TFD Communications Center Expands Service Area

In an effort to better serve the citizens of our region, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) will now begin dispatching calls for what was formerly the Puyallup Fire Department Response area.

TFD began dispatching 911 calls for Central Pierce Fire and Rescue (CPFR) in October of 2008. With the recent consolidation of the Puyallup Fire Department and CPFR, dispatching responsibilities for TFD will now include an estimated 6,300 calls in the greater Puyallup area. It is estimated the TFD will dispatch over 60,000 calls annually in the Fife, Fircrest, Tacoma, Puyallup, South Hill, Parkland and Spanaway areas.

Firefighters from TFD and CPFR staff the Communication Center and as always remind you to call 911 only in the event of an emergency and when you do call be sure to know the address where the emergency is, the type of emergency and the phone number you are calling from.

For more information about the Tacoma Fire Department Communication Center contact Joe Meinecke at (253) 591.5740.

Why Are Home Fire Sprinklers So Important...

Your risk of dying in a home fire is cut by 80% when sprinklers are present. This video helps explain why home fire sprinklers are critical in savings lives and property. For more information visit check out the sprinkler initiative.

TFD Media Release - For more information on this release please call (253) 255-3260

ISSUING OFFICER: Joe Meinecke
DATE OF INCIDENT: 3/11/2009
INCIDENT TYPE: FIRE
INCIDENT ADDRESS: In the area of State Route 16 and
south of 19th street
CITY: Tacoma
STATE: WA
ZIP: 98401

NARRATIVE: At 1:15pm Wednesday, March 11th, the Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) was dispatched (Engine 16, 9, 6, Ladder 2, Tender 51 and North Battalion Chief) to a reported power pole fire in the area of State route 16 (Eastbound traffic side) and 19th street. Upon arrival crews found Tacoma Power Crews already on scene and the power had been disconnected to the 110,000 volt transmission lines crossing State Route 16.

In a coordinated effort with Power Crews, the 100 foot TFD Aerial ladder was utilized to extinguish the fire that burned at the top of the utility pole (approximately 75 feet in the air). Both east and west bound lanes of State Route 16 were blocked for approximately 25 minutes (for safety purposes - as their was potential of the cable falling on the highway) while power crews secured the cable with a crane and the fire was extinguished. TFD utilized it's Tender Unit to carry extra water to the scene as no water supplies were available at the location.

PROBABLE CAUSE: Unknown at this time.
DAMAGE EXTENT: Damage to the power pole.
INJURIES: N/A
DOLLAR LOSS: N/A
FIREFIGHTER RESPONSE:14
MUTUAL AID: N/A

Daylight Savings is a great time to check your smoke alarms.

Tacoma Fire Department would like to remind you that when you move your clock foward this weekend, please also take the time to make sure your smoke alarms are working properely.

Fire Facts:

Ninety-six percent of all homes have at least one smoke alarm. Overall, three-quarters of all U.S. homes have at least one working smoke alarm.

Sixty-five percent of reported home fire deaths in 2000-2004 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

No smoke alarms were present in 43% of the home fire deaths.
In 22% of the home fire deaths, smoke alarms were present but did not sound.

The death rate per 100 reported fires is twice as high in homes without working smoke alarms as homes with working smoke alarms.

An estimated 890 lives could be saved each year if all homes had working smoke alarms! Source: NFPA

For more infomation on smoke alarms visit the United State Fire Administration or National Fire Protection Association.

TFD - Media Release - For more information on this release please call 253.255.4874

Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Date of Incident: 3/2/2009
Incident Type: Special Rescue
Incident Location: Owens Beach

Narrative: On Monday March 2, 2009 at 5:20 pm a Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) engine company (E-14), medic unit (M-1) and fire boat (Commencement) responded to a report of an overturned canoe with occupants in the water at Owens Beach.

Crews responded to the beach and pursued the drifting boaters on foot, hoping to assist the victims with a rope rescue. Fire Boat Commencement responded from quarters on the Thea Foss waterway and Medic 1 staged at the Point Defiance boat launch.

With the fire boat still many minutes behind and the victims drifting beyond the reach of rope rescue along Point Defiance, Lt. Pat Tucci's (E-14) innovative solution for this rescue was to call a friend who resides at Salmon Beach. Luckily the friend was home and he was able to locate the drifting boys as they passed from Lt. Tucci's sight.

Using cell phones and with the assistance of private boats from Salmon Beach (also summoned by Lt. Tucci) the fire boat was able to locate the boys and successfully complete the rescue.

Tacoma Fire Department is grateful to all who assisted in this unique rescue situation.

Probable Cause: N/A
Damage Extent: N/A
Dollar Loss: N/A
Firefighter Response:11
Mutual Aid: N/A


For more information on this release, please call 253.255.4874 and or/check out the TFDblog @ http://www.tacomafiredepartment.blogspot.com/

Carbon Monoxide, the "Silent Killer"

You’ve heard the reports on the news...

• "Firefighters discover couple dead from gas heater fumes."
• "Family found unconscious, overcome by carbon monoxide."

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the leading cause of unintentional poisoning deaths in America, claiming more than 400 lives each year. CO is an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas that can lead to brain damage and even death.

Known as 'The Silent Killer', CO is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal is burned - and it can be produced by common household appliances. Sources of CO poisoning can include:

• Gas water heaters
• Kerosene space heaters
• Grills, hibachis or portable gas camp stoves
• Idling motor vehicles
• Cigarette smoke
• Propane-fueled forklifts
• Gas-powered concrete saws
• Indoor tractor pulls
• Swimming behind a motorboat
• Spray paint, solvents, degreasers, and paint removers

The symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning can mimic the flu and you may not be inclined to think of CO poisoning. At a low level exposure, shortness of breath, nausea and headaches are common. At a moderate level, victims experience more severe headaches, dizziness and confusion, and often become nauseated or faint. The longer the exposure to CO, the greater the chance of death.

If You Think You Have Been Exposed to Carbon Monoxide:
• Move quickly to fresh air, away from the suspected source of exposure.
• Seek medical care in a hospital emergency department or contact your doctor.
• If severe, life-threatening symptoms are present, call 9-1-1

What can you do to protect yourself?
• Never use a grill or any type of barbecue indoors.
• Never burn any type of charcoal indoors.
• Have a certified technician service your home heating system each year.
• Be careful with generators.
• Do not allow your vehicle to idle in an enclosed space or near a door or window to your home.
• Get a Carbon Monoxide Detector!

Carbon Monoxide Detectors are widely available. The technology for this detector is still developing and may be as reliable as the smoke alarms found in homes today. Preventing CO from becoming a problem in your home is better than relying on an alarm. Do some research on detector features and don’t select solely on the basis of cost.

For additional information about Carbon Monoxide:
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Home Heating Equipment

With cold winter temperatures comes the increase in the use of portable electric heaters. While they can be an efficient way to warm a room or supplement central heating, portable heaters can also be a fire or electric shock hazard if not used properly. Unfortunately, heating is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. In fact, heating equipment is involved in nearly one in five home fires and nearly one in four home fire deaths.

The leading factor contributing to home fires and deaths is heating equipment too close to things that can burn - upholstered furniture, clothing, mattress and bedding. Take care this winter to heat your home safely and check out home heating safety tips with Dan Doofus. Visit the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers for additional information.

HOME FIRE SAFETY WITH DAN DOOFUS