News and Alerts
The Tacoma Fire Department responds to emergencies and incidents throughout Tacoma, Fircrest, and Fife.
Communicating in a timely and accurate manner with those who live, work and play in Tacoma is important to us. We use our social media channels to share breaking news, updates, events, and much more. Please follow us or check out our social media feeds at the bottom of this page to stay up to date.
For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.
Since this week is National EMS Appreciation Week, #ThrowbackThursday looks at the early days of Tacoma Fire’s EMS services.
1953 - TFD added Rescue 1 (aka: the “Bread Wagon”) to its fleet. This allowed TFD to provide emergency medical services and other rescue responses.
...1973 - TFD sent 3 firefighters to St Mary's College in California for 2 months to learn about rescue work and first aid so they could teach the rest of the department. This established a more consistent standard for patient care.
1991 - TFD began transporting patients regularly.
Photos:
Lamar Bartell and Jack Wilbert demonstrate Rescue No 1's equipment in front of Station No. 6. (May 1963)
Original crew of Rescue Co. No. 1, left to right: Lamar Bartell, George Hartwick, Sig Asp, Paul McNail, August Goetzka, Ed Corrigan. (May 1963)
Demonstrating how to use a resuscitator. (March 1973)
Rescue rig (1991)
Since this week is National EMS Appreciation Week, #ThrowbackThursday looks at the early days of Tacoma Fire’s EMS services.
1953 - TFD added Rescue 1 (aka: the “Bread Wagon”) to its fleet. This allowed TFD to provide emergency medical services and other rescue responses.
...1973 - TFD sent 3 firefighters to St Mary's College in California for 2 months to learn about rescue work and first aid so they could teach the rest of the department. This established a more consistent standard for patient care.
1991 - TFD began transporting patients regularly.
Photos:
Lamar Bartell and Jack Wilbert demonstrate Rescue No 1's equipment in front of Station No. 6. (May 1963)
Original crew of Rescue Co. No. 1, left to right: Lamar Bartell, George Hartwick, Sig Asp, Paul McNail, August Goetzka, Ed Corrigan. (May 1963)
Demonstrating how to use a resuscitator. (March 1973)
Rescue rig (1991)
If you're following our ready-in-a-year plan, this month, we think about important documents we will need after a disaster. Consider saving digital copies of them on a password-protected hard drive or on a cloud-based server.
Documents to think about:
📃 Vital records: ...birth, marriage, divorce certificates; adoption, custody papers
🪪 Identification: passport, driver's license, Social Security card, green card, military service
🐕 Pet ownership papers and ID tags
🏠 Housing: lease agreement, mortgage, home equity line of credit, deed
🚙 Vehicle: loan documents, VIN, registration, title
💰 Financial Accounts: checking, savings, debit cards, student loans, alimony, child support, elder care, automatic payments such as gym memberships
📂 Insurance Policies: homeowners, renters, auto, life, flood, appraisals, photos, lists of valuable items
💵 Sources of Income: pay stubs, government benefits, alimony, child support
🗂️ Tax Statements: Federal/state income tax returns, property tax, vehicle tax
📝 Estate Planning: will, trust, power of attorney
If you're following our ready-in-a-year plan, this month, we think about important documents we will need after a disaster. Consider saving digital copies of them on a password-protected hard drive or on a cloud-based server.
Documents to think about:
📃 Vital records: ...birth, marriage, divorce certificates; adoption, custody papers
🪪 Identification: passport, driver's license, Social Security card, green card, military service
🐕 Pet ownership papers and ID tags
🏠 Housing: lease agreement, mortgage, home equity line of credit, deed
🚙 Vehicle: loan documents, VIN, registration, title
💰 Financial Accounts: checking, savings, debit cards, student loans, alimony, child support, elder care, automatic payments such as gym memberships
📂 Insurance Policies: homeowners, renters, auto, life, flood, appraisals, photos, lists of valuable items
💵 Sources of Income: pay stubs, government benefits, alimony, child support
🗂️ Tax Statements: Federal/state income tax returns, property tax, vehicle tax
📝 Estate Planning: will, trust, power of attorney
The Tacoma Fire Department is proud to present TFD Firefighter Jole Alvarez with the 2026 Albert Nejmeh Memorial Award!
Today, we gathered at Station 1 to present this honorable award to FF Jole Alvarez. He was recognized for his calm demeanor, exceptional leadership qualities, and the ...inspiration he provides to his peers. FF Alvarez is known for promoting fun competition that engages his colleagues and encourages them to strive for excellence.
🏆 This annual award was created in honor of FF Albert Nejmeh, and it reflects both personal and professional attributes demonstrated throughout Al’s career at the Tacoma Fire Department. Recipients of this award must demonstrate exceptional mentorship, leadership, service to others, wellness/fitness, team building, TFD involvement, and initiative. This is a peer-nominated award. 🏆
The Tacoma Fire Department is proud to present TFD Firefighter Jole Alvarez with the 2026 Albert Nejmeh Memorial Award!
Today, we gathered at Station 1 to present this honorable award to FF Jole Alvarez. He was recognized for his calm demeanor, exceptional leadership qualities, and the ...inspiration he provides to his peers. FF Alvarez is known for promoting fun competition that engages his colleagues and encourages them to strive for excellence.
🏆 This annual award was created in honor of FF Albert Nejmeh, and it reflects both personal and professional attributes demonstrated throughout Al’s career at the Tacoma Fire Department. Recipients of this award must demonstrate exceptional mentorship, leadership, service to others, wellness/fitness, team building, TFD involvement, and initiative. This is a peer-nominated award. 🏆
Fire is out. No injuries. Fire contained to a rooftop deck and a structure on the roof. Cause is under investigation.
Crews will remain on scene for the next several hours, so please use caution in the area.
The fire is under control. Please continue to avoid the area while we continue to search for hot spots.
Still working to extinguish the rooftop fire. No injuries to report at this time.
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