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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

Home fire escape plans

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Practice getting low and going out!

Seconds count during a home fire. Having an escape plan and practicing it can make a difference should a fire occur.

Every September, Seattle-area students practice fire drills at school to make sure students and staff know what to do when the fire alarm sounds. Yet, most families do not think to hold a fire drill at home where the likelihood of experiencing a fire is much greater. The good news is that it is very easy to make a home fire escape plan and to practice one.

Here is how to make a home fire escape plan

Home Fire Drill

After making a home fire escape plan, make sure to practice it by holding a home fire drill.

Make sure everyone knows where the outside meeting place is located and to call 9-1-1 after getting outside.

If a fire starts at home, make sure do the following:

  1. Fire spreads quickly. Get out fast and stay out. 
  1. If possible, close doors to confine the fire. 
  1. If you encounter smoke, crawl under it to your exit. 
  1. Go to the outside meeting place and call 9-1-1 as quickly as possible.
  1. Once out, stay out. Never go back inside a burning building. 

More fire escape planning materials from the National Fire Protection Association

Oily rags likely cause of 2-Alarm fire in SoDo

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Photo by John Odegard

SEATTLE — At 6:42 p.m., our Fire Alarm Center received calls reporting a fire at the 700 block of Lander St. Engine 13 was first on scene and confirmed an exterior fire on the west side of a commercial warehouse that had already extended inside and up into the exposed rafters. Crews from Engine 13 worked quickly to put water on the fire while Rescue 1 gained access inside the warehouse to conduct a primary search. Ladder 3 arrived shortly thereafter and climbed onto the roof to cut holes to provide ventilation.

At 6:59 p.m., Battalion 5 upgraded the response to a 2-alarm fire requesting more resources to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby structures. Ten minutes later, crews had the fire under control and completed a primary search confirming no occupants were inside the building.

At 7:24 p.m., the fire was knocked down and crews transitioned to overhaul to check for hot spots. At the height of the incident, more than 70 firefighters were dispatched.

Fire investigators determined the incident was accidental and likely caused by improperly discarded oily rags. Estimated loss is $100,000.

Photo by John Odegard

Safety message:

Oils commonly used in oil-based paints, stains and varnishes release heat as they dry. A pile of oily rags can be dangerous because as they dry, the heat is trapped and builds up to potentially cause a fire.

Here are a few safety tips for storing wet, oily rags:

  • Never leave cleaning rags in a pile. At the end of the day, take the rags outside to dry.
  • Hang the rags outside or spread them on the ground. Weigh them down. Do this so they do not blow away. Make sure they are not in a pile. Keep them away from buildings.
  • Put dried rags in a metal container. Make sure the cover is tight. Fill the container with a water and detergent solution. This will break down the oils.
  • Keep containers of oily rags in a cool place. Keep them out of direct sunlight. Keep them away from other heat sources. Check with your town for information on disposing of them.

Vapors from flammable and combustible liquids can also ignite, causing a fire. Many commonly used flammable liquids include gasoline, lacquers and nail polish while common combustible liquids include paint thinner, oil-based paints and stains.

Safety tips for storing flammable or combustible liquids:

  • Flammable and combustible liquids should not be used near an open flame. Do not smoke when working with these liquids.
  • If you spill liquids on your clothing, remove your clothing and place it outside to dry. Once dry, clothing can be laundered.
  • Keep liquids in their original containers. Keep them tightly capped or sealed. Never store the liquids in glass containers.
  • Use gasoline only as motor fuel. Never use it as a cleaner. Never use it to break down grease. Never bring gasoline indoors, even in small amounts.
  • Store gasoline ONLY in a container that is sold for that purpose. Make sure the container is tightly capped when not in use. NEVER store gasoline containers in a basement or in the occupied space of a building. Keep them in an outbuilding, a detached garage, or a shed outdoors.

Stage 2 burn ban in effect in Seattle

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All outdoor recreational fires prohibited, outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted

The City of Seattle has joined King County under a State 2 burn ban effective immediately. During a Stage 2 burn ban, any outdoor fire such as a backyard fire pit or campfire using chopped firewood or charcoal is prohibited.

Under the ban, any person with a recreational fire who fails to take immediate action to extinguish or discontinue when ordered or notified to do so can be charged with, up to and including, a misdemeanor. Seattle firefighters have also been directed to extinguish any illegal fires during this ban.

Manufactured portable outdoor devices are allowed, including barbeques and patio warmers that are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Approved fuel devices – including those that rely on charcoal, natural gas or propane gas – are also allowed.

Seattle has experienced two large brush fires along I-5 this week, and the long spell without significant rainfall, the risk of fire in vegetated areas remains high. Let’s do all we can to reduce the risk of an unintentional fire:

• Follow the State 2 burn ban
• Safely discard any smoking materials (e.g. don’t snuff out in potted plants)
• Check your vehicle to make sure nothing could drag and create sparks while driving
• Avoid parking on dry grassy areas as hot components could start a fire

Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see a brush fire so we can send crews right away.

