It’s early and it’s snowing here in Skagit County, Washington where we are based in. Here is a recap (Sit Rep) of things that have taken place since the beginning of the week of 2/19/2023-2/25/2023.

ANACORTES PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS (IAFF 1537) – SKAGIT COUNTY

The Anacortes Professional Firefighters raised $1,000 through their stair climb team fundraiser held in their local community events held on Saturday, February 25th. All funds raised go directly to the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. The stair climb event(s) is a precursor to their official stair climb annual event which will take place in Seattle, Washington.

Source/Photo Credit: Anacortes Professional Firefighters

BELLEVUE FIRE DEPARTMENT – KING COUNTY

Firefighters were dispatched to a rollover vehicle collision southbound 405, north of NE 8th Street on February 24th, where they were forced to extricate the patient from the wrecked car and transported to the nearest hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Source / Photo Credit: BFD

BELLINGHAM FIRE DEPARTMENT – WHATCOM COUNTY

Firefighters from the Bellingham Fire Department held a team event who are part of the Bellingham Firefighter STairclimb team at the Bakerview Fred Meyer on February 19, 2023, in which they helped raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. They are prepping through their training events to participate in the annual Scott Firefighter Stairclimb event held in downtown Seattle, Washington.

Source / Photo Credit: BFD

BIG LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT – SKAGIT COUNTY

Annual testing and certification of fire hoses, pumps, and ladders were being conducted this week. This is a fire service standard and WAC requirement to have these activities held and to ensure safe equipment for all fire personnel.

Source / Photo Credit: BLFD

CITY OF REDMOND FIRE DEPARTMENT – KING COUNTY

The NORTHEAST KING COUNTY MEDIC ONE (PARAMEDICS) PROGRAM announced the opening of its Lateral Paramedic program hiring process and the application period will open up on March 5, 2023. Email questions to MedicOne@Redmond.gov. The official job posting can be located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/redmondwa/jobs/3925897/lateral-firefighter-paramedic.

CLARK COUNTY WA PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 3674

Lateral recruits trained on Saturday on Pit Crew CPR, deliver an organized and rapid response to cardiac arrest incidents. This method is said to prioritize high-quality, minimally interrupted chest compressions, with first responders working as a coordinated team. It is based on the concept of Formula 1 pit crews’ diligence in duties, efficiency, and effort.

Source / Photo Credit: Clark County Firefighters IAFF Local 3674

MARYSVILLE FIRE DISTRICT – SNOHOMISH COUNTY

Firefighters were dispatched to a multiple vehicle accident or MVA, for short on Tuesday, February 21st just before 1500 hours PT on 4th Street and just east of 47th, which caused the roadway to be completely shut down in both directors.

Firefighters were forced to use the Jaws of Life to remove the roof from the top of the passenger car and extricate the patients from the vehicle. Medics transported a patient with potentially serious injuries to the nearest hospital. The Fire Department reported one other person inside the passenger car was okay, as well as the driver of the commercial vehicle.

Source / Photo Credit: MFD

MOSES LAKE FIREFIGHTERS – GRANT COUNTY

Moses Lake Firefighters were granted approval in cooperation with the City of Moses Lake for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response or also known the short version as the SAFER grant through the Federal government.

This was approved for the full amount requested is for three years of 100% funding for nine additional firefighters. They are waiting for the City to respond within the 30-day time period to their offer and if it is approved, it will increase the fire department’s operational personnel.

The FD says that their call volume for the City has nearly doubled in the last five years and they are needing additional personnel to continue with the same great care to their communities.

Source / Photo Credit: Moses Lake Firefighters

SEATTLE FIRE DEPARTMENT – KING COUNTY

Seattle Fire Department sent off Captain Stephen Bernocco in style as he retired from the Department after serving the City for over 30 years.

Source: Seattle Firefighters Local 27. Photo Credit: Fire Dog Photos

SKAGIT COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #13

This is the new residence for the District as they are adding to the existing one on site. This is to accommodate additional firefighters are they are now growing even more. This enable them to respond to calls much more faster.

