April 24, 2008

FEMA Region 10’s Deputy Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger presented a fire grant check for $1,686,800, as part of FEMA’s Staffing-for-Adequate-Fire-and-Emergency-Response grant program, to Snohomish County Fire District #7, on Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.  The presentation was made at the Fire Station at 8010 180th St. S.E., Snohomish WA 98296 in Clearview. 

Attending the grant award presentation was Snohomish County Council member Dave Somers, Snohomish County Emergency Management Director John Pennington, Snohomish County Fire District #7 fire chief Richard Eastman, assistant fire chief Eric Andrews, and Snohomish County District #7 Fire Commissioners Don Andrew, Neil Doherty, Ron Waugh, Gregg Knapp, and Gunther Hausmann.

The SAFER grant program is administered cooperatively by two FEMA components: the National Preparedness Directorate and the United States Fire Administration.  SAFER grants were created to provide funding directly to fire departments and volunteer firefighter-interest organizations, in order to help them increase the number of trained, "front-line" firefighters available in their communities.

Specifically, SAFER funds should assist local fire departments to increase their staffing and deployment capabilities in order to respond to emergencies whenever they may occur. As a result of the enhanced staffing, response times should be sufficiently reduced with an appropriate number of personnel assembled at the incident scene. Thanks to the grant Fire District 7 will be hiring sixteen new firefighters to help protect and respond to the emergency needs of our district.

FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

February 2, 2008
SCFD7 Assistant Chief Andrews recieves the citizen of the year award!

The tenth annual Sky Valley Community Awards were held on February 2nd at the Sultan High School Commons and recognized dozens of community members fortheir outstanding participation. The master of ceremonies this year was RobinShaw, who in unison with the entire audience in a patriotic showing, performed theNational Anthem at the start of the ceremony. The Sky Citizen of Year award went to Snohomish County Fire District Seven Assistant Chief and Gold Bar Fire Chief Eric Andrews this year for consistently going above and beyond in service to the community. The awardwas presented to Andrews by Gold Bar Mayor Crystal Hill and Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick. Eric Andrews began volunteering with Snohomish County Fire District #26 inFebruary of 1977 and since then has written and received grants for his departmentin excess of $500,000 for much needed equipment. Earlier in the evening, Andrews was the recipient of a 30 Years of Service award.

January 15, Every second counts: Swift action saved Clearview woman's life
By Jackson Holtz, Herald Writer

CLEARVIEW -- Stacey Robert was visiting neighbors a couple days after Christmas when her heart stopped beating. "It took less than two minutes and her lips turned blue," said Nicki Gorski, the neighbor.

What happened in the next few minutes saved the life of the marathon runner and mother of three.

Gorski performed CPR until firefighters arrived. The medics hooked Robert, 40, to a defibrillator and gave her four shocks before her heart kicked in and started beating again.

On Tuesday, Robert joined Snohomish County Fire District 7 firefighters and paramedics to celebrate her life."I'm feeling very lucky, is all I can say," Robert said.

When the heart stops, CPR rapidly followed by defibrillation can save lives, said Kevin Ryan, assistant medical services officer at Fire District 7."We call it the chain of survival," he said. For Robert, every link of the chain -- her neighbor, 911 dispatchers, firefighters and paramedics -- worked on Dec. 27, the night her heart stopped, Ryan said. Her story serves as an important reminder that people should learn CPR, Ryan said. It also shows that defibrillators, computerized machines that deliver electric shocks to restore regular heart rhythm, should be as common as fire extinguishers, he said.

Since the night of her heart attack, doctors installed an internal defibrillator, just in case Robert's heart should stop again. Now, she's eager to get back to normal. She hopes to finish the Vancouver, B.C., marathon in early May. Robert has no memory of what happened on the evening of Dec. 27 when she went to visit the Gorskis to talk about the holidays. Robert was sitting on the sofa talking when all of a sudden she went silent mid-sentence, Gorski said. At first Gorski thought her friend might be having a seizure. Then she realized her heart had stopped and she wasn't breathing.

Gorski telephoned Robert's husband, then 911."Honestly, I went into survival mode," Gorski said. "I don't think I had time to be emotional." Dispatchers gave Gorski CPR instructions over the phone. When firefighters arrived, Gorski stepped out of the way.

Pumping her friend's chest and blowing into her lungs -- 30 chest compressions followed by a rescue breath -- wasn't as scary as watching trained medics go to work. "It was more frightening to watch them having trouble reviving her," Gorski said.

