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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

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

Firefighter Story Times returns this summer

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Seattle – The Seattle Fire Department, in partnership with the Seattle Public Library, has brought back the popular summer Firefighter Story Times series.

Seattle firefighters will be at eight local branches in July and August to teach fire safety through the endearing story of a little girl who befriends a real, fire-breathing dragon to teach about fire safety smarts.

After each read-along, firefighters get dressed in their protective firefighting gear – one piece at a time – to teach the children not to be scared if they ever need to be rescued by a firefighter. The program ends with a tour of the crew’s fire engine that’s outside.

Flyer with times, dates and locations of the Firefighter Story Times in July and August 2019

This fire safety education program is geared toward children between 3 and 5 years old.

Visit us on NextDoor and Facebook for the specific dates, times and library locations.

Crews respond to 2-Alarm Fire in Fremont

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At 1:11 a.m., our Fire Alarm Center received a 9-1-1 call reporting flames visible from a warehouse building on the 600 block of NW 40th St. Crews arrived on scene within five minutes of being dispatched and confirmed flames as well as heavy smoke coming from a large metal building approximately 120 feet by 80 feet. By 1:20 a.m., firefighters finished an inspection of the warehouse’s perimeter and determined the fire to be fully involved. As a result, the incident escalated to a 2-alarm response where a total of 11 engines, 5 ladders and 1 fireboat were dispatched in addition to supporting units. Seattle City Light and Seattle Public Utility were also notified to shut off electricity and natural gas lines to the building.

According to warehouse employees, the building served as a shipping and receiving area that stored glass products and multiple 12-foot-tall crates of cardboard. The large amount of combustibles along with temperature readings exceeded 1,500 degrees Fahrenheit inside the structure, forced crews to fight the fire defensively. A smoke inhalation warning was announced for residents and workers within half a mile of the warehouse; encouraging people to close their windows and doors.

Crews had the fire under control by 3:23 a.m., two hours after the first engine companies arrived on scene. Firefighters continued to pour water into the warehouse from a defensive position as temperature readings were still high and the building’s degrading structural integrity posed a risk for crews to enter. The fire was extinguished by 12:39 p.m. while crews continued to monitor for hot spots well into the evening.

Fire Investigators determined the cause of the fire to be accidental and resulted from overheated electrical wiring. Total estimated loss is $2.6 million.

Leave fireworks to the professionals on 4th of July

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Sunshine, warm weather and the long days of summer make Independence Day the perfect time to hang out with friends and family. While fireworks are an amazing spectacle to enjoy, we recommend observing from a safe distance and leaving it to the professionals.

Last year, there were 209 fireworks related injuries in Washington State. The most common were caused by holding fireworks once lit—with adults present. Think sparklers are harmless? Think again. Sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt aluminum and cause third degree burns!

In addition, 92 fires were reported due to fireworks use; resulting in a loss of more than $160,000. Please be safe and legal this 4th of July by not using consumer fireworks!

Call 9-1-1 if you witness a fire caused by fireworks or suffer a serious injury. To report the illegal use of fireworks, please call the Seattle Police Department’s non-emergency number: (206) 625-5011.

Information on the temporary relocation of Fire Station 31 firefighters

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SEATTLE – Firefighters and apparatus stationed at Fire Station 31 (1319 N. Northgate Way) have been temporarily relocated to neighboring fire stations to allow for further mold testing of the facility. This move took place June 18 and remains in effect.

The Seattle Fire Department is committed to responding quickly to emergencies and is closely monitoring response times. Fire crews have been moved to the nearest neighboring stations surrounding the Station 31 service area: 

  • Ladder 5 to Station 39 (four firefighters)
  • Medic 31 to Station 35 (two firefighter/paramedics)
  • Aid 31 to Station 24 (two firefighters but on 12-hour shifts)
  • Engine 31 to Station 17 (four firefighters)

As of June 25, the department has not seen a significant delay in response times. Based on analytics, the department predicts that delays of up to one minute could be possible during this relocation. 