A photo was posted on 2/24/2023. Source/ Credit: SCFD13

SNOHOMISH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 19

Firefighters with the Silvana Fire Station 94 with the Snohomish County Fire District 19 celebrated and congratulated the 2022 EMT of the Year, Melissa Berg.

Source / Photo Credit: SCFD19

SNOHOMISH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 21

Station 49 firefighters were host to an Open House, held on Saturday, February 25th from 1300-1500 hours PT, which is located at 12131 228th sTreet NE in Arlington, Washington.

Source / Photo Credit: SCFD21

SNOHOMISH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT #22

Firefighter recruits (Recruit Class 2023-1) have completed week 2 in learning how to tie the fire service knots and use fire extinguishers. Week 3 will consist of learning the skills on how to search a structure for trapped victims in a building fire during primary and secondary searches).

Another recruit class will begin on September 9, 2023. For those interested, applications are due to the agency no later than July 26, 2023.

Source: SCFD22 / Photo Credit: North Snohomish County Joint Training Group (JTG)

SOUTH KING COUNTY PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS IAFF LOCAL 2024

An accident with a car vs semi prompted the response of South King Fire’s Technical Rescue unit to be dispatched to the scene. Other units at the scene included fire and EMS personnel from Valley RFA, South King Fire & Rescue, Puget Sound RFA, King county Medic One, and the Auburn Police Department. This was an SUV that crashed underneath a semi-trailer. This incident included a fatality.

Source / Photo Credit: DJ Sonsteng Photography (used with written permission)

SOUTH KITSAP PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 2876 – KITSAP COUNTY

Firefighters participated in high-angle training on Saturday, February 25, 2023, with simulated situations of an injured victim over the edge of an edge to rescue them with the aid of a suspended stokes basket. Just like the same training as a volunteer mountain rescue SAR member would do, firefighters lower themselves down to the patient, assess and treat any injuries, package the patient in the stokes, and bring them back up on solid ground. At that point, the patient is then prepared to be transported by EMS to the nearest hospital. Though this was just training, all scenarios are treated as if they are the real deal.

(L) FF / EMT Shay. Source/Photo Credit: IAFF 2876 FFs.

STEVENS COUNTY FIRE DISTRICT 1

A Friday night fire destroyed a home on Lake Forest Drive and brought challenges to firefighters as they fought the fire in single-digit temps.

A quick-thinking neighbor who knew the home was occupied, called 9-1-1 after witnessing the garage being fully engulfed and quickly spread to the main home. The residents quickly escaped with all of the home’s occupants along with three dogs. Unfortunately, their cat was reportedly missing.

Firefighters from Stevens County Fire District 1 were on the scene with the aid of mutual aid dispatched from neighboring Spokane Fire District 9, Deer Park Ambulance Service, Avista, and Stevens County Deputies. No word on the cause of the fire.

Source / Photo Credit: SCFD1

TACOMA FIRE DEPARTMENT – PIERCE COUNTY

The Tacoma Fire Department Paramedic Graduation Ceremony was held on February 25, 2023, where 11 Medics graduated through the program. The program consisted of six TFD Firefighters and five firefighters from East Pierce Fire and Rescue, Graham Fire and Rescue, and Key Peninsula Fire Department. This is a nationally accredited paramedic training program.

The graduates completed over 2,000 pages of assigned reading and spent over 1,500 combined hours in the classroom, lab, hospital, and prehospital settings over a course of 12 months. This type of training provided them with the knowledge and skills necessary to perform a wide variety of advanced lifesaving procedures (ALS).

Source/Photo Credit: Tacoma Fire Department

VASHON ISLAND FIRE & RESCUE – KING COUNTY

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue was extremely busy on Friday and Saturday in responding to 11 emergency calls for service within a 24-hour period.

Source/Photo Credit: VIF&R

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