Snohomish County Fire District 1

No one was injured in a fire that caused more than $100,000 damage to a condominium in the Martha Lake area west of Mill Creek on May 18.

A passerby called 9-1-1 at 8 a.m. to report flames coming from the two-story, eight-unit building in the 16800 block of Larch Way. The caller then alerted residents in the building to evacuate, said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1. No one was inside the unit where the fire was burning.

Firefighters from Fire Districts 1 and 7 responded and had the fire under control in less than 15 minutes. “The fire was contained to one unit. Firefighters kept the flames contained to the kitchen, but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the unit,” Hynes said.

The fire displaced one resident. He has insurance.

The fire started in the kitchen and appeared to be accidental. The cause is under investigation by the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office.

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A man was rescued and taken to an area hospital after his kayak overturned in Lake Ballinger in  Mountlake Terrace on May 17 around 8:30 p.m.

Firefighters were dispatched to the lake at 8:35 p.m. after witnesses reported a kayaker in distress about 400 yards from the dock on the lake's north shore. "Two fishermen were pulling their boat out of the lake when they heard the kayaker crying for help. They put their boat back in the water. One of the men took the boat out to the kayaker and helped him stay above water until firefighters arrived," said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical service in Mountlake Terrace. "These fishermen did a great job. Their quick action really made a difference."

Firefighters launched a rescue boat based at the lake and brought the man ashore. The man was in the water about 20 minutes. He was transported by paramedics to Swedish/Edmonds Hospital. His condition did not appear to be life-threatening.

The man was wearing a personnel flotation device, but it was not secured properly, according to fire officials. "It's important for all boaters to wear a life jacket that's properly secured and properly fitted and sized to do the job its intended to do," Hynes said.

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Snohomish County Fire District 1 has just been honored with the national Excellence in Fire Service-Based EMS Award presented by the Congressional Fire Services Institute and the MedicAlert Foundation.

This competitive award is given annually to honor departments championing innovative practices to enhance the quality of emergency medical services (EMS). This year’s award showcased three agencies –  Fire District 1, Montgomery County Fire Rescue (Maryland) and Miami Dade Fire and Rescue (Florida) -- for “forging new ground in fire service-based EMS.”

The award was presented to Fire District 1 at the 25th Annual National Fire and Emergency Services Dinner in Washington, D.C., on May 9. More than 2,000 fire-service leaders from throughout the country attended along with Vice President Joe Biden, the keynote speaker.

Fire District 1 is the county’s largest provider of fire and emergency medical services, serving nearly 200,000 residents in unincorporated communities, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway.

“This national award recognizes the outstanding achievements of the nearly 200 firefighters at the 12 fire stations we staff in south Snohomish County,” said Fire District 1 Chief Ed Widdis. “Each one of these men and women is dedicated to delivering prompt, dependable, high quality fire and rescue service to the citizens we serve.”

Fire District 1 was recognized for its pioneering use of EMS checklists to improve patient outcomes. “Checklists are already successfully used in other industries where safety is paramount, such as surgery, nuclear energy and aviation. In the fire service, we’ve used checklists for years at fire scenes, but this is the first time the concept has been applied to improve outcomes on medical aid calls,” explained Capt. Shaughn Maxwell, who along with Dr. Richard Campbell, Fire District 1’s medical director, developed the EMS checklist program.

The checklists are based on extensive research on conditions where science shows key EMS treatments can improve patient outcomes. These include heart attacks, strokes, asthma, trauma, seizures and heart failure. Key EMS interventions were identified for each condition and used to building simple checklists EMS providers can use in the field.

“Our EMS providers have the knowledge and training to provide these interventions. The checklists assure our EMS experts consistently apply these key interventions  --  every time for every patient,” Maxwell said.

About 77 percent of the nearly 20,000 emergency responses in Fire District 1 last year were for medical aid. All Fire District 1 firefighters are certified as either emergency medical technicians or paramedics.

 “Our firefighters do incredible EMS work, often in chaotic situations. They may be treating a patient on a busy highway, in a crowded gymnasium or in a home surrounded by concerned family members. Each situation has its own challenges,” Maxwell said. “The checklists are another tool they can use. The checklists highlight critical areas of care to promote consistent and reliable application of best practices, regardless of the variables found on each emergency scene.”

