If you saw convoys of fire and rescue vehicles driving around Burien today, don’t panic! It was the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department and a small army of volunteers delivering the fruits of the annual “Light Up The Holidays” outreach program.

Every year leading up to the Christmas holiday, the fire department works with businesses and the community to gather donations of food, gifts and cash. These donations are used to give a helping hand to local families struggling during the holiday season.

The annual effort ends in one frenzied day of activity when the results are boxed, bagged, loaded into trucks and delivered by Santa and his helpers to families all around our community. By the end of the day, each family on the list received the makings of a complete turkey dinner, along with pie for desert and toys for each child.

This year an extra “santa” was added to the mix to allow two teams to work simultaneously to speed up the delivery. Joining Santa John Nielsen this year was Santa Mark Adler, a lieutenant with the Fire Department.

BTB photog Michael Brunk joined a team making deliveries today and shot the following photos. You can click individual thumbnails to view the full-sized images.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department Kids’ Day is coming Saturday Sept. 10th, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Fire Station 28, located at at 15100 8th Ave SW.

This is a great annual event where kids of all ages can meet local hero firefighters and emergency personnel, climb on board a fire engine, see a helicopter land, make crafts, play games and just experience up-close the coolness factor that only our local fire department can provide.

Here’s more from a flier:

Come join us for a FREE day of fun at the local fire station in Burien.

• Learn about safety!
• Climb aboard a fire engine!
• Play games!
• Watch Demonstrations!
• Win prizes!
• Hunt for candy!
• See a helicopter land!
• Make crafts!
• Bring your camera!

Low cost helmets for anyone over the age of 1 provided. Custom fit by Highline Medical Center staff.  Wearer must be present. Cost $7.

Spot the tot and hyperthermia (overheating) demonstrations from Safe Kids King County South.

Fire Station No. 28 is located at 15100 8th Ave. S.W., Burien, WA 98166.

For more information call Station 28 at (206) 242-2040.

Photographers Nicholas Johnson and Michael Brunk put together the following photo slideshow from last year’s kids’ day:

By Ralph Nichols, with photos by Michael Brunk

Mention a bright red Pierce Arrow and most people, even today, think of the expensive luxury cars of the 1920s and 30s.

But the newest Pierce-Arrow in Burien is made for hard – and life-saving – work.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department (King County Fire District 2) took delivery of this Pierce-Arrow XT – now called Engine No. 2 – in late January.

Battalion Chief Doug Luedeman told the B-Town Blog this week that this top-of-the-line fire truck, with a price tag of approximately $550,000, replaces a 21-year-old engine.

The new Engine No. 2 has a pumping capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute, which Luedeman described as “a huge-capacity pump. The typical pumping capacity is round 1,500 gallons per minute.”

Its 1,000 feet of 5-inch hose “lets us bring the hydrant to the fire. It gets as much water to the fire as the hydrant supplies,” unlike smaller hoses that lose some capacity between the hydrant and the nozzle.

The truck also has a foam system – “foam is used on just about everything now,” he added – and a big generator for its flood lights.

Engine No. 2 is “pretty much a twin” of another Pierce Arrow fire truck the department got two years ago. The new arrival is still in reserve while firefighters continue stocking it with hoses and custom equipment.

Still, Luedeman noted, “it put out two fires on its first day here. It’s a great rig.

“We’re very appreciative of the taxpayers who support us so well and enable us to have the equipment to do our job. We have a very supportive community here in Burien and Normandy Park.”

The old fire truck has not been surplussed yet. Should Burien eventually annex the remaining North Highline unincorporated area, it likely would be refurbished and kept as an auxiliary engine.

Burien/Normandy Park has four fire engines, including two H&W trucks that are 10 years old, one ladder truck, and two aid (Medic I) cars.

“We’re very well equipped,” Luedeman said. No new fire engines will be needed when District 2 replaces its two existing fire stations later this year.

All trucks respond to a total of about 4,000 emergency calls a year.

Click individual photos to see them larger.

Photos and Story by Michael Brunk

A local tradition for over 25 years, “Light Up The Holidays” is an annual effort by Fire District #2 to provide the makings of a happy holiday to area families in need.

Lt. John Zilke (R) with volunteers

Organized by firefighter Lt. John Zilke, the fire department works with local businesses and the community to gather food, gifts and cash donations in the months leading up to Christmas. Names of needy families are provided by the Department of Social and Health Services.

