Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fire. Show all posts

Shoreline Fire: What a week so far!

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Smoke blankets the staging area at Shoreline Community College
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

The week isn't even over - this is the list of calls that Shoreline Fire responded to from Monday to mid-Thursday, May 22-25, 2023
 
Monday-
  • 2 Cardiac Arrests
  • 15 Aid 
  • 6 Medic 
  • 5 Non-Emergency Aid 
  • 2 AFA’s (Automatic Fire Alarm) 
  • 1 MVC (Motor Vehicle Collision) 
Tuesday-
  • 9 Aid
  • 9 Medic 
  • 7 Non-Emergency Aid 
  • 3 AFA’s
  • 1 Working Fire Commercial 
  • 1 Smoke/Burn Complaint 
Wednesday-
  • 18 Aid 
  • 9 Medic 
  • 5 AFA’s
  • 1 MVC Medic
Thursday (so far) - 
  • 1 Cardiac Arrest
  • 8 Aid
  • 8 Medic
  • 1 Non-Emergency Aid
  • 1 Smoke Commercial
  • 4 Bark Fire
  • AFA Residential
  • 1 MVC Medic 
  • 2 Vehicle Fires
Please stay safe in the upcoming heat and hydrate!


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Massive response to fire at Shoreline Community College Tuesday morning

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

An active fire in a science building at Shoreline Community College was enough to call out three fire departments: Shoreline, South County, and Seattle and put the Seattle HazMat team on standby. Photo by Bruce Miller

Tuesday morning, May 23, 2023 just after 8:00am, a fire broke out in Building 2600. One staff member was in the building and safely evacuated after their initial attempts to extinguish the fire were unsuccessful. 

The staff member immediately contacted Campus Security and 911, which had previously been notified via the campus fire alarm system.

Campus Security and members of the Facilities department began to set up a perimeter as Shoreline Fire and neighboring partner agencies arrived on scene to begin firefighting operations.

Four buildings and the construction site were evacuated.
Photo by Bruce Miller

The buildings immediately surrounding the fire (2700, 2800, 2900, and the HSAAMCC construction site) were evacuated out of an abundance of caution, to limit exposure to smoke/fumes and in the event the fire jumped structures.

The fire was fully extinguished, and the Shoreline Fire Marshal’s Office and King County Sheriff Fire Investigation Unit have completed their investigations. Director of Safety and Security Greg Cranson will reach out to stakeholders about reentry and salvage.

Personnel from Campus Security, Facilities, and the employee that was present when the fire broke out were all assessed by Shoreline Fire medical personnel for smoke inhalation and none required treatment.

Classes and college business will resume in the surrounding buildings (2700, 2800, 2900, HSAAMCC site) on Wednesday, 05/24/2023. 

Due to damage from this incident, Building 2600 will now remain unoccupied and unused until its pre-planned demolition this fall to make way for a new STEAM building.
Photo by Bruce Miller

The college has identified space for classes and labs typically held in Building 2600, and those updates have been passed to instructors and students. Due to the incident, the 2200, 2700, and 2800 buildings have no HVAC. The college is working with Puget Sound Energy on a timeline for restoration.

The college is incredibly grateful for the work done by Shoreline Fire and their partner agencies who responded quickly to fight fire. While the loss of equipment and space is unfortunate, material items can be replaced. We are thankful that nobody was injured during the fire.
The college will hold a debrief to determine what went well and identify the areas where we can improve, as the pursuit of providing a safe and secure campus is always our first priority.--Greg Cranson, Acting Director of Safety and Security


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Idaho firefighter in Harborview burn unit

Friday, May 19, 2023

On Monday, May 15, 2023 at 12:31pm, the Nez Perce County (south of Spokane, WA) Fire Department in Idaho was dispatched to a grass fire at the intersection of Webb Ridge Road and Flat Iron Road. 

A Firefighter started to attack the fire when the wind shifted unexpectedly, causing the fire to “burn over” him and partially over his fire apparatus.

Firefighter Jim Ralstin was rushed from the scene to meet with the Lewiston Paramedics who transported him to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston with burns to 65% of his body. 

He was later flown to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle due to the severity of his wounds where he is currently being treated.

--U.S. First Responders Association


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Open house and pancake breakfast at Station 51 in Kenmore June 3, 2023

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

 

The Shoreline Fire Department will hold a pancake breakfast and Open House at the Kenmore Station 51 on Saturday, June 3, 2023 from 9am to noon. Free pancake breakfast from 9:00 to 11:00am.

Station 51 is at 7220 NE 181st St, Kenmore.

The event includes challenge courses for kids; an opportunity to tour the fire engine, aid car and rescue truck; and live demonstrations by firefighters. 