The checklists are attracting national attention, not just from the committee that selected Fire District 1 to receive the national EMS excellence award. Maxwell presented the program to fire service and EMS leaders at the International Association of Fire Chiefs EMS conference in Las Vegas on May 7.

Chief Widdis told those in attendance at last night’s award ceremony he is proud of the ground-breaking work firefighters are doing in Fire District 1. “We strive to provide the best care possible when people call 9-1-1 with a medical emergency,” he said. “These new EMS checklists are a welcomed new tool to assure that the highest quality of care is consistently provided. That is what we are all about.”

Fire District 1’s cardiac arrest survival rate of nearly 50 percent is one of the best in the nation and well above the national average of about 10 percent (as measured using internationally recognized standards.
 
This year, despite overall agency budget reductions due to lost tax revenue, Fire District 1 adjusted staffing to put more medical aid units on the street during times of the day when 9-1-1 calls are the most frequent. Fire District 1 also became the only fire agency in the county with a medical service officer on duty around the clock to provide on-scene assistance to first-responder paramedics and EMTs.

 “Our highly trained firefighters and medics are doing a great job responding to medical emergencies,” said Fire District 1 Commissioner Karen Dingmon, who also attended the award presentation in Washington, D.C. “We are fortunate to have this highly skilled workforce doing all they can to protect our South County communities whenever emergencies occur.”

One man was injured in a fire that caused more than $400,000 damage at an apartment complex north of Lynnwood on May 2.
 
Dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls reporting flames coming from a first-floor apartment at The Seasons Apartment Homes in the 3700 block of 164th St. SW just after 9:30 a.m. Firefighters responding to the call could see a large column of black smoke as they approached the fire. Two apartments in a two-story, eight-unit building were engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, according to Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1.

A man exposed to smoke was transported by medics to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. His condition and injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, Hynes said.

Firefighters evaluated two other residents at the scene for smoke exposure.

Tony Vierra, apartment maintenance employee, helped rescue residents from the burning building. “He used one of his ladders to rescue a man from a second-floor balcony and assisted another woman down the stairs through thick smoke,” Hynes said. “He pounded on doors to alert other residents. He really did a great job.”

About 40 firefighters from Fire District 1, Lynnwood and Mukilteo responded to the two-alarm fire. “They had the bulk of the fire knocked down within 15 minutes, but continued to deal with hot spots and flare-ups for at least another hour,” Hynes said.

Two apartments were heavily damaged by the fire and a third unit had smoke damage. About a dozen residents will be unable to return to their apartments. Support 7 and the Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing assistance to the displaced residents. The apartment managers were also assisting with relocating residents to other units in the complex.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is continuing to investigate how the fire started, but the cause appeared to be accidental.

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No one was injured in two unrelated residential fires that kept firefighters busy in Mountlake Terrace on April 22.

The first fire was reported around 2:30 p.m. at a home in the 4500 block of 224th Pl. SW. A passerby reported flames coming from the back deck. Firefighters had the fire under control in less than 10 minutes, said Leslie Hynes, public information for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical service in the city of Mountlake Terrace.

No one was injured. Firefighters from Lynnwood assisted Fire District 1. The fire was confined to the deck and a small area of the attic. Damage is estimated at $35,000.

Fire investigators determined the fire started in a flower pot on the deck and was most likely caused by a discarded cigarette or spontaneous combustion of the peat moss in the flower pot.

The second fire was reported about 4:45 p.m. in a detached garage at a home in the 23300 block of 53rd Ave. W. “Firefighters could see a column of black smoke as they approached the home. The garage was engulfed in flames and torched five tall evergreen trees near the structure,” Hynes said. “The fire also burned a fence and damaged a storage shed on a neighboring property.”

Firefighters from Fire District 1 and Lynnwood responded. No one was injured.

The fire heavily damaged the garage and household items, tools, a boat and motors stored inside. Investigators estimate the loss at more than $80,000. “The homeowner told investigators he had just finished mowing the lawn and had stored the lawn mower in the garage minutes before the fire broke out. Fire investigators believe the fire most likely started when the heated-up lawn mower came in contact with combustible items in the garage,” Hynes said.

