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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Keep your little ones safe this Halloween

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Halloween and trick-or-treating is just around the corner. Follow these safety tips to keep your litter monsters safe during this year’s activities:

  • Wear reflective gear while trick-or-treating.
  • When choosing costumes, stay away from trailing fabrics, to prevent falls and injury.
  • Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles.
  • Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks an escape route. Make sure all smoke alarms in the home are working.
  • Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns.
  • Dried flowers, corn stalks and crepe paper can catch fire easily, keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light-bulbs and heaters.

More funds proposed for new Health One program

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The Local 27 president, the Seattle Fire Low Acuity program manager and Seattle Fire Chief stand by the department's new Health One vehicle.
Local 27 President Kenny Stuart joins Seattle Fire’s Low Acuity Program manager Jon Ehrenfeld and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins by the department’s new Health One vehicle.

As part of her 2020 Proposed Budget, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan recently announced new investments to increase support for the first responders and expand medical and treatment services for Seattle’s most vulnerable communities.

Fire Chief Harold Scoggins and the International Association of Firefighters Local 27 President Kenny Stuart joined the Mayor and others for the announcement at Fire Station 2 on Sept. 11, 2019.

The Mayor proposes investing an additional $400,000 in mid 2020 to enhance the Seattle Fire Department’s soon-to-launch Health One program. Health One is a team of specially trained firefighters and civilian specialists that will help people with non-emergency (low acuity) 9-1-1 requests for issues like substance use, non-emergency medical issues and a need to access services.

“We know the demand is high for addressing low acuity calls in our community. Many of these calls are related to homelessness, mental health, social needs, drug and alcohol use and chronic medical issues,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins. “The launching of the Health One program will immensely increase our ability to meet the needs of our patients, by connecting them with the appropriate services.”

In 2018, 42 percent of medical calls received by Seattle Fire were deemed “low acuity”, or non-emergency. These calls dispatched a Seattle Fire unit, and generally resulted in no action or a non-emergency transport by an ambulance provider to a hospital’s emergency department. 

The Health One team will focus serving in the downtown core for this initial phase.

In May 2019, the Mayor, Councilmember Sally Bagshaw, and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins announced the City’s first Health One unit, which will deploy in downtown Seattle in October.

Other investments the Mayor proposed:

  • Support the Seattle Police Department’s Crisis Response Unit with four additional mental health professionals, one assigned for each precinct
  • Create a dedicated nurse line for homelessness service providers to call for non-emergency medical needs
  • Add dedicated nurses at our largest shelters and three permanent supportive housing buildings that have the highest-volume 9-1-1 calls.

2019 Fill-the-boot Campaign: collection dates, times, locations

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SEATTLE – Next week Seattle Firefighters will take to the streets with boots in hand to collect donations for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) Fill-the-Boot campaign. The collections will take place at the below locations across the City from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sept. 24-27.

  • Fire Station 5 – 925 Alaskan Way 
  • 15th Ave. NW and NW Market St. 
  • Rainier Ave. S. and S. Alaska St. 
  • Roosevelt Way NE and NE 50th St. 
  • California Ave. SW and SW Alaska St.

The Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27 is partnering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association on this campaign – a more than 60-year tradition. Since 2001, Seattle firefighters have raised over one million dollars through the Fill-the-Boot campaign in support of the MDA.

The dollars raised each year from the Fill-the-Boot campaign fund hundreds of important research projects and grants around the country. The contributions help make new treatments available for adults and children living with the disease. Funds collected in Seattle are utilized locally, due to the large number of research facilities in the region.  

The campaign has been successful over the years because of the support from community members. There is also an option to donate online.

Seattle Fire and Seattle Police to host 9/11 Memorial Ceremony at Seattle Center

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Members of the public are invited to join the Seattle Fire and Police Departments on Sept. 11 as they commemorate the 18th anniversary of 9/11. This is an opportunity to gather as a community remember the lives that were lost that day and the lives that were forever changed. Mayor Jenny Durkan, Police Chief Carmen Best and Fire Chief Harold Scoggins will speak at the event, followed by a Moment of Silence. The honor guards from both departments, and the Seattle Fire Pipes and Drums will be part of the ceremony.

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 11 from noon – 12:30 p.m.

WHERE: Seattle Center Memorial Garden (south of the International Fountain) – 305 Harrison St., Seattle

Responding to a Building Fire Alarm

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Do you know what to do when the fire alarm in your apartment building sounds?

