New Ladder Truck Arrives

After 20 months of production that required twice crossing the Atlantic Ocean on a ship, Ladder 31 has arrived in Auburn where it will be outfitted and readied to serve the citizens of Algona, Auburn and Pacific. Over the next few weeks the ladder will be stocked with all the essential tools and equipment that the firefighters will need to do their job. Once outfitted the firefighters will continue to train on safe and effective ladder truck operations. Once their training is complete the ladder truck will be placed into service at Station 31. The ladder truck and crew will be making many appearances over the next few months to demonstrate its capabilities so our citizens understand what this truck can do and how it will serve the community for many years to come. Scheduled events ithe Pacific Police Department Open House, Auburn Kids’ Day, Pacific Days Parade, Algona Days Parade, Auburn Good Ol’ Days Parade and the Lakeland Hills Summer Social. For more information on the history of Ladder 31 and other VRFA projects, please visit Capital Facilities Projects and Purchases.

A dedication ceremony for the new Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA) ladder truck will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 5:40 p.m. at Fire Station 31 located at 1101 D Street NE in Auburn. The ceremony will begin with the posting of the colors by the VRFA Color Guard followed by a brief presentation, ribbon cutting and a blessing by the Chaplain. Following tradition that dates back to the days of the Auburn Fire Brigade when horses were used to pull firefighting equipment, firefighters will use water from the retired fire engine to conduct a ceremonial washing of Ladder 31 and will push the Ladder into its new home in the apparatus bay at Station 31.

The Valley Regional Fire Authority is offering a free disaster preparedness workshop for citizens in the VRFA service area. The workshop will take place on Monday, September 20, 2010, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Algona/Pacific Community Center located at 100 3rd Avenue SE in Pacific. The first 35 individuals to register and attend will receive a personal disaster preparedness kit. Funding for the kits was provided by a generous grant from the Auburn Area Fire Medic Campaign. The workshop will focus on identifying the types of disasters expected in the Puget Sound region and how you can better prepare for surviving a disaster. Local preparedness experts will be the speakers at this workshop. To register for the event and to receive a free disaster kit please contact Kelly Williams at 253-288-5882 or e-mail kelly.williams@vrfa.org or Kimberly McDonald at 253-288-5881 or Kimberly.mcdonald@vrfa.org.

The VRFA reminds caregivers to never leave a child alone in a vehicle, especially during sunny days. Over the past few months, more than twenty children have died from overheating while alone in a vehicle. Did you know that a child’s body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s? It only takes a few short minutes before a child can become dangerously overheated. In just 10 minutes a car’s temperature can increase by 19 degrees – and it continues to rise. There is no evidence that cracking the windows helps prevent the temperature in vehicle interiors from reaching dangerous levels. In fact, sunlight coming through car windows makes the car work like an oven.

CPR can increase the chances of survival significantly when started immediately by a bystander. The Valley Regional Fire Authority offers adult, child and infant CPR training on the first Wednesday of each month (excluding July, August and December), from 6:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the headquarters, station 31. There is a $20 fee for this class and pre-registration is required. Visit the Community Programs page on our website for more information and the registration form.

Do you need a current First Aid and CPR card for your workplace? A six-hour First Aid and CPR course is available the third Saturday of each month (excluding July, August and December), from 8:30 -2:30 at station 31. There is a $45 fee for this class and pre-registration is required. Visit the Community Programs page on our website for more information and the registration form.