Tacoma Firefighters raise $14,000 to brighten the holidays for 140 local families

For the past 22 years, Tacoma Firefighters have brought holiday cheer to the lives of thousands of Tacoma children and their families with deliveries of food, clothing and gifts just before Christmas. This year, firefighters have raised over $14,000 dollars to help more than 140 children and families in need.

“It’s always a great honor to help bring a little happiness to those less fortunate during the holidays,” said project co-founder Lieutenant Jim Lee (other co-founders include Lieutenant Andrea Schroeder and Firefighter Ron Ernst). This year’s contributors include active and retired Tacoma Firefighters, Tacoma Professional Firefighters Local #31, The Tacoma Fire Department and the Office of the Pierce County Council.

Special deliveries from a fire engine, medic unit and Santa Claus are scheduled for December 22 and December 23. This year’s recipients were identified through the Tacoma School District Head Start Program, YWCA Women’s Shelter, the Sharing House and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.

For additional information regarding this event, contact Lieutenant Jim Lee at (253) 381-0851.

TFD food drive supports YWCA

An annual event since 2003, Tacoma Fire Department takes great pride in supporting our local YWCA.   Department employees hosted several friendly contests to see which team could bring in the most donations - with the firefighters on "D" shift narrowly edging out the "day shift" staff as top contributors. 

While the internal competition was fierce, the real winner was the residents of the YWCA women's shelter.  Since 1976, this vital organization has been helping women and children overcome the grips of domestic violence.  A long human supply chain of firefighters and YWCA staff helped to unload and stock a whopping 7,400 pounds of non-perishable staples.  "We were thrilled to be able to deliver a record amount of food to the shelter this year" said TFD Training Captain and event organizer Steve Stock.  "We had so much, that we ran out of space in their storage room - that was awesome!"  

2010 Holiday Fire Safety Reminder

From our Fire Department Family to yours...

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 individuals and cause over $930 million dollars in damage nationally. Tacoma Fire Department (TFD) encourages you to follow these simple life-saving steps to ensure a safe and happy holiday season.

Candles

• Always use candle sticks or non flammable holders.
• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Christmas Lights

• Do not link more than three lights strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe.
• Any lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulbs should not be used.
• Always unplug tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Cooking

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S..
• If you must leave the kitchen while preparing food, set a timer or carry a pot holder to remind you that food is cooking.

Christmas Trees

• Keep your tree away from fireplaces, portable and baseboard heaters.
• Try to keep fresh cut trees as moist as possible by giving it plenty of water each day.
• Dispose of fresh-cut trees properly. Never burn it in a fireplace or wood stove.

West Slope Garage Fire

Incident Date: 12/8/2010
Issuing Officer: Faith Mueller
Incident Location:  8131 S. 14th Street

Incident Type: Residential Garage Fire

Narrative: At 4:49 a.m. 6 companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff responded to a reported residential garage fire.

First arriving companies found a heavily involved detached garage fire. Crews attacked the fire with a 2 1/2 inch hose line and protected nearby exposures from catching on fire.

The cause of the fire was malfunctioning heating equipment, resulting in approximately $44,500 damage to the property and its contents. There were no injuries to report.

Fatality Semi-Truck Fire

Incident Date: 12/2/2010
Issuing Officer: Jolene Davis and Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 424 E 19th St

Incident Type: Fatality Semi-Truck Fire

Narrative: At 2:09 a.m. 4 companies for Tacoma Firefighters, 3 engines, 1 ladder and command staff responded to a reported semi-truck fire with explosions.

First arriving crews found a semi-truck and trailer fully involved in fire. Firefighters used hose lines and Class B foam to contain the fire to one vehicle. After the fire was extinguished, crews found one deceased person in the cab of the truck.

Tacoma Police and TFD fire investigators are currently working to determine the cause and origin of the fire and what caused the fatality.

A positive identification of the deceased person, as well as the cause and manner of their death will be determined by the Pierce County Medical Examiner.

Industrial Accident - Tide Flats

Incident Date: November 30, 2010
Issuing Officer: Jolene Davis
Incident Location: 2502 Marine View Drive
Incident Type: Technical Rescue

Narrative: At 7:41 a.m. 6 companies of Tacoma Firefighters, 1 Engine, 2 Ladders, 2 Medic Units, the department's Technical Recue Unit, and command staff responded to a reported industrial accident.

Crews conducted a technical rescue of a person who had been injured atop a 30 foot tall wood chip hopper. One person was transported to a local area hospital as a result of the incident.

Frozen Water Pipes

As the recent cold snap comes to an end - many homeowners and businesses will be dealing with yet another hazard - broken water pipes.  As the water in pipes freezes it expands - causing the pipes to crack or burst. You won’t often know there is a problem until the temperatures warm enough to melt the ice and allow for water to flow. If you are experiencing the unfortunate dilemma of frozen or busted water pipes – here are a few things you need to know.

Homeowners:

• Most importantly, know where and how to shut off your main water supply before you have a problem. There should be a main valve for your house (usually located in the basement or crawl space) and one at the water meter pit. 
• The pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, such as outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas such as basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.
• Make sure pipes located in exterior walls, or in floors over unheated spaces (such as a bathroom above an attached garage) are insulated and protected. Keep your garage door closed.
• Remember to never use an open flame torch (fire danger) or boiling water (will cause the pipes to burst) when thawing pipes. A hair drier on low setting works well.
• Select a licenced plumber to assist you in making any necessary repairs.
• If you are a Tacoma Water customer, and you have a water leak emergency, call the trouble line at (253) 502-8384. 

Businesses:

• Make sure that any exterior piping is insulated and hose bib’s are covered.
• Increase the building temperature to prevent freezing (particularly warehouses – storage facilities).
• Fire Sprinkler systems that go out of service require you to institute a Fire Watch until the system is operable.