A man was critically injured in a condominium fire in Edmonds on April 21.

Neighbors called 9-1-1 around 8:15 a.m. to report smoke coming from the first-floor unit the man rents in the 7400 block of 212th St SW. “There was light smoke coming from the unit when firefighters arrived and the man was still inside. Police officers and firefighters pulled the victim from the building,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical services in the city of Edmonds.

The 67-year-old man was transported by paramedics to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. His injuries appeared to be life-threatening.

Other residents in the two-story, five-unit building safely evacuated. Firefighters from Fire District 1 and Lynnwood had the fire under control within 10 minutes. The fire was contained to the kitchen area, but there was heavy smoke damage throughout the unit. No other units were damaged.

Fire investigators could not determine the exact cause of the fire, but could not rule out smoking or combustible items placed too close to the stovetop.

Neighbors told firefighters they did not hear any alarms sounding during the fire. Firefighters located a smoke alarm in the unit, but the battery had been removed and alarm had been disconnected from the electrical system.

“Even with a relatively small fire like this one, smoke can spread quickly and silently. Smoke alarms can give you the warning you need to safely escape. That’s why it’s so important to make sure the smoke alarms in your home are working properly,” Hynes said.

Fire District 1 recommends testing smoke alarms monthly and replacing the batteries twice a year or right away if the alarm chirps to warn of a low battery. Smoke alarms more than 10 years old become unreliable and should be replaced.
Fire District 1 is offering free smoke alarms and educational home safety assessments for residents it serves in the communities of unincorporated southwest Snohomish County, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway.

Funding for the program comes from a Vision 20/20 Grant awarded through the federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. The grant provides resources for Fire District 1 to perform home safety surveys and install more than 550 smoke alarms, including 50 for hearing-impaired residents.

The free home safety assessments will include a brief survey, testing and installation of smoke alarms, identifying potential fire hazards, education on how to prevent a fire and assistance in creating a home fire escape plan. The assessments are conducted by Fire District 1 employees and take about 30 minutes.

Residents of the Fire District 1 service area can schedule a free home safety assessment and smoke alarm installation online.

No one was injured in a fire that caused more than $50,000 damage to a home northeast of Silver Lake near Everett on April 17.

Dispatchers received multiple calls around 8:15 p.m. reporting flames coming from a single-story house in the 2100 block of 105th Pl. SE. “Firefighters responding to the call could see a large column of black smoke from several blocks away,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1. “The back of the house was engulfed in flames when the first firefighters arrived.”

No one was inside the house at the time of the fire. Firefighters from Fire District 1 and 7 responded and had the fire under control in about 20 minutes.

The house is heavily damaged. The man who lived in the house plans to stay with friends.

The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating the cause of the fire.

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No one was injured in a fire this morning that caused heavy damage and forced a couple from their mobile home in the Silver Lake neighborhood south of Everett.

The fire was reported just before 7 a.m. in a double-wide mobile home in the 12200 block of Nels Peters Road. “A smoke alarm alerted the couple to the fire and they were able to safely escape with their dog,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1.

“The mobile home was engulfed in smoke when firefighters arrived,” Hynes said. “When the first crew opened the front door to check conditions inside and make an interior attack, a firefighter stepped through the floor. He was not hurt.”

About 40 firefighters from Fire District 1 and 7 and Mukilteo Fire Department responded. The unstable floor and heavy damage to the rest of the structure made it unsafe for firefighters to enter mobile home, so firefighters had to attack the fire from outside.

“It appeared the fire started underneath the mobile home, then got into the walls and the attic,” Hynes said. “Because firefighters couldn’t get inside to get at the flames, it took about an hour to bring the fire under control.”

Crews remained on the scene throughout the morning dealing with flare-ups and hot spots.
The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating how the fire started. The investigator was unable to examine the fire scene today because there were too many hot spots. He expects to continue his work tomorrow.

The mobile home is a total loss. Damage is estimated at more than $100,000. Red Cross and Support 7 responded to assist the homeowners. They have insurance.

“Smoke alarms gave this couple the warning they needed to get out safely,” Hynes said.
Fire District 1 is offering free smoke alarms and educational home safety assessments for residents it serves in the communities of unincorporated southwest Snohomish County, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway.

