The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 293 calls for service for the week of March 14-17, 2022 (prev week 245). Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 3,301 calls for service. This is a 15.5% increase from 2021 (2,857).

Calls for Service Breakdown:

243 (83%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2022 so far are 2,796 up 13.2%, compared to 2021’s (2,496).

49 (17%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 30.2%, with 2022 having 440 calls and 2021 having 338.

1 (0%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls in 2022 is up (30%) with 65 in 2021 only having 50. ‘Other’ calls include water rescues, water over roadways, downed lines, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.

VRFA Calls for Service

Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Monday, March 14 at 6:54 a.m., firefighters responded to a vehicle verses pedestrian incident. Firefighters along with King County Medics treated the patient on scene. The patient was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center for further care.

Residential Fire: (Algona) On Monday, March 14^th at 5:01 p.m., firefighters from the VRFA and South King Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a house fire. VRFA firefighters arrived to find smoke and flames from the front of the home. Firefighters conducted fire attack and search activities. No injuries were reported and the fire is currently under investigation by VRFA fire investigators.

Service Call: (Auburn) On Wednesday, March 16^th at 8:05 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a water leak in a private residence. Firefighters arrived to find a second story bathroom water leak. Firefighters turned off water to the residence, assisted homeowner with water removal, and contacted a restoration company to mitigate the resulting water damage. Crew educated homeowner on location of water shut off and its operation.

Illegal Burn: (Algona) On Thursday, March 17 at 10:58 a.m., firefighters were called to investigate an illegal burn. Firefighters arrived to find unauthorized burning, educated the resident on outdoor burning regulations, and witnessed him extinguish the fire.

Motor Vehicle Accident: (Algona) On Saturday, March 19^th at 1:17 p.m., firefighters responded to a vehicle into a fence. On arrival, they found one car had crashed through a fence into multiple boats at a boat dealership. Firefighters controlled a gasoline leak and located one patient complaining of multiple injuries. The patient was evaluated by firefighters and transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.

Aid Call: (Auburn) On Sunday, March 20 at 6:04 p.m., firefighters responded to a 30’s year old female with a possibly broken collarbone. The patient was stabilized and then transported by A332 to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center for further evaluation.

Fire Investigations

On Monday, March 14th, an undetermined fire occurred in a single-family residence in the 100
block of Tacoma Blvd in the City of Algona. The home was a long-time vacant building and
suffered extensive damage.
On Sunday, March 20th, an accidental fire occurred in a single-family residence in the 200 block
of 3rd Ave N in the City of Algona. The fire was a result of a failed furnace unit allowing fire
damage to extend into the structure.

Training: Deputy Fire Marshals McAuley and Irvine successfully completed the third and final step of their Fire Investigator Certification on Friday, March 18th in training for Courtroom Testimony. The
class was jointly hosted by VRFA and Tukwila Fire Department, successfully certifying 17 Investigators from Western Washington.

C.A.R.E.S.

10 responses
20 referrals
9 new enrollment
6 enrollments closed
52 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, outside of the LLS Firefighter Climb, was provided by the Valley Regional Fire Authority.

Updated 3/23: two incidents originally included in this blotter were from March 7th. They have been removed to correctly reflect the dates of this blotter.