The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 350 calls for service for the week of July 26-August 1, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 8,514 calls. This is a 15.1% increase from 2020 (7,395).
Call Breakdown:
262 (75%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 6,377 up 16.1%, compared to 2020’s (5,944).
16 (5%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 32.1%, with 2021 having 292 calls and 2020 having 221.
72 (21%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (9.8%), with 2021 currently at 1,845 calls compared to 2020’s 1,611. Other calls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.
Auburn School Foundation School Supply Drive!
VRFA St. 31 will be a drop off location for the Auburn School Foundation School Supply Drive. The collection bucket will be out Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm, through August 16.
VRFA Calls for Service
- Aid Call (Lea Hill) On Monday, July 26 at 3:21 p.m., firefighters responded to an elderly female that
had injuries after falling. The patient was walking her dog and came across another citizen with her
dog. The two dogs had a rough interaction and knocked the patient over. Firefighters assisted the
woman and treated her injuries. She was then assisted back to her home. - Aid Call: (Auburn) On Tuesday, July 27 at 3:52 p.m., firefighters assisted an adult male complaining
of an ankle injury after being caught between two pallet jacks. The patient was evaluated and
transported to a local hospital by firefighters. - Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Wednesday, July 28 at 1:22 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire
extending to a fence. The fire was six feet from a home. Crews extinguished the fire and ensured
there was no fire extension to the residence. - Car into Building: (Lakeland Hills) On Thursday, July 29 at 1:56 p.m., firefighters responded to a
car into the front of a house. The female driver said that she was pressing on the brake pedal while
backing into her driveway but the car would not stop. The vehicle traveled between the two houses,
knocked over a supporting column on the neighbor’s front porch, and finally high centered on a
rock wall. Firefighters secured the scene and denied entry to structure. No injuries were reported
by the involved party. Valley Towing removed the car and City of Auburn Building Department
inspected the structure for structural integrity.
(For those of you wondering ‘how does this even happen?!’ – it just does, okay? For the driver, welcome to the ‘I put a car into a building’ club. We have punch and pie.) - Motor Vehicle Accident: (South Auburn) On Friday, July 30 at 10:00 p.m., firefighters responded to
a motor vehicle accident involving an ambulance and a SUV. Four patients with minor injuries were
transported by private ambulances to local emergency rooms. One patient went to a local
emergency room by personal vehicle. - Residential Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, July 31st at 1:40 p.m., firefighters responded to a report
of flames from the roof of a house. Investigation revealed a small attic fire above a bathroom fan.
The fire was extinguished and no one was injured. The scene was turned over to the fire
investigator. - Car vs Pedestrian (Auburn) On Sunday, August 1, at 12:45 a.m., VRFA firefighters and King County
paramedics responded to a car versus pedestrian. Firefighters arrived and found a critical patient.
The patient was treated at the scene and transported to Harborview Medical Center by paramedics. - Welfare Check: (Lea Hill) On Sunday, August 1st at 5:20 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to
assist a suicidal adult male who had barricaded himself inside his apartment. A friend gained
access to the apartment and firefighters evaluated the patient. The friend transported him to a
local hospital.
If you or someone you know is in need of help, please know that someone is available 24/7/365 to assist. No matter your situation, there is help available. No one fights alone. https://auburnexaminer.com/crisis-resources/
Fire Investigations
- On Saturday, July 31, an accidental house fire occurred in the 1400 block of Riverview Dr NE in
the City of Auburn. The fire started due to mechanical failure of a ventilation fan. Fire damage
was isolated to the attic space. Dollar loss is estimated at $50,000. - A joint scene examination with private investigators was conducted in the recent commercial fire
in the 100 block of East Main Street. The fire remains under investigation.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 11 responses
- 31 referrals
- 8 new enrollments
- 4 enrollments closed
- 62 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.