Funding for the program comes from a Vision 20/20 Grant awarded through the federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. The grant provides resources for Fire District 1 to perform home safety surveys and install more than 550 smoke alarms, including 50 for hearing-impaired residents.

The free home safety assessments will include a brief survey, testing and installation of smoke alarms, identifying potential fire hazards, education on how to prevent a fire and assistance in creating a home fire escape plan. The assessments are conducted by Fire District 1 employees and take about 30 minutes.

Residents of the Fire District 1 service area can schedule a free home safety assessment and smoke alarm installation online at www.firedistrict1.org; by emailing PublicEducators@firedistrict1.org.

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No one was injured in a fire that caused more than $90,000 damage to an Edmonds home this afternoon.

Dispatchers received multiple 9-1-1 calls around 1:50 p.m. reporting smoke and flames coming from a two-story house at the end of a long driveway in the 8700 block of 236th St. SW.

“Flames were visible in a window above the garage and smoke was coming from the roof when firefighters arrived,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1, which provides fire and emergency medical service to the City of Edmonds.

Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and kept the flames contained to two rooms on the upper level of the home. Fire and heavy smoke damage on the second floor left the house uninhabitable. Red Cross is assisting the homeowner, a man in his 60s. He does not have insurance.

Fire investigators determined the fire was started accidentally by misplaced smoking materials in a room above the garage.

Firefighters offer these safety tips to prevent smoking-related fires:

• Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that are hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work.
• Put it out – all the way, all the time. The cigarette needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
• Chair and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don’t put ash trays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used. Oxygen makes any fire burn hotter and faster.
• If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put out the cigarette. Never smoke in bed.
• Properly install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas.
• Have an escape plan. Plan two ways to escape from every room and practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach
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Snohomish County Fire District 1 is offering free smoke alarms and educational home safety assessments for residents it serves in the communities of unincorporated southwest Snohomish County, Brier, Edmonds, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway.

Funding for the program comes from a Vision 20/20 Grant awarded through the federal Assistance to Firefighter Grant program. The grant provides resources for Fire District 1 to perform home safety surveys and install more than 550 smoke alarms, including 50 for hearing-impaired residents.

The free home safety assessments will include a brief survey, testing and installation of smoke alarms, identifying potential fire hazards, education on how to prevent a fire and assistance in creating a home fire escape plan. The assessments are conducted by Fire District 1 employees and take about 30 minutes.

“Smoke alarms save lives, but we regularly respond to homes that are lacking alarms or have alarms that have become unreliable because they are more than 10 years old,” said Fire Chief Ed Widdis. “We want to make sure everyone we serve has access to this lifesaving technology.”

Residents of the Fire District 1 service area can schedule a free home safety assessment and smoke alarm installation online; by email; or by calling Kim Schroeder, 425-551-1254.

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A deck fire caused $14,000 to a four-plex in the Picnic Point area south of Mukilteo on March 23.

The residents reported the fire in the 14000 block of 61st Pl. W around 11:15 p.m. “One of the residents heard a crackling sound and discovered the fire on the back deck of her first-floor unit,” said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1.
Residents evacuated the building safely and there were no injuries. Before firefighters arrived, a barbecue propane tank exploded on the deck. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire and damage was contained to the exterior of the building.

Red Cross assisted a family of four temporarily displaced from the first-floor unit, which had minor smoke and water damage.

An investigator from the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office determined the fire was most likely started by a discarded cigarette.

Cigarettes and other smoking materials such as cigars and pipes are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Agency.

Firefighters offer these safety tips:
• Use ashtrays with a wide, stable base that are hard to tip over. If it wobbles, it won’t work.
• Put it out – all the way, all the time. The cigarette needs to be completely stubbed out in the ashtray.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash.
• Chair and sofas catch on fire fast and burn fast. Don’t put ash trays on them. If people have been smoking in the home, check for cigarettes under cushions.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used. Oxygen makes any fire burn hotter and faster.
• If you are drowsy or falling asleep, put out the cigarette. Never smoke in bed.
• Properly install and maintain smoke alarms on every level of your home and in all sleeping areas.
• Have an escape plan. Plan two ways to escape from every room and practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of children's sight and reach
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