Medics hooked Robert up to a defibrillator. They applied a shock. Then a second. Then a third. Her heartbeat returned on the fourth try.

On Tuesday, Jim Robert, Sta­cey's husband, thanked the firefighters who saved his wife."The minute I saw your truck come down the street and shine your spotlight, I knew she was safe," Jim Robert said. "As soon as you made it, I knew we were there." The firefighters knew exactly what to do."It was almost like a well-executed offensive play in football," Jim Robert said.

For firefighters and dispatchers, Tuesday's reception for the woman they helped save was a rare moment of celebration, Fire District 7 Commissioner Roy Waugh said. Sometimes, firefighters can have long careers and never get an opportunity to connect with a family who still have each other because of what firefighters do, he said.

Imagine the thoughts that must have raced through Jim Robert's mind as he watched the crew work, Waugh said." 'My wife was dead. My kids have no mother. And now she's alive,' " the fire commissioner said."It all came together for a young woman who has her life back."

2008
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December 4, We Want to Keep You Safe and Warm This Winter:

As the temperature outside drops, families take to the indoors to keep safe and warm. What they may not realize is that turning up the heat can increase the risk of home heating fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly half of all home-heating fires occur during the winter months. The latest NFPA research shows that heating equipment was involved in 62,200 reported U.S. home structure fires in 2005, with associated losses of 670 civilian deaths, 1,550 civilian injuries, and $909 million in direct property damage.

“While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable,” said Fire District 7 Public Educator Audrey Duncan. “We can reduce the number of home heating fires in our community by taking some simple precautions and using heating equipment properly.”

Fire District 7 recommends some simple home heating safety tips, so residents can help keep our community safe and warm this winter.

· Space heaters need space. 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.
· Have your chimney inspected each year and cleaned if necessary.
· Use a sturdy fireplace screen.
· Allow ashes to cool before disposing. Dispose of ashes in a metal container.
· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home — when one sounds, they all sound. Test smoke alarms at least once a month.
· Install and maintain a carbon monoxide alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area.
· Never use an oven to heat your home.
·For fuel assistance, contact the National Fuel Funds Network at 1-202-824-0660.


August 28, District #7 Firefighter Graduates From Paramedic Program.

Snohomish County Fire District #7 Firefighter David Hanson recently graduated from Paramedic training at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.   Hanson, along with 16 other students, is now certified by the State of Washington as a Paramedic. Hanson was hired as a career firefighter for Fire District 7 in 2005.  He will now complete a probationary period working alongside another paramedic in the district. 

The nine-month long training was a full-time commitment for Hanson.  The program included extensive classroom and clinical training involving supervised experience in an ambulance, patient care experience, and basic and advanced life support protocols. 


August 13, SCFD7 recently promoted Troy Smith to the rank of Lieutenant. 

Smith began working as a Career Firefighter for Fire District 7 in 2002.  He is a certified Paramedic and is currently serving as the Union President of Local 2781.  As a Lieutenant, Smith is responsible for supervising the daily operations and duties of shift personnel at the fire station level.  He is temporarily assigned as a Company Officer at the Washington State Fire Training Academy. Smith graduated from Eastmont High School in East Wenatchee in 1991.  He received his paramedic certification from Central Washington University in 1994. 

July 26: Firefighters Recognized for Service

Snohomish County Fire District #7 firefighters Rick Rauma and Mike Grennan recently received service awards for their years of dedication to the department.   

Rauma, Deputy Chief of Emergency Medical Services, received a service award for 25 years of service with the department. Rauma was hired as one of the department’s first full-time firefighter/paramedics and has helped develop and coordinate a successful advanced life support program for the fire district.   

Lieutenant Mike Grennan received a service award for 15 years with the department.  Fire District 7 Commissioners and Fire Chief Richard Eastman also recognized Grennan for his service to our country. Grennan returned to work in June after completing his second year-long tour of duty in Iraq.

May 31: SCFD7 Firefighters Participate in Rescue Training

In an effort to prepare for all types of rescue situations, firefighters continually participate in training classes and drills.  On Wednesday, May 23, Snohomish County Fire District #7 firefighters participated in a specialized rescue training with other members of the Snohomish County Technical Rescue Team held at Fire Station 31 in Monroe. 

Firefighters spent the day rotating through four skills stations including:  rope work and assembling lowering systems, confined space rescue, trench rescue and structural collapse rescue. 

