The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 289 calls for service for the week of February 21-27,2022 (prev week 276). Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 2,477 calls for service. This is a 16.2% increase from 2021 (2,132).
Calls for Service Breakdown:
236 (82%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2022 so far are 2,103 up 14.7%, compared to 2021’s (1,833).
43 (15%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 22.2%, with 2022 having 319 calls and 2021 having 261.
10 (3%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls in 2022 is up (44.7%) with 55 2021 only having 38. ‘Other’ calls include water rescues, water over roadways, downed lines, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.
VRFA Calls for Service
- Cardiac Arrest: (Auburn) On Monday, February 21 at 10:43 a.m. firefighters responded to a 60’s year old female that had fallen and was disoriented. While crews were on scene, the patient went into cardiac arrest. Firefighters and Paramedics were able to get her heart started again and the patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center with a pulse.
- Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Monday, February 21 at 10:35 p.m., VRFA units were dispatched to Westbound Highway 18 to Southbound 167 for a vehicle accident. Firefighters arrived to find a vehicle that had traveled off the highway about 200 feet at a high rate of speed, rolling over several times. The vehicle sustained heavy damage but the driver was relatively unhurt. The patient was extricated from the vehicle and treated for minor injuries. He was placed into custody by Washington State Patrol.
- Aid Call: (Auburn) On Tuesday, February 22 at 11:49 a.m., firefighters responded to an adult male who fainted and hit his head. Firefighters treated the patient on scene. He was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by A331 for continued care.
- Service Call: (Auburn) On Wednesday, February 23rd at 4:18 p.m., firefighters responded to a report of several plumbing appliances backing up with sewage into the first floor of an apartment complex. VRFA personnel contacted a plumber and the City of Auburn Sewer Department for the property manager and conducted salvage. The property was turned over to the property manager.
(And the end of the day was not the time to read this)
- Motor Vehicle Accident: (Auburn) On Thursday, February 24 at 6:11 p.m., firefighters responded to a late 20’s male who swerved off the road and struck a concrete signpost. The patient was alert and stable, crews packaged the patient who was then transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center via TriMed.
(Everyone else pictured firefighters and EMTs putting someone into a cardboard box for shipping, right? Just me, then? Ok…)
- Mutual Aid House Fire: (Bonney Lake) On Friday, February 25 at 2:40 a.m., several VRFA units were dispatched mutual aid with East Pierce Fire and Rescue for a house fire. Units arrived to assist with fire extinguishment, search, and water supply duties as well as Safety. The scene was left with East Pierce units.
- Elevator Rescue: (Auburn) On Friday, February 25 at 4:45 p.m., firefighters and VRFA technical rescue specialists responded to a report of an occupant trapped inside an elevator. Upon arrival, the initial crew was able to open the outer door to confirm the elevator unit was fully stopped on the second floor. When technical rescue specialists arrived, they were able to manually activate the inner door release mechanism to open the door and evacuate the non-injured occupant.
- Aid Call: (Pacific) On Saturday, February 26 at 12:44 p.m., firefighters responded to a six-year-old female who suffered a ground-level fall in the play area at the Outlet Collection Mall. Firefighters evaluated the patient and provided first aid. The patient’s parents transported the girl to St. Francis Hospital for further evaluation and possibly stitches for a small laceration above her left eyebrow.
Fire Investigations
- There were no new calls for service for the Fire Investigation Unit.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 11 responses
- 11 referrals
- 9 new enrollment
- 4 enrollments closed
- 50 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.