The weather has been taking turns. With all the rain we’re getting, SETFA thought you should have as much information about flood programs in Thurston County. Click here to read more information.

SE Thurston Fire Authority is collecting new Teddy bears and other stuffed animals for use as comfort tools in emergency situations. The stuffed animals will be kept on fire trucks to give to children involved in car accidents, fires, and other traumatic situations. These stuffed animals are often a useful tool to help calm children during difficult, and often dangerous, situations.

You can drop off new Teddy bears and other stuffed animals at the SE Thurston Fire Authority Station 21 main office, located at 709 Mill Road, from now until December 19, 2019. Office hours are 9:00am – 4:30pm, with a lunch closure from 11:30am – 12:30pm.

For more information, email sshindell@sethurstonfire.org or call 360-458-2799.

Thank you so much for wanting to help. You really are making a difference to child in a very stressful situation.

Thurston County Emergency Management has created Thurston Community Alert / Smart911. This service provides important safety information and updates during emergency situations, such as severe weather activity.  You can access this free service from your computer or mobile device.  Click here to sign up today!

Thanksgiving is almost here! This means people across the country will gather together to celebrate with friends and relatives. No matter what preparations your celebration requires, it’s important to be mindful of safe practices when preparing your holiday meal and making travel plans. Safety is important, so we’re providing a few tips and reminders to ensure you have a safe holiday celebration.

Food Safety and Preparation

People want their holiday meal to be remembered for the right reasons. 

• Wash your hands before touching the turkey or any other food items.
• Separate foods to avoid cross contamination.
• Plan ahead when thawing foods (a 20-pound turkey can take up to five days).
• Cook foods at safe temperatures (cook a whole turkey without stuffing at 180 degrees).

Fire Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Thanksgiving is a peak day for home cooking fires. Keeping the below points in mind can help you avoid a cooking fire.

• Avoid wearing loose, flowing clothing which can catch fire. It is better to wear sleeves that fit snugly against your arms or are short enough to not go near the fire.
• “Stand by your pan.” Don’t leave anything on the stovetop and walk away from it. Ensuring that you are closely monitoring what is cooking will help cut down the chances of an accidental fire or an injury.
• If a grease or stovetop fire does occur, extinguish the flame by covering it with a lid.
• Don’t allow children or pets near the stove when cooking.
• Keep potholders or oven mitts handy to move hot pots and pans.
• Ensure that the pots on the stove do not have exposed handles that can be knocked over when someone is passing by. Instead, turn the handles to the middle of the stovetop.

Travel Safety

Traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday makes for a busy, and sometimes stressful, time. No matter what means of transportation you plan on using, taking some additional time to plan ahead can make all the difference and keep you and your family safe.

• In the event of a breakdown or accident, it’s important to have an emergency car kit with you during your travels. There should be a number of items that can help you better deal with the difficult conditions including a shovel, blankets, water, and a first aid kit.
• Fill up your gas tank and prepare your vehicle for your trip.
• Don’t text and drive. Doing so not only puts you at a greater risk of a car accident, it puts other cars on the road at risk, as well.
• If flying, refer to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) tips and traveler information.

SETFA hopes you create lasting memories this Thanksgiving and surround yourself with great food and company.  Happy Thanksgiving!

The City of Rainier has partnered with the SE Thurston Fire Authority to pursue grant funding for the remodeling and reopening of Lake Lawrence Fire Station #22 at 153rd Avenue.

Click here to read the resolution

The City of Yelm has partnered with the SE Thurston Fire Authority to pursue grant funding for the remodeling and reopening of Lake Lawrence Fire Station #22 at 153rd Avenue.

Click here to read the resolution

Life is unpredictable. When someone is experiencing a cardiac emergency, the first step is always to call 911, but what do you do next? Making the call is not enough. You also need to begin chest compressions and continue pushing until responders arrive and take over for you. 

Watch the video below for more details.

KELSO, Wash. — About a dozen vehicles, some from Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue and others donated vans, drove south on Interstate 5 late Friday afternoon.

The group was bringing the body of Battalion Chief Mike Zainfeld back from the Thurston County coroner’s office.

Zainfeld died Thursday afternoon by suicide.

“Just a really good guy,” said Cowlitz 2 Deputy Fire Chief Becky Robelin. “You wouldn’t find one person in this department that would not be positive about Mike Zainfeld.”

Fire Chief Dave LaFave said Zainfeld was always willing to help, do extra, lead by example, and help others inside and outside the fire service.

LaFave says that’s what led Zainfeld to volunteer to travel to Washington’s Oso landslide in 2014 to help recover victims. LaFave said that pulling parts of bodies from the debris over and over again left Zainfeld traumatized, eventually leading to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder last spring.

“We’re trying to understand it more,” said LaFave. “There’s not a lot of resources, frankly, for first responders — people that understand what they’re dealing with. Not unlike, probably, what the military’s dealing with in trying to take care of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines and Coast Guard. Same kinds of issues.”

Robelin has been focused on getting resources to help treat fire crews suffering PTSD, while trying to cope with an old culture among emergency workers to continue working, despite traumatic experiences, rather than acknowledging and dealing with them.

“I worked in the emergency department for 23 years,” said Robelin. “It was the same thing. If you didn’t buck up after a hard call, taking care of a patient, people would say, ‘Maybe this isn’t really the place for you to work.”

Fire officials say they’re still working on plans for a memorial or funeral service, possibly in early October.

Crews spent the morning of September 21st on a fully-involved structure fire this morning. All occupants were able to get out safely, though the home was a complete loss.

Tomorrow, September 11, 2019, marks the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This day is one that we should never forget, truly. While we contemplate on this day to honor those who passed, we should also remember the first responders at each scene. 

If you want to find out how to watch the live stream of the ceremony, click here.