MVA with Technical Rescue on E.35th

Incident Date: 12/8/13
Issuing Officer: BC Jolene Davis & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1801 E. 35th St
Incident Type: MVA with Technical Rescue

Narrative: At 3:54 am, Firefighters from stations 1,2,3,7,8, and 11 responded to a reported motor vehicle crash involving a car over an embankment.

The first arriving company found a single car had left the road and plunged approximately 100 feet down a steep ravine. With two injured occupants struggling in the sub-freezing temperatures, TFD's technical rescue team worked quickly to set up high-angle rope system to safely remove them from the crash scene. Both occupants were transported to an area hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

Put the freeze on winter fires!

Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. With extended freezing temperatures in the forecast, the Tacoma Fire Department offers the following fire safety tips.

• Have your chimney and furnace inspected annually and cleaned if necessary.
• Portable heaters need their space. Keep anything that can catch fire at least three feet from the heat.
• Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device.
• Have working smoke alarms and practice a home escape plan with your family.
• In the event of a power outage, always use a flashlight – not a candle – for emergency lighting.

For additional winter fire safety information visit the USFA or NFPA websites. 

"Tried and True" recipe for a safe Thanksgiving 2013

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires, with three times as many occurring on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year!

Tacoma Fire Department encourages everyone to follow this "tried and true" recipe for a safe holiday.

When it comes to cooking:

• Keep a close watch on your cooking. Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep oven food packaging and combustibles away from burners and heat sources.
• Heat cooking oil slowly and watch it closely; it can ignite quickly.
• Have a "kid-free zone" of at least three-feet around the stove.
• Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires.
• Make sure you have a working smoke alarms.

Electrical failure sparks boat fire in the Thea Foss

Incident Date:  11/24/13
Issuing Officer:  BC Jim Zuluaga & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  821 Dock Street
Incident Type:  Boat Fire

Narrative:  At 8:36 PM, Firefighters from station 1,2,4,9 and 14 responded to the Thea Foss Waterway for a reported boat fire.

The first arriving company found a fully involved fire in the cabin area of a 39' flying bridge cabin cruiser. Crews made a quick attack to knock the fire down and were able to contain the fire to the boat of origin. There were no injuries to report and one occupant was displaced in the incident.

The cause of the fire was an electrical failure in the connection to shore power ignited combustible paneling on the boat. The fire resulted in an estimated $78,000 damage to the vessel and its contents.

Fire causes extensive damage to NE Tacoma home

Incident Date:  11/21/22

Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  3130 59th Ave NE
Incident Type: House Fire

Narrative:  At 10:26 PM Firefighters from stations 1,2,3,8 and 12 responded to a reported house fire. The first arriving engine company found a fully involved house fire that had vented through the roof of the 970 square foot single story home. Crews took a defensive strategy against the well entrenched blaze, and protected the home nearby exposed to the intense heat and flames. 

The homes two occupants were able to escape safely and there are no injuries to report. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE: The cause of the fire was improperly discarded fireplace ashes igniting combustibles resulting in an estimated $165,000 damage to the building and its contents. The fire burned through a portion of the garage that had no dry wall, then raced across the unprotected rafters throughout the entire attic area. The house is considered a total loss. 

Cigarette ignites apartment fire in North End Retirement Community

Incident Date:  11/20/13
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 6414 N. Park Wy
Incident Type:  Apartment Fire

Narrative:  At 10:34 AM Firefighters from station 1,2,4,9,13,14 and 16 responded to a reported apartment fire in an independent living retirement community.

The first arriving company found fire and smoke showing from the balcony area of a second floor apartment in a large multi-family dwelling unit. Operationally, crews attacked the fire with handlines, while other firefighters organized search and rescue efforts to check multiple apartments on multiple floors to assure that no one was trapped in the fire or in harms way.

The buildings fire protection system assisted with the positive life safety outcome in this incident;  the fire alarms provided early notification to the tenets of the danger, and the sprinkler system activated helping contain the fire to the apartment of origin.

Three people were evaluated by paramedics for injuries and released at the scene.

The cause of the fire was an improperly discarded cigarette igniting combustibles material resulting in an estimated $30,000 damage to the building and its contents.

 

Requests for Service - October 2013

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	October	2013 (YTD)	2012 (YTD)
Fire	70	1,209	1,363
Emergency Medical	2,743	26,909	26,709
All Other (e.g. hazardous conditions, search and rescue, automatic fire alarms)	461	4,567	5,323
Total	3,274	32,585	33,395

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