What should a firefighter do after falling through a floor? We train for that! #drilltowin
Video from the severed natural gas line that we responded to yesterday afternoon...this is what it sounds like when a 1" line releases gas.
Station 5 Profile
Enjoy our monthly series featuring one of our 16 fire stations. This month, we feature Station 5, proudly serving the citizens of Eagle Ridge and Latah Valley.
#eagleridge #latahvalley #latah #YourSpokaneFireDepartment
Stretching and Flowing Down a Hallway
In this video, our recruit firefighters are learning to operate a 1-3/4" hose line flowing 150 gallons of water a minute down a hallway. Notice how the firefighter continues to sweep the top of the ceiling and floor? Firefighters often have to cool down the unburned gasses and smoke along the way as they make their way to the seat of the fire to prevent those gasses and smoke from igniting behind them. Depending on the smoke and fire conditions, this can sometimes be accomplished by "penciling" short bursts of water into the smoke or by flowing and moving as the firefighters in this video do.
Although the movements of this skill are rehearsed extensively during the initial training period, it often takes years of experience for firefighters to truly master the art of cooling down the thermal layers above you without converting too much of the heat into steam, significantly reducing visibility and increasing the risk of stream burns to potential victims and firefighters.
Notice how the firefighter sweeps the floor before him with a stream of water? This is to cool down any puddles of water on the floor before the firefighter crawls through them and sweeps any debris out of the way of the incoming line. You will also notice how the backup firefighter moves forward and protects the line when they turn the corner. This prevents kinks in the hose line, which can significantly reduce the amount of water flow needed to overcome the heat generated when a fire is burning in the interior of a building.
#drilltowin
The end of the week for our recruits in the training academy is always a benchmark for those putting in hours of endless work. Each week we try to have a little competition that usually puts principles learned throughout the week to the test while having a little fun doing it.
This week our recruits moved a lot of water through various hose lines, so a little fire stream play was appropriate. Congratulations to Recruit Cailin Jewell for taking the win this week!
Kids Jr. Fire Academy - This Sunday!
🔥 Calling all young heroes! 🔥 Join us this Sunday at River Park Square in Downtown Spokane for an action-packed day at the Spokane Fire Department's Kids Jr Firefighter Academy! 🚒👨🚒👩🚒
📅 Date: This Sunday
🕐 Time: 1-3pm
📍 Location: River Park Square - Downtown Spokane
🚨 Get ready for an unforgettable adventure where your little ones can:
🧯 Practice their firefighting skills with the Jr. Fire Combat course.
🚒 Explore real fire trucks
🌟 Meet Sparky the Fire Safety Dog
🔥 Learn about fire safety
Don't miss this chance to ignite your child's curiosity and inspire them to become future heroes! Let's make this Sunday a day of learning, laughter, and lifesaving skills.
Tag your friends and spread the word! See you there! 🔥👩🚒👨🚒 #SpokaneFireAcademy #FutureHeroes #CommunityEvent #SpokaneKids #DowntownSpokane #yourspokanefiredepartment #spokanefirefighters
Protect your home from wildfire embers
Recent fires in Spokane County and Lahaina, HI, have shown us once again the dangers of fire during wind events. Did you know that most structures in a wildland fire that are destroyed are started by an ember that lands on a combustible surface and not from the main body of fire? To help protect your home and property from fire, there are many steps you can take to greatly reduce your risk of catastrophic loss.
For more information, visit: https://disastersafety.org/wildfire/
Water drop on the Thorpe Fire yesterday morning, 2800 block West Thorpe Road. #YourSpokaneFireDepartment
What is a Red Flag Warning?
The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 10 AM to 9 PM PDT Thursday. A Red Flag Warning has also been issued from 10 AM to 9 PM PDT Friday. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.
Lead Plane and C130 Dropping Retardant
It was during this time last week at the Sunset Fire, that we had quite an aircraft show. This is a video of a smaller plane leading a larger C130 retardant tanker on the path to its intended target. Retardant is used outside of the fire boundary to create a temporary line that slows fire growth allowing other aircraft to drop water from the sky and firefighters on the ground with hose lines to engage the main body of fire.
Sunset Fire Before Jumping Sunset Highway
As you can see in this video, there was too much heat for our hose lines to be effective, especially since firefighters had no good escape routes to be able to reach the seat of this fire. Firefighting aircraft dropping water from the sky were necessary to gain the upper hand of this blaze.
