The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 310 calls for service for the week of April 19-25, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 4,299 calls. This is a 6.6% increase from 2020 (4,032).

Call Breakdown:

237(76%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 3,270 (up 9.5%, compared to 2020’s 2,978).

12 (4%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 46.4%, with 2021 having 123 calls and 2020 having 84.

61 (20%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is down (-5.7%), with 2021 currently at 906 calls compared to 2020’s 961. Other calls include water rescues, HazMat calls, and ladder requests.

COVID-19 Testing Site

Specially trained VRFA EMTs assisted the King County Health Department in COVID-19 testing drive-up and walk-up residents at the GSA Complex. This site administered approximately 2,600 tests between April 18 and 24. Approximately 7% were positive. This is an decrease of 3% from the previous week’s rate of 10%.

The King County Auburn Drive-Thru Testing Site Has Moved.

The positivity rate of the C St SW testing site and the City of Auburn’s positivity rate are two different things. The C St SW testing site does not impact the positivity rate of the City of Auburn.

The City of Auburn’s positivity rate* for the past 14 days is 11.3%, a 1.1 % inrease since last week’s 14-day positivity rate check (10.4%). Auburn’s current overall positivity rate is 10.2% of all tests (same as last week).

Specially Trained VRFA EMTs assisted the King County Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccines at the GSA Complex. The location is now both a COVID-19 testing location and one of two South King County mass COVID-19 vaccine locations.

The Auburn COVID-19 vaccine location has moved to the Outlet Collection! Please note – vaccines are available by appointment only.

Calls for Service

Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Sunday, April 18 at 12:22 firefighters responded to a 2 car accident with one seriously injured. Crews secured the scene and stabilized the patient who was evaluated and transported by King County Medic One Paramedics to Harborview Medical Center.
Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, April 18 at 4:34 p.m., firefighters responded mutual aid on Green Valley Road for a brush fire. The fire grew in size and 2nd and 3rd alarms were called. Multiple fire agencies from the South Puget Sound area, including the Dept. of Natural Resources were used to gain control of the fire. Crews remained on the scene throughout the night to watch for hot spots.
House Fire: (Kent) On Monday, April 19 at 7:44 p.m., firefighters responded mutual aid to a house fire in Kent. Crews arrived to find visible fire showing from the backside of the house. They made an initial attack from the exterior then made entry to extinguish interior fire and overhaul concealed area. There were no injuries. The fire is under investigation.
Landslide/ Gas Leak: (Auburn) On Wednesday, April 21 at 6:10 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a landslide that caused a gas leak. Firefighters arrived and found that natural gas was present in the house. That house and two neighboring houses were evacuated. PSE secured the gas at the meter. Officials from the City of Auburn were requested and the scene was turned over to them. They will ensure the stability of the hillside and house involved.
CPR: (Lea Hill) On Wednesday, April 21 at 2:17 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of a male patient who was unconscious, unresponsive, and not breathing. The man’s wife began CPR. Firefighters and paramedics treated the patient on scene. The patient was transported to a local area hospital by Medic 6 for further medical interventions.
Aid Call: (Auburn) On Thursday, April 22 at 9:28 a.m., firefighters evaluated a middle-aged male in custody of APD, complaining of swallowing an unknown amount of narcotics. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by APD for further evaluation.
Commercial Vehicle Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, April 23 at 4:07 p.m., firefighters responded to the Sounder Station in Auburn for a Sounder Train Fire. Crews arrived and found light smoke from the Sounder engine. Turned out to be a mechanical issue with the engine emitting smoke. The scene was turned back over to Transit personnel.
Aid Call: (Auburn) On Saturday, April 24 at 6:36 p.m., firefighters responded to a two-vehicle motor vehicle accident on Auburn Way S. Five patients were assessed on scene by VRFA personnel and all five were transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center with minor injuries.
Commercial Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, April 25 at 2:15 p.m., firefighters responded to a wall fire in a duplex. The fire was extinguished with minimal water or fire damage. Red Cross assisted five residents with pets that were displaced. No injuries were reported.

Fire Investigations

There were no new calls for service for the Fire Investigation Unit.

C.A.R.E.S.

8 responses
21 referrals
7 new enrollments
4 enrollments closed
61 total patients enrolled

The Community Assistance, Referrals, and Education Services (CARES) is a joint program between VRFA, King County Emergency Medical Services division South King Fire & Rescue, Enumclaw, and Mountainview Fire and Rescue departments. Each CARES response vehicle is staffed 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. by one firefighter from each department and a social worker. The CARES unit is sent on less emergent calls in non-transport capable vehicles to provide basic patient evaluation, assistance, specific basic life support treatment on scene, and arrange for transport if medically necessary. CARES also referred patients to community services where needed.

The above information was provided by the Valley Regional Fire Authority.

*This rate is as of this publication and is based on King County data only