Rescued Barn Owl released to wild

Tacoma Firefighters were on hand yesterday to watch the release of a recently rescued Barn Owl.  The adult male owl has been recuperating at the Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, (Arlington, Washington) for injuries sustained while ensnared in old fishing line left dangling from a tree on the banks of the Puyallup River.   After four weeks of convalescence, the fully recovered owl was released near the river at dusk last night. 

"Tried & True" recipe for a safe Thanksgiving!

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.

Spotlight on Flood Preparedness

Flooding is the most common and widespread of all natural disasters and with the moderate to heavy rain expected across our region the next few days, now is the time to prepare for water related hazards.

 What to do before a flood

• Know your flood risk and know your evacuations routes

• Clean out leaves around your gutters and storm drains
• Assemble a disaster supply kit

What to do during a flood

• Do not try to walk or drive through flooded areas
• Water can be deeper than it appears and fast moving water just six inches deep can sweep you off your feet
• Cars can be swept away in just two feet of water
• Report downed power lines to Tacoma Public Utilities @ 253-502-8602 (call 9-1-1 if it is a life threatening situation) and do not try to move them 

Stay informed - visit the National Weather Service to monitor weather conditions, Ready.gov for disaster preparedness information and check out the Regional Public Information Network to subscribe to news alerts from more than 75 government, transportation, utility, health and emergency response agencies that serve the citizens in King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.

  

Requests for Service - October 2012

October 2012
Dispatch totals for TFD & CPFR response area

9-1-1 Dispatch Totals	October	YTD 2012	YTD 2011
FCC Total Calls Received	7,212	73,601	71,438
FCC Total Fire Companies Dispatched	9,564	96,233	95,875

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	October	YTD 2012	YTD 2011
Fire Incidents	135	1,363	1,296
Emergency Medical Incidents	2,704	26,709	25,375
All Other Incidents	430	5,323	5,437
Total Incidents by Type	3,269	33,395	32,108

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Fire Department credits automatic sprinkler system for dousing apartment fire before it could spread

Incident Date: 11/9/2012

Issuing Officer: Joe Meinecke

Incident Location: 320 E. 32nd Street

Incident Type: Residential Apartment Fire 

A fire that started in a ground floor unit of a five-story apartment building this morning was quickly extinguished by an automatic sprinkler system before any damage from smoke or fire could occur. Fire Department personnel said the fire was confined to its point of origin.  Crews from several fire stations worked together to prevent further water damage to the apartment, which was estimated at $3,000. 

Have you checked your smoke alarm batteries recently?

Tacoma Fire Department urges you to check your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks back to Standard Time this weekend.

Smoke alarms most often fail because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries, so maintenance is a simple and effective way to protect your family and reduce home fire deaths.

For best protection, it is recommended that you install alarms utilizing both ionization and photoelectric technology, and ones that have long life 10 year lithium ion batteries.

Visit the United States Fire Administration and National Fire Protection Association for additional information regarding smoke alarm types, installation, maintenance and safety.

Oath of Office Ceremony

Surrounded by family, friends and colleagues, Tacoma Fire Chief James P. Duggan was sworn in at an Oath of Office Ceremony this afternoon.  A Tacoma native, Chief Duggan began his career over 29 years ago as a firefighter with the Tacoma Fire Department.  He served as Assistant Chief of the department's Emergency Medical Services Division for six years before being appointed to the role of Interim Chief by City Manager T.C. Broadnax.  Chief Duggan assumed command of his current role as the Tacoma Fire Department's 21st Fire Chief when appointed September 27, 2012. Congratulations Chief Duggan!