Inside the City 24 February 2023 Edition

Page 1

Inside the City of Tumwater

Date: February 24, 2023

To: Mayor Debbie Sullivan

City Councilmembers

City Employees

From: John Doan, City Administrator

PEOPLE

James Trujillo Heading to Oregon

Administrative Services Director James Trujillo, is leaving the City at the end of February to return to Oregon. Since joining the City in July 2021, James was instrumental in our COVID response, labor negotiations, improving City safety and training programs, and launching the ERP. We wish James and his family the best down south.

Shhhh! Matt Webb Retired

After almost 33 years of service to the City of Tumwater, Matt Webb has retired. As an engineer doing review of new development, few people have been a part of shaping Tumwater as much as Matt, and he’s done all that with his subtle sense of humor. Thank you Matt for all you have done for this community!

Police Officer Heading Off to be a Distiller

Police Officer Friedrich Jaeger is leaving us in midApril to pursue his dream of opening a distillery in North Carolina. Officer Jaeger joined the City in April 2020. Thank you for your service Officer Jaeger – we hope you spread the word about Tumwater’s Craft Brewing, Distilling, and Cider-Making industries. All the best for the future and we look forward to seeing your bourbon on the shelves!

Welcome to our Newest Police Officer

Matthew Meshesha was born in Ethiopia and grew up in Diamond Bar, California just outside of Los Angeles. He served eight years in the U.S. Army, leaving in 2020 to pursue a career in law enforcement. He will be starting with us on March 1 and looking forward to training at the Academy. Welcome, Matthew!

Juliann McGarva Interim HR Manager

Juliann McGarva, HR Program Manager, will be filling in as Senior HR Manager following James Trujillo's departure. Juliann has had many different responsibilities in the City from IT to HR. Thank you for stepping into this role, Juliann.

New Year Brings Promotions

Cory Hofland is the lead for our Violations Bureau and Business Licenses and has been promoted to Accounting Assistant II in the Finance Department.

Shannon Geary Water Resources & Sustainability Operations was promoted to Administrative Assistant supporting our field teams. She has been with the City since 2015.

Bonnie Hale, also of the Water Resources & Sustainability Department, was promoted to Administrative Assistant. Bonnie joined the City last year and has been instrumental in crafting the new Department.

Russ Olsen has been promoted to Golf Operations Supervisor. Russ, who has many other hats in Thurston County, has been instrumental in reimagining the business future of the Tumwater Valley Golf Club – not just as a great place to golf, but broadening its use for more golfers and events.

Gwen Frost, in the Finance Department, has been promoted to Accounting Assistant II working with our utility customers. She is a frequent problemsolver for challenges that some utility customers bring us.

Congrats to Cory, Shannon, Bonnie, Russ and Gwen!

EVENTS

Community Conversations

Community Conversations allow residents to engage and discuss various topics with City staff and community partners. Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with the Tumwater Timberland Library, is presenting At Home in the Pacific Northwest. This series of conversations celebrates and examines what it means to live here in the great PNW from our coffee culture to our relationship with the environment.

The full directory of Community Conversations opportunities is on the City website.

City Earns WellCity Award

We have met the standards for the AWC WellCity distinction and entitles us to a 2% premium discount on the AWC Employee Benefit Trust medical premium in 2024. While that saving is important, WellCity also represents our employer and employee commitment to health and a healthy workplace. Thank you for making this happen.

Spring Recreation Catalog Available

Programs, sports, classes, and more for youth, teens, seniors, and aspiring artists are available in the new Recreation Program Catalog.

New Rechargeable Batteries

Our devices, like our wireless mice and keyboards, use a lot of disposable batteries. In an effort to reduce our waste, IT has purchased rechargeable AAA and AA batteries. When your mouse or other devices that take AAA or AA batteries is need of a new battery, please go visit IT who will have these available and will recharge them for you. Thank you IT for taking the lead to reduce this hard to dispose of waste.

