SVFD Report – April 2023

Current news sources

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) crews responded to a total of 1,787 emergency incidents for April 2023.

By the numbers:

Medical Services 1,477

Suppression 166

Rescue (includes 78 Motor Vehicle Collisions) 86 be out, and more children will be in parks and on roads. work and spring cleaning. We would like to remind area residents that burning garbage, including construction material, and the use of burn barrels is prohibited in our region. Burning outdoors, including yard debris, is not allowed in most areas of Spokane County. Recreational fires are currently allowed until burn restrictions are put in place later this summer. be held financially responsible for the cost of fire department response and any property damage it caused.

• Be careful with yard equipment and anything that can spark a fire. May is Wildfire Awareness Month. As we move into those warmer temperatures be aware of anything that can potentially start a fire. Do not put cigarettes out in potted plants or throw them out of car windows. The potential for fire from an improperly disposed of cigarette is extremely high.

• Wear your life jacket (PFD) while recreating near or on rivers and lakes. Every year SVFD rescues people not wearing life jackets out on area rivers and lakes.

Of note:

• Emergency Medical Services accounted for 82.70% of all SVFD incidents.

• Fire Suppression (fire and Building Alarms) was 9.29% of all SVFD incidents.

Safety Message

• We continue to emphasize Driving Safely. Schools will soon

Media Release April 12, 2023: Spokane County, Wash. – The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD), The Spokane Fire Department (SFD), Spokane Regional Clean Air Agency (Spokane Clean Air), along with surrounding fire agencies, have recently been experiencing an increase in possible illegal burning calls and uncontrolled fires. Warmer spring weather after a long winter has residents outdoors doing yard

“As we hop into what appears to be a typical Inland Northwest spring, it’s time to bring wildland awareness to the top of our minds! Fire can spread quickly in dry fuels left over from winter, so let’s start to raise our seasonal awareness levels this week.” – Deputy Fire Marshal Brett Anderson – Spokane Valley Fire Department

“To minimize smoke from outdoor fires, Spokane Clean Air has field staff responding to reports of illegal burning, including on weekends when needed.” –Lisa Woodard, Communications Manager – Spokane Clean Air.

Recreational fires that get outof-control are a common cause of wildfires caused by people. You can

“Wildfires are not usually a concern during the Spring in the Pacific Northwest; however, we have already seen several small grass fires locally. We encourage people to use caution when burning recreationally.” – Fire Marshal Lance Dahl – City of Spokane Fire Department

If you are following regulations, please remember to “Be Fire Smart”:

• Use clean, dry firewood or manufactured logs,

• Burn 25’ away from any structure, like a house, garage, or fence,

• Have an extinguisher or charged water hose nearby,

• Stay near the fire,

• Keep any fire small; no larger than 3’ wide and 2’ tall, and

• Put out the fire completely!

For more information on outdoor burning and restrictions, visit www. SpokaneCleanAir.org/outdoorburning

Media Release April 17

Spokane Valley, WA – On Wednesday April 19th, the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) will officially unveil our new 140,000 sq ft. maintenance facility.

The recently completed $8.1 million dollar shop includes seven 63’ long apparatus bays, one vehicle bay a fabrication shop, and a pumping station needed to certify SVFD’s apparatus pumps annually.

Our former shop could not fit three of our apparatus inside without filling the entire shop, which made maintenance in the winter extremely difficult.

Currently, SVFD has 9 frontline Engines and two frontline Tillers. An additional three reserve Engines, one training Engine, one reserve Ladder Truck and one reserve Tiller. There are also about 40 support vehicles and three Brush Trucks.

SVFD has a supervisor and three mechanics to maintain all the department’s motorized equipment, from chainsaws to apparatus and vehicles. That includes rebuilding a motor or pump when needed.

“SVFD is thankful to the citizens of our Fire District for helping provide a facility that has the capacity to keep our vehicles responding every hour of every day to their emergencies and also keeps our maintenance staff safe and healthy from potentially harmful agents.” – Chief Frank Soto JR. –Spokane Valley Fire Department

The maintenance site also includes a $1.1 million-dollar oneacre reinforced cement driving surface for certifying our front and back Tiller drivers annually. A normal asphalt parking lot or cement runway could not support this annual certification due to the weight and speed on cornering that is required for the annual certification of our 27 drivers.

Media Release April 30

Members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) and the City of Spokane Fire Department acted swiftly Saturday night to extinguish a fire in a duplex in the Spokane Valley near Thierman Rd and 3rd Ave. The fire was extinguished within 20 minutes of the initial dispatch being sent out.

Automatic Aid resulted in multiple units from both the Valley and the City arriving rapidly on scene, aiding in the quick knockdown. Units involved included VE6, VE1, VE2, V22, and V31 from the Spokane Valley Fire Department as well as SE14, SE8, and SL1 from the City of Spokane Fire Department.

During every structure fire, a standardized series of events occur including, rapidly extinguishing the known fire, checking the structure for fire extension into hidden areas, a rapid primary search of the entire building for occupants, and a more thorough secondary search of the entire building for occupants. Other actions can include removing or covering valuables that could be damaged during suppression activities, as well as removing debris resulting from the fire. These events can occur more quickly when there are more units on scene, early in the fire operation.

There were no firefighter or civilian injuries reported, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Three residents were displaced with the Red Cross providing aid to them. Two cats and a lizard were rescued from within the structure. As always, thanks to American Medical Response for standing by as medical support during the fire operation.

Incidents:

Tech Rescue, April 23

SVFD responded to a cat stuck on powerlines. SVFD Firefighters hoisted a ladder against the powerpole and were able to safely rescue the feline and bring her down safely.

Fall, April 12

Wednesday night, Spokane Valley Fire Department Engine 3, Engine 4 and Valley 22 responded to a call for an elderly person who was injured after falling off of a horse. SVFD Firefighter/Paramedics were able to use our off-road vehicle to reach the person and safely transport them approximately a half a mile to a waiting ambulance.

Public Outreach and Education: Smoke Alarm and CO Alarm Installs April and YTD

The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 142,000+ over 75-square miles, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas. In 2021, our cross-trained Firefighter/EMTs and Firefighter/Paramedics responded to more than 23,235 emergency calls.