The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 300 calls for service for the week of November 1-7, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 12,869 calls. This is a 15.3% increase from 2020 (11,166).
Call Breakdown:
232 (77%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 9,561 up 16.5%, compared to 2020’s (8,210).
3 (1%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 13.4%, with 2021 having 439 calls and 2020 having 387.
65 (22%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (11.7%), with 2021 currently at 2,869 calls compared to 2020’s 2,569. Other calls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.
Shout Out to Schniter Steel in Tacoma on Marine View Drive for allowing VRFA to use its facility for their vehicle extraction training. “Vehicle Extrication training is a 3-week block of training…this facility is allowing [VRFA] to use their property to conduct this valuable training and they are providing the vehicles to [VRFA] at no cost!” said the Chief’s weekly report. VRFA is “very thankful for the immense savings.”
VRFA Calls for Service
- Aid Call: (Lakeland Hills) On Tuesday, November 2 at 3:30 a.m., firefighters responded to assist
an elderly male complaining of shortness of breath. Personnel arrived and immediately called for
King County paramedics to assist the patient who was having a heart attack. Paramedics
transported the patient with the assistance of one of the VRFA firefighters to MultiCare Auburn for
further care. - Wires: (Auburn) On Wednesday, November 3rd at 4:03 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to reports
of a blown transformer and possible electrical wires down. Upon arrival, an inoperable transformer
was identified with all power lines seemingly intact. A nearby resident did affirm her townhome was
now without power. The affected pole number was relayed to Puget Sound Energy. - Car vs Garage: (Auburn) On Thursday, November 4 at 7:10 a.m., firefighters responded to a report
of a car into a garage. Firefighters arrived with Auburn police on scene to a car through a residential
fence. The adult female driver of the car complained of ankle pain. She was transported to
MultiCare Auburn ER by a VRFA aid unit. (Welcome to the “I put a car into a building” Club. I promise you’ll laugh about this eventually. It may take a few years, but you will; I speak from experience). - Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, November 4 at 8:35 p.m., VRFA, SKFR firefighters,
and King County paramedics responded to a single-vehicle into the jersey barrier on North Bound
167. Firefighters arrived to a heavily damaged vehicle with 1 patient trapped inside with significant
injuries, mainly from not wearing a seatbelt. Firefighters and paramedics extricated, packaged, and
treated the patient. The patient was transported to Harborview Medical Center by private
ambulance. - River Rescue: (White River) On Friday, November 5 at 3:30 p.m., firefighters and rescue technicians
responded to a report of an adult female jumping from a bridge into the white river and floating
downstream. Swiftwater rescuers used an inflatable kayak and raft to search the river. The patient
was located by rescuers still in the river. Firefighters assisted removing the patient from the water.
Medics treated and transported the patient to Harborview Medical Center. - Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Saturday, November 6 at 7:37 a.m., firefighters responded to a single-car accident in the parking lot of an apartment complex. The driver had a medical emergency which
caused him to lose control of the vehicle. Firefighters evaluated the driver and passenger who were
complaining of multiple injuries. Both patients were transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center
by private ambulance for continued care. - Commercial Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, November 7 at 9:32 p.m., firefighters responded to a three-alarm fire in an apartment building. Firefighters evacuated the building and battled the fire with help
from neighboring jurisdictions. The fire caused extensive damage to the structure and remains
under investigation.
Fire Investigations
- On Sunday, November 7, a commercial fire occurred in a multi-family residence in the 1600
block of 8th ST NE in the City of Auburn. The fire displaced a large number of residents leaving
the building uninhabitable. Dollar loss is estimated to be $2.9 Million Dollars.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 10 responses
- 16 referrals
- 9 new enrollments
- 4 enrollments closed
- 43 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.