The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 283 calls for service for the week of December 6-12, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 14,338 calls. This is a 15.3% increase from 2020 (12,440).

Call Breakdown:

206 (73%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 10,614 up 15.7%, compared to 2020’s (9,176).

8 (3%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 16.0%, with 2021 having 470 calls and 2020 having 405.

69 (24%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (14.3%), with 2021 currently at 3,244 calls compared to 2020’s 2,839. Other calls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.

VRFA Calls for Service

Car vs Semi: (Auburn) On Monday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m., firefighters responded to a car that hit a semi at high speed. The 3 adult occupants of the car were seriously injured with 1 young adult female dying after resuscitation efforts by firefighters and paramedics. An adult female and an adult male were transported to Harborview Medical Center by King County Medic One. The adult male driver of the semi was unharmed.

(South Sound News, republished with permission)

Aid Call: (Pacific) On Tuesday, December 7 at 2:20 p.m., firefighters responded to an elderly
female complaining of generalized weakness. Firefighters evaluated the patient and she was
transported to a local hospital by private ambulance for further care.
Motor Vehicle Collision: (Lea Hill) On Wednesday, December 8 at 5:35 p.m., firefighters responded
to an injury accident involving two vehicles on an arterial street. Two patients with injuries were
treated by firefighters on scene. The driver of one of the vehicles was transported to MultiCare
Auburn Medical Center by the fire department.
Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, November 9 at 8:43 p.m., firefighters and King
County Medic One responded to reports of a two vehicle injury accident on SB SR167. On arrival,
they found two vehicles with heavy damage blocking two southbound lanes. Firefighters found a
total of 5 patients injured in the accident who had self-extricated from the vehicles; 3 with critical
injuries, and 2 patients with minor injuries. Additional resources from South King Fire & Rescue
were requested to assist with patient care and packaging. All patients were transported to
Harborview Medical Center for further care; 3 by King County Medic One and 2 by private
ambulance.
Commercial Fire: (Federal Way) On Friday, December 10, 2021 at 3:15 p.m., firefighters
provided mutual aid to South King Fire and Rescue for a fire at a three story apartment complex.
Firefighters assisted in fire suppression efforts, mitigating fire damage to the structure and
extinguishing the fire. Multiple citizens were displaced from the fire with some residents receiving
minor injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Aid Call: (Federal Way) On Friday, December 10th at 4:26 p.m., firefighters responded mutual aid
to Seattle Children’s clinic in Federal Way for a young male child experiencing severe respiratory
distress due to Covid symptoms. Firefighters and paramedics treated the patient on scene. The
patient was transported by King County Medics to Seattle Children’s hospital.
Motor Vehicle Collision: (Bonney Lake) On Saturday, December 11 at 12:50 p.m., firefighters
responded mutual aid to assist East Pierce Fire with a two car head on collision. Personnel
assisted with patient care and traffic control until the scene could be turned over to the Pierce
County Sheriff.
Elevator Rescue: (Auburn) On Sunday, December 12 at 5:11 p.m., firefighters responded to an
occupant who was stuck in the elevator at the Villas at Auburn Apartments. Firefighters secured
the power and safety lockouts to the elevator and made access to the elevator car on the 3rd floor
by manually opening the doors. The occupant was uninjured and was able to walk out
unassisted. The elevator was marked out of service and the building manager was made aware.

Fire Investigations

There were no new calls for service for the Fire Investigation Unit.

C.A.R.E.S.

11 responses
14 referrals
9 new enrollment
3 enrollments closed
52 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.