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News and events from the Seattle Fire Department

In Memoriam: Lieutenant Jay Garth Wheeler

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On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, members of the Seattle Fire Department family were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of one of their own, Lieutenant Jay Garth Wheeler, after a long and difficult battle with an illness.

Jay faced his battle with great courage and without complaint, surrounded by his wife, children, parents and so many others who loved and cared deeply for him. Many from his fire department family spent time with Jay and his family during his last days.

Lt. Wheeler was committed to the Seattle community. He first served as an officer with the Seattle Police Department at the South Precinct in 1989 before joining the Seattle Fire Department in April, 1997. Throughout his fire service career, he served on Ladders 5, 7, 9 and 11 and Engines 36 and 38. On June 28, 2017, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and was working on Engine 29 in West Seattle. He also volunteered as a scuba diver for the Seattle Aquarium.

Here are two small examples of Jay’s exemplary service:

On August 19, 1998, while off-duty, then-Firefighter Wheeler was the first on the scene of a rollover motor vehicle accident. After ensuring the safety of bystanders, he stabilized the rolled over car, coordinating ropes to anchor points on the uphill side. He then initiated emergency medical care to the single patient trapped inside the care until the arrival of SFD units. In the words of his officer, he “acted in the finest of Seattle Fire Department tradition.”

In 2006, while serving in the Fire Alarm Center, Firefighter Wheeler received a letter of commendation for directing the delivery of a baby by the first-time father over the phone. His steady-handed questions and sure responses put both parents at ease and allowed them to focus on things that needed to be done. The baby was found wrapped in a towel as instructed when Engine 39 and the medics arrived a few minutes later. In their thank you letter, the parents acknowledged Jay’s efforts and “all the life-savers at Seattle’s 911. You helped bring a precious gift of life into our lives. We will be forever grateful.”

In a letter to all SFD members, Fire Chief Harold D. Scoggins commended Lt. Wheeler for his contributions to public service and as a long-time valued member of the Seattle Fire Department.

More information will be posted on Lt. Wheeler’s memorial service as it becomes available.

Chief Scoggins celebrates Dr. Seuss Day at Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club

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On Monday afternoon, the best part of Fire Chief Harold Scoggins’ day was spending time with 30 eager readers, ages 5 to 7 years, at the Rainier Vista Boys & Girls Club on MLK Way South. The children listened intently as the Chief read the classic Dr. Seuss book “Oh, the Places You’ll Go.”

It was all part of Read Across America Day, otherwise known as “Dr. Seuss Day,” an annual event created by the National Education Association to encourage children to read. March 2 marks the birthday of famed children’s book author, Dr. Theodor Seuss Geisel, who wrote and illustrated dozens of children’s book during his career.

Published originally in 1990, just a year before his death, “Oh, the Places You’ll Go” is perhaps the most significant book of Seuss’ legacy, as it combines classic Seussian elements such as Horton-like elephants, castles, mazes and clanking contraptions with a lifetime of wisdom in terms children can understand.

For the children at Rainier Vista, they not only got a chance to hear the Chief read, they also talked with him about important things like what it’s like to be a Fire Chief, what to do if their smoke alarm sounds at home, and how quickly they need to get out by crawling low under the smoke.

A highlight of the visit was when Chief Scoggins autographed the book for the children for them to keep in their book collection at the Club.

Black History Month: A look back at 1970 with the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association

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Seattle Fire Department Firefighters

As we near the end of Black History Month, we wanted to take a brief look back at our own history and reflect on the struggles of our first black firefighters that compelled an association to advocate for the needs and interests of these members.

The Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association formed just over 50 years ago out of the need to support the small number of black firefighters working at the Seattle Fire Department. In 1959, the Seattle Fire Department hired its first black firefighter, Claude Harris. It would take eight years (1967) before the fire department hired more black firefighters. By 1968, black firefighters began meeting to support each other to confront the overt racism they faced at work. The hostility towards them would be the impetus in starting the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association.

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Seattle 1970 – Protest against racial discrimination

By 1970, the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association had expanded and evolved from providing mostly recruitment and promotion support of black firefighters with the Seattle Fire Department to an organization that supported community-based groups and local leaders. The decision to engage community helped the Association to garner community support as it challenged discriminatory practices within the department. The Association also sought to give back to community members and organizations who had supported black firefighters over the years. Some of the activities in 1970 that the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association members participated in were black community parades, Garfield High MLK Banquets and donations to local community and charitable organizations.

While it has been over 50 years since the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association started, their work remains relevant and they continue to be active. Today the Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association provides recruitment and promotional support to the department and continues to participate in local parades. It also remains dedicated to assisting black firefighters and other marginalized groups and advancing equity within the fire service at the local, national and international level. The Seattle Black Fire Fighters Association is a member organization of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters and its historical and ongoing mission is to “Keep the Fires Burning for Justice.”