The ultimate goal? To make sure that each family on the list has a complete turkey dinner with all the trimmings and gifts for the children in the family.

All of the hard work came to fruition this past Wednesday, December 22 when a mass of volunteers arrived in the parking garage of the Town Square condos to sort, pack, load and ultimately deliver the goods to the 48 families on this year’s list.

Coming along to supervise the gift distribution was Santa Claus himself, ladened with additional toys and candy canes to pass out to children we met along the way.

Santa John Nielsen follows volunteers to the next delivery on our list

At each address our convoy of fire engines and support vehicles would stop, unload the boxes of food and gifts for each address and a team of volunteers would haul them along sidewalks, up stairs and into the home of the receiving family.

By the time we’d get back to the trucks, the word would spread and an army of children would be flocking outside to meet Santa and receive a candy cane and stuffed animal or wooden toy.

It’s the kind of experience that works to recalibrate your Christmas spirit.

After seeing the huge smiles on the faces of kids and families from what seems like such a small gift, you can’t help but to reflect a little differently on the happiness in your own life. I think it’s safe to say that the volunteers involved get as much out of the day as the families.

Here’s a selection of photos I shot throughout the day set to a little holiday music. It’s a pale imitation compared to actually participating in an experience like this, but I hope it contributes something to your own sense of the holiday spirit.

Click to Play the Slideshow

Join a Burien tradition by donating food, gifts or cash to Fire District #2. First organized by firefighter Lt. John Zilke, Light up the Holidays has been a traditional fundraiser for the district for over 25 years.

Gifts are accepted through December 19.

Santa’s special sleigh will be leaving its not-so-secret location at 151st and 6th Ave SW on Wednesday Dec 22 at 9 a.m. HO HO HO!

Here’s where you can drop-off much needed gifts, food and cash donations:

• Burien Fire Department – 15100 8th Ave SW & 135 S Normandy Rd.
• North Highline Fire Department – 1243 SW 112th & 1606 S 128th
• Highline Medical Center – 16251 Sylvester Rd SW * 12844 Military Rd S * 13030 Military Rd S
• Burien Toyota – 15025 1st Ave S & 139 SW 150th
• Burien Chevrolet – 14400 1st Ave S
• Albertsons – 15840 1st Ave S & 12725 1st Ave S
• YB Tubless/Economy Wiring – 633 SW 148th
• Frenzi – 218 SW 153rd
• Boulevard Park Place Seniors Center – 2805 S 125th
• Curves – 17824 1st Ave S
• Burien Discount Store – 911 SW 151st St

The day’s events included demonstrations of rescue techniques, hands-on activities including scavenger hunts and an opportunity to use a fire hose, plenty of fire trucks and rescue vehicles, and prizes for the kids.

Photographers Nicholas Johnson and Michael Brunk were on hand and put together the following photo slideshow.

Story & Photos by Scott Schaefer

1/6/10 UPDATE: We were on the scene at the English Garden Apartments (515 South 152nd, near Highline High School) this morning around 9am, where we spoke to a few of the 20 or so residents who were displaced by a fire that began on a third floor balcony and burned up through the attic (see our pics below).

“The first thing I heard were two very loud cracking sounds,” said Marcus Pitre, who lives in an adjoining building. “Then the fire alarm went off, which luckily was very loud. Everyone got out okay, and at first I didn’t see any flames. But by the time the Fire Department showed up, flames were shooting up all over the roof.”

“There’s this much water in my apartment,” said a female resident as she held her hands apart by about a foot. “I live on the first floor, and all the water from the sprinklers and firefighters ended up in my unit.”

Doug Leudeman of the Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department said that 13 residents have been displaced by smoke and water damage, and that investigators and firefighters would be on the scene most of the day today. The cause of the fire has not been determined, although a resident who lives in the unit where the fire started claimed she left a candle burning on her balcony.

Leudeman added that the unit where the damage occurred will likely be uninhabitable for a month or two. He also speculated that the estimated loss will be “around $200,000.

Metro Transit provided a bus as a sort of temporary shelter for displaced residents, and we found out that Burien Fire has a deal where they can call Metro for a bus from any fire if one is needed (we think that’s pretty cool…).