Building fire alarm

For people who live in apartments or condominiums, the sound of the building fire alarm can be jolting and frightening. You may not know if there is an actual fire in the building or if your neighbor burned some toast and has left the front door open. Regardless, it’s important to take every alarm seriously and begin your escape plan quickly.

Do I stay inside my apartment or leave the building? That depends. For people able to use stairs, you have a choice. You may evacuate using the stairs or seek shelter inside of an apartment.

Here are a few tips to help you be better prepared for a building fire alarm.

If you can evacuate, do so immediately.

  1. Leave your apartment.
  2. Close the door as you go.
  3. Use the stairs, not the elevator, to leave the building.
  4. Go to your building’s outside meeting place.
  5. Wait for instructions. Do not re-enter the building until given permission.

For people who can’t use stairs or can’t access a stairwell because of smoke in the hallway, shelter in place:

  1. Stay inside your apartment.
  2. Keep your doors and windows closed.
  3. Place a towel or clothing at the base of the door to keep smoke from entering.
  4. Call 911 if smoke comes into your apartment.

Make a plan before the next fire alarm sounds. Your plan should include all members of the household.

For more information, view the Fire Safety Handbook for Multi-Residential Buildings.

Seattle Fire hosts fire education, safety activities on Aug. 24

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Summer is winding down, but there is plenty of time for fun and learning this Saturday, Aug. 24 as the Seattle Fire Department hosts its Seattle Fire Day. Join us from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Stan Sayres Memorial Park along Lake Washington.

Everyone is welcome at this free event, which includes tours, educational tables and activities. Bring your cameras and sunscreen for these outdoor activities:

  • Tours of a Seattle fireboat (watch the water display as it arrives at 10 a.m.)
  • Climbing aboard the Rescue One fire engine and ladder truck
  • Exploring an aid unit and learning about Hands-Only CPR
  • Games and activities that teach fire safety and prevent injuries (prizes included!)
  • Search and rescue dog in action
  • Story time with firefighters
  • Rescue swimmer team demonstrations
Seattle Fire Day on Aug. 24 at Stan Sayres Memorial Park informational flyer
Join Seattle Fire for fun activities that cover fire safety and injury prevention information.

There will be opportunities to try on firefighting gear and test your skills in our firefighter challenge, as well.  

Specific times for scheduled activities are included on Seattle Fire’s Nextdoor and Facebook events pages. The Seattle Fire team looks forward to seeing you!

Our appreciation to Seattle Parks and Recreation, the Seattle Fire Foundation and IAFF, Local 27 for their generous support for this event.

Dump truck collision on 1st Ave. and Yesler Way

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Photo by John Odegard

At 9:42 a.m., our we received multiple 911 calls reporting a dump truck experiencing a catastrophic mechanical failure while traveling westbound, downhill on James St. The truck struck a pedestrian on 2nd Ave., then collided with three vehicles before crashing into a Subway restaurant located on the intersection of 1st Ave., Yesler Way and James St.

We have identified a total of five patients who were treated on the scene:

  1. Pedestrian hit at 2nd and James St was an approx. 33 year old male transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
  2. 25 year old female driver of a white commercial van that was struck near 1st and James St. She was transported to Harborview Medical Center in serious condition.
  3. 51 year old male pedestrian reportedly standing on the sidewalk in front of the Subway restaurant. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
  4. 44 year old male male reportedly inside the Subway restaurant during the collision. He was transported to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
  5. 37 year old female driver of the dump truck was an adult female who suffered minor injuries and did not require transportation to a hospital.
Photo by John Odegard

By 10:10 a.m., our Rescue One company and additional firefighters safely extricated the patient in the white commercial van as well as the driver of the dump truck. Ten minutes later, our incident commander ordered a building evacuation while Seattle City Light cut electricity and Puget Sound Energy secured natural gas lines. This was a precautionary measure as the collision may have caused structural damage. Once everyone was evacuated, crews began extricating the dump truck. Primary and secondary searches confirmed no additional occupants were found inside the building. At 11:30 a.m., the scene was transferred to the Seattle Police Department.

August 2019 Promotional Ceremony

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Group photo of promoted firefighters.

SEATTLE – On Aug. 8, 2019, the Seattle Fire Department held a promotional ceremony at our headquarters to appoint three firefighters to new positions. The event was emceed by Fire Chief Scoggins. The following employees were promoted:



Lon Warr to Engineer

Ryan Skedd to Lieutenant

Matthew Anderson to Lieutenant

Chris Santos Celebrating 25 Years

Chris Santos and Fire Chief Scoggins

Recognizing Chris Santos, Director of Finance, for serving the department for over 25 years. He currently oversees the performance of various financial functions such as budgeting, accounting, payroll and contracting.



