On June 30, Fire District 7 will celebrate Rick Rauma as he retires after 28 years with Snohomish County Fire District 7.

“Deputy Chief Rauma has been the leading force behind our emergency medical services (EMS) program for the last 28 years,” explained Fire Chief Richard Eastman. “His years of dedication to this program have been invaluable, and we want to thank him for his years of service.”

Rauma was hired in 1982, the same year Fire District 7 became the first fire district in Snohomish County to have a paramedic program. Rauma was hired as the EMS Coordinator, and his primary responsibility was developing and evolving the paramedic program. Since then, Rauma has been the administrator of the EMS program. Before coming to Fire District 7, he had worked for Evergreen Hospital’s Medic One Program.

All are welcome to celebrate Deputy Chief Rauma at his retirement gathering:

When: June 30, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Where: Fire District 7 Headquarters – 8010 180th St. SE, Snohomish, WA 98296

*A brief ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m., but people are welcome to stop by anytime.

On June 12, Snohomish County Fire District 7 firefighter/EMT Travis Rask will put his lungs and leg power to the test by climbing a stair climber for 12 hours straight. His mission: raise money for the Climb for Clean Air event, which funds the American Lung Association’s efforts to fight lung disease and improve lung health for people in our region.

“I was a smoker for 10 years, and was overweight. Both my mother’s parents died from complications due to tobacco use,” Rask explained. “I quit cold turkey 5 years ago, worked my tail off in the gym, and today enjoy a happy and healthy lifestyle. I have made it my personal goal to do whatever I can to help such a great cause.”

In July, Rask will take part in the Climb for Clean Air, a four day fundraising climb to the summit of Mt. Rainier. Each step Rask takes on the stair climber and on Mt. Rainer will be in honor of the over one million kids and adults in Washington who struggle to breathe each day because of lung disease.

Rask will climb from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Greenlake (Seattle) Starbucks. You can donate in person, or by visiting Rask’s Climb for Clean Air website at www.tinyurl.com/helptravisclimb.

For more information on the American Lung Association in Washington, visit www.alaw.org. For more information contact Public Information Officer Autumn Waite at 360-282-3956 or awaite@firedistrict7.com.

Clearview, Wash.  – Snohomish County Fire District 7 has been awarded a $5,780 federal grant in order to provide smoke alarms to citizens in need. The grant, which comes under the Department of Homeland Security's Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, will allow Fire District 7 to purchase approximately 250 smoke alarms to be installed within the district

“While we can’t prevent every fire, we know that smoke alarms can provide the needed warning to help everyone get out safely,” explained Public Educator Autumn Waite. “It’s alarming what you see when you get out in the community and visit homes; it’s shocking how many homes do not have smoke alarms at all. Even when smoke alarms are present, they aren’t always properly maintained. Many people see a smoke alarm on their ceiling and think it’s protecting their families, but they require diligent maintenance.”

Fire District 7 urges citizens to follow these guidelines for smoke alarms in the home:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.

• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Smoke rises; install smoke alarms following manufacturer's instructions high on a wall or on a ceiling. Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least twice per year. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away. If you have a 10 year lithium smoke alarm, it is not necessary to change the battery; but make sure it hasn’t exceeded its ten year life span.
• Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan. Visit www.firedistrict7.com or call 360-282-9356 for more information on creating your plan.

In addition to the smoke alarms, “Play Safe! Be Safe!” kits will be purchased to distribute to local daycares and preschools. The “Play Safe! Be Safe!” kit is an aid to help daycares and preschools teach young children about fire safety. After a class completes the curriculum, Fire District 7 firefighter/EMTs often visit the class to follow up with additional fire and life safety information. 

This is the tenth Assistance to Firefighters Grant awarded to Fire District 7 by the Department of Homeland Security in the last eight years, totaling approximately $2.7 million.  Previous grants were used to fund personnel, purchase fire apparatus, replace firefighter personal protective equipment, and replace firefighter breathing apparatus. Prior to receiving this grant, Fire District 7 maintained the Smoke Alarm Program with support from the Clearview Community Business Association, Farmers New World Life Insurance Co., the Medic 71 Memorial Fund, and the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association.

For more information on Fire District 7’s Smoke Alarm Program, and information on preventing and protecting your home and family from fire, please contact Public Educator Autumn Waite at 360-282-3956 or awaite@firedistrict7.com.

Clearview, Wash.  –  Throughout the year, Snohomish County Fire District 7 firefighters will be rewarding children who are properly wearing helmets while participating in any non-motorized wheeled activity, such as biking, scootering, in-line skating or skateboarding.

Fire District 7 has partnered with Safe Kids and McDonald’s in this campaign to encourage safe riding and helmet use. Firefighters will issue a “Safe Rider Citation” to each child they spot riding safely and wearing a helmet. The citation card can be redeemed for one reduced-fat vanilla ice cream cone at participating McDonald’s restaurants.

Firefighters will always be in marked fire department vehicles and uniforms when handing out the Safe Rider Citations.

Low-cost bicycle and multi-sport helmets are available at all Fire District 7 fire stations. Bicycle riders with helmets have an 85 percent reduction in their risk of head injury and an 88 percent reduction in their risk of brain injury.

Always remember:

• Wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet.
• Adjust your bicycle to fit properly and check your equipment.
• See and be seen.
• Watch for and avoid road hazards.
• Avoid riding at night.

Clearview, Wash.  –  Snohomish County Fire District 7 is seeking committee members to advocate approval and to advocate rejection of the following proposition, scheduled for the August 17, 2010 election:

“The Board of Commissioners of Snohomish County Fire District No. 7 adopted Resolution No. 2010-04 concerning a proposition to authorize additional and permanent regular property tax levies.  This proposition would authorize the District to set and maintain an additional, regular and permanent property tax levy of $.50 or less per $1000.00 of assessed valuation for collection in 2011 and thereafter pursuant to RCW 84.52.069, which is an additional/higher rate than that previously levied and collected in 2010, subject to any otherwise applicable statutory dollar rate limitations.”

