The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 267 calls for service for the week of May 3-9, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 4,842 calls. This is a 7.6% increase from 2020 (4,499).
Call Breakdown:
217(81%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 3,702 (up 10.6%, compared to 2020’s 3,348).
11 (4%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 44.8%, with 2021 having 139 calls and 2020 having 96.
39 (15%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is down (-5.1%), with 2021 currently at 1,001 calls compared to 2020’s 1,055. 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 2,800 tests between May 2-8. Approximately 8% were positive. This is an increase of 3% from the previous week’s rate of 5%.
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 positivity rate* for the past 14 days is 12.1%, a .03 % decrease since last week’s 14-day positivity rate check (12.4%). Auburn’s current overall positivity rate is 10.2% of all tests (same as 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
Calls for Service
- Wall Fire: (Pacific) On Monday, May 3 at 2:47 p.m., firefighters responded to an exterior fire on a
balcony. On arrival, firefighters found the residents had already extinguished the fire with a garden
hose. Firefighters confirmed the fire did not extend further into the apartment building. The fire is
currently under investigation by VRFA fire investigators. - Aid Call: (Auburn) On Tuesday, May 4 at 5:42 p.m., firefighters responded to a 50’s year old male
with altered mental status. Crews stabilized patient and requested paramedics for further
treatment. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by paramedics. - Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, May 6 at 12:01 p.m., firefighters responded to a three-car
vehicle accident on Highway 18. Three patients were treated by firefighters for minor injuries
on scene. All vehicle occupants declined transport. - Commercial Vehicle Fire: (Algona) On Thursday, May 6 at 11:36 a.m., firefighters responded to a
commercial vehicle fire at the Algona transfer station. Firefighters extinguished the fire and
overhauled as necessary. - Aid Call: (Pacific) On Friday, May 7 at 3:40 p.m., firefighters responded to an industrial accident.
One adult male was injured by stone slabs falling over. The patient was treated for back pain and
a broken leg then transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by private ambulance. - Residential Fire: (Algona) On Saturday, May 8 at 4:00 a.m., firefighters were dispatched to a
residential house fire. The first arriving crew found a small one-story house with smoke and flames
visible on the front corner of the home. Crews from VRFA and neighboring South King Fire and
Rescue were able to quickly extinguish the fire and keep it from further extension into the home.
Four residents were displaced and received assistance from Red Cross. The cause of the fire is
still under investigation. - Motor Vehicle Accident: (South Auburn) On Saturday, May 8 at 9:10 a.m., firefighters responded
to a two-vehicle, moderate-mechanism accident. Firefighters evaluated one elderly man for neck
pain. The patient refused transport to the hospital. - Smoke Investigation: (Auburn) On Sunday, May 9 at 12:17 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to the
White River for a smoke investigation on one of the islands. Personnel located a small smoldering
stump and were able to use river water to extinguish it.
Fire Investigations
On Saturday, May 8 an accidental fire occurred in the 800 block of Celery Ave in the City of Algona. The fire caused heavy damage to the interior and attic space of a single-family residence. The cause was determined to be carelessly discarded smoking material. Dollar loss is estimated at $380,000 for structure and content.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 13 responses
- 21 referrals
- 3 new enrollments
- 9 enrollments closed
- 69 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