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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy

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From left to right:
Fire Chief Claude Harris, Fire Chief Gregory Dean and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”


-— Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As we honor the indelible impact of Dr. King’s work to advance civil rights, we acknowledge our own uneven journey toward racial and social equity.

Hired in 1959, Claude Harris was the city’s first Black firefighter and rose through the ranks to become the department’s first Black Fire Chief in 1985. Even as he faced discrimination and bias, his desire to serve Seattle courageously opened doors for others to follow, including our second Black Fire Chief, Gregory Dean. Today, under the leadership of Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, we continue our work toward a diverse, equitable and welcoming work place.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Rally & March

Join us Monday, Jan. 20, 2020 at Garfield High School for a rally and march in remembrance of Dr. King’s legacy. The rally will begin at 11 a.m. in the school’s gymnasium and the march to Downtown will start at 12:30 p.m..

The event is hosted by the Seattle MLK, Jr. Organizing Coalition and will feature a career and opportunity fair at 8:30 – 11 a.m. along with workshops starting at 9:30 a.m.. Click here for more info.

The Seattle Fire Department is not affiliated with the Seattle MLK, Jr. Organizing Coalition.

Plan ahead for winter weather

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Stock up on supplies

  • Seven days of:
    • Non-perishable foods (canned foods and dried goods)
    • Water (a gallon per person, per day)
    • Prescriptions and medical supplies
  • Warm clothes and blankets
  • Batteries for flashlights

Test your smoke/CO alarms

Now is a good time to make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms are working by testing and replacing batteries if necessary. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, inside each bedroom and in the hallway outside of sleeping areas. CO alarms should be on every level of the home and outside of the bedrooms. Learn about the Seattle Fire Department’s free smoke/co alarm program.

When the power goes out

Do’s:

  • Layer up with warm clothes and blankets
  • Use battery-operated candles
  • If using candles with flames, place them in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders. Extinguish every candle before leaving a room or going to sleep.

Don’ts:

  • Don’t use your outdoor grill or gas stove/oven to heat your home. These emit carbon monoxide, a lethal odorless and colorless gas.
  • Avoid placing candles and other heat sources next to combustible materials like curtains, carpet or tablecloths.

Make space for ambulances, fire engines and trucks

Please do not park illegally because this impedes our ability to quickly respond to emergencies. Avoid double parking, blocking access to hydrants or parking too close to roundabouts and traffic circles.

Check the weather and road conditions

The following agencies will provide updates on their services as the weather gets colder:

January 2020 Promotion Ceremony

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SEATTLE – On Jan. 8, 2020, the Seattle Fire Department held a promotional ceremony at Fire Station 10 to appoint seven firefighters to new positions. The event was emceed by Fire Chief Scoggins. The following employees were promoted:

Willie Barrington to Assistant Chief of Resource Management

Jon Goins to Captain

John Wolfolk to Captain

Chris Bamer to Lieutenant

Daniel Boxley to Lieutenant

Michael Dulas to Lieutenant

Gregory Sobole to Lieutenant

Welcoming Tricia Diamond

Tricia (aka T) is our new Workforce Development Adviser responsible for developing programs to support employment pathways. She will also provide strategic thinking on employee career development activities and succession planning. In addition to her new role, Tricia is earning her PhD in Leadership at Seattle University.

Welcoming Hannah Kosten

Hannah is our new Human Resources Personnel Specialist and came from the Seattle Public Library. She is responsible for managing the pre-employment screening of future firefighters as well as processing personnel updates.


Necia Marte to Admin Spec III

Congratulations Necia! Her new full-time role is with the Public Disclosure unit where she will be responsible for processing public records requests. Thank you for your professional and dedicated service to our department as well as all the members of the community we serve.

Lithium battery safety

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Lithium batteries power many of our electronics including smartphones, tablets, laptops, toys and even cars. These batteries store a large amount of energy in a densely compact space. In rare circumstances, they can be defective and become a fire hazard.

Here are a few safety tips:

Storage

  • Store batteries away from anything that can catch fire.
  • If possible, remove batteries from the device for long-term storage.
  • Keep batteries at room temperature and in dry spaces. Avoid placing them in direct sunlight, near heaters or in hot vehicles as exposure to a hot environment can cause thermal runaway and catch fire.
  • For long-term storage, place electrical tape over the battery contacts and store them in a metal container.

Charging

Replace damaged charging cables with ones recommended by the device’s manufacturer.
  • Only use the charging adapter and cord that came with the device. Other charging equipment may create excessive heat and overcharging that can catch fire or explode.
  • Stop using damaged adapters or cords. Replace them with ones recommended by the device’s manufacturer.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
  • Recharge batteries in long-term storage at least once every six months.

