The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 327 calls for service for the week of August 2-8, 2022. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 9,279 calls for service. This is a 5.7% increase from 2021 (8,775).

Calls for Service Breakdown:

268 (82%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2022 so far are 7,844 up 4.9%, compared to 2021’s (7,478).

48 (15%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 9.9%, with 2022 having 1,250 calls and 2021 having 1,137.

11 (3%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls in 2022 is up 15.6% with 185 calls in 2021 only having 160. ‘Other’ calls include water rescues, water over roadways, downed lines, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.

VRFA Williams Lake Fire Deployment:

“Three VRFA Firefighters have arrived home safely after a 3-day deployment to Cheney, WA,” states VRFA newsletter. “They drove brush Truck 34 and spent much of their days constructing firelines and digging out hot spots. Welcome Home Firefighters Fisher, Coleman, and Larson!”

Learn CPR & First Aide from VRFA: Click Here to see the schedule

Calls for Service

Service Call: (Auburn) On Monday, August 1 at 3:45 p.m., firefighters were dispatched for a water leak between upper and lower floors of an apartment complex. The upstairs unit had a leak coming from the toilet wall stem. Firefighters assisted the resident by securing the water valve and salvage operations for removing the water. Firefighters contacted the building maintenance manager for further assistance to the residents.
Motor Vehicle Collision: (Lakeland Hills) On Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at 8:57 p.m., VRFA units were dispatched to an unknown aid call. While enroute, the call was upgraded to an injury accident. An adult motorcycle rider sustained serious injuries requiring rapid interventions by firefighters such
as splinting the pelvis and controlling bleeding. The call was quickly upgraded to an Advanced Life Support injury accident requiring the need for paramedics. The patient was further treated on scene and then transported by King County Paramedics to an airfield in Auburn to rendezvous with Airlift Northwest who ultimately flew the patient to Harborview Medical Center.
Auto Accident: (Auburn) On Wednesday, August 3 at 12:30 p.m. firefighters responded to a 2-car head-on accident. On arrival, it appeared that 2 cars collided in the middle turn lane. Occupants of both vehicles complained of injuries. An elderly male was transported to a local hospital by fire department aid car. An elderly female in the other vehicle was transported to a local hospital by private ambulance.
Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Thursday, August 4th at 5:56 p.m., firefighters responded to a brush fire near a homeless encampment adjacent to the Green River. Firefighters from two stations gained control of the fire at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Brush Fire: (Auburn) On Friday, August 5th at 3:23 p.m., firefighters responded to reports of bushes on fire near a gas station. Firefighters arrived to find the fire extinguished by a bystander with a fire extinguisher. Firefighters used hand tools and water from the fire engine to complete extinguishment.
Motor Vehicle Collision: (Auburn) On Saturday, August 6th at 11:45 a.m., firefighters and King County Paramedics responded to a motor vehicle collision involving a truck and a motorcyclist. The motorcyclist was treated for multiple injuries on scene by fire personnel and transported to Harborview Medical Center by King County Medic One for further care.
Aid Call: (Algona) On Sunday, August 7th at 10:21 a.m., firefighters responded to an elderly patient who had dislocated her femur. The patient was treated at the scene by firefighters and transported by private ambulance to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center.

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VRFA Fire Investigations

No investigations this week.

Training Division:

Members from VRFA are expected to do boat-based training this week. Divers will conduct search patterns from a boat in a zero-visibility environment. The two types of searches used are the buddy reel search from an anchored float and board–based circle search.

Fire rescue divers on a rescue boat in the river — VRFA

C.A.R.E.S.

No data available this week

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 VRFA. Any notations included in parentheses should be considered opinion/commentary for entertainment purposes only.