Sunset Fire Water from the Sky
This is a great video from our fire Thursday afternoon showing how effective water drops from the air can be for firefighters on the ground. After few more passes, and with some assistance from a helicopter as well, firefighters were able to deploy hose lines into this area ensuring extinguishment of active fire.
Video from West Hallett Fire yesterday, Spokane Fire Brush 5 assisting with structure protection.
Recruit Class 2022-1 putting all the skills they have learned over the past month into practice. #firefighting #firefightingtraining #yourspokanefiredepartment
October is Fire Prevention Month
October is Fire Prevention Month. This fall #YourSpokaneFireDepartment will be visiting schools, established groups and making home visits reminding people about home fire escape planning. Have you practiced yours? #FirePreventionMonth
2022 Kids JR Firefighter Academy
Thanks to everybody who came out for the Kids Jr. Firefighter Academy this weekend. Special thanks to our volunteers and community partners who made this event a success! River Park Square Downtown Spokane Safe Kids Spokane Washington Poison Center The ISAAC Foundation
#YourSpokaneFireDepartment
Kids Jr Firefighter Academy today 12-2pm
Join Us This Sunday
Come join us this Sunday at River Park Square Downtown Spokane for this free kids event!
If you have a fear of heights, this might not be the job for you!
We're Hiring!
We're hiring! If you are interested in becoming a SFD firefighter you will need to pass the Public Safety Test which consist of a written exam and the Candidate Physical Ability Test.
The City of Spokane offers one free test per year for those who apply only to City of Spokane and take the test on the designated "free testing" date at the Spokane, Washington, location.
City of Spokane is offering FREE Public Safety Testing, Saturday, October 2, 2021 ONLY, at the Fire training Center (1618 N Rebecca St, Spokane, WA 99217)
Sign up through the Public Safety Testing, Inc. website, here: www.publicsafetytesting.com.
For more information visit https://my.spokanecity.org/jobs/
Don't Let History Repeat Itself.
This Labor Day weekend, don’t let history repeat itself. Please avoid starting fires outdoors, don't park vehicles in grassy areas.
Protect your home from wildfire embers
Did you know that in a wildfire it's the wind-driven embers, not the direct flames, that are the biggest threat to your house. Here are some simple steps you can take in a weekend to protect your house.
For more information visit https://disastersafety.org/wildfire/
Browne's Addition 3rd Alarm Fire
Aerial video showing the destruction from this morning's massive 3rd alarm fire in Browne's Addition. Inital arriving companies found fire on all three floors of the Tiffany Manor Apartments at 2308 W. 2nd Ave. flames quickly spread to the apartment buidling next door. Firefighters rescued several people but sadly two people died. One Firefighter was transported to the hospital with a minor injuries and has been released. The cause of the fire is under investigation by SFD's Special Investigations Unit and SPD major crimes detectives.
Head Smart Safety Award- for wearing your helmet
Kynzie's Saturday afternoon walk with her grandmother resulted in an event she won't soon forget. All because she was caught making the safe choice. #YourSpokaneFireDepartment #SafeKidsSpokane
"I wanted to give a big thank you to Station 13 7/3/21 big engine crew. I was on a walk with my Granddaughters, Kynzie (5 yrs) and Khloey (18 mo), and the FF happened to be on a call where we were walking. They noticed that Kynzie was wearing her new bike helmet on our walk and asked if she would like a sticker and an ice cream coupon from McDonald’s for wearing her helmet. It was such a great experience to see the firetruck and talk to the Fire Fighters...Thank you all for being a hero to the community."
- Katie, Shadle Neighborhood
(shared with permission)
Fireworks. Leave it to the Professionals in the City of Spokane
From 104 fireworks-caused fires to less than 5. Thank you, Spokane. Because of your actions, we continue to make our community safer for everyone.
2021 marks the 29th year of our fireworks ban in the City of Spokane. As you are planning your holiday celebration, remember to leave the fireworks to the professionals. If you light it, it's illegal. #YourSpokaneFireDepartment
Recruit Class 2021-1 Graduation Ceremony
Spokane Regional Fire Academy Recruit Class 2021 Graduation Ceremony Live Stream
SFD Swiftwater Team training earlier this week.
Training regularly to be our best when you need us most. #YourSpokaneFireDepartment