The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 265 calls for service for the week of April 12-18, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 3,989 calls. This is a 3.6% increase from 2020 (3,849).

Call Breakdown:

195 (74%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 3.036 (up 6.6%, compared to 2020’s 2,849).

13 (5%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 37.0%, with 2021 having 111 calls and 2020 having 81.

57 (22%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is down (-8.4%), with 2021 currently at 842 calls compared to 2020’s 919. 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 2,750 tests between April 11 and 17. Approximately 10% were positive. This is an increase of 2% from the previous week’s rate of 10%.

The positivity rate of the C St SW testing site and the City of Auburn’s positivity rate are two different things. The C St SW testing site does not impact the positivity rate of the City of Auburn.

The City of Auburn’s positivity rate* for the past 14 days is 10.4%, a3% decrease since last week’s 14-day positivity rate check (13.4%). Auburn’s current overall positivity rate is 10.2% of all tests (a decrease of 0.01%).

Specially Trained VRFA EMTs assisted the King County Health Department in administering COVID-19 vaccines at the GSA Complex. The location is now both a COVID-19 testing location and one of two South King County mass COVID-19 vaccine locations.

The Auburn COVID-19 vaccine location has moved to the Outlet Collection! Please note – vaccines are available by appointment only.

Calls for Service

Aid Call: (Auburn) On Monday, April 12 at 1:20 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to an adult female with injuries from a cat. The patient was treated on scene for several puncture wounds and a small laceration then transported by private vehicle to MultiCare Covington Medical Center.
Arson Investigation: (Auburn) On Tuesday, April 13 at 10:39 p.m., firefighters were dispatched for a residential fire. First arriving firefighters found that a roof fire had been extinguished by a neighbor with a garden hose. A private surveillance video provided by another homeowner has been given to Auburn Police. The video shows the act of arson, and an associated vehicle. Additional evidence was collected at the scene for an ongoing investigation by VRFA investigators and Auburn Police.

Natural Gas: (Lakeland) On Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 11:49 a.m. firefighters responded to reports of natural gas inside a home. E333 and B331 were able to determine it was new mulch and soil sitting in the garage causing the curious odor.
Grass Fire: (Lea Hill) On Thursday, April 15 at 7:33 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of a grass fire in a vacant lot. Firefighters arrived to find a small 20 square foot grass fire, and quickly extinguished it.
Aid Call: (Auburn) On Friday, April 16 at 11:38 a.m., firefighters responded to an elderly female who was thought to be in cardiac arrest. Bystanders began to do CPR. After a minute, CPR was stopped when the patient began to breathe on her own. Firefighters treated the patient with King County Medic One. A331 transported her to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.
Motor Vehicle Accident: (Pacific) On Friday, April 16 at 3:06 a.m., firefighters assisted a female complaining of neck and head pain after a motor vehicle accident. The patient was treated by firefighters and transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.
Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Sunday, April 18 at 12:22 firefighters responded to a 2 car accident with one seriously injured. Crews secured the scene and stabilized patient who was evaluated and transported by King County Medic One Paramedics to Harborview Medical Center.
Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Sunday, April 18 at 4:34 p.m., firefighters responded mutual aid on Green Valley road for a brush fire. The fire grew in size and a 2^nd and 3^rd alarm were called. Multiple fire agencies from the South Puget Sound area, including the Dept. of Natural Resources were used to gain control of the fire. Crews remained on scene throughout the night to watch for hot spots.

Fire Investigations

On Tuesday, April 13, an incendiary fire occurred in the 1800 block of 26th St SE in the City of
Auburn. The fire occurred in a single-family residence and was confined to the roof. This incident
remains an open joint investigation with Auburn Police Department.

C.A.R.E.S.

3 responses (CARES was unstaffed 2 days)
18 referrals
2 patients enrolled
6 enrollments closed
57 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