Fire Blotter, July 18

Total Calls this period: 95

EMS/Rescue: 70

Fire/Hazardous Conditions: 7

Service/Good Intent/False: 18

On July 8, medics were dispatched to a call for a woman fallen. Upon arrival, the crew found an 88-year-old female lying on the floor next to the sliding glass door. She was able to sit up and unlock the door for the crew. She said that she fell in the kitchen and hit her head on the floor and then was unable to get back up. She then activated her Life Alert necklace and slid herself across the floor to the door. During the evaluation, the medic noted that she had a bruise on the left side of her head but otherwise seemed fine. She did not want to be transported to the hospital. The crew contacted her son, who said he would come by and check on her. Medics helped her up and left her in her own care.

On July 8, firefighters were dispatched to a tree across the roadway. Upon arrival the crew found a 12-foot round tree that had snapped 22 inches above from its base. The tree top had also caught and snapped high voltage power lines that were on the opposite side of the roadway. Power was out in the area and power lines were down. The tree top was completely blocking both lanes of the roadway.  

The crews requested assistance from Puget Sound Energy and coned off the roadway. The Lieutenant determined the tree could be safely removed, and the crew began to cut up the tree and drag it off to the ditch. They then requested that Pierce County Road Crews be dispatched to take care of any potential additional hazards. PSE "Traffic Control Supervisor" arrived and said there was a crew on the way. The roadway was then opened to controlled traffic and the scene was released to PSE. 

On July 9, medics were dispatched to a 39-year-old female who had collapsed.  Coworkers thought that she may be dehydrated because she had exercised for 3 hours earlier that day. She had also been complaining of a headache. When medics arrived they found her very lethargic and weak. She was only able to answer questions in 1 or 2 word sentences. She was also very slow to respond. Medics treated and transported her to the hospital for further evaluation.

On July 10, firefighters were dispatched to a small grass fire. Engine 56 arrived to find a 5 feet by 5 feet smoldering grass fire in a ditch next to the road. Several citizens were trying to put out with fire extinguishers, hand tools and water. Engine 56 used about 100 gallons of water mixed with foam to blanket the area. The solution was also applied to nearby trees and brush. Upon investigation no obvious source of ignition was found. Witnesses said that they saw a blue SUV pull up to the intersection and observed a throwing motion to the ditch, heard a "pop" which sounded like fireworks and discovered the fire shortly after. The crew checked to make sure the fire was completely extinguished and returned in service.

On July 11, firefighters were dispatched to a fire that was put out by the time they arrived. Upon arrival the crew found that a 12-year-old male had started a fire in a metal bucket to burn some papers. Afterward, he set the bucket beside the house. Shortly thereafter, a neighbor noticed that the side of the home was smoking and called 911. He then grabbed a fire extinguisher and put the fire out. Firefighters used a thermal imaging camera to make sure the fire was completely out.The crew counseled the boy on fire safety and possible injuries that can result from playing with fire. They then called the boy's father and waited for his arrival and advise him of the situation. The Fire Prevention division was later advised of the situation for referral to the Fire Stoppers program.

On July 12, paramedics were called to a 46-year-old woman who was ill. She was seen by the reporting party sitting on the side of the road vomiting and disoriented. When medics arrived she was lying on the ground. At first, she was very slow to respond to questions and was unable to describe what happened. She eventually said that she had a headache and had been ill all day. She was unable to stand or walk.  Medics treated and transported her to the hospital.

July 13, Medic 58 was on its way to Station 51 when they spotted a vehicle on its side at the bottom of the west side Wollochet on/off ramp. The vehicle's occupants were all uninjured and out of the vehicle. There were also several vehicles along side of the road and people attempting to provide assistance. Due to the extreme danger caused by slick road conditions, all bystanders were sent back to their vehicles. While waiting for additional crews, there were two crashes nearby that were caused by fast oncoming traffic, which skidded and swerved between slowing traffic and the overturned vehicle.  

The driver of the vehicle said that her vehicle lost traction and began to slide into oncoming traffic, and she corrected the steering which caused the vehicle to fish-tail. It hit the embankment and rolled onto its side.

Washington State Patrol arrived and blocked one lane. Shortly thereafter additional crews arrived providing traffic control and using a fire truck to provide scene safety by blocking the scene from traffic. All three occupants stated that they were uninjured and did not want medical assistance. The occupants contacted their employer who was able to provide transport back to their office, and a tow company was called to remove the vehicle.