The Seattle Red Cross was also on the scene while we were there, working to help those displaced by the blaze to find temporary housing as well as other essentials like food or clothing. According to Media Relations Officer Katherine Boury:

“I just wanted to let you know that the Red Cross has been responding to this morning’s fire at 515 S. 152nd Street.

The Red Cross will provide assistance such as housing, clothing and food to six units (13 individuals).”

Here are some photos we took this morning:

Metro Transit provided a bus on the scene for displaced residents.

The fire, which started on a third floor balcony, burned entirely through the attic.

Remnants of fire-fighting foam were still in the parking lot as firefighters and investigators talked.

The team from Seattle Red Cross was on the scene, ready to help.

PREVIOUSLY:

Twenty residents were evacuated around 5am Wednesday morning (Jan. 6th) from a fire at the 12-unit English Garden Apartments at 515 South 152nd in Burien.

The fire apparently began on a third floor balcony and burned up into the attic and roof.

No injuries were reported.

According to a KING-TV report:

A woman who lives in the apartment unit that caught fire told KING 5 she had fallen asleep and left a candle burning. She thinks that’s how the fire may have started. She awoke to hear crackling and saw the fire starting. She went into the hallway and grabbed a fire extinguisher, but when she re-entered her apartment, there was too much smoke and heat. She called 911.

Approximately 20 people were evacuated from the 12-unit building. About six units had water damage. No injuries were reported.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Here’a KING’s video:

by Ralph Nichols

With the future of fire protection service in North Highline possibly in the balance, two major personnel actions by Fire District 11 commissioners, expected to be announced at a special meeting on Monday (Dec. 21), could even the scales.

The commissioners are believed to be negotiating a buyout of North Highline Fire Chief Scott Lavielle’s contract, and a layoff package for Sharon Alishokis, a long-time department secretary.

Fire District 11 commissioners are not at liberty to discuss the anticipated moves publicly because they involve personnel decisions.

But following a lengthy executive session at their Dec. 10 board meeting, called just after it was convened, commission Chairman Ron Malaspino announced that “two personnel actions are pending … that’s where we’re going to leave it for now.”

North Highline Fire Chief Scott Lavielle

Because of the Christmas holiday, the meeting, which normally would be held Tuesday, has been moved forward one day – it will be held Monday, Dec. 21 at 8 a.m. at the North Highline Fire Department headquarters station at 1234 SW 112th St.

Both Dave Malo, president of IAFF (International Association of Firefighters) Local 3780, representing North Highline fire chiefs, and Jeff Miller, vice president of IAFF Local 1810, representing the firefighters, said at the time it was likely that commission deliberations related to a union proposal to improve the fire district’s shaky financial posture.

“We’ll know more at the Dec. 21 meeting,” Miller said.

Malo and Miller said Fire District 11’s budget crisis is a result of the recession, which has caused assessed property values to decline, coupled with the loss of about $350,000 in 2010 after Burien annexes the southern part of the North Highline unincorporated area.

Combined, these factors are expected to result in a drop of about $1.15 million in fire district revenue, which comes only from property taxes.

Earlier this year, negotiators for the two locals presented a balanced budget proposal, including concessions in their wage and benefit package, “that would prevent any cuts in public service” in 2010, Malo said.

“They ignored our proposed budget,” which included the layoffs of LaVielle and Alishokis, Miller said, and also didn’t respond to a second proposal. The commissioners now have before them a third union proposal.

“They have no plan. They have no budget. And now we’re closing in on the end of December and they still have none.” State law requires that local government and special service district budgets for the following year be adopted by Dec. 31.

Commission Chairman Ron Malaspino

Talks between Fire District 2 (Burien/Normandy Park) and Fire District 11 also are underway, and could result in administrative and fire chief services for both departments being assumed by Burien/Normandy Park.

This, said Malo and Miller, would result in significant financial savings – perhaps as much as $1.5 million a year – for the North Highline Fire Department. That would allow the department to continue providing its current level of service, including responding to calls in north Burien.

“If not, it will be impossible to continue to do business as usual,” Miller added. “We see no option [in that event] but to cut public services.”

Dave Lawson, a former North Highline fire commissioner, told The B-Town Blog, “I’ve looked at the financial situation [in Fire District 11] and if they don’t cut the fire chief immediately and the secretary for training … they won’t survive 2010.”

The current board of commissioners has provided “no financial leadership,” said Lawson, who is chief financial officer of South King Fire & Rescue in Des Moines and Federal Way.