February 2020 Promotion Ceremony

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SEATTLE – On Feb. 19, 2020, 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:

Melissa Kennedy to Deputy Chief of Training

Melissa Woolsey to Captain

David Berry to Captain

Welcoming Debbie Goetz

Debbie is our new Fire & Safety Educator responsible for managing programs for children and youth. She has been with the City of Seattle since 2006 as the Community Planning Coordinator with the Office of Emergency Management.






Welcoming Matthew Butler

Matthew is our new EEO investigator and RSJI Strategic Advisor responsible for conducting workplace investigations regarding allegations of protected class discrimination. He will be involved in training how to establish and maintain workplace culture free from discrimination and harassment.

Fire investigators release cause of three recent fires

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SEATTLE – Fire investigators have released the cause of three recent fires that occurred on Feb. 13 and 14.

Feb. 13 – 6200 Block of Airport Way S.: Fire started in an apartment unit on the second floor of a three-story complex. Investigators ruled the fire as accidental, and said it started when food caught fire on the stove and spread to nearby combustibles. One adult male was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Total estimated loss is $125,000.

SAFETY TIP: If a fire occurs on the stovetop, do not put water on the grease; instead use an oven mit to slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. If the fire is out of control or has spread, do not try to put it out. Get out and call 911 immediately.

Feb. 14 – 5700 Block of 25th Ave. NE: Fire started in the garage and spread to the interior of the house. Investigators ruled the fire as accidental, and said it started from an electrical shortage in a lamp that was plugged in. Total estimated loss is $195,000.

SAFETY TIP: If the cord to an appliance ever feels hot to the touch, do not use it. Check the wires of appliances regularly and replace frayed or damaged wires.

Feb. 14 – 6800 Block of 46th Ave. S.: Fire started in the basement of the home, and spread to all floors of the house. Investigators ruled the fire as accidental, and said it caught fire during a copper pipe repair. One adult male was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Total estimated loss is $200,000.

SAFETY TIP: When using a flame torch for home repair, ensure you keep a close eye on the area for at least 30 minutes to ensure a fire does not ignite. Have a fire extinguisher close by.

Clothes dryer lint causes fire over the weekend

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Clean lint traps before and after using the clothes dryer.

On Sunday, Feb. 9, after 11 p.m., crews responded to a working fire caused by overheated dryer lint that accumulated. Fortunately, no one was hurt, but the fire caused extensive damage in the home estimating $190,000. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one-third of home dryer fires are caused by built up lint.

Follow these simple safety tips to prevent a clothes dryer fire in your home.

  • Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional.
  • Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.
  • Clean the lint filter before and after each cycle.
  • Do not forget to clean the back of the dryer where lint can build up.
  • Check the venting system behind the dryer to make sure that it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
  • Make sure that the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.

Consider replacing plastic accordion-style ducts that connect the dryer to the vent with a flexible metal duct or a rigid metal duct. Lint can accumulate in the ridges over time and block the flow or air.

Also, always turn off the clothes dryer before going to bed or before leaving your home. If you are home when a fire starts, get out first and call 9-1-1.

Learn hands-only CPR for Heart Month

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You could save a life – take a few minutes to learn Hands-only CPR

Are you prepared to help in a medical emergency if someone goes into cardiac arrest? A cardiac patient’s chance of becoming a long-term survivor are more than doubled if a bystander on the scene administers prompt CPR.

Administering Hands-only CPR (without breaths) is a simple technique that only takes a few minutes to learn. Watch this short video to learn the steps for performing Hands-only CPR – you could save a life.

Here are the steps:

  1. Call 911 – Give specific information to the dispatcher, starting with the location. Is an AED available? If so, send someone to retrieve it and use it as soon as you can.
  2. Make sure the scene is safe
  3. Quickly determine if the person needs CPR – tap them on the shoulder to see if they wake up. Check to see if their stomach or chest is rising.
  4. Begin chest compressions – Use two hands, with straight arms, and push down hard and fast in the center of the chest. Make sure compressions are at least 2-inches deep, and are at the rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. If someone else knows CPR, alternate after two minutes of compressions.

Help us spread awareness during this Heart Month by sharing this information with at least one family member or friend.

For more CPR information visit the Seattle Fire Department.