Seattle Colleges to launch new Fire Science Associate degree program in Fall 2021

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New degree program will be only of its kind in King County and will help bring diverse array of applicants to local fire departments’ hiring processes  

Program targets high school graduates looking to become firefighters and current firefighters wanting to strengthen profession-specific skills  

Seattle (Aug. 9, 2021) – Seattle Colleges, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, Seattle Fire Department Chief Harold Scoggins and the City’s Department of Education and Early Learning announced today a new Fire Science Associate degree program at North Seattle College. This program will be the only of its kind in King County and is offered in collaboration with the Seattle Fire Department and City of Seattle, and supported by the King County Fire Chiefs Association.    

“North Seattle College is thrilled to offer a Fire Science degree in partnership with the Seattle Fire Department and City of Seattle. This is the only Fire Science degree program in King County and is an excellent pathway for students who want to make a strong impact in our community as a firefighter. Fire Science classes start in September, and we encourage students to apply for the program now,” said North Seattle College President Dr. Chemene Crawford. 

The associate degree program, which launches in Fall of 2021, targets two different demographics for potential applicants. The first is high school graduates looking to pursue a career in the fire service and the second is existing firefighters planning to wanting to strengthen profession-specific skills and further their baccalaureate education. An overarching goal of the program is to help bring a diverse array of applicants to local fire departments’ hiring processes by providing youth with an opportunity to learn about the fire service in advance of applying for a firefighting position. 

“Announcing this Fire Science Associate degree program is a game changer in King County. With our Seattle Promise program that guarantees free college, Seattle students have a ladder of opportunity to join the best fire department in the state and save lives,” said Mayor Durkan. “In addition to the day to day life saving work of the Seattle Fire Department, the City has relied on our firefighters to administer COVID-19 tests, serve our most vulnerable through Health One, and help vaccinate members of the public at our City-operated mass vaccination sites. This new program will train firefighters for years to come and give them skills that are necessary to advance their own careers, and to care for our community and keep us safe.” 

“Investing in our future leaders now creates a promising outlook for the fire service. Through this degree program, we can offer continued education for our existing firefighters who strive to sharpen their leadership skills, and also help to make our future firefighter candidates successful in the job application process. I want to thank Seattle Colleges and North Seattle College for undertaking this program development, and to the King County Fire Chiefs Association for their support in this program, which is the only of its kind in King County,” said Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.  

This North Seattle College program is mostly online and takes approximately two years (full-time) to complete with affordable tuition and student financial aid available. Graduates will be better prepared for the employment examination and screening processes they must undergo at local fire departments, which includes written exams and oral board interviews. This program will also support current firefighters in developing their profession-specific skills. The application deadline is Sept. 20, 2021.  

The curriculum is based on the National Fire Academy and Emergency Services Higher Education model curriculum for fire science. Students will graduate with the academic credentials necessary to enter a two-year baccalaureate of applied science degree program, such as the online Homeland Security Emergency Management program or the Fire Science Leadership Management program at Pierce College.  

“Creating more pathways to college and career for Seattle students is an integral part of our department’s work to advance educational equity and increase access to opportunities that excite and inspire students to pursue their goals after high school. DEEL is proud to partner with Seattle Fire and our friends at Seattle Colleges to launch the new Fire Science Associate program, which will prepare more Seattle graduates for an exciting career and a more prosperous future,” said Dr. Dwane Chappelle, Director of the Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning. 

Several local fire departments in King County are offering incentives to students of the Fire Science Associate degree program, including paid internships, volunteer firefighting positions, cadet program participation and more. These incentives will provide students with opportunities outside of the classroom to work alongside current firefighters, and to have experience to highlight when applying for firefighting positions. As the degree program launches and progresses, additional opportunities from local fire departments are expected to be offered as part of the program. 

Smoke alarm check

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Now is a good time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to make sure that they are working properly. Also, make sure to vacuum around your smoke alarms. Keep smoke alarms free of cob webs and small insects which can set off an smoke alarm. Yes, it can happen!

Did you know?

  • Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms
  • More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
  • The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. (National Fire Protection Association)

Install smoke alarms:

  • In every bedroom
  • Outside each sleeping area
  • On every level of the home, including the basement

Test your smoke alarms monthly and if your smoke alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them.

For more information: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Fire/Safety/SmokeAlarms.pdf

Fire Chief Scoggins promotes members to new ranks

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SEATTLE – Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins held a ceremony on Aug. 4 at the Joint Training Facility to promote several members of the organization to new positions. Significant others and important mentors helped to pin new badges on those promoted, while department members tuned in via a live stream to offer support. Congratulations to all on their new leadership role in the department!

Members promoted (new rank listed):

  • Lieutenant Scott Sanford
  • Lieutenant Brent Mattila
  • Lieutenant Jason Pierce
  • Lieutenant Ian Paola
  • Lieutenant Ryan Ellis
  • Lieutenant Colin Orsini
  • Captain Erwin Chappel
  • Fireboat Pilot Aaron Bocchetti
  • Fireboat Engineer Brandon Freeland
  • Battalion Chief Dan Murray
  • Battalion Chief Schon Branum

Protecting yourself from wildfire smoke

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Be prepared for wildfire smoke

Unhealthy air quality due to smoke from wildfires in British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington has become a reoccurring issue and concern in the Puget Sound region. Prepare now to reduce the risk of wildfire smoke.