PLACES

Projects at DRC

The Development Review Committee is reviewing these development proposals:

• Preliminary Review of a metal building at 8913 Select Ct. SE.

• Formal Review of modular building for the School District at 621 Linwood Ave. SW

• Feasibility Review of a proposed ADU at 1006 Lake Terrace Dr. SW

Washington Center Thanks City

The Washington Center wrote to thank the City for the contribution to their capital campaign. The City pledged $100,000 of Capital Facility funds to the Center’s renovation and up-date. The Payments are 75% complete. Although not located in Tumwater, the Center is a regional arts icon and plays a vital role in bringing a range of arts offerings to the Thurston County community.

INSIDE THE CITY

Illustrating our Mission, Vision, or Beliefs in Action.

This is a story about the power of communications. A few years before the pandemic (B.P.), we were frustrated that when it snowed we frequently received calls about the status of a particular street or questioning if the City was even plowing. They were often pretty upset.

We knew our crews were working really hard, but how could we better tell our story? We discovered an online tracker was being used in some communities to help people see the magnitude of the challenge (100 miles of street) and that we were out there 24 hours a day. After some magic from our GIS, Operations, and Communications teams, we launched the Tumwater Snowplow Tracker.

Since the Tracker started, the number of complaints about snow has dropped significantly. People can plan their best route to work or school using the tracker, viewing the streets that have been treated and plowed.

Staff post photos and updates on the City Facebook that show the round-the-clock efforts of our awesome snow and ice response team and illustrate current road conditions.

“We sure appreciate all your hard work & sacrificing a good night’s rest, with your family!”

“THANK YOU SO MUCH!!”

“Be safe. Tell your snow plow drivers great job. Thank you all”

“Thanks everyone!!”

“Thank you so much. I took my husband to work at 3:30 a.m. and crews were plowing Tumwater Hill, and I was elated. I appreciate you being on top of this.”

“I drove into work at 4 a.m. this morning….thank you SO much for everything you do!”

While this is a great story about our 24-hour snow crew, it also helps us all understand the importance of telling our story.

The City is a complex and diverse organization with a lot of things going on. Our community can’t see all those things, so it becomes imperative that we tell our story – accurately, fairly, and professionally.

We use many communication tools and specialized staff to tell the stories, but every one of us is a storyteller and has an opportunity to inform and educate.

I invite you to help tell the City’s story by sharing stories of our good work with our Communications Team or your Director. Just about everyone has a phone with a camera and can take a picture that tells your work story.

We have a great story to tell!

City Administrator Opening Posted

These posts have a high level of engagement from the community. Yesterday’s sampling of Facebook comments included these:

“Thank you crews for making our roads safe.”

The recruiting announcement for the City Administrator position has been posted and is being distributed through our recruiter. The first review of applications is on March 12 and final interviews are scheduled for early April.