Fire caused by overheated extension cords

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On Sunday, Feb. 2, at 11 a.m., crews responded to a well involved fire on the 2800 block of S Othello St. Engine Companies 28 and 33 were the first on-scene and confirmed heavy smoke coming from the two-story home. They quickly got water on the fire while sustaining a supply from nearby hydrants. Ladder Company 12 and Rescue 1 searched both floors of the home to confirm no occupants were inside. Additional crews ventilated the structure while others rotated with existing personnel to knock down the fire. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire within 15 minutes of arriving on-scene. No injuries were reported and Red Cross was initiated to help the residents.

Fire investigators determined the incident was accidentally caused by an overheated extension cord. Estimated loss is $165,000.

Extension cords and power strips are designed to be temporary

Extension cords and power strips are designed to provide a temporary power source and should be unplugged when not in use. When shopping for an extension device, look for a power strip or surge protector with an internal circuit breaker that will trip the breaker when overloaded. Here are a few tips to keep you safe when using these devices:

  • Never overload extension cords or wall sockets and never run cords under rugs or place in high traffic areas.
  • There should only be one surge protector or power strip plugged into a single duplex electrical outlet.
  • Power strips vary in their capacity but should only be used for items that require light loads such as computers, printers and clocks, for example. They are not made to handle refrigerators or portable heaters.
  • If the extension cord or power strip feels hot to the touch, replace it.
  • Do not connect one extension cord or power strip to another. Also known as “daisy chaining.”
  • Make sure the power strip has been tested by an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or the Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL).

Replace your carbon monoxide (CO) alarms before they expire

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The Seattle Fire Department recently responded to three residences where a person called 9-1-1 after their CO alarm beeped intermittently. Upon further investigation it was discovered that there was no emergency but that the CO alarms in question were sounding every 30 seconds to indicate expiration.

CO alarm life span

CO alarms have a life expectancy of around seven years. All CO alarms produced after August 1, 2009, have an end-of-life warning notification that alerts the resident that the alarm should be replaced. The CO alarm will beep every 30 seconds or display ERR or END.

If a CO alarm is at its end-of-life, replacing the battery will not stop the beep. Some CO alarms have a feature that will silence the signal for 30 days, but this will not solve the issue as the CO alarm will continue to beep after the 30 day period ends.

What people should know

Homeowners should consider replacing all CO alarms that were installed in or before 2013. A CO alarm that signals that it’s at the end of its life should be replaced as well.

Renters should notify property managers or landlords immediately if their CO alarm is beeping every 30 seconds indicating its end-of-life. They should also know that intermittent beeping CO alarm is not reason to call 9-1-1.

A CO alarm that beeps continuously without stopping could indicate that carbon monoxide is present. If you your CO alarm is sounding continuously and you have signs of CO poisoning such as dizziness, headache, vomiting or flu like symptoms, find fresh air and call 9-1-1 immediately.

More information on carbon monoxide alarm requirements

In January of 2013, Washington State law (RCW 19.27.530) required CO alarms to be installed in new residences and in existing rental properties. Owner-occupied single-family residences, legally occupied before July 26, 2009, are not required to have CO alarms until they are sold or when a building permit application for interior remodeling is submitted.

State Building Code Council’s Carbon Monoxide Alarm page.

Seattle Fire Department’s CAM 5121 Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirements in Residential Occupancies

National Burn Awareness Week: Tips to reduce your risk of a burn.

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What is more convenient and cozy than a gas fireplace in your home? However, did you know that the glass doors on a gas fireplace present a serious burn risk? The glass can reach temperatures as high as 1300 degrees Fahrenheit!

Toddlers are especially vulnerable to serious burns from touching the glass. It only takes a moment.

A safety screen in front of your gas fire place prevents burns.

Every year Harborview Hospital sees little hands burned from toddlers touching the glass of a gas fireplace. A toddler losing his or her balance is a frequent means of coming in contact with the glass. A safety screen placed in front of the glass doors is an easy solution to prevent this from happening.

The theme for the National Burn Awareness week is “Hot Surfaces Damage Skin!” Contact burns send close to 70,000 people in the US to the hospital each year. One-third of patients are children under the age of 5.

Here are a few safety tips to prevent contact burns:

  • Use a fireplace screen in front of the glass on a gas fireplace
  • Use back burners of the stove when cooking to prevent children from reaching a hot pot or pan
  • Keep hot objects, including hair curlers and hot drinks out of the reach of children
  • Teach young children not to touch hot items
  • Create a 3-foot away rule from hot items such as a stove, portable heater or barbecue grill
  • Turn heating pads and blankets off before going to sleep
  • Limit microwave use by children

To treat a burn:

  • Remove person from heat source
  • Cool the burn with cool water for at least 10 minutes. Do not apply ice to the burn
  • Remove jewelry or other tight items
  • Apply a dry non-stick sterilized bandage

For more information on burns, visit the American Burn Association website.