Below are just a few of the calls the Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to for the week of May 11-17, 2020. This week, May 17-23, is National EMS Week.
911 Requests for Services / Customer Service
- Aid Call: (Lakeland Hills) On Monday, May 11 at 6:38 p.m., firefighters assisted an adult male complaining of symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. The patient was evaluated by firefighters and transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center for further treatment.
- Aid Call: (Auburn) On Tuesday, May 12 at 11:27 a.m., firefighters responded to a teenage female patient who had fallen from the attic. The patient was evaluated by firefighters and then transported to Multicare Auburn Medical Center via private ambulance.
- Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Wednesday, May 13 at 3:41 p.m., firefighters responded to a single-car rollover accident. One adult female patient was involved in the accident and was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.
- Ceiling Collapse: (Auburn) On Thursday, May 14 at 7:10 a.m., VRFA units responded to a partial ceiling collapse at Safeway. Firefighters searched the building ensuring all occupants were evacuated, and then secured the gas and the sprinkler system mitigate further damage. The scene was released to the Fire Marshal and the City of Auburn building inspector.
- Dive Rescue: (Auburn) On Thursday, May 14 at 5:30 p.m., VRFA dive rescue units were dispatched to the Stuck River for an individual in the river after a boating accident. Puget Sound, Renton, King County Sherriff, King County Medic One and Auburn Police also responded. Rescue teams conducted hasty surface searches and boat searches attempting to locate the individual. Auburn Police provided three drones to sweep the river and King County Sherriff’s helicopter flew several flyovers attempting to locate the man in the water. The individual was not found and the search was called off. The second individual in the water had exited the water and left the scene. The scene was turned over to King County Sheriff.
- River Incident: On Friday, May 15 at 7:02 a.m., firefighters worked alongside the King County Sheriff’s Office towards the retrieval of a victim from a boating accident. The victim had been missing since the accident, which occurred on May 14. Once the victim was brought ashore, the firefighters assisted with the removal of the fisherman’s stranded boat.
- River Rescue: (Green River Gorge) On Saturday, May 16 at 10:34 a.m., swift-water technicians assisted with a river rescue on the Green River. One patient was recovered from the river and turned over to on-scene EMS for evaluation and treatment. The second patient was found deceased in the river. The body was left with King County Sheriff’s deputies.
- Aid Call: (Auburn) On Sunday, May 17 at 1:01 p.m., firefighters responded to a mid-40’s male that had fallen in the street. Crews arrived to find the patient intoxicated but stable with injuries to his face from the fall. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance.
Wildland Class: VRFA members who are on our wildland firefighting response team attended annual re-fresher training. This training reviewed some of the dangerous watch-outs when dealing with wildland fires, emergency escape procedures, and strategy/tactics to use when dealing with fires in this environment. Certified members also performed and were evaluated in their annual pack test, which means that they were required to walk 3 miles in a 45-pound pack in under 45 minutes. This federal standard is used to assure baseline physical fitness for wildland firefighters.