Published Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 2020 hours PT
KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON STATE — While Shoreline Firefighters were on the scene of an EMS call and treating the patient inside the residence on Tuesday evening, June 28th, they had fire equipment lifted right from their rig outside of the structure.
Firefighters are asking the public to notify 9-1-1 if you see their equipment that has their logo and FD etched into them or paint missing if it’s been attempted to conceal the ID of the equipment owners:
- Chainsaws – 2
- Cut-off saw – 1
- Sawzalls with their batteries
Thieves may have taken them for quick, easy cash through pawn shops or try to hock them online through various sites.
Please don’t wait, but call 9-1-1 immediately. These are life-saving tools and they need them back as soon as possible.
The Fire Department has taken new means to protect against this in the future.
About Fire Department Thefts
In February of 2022, KOMO Reporter, Michelle Esteban reported thieves had targeted three Washington State Counties, Snohomish, Skagit, and Whatcom stealing expensive fire tools which can help save lives and preserve property.
While we know some people may feel Fire Departments have it in their budgets to replace such stolen equipment, that is not the point and may even slow down fire responses in that area which depends on that very asset. Some small Departments have found how expensive it is when equipment has to be replaced. It is the notion that someone has the gall while Firefighters are helping some in their worst time of need for them to steal from them while on a call.
“This is the low of the low when you from the people that would drop everything to help you.” – Big Lake FD / Skagit County Fire District 9 Chief Brett Berg says. According to the media, Chief Berg has had two stations in his District burglarized. Several of his stations have been hit at least three times in the last two months (prior to February 2022, when this article was written – see below)
More have been broken into in the Skagit County area. We are well aware many in California or states have seen this rise as well.
For more in-depth coverage, check out Reporter Esteban’s news article here –> https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/low-of-the-low-thieves-target-fire-stations-in-3-western-washington-counties/ar-AATq3cn
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