Signs of a Problem

Damaged battery inside a tablet rapidly expanded and split the device open.
  • Damaged, punctured, overcharged and overheated lithium batteries can get hot enough to catch fire.
  • Inspect batteries and devices at least once a week to check for deformities, unusual odors, leaking or excessive heat.
  • Disconnect charging batteries or devices immediately if they display any of these signs and move them away from other combustible materials.
  • If the battery or device catches fire, move everyone to a safe place then call 9-1-1.

Disposal

Don’t forget to water your Christmas tree

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Thursday, Dec. 18, KCFCA partnered with Puget Sound Skills Center, King County Fire District 20 and Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority to conduct a fire safety demonstration to illustrate how quickly a dry Christmas tree can catch fire. 

Every year, Christmas trees and holiday decorations are responsible for nearly 1,000 fires across the country. Remember to water your tree so we don’t have to.

Below are a few more tips to keep you and your loved ones safe during the holidays:

  • Use an artificial Christmas tree that is UL listed.
  • When selecting a real tree pick one that is fresh and green. When you get it home make a fresh cut off the bottom of the tree and water it daily.
  • Keep your Christmas tree away from heaters, fireplaces, and heating vents. Heating sources will dry the tree quicker and are a potential source of ignition.
  • Turn off all decorations before leaving the house or going to bed
  • Remove the Christmas tree from your home when it is dry. Do not place it near your home or in the garage.
  • Look for the UL or other certified lab testing for holiday lighting.
  • Follow the directions on holiday lighting including the number of lights that can be safely connected and if they are intended for indoor or outdoor use.
  • Use flameless candles or when using traditional candles keep the at least 12 inches from flammable materials. Never leave candles unattended.
  • Have smoke working detectors in each bedroom, in the hallways, and in every level of the home.
  • If your Christmas tree catches on fire, get out of the house and call 911. Your property can be replaced.

When the power goes out

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Winter storms can lead to power outages that are made worse by colder temperatures as people resort to unconventional methods of heating their homes. Burning gas, wood or charcoal inside your home will increase your risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It is an invisible, odorless gas that can cause severe illness or death. Here are a few safety tips to help prepare for when the power goes out:

Prepare

  • Make sure carbon monoxide alarms are installed on every level of your home and outside every sleeping area. Test your CO alarms along with your smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.
  • Keep an emergency kit ready that includes:
    • first-aid kit
    • flashlight with extra batteries
    • glow-in-the-dark stick lights
    • portable radio
    • manual can opener
    • portable charger for your phone
    • prescription medications
  • Stock up on:
    • non-perishable foods
    • drinking water (one gallon per person per day)
    • warm clothing and blankets
  • Know how to manually override your electric garage door or gateway.
  • If you live in a secured building, know which exit doors to use during an outage.

During the power outage

  • Never touch or approach a downed wire or anything in direct contact with it.
  • Immediately report the outage to your electricity provider (Seattle City Light’s phone number for reporting is (206) 684-3000).
  • Do not burn charcoal or use gasoline generators indoors, including the garage.
  • Never use gas ovens to heat your home, even for a short time.
  • Do not use candles as a light source nor any open flame as a heat source.
  • Before using a fireplace or wood stove, make sure that chimneys and flues are in good condition and are not blocked.
  • Move flammable materials at least three feet away from a fireplace or wood stove.
  • Switch electrical appliances off after the power goes out to prevent fires and equipment damage.

If the CO alarm sounds, turn off any heating appliance and open windows to get fresh air. Call 911 if you experience CO poisoning symptoms such as dizziness, vomiting, or headaches and move to fresh air immediately. If you suspect an appliance is the source, call a qualified technician to fix the problem before restarting the appliance.

Cook safely, and have a happy Thanksgiving!

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The Seattle Fire Department reminds residents to be safe while cooking and gathering this holiday season. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking-related fires. Other holiday-related home fires involve heating and electrical sources.

Before starting your holiday cooking, be sure to test your smoke alarms by pushing the “test” button.

Cooking Safety Tips

  • Check on food regularly while cooking – unattended cooking is the number one cause of home fires.
  • Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away for the stove.
  • Involve children in preparing foods that are not hot.
  • Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children or up high in a locked cabinet.
  • If a fire starts on the stove top, cover it with a lid or metal cookie sheet and turn the stove off. Do not throw water on a grease fire.
  • Remove flammables such as towels, oven mitts and food packaging away from the stove top.
  • Leave turkey frying to the professionals, as large quantities of hot cooking oil pose a significant fire and serious burn risk.
    • If you still plan to deep fry a turkey, then here are a few safety tips to consider:
      • Turkey must be completely thawed and dry. Excess water in contact with hot grease can cause a boil-over fire.
      • At least two people should be involved in this process.
      • Setup your deep fryer outside and at least 10 feet away from your home. Do not use a covered space such as a garage or awning.
      • If it’s raining or snowing, consider it a NO-GO! Remember, water in contact with hot grease can cause a boil-over fire.
      • Purpose-built turkey frying kits often provide indicators for how much oil to use.
      • If you are using a regular pot, then a method of measuring how much grease to use is to set the turkey in the cool pot and add water until it is completely submerged. Then remove the turkey. The remaining water line is a measurement for how much oil to use. Remember to dry the turkey!
      • Turn off the burner before lowering and raising the turkey from the fryer.
      • Use a broom stick and metal hook to slowly lower the turkey into the hot oil. This prevents hot oil from splashing directly onto you. Use the same technique to slowly raise and drain the turkey once it’s cooked.
      • It takes approximately three minutes per pound to cook a turkey in peanut oil at 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
      • Do not leave the fryer unattended when heating

2-Alarm fire in Northgate

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Ladder 5 with ladder extending to rooftop of building fire.