Police Department Monthly Report

To: John Doan, City Administrator

From: Jon Weiks, Chief of Police

Date: February 15, 2023

Re: January 2023

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY

2023-0080 Multiple Charges - Tumwater officers were dispatched to a report of a theft at a local retail store in the 5900 block of Littlerock Road While enroute to the call, officers were advised that the suspect had stolen merchandise from the store and was last seen on foot southbound on Littlerock Rd SW. A description of the suspect was provided to responding officers. The first officer to arrive located the suspect at the roundabout of Littlerock Rd SW and Kingswood Dr. The officer provided the suspect verbal commands in an effort to detain him regarding the theft. The suspect failed to follow commands, and continuously concealed his hands in his pocket and near his waistband. The officer maintained his distance in an effort to de-escalate the suspect. The officer advised the suspect had removed an unknown object from his waistband and pointed it at him and then concealed the item under his shirt The suspect verbalized to the officer the item was a gun and threatened to kill him and then walked away from the officer. The officer established probable cause to arrest the suspect for Felony Harassment – Threats to Kill and followed the suspect, giving him lawful orders and advising the suspect he was under arrest. The suspect continued on foot toward Odegard Road SW, and picked up his pace as the officer continued to follow at a distance. Another officer arrived in the area and also observed the suspect holding an unknown item in his hand under the shirt and pointing it at the pursuing officer and the Deputy who was following the suspect on foot. As they continued to follow the suspect, he turned onto Tyee Drive toward Toyota of Olympia. The second officer then heard the suspect announce that he had a gun. The suspect would occasionally turn towards the officers and point the unknown item at them. The suspect then sprinted to the service garage of the business, where an employee tried to intervene. The suspect distanced himself, pushed past a customer, and ran to the customer’s vehicle, got in, and started it in an attempt to flee. Two Toyota employees and the pursuing Deputy quickly removed the suspect from the vehicle and officers were able to arrest the suspect. The suspect actively resisted being arrested and repeatedly banged his head on the ground. After getting the suspect in handcuffs, officers stepped back in an attempt to deescalate the suspect who was still combative and yelling. Medical personnel were dispatched to provide aid when the suspect stated he had difficulty breathing. Aid arrived and the suspect was transported to the hospital for evaluation. The suspect was found to be in possession of blue pills suspected to be Fentanyl, and the item the suspect claimed was a gun was not located. Once the suspect was released from St.

Peter Hospital, he was transported and booked at the Thurston County Jail, where he was charged with Robbery 2nd degree, Felony Harassment (x2), Possession of a Controlled Substance – Fentanyl, Theft 3rd degree, Obstructing Justice, and Resisting Arrest.

2023-0132 Arson 2nd - Tumwater Police and Tumwater Fire were dispatched to a report of smoke emitting from the Brewmaster’s House (formerly known as the Henderson House Museum), located at 602 Deschutes Parkway SW. Upon arrival, Tumwater Fire personnel discovered the northeast corner of the building was on fire. Tumwater Fire personnel extinguished the fire and called a fire investigator from the Olympia Fire Department to assist with the investigation. Based on evidence and existing surveillance video, the investigator was able to determine the fire was a result of Arson. The video recording was provided to the police department and an investigation was conducted. After reviewing the video, a detective was able to determine the suspect had intentionally lit the fire using a torch. Detectives canvassed the area and a nearby camp consisting of unhoused residents. The investigating detective immediately recognized one of the residents as a suspect, based on his appearance and clothing. While detaining the suspect, he was also found to have a large burn on his hand. Investigators interviewed the suspect and he confessed to setting the fire out of anger towards another uninvolved person who resided in the camp. The suspect was arrested and transported to the hospital for treatment of the burn, before being transported and booked at the Thurston County Jail for Arson 2nd degree.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DROP BOX

The public deposited 45 pounds of prescription drugs in January.

BUDGET

At the end of the month, the police department budget is 6.8% spent for the year.

K-9 STATISTICS

Officer Russ Mize & K9 James had 2 deployments:

1 Tracking

 Assisted the Lacey Police Department with tracking a Robbery 2nd degree suspect who had fled the scene on foot. Officer Mize responded to the scene and deployed K9 James at the location the suspect was last seen running. Officer Mize provided several K9 surrender warning announcements that went unanswered. K9 James was then provided a track command and began tracking the suspect K9 James was able to track the suspect to a nearby business and to clothing the suspect had discarded behind the business. K9 James continued to track the suspect around several nearby business, onto a paved walking trail, and to a hole in the trail fence that led to a known homeless encampment Due to the amount of foot traffic in the area and for their safety, the track was terminated

1 Locating/Compliance

 Assisted another Tumwater officer at the scene of a commercial burglary. Two suspects had been seen on surveillance cameras lurking around the commercial property by the property owner. Due to the location of the site and only having two officers available, K9 James was deployed to help locate any suspects and to deter any ambush or escape. As the team entered the property they heard a recorded voice over a speaker announcing to the suspects they needed to leave the property. The officers then observed a large shell (later determined to be an eight foot in diameter satellite dish) moving along the ground The officers could see hands and legs visible under the

shell. Officer Mize announced the presence of police officers and K9 James. A lone male exited from under the shell and was compliant. The suspect was recognized by officers and detained. Officers were unable to locate the other suspect on the property. It was determined the detained suspect had not entered the building on the property, so he was cited for Criminal Trespassing 2nd degree at the request of the property owner and then released.

