The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 335 calls for service for the week of September 13-19, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 10,767 calls. This is a 14.4% increase from 2020 (9,408).
Call Breakdown:
236 (70%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 7,987 up 15.7%, compared to 2020’s (6,905).
11 (3%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 21.6%, with 2021 having 399 calls and 2020 having 328.
88 (26%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (9.5%), with 2021 currently at 2,381 calls compared to 2020’s 2,175. Other calls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.
VRFA Calls for Service
- Aid Call (Algona) On Monday, September 13, firefighters responded to an elderly woman having
difficulty breathing. Firefighters found the patient with signs consistent with Covid and pneumonia.
She was treated at the scene by firefighters, and transported by private ambulance to MultiCare
Auburn Medical Center. - Vehicle in the River: (Auburn) On Tuesday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m., firefighters from Zone 3
Water Rescue and King County paramedics responded to a report of a car in the river. Updated
information said that the driver was out of the vehicle, and was the sole occupant. A witness
reported that the driver appeared to be making a U-turn and drove off the road. The adult male was
on shore when the fire department arrived. He declined transport. - Aid Call: (Pacific) On Tuesday, September 14 at 4:36 p.m., firefighters were called to assist a
toddler who fell out a second story window. Firefighters treated the patient at the scene. He was
transported to MultiCare Auburn by private ambulance. - Shooting: (Auburn) On Wednesday, September 15 at 5:43 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a
female who sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Firefighters performed resuscitative efforts. The
patient succumbed to her wounds and was pronounced deceased by King County paramedics.
The incident is under investigation by Auburn Police Department. - Tree Fire: (Auburn) On Wednesday, September 15 at 10:28 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a
tree on fire in a city park. Firefighters arrived and found a large tree that had been burning in a
hollow area at the base. Firefighters extinguished the fire, and contacted Auburn Parks Dept. to
have the tree taken down. - Residential Fire: (Covington) On Thursday, September 16 at 3:29 p.m., firefighters responded as
part of a second alarm for a house fire in the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority service area.
Firefighters searched the structure for additional victims and performed overhaul to ensure
extinguishment and loss stop. - Stabbing: (Auburn) On Friday, September 17 at 1:45 a.m., VRFA fire and King County paramedics
responded to the 2000 block of Auburn Way N. for a stabbing. The male patient in his 30’s was
treated and packaged for transport at the scene. Paramedics transported the patient to Harborview
Medical Center. - Residential Fire: (Enumclaw) On Saturday, September 18, at 12:50 a.m., VRFA units responded
out to Enumclaw for a house fire. VRFA units arrived and were assigned to extinguish fire from
defensive positions. Firefighters mopped up the fire and were released back in service. - Aid Call: (Lea Hill) On Saturday, September 18 at 2:22 p.m., firefighters responded to an adult
female with chest pain that began after smoking marijuana. The patient had a history of anxiety
and elected to stay at home.
Fire Investigations
- There were no new calls for service for the Fire Investigation Unit.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 2 responses
- 13 referrals
- 3 new enrollments
- 3 enrollments closed
- 63 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.