The safety fair will include the King County Library, the City of Kenmore, City of Lake Forest Park Police Department, Northshore Utility District, and additional exhibitors with valuable health and safety information.

updated 5-18-2023

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First wildfire team deployment of the season on Mother's Day

Monday, May 15, 2023


Story and photo from Shoreline Fire

Brush 161 was deployed Sunday, May 14, 2023 to the Kamilche Point Fire in Mason County as part of a Strike Team. LT Merrick, LT Lewis, and FF Katz left in the afternoon afternoon. They were joined by a brush truck from Redmond, two brush trucks from Zone 3, and another from Kitsap County.

This appears to be about a 41 acre fire and was 70% contained as of about 4pm Sunday. 

This was a VERY early request for something on the west side of the state, and even early for the state itself. We expect it to be a busy year with predicted weather conditions.


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Controlled burn in Kenmore for firefighter training

Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Shoreline Fire crews training in Kenmore
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire
Shoreline Fire is always happy to have a house to burn down.

It means the crews get real life experience in actual buildings of the type they will encounter on calls.

We are so thankful when someone donates their building to us for “real” training!

On Monday, they had a house in Kenmore that was slated for demolition. Fire crews will be at the building in the 6500 block of NE 202nd in Kenmore from 10am to 3pm, Monday through Thursday.

If you have a structure to donate call 206-533-6500. They are happy to practice on commercial buildings as well as residential. In recent years they trained on the Shoreline pool and the Sears property at Shoreline Place.

--Diane Hettrick


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Fire in vacant Lake City apartment building

Lake City fire photo by John Odegard

By David Cuerpo in Fireline

Seattle — Early Wednesday morning, May 10, 2023 at 4:42am, the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting a fire in a two-story vacant apartment building at the 13500 block of Lake City Way NE. 

Engine 39 arrived first on scene at 4:48am and confirmed heavy smoke and flames coming through boarded up windows of the building. They removed several boards to gain access to the fire, but quickly realized it was not safe to enter due to high heat, smoke and unkept conditions of the vacant building.

Battalion 6 took command of the scene and ordered all responding units to transition to a defensive strategy by pouring water on the fire at a safe distance away from the building. 

Photos by John Odegard

Seattle Police and the Seattle Department of Transportation were requested to the scene to close down Lake City Way NE so firefighters could work safely. 

At 5:04am, the Deputy Chief took command of the scene and upgraded the incident to a 2-alarm fire requesting additional resources to protect adjacent buildings from the fire.

The scene began to stabilize by 5:29am and crews had the fire under control thirty minutes later. A few units remain on scene through the morning to monitor for flare ups. 

No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.



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Workshop held for women interested in careers in firefighting

Thursday, April 27, 2023

Participants in Future Women in EMS and Fire workshop
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Eastside Fire and Rescue held a workshop on April 22-23, 2023 for women interested in learning more about careers in Emergency Medical Services and Firefighting.

This was the 8th time that Eastside Fire and Rescue hosted a Future Women in EMS and Fire Workshop.

The workshop gave women ages 18 and older the opportunity to have hands on experience of what it’s like to be a firefighter!

The five instructors. career firefighters now, were past participants in these workshops!

If you or someone you know would like to participate in the next workshop and are eligible, applications will be available for our October workshop soon.

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Classifieds: Shoreline Fire Board meeting rescheduled

Thursday, April 20, 2023


NOTICE OF MEETING RESCHEDULED

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department has rescheduled the regular meeting scheduled for May 4, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to May 11, 2023 @ 5:00 pm.

Notice posted by: Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
April 17, 2023


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Lake City Community Center is a total loss - Lake City Seniors food program moves to nearby church

Lake City Community Center
Photo courtesy Lake City Seniors
The Lake City Community Center, 12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle, has been declared a total loss from this week's fire. (See previous article)

The many programs that used the building have to find new locations.

The Lake City Seniors food program has been offered space at the Lamb of God Lutheran Church for the foreseeable future for meal distribution and some community services on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. 

While most of the Senior Center programs and activities are cancelled until at least next week as they plan next steps, they will be able to provide the Senior Meal Program with their partner, Hunger Intervention Program.

The Shoreline - Lake Forest Park Senior Center has reached out to them to offer help.



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Lake City Community Center sustains major damage from fire that started in nearby tree

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Fire at Lake City Community Center
Photo by John Odegard

Seattle — Tuesday morning, April 18, 2023 at 2:49am, the Seattle Fire Department’s Fire Alarm Center received 911 calls reporting what appeared to be tree on fire that extended to the Lake City Community Center at the 12500 block of 28th Ave NE. 