Officer Chase Grimmett and K9 Thor had 3 deployments:

1 Building Search

 Assisted other Tumwater officers at the scene of a commercial burglary alarm with forced entry (shattered window). Officer Grimmett responded to the scene and deployed K9 Thor to search for any suspects who may still be inside the building. Officer Grimmett provided several K9 surrender warning announcements that went unanswered. Officer Grimmett and K9 Thor then led officers into the building and K9 Thor completed an initial search. No suspects were located, but items of evidentiary value were located. Officers completed a secondary search and no suspects or other items of evidentiary value were located.

1 Locating/Compliance

 Assisted other Tumwater officers at the scene of a commercial burglary. The alarm company had notified dispatch they had observed a suspect moving through the property on surveillance cameras. This business has been targeted several times in the recent past and due to numerous hiding spots specific to this location and the lack of sufficient officers available to assist, Officer Grimmett deployed K9 Thor to assist in locating the suspect and to deter any ambush or escape. Officer Grimmett and K9 Thor, along with other officers, searched the property but were unable to locate anyone. Officers were also unable to determine if anything had been taken.

1 Tracking

 Assisted the Lacey Police Department in locating a Robbery 1st degree suspect who had fled from LPD officers on a bicycle. Officer Grimmett responded to the scene and deployed K9 Thor at the last location where the suspect had been seen. Officer Grimmett provided several K9 surrendered warning announcements, which went unanswered. Officer Grimmett then provided K9 Thor a track command and began tracking the suspect. The track led officers through an RV park, several businesses and then another RV park, before losing the scent and terminating the track.

SRO ACTIVITY

School Resource Officer Rosco Rollman participated in a re-entry meeting involving a Tumwater Middle School student.

School Resource Officer Tyler Boling participated in a re-entry meeting involving a Tumwater Middle School student, their parents, and school administration.

SRO Boling and SRO Rollman attended the Equity Summit hosted by the Tumwater School District. The summit focused on diversity and equity

SRO Boling and SRO Rollman provided security at various Black Hills High School and Tumwater High School basketball games throughout the month.

SRO Boling taught a drug and alcohol prevention class to a 7th grade Bush Middle School health class. Time was spent providing instruction, doing activities, and conducting a question and answer session.

SRO Boling provided instruction to Tumwater High School students regarding the “Fast Five” driving instruction. SRO Boling talked about safe driving and the hands-free law.

The SROs investigated the following incidents:

2023-0038 Theft - SRO Boling investigated a report of a lost wallet. The victim reported their wallet was lost while at school at Black Hills High School During the course of the investigation, the student’s wallet was recovered, but there was a large sum of money missing from the wallet. SRO Boling took a case report to investigate further, but the money has yet to be recovered and no charges have been filed.

2023-0070 Harassment - SRO Rollman is investigating a cyber-harassment complaint involving a Black Hills High School student. The victim reported being exploited via social media in exchange for photos. This is an ongoing investigation.

2023-0097 Assault - SRO Rollman took a report of a possible physical assault involving a Black Lake Elementary substitute teacher and a student. The case is still an active investigation.

2023-0117 MIP - SRO Rollman took a report of a Black Hills High School student who was in possession of alcohol on school grounds. The student also admitted to consuming the alcohol while on school property. This case is still an active investigation.

