Tacoma Fire Department Annual Report - 2013

Tacoma Fire Department invites you to review our 2013 Annual Report.

Firefighters team up with citizens to rescue six duckling

Six small ducklings were safely reunited with their mother after being rescued from a storm water drain by Ladder 1 and a group of citizens. The ducklings had apparently fallen through the metal grate while crossing the street near Stadium High School. Firefighters borrowed a pool skimmer from a neighbor to reach the ducklings who were huddled together in the outflow pipe, about four feet down.

FAQ’s:
How did the baby ducks get in the storm drain?
They appeared to have been washed down through the grate during a heavy rain shower. As you have seen, they were tiny ducklings.

What did the mother duck do?
She quacked loudly while walking in circles around the grate, soon getting the attention of concerned citizens.

Did the citizens call 911?
No, but one citizen went to the house of an off-duty firefighter to ask for advice.

Why did the fire department get involved?
The mother duck and the citizens insisted that something needed to be done before the next cloud burst swept the tiny ducklings down into the storm water system.

Does the fire department carry special tools for rescuing small animals from the storm drains?
No, but the citizens gathered items to help from nearby businesses and homes.

After they were reunited with their mother, what did the ducklings do?
They followed their mother to a safe location

How often do you rescue animals?
Rarely – animal control is the primary agency for animal issues. If we are not on an emergency, we will assist when we are able and it is safe to do so.

Requests for Service Report - March 2014

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	March	2014 (YTD)	2013 (YTD)
Fire	73	221	268
Emergency Medical	2,978	8,419	7,747
All Other (e.g. hazardous conditions, search and rescue, automatic fire alarms)	440	1,331	1,279
Total	3,491	9,971	9,294

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Propane explosion sends two patients to area hospital

Incident Date:  4/14/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  1041 S. 88th St
Incident Type:  Explosion and fire

Narrative:  At 1:45 am, firefighters from stations 2, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12 and 15 responded to a reported explosion and fire.

The first arriving company found a fire burning in the debris from an approximately 30-foot trailer located in the backyard of a single family residence. Crews quickly extinguished the fire. No adjacent structures were burned. One patient was transported from the scene to an area hospital. A second patient left the scene after the explosion. The second patient was later located and transported.

Fire investigators determined that the explosion was caused by propane gas from a portable tank venting into the enclosed trailer. The gas ignited when a person entered the trailer and turned on a heater. Despite initial reports, investigators found no evidence of a lab manufacturing methamphetamine.

The explosion and fire resulted in an estimated $7000 damage to the trailer and its contents.

BBQ sparks house fire in Southwest Tacoma

Incident Date:  3/25/14
Issuing Officer:  Joe Meinecke
Incident Location:  4402 S. 73 St. Ct. 
Incident Type:  House Fire

Narrative:  At 12:13 pm, firefighters from stations 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, and 17 responded to a reported house fire.

The first arriving company found flames and smoke showing from the side and back of the two-story approximately 1,800 square foot house. Crews attacked the fire with handlines, ventilated the smoke and conducted a search to confirm no one was trapped inside the structure.

Two pet dogs perished in the fire and the Red Cross was requested to provide relocation assistance for the three adults that were displaced.

Fire investigators determined that the cause of the fire was a BBQ on the back porch ignited combustibles resulting in an estimated $71,500 to the building and its contents.

TFD announces Smoke Alarm Distribution Program

If you own a home in Tacoma, Fife or Fircrest and are in need of smoke alarms, we can help. The Tacoma Fire Department will install new smoke alarms with a 10 year battery life and also conduct a home fire safety check free of charge. 

Grant funding has provided our community with 1,000 smoke alarms and 75 smoke alarms with strobe lights designed for the hearing impaired. To schedule and installation appointment through August 2014, please call Fire and Life Safety Educator Marja Stowell at 253.973.9207, or email mstowell@cityoftacoma.org.

Firefighter Marja Stowell

Requests for Service - February 2014

TFD Incidents by Initial Dispatch Type

TFD - Incidents	February	2014 (YTD)	2013 (YTD)
Fire	76	148	188
Emergency Medical	2,672	5,441	5,181
All Other (e.g. hazardous conditions, search and rescue, automatic fire alarms)	477	891	868
Total	3,225	6,480	6,237

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Protecting People, Property & the Environment