Photo by John Odegard

SEATTLE – At 10:39 a.m., a neighbor called 911 reporting visible smoke in a 4-story apartment building on the 10500 block of 8th Ave NE. Engine 39 was the first crew on-scene and confirmed light smoke coming from a unit on the 4th floor. When they made it to the unit they realized it was unoccupied and made forcible entry into the condo to discover a well involved fire originating from the natural gas fireplace. The incident was immediately upgraded to a full response fire as more crews arrived to supply water and provide search and rescue efforts.

Apartment unit with visible smoke

Photo by John Odegard

At 11:04 a.m. the incident escalated to a 2-alarm fire where more than 25 fire engines, trucks and supporting units responded (more than 70 firefighters). Ladder 9 helped a non-ambulatory occupant down a stairwell furthest away from the fire room. Then made entry into the fire room with a hose line in place to get water directly onto the fire. Engine 24 completed a primary search of the fire room and confirmed no occupants were inside. Additional crews evacuated all occupants of the effected hallway on the 4th floor. Ladder 5, Ladder 6 and additional crews made it onto the roof of the apartment building to cut ventilation corridors and inspect the attic space for areas where the fire spread. The building’s cockloft, a void space in-between the roof and ceiling, was exposed so crews worked hard to control the fire and prevent it from spreading to other units.

Photo by John Odegard

By 11:24 a.m., crews had the fire under control and continued to inspect the building for possible extensions or hot spots. Puget Sound Energy and Seattle City Light responded to help shut down natural gas lines and electricity to the building as a safety precaution.

Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and originated in an overheated natural gas fireplace where the flue got hot enough to ignite insulation and surrounding wood rafters in the ceiling and attic void space. Estimated loss is $100,000 to the structure and $10,000 in contents. No injuries were reported.

Trial by fire for Seattle’s newest firefighters

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The Seattle Fire Department will train new firefighter recruits at two vacant homes in the Roosevelt neighborhood from Oct. 28-31 at 815 and 821 NE 66th St. Live-fire training is an opportunity for our new fire recruits to work with our officers and face real fire scenarios in a controlled setting. This experience is vital to the development of new recruits as these fires act as a final evaluation of what they have learned over the past 12 weeks of training and focus on fire attack, teamwork and communication.

We conduct this training exercise twice a year in the city and make every effort to minimize the impact on the neighborhood. Local streets will be closed to ensure the safety of the community as well as the firefighters in training. NE 66th St. between 8th Ave. NE and Roosevelt Way NE will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Parking along the curbs of both sides of NE 66th St. 100-feet east and west of the houses will be coned off. Firefighters will help direct access to that block for residents in the immediate area. We recognize that this training exercise may present inconveniences to your daily schedules and we thank you for your patience and understanding. Our firefighters are among the best in the nation because of the training we are able to provide and because of the support we receive from our community.

On each day, we plan to have 4-5 fires spread throughout the day lasting 15-20 minutes. Residents will see smoke as controlled burns are set at the vacant structures. All carpet, plastics and toxic synthetic materials have been removed along with required asbestos abatement. The training officers will set wood fires in a controlled method with safety officers on-hand during the exercises. This training is conducted under the strict regulations and rules of the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency. The smoke coming from the buildings during the live-fire is equivalent to smoke from a fireplace. After the fires are out, most of what you see coming from the structure is steam.

Neighbors are welcome to come and watch the live-fire training. Typical training days begin around 7 a.m. with the live-fire training starting at 9 a.m. and lasting until 5 p.m.

You’re invited: Fall Festival at Capitol Hill Fire Station 25

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SEATTLE – Members of the Capitol Hill community are invited to attend a Fall Festival at Fire Station 25 to meet their local firefighters and police officers, participate in fun activities and learn fall fire safety tips. Activities include pumpkin carving and drawing, cornhole, fire safety activities, and a live pumpkin carving demonstration at 7:30 p.m. by the Fire Station 25 crew. If you plan to carve a pumpkin, please bring one with you. Light refreshments and apple cider will be provided. Costumes are welcome.

  • Who: Seattle Firefighters, East Precinct Police Officers and Capitol Hill community members
  • What: Fall Festival at Fire Station 25
  • Who: Fire Station 25 (1300 E. Pine St.)
  • When: Tuesday, Oct, 28, 2019 from 6-8 p.m.