2023-0128 Weapon - SRO Boling investigated an allegation that a Black Hills High School student had a taken a knife to school and had threatened harm towards another student. The school expelled the suspect and SRO Boling conducted a harassment investigation. SRO Boling learned the student had threatened to stab another student and that was why he had taken the knife to school. SRO Boling referred the charge of Possessing a Dangerous Weapons on School Campus to the Thurston County Juvenile Prosecutor’s Office for consideration.

SRO Boling investigated a report of an alleged sexual offense that did not occur at one of the schools. During the course of the investigation, SRO Boling learned the alleged victim, a Tumwater High School student, was not recently assaulted, but instead was experiencing trauma from a prior incident. SRO Boling provided resources and guidance to resolve the issue.

SRO Rollman was alerted to a report that a Tumwater Middle School student was in possession of alcohol at school. SRO Rollman, along with school staff, recovered the alcohol The matter was turned over to the school administration for any discipline

SRO Rollman conducted an investigation that was referred by Department of Children, Youth and Families that was assigned to him involving a Tumwater School District student The student attends the Tumwater Virtual Academy and the allegation was regarding a possible sexual offense. This matter is still under investigation.

SRO Rollman responded to Tumwater Hill Elementary to assist the principal with a 9 year-old student who decided to leave campus early and walk home. SRO Rollman convinced the student to return to school, and while talking to that student learned the student was also suffering from some mental health issues.

SRO Rollman talked at length to the student’s parent about resources and scheduled an appointment with the school to conduct a safety plan.

SRO Boling investigated a report of a Tumwater High School student allegedly showing off a firearm while on school property. The cameras were reviewed and the information received was not consistent to what was observed on cameras. SRO Boling spoke with the student’s parent and determined the allegation was a hoax.

SRO Rollman was contacted by a Tumwater Middle School student, who wanted to talk about resources available regarding an abusive relationship they were involved in. SRO Rollman discussed the situation with the student, provided resources, and gave the student and their parents time to decide how to proceed.

CODE ENFORCEMENT

Code Enforcement opened six cases this month:

 Person(s) living in a RV, accumulated waste, and inoperable vehicle on a residential property

 Person(s) living in a RV and accumulated waste on a residential property

 A rooster at a residential property

 Accumulated garbage on a residential property creating a rodent issue

 Accumulated garbage and a damaged fence at a residential property

 Inoperable vehicles and operating a business in a residential area

Code Enforcement closed two cases this month:

 Trash, noise, and numerous people living in RVs and sheds at a residential property was resolved when the property sold and was cleaned up by new owners

 Accumulated garbage and a damaged fence could not be observed at the reported property

Code Enforcement currently has 16 open cases.

QUANTIFIABLE ACTIVITY

* Self-Initiatedincludes:investigativefollow-ups,civilpaperworkservice,areachecks,business checks,schoolvisits,residentcontacts,trafficstopsandback-upactivity.

PERSONNEL

 Carlos Quiles, Lieutenant – 21 years of service

 Chase Grimmett, Officer – 4 years of service

Monthly YeartoDate 2023 2022 % Changed 2023 2022 % Changed Calls for Service 1,614 1,395 16% Self-Initiated* 1,071 900 19% Arrests 33 24 38% Citations Issued 19 18 6% New Cases –Investigations 22 20 10% Public Disclosure Requests 103 90 14% CPL/Gun Transfers 82 122 -33% Court Documents 90 66 36% Evidence 114 124 -8% Overtime 618 523 18% Annual Leave 406 298 36% Sick Leave 150 459 -67%

TRAINING

 Two members attended a one-week Field Training Officer Academy

 One member attended a one-day FN303 Less-Lethal Launcher Instructor course

 One member attended a one-week Advanced Crisis/Hostage Negotiations course

 One member attended a one-week Advanced Explosive Breaching course (SWAT)

 Thirty-three members completed a mandatory department training day (covering Public Alerts, Domestic Violence, Taser 7, and Use of Force)

 Four TPD members of Thurston County SWAT attended monthly training

463 total training hours

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY

Detective Danielle Dawson and Officer Rachael Black participated in the Boys & Girls Club Dress for Success event.

