the patient appearing to be losing the fight to stay above water, Firefighter Fleming volunteered to be the rescue swimmer as the incident commander organized a shore-side rescue attempt. Firefighter Fleming discarded his excess clothing, donned a personal flotation device, secured a tag line and swam out in the 45 degree water to the patient. Once there, he secured the patient to a life ring and kept his head above water as police and firefighters pulled the pair to safety.

Also receiving Letters of Commendation were the following Tacoma Fire Department, Tacoma Police Department and Rural/Metro Ambulance Company members who participated in the rescue efforts. Well done everyone!

Award Recipients were:

Medal of Valor Award

Matt Fleming, Firefighter

Letter of Commendation

Mark Stevens, Lieutenant

Mary Howatson, Firefighter/Paramedic

Bill Moody III, Firefighter

Jeff Bambrick, Firefighter/Paramedic

James Scott, Battalion Chief

Brian Garrison, Tacoma Police Sergeant

Michael Reeves, Police Patrol Officer

Patrick Stephen, Police Patrol Officer

Mike Shaw, Paramedic–Rural/Metro

Jaclyn Callanan, EMT–Rural/Metro

Requests for Service - June 2012

June 2012
Dispatch totals for TFD & CPFR response area

9-1-1 Dispatch Totals	June	YTD 2012	YTD 2011
FCC Total Calls Received	7,030	43,406	41,877
FCC Total Fire Companies Dispatched	9,352	57,613	56,942

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	May	YTD 2012	YTD 2011
Fire Incidents	130	589	572
Emergency Medical Incidents	2,649	15,990	15,134
All Other Incidents	527	3,458	3,158
Total Incidents by Type	3,306	20,037	18,864

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Small fire in the Library at UPS

Incident Date: 7/3/12
Issuing Officer: BC Jeff Chandler & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1500 N. Warner Street
Incident Type: Commercial Structure Fire

Narrative: At 1:39 p.m. ten companies of Tacoma Firefighters (five engines, two ladders, two medic companies and command staff) responded to a report of a fire in Collins Memorial Library on the campus of the University of Puget Sound.

First arriving companies were directed by on scene security to a mechanical room where they located a large diameter HVAC fan that had caught fire.  Crews worked quickly to establish a water supply and extinguish the fire before it could spread, and significant efforts were made to rapidly remove the large volume of smoke that had spread throughout the multi-story building. 

There were no injuries to report.   

Remember - fireworks are illegal in Tacoma

With the 4th of July holiday fast approaching, Tacoma Fire Department offers this reminder - fireworks are prohibited in Tacoma.

All fireworks are illegal within the Tacoma city limits and violators of the fireworks law are subject to a fine and the confiscation of their fireworks.

Most fireworks violations are class 2 civil infractions and can result in a $257 fine; citizens using fireworks are also subject to arrest for other charges (i.e. arson, reckless burning, and assault). Fireworks are only permissible within city limits when a permit has been issued for a sanctioned public event.

Citizens can report fireworks violations from June 29 to July 4 by calling (253) 798-4722. If the fireworks violation appears to put people or property in immediate danger, call 911.

For more information on fireworks, visit TFD's web site or the Washington State Fire Marshal's Office.

House Fire E. Roosevelt

Incident Date: 06/25/12
Issusing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 6668 E. Roosevelt
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 2:10 p.m. Tacoma and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters responded to a reported kitchen fire.  The first arriving engine company found smoke showing from the front and side of the one story 1,452 square foot house.

Crews mounted an aggressive interior attack and quickly knocked the fire down.  All of the occupants were able to escape safely and there were no injuries to report.  The Red Cross was requested to provide relocation assistance for the 4 adults and two children displaced as a result of the fire.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: The cause of the fire was unattended cooking, resulting in an estimated $27,000 damage to the building and its contents.