Firefighters from Monroe Fire District #3, Snohomish County Fire District #4 (Snohomish), Snohomish County Fire District #7 (Clearview/Mill Creek), and Snohomish County Fire District #8 (Lake Stevens) make up the Zone 11 portion of the Snohomish County Technical Rescue Team.  The event was one of four quarterly drills conducted by the Zone 11 rescue team which specializes in confined space rescue, trench rescue, urban search and rescue, and high-angle rescue. 

May 29: SCFD7 Gathering Historical Collection
Snohomish County Fire District #7 is in the process of gathering a historical collection of photographs and memorabilia of the fire district and firefighters.  Fire District 7 is requesting that any of their former or current firefighters submit pictures or items for collection.  If you have anything to contribute, please contact Battalion Chief Ralph Provenzano at 360-668-5357.

May 22: Firefighters Graduate From Fire Academy


Six firefighters from Snohomish County Fire District #7 recently graduated from the Washington State Patrol Fire Training Academy. Jarrod Spence, Brendan Grace, Benjamin Francis, Vincent Read, Kirk Dunham and Matthew Suhayda graduated with accreditation and certification of Firefighter I and Hazardous Material Operations. 

The six probationary firefighters were among 33 firefighters from throughout the state, Oregon and Montana who participated in 10 weeks of classroom, practical and physical training at the state academy in North Bend.  At the completion of the training, Reed was recognized as the Valedictorian and Grace was the Salutatorian of the academy. 

Grace, Francis, Read, Dunham and Suhayda began working full-time for the district in February of this year.  They are currently in a field training program at the fire district.  At the end of one year, the firefighters will be eligible to graduate from probation.

Fire District #7 has seven stations strategically located throughout the district to provide fire suppression and emergency medical services to a population of approximately 60,000 residents in the neighborhoods of Cathcart, Clearview, Thrashers Corner, Maltby, Echo Lake, Gold Creek, The Falls, Turners Corner, North Creek and the City of Mill Creek.   

Picture:  Snohomish County Fire District #7 probationary firefighters display their graduation certificates after completion of their 10-week training academy.  The firefighters are in the front row (holding certificates) from left to right: Jarrod Spence, Brendan Grace, Benjamin Francis, Vincent Read, Kirk Dunham, Matthew Suhayda. Also pictured in the back row, second from the left, is Fire District 7 Chief Richard Eastman.
  

April 29
Soldiers get a surprise gift: their memories bound and printed

"I just wanted to let the troops know they are appreciated," said Rachel Lee of Bothell, a receptionist and secretary for Fire District 7. "I wanted to do something really nice," she said. "Then I thought that they all deserve something really nice. They all deserve a hero's welcome." The gift was a 179-page bound journal of her brother and the reserve group's experiences. Read the blog at www.pocatelloshops.com/blogs/1016th.php - The Full Story

March 27, 2007
Fire District 7 recently promoted Ryan Lundquist to the rank of Lieutenant.
 
Lundquist began working for Fire District 7 as a Resident Firefighter in 1997 and was hired as a full-time Firefighter in 2000.  Lundquist is a certified Paramedic and is a specially trained member of the department’s Technical Rescue Team.  As a Lieutenant, Lundquist is responsible for supervising the daily operations and duties of shift personnel at the fire station level.  He is temporarily assigned to the department’s Training Division.  Lundquist graduated from Cascade High School in Everett in 1995.

March 8, 2007
Fire District 7 Celebrates Poison Prevention Week

During this year’s National Poison Prevention Week, March 18-24, Snohomish County Fire District 7 and the Washington Poison Center want to remind parents and caregivers of the dangers of poisons and of how to prevent poisonings.  This year’s theme is “Children Act Fast… So Do Poisons!” 

Improperly stored products and toddlers’ exploratory nature put them at a higher risk for poisoning than other children. Most children under the age of six think of poisons only as things they can chew or smell bad.  They do not think liquids or sprays can be dangerous or that poisons can smell good.  In 2004, there were just over 35,000 poisonings of children under six years of age reported to the Washington Poison Center. 

Teach toddlers in your care that they should never put anything in their mouths without asking a grown-up first.  Help them to understand that eating, drinking or even playing with the wrong things can make them very sick. More on Poison

February 27, 2007
Firefighters Climb for Leukemia

On March 4, members from Snohomish County Fire District 7 will join more than 1,100 firefighters from 15 states to race up 69 floors of the Columbia Center in downtown Seattle.  The annual stair climb event raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  Last year pledges raised more than #335,000 for the nonprofit foundation.