Sabrina Simpson’s Promotion

Sabrina Simpson and Fire Chief Scoggins

Sabrina has worked with the department’s Medic One staff for more than two years and was recently promoted to Admin Staff Assistant. Congrats!






Welcoming Leonard Cheever

Leanard Cheever joins us as our Fleet Services Manager to oversee the maintenance and operations of our fire engines, ladder trucks, ambulances and other support units. Welcome aboard!

2-Alarm Fire in Mt. Baker Neighborhood

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2-alarm fire in Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

Our Fire Alarm Center received a 9-1-1 call at 9:47 p.m. reporting a house on fire at the 3200 block of 37th Place S.. The first engine company arrived at 9:50 p.m. and confirmed a working external fire on the rear deck of a two-story single-family house that quickly extended into the first floor. They also confirmed the sole resident of the home was safely evacuated.

At 09:52 p.m., the incident was escalated to a 2-alarm response because the fire extended to the north and south sides of the house. Exposing the two neighboring homes. A total of eight engine and four ladder companies were dispatched along with supporting units. As all crews arrived on scene, the Deputy One Chief assumed command and divided the crews into two divisions: North Branch to work on the fire that extended to the neighboring home; and South Branch to work on the fire at the house of origin.

2-alarm fire in Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

At 10:10 p.m., South Branch reported the deck (where the fire started) collapsed, exposing the entire rear side of the house to the fire. Crews were able to complete a primary search of the house to confirm no occupants were inside. By 10:13 p.m., Seattle Public Utilities secured the natural gas lines to both homes. At 10:17 p.m., crews had the fire knocked down and gained control of the fire at the house of origin by 10:32 p.m.

The North Branch confirmed the fire extended to the rear deck of the neighboring home and crept into the attic. Crews had the fire under control by 10:21 p.m. and were able to conduct a primary search to confirm no occupants were inside.

2-alarm fire in Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle, WA.

From 10:33 p.m. and onward, all crews knocked down the fires then began checking for additional exposures and hot spots throughout both homes. Secondary searches were completed shortly thereafter and confirmed no occupants were inside and no injuries reported. Fire Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the structural collapse of the deck. Estimated total loss is $650,000.

Rooftop Fire Prevention

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Every spring and summer as the weather warms up and building rooftops amenities get more use, we see an increase in the number of rooftop building fires.

Between September 2017 and September 2018, the Seattle Fire Department responded to 8 significant rooftop amenity fires. The total estimated loss for these fires was $468,000. The most common cause of these fires was improperly discarded smoking materials.

Even though smoking is not allowed on rooftops, Fire Investigators frequently find cigarette butts in planter boxes and in garbage cans. It is important to never discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily. A small cigarette butt in dry conditions can turn into a major fire.

Grilling on Rooftops

July is the peak month for grill fires which are another common rooftop fire issue during the summer months. The leading ignition factors in grill fires are mechanical failure or malfunction, combustibles placed too close to the heat, and cooking left on the grill unattended.

Building rooftop fire damage

If your rooftop has cooking grills available, make sure you know the following:

Setting up:

  • Barbecue grills are designed for outdoor use only. Never barbecue in an enclosed area – dangerous carbon monoxide (CO) can accumulate and be deadly. If you suspect CO poisoning, call 911.
  • Set-up your grill in an open area at least 10 feet away from buildings, overhead combustible surfaces, dry leaves and brush.
  • Make sure all of the grilling parts are firmly in place and the grill is on a flat surface.
  • The Seattle Fire Department recommends the use of one-pound propane cylinders as the least hazardous fuel source for outdoor grills.
  • For propane grills, make sure the hose connection is tight and check the hoses for leaks.

During use:

  • Never leave grills unattended while cooking.
  • Keep a three-foot zone around the grill where children and pets aren’t allowed.
  • Do not leave starter fluid, lighters or matches within the reach of children.
  • Use the proper tools. Long handled barbecue utensils and flame retardant mitts will prevent burns from heat and flame.
  • For charcoal grills, avoid adding lighter fluid after the coals are lit.

Cleaning up:

  • For propane grills, turn the grill and fuel cylinder off immediately after grilling.

For charcoal grills, allow coals to cool for 48 hours before disposing. If you are not able to wait, douse coals with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out.

Outdoor grilling handout