IAFF Local 1604

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Bellevue Firefighters Climb 69 Floors to Battle Cancer

Updated On: Mar 08, 2010 (23:25:00)

BELLEVUE FIREFIGHTERS CLIMB 69 FLOORS FOR TO BATTLE CANCER

It's 69 floors. 1,311 steps. 788 vertical feet... and that's on a good day. This is the height 19 Bellevue Firefighters climbed in their battle against leukemia in the 2010 Columiba Tower Firefighters Climb against leukemia. 19 Bellevue Firefighter made the arduous climb including Firefighters' Greg Clifford, Alexa Dillhoff, Rob Dykstra, Kevin Guitron, Marcus Howle, Kris Johnson, Nick Kramer, Don Martinell, Steve Medina, Camari Olson, Eric Pedeferri, Brian Regalado, John Rickerson, Andrew Schneider, Luke Steere, Jared Storer, Scott Symons, Mike WIlliams, and Deputy Chief Warren Merritt. Firefighter Eric Pedeferri held the fastest overall time for the Bellevue Firefighters conquering 69 floors in 15 minutes and 33 seconds. Bellevue Firefighter Camari Olson (a cancer survivor herself) completed the climb in 19 minutes and 13 seconds finishing top in her division. The Bellevue Firefighters climbed the tower wearing full firefighting gear including air tanks which they were breathing off. Over 1000 firefighters from across the region, nation, and even the world participated in the climb. Bellevue's contingent made a strong showing in the stairwell and raised a significant sum of donations for the battle against leukemia. It should be noted that Bellevue Firefighters perform this charity event on their own time with no reimbursement for their time and effort.

Firefighter Camari Olson's pink "fight
cancer" helmet. The helmet was
provided by private funds and not paid
for by the Bellevue Fire Department.

Are the Highest Cardiac Arrest Survival Rates... High Enough?

Updated On: Mar 04, 2010 (22:29:00)

ARE THE HIGHEST CARDIAC ARREST SURVIVAL RATES... HIGH ENOUGH?

The Bellevue Firefighters operating as an integral part of the world renowned Seattle/King County Medic One system, have long been known for providing among the highest cardiac arrest survival rates in the nation. The Seattle/King County Medic One system is operating with cardiac arrest survival rates of 49% (using the Utstein model) while many other systems in urban areas have save rates in the single digits. The Bellevue Fire Department itself posted cardiac arrest survival rates of an outstanding 55% within the city of Bellevue. But is "highest" high enough? Not according to the Bellevue Fire Department and the King County Medic One system. All Bellevue Fire Department emergency apparatus currently carry defibrillators. The next step involves placing Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) on Bellevue Police patrol units who will also be added to cardiac arrest responses in an effort to further increase the number of cardiac arrest survivors within the city.

The Bellevue Fire Department (as all of the Seattle/King County Medic One system) operates under a "tiered response system". This system involves a response by a aid unit or engine company from the nearest fire station, and in addition, the nearest fire paramedic unit. The firefighters assigned to the aid units, engine companies, and ladder companies are EMT trained which incorporates basic life support (BLS) skills including defibrillation using AEDs. the firefighters assigned to the medic units are paramedic trained which incorporates advanced life support (ALS) skills such as IV access, intubation, and medication therapy.

Bellevue isn't the first city in the nation to place AEDs on their police units, but is optimistic that doing so will raise its outstanding save rate even higher. The data from this program will be watched closely in the coming months.

Bellevue Firefighters Battle House Fire

Updated On: Feb 24, 2010 (14:50:00)

BELLEVUE FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE HOUSE FIRE

At around 5 AM, on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010, Bellevue Firefighters were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the Coal Creek area, just south of Factoria. Initial calls to 911 reported a fire inside the living room area of a home with an occupant still inside. Engine 2 arriving first due, reported flames showing from the front of the home. The missing occupant was found outside, uninjured. An offensive attack rapidly brought the fire under control. as firefighters fought their way inside the burning home The response included Engine 2, 4, 9, Ladder 1, 3, Medic 2, Aid 2, MSO 5, and Battalion 1. No injuries were reported and a cause was not reported at the time of this article.

Bellevue Firefighters Respond to High Speed Head on Traffic Rescue on I-90

Updated On: Feb 22, 2010 (10:05:00)

BELLEVUE FIREFIGHTERS RESPOND TO HIGH SPEED HEAD ON TRAFFIC RESCUE ON I-90

Just after midnight on Saturday, February 20th, 2010, Bellevue Firefighter/Paramedics assigned to Medic 3, Medic 2, and MSO 5 were dispatched to assist Firefighters from Eastside Fire and Rescue on a high speed collision on I-90 near North Bend, Washington. Arriving crews found three victims, two of whom were in critical condition and trapped in a severely mangled vehicle. Firefighters from Ladder 87, supported by other crews worked relentlessly to free the trapped victims. In all, Medic 3, 2, MSO 5, Engine 71, Ladder 87, 73, Aid 71, 281, 88, Air Unit 81, and Battalion 71 responded on the rescue. Both trapped victims were freed from the twisted metal and treated and transported by firefighter/paramedics assigned to Medic 3 and 2 to Harborview Trauma Center in Seattle. The third, lesser injured victim was transported by Aid 88 to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue. Further information was not available at the time of this posting.

Bellevue Firefighters Battle Fire at Townhomes Complex

Updated On: Feb 24, 2010 (14:11:00)