VRFA Blotter: ‘mass casualty’ incident, CPR save, battery hazard among week’s incidents

Here are 911 Calls for Service responded to by the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) from Mar. 2–Mar. 8, 2026:

• Non-Aid Service Call (Auburn): On Monday, March 2nd at 11:45 a.m., VRFA firefighters responded to reports of a lithium battery that began off-gassing and making unusual noises after a teenager had disassembled an appliance. Firefighters inspected the battery and checked for heat and hazardous air readings, finding none. The battery was moved outside and placed away from nearby exposures as a precaution.
• Mass Casualty Incident (Algona): On Tuesday, March 3rd at 8:27 a.m., VRFA firefighters and King County Medic One paramedics responded to reports of an active shooter. Crews arrived to find one teenager and two adults with gunshot wounds at two separate locations. Firefighters and paramedics provided treatment on scene. Two patients were transported to Harborview Medical Center, and one patient was pronounced deceased at the scene.
• Aid Call (Auburn): On Wednesday, March 4th at 7:22 p.m., VRFA firefighters responded to an adult female who was 38 weeks pregnant and experiencing contractions. Firefighters and King County Medic One paramedics evaluated the patient on scene before she was transported by paramedics to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center for further care.
• CPR (Auburn): On Thursday, March 5th, 2026, VRFA firefighters responded to an adult male experiencing shortness of breath. While crews were en route, the patient went into respiratory arrest followed by cardiac arrest. Firefighters began CPR, and King County Medic One paramedics established an advanced airway due to a difficult airway. The patient regained a pulse on scene and was transported by paramedics to Valley Medical Center in Renton, with two firefighters assisting during transport.
• Aid Call (Auburn): On Friday, March 6th at 2:16 p.m., VRFA firefighters responded to an adult female with a contact lens stuck behind her eyelid. Firefighters evaluated the patient on scene before she was transported by private ambulance to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center for further care.
• Service Call (Auburn): On Saturday, March 7th at 10:02 a.m., VRFA firefighters responded to assist an adult male who was stuck in an elevator at a self-storage facility. Firefighters were able to open the elevator door and safely assist the individual out. No injuries were reported.
• Aid Call (Auburn): On Sunday, March 8th at 1:36 p.m., VRFA firefighters responded to a child with an arm injury at a local recreational business. Firefighters arrived to find an obvious deformity to the child’s forearm and splinted the injury on scene. The patient was then transported by his mother to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for further care.