Interested individuals should submit letters of interest that include their name, telephone number, and fax number (if available) to Snohomish County Fire District 7, EMS Levy Committee, 8010 180th St. SE, Snohomish, WA 98296, no later than May 18, 2010. Individuals must also indicate their support or opposition of the proposition and explain why they are interested in serving as a committee member. Letters of interest may also be submitted by fax to 360-668-6234.

No more than three persons may be appointed to each committee by the Board of Commissioners. Each committee will be responsible for writing statements related to the EMS Levy that will appear in the local voter’s pamphlet (maximum of 250 words). The Commissioners anticipate appointing members during the May 27, 2010 Board meeting. Statements for the voter’s pamphlet are due to the Snohomish County Auditor by June 8, 2010.

Clearview, Wash.  –  The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office determined a house fire in the 6100 block of 228th St. SE (unincorporated Snohomish County) started from combustibles left near a space heater. One person was home at the time, and he was able to escape with several pets after noticing smoke. One dog, one cat and two birds were lost in the fire.

The initial report came in at 5:47 p.m., and indicated the house was fully involved. As Snohomish County Fire District 7 was responding, crews could see a column of dark smoke. Fire conditions made it unsafe for crews to enter the home, so they had to fight the fire from outside.

The home is a complete loss and is estimated at $230,000. The homeowners are receiving assistance from the Snohomish County Red Cross.

Overall, 24 fire personnel responded including one unit from Snohomish County Fire District 26, one from Woodinville Fire, and King County Medic 47.

Fire District 7 urges citizens to remember these heating safety tips:

Keep all things that can burn, such as paper, bedding or furniture, at least 3 feet away from heating equipment.

Turn portable heaters off when you go to bed or leave the room.

Plug power cords only into outlets with sufficient capacity and never into an extension cord.

Inspect for cracked, frayed or broken plugs or loose connections. Replace before using.

Clearview, Wash.  –  At 10:31 a.m., Snohomish County Fire District 7 responded to a report of a kitchen fire in the 19900 block of the Bothell Everett Highway at Thrasher’s Mill Apartments. Upon arrival, crews quickly extinguished the stove top fire. They were successful in keeping the fire from spreading beyond the kitchen.

A man, his young son, and their dog were able to escape from the apartment without injury. Two bystanders attempted to put out the fire with dry chemical fire extinguishers before Fire District 7 arrived on scene.

The damage is estimated at $50,000, and is contained to the kitchen. The occupants of the damaged unit will not be able to stay in the apartment. No other apartment units were affected.

Overall, 20 fire personnel responded including one unit from Bothell Fire and EMS and one from Snohomish County Fire District 1. The Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office also responded.

Fire District 7 urges citizens to remember these kitchen safety tips:

Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.

If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.

Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.

Clearview, Wash.  –  In an effort to prepare for all types of rescue situations, Snohomish County Fire District 7 firefighters are participating in trench rescue operations training.  During this two hour training, crews participate in a hands-on exercise where they practice rescuing a victim from a trench.

“Although Fire District 7 has personnel on a specialized technical rescue team, it’s important that all firefighters know how to handle a trench rescue emergency,” explained Steve Tickle, Fire District 7 firefighter/EMT, and instructor for the trench rescue training. “It’s a great opportunity to experience a real life situation.”

While firefighters participate in technical rescue training each year, the hands-on trench rescue operations training takes place every three years.

Snohomish County allowed Fire District 7 to use their Cathcart Solid Waste Facility for this training. The staff at the facility also prepared the trench for Fire District 7, with equipment they have on-site. The ability to utilize the County’s property and equipment saved Fire District 7 the expense of securing a location and equipment.

Clearview, Wash.  –  Starting April 1, firefighter emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics with Snohomish County Fire District 7 moved to a new paperless system to enhance emergency medical care and services. By collecting patient information on specialized computers, crews can now obtain patient information more quickly, and efficiently track valuable data.

In 2009, Fire District 7 responded to over 5,000 calls, and 77 percent of those calls were for medical problems, ranging from cardiac issues to injuries sustained in car crashes.

“Using electronic patient care reports will be a benefit to our community and our Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program,” explained Captain Scott Dorsey, who has coordinated this project for Fire District 7. “Entering patient information by hand for EMS calls was very time consuming. By using specialized computers, the time needed to collect data will be reduced, allowing for increased interaction with patients.”

The new software interfaces with dispatch software, cardiac monitors, and other crucial EMS systems, allowing the information to easily be transferred to the patient care report. The increased efficiency of information flow will allow crews to be back in Fire District 7’s area and in service much more quickly.

Tracking the information electronically will also allow for improved data collection. In the past, there wasn’t a straightforward way to collect data. To view trends or issues, the information would have to be gathered by shuffling through hundreds of paper medical reports. Having the electronic data will allow Fire District 7 to efficiently track trends and issues within the service area.

In addition to collecting data for Fire District 7, the new software reports directly to the National Emergency Medical Services Information System and the Washington Emergency Medical Services Information System. These two organizations collect and analyze data to track trends including product safety and common injuries.

The electronic patient care reports are a part of a county-wide program that will be required nationwide in 2012. Having a centralized system will allow the county to enhance the delivery of pre-hospital medical care.

The new hardware cost $42,000, and included 8 specialized computers and the associated hardware. The hardware is covered under a comprehensive warranty.

The software fee is charged per incident, costing $1.25 per report. The web based software is a secure data network and is compliant with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In addition, reports can only be viewed by the original author or EMS managers.