The Valley Regional Fire Authority responded to 276 calls for service for the week of December 13-19, 2021. Year to Date our Valley Professional Firefighters have responded to a total of 14,614 calls. This is a 15.1% increase from 2020 (12,698).
Call Breakdown:
199 (72%) were aid calls. Total aid calls in 2021 so far are 10,813 up 15.4%, compared to 2020’s (9,374).
9 (3%) were fire calls. The number of fire calls is up by 13.5%, with 2021 having 489 calls and 2020 having 431.
68 (25%) were calls categorized as other. The number of other calls is up (14.5%), with 2021 currently at 3,312 calls compared to 2020’s 2,893. Other calls include water rescues, hazmat calls, and ladder requests.
VRFA Calls for Service
- Natural Gas Leak: (Lea Hill) On Monday, December 13 at 7:04 a.m., firefighters responded to
smells of natural gas inside a residence. The residents noticed a smell of rotten eggs in their laundry
room and promptly evacuated their house after calling 911. The first due engine noticed a slight
odor upon investigation and the suspicion was confirmed by HazMat Technicians from Puget
Sound Regional Fire Authority. A leak was discovered in the garage and PSE was requested to
evaluate the system. The amount of gas detected through air monitoring was low enough to allow
the family to reenter their home while awaiting PSE. - Car vs. Pedestrian: (Pacific) On Monday, December 13 at 10:13 a.m., firefighters responded to an
adult male complaining of multiple injuries after being hit by a car as he crossed the street.
Firefighters evaluated the patient and he was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by
private ambulance for continued care. - CPR: (Auburn) On Tuesday, December 14 at 5:25 p.m., firefighters responded to an unresponsive
adult male. Firefighters arrived to find the family of the patient performing chest compressions on
the patient. Firefighters and paramedics were able to resuscitate the patient to spontaneous
circulation. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn Medical Center by King County
Medics. - Shooting: (Auburn) On Wednesday, December 15 at 2:36 p.m., firefighters and King County Medic
One responded to reports of an adult male shot in the chest with a flare gun. Firefighters found the
patient unresponsive on the floor with a wound to the chest and began CPR. Paramedics evaluated
the patient and efforts were ceased. The scene was turned over to APD for an investigation. - River Rescue: (Green River Gorge) On Friday, December 17 at 1:27 p.m., Valley Regional Fire
Authority Technical Rescue Team members, along with Water Rescue teams from Puget Sound
RFA and Renton RFA, responded to the Green River Gorge to a report of a male who had fallen
in and disappeared. Firefighters and King County Sheriff’s Office searched the river by helicopter,
drone, and various water craft, recovering the body downstream of the victim’s last seen point. The
patient was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident is under investigation by the King County
Sheriff’s office. - Minor Fire: (Auburn) On Saturday, December 18 at 6:42 p.m., firefighters responded to an oven
fire. They arrived to find light smoke in the building and smoke detectors sounding. The resident
met them out front and stated that something on their stove was on fire but they believed it was
now out. Firefighters found a rice cooker that was sitting on the stovetop. The fire had been
extinguished by the resident and did not extend to the wall or cabinets. Firefighters secured power
to the stove and ventilated the building with a positive pressure fan. - Aid Call: (Auburn) On Sunday, December 19 at 4:59 p.m., firefighters were called to assist a
teenage male who had burned his hand with cooking grease. Firefighters treated the patient’s
wounds. The patient was transported to MultiCare Auburn by a coworker
Fire Investigations
- There were no new calls for service for the Fire Investigation Unit.
C.A.R.E.S.
- 11 responses
- 10 referrals
- 3 new enrollment
- 10 enrollments closed
- 54 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.