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Firefighters have a dangerous job. The dangers they face don’t just include the fires they fight and the buildings that may collapse, but also the chemicals, toxins, and carcinogens released by the fires they fight. Because of this, firefighters can suffer a range of resulting diseases that can reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. As a result, Seattle is committed to monitoring our dedicated workers and ensuring we don’t have any elevated problems because of their working conditions. 

Due to the incidences of cancer among firefighters who have worked at Fire Station 31 at some point in their careers, the Seattle Fire Department and Local 27, Seattle Fire Fighters Union have been working with the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center to research firefighter cancer rates for current and retired firefighters who have worked at that station. This study is expected to be complete in early 2020.  

As part of the City’s work to ensure the safety and well-being of SFD members, the City has conducted environmental testing of Station 31 five times over the last 15 years. As recently as 2018, that analysis included testing for common environmental toxins known to cause cancer. Experts have indicated the building is safe for the SFD members assigned to it, as the previous testing did not identify problems with carcinogens at the station. Similar testing in 2016 did not find harmful levels of mold and bacteria. 

Testing by the Seattle Fire Fighters Union, Local 27 contractor (REALTIME Labs) 

In the last several weeks, Local 27 performed additional testing of Station 31 through a company called REALTIME Labs. Local 27 then shared the results of three of nine samples taken with the department and City, which indicated there may be mycotoxins (a byproduct of some molds) in some locations inside the building.  

Testing by the City’s contractors  

Mayor Durkan and Chief Scoggins immediately directed the Finance and Administrative Services Department to work in partnership with the fire department to conduct additional testing of the facility by a third-party company called NVL Laboratories, which specializes in industrial hygiene. NVL Laboratories conducted testing at Station 31 on June 18 for mycotoxins and mold spores using a combination of surface and air sampling. A second City-contracted company, Kester Clear Environmental Solutions, also conducted testing for mycotoxins on June 21.  

Initial Results from NVL  

The City received a report from NVL Laboratories on June 19 which analyzed three of nine samples for mycotoxins that Local 27 had received from REALTIME Labs. The NVL Laboratories report also includes results from the mold sampling NVL conducted on June 18. As noted in the initial report, “the results of the dust mycotoxin sampling demonstrate that there are mold spores present in the settled dust in the facility. The air sample results show that the airborne spore levels in the facility are normal and typical for an indoor environment.”  

Further testing 

There are only two labs in the nation that analyze mycotoxins. We anticipate the results to arrive within 10 business days. 

Health 

The City has engaged local and state public health experts to provide information about molds and mycotoxins, which will help inform next steps. 

As we learn more, we will provide updates about the facility testing and relocation of Fire Station 31 on this blog. 

6/25 Update: Results from REALTIME Labs for the remaining six samples were received by Local 27 and provided to the City. Those are being analyzed by NVL Laboratories now.

Summer Water Safety and Drowning Prevention

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Every summer, the Seattle Fire Department responds to preventable drownings. According to Public Health – Seattle & King County, 16 people died in preventable drownings in 2018. Many more near drownings go unreported.

If you plan to be in or near water this summer, follow these recommendations:

Know the risks — Washington waters are often cold enough to cause muscles to not work, even on the hottest summer day. Cold water can weaken even the strongest swimmer. 

Learn to swim, including water safety and survival skills — To enjoy the water safely, learn swim strokes, water safety, survival skills, and becoming comfortable in the water.

Wear a lifejacket — Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket when boating, tubing, rafting, swimming or other activities in or on lakes, rivers, salt water, or pools without a lifeguard.

Swim where there is a lifeguard — Swim in areas with lifeguards when possible. Wear a lifejacket while swimming in unguarded waters or until the guards start their service.

Supervise children in or near water — Always provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water. Stay within touching distance of young children at all times.

Do not use alcohol or drugs during water activities — Never use alcohol or other impairing drugs during water and boating activities or while supervising children around the water. Alcohol affects balance, coordination, and judgement. Exposure to sun and heat worsen these effects.

Learn first aid and CPR — Learn first aid and CPR. Seconds count—the more quickly lifesaving CPR is started, the better the chances of recovery. Dial 911 in an emergency.

Water Safety – King County

Drowning Prevention and Water Safety – Seattle Children’s