House fire at 1020 S. 7th Street

Incident Date:  6/30/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  1020 S. 7th Street
Incident Type:  Residential House Fire

At 9:25 p.m., firefighters from stations 1, 2, 4, 9, 11 and 16 responded to a reported house fire.

The first arriving engine company found heavy flames and smoke showing from the second floor and roof of the approximately 1,568 square foot two-story house.

Crews made an aggressive interior attack on the well established blaze, bringing the fire under control in about 30 minutes. Of particular focus, was preventing the fire from spreading to the house next door as the two structures were only separated by approximately three feet. A search of the structure revealed no one was trapped inside.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE:  Upon further investigation it appears that someone forced entry into the structure and started a fire in a second floor bedroom of the vacant and boarded up house. The fire caused an estimated $65,500 dollars damage. The incident was turned over to Tacoma Police Department for follow-up.

Recruit Class Graduation - June 2014

In a swearing in ceremony this afternoon, family, friends and the Tacoma Fire Department welcomed 20 new firefighters to their ranks. The graduates completed 13 weeks of intensive training, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue and hazardous materials operations.   

On behalf of the citizen's we serve and the Tacoma Fire Department, welcome and congratulation's recruits!

Fireworks are banned 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 Tacoma city limits, and violators of the fireworks law are subject to a fine and the confiscation of their fireworks.

Most fireworks violations are a class 2 civil infraction 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 through July 5 by calling (253) 798-4722. Tacoma Police will respond to fireworks related calls as units become available. If the fireworks violation appears to put people or property in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

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

Still want to see big fancy fireworks? We highly recommend Tacoma's Freedom Fair - it's the best show around!

Requests for Service Report - May 2014

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	May	2014 (YTD)	2013 (YTD)
Fire	108	406	495
Emergency Medical	2,905	14,161	13,081
All Other (e.g. hazardous conditions, search and rescue, automatic fire alarms)	472	2,202	2,190
Total	3,458	16,769	15,766

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Protecting People, Property & the Environment

EB Highway 16 grass/brush fire

Incident Date:  6/12/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  EB Highway 16 between Jackson Street and Pearl Street
Incident Type: Brush Fire

Narrative:  At 4:00 pm multiple motorists called 9-1-1 to report a large grass/brush fire off the East Bound Lanes of Highway 16 between Jackson Street and Pearl Street. Firefighters from stations 1, 2, 7, 8, 9,10, 11 and 12 responded to the incident.

The first arriving companies found a large fire burning up the hillside of the freeway. Operationally, the incident was divided into different divisions with crews attacking the fire from various positions below the fire and additional firefighters above the fire on Mildred Street.

The fire was contained in about one-hour and there were no structures threatened or injuries to report.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Spotlight on training - 28th & N. Proctor Street

Crews will be training this week at 28th & N. Proctor Street. The focus will be on ground ladder, vertical ventilation and forcible entry operations.

Outdoor Fire Regulations

With summer approaching, the Tacoma Fire Department offers the following reminder regarding outdoor fire regulations. Note - all outdoor fires are prohibited during air quality or fire safety burn bans (with the exception of when Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) used as the fuel). 

PORTABLE FIRE DEVICES with OPEN FLAME:  A non-combustible device such as a fire pit, fire bowl or chiminea that contains the fire. Use conditions:

• Only clean natural firewood, charcoal, manufactured fire logs or LPG are permissible fuels.
• Fire extinguisher with rating of 4-A or greater, or a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
• 15 foot distance from any structure is required.
• Fire shall be attended at all times.

RECREATIONAL FIRE:  A recreational fire where the fuel is not contained in an outdoor fireplace, barbecue grill or barbecue pit and has a total fuel area of 3 feet or less in diameter and 2 feet or less in height for pleasure, religious, ceremonial, cooking, warmth or similar purposes. Additionally, the fire is not being conducted on public property where fires are prohibited, such as in a park or on school grounds. Fires in parks are only allowed where specifically authorized and where appropriate burning receptacles are provided. Use conditions:

• Only clean natural firewood, charcoal or manufactured fire logs are permissible fuels.
• Fire extinguisher with a rating of 4-A or greater, or a charged hose with a nozzle attached is required to be readily available.
• 25 foot distance from any structure is required.
• If wind creates a hazard of fire spread the fire shall be extinguished.
• Vegetation or other combustible material creating a path for fire spread shall be removed prior to starting the fire.
• Fire shall be attended by an adult at all times.
• Not permitted during a burn ban.

FUEL RESTRICTIONS:

• Burning yard waste is illegal.
• Burning garbage is illegal.
• Burning cardboard or paper, except to start a fire is illegal.
• Burning building materials i.e. scrap wood, paint, vinyl flooring, roofing, carpet etc. is illegal.
• Burning dead animals is illegal.
• Burning of plastic, rubber, trash or other prohibited fuel may constitute an unauthorized release of hazardous material to the atmosphere.

PERMITS REQUIRED from the Tacoma Fire Department:

• A BONFIRE permit (under the special events tab) is required for open fires with a fuel volume exceeding 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height with more restrictive conditions. There is a permit fee associated with this activity. Please complete the Bonfire Permit, or call 253.591.5740.
• A permit is not required for ceremonial underground cooking fires.
• A permit is not required for recreational fires as previously defined.

ENFORCEMENT

• All illegal or unattended fires shall be extinguished immediately.
• Causing a nuisance is illegal. If the smoke from the fire bothers the neighbors, damages their property or otherwise causes a nuisance, the fire shall be extinguished.
• Violation of a Burn Ban Order is subject to citation from the Tacoma Fire Department and Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
• Burning illegal fuel is subject to citation from the Tacoma Fire Department and Puget Sound Clean Air.
• Violation of the Fire Code is a misdemeanor with penalties up to $1,000 and 90 days in jail.
• Puget Sound Clean Air penalties start at $2,000 to a maximum of $17,000 for each occurrence.
• For more information about burn bans visit the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency web site @ www.pscleanair.org or 1-800-552-3565.