The snow and ice storms last week resulted in the busiest day on record for the Kent Fire Department Regional Fire Authority. Firefighters responded to a record 453 calls on Jan. 19, many of them for fallen trees and wires.
The Kent Fire Department runs approximately 16,000 calls per year or about 44 calls every 24 hours, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. The following data are the total number of responses for weather affected days last week, including the “typical” day-to-day emergency responses of the department.
Date Incidents
Jan. 17 52
Jan. 18 87
Jan. 19 453 (record)
Jan. 20 180
Jan. 21 93
Total 865
The most common types of calls during this time period were for fallen wires and trees as well as for medical calls.
Prior to last week, the busiest day for the Kent Fire Department was Dec. 15, 2006, in what was dubbed regionally as the Hanukkah Eve Wind Storm of 2006. That storm not only brought wind, but also heavy rains and extensive power outages. During that 24-hour period the department responded to 226 calls, far below the record 453 calls of Jan. 19.
Here are the five busiest 24-hour periods in the history of the Kent Fire Department.
Date Incidents
Jan. 19, 2012 453
Dec. 15, 2006 226
Jan. 7, 2004 189
Jan. 20, 2012 180
Jan. 18, 2005 149
Calls of note for last week included:
One home and a shed were heavily damaged in two separate fires that were both caused by portable generators being placed too close to combustible materials. Two people were sent to local hospitals because of these incidents, including one firefighter. A pet cat died in the house fire.
Several people were also sent to the hospital in two separate carbon monoxide related incidents. In both cases charcoal barbecues were brought into apartments for cooking and heat during the power outages. 911 was called when the occupants began to suffer from nausea, dizziness, and lightheadedness. All of the occupants recovered.
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