The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 265 calls for service for the week of May 17-23, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of5,385 calls. This is a 9.3% increase from 2020 (4,926).
Call Breakdown:
202 (75%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 4,102 (up 11.6%, compared to 2020’s 3,674).
8 (2%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 47.2%, with 2021 having 150 calls and 2020 having 102.
55 (23%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is down (-1.5%), with 2021 currently at 1,133 calls compared to 2020’s 1,150. 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 1,800 tests between May 9-16. Approximately 6% were positive. This is a decrease of 4% from the previous week’s rate of 10%.
The King County Auburn Drive-Thru Testing Site Has Moved.
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 current overall positivity rate* is 11.6% of all tests (a 1.0% increase from last week).
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! Auburn and Kent COVID-19 Vaccine Sites Now Have Walk-in Availability
VRFA Calls for Service
- Aid Call: (Lea Hill) On Tuesday, May 18 at 2:20 a.m., firefighters responded to an elderly woman
who was very dizzy. Firefighters determined that her blood pressure was dangerously high. She
was transported by private ambulance to Valley Medical Center. - Aid Call: (Auburn) On Tuesday, May 18 at 12:19 p.m., firefighters assisted a male who had driven
off the highway due to passing out. Firefighters evaluated and treated the patient on scene. A
private ambulance transported the patient to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center. - Motor Vehicle Accident: (North Auburn) On Wednesday, May 19 at 5:07 p.m., firefighters
responded to a two-car MVA with minor damage from a rear-end collision. Firefighters evaluated
one patient for minor injuries. The patient went in a private vehicle to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center. - Aid Call: (Lakeland Hills) On Thursday, May 20 at 3:30 p.m., firefighters assisted a female that had
a syncopal episode after receiving a vaccination. Personnel treated the patient. When she felt well
enough, she returned home. - Aid Call: (South Auburn) On Friday, May 21 at 9:05 p.m., firefighters assisted an adult female who
admitted to abusing alcohol. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by
private ambulance. - Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Saturday, May 22 at 11:44 p.m., firefighters responded to a
two-car accident. Firefighters arrived on location and found two cars with minor damage. One of
the occupants was experiencing anxiety after the accident. She was evaluated and remained on
scene with friends. The scene was turned over to Auburn Police. - Aid Call: (Auburn) On Sunday, May 23 at 5:18 p.m., firefighters responded to an adult male with
injuries from an assault. The patient was examined by firefighters then transported to a shelter by
APD.
Fire Investigations
There were no fire investigations this week.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 9 responses
- 19 referrals
- 4 new enrollments
- 10 enrollments closed
- 60 total patients enrolled*
*A note on the total patient enrolled number- if a patient was enrolled at any point during the week,
they will count in the total, even if their enrollment was completed in the week (closed). This is why
the week-to-week math on new, closed, and total enrollments may not seem to add up at times.
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