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VALLEY FIRE FIGHTS HOUSE FIRE THIS MORNING IN FRIGID COLD

Dec 17, 2021

For Immediate Release:

December 17, 2021

Contact:

Jeff Smetzler

SVFD PIO

smetzlerj@spokanevalleyfire.com

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VALLEY FIRE FIGHTS HOUSE FIRE THIS MORNING IN FRIGID COLD

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The Spokane Valley Fire Department responded to a reported House fire at 14104 E. Wellesley

Valley 31 the shift safety officer was first to arrive on scene and reported active fire on the Southeast corner of the home known to firefighters as the Bravo/Charlie corner and established command of the fire along with assigned arriving crews firefighting operations.  Valley Engine 5 the first arriving engine was assigned quick hit fire attack from the exterior of the home on the active fire corner and with the help of other crews established water supply from a hydrant on the street in front of the residence.

Neighbors reported to command on scene that there were possibly occupants still in the structure.  The Incident Commander assigned second arriving crews to perform rapid search of the interior of the structure to confirm if occupants were still in the structure.  Crews from Valley Ladder 8 performed the rapid search and confirmed no occupants in the structure.  Spokane County Sheriffs following the reports from fire crews that occupants were not present in structure and were able to make contact with the homeowners via phone and confirmed they were out of town and informed them of the fire.  Spokane County Sheriffs deputies also provided traffic control and closed Wellesley east of Evergreen  and west of Adams to allow for firefighting efforts to continue unhindered as Wellesley is a major arterial for the area neighborhoods.  Valley fire would like to recognize and thank our law enforcement partners for the continued assistance at fire scenes recently.

The interior of the home is a total loss and did extend into the attic initially.  Crews made a rapid affective attack of structure and keep the fire confined to the existing structure and it will still need to be determined if the home is a complete loss. There were no injuries and the homeowners are currently displaced as the home is uninhabitable.

The fire is currently under investigation. A crew has remained on scene during investigation to control any hidden hotspots or flare ups and continue to manage the scene.  There may continue so be steam showing form the home due to the residual heat in the structure as it is cooling to the frigid outside temperature.  Valley fire cautions people to drive slowly past the scene when the roadway is re-opened as the roads are icy and slippery due to current conditions and added water on roadway due to establishing and maintaining water supply at the fire.

A total of 10 fire units responded to the call comprised of 2 Ladder Trucks, 5 Engines and 3 Command Staff . Through automatic aid agreements part of the initial response included crew from City of Spokane and Fire District 9 which were returned to service in their respective districts after the fire was quickly controlled.

Valley Fire would like to remind everyone that it is winter driving season and to slow down, stay safe and keep an eye out for others in need.

 

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas within the 75-square miles of Spokane County Fire District 1. In 2020, SVFD firefighter crews, including its paramedics and EMTs, responded to more than 18,700 emergency calls.

Established eighty years ago in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and by fire district’s ISO Class 2 rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau.

Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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Commissioner Patrick Burch

Board Member Since: July 18, 2016
Current term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Burch was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in July 2016 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. He became a volunteer member of the Department’s CERT Team in 2008 and later served as a team leader/member of Fire Corps.

“I admire the Spokane Valley Fire Department’s focus on continuous improvement. Our dedication to the community, fiscal responsibility and the fact that we are one of the few accredited fire departments in the State of Washington all make SVFD great!”

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Burch was elected by voters in November 2017.

Commissioner Mike Kester

Board Member Since: January 1, 2020
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2025

Commissioner Mike Kester was elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in November, 2019.

Commissioner Kester grew up in the Spokane area and has a deep appreciation for just how fortunate we all are to live in this beautiful area. He believes that being involved in this community is not something to take lightly.

His background includes joining the United States Coast Guard (U.S.C.G) after high school and serving on a port firefighting boat doing search and rescue in Portland, Oregon.  After the Coast Guard, he attended the University of Montana earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Resource Management.  He then went on to work for the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, serving in their Parks Department.

Spokane was the next step in his career. He  went to work for the Burlington Santa Fe Railroad and the next 22 years was spent as a conductor moving freight. Commissioner Kester  retired in 2010 after a workplace injury and now,  he and his wife enjoy making meals for World War II Veterans, helping out at the YMCA ,and providing meals for those in need.

“In the 25 years of being a resident of the Spokane Valley the professionalism of the SVFD has inspired me to take an active part in bettering our community. We have one of the best fire departments in the whole Pacific Northwest. My wife and I have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I have dedicated my life to keeping them safe.  I want to apply that dedication to our community.  Keeping us all safe is a goal we should all aspire to in one way or another. Communication within the department and with the public is, and always will be one of my primary goals.”

Commissioner John Guarisco

Board Member since: August 27, 2018
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2027

Commissioner Guarisco was appointed to the Board of Fire Commissioners in August 2018 to fill an unexpired term and has served continuously since that time. Commissioner Guarisco founded Marjoni Marketing in 2004 and in 2010 merged with MDI marketing. He then pursued Real Estate, earning his license and now, currently serves the greater Spokane area as a licensed Realtor. He has long been active in the community and has won numerous awards during his career including the Volunteer of the Year (2014) and the Community Caring Award (2010) from the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce.  He is a member of the Greater Spokane Valley Rotary Club and holds an AA degree from Spokane Falls Community College.

Note: As the individual appointed to this non-partisan position, Commissioner Guarisco was elected by voters in November 2019.

Commissioner Bill Anderson

Board Member since: January 1, 2000
Current six year term expires: December 31, 2023

Commissioner Anderson served our community as a Spokane Valley Fire Department firefighter for 29 years. Throughout his career, he worked as a firefighter, dispatcher and engineer before he was promoted and became an officer. He was Station Captain of Millwood Station 2 when he retired in 1999. During his years as firefighter, he was an active leader of Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 and served as a trustee on the Washington State Council of Firefighters for 25 years.

“It’s important to me that we continue the good service we’ve always given the people. We’ve accomplished a lot and are pulling in the same direction to get better. I’m very proud of the Spokane Valley Fire Department.”

Commissioner Brian Asmus

Board Member Since: June 14, 2021
Current term expires: 

Commissioner Brian Asmus was appointed to the Spokane Valley Fire Department Board of Fire Commissioners in 2021.

Commissioner Asmus is the former Liberty Lake Police Chief and current Director of Safety and Security at Central Valley School District (CVSD).

“Brian Asmus brings extensive Public Safety leadership experience, and a long history of being actively engaged in his community to his new role as a SVFD Commissioner,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Bryan Collins. “During his time as a Police Chief, Brian interacted with SVFD firefighters and administrators on a regular basis, making him very familiar with our structure, standing within our communities, as well as with many of our current SVFD board members and personnel. Brian’s experience working and collaborating on regional issues aligns nicely with SVFD’s philosophy and will help us continue to be a catalyst for local and regional excellence and innovation.”