Recruit Firefighters-Live Fire Training

Incident Date:  April 6, 2011
Issuing Officer:  Faith Mueller

Narrative:  On April 6, 2011, 24 Tacoma Fire Department recruit firefighters and their instructors participated in search and rescue drills, flammable liquid extinguishment and live fire training drills at the Washington State Fire Academy training grounds in North Bend, WA. 

The recruits practiced basic and advanced skills needed for a firefighter to function efficiently during interior search and rescue missions using their self contained breathing apparatus.

They participated in field exercises utilizing specially designed mockups of automobiles burning at a curbside and other portable flammable liquid props.  They learned the behavior of flammable liquids, the procedures required to safely control and extinguish flammable fuel fires and also the environmental concerns that must be addressed.

Lastly, the recruits took part in the "Burn to Learn" course which is designed for new firefighters and presents an unusual opportunity to review hose handling basic skills in a demanding fireground scenario. 

Pacific Avenue Apartment Fire

Incident Date:  April 13, 2011
Issuing Officer:  Faith Mueller

Incident Location:  9220 Pacific Avenue

Incident Type:  Apartment Fire

Injuries:  1

Narrative:  At 9:27 p.m. 12 Companies of Tacoma Fire Department and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue responded to a reported apartment fire.

Engine 10 was the first company on seen and reported flames coming from the backside of the single story, wood frame apartment building.  Fire attack was initiated with a 2 1/2" preconnect hoseline due to the heavy volume of flames.  Roof ventilation was completed and the crews rapidly extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to the adjoining apartment. 

Two occupnats were home at the time of the fire.  They both were able to self rescue themselves.  Tacoma Fire transported one patient to a local area hospitial. 

The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time. 

Injury Apartment Fire on S. 93rd Street

Incident Date: 4/1/2011
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1805 S. 93rd Street
Incident Type: Apartment Fire
Injuries: Two

Narrative: at 8:49 a.m. 10 Companies of Tacoma and Central Pierce Fire and Rescue firefighters (five engines, two ladders, two medic companies and command Staff) responded to a reported apartment fire.

First arriving companies found a kitchen fire in the first floor of the 4 unit, 3,648 square foot apartment building. Crews quickly extinguished the fire, preventing it from spreading beyond the apartment unit of origin. The two occupants of the apartment suffered injuries while trying to extinguish the blaze.

Initially, a helicopter was requested and a landing zone established at a local elementary school to transport one of the patients. However, due to poor weather condition, the helicopter was canceled by the airlift company.  Both patients were then transported by TFD.

The cause of the fire was cooking, resulting in estimated $2,500 damage to the building and its contents.

Early Morning House Fire on E. Wright Ave

Incident Date: 4/1/2011
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 1641 E. Wright Ave
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 2:49 a.m. nine TFD Companies (25 firefighters - 5 Engines, 1 Ladder, 2 Medic Units, and Command Staff) responded to a reported residential structure fire.

The first arriving engine company found heavy flames showing from the front side of the 982 square foot 1 1/2 story turn of the century house. Crews attacked the well entrenched fire with hand lines, ventilated the roof and conducted primary search and rescue. 

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

UPDATE: The cause of the fire was unattended smoking materials igniting a sofa, resulting in an estimated $60,000 dollars damage to the building and it's contents.

NB I-5 @ 56th Street Car Fire

Incident Date: 3/31/2011
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: NB I-5 south of 56th Street
Incident Type: Motor Vehicle Crash

Narrative: At 9:35 p.m. TFD dispatched units for a reported car versus semi-truck collision with a fire.  First arriving units found a vehicle that had rolled over and was off to the side of the road fully involved in flames.   Crews temporarily blocked all lanes of the freeway while they battled the fire and assessed the vehicles occupants for injuries. Heavy wreckers were called in to stabilize the semi-truck that was also damaged and tilting over.

One patient was transported from the scene to a local area hospital.

Photos Courtesy WSDOT

47th Ave NE Fire Displaces Three

Incident Date: 3/31/11
Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 3807 47th Ave NE
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative: At 3:58 p.m. 7 companies of Tacoma Firefighters (4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff) and 1 South King Fire and Rescue Engine were dispatched to a reported residential structure fire. 

The first arriving engine company found fire in a first floor bathroom of the 1,650 square foot two story house.  Crews quickly mounted an offensive attack to knock the fire down that had spread accrossed the the ceiling and throughout the attic area.  All of the occupants of the house escaped safely.

The fire displaced a family of three, and there were no injuries to report.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

UPDATE:  The cause of the fire was electrical arching from a vent fan, resulting in an estimated $80,000 damage to the building and its contents.

House Fire on E. 50th Street

Incident Date: 3/28/11
Issuing Officer: Jolene Davis & Joe Meinecke
Incident Location: 519 E. 50th Street
Incident Type: Residential Structure Fire

Narrative:  At 4:03 p.m. seven companies of Tacoma Firefighters (4 Engines, 1 Ladder, 1 Medic Unit and Command Staff) responded to a reported residential structure fire.

First arriving companies found flames and smoke showing from the second floor and eaves of the two story 1,882 square foot house.  Crews quickly extended approximately 700 feet of 5 inch supply line from the fire hydrant to the fire engine, attacked the fire with hand lines and completed search and rescue.

There were no occupants home at the time of the fire and there were no injuries to report.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.