VRFA Blotter: Firefighters Respond to Car Fire Near Gas Pumps

The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 306 calls for service for the week of February 7-13,2022 (prev week 270). Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 1,627 calls for service. This is a 22.3% increase from 2021 (1,330).

Calls for Service Breakdown:

271  (89%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2022 so far are 1,658 up 21.6%, compared to 2021’s (1,363).

32 (10%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 14.3%, with 2022 having 232 calls and 2021 having 203.

3(1%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (34.4lls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.

VRFA Calls for Service

• Aid Call: (Lea Hill) On Monday, February 7th at 6:41 p.m. firefighters responded to an elderly male that fell and hit his head. The patient was evaluated and treated at the scene by VRFA personnel
  and transported to Valley Medical Center by a private ambulance.
•  Residential Fire: (Federal Way) On Tuesday, February 8 at 7:11 p.m., a VRFA unit responded
  as mutual aid with South King Fire units for a house fire. Initial units on scene found a large amount
  of fire on the second floor. The VRFA unit assisted with coordinating fire ground units and command
  functions. A resident was treated for minor cuts to the hand, a canine that was in the home was
  not found. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
• Vehicle vs. Pedestrian: (Auburn) On Wednesday, February 9 at 3:02 p.m., firefighters and King
  County Medic One responded to an adult male who suffered multiple injuries after being struck by
  a vehicle while crossing the road. On arrival, firefighters and paramedics found an unconscious
  male down in the roadway. The patient was quickly evaluated and packaged before being moved
  to the back of the paramedics’ ambulance for further stabilization. Once stabilized the patient was
  transported to Harborview Medical Center ER for further care by paramedics with the assistance
  of firefighters.
• Aid Call: (Lakeland Hills) On Thursday, February 10 at 9:09 p.m., firefighters responded to an adult
  female who fell and hit her head. After the evaluation, it was determined that the patient required
  stitches. The patient was then transported to a MultiCare Covington by a private ambulance.
• Car Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, February 11 at 1:39 p.m. firefighters responded to a report of a car
  on fire with exposures. On location, we found a vehicle that was fully involved with fire
  approximately 10 feet from gas pumps. Firefighters from Puget Sound Fire were first on location
  and performed fire attack with a VRFA unit assisting. The fire appeared to start in the engine
  compartment. Photos were taken and the car was towed from the location.
• Car Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, February 11 at 6:54 p.m. firefighters responded to a fully involved
  car fire located in the westbound lanes of Hwy. 18. Firefighters extinguished the fire and released
  the scene to Washington State Patrol. There were no reported injuries for this incident.
• Apartment Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, February 12 at 10:39 p.m., firefighters responded to an
  automatic fire alarm at the Auburn Glen Apartments. They arrived to find light smoke coming from
  one unit. Firefighters made access to the unit and found a sprinkler controlled fire in the bedroom.
  Firefighters ventilated the unit with an electric fan, overhauled the area, and shut down the sprinkler
  system. The fire was contained to the bedroom. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the
  displaced residents with finding accommodations. The fire is under investigation.
• Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Sunday, February 14 at 5:49 p.m., firefighters responded to
  a 2 car motor vehicle accident. One of the occupants had minor injuries. She was assessed by fire
  crews and went to the hospital with a family member driving their own vehicle.

Fire Investigations

• On February 10th, an incendiary fire occurred at in the 10500 block of 300th ST SE in the City of
  Auburn. The fire occurred in a school bathroom and was quickly extinguished with no structural
  involvement. A Juvenile Firesetter referral has been made with Public Educators.
•  On Saturday, February 12th, an accidental fire occurred in the 1900 block of A ST SE in the City
  of Auburn. The fire was extinguished mostly by the building’s sprinkler system with no extension
  beyond the objects of origin. Dollar loss is estimated at $5,000.

C.A.R.E.S.

• 4 responses
• 18 referrals
• 5 new enrollment
• 2 enrollments closed
• 45 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.