The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 296 calls for service for the week of February 15-21, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 1,929 calls. This is a 1.5% increase from 2020 (1,900).
Call Breakdown:
235 (79%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 1,452 (+1.5%, compared to 2020’s 1,430).
8 (3%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 82.1%, with 2021 having 51 calls and 2020 having 28.
53 (18%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (-3.6%), with 2021 currently at 426 calls compared to 2020’s 442. 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 1,500 tests between February 16-21, 2021. Approximately 11% were positive. This approximate 7-day positivity rate is a 4% increase from the previous week (February 8-15, 2021) 7-day positivity rate of 7%.
The positivity rate of the C St SW testing site and the City of Auburn’s positivity rate are two different things. The City of Auburn’s positivity rate* for the past 14 days is 10.2%, a 2.0% decrease since last week’s 14-day positivity rate check (18.3%). The C St SW testing site does not impact the positivity rate of the City of Auburn.
Specially Trained VRFA EMTs assisted the King County Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccines at the GSA Complex. Two lanes of the C St SW testing site will be dedicated to vaccination appointments, meaning the location is now both a COVID-19 testing location and one of two South King County mass COVID-19 vaccine locations. Please note – vaccines are available by appointment only.
Calls for Service:
- Aid Call: (Auburn) On Monday, February 15 at 2:18 p.m., firefighters assisted an adult male who was the victim of an assault. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by VRFA firefighters.
- Aid Call: (Pacific) On Tuesday, February 16 at 1:05 p.m., firefighters responded to an adult male that had injured his hip from a previous fall. The patient was evaluated and transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.
- Aid Call: (Pacific) On Wednesday, February 17 at 4:01 p.m., firefighters assisted a male with a seizure condition. The patient was treated by firefighters, evaluated by King County Medics, and transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.
- Aid Call: (Auburn) On Thursday, February 18 at 4:50 p.m., firefighters assisted an elderly female complaining of a possible broken leg after falling out of bed. She was packaged and taken to a local hospital by a VRFA aid unit.
- MVA: (Lakeland Hills) On Friday, February 19 at 6:45 a.m., firefighters responded to a single vehicle accident. Upon arrival, firefighters found the car on its side. The driver was trapped inside. Fire fighters used extrication tools and removed the patient out the rear hatchback. Patient was evaluated by firefighters and King County Medic One paramedics. Patient was transported by King County Medic One to Tacoma General for further evaluation and treatment.
Source: VRFA - Residential Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, February 20 at 1:24 p.m., firefighters responded to a fire in a residence. The occupants were alerted to the fire by smoke alarm and evacuated without injury. Firefighters arrived and quickly extinguished the fire and searched to ensure no one else was in the house. The cause is under investigation. There were no injuries reported.
- Car vs Pedestrian: (South Auburn) On Sunday, February 21, at 7:03 p.m., firefighters were
dispatched to an adult female who was unresponsive in the road after being struck by a vehicle. Firefighters arrived to find an unconscious female with injuries to her head. Firefighters treated and packaged the patient at the scene. King County Medics transported her to Harborview Medical Center. - Four-Plex Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, February 22, at 11:50 p.m., VRFA firefighters along with units from SKFR and PSFR responded to the 2700 block of 18th SE for a four-plex fire. Firefighters arrived to find fire coming from the windows of one unit. Firefighters quickly dowsed the flames then searched and cleared the units. There were no injuries reported but nine adults and one infant were displaced. Fire investigators are working to determine the fire cause.
Fire Inspections:
- On Saturday, February 20, an accidental fire occurred in a single-family residence in the 300 block of S. Division Street in the City of Auburn. The fire was a result of a malfunctioning battery charger and was mostly confined to room and contents. Dollar loss is estimated at $40,000.
- On Sunday, February 21, an incendiary fire occurred in a multi-family complex in the 2700 block of 18th St SE in the City of Auburn. One unit sustained heavy damage from smoke and flames while three others sustained only smoke damage. One adult female was arrested and booked into King County Jail. The fire remains a joint investigation with Auburn Police. Dollar loss is estimated at $200,000.
C.A.R.E.S. Calls
- 7 responses (3 day week)
- 18 referrals
- 8 new enrollments & 9 enrollments closed
- 66 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.