You can take steps now to prepare:

  • Talk to your healthcare provider about your risk, especially if you or someone in your family has a health condition like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes.
  • Take steps to keep indoor air cleaner by not smoking inside, ventilating well when cooking or using candles, and not smoking inside.
  • Invest in an air purifying or cleaning device, like a simple and low-cost with a filter (Learn how to make one here and in the video below). Air filters are in high-demand during smoke events, so get one ahead of time if possible.
  • Monitor local forecasts and air quality using websites like airnow.gov.
  • Sign up to receive emergency alerts at Alert.Seattle.gov.

If smoke does impact Seattle this summer, you should take steps to protect your health:

  • Check local air quality reports and listen to news or health warnings for your community.
  • Avoid physical exertion outdoors if smoke is in the air.
  • Stay indoors and keep indoor air as clean as possible. Keep doors and windows closed.
  • Pay attention to the heat indoors. If you can, run an air conditioner, set it to re-circulate and close the fresh-air intake. Make sure to change the filter regularly.

To learn more about how to stay safe from wildfire smoke and get updates on the city’s response actions, visit https://www.seattle.gov/wildfire-smoke-safety.

Seattle Fire Department’s vaccination and testing efforts transition to partner agencies

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SEATTLE – With 82 percent of Seattle residents beginning the vaccination process, the Seattle Fire Department (SFD) will transition its testing and vaccination efforts to partner agencies, beginning on July 31, 2021. To date, SFD has administered more than 157,000 vaccine doses through its fixed vaccination sites, mobile vaccination team deployments and pop-up clinics. Additionally, Seattle firefighter/EMTs and paramedics, and our AMR partners working at our sites have conducted more than 786,000 COVID-19 tests. One in three Seattle residents have utilized the community testing sites.

UW Medicine will offer free COVID-19 testing at the Aurora and SODO hubs without a gap in service, in addition to testing at the Rainier Beach and West Seattle hubs. Vaccination continues to be available at pharmacies, community health centers, and health care providers including the Downtown Public Health Center.

“It has been a true honor and privilege for the Seattle Fire Department to play an integral role in vaccinating the community we serve over the past seven months. As a City, we have administered more than 259,000 vaccines through our mobile vaccination team deployments, pop-up clinics and fixed vaccination sites, which has helped us reach 82 percent of Seattleites beginning the vaccination process. I am proud to work and live in a community where so many of our neighbors have chosen to get vaccinated to protect themselves, those around them and ultimately help us recover from this pandemic. While SFD’s work on the vaccination front will come to a close, our commitment to serving you remains strong and will continue on,” said Fire Chief Harold Scoggins.

Smoking and rooftop fires

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Make sure proper cigarette disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed

Over the weekend, the Seattle Fire Department responded to two residential home fires that started on rooftops. In both situations, fire investigators identified improperly discarded smoking materials as the probable source of ignition. Every summer, we respond to fires that are caused by smoking materials left unattended or discarded improperly. With the warm and dry weather, more such fires may likely occur.

Even when smoking is not allowed on multi-residential building 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.

Steps to help reduce the chance of such fires include the following:

  • Carelessly discarded cigarettes and other smoking materials can easily start a fire in dry conditions. Extinguish smoking materials before you leave area
  • Douse smoking materials in water before tossing out
  • Make sure proper cigarette disposal canisters are available in areas where smoking is allowed
Discard smoking materials in designated canisters only

National Pet Fire Safety Day

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July 15th is National Pet Fire Safety Day. Don’t forget to include your furry family members into your emergency plan should a fire occur. According to American Humane, more than half a million pets are impacted by house fires every year. Sometimes, the house fires are started by the pets themselves. Take a few minutes to prepare your home to prevent fires and to ensure your pets can get out safely if fire happens.

Photo of Bailey, the cavalier pup seated on Rescue One's apparatus.

Tips to Keep Pets Safe from House Fires:

  • Extinguish Open Flames – Pets are generally curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.
  • Secure Young Pets – Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.
  • Keep Pets Near Entrances – When leaving pets home alone, keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.
  • Practicing Escape Routes with Pets – Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case you have to evacuate quickly with your pet or firefighters need to rescue your pet.
  • Invest in flameless candles: These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame and take the danger out of your pet knocking over a candle.
  • Avoid glass water bowls on wooden decks: The sun’s rays, when filtered through glass water bowls, can heat up and ignite the wooden deck. Choose stainless steel or ceramic bowls instead. 
  • Keep pets near entrances when you’re out: Keep collars and leashes at the ready in case firefighters need to rescue your dog. When leaving pets home alone, please keep them in areas or rooms near entrances where firefighters can easily find them.