Engine 39 arrived in less than three minutes from the initial 911 calls and confirmed an exterior fire at an entrance facing 27th Ave NE. Crews worked quickly to knock down the exterior portion of the fire, then confirmed flames extended inside the building.

Photo by John Odegard

Additional units arrived on scene to fight the fire, search for people inside the building and check for extension. Firefighters knocked down the interior fire, but realized flames extended into an inaccessible void space in between the ceiling and roof. Crews climbed onto the roof to cut holes in order to gain access to the fire then extinguish it.

The main seat of the fire was extinguished by 3:32am, and the fire within the void space was under control twenty minutes later. Primary and secondary searches of the building confirmed no one was inside. A few units remained on scene to monitor for flare ups.

No injuries were reported. Seattle Fire Department investigators ruled the fire as undetermined. Estimated loss is $150,000.

--Seattle Fire 


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Residential structure fire on N 165th in Shoreline

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Photo by Steven H. Robinson
Shoreline Fre responded to a Residential Structure Fire in the 1300 block of N 165th. 

They were able to quickly knock the fire down, then spent time making sure that it had not spread to other areas of the house.

The Red Cross was notified and sent a team of Red Cross disaster response volunteers to provide assistance as needed.


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Classifieds: Shoreline Fire commissioners meeting rescheduled

Monday, April 10, 2023


 
NOTICE OF MEETING RESCHEDULED

As required by RCW 42.30, the Open Public Meetings Act, you are hereby notified that the Board of Commissioners of the Shoreline Fire Department has rescheduled the regular meeting scheduled for June 1, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. to June 8, 2023 @ 5:00 pm.

Notice posted by: Beatriz Goldsmith
Executive Assistant
April 6, 2023


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Update on Suni's

Monday, April 3, 2023

Photo by Patricia Hale
The Kyrkos family, owners of arson-destroyed Suni's restaurant in the North City Business district, are working their way through insurance claims and city permits, "trying to figure out what the next steps are."

We do plan on rebuilding. We are just trying to figure out everything that goes with it. There’s a lot of steps that have to be taken before we have set plans.  

They are still in shock and grief at the loss, but very thankful for the community support.

Shoreline is a special place with amazing people and we hope to see everyone again as soon as we can.
 
--Diane Hettrick

4-3-2023 Correct spelling of family name is Kyrkos

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Residential fire leaves home uninhabitable and residents displaced

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Aftermath of structure fire. Photo by Steven H. Robinson

Shoreline Fire responded to a residential structure fire in the 16800 block of 12th Pl NE on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

Shoreline Fire reports that even after the main fire was extinguished, there was still a great deal of smoke.

The occupants were able to get out without injuries. The Red Cross was called to assist them. The Fire Marshal is investigating.



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Man rescued from Edmont Island after his sailboat capsizes on Lake Ballinger

Friday, March 24, 2023

South County Fire response for capsized sailboat on Lake Ballinger
Photo courtesy South County Fire

Firefighters with South County Fire rescued a man who swam to Edmont Island in the middle of Lake Ballinger after his sailboat capsized on Lake Ballinger just after 1pm on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

Sailboat towed to shore. Photo courtesy South County Fire

The man was cold, but not injured. He was evaluated by firefighters at the scene. Firefighters aboard the rescue boat towed the sailboat to shore.



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Shoreline Fire Marshal Derek LaFontaine retires

Friday, March 17, 2023

Fire Marshal Derek LaFontaine
Fire Marshal Derek LaFontaine will work his last day with Shoreline Fire Department on March 16, 2023 after almost 17 years with the department.

Derek was hired as a lateral firefighter with Shoreline Fire in May 2006. After hard work and preparation for change, Derek was promoted to the position of Inspector 1 in September of 2012. 

Derek went on to complete numerous classes and credentials in Fire Prevention and was promoted to Inspector 2, Inspector 3, and then to Deputy Fire Marshal. In 2019, Derek was promoted to Fire Marshal where he serves today.

As the Fire Marshal, Derek oversaw numerous projects in City of Shoreline and has played a major role in fire safety and prevention. 

Derek was instrumental in the passing of the fire sprinkler ordinance in Shoreline in 2021, which will help save countless lives and property for generations to come. 

Derek’s positive attitude, passion for prevention and community service will be missed by all.


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Wildfire aftermath: WSDOT crews replace 2500 feet of guardrail on Hwy 2 after Bolt Creek Fire

Monday, March 13, 2023

WSDOT crews replacing guard rails on Hwy 2 in the aftermath of the Bolt Creek fire
Photo courtesy WSDOT

Last year, the Bolt Creek fire burned along US 2 between Index and Skykomish spanning across the Snohomish-King county line. 