Firefighters from Fire District 7 have been participating in the 1,311 stair climb event since its inception in 1993.  This year, firefighters Ronda Carlson, Michael Crockett, Bill Ekse, David Swearingen, Jeff Thompson, Jeremy Yoder and Filmore Norris will be representing Fire District 7.  In full bunker gear including heavy pants and coat, boots, face mask and an air tank, each step up the 69 floors counts. 

“Physical fitness is always important as firefighters, and this event definitely tests physically and mentally,” said Lieutenant Ronda Carlson, who is participating in the event for her eighth year.  “It’s a great challenge for us to compete against other firefighters and our previous race times.  But the important thing about the event is that so many firefighters are joining together to support this cause.” 

Along with training for the event, Carlson, Crockett, Ekse, Swearingen, Thompson, Yoder and Norris are also working hard to gather pledges.  Last year, Fire District 7’s Bill Ekse was awarded First Place for the top individual fundraiser, raising more than $14,000.  Ekse and his teammates are hoping to match this amount in pledges again this year to help in the fight against blood diseases.. 

February 26, 2007
Fire District #7 Prepares for Pandemic Flu

The flu season started late this year, but it has arrived in full force and Fire District #7 expects to see a continued increase in the number of patients we treat with flu-like symptoms. 

With the higher amount of flu cases and the possibility of an influenza pandemic, Fire District 7 is taking steps now to prepare for an outbreak.  Because no one knows how bad the next flu pandemic could be, Fire District 7 is preparing for the worst.    

To ensure that Fire District 7 will be able to meet the challenge of a pandemic, the department has created operational protocols and guidelines for preparation and response.  This includes an infection control plan, a staffing plan for a reduced workforce during the outbreak as well as cleaning guidelines for personnel, apparatus and equipment. 

Over the last year the department has created a resource stockpile to ensure there are adequate supplies during an outbreak.  Firefighters also carry their own personal protective equipment including gloves, wipes, gowns and masks to help prevent the spread of disease.  Firefighters are encouraged to practice good health habits, get a flu shot and stay home when they’re sick.  The department provides flu immunizations for employees and their spouses each year. 

Fire District 7 also believes it is important to inform our community about pandemic influenza.  There are steps that you can take to help your family stay healthy and reduce the spread of disease. 

“The important thing to remember with the flu is that people need to stay hydrated, wash their hands frequently, cover your cough and sneeze, and stay home if they are sick,” said Deputy Chief Rick Rauma.  “We also recommend a flu shot for high risk groups and anyone else who wants to reduce their risk of getting influenza.”    

You can also stock your home with food and supplies that can last for at least a week and create a family emergency plan.

Fore more information about preparing for the pandemic flu, visit the Washington State Department of Health’s website at www.doh.wa.gov/panflu.  You can also stop by Fire District 7’s Headquarters Station 71, at 8010 180th St SE, to pick up a free copy of the Department of Health’s Guide to Preparing for Pandemic Influenza.   

February 22, 2007
Fire District #7 Responds to RV Fire

Crews from Snohomish County Fire District #7 responded to the 20000 block of 99th Ave. around 7:15 this morning for a fire involving a recreational vehicle (RV).  The front end of the vehicle was fully involved when firefighters arrived and the fire threatened two nearby propane tanks and two shed structures.  Firefighters protected these exposures and quickly extinguished the fire. 

The fire was likely caused by a faulty extension cord being used inside the RV.  The vehicle was a total loss and damage was estimated to be $100,000.  The RV was unoccupied at the time of the fire and no injuries were reported.

Fire officials recommend unplugging portable heaters, small appliances and extension cords when leaving the house.

Two fire engines, one ladder truck, one medic unit and one command unit from Fire District 7 responded to the fire. 

February 13, 2007
Firefighters Recognized for Service

Fire Chief Richard Eastman presented service awards to 10 firefighters at the Board of Commissioner’s meeting on Thursday, February 8, 2007. Lieutenant Rusty Jenson received a service award for 20 years of service with the department. Battalion Chief Ralph Provenzano, Lieutenant Jeff Thompson, Lieutenant Greg Oakes, Lieutenant/Paramedic Scott Dorsey and Captain Rob Fisher were presented with 15 year service awards. Firefighter Darby Hepper, Firefighter Ed Mahrt, Firefighter Joe Basta and Firefighter Brett Fetcho all received service awards for 5 years with the department.