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as an interview panelist for the Tumwater School District’s Safety and Security Manager position oral interviews.

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as an interview panelist for the Aberdeen Police Department’s promotional process for the position of Lieutenant

Lieutenant Jennifer Kolb participated as a Spirit Judge for the Battle of the Billy Spirit Competition, alongside other City of Tumwater representatives, during the Black Hills High School vs. Tumwater High School Basketball double header.

COMMENDATIONS/LETTERS OF APPRECIATION

Officer Kelly Clark received a letter of commendation from the CEO of a local credit union for his work in handling a person inside the credit union experiencing some sort of mental health issue. The CEO wrote, “I just wanted to pass along my praise for Officer K. Clark today. We had an individual that was experiencing some challenges today in our branch (Tumwater) and he responded. I went downstairs and he was sitting with her, and he was just very calm and kind to her. You can really see the professionalism and maturity he has as an officer. The issue was resolved without much fanfare and my staff appreciated his time and help. We truly appreciate all the hard work the department does for our local community.”

Commander Jay Mason received a verbal commendation from a resident of Thunderbird Village Mobile Home Park The resident called the department to thank Commander Mason for the excellent presentation he provided the residents last week. The resident also wanted to pass along his appreciation for all the officers who visit the mobile home park and how they have been excellent to work with.

Transportation & Engineering

Water Resources & Sustainability

February 2023

PERSONNEL UPDATES & ANNIVERSARIES

Marc LaVack

TED Operations Manager | 02/04/1991, 32 yrs.

Sustainability

Rocky Smith

WRS/TED Locator | 02/18/2003, 20 yrs.

Month Year023

Shaun Carney

WRS Maintenance Tech II | 02/02/2015, 8 yrs.

Brian Frankowski

TED Maintenance Tech II | 02/16/2017, 6 yrs.

Joseph Norman

TED Engineer II | 02/10/2020, 3 yrs.

TRANSPORTATION & ENGINEERING

PROJECTS IN DESIGN

Capitol Boulevard, Israel Road to M Street Design

Designs for the 5 separate construction projects included in this project are nearly complete. The consultant and City staff are preparing final construction documents and coordination activities.

The right of way phase for the X Street Roundabout will begin shortly and continue through 2024

Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2025.

Interstate 5 / Trosper Road / Capitol Boulevard Reconfiguration Project

The project has been under construction since January 17, 2023. Active Construction is fully mobilized on site and has been removing the concrete panels under the road surface to install the underground sewer system north and south of the Capitol Boulevard/Trosper Road intersection. Work is progressing well with the expectation that the majority of the sewer installation will be complete by the first part of March. Work began with daytime operations however work was revised to night shifts early in February.

Underground utility installation will continue this spring to include installation of the new sewer, water, storm, and dry utility installations.

Israel Road / Linderson Way Water Main Project

This project will replace the water main on Israel Road from Interstate 5 to Capitol Boulevard, along with a small segment on Linderson Way. The project was prioritized to complete needed improvements shown in the City’s Water System Plan ahead of the 2024 roadway improvements along Israel Road

Project design is nearing completion with the anticipation that bidding will occur this spring. Construction is expected to be completed during the summer months of 2023.

Sanitary Sewer installation on Capitol Boulevard.

WATER RESOURCES & SUSTAINABILITY

COMPOST PROCUREMENT ORDINANCE Taking Steps Toward Sustainable Operations

Late in 2022, the City Council passed Ordinance O2022019, known as the Compost Procurement Ordinance. This ordinance came about through a statewide initiative voted into law in 2022, to divert organic waste away from landfills. This ordinance directly impacts the Parks & Recreation, Transportation & Engineering, and Water Resources & Sustainability Departments by requiring the use of compost in a variety of projects as determined by state law. Keep your eyes peeled for more information about this ordinance and how you can help our organization be successful and help protect our planet through a healthy community

week program to become a Certified Wildlife Steward, focusing on Western Washington habitats.