In addition to the trees that burned during the fire, fire mitigation strategies included the removal of several hundred hazardous trees. As trees fell, unfortunately some of the guardrail along the highway was damaged.

Over the past several weeks, contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation have replaced approximately 2,500 feet of guardrail along US 2 near the Money Creek Tunnel. 

The project has required traffic to alternate through a single-lane work zone, and it is expected to conclude next week once inspection is complete.

As debris flow remains a concern along the Bolt Creek Fire Burn Scar and will for several years, WSDOT maintenance crews will continue regular monitoring and are scheduled to proceed with the construction of debris flow fence later this fall.


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Shoreline Firefighter team raises $10k for charity in Leukemia Lymphoma Firefighter Stair Climb

Shoreline Firefighter Stairclimb Team 2023
Photo courtesy Shoreline Fire

Fourteen Shoreline firefighters completed the 69 floor climb of the Columbia Center and donated $10,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

This was 69 floors, 1,356 steps and 788’ in elevation. This is in full gear which adds a minimum of 50 extra pounds.

Teams from all over Washington state participated, as well as multiple teams from Canada, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. Also represented were the states of California, Alaska, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah, Texas and more.

The registration for the event is capped at 2,000 individuals and fills up early every year.

The funds raised to date this year are over $2 million. You can still donate to the Shoreline team here.

This was the 32nd year for the event, which was started by a Shoreline fire captain, David Engler, (see his story here) who made his first climb in full gear in 1990 and challenged other firefighters to join him in 1992.



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Understanding the Fire Benefit Charge

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Photo by Wayne Pridemore
By Cathy Goodrich

Communication is key to understanding how the Fire benefit Charge (FBC) is assessed, says Chief Matt Cowan, Shoreline Fire Department. 

Proof of that is in the number of appeals submitted by property owners after they received the revised notification letter in January. 

Cowan attributes the increase in appeals to the clearer description of the FBC’s purpose, how it is calculated, and the appeals process.

Specifically, revisions to the notification letter clarified the availability of a 10% discount for a structure equipped with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. Cowan believes greater clarity in communication has resulted in the number of appeals increasing from 8 in 2022 to 51 as of March 3, 2023. 

Ninety-two percent were successfully appealed for sprinkler discounts. Two appeals were based on an incorrect understanding of how the square footage is calculated. Two former property owners received FBC letters because their property sales had not yet been recorded by King County.

The deadline for appeal of an FBC was March 6 at 4:00pm. For details on how to appeal, go to the department’s website or call 206-533-6500.

Prior to 2016, fire protection funding in Shoreline was based solely on a property tax called the fire tax levy. Chief Cowan introduced to the Shoreline City Council an alternative option of the FBC, permitted by statute, as a means of diversifying funding. 

The Council brought it to the citizens for a vote in 2015 which passed. As a result, fire protection funding was changed in 2016 to include both the customary but reduced-property tax, and the newly approved FBC. Cowan believes the combination of the FBC, and a property tax is a more equitable way to fund fire protection services for Shoreline residents. Funding based just on the size of a property does not adequately reflect the resources needed to fight a fire.

Unlike a simple property tax, the FBC considers both the size of all of the structures on a property (overall square footage) and each structure’s use (its risk). By doing so, the fee better reflects the firefighting requirements needed for a particular property. 

Generally, the harder it is to reduce the fire hazards to human life and property, the greater is the fee. In other words, larger and riskier structures will pay more than smaller and safer structures according to the Shoreline Fire Department’s January letter to property owners.

Examples of riskier structures are commercial buildings storing chemicals or other fire hazards and multi-story apartment buildings. A residence greater than 5,000 square feet will also pay more than a smaller residence which poses a relatively lower risk. Properties with no buildings will not pay a FBC although they will still owe the tax based on the property’s overall value.

Not every property owner pays the FBC. Certain exemptions apply including for federally owned property, certain schools, and religious organizations. 

Data from the Shoreline Fire Department, indicates about 265 exempt properties. Of those, about 230 are also exempt from the FBC. Another exemption exists for qualifying low-income seniors who may be eligible for a reduced fee. Answers to FBC Frequently Asked Questions are at the department website at https://shorelinefire.com/information/fire-benefit-charge/

Combined funding for fire protection also provides greater stability and flexibility for budgeting and forecasting, says Cowan. No longer tied to fluctuating property values with a rate capped by statute, the FBC includes factors more directly related to the benefits an owner may receive from fire services. 

Also, the FBC can be adjusted for projected cost of service. Each upcoming year’s FBC rate is approved by the elected Board of Fire Commissioners after the previous October’s public hearing. By statute funds collected by the FBC are limited to 60% of the operating budget.



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