Register online for the March Habitat Steward Program

Decomposing leaves

NATIONAL WILDLIFE HABITAT STEWARD TRAINING A Community Habitat Restoration Program

The National Wildlife Federation offers a specialized certification program for people to become Certified Habitat Stewards. Through a series of lessons, the program teaches folks how to restore wildlife habitat in backyards, schoolyards, and other areas of their community. As part of the training, Habitat Stewards commit to completing 30 hours of habitat-related volunteer service within 1 year following graduation from the program.

Between January and February, Sustainability Coordinator, Alyssa Jones Wood, completed this two-

DUMPSTER LID CAMPAIGN

As Simple as Closing the Lid

The primary goal of the new Dumpster Lid Campaign is to help remind business owners and users of dumpsters to “close the lid”. Most of the pollution reaching Puget Sound is carried through stormwater runoff. Uncovered and leaking dumpsters can cause pollutants like chemicals, bacteria, and organic matter to end up in stormwater runoff and directly in our waterways. The purpose behind the Dumpster Lid Campaign is to remind everyone to keep dumpster lids closed to protect surface water quality.

The Regional Environmental Education Program (REEP) yielded successful results in their 2021 pilot program, WRS will kick off a commercial business inspection program that aligns with our Stormwater Management Action Plan to help provide simple solutions to prevent pollutants from entering our waterways.

National Wildlife Federation flyer with hummingbird.

Message from the Chief

Recently the Olympic Clean Air Agency (ORCAA) took action regarding recreational fires in the cities of Olympia, Lacey, and Tumwater. Since the 1990s recreational fires have not been allowed in the cities. Rules put in place regarding indoor wood burning have improved air quality such that ORCAA no longer believes the recreational fire ban is needed. Lifting the ban will make rules consistent throughout our region. Our cities were the only cities in Western Washington that banned recreational fires. Recreational fires are fires no more than three feet in diameter and two feet high and must use clean, dry, seasoned firewood with only enough clean paper to start the fire. Use of burn barrels, burning trash, yard debris, construction materials, etc. are still prohibited. Fires should have twenty-five foot setback from structures and/or trees. Any burn bans called for fire safety or air quality reasons will override any fire allowance.

It is anticipated that this new rule will go into effect in March 2023. ORCAA and the Tumwater Fire Department will work to educate our community on this new rule. Feel free to contact the Fire Department with any questions and always call 911 if there is a fire safety concern.

Crews responded to three cardiac arrests, 412 calls that were EMS related.

We continue to offer compression only CPR to the community, 6:00 p m on the third Tuesday of every month at Station T1.

Chief Hurley testified before the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee in support of SB 5592, requiring semi-automatic external defibrillators in fitness centers.

Community Outreach

This past month, Firefighters have been teaching CPR to Tumwater High School students. Crews also participated in teaching fire extinguisher training to the South Sound Composite Squadron, civil air patrol members.

TUMWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT January 2023
CPR class at Station T1

Suppression Report

Tumwater Fire Department held promotion ceremonies for Firefighter Duncan MacLeod and Paramedic-Firefighter Tod Mower. They were both promoted to Lieutenants. The Captains on each shift were reclassified to Battalion Chiefs.

Fire Prevention

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get out quickly.

Safety tips

 A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

 Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home and basement.

 It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.

 Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.

 Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

For more information on installing and maintaining smoke alarms visit www.nfpa.org.

In the early morning of January 21, crews responded to a report of a structure fire at the Brewmaster’s House.

TUMWATER FIRE DEPARTMENT NEWS | January 2023 2
Two TFD members Six TFD members Brewmaster’s House

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