An unsuccessful applicant to replace the late Barb Peters on the board following her death last month, he estimated that without these layoffs, Fire District 11 won’t have in the bank the $1 million it will need to pay bills in the first quarter of 2011.

Should Fire District 11 go into next year without having improved its financial situation, there is speculation that Fire District 2 might withdraw from the current negotiations to assume some services for both departments.

by Ralph Nichols

The location for a new Burien/Normandy Park fire station in the city’s downtown business district could be selected before the end of November.

And, Fire Chief Mike Marrs told The B-Town Blog, if a land-acquisition agreement is reached by then, the new fire station could be built and occupied by late 2011.

“We’re progressing pretty well,” Marrs said. “We’d like to have been further along, but the reality is that it takes time to put together a real estate deal.”

Burien needs a new fire station to replace the outdated existing facility at the corner of SW 151st Street and 8th Ave South. But Marrs and Fire District 2 commissioners don’t want the new facility located just anywhere.

A top priority is locating the new station downtown where response times will be no more than seven minutes anywhere in the district. In addition, they want to locate the new facility near main arterials that will also provide direct access to State Route 509.

“We’d like to stay within five to seven blocks of where we are now,” he said. “That works pretty well for us.”

Last November, voters in the fire district approved a bond issue to replace both the Burien fire station and the Normandy Park fire station at 135 S. Normandy Road. Plans call for rebuilding the fire station in Normandy Park at its current location.

Marrs said earlier that both new fire stations are needed because the existing facilities were built about 50 years ago. Now the aging buildings – not built for such things as equipment for contamination calls that weren’t part of the service then – “have all sorts of deficiencies including seismic.”

In addition, the existing Burien station can’t house the department’s ladder truck downtown, where it’s needed.

The Fire Department expressed interest in the city's Municipal Parking Lot, but was rebuffed by the city council. On Friday afternoon, there were only two cars parked in it.

The fire department is “actively pursuing several sites,” Marrs added. “We’re leaving all options open as we look at different parcels. We’re trying to get a location that makes the best economical and operational sense. We’re trying to find a good deal that’s in a good location for us.”

Earlier this year, the department expressed interest in the city’s municipal parking lot between SW 150th St. and SW 151st St. on the east half of the block east of 8th Ave. SW.

But Burien City Council members Sue Blazak and Lucy Krakowiak expressed concern during an August council meeting about losing parking spaces downtown. Blazak indicated that new parking would have to be found before she could support letting the fire department build at that location.

Since then the fire department has looked at a number of private properties downtown.

“All sites looked at have varying degrees of buildings and vacant land on them, with a number of parcels put together” to provide the land needed for a new station,” Marrs said.

“There’s not a lot of large parcels left in downtown Burien, so it’s a package of smaller parcels. It’s a real mix and match.”

Once a land deal is reached, the design and permitting process will begin, a process that will take about a year, followed by construction of the new station, which will take about another 12 months.

Photo courtesy Burien/Normandy Park Fire Dept.

by Ralph Nichols

The location is essential. A delay will cost money. Yet some members of the Burien City Council insisted at their August 17th meeting that selecting a site for a new fire station must go “hand in hand” with providing replacement parking downtown.

Following their discussion, which often focused more on parking than on the fire station, lawmakers asked City Manager Mike Martin to bring to the first council meeting in September more suggestions for new parking lots.

The Burien/Normandy Park Fire Department needs to replace its outdated existing station at the corner of SW 151st Street and 8th Ave SW. On that point there is no disagreement. The question is where to build it without reducing already limited public parking downtown.

A critical requirement for the new station is a site that will allow a response time of no more than seven minutes anywhere within Fire District No. 2. Locating the new facility close to main arterials that provide direct access to State Route 509 is also important.

One general location that meets these needs – in which the department has expressed interest – is between SW 146th Street and SW 154th Street and Ambaum Boulevard and 4th Ave SW.

Topping the department’s preferred list is the municipal parking lot between 150th and 151st Streets on the east half of the block east of 8th Ave SW. Only three vehicles were observed parked in this lot early Tuesday afternoon.

Martin told the council he had identified two city-owned properties that could replace most, but not all, of the parking spaces in the municipal lot should the new fire station is built there. One is west of Southwest Sixth Avenue just north of retail parking behind businesses along SW 152nd Street. The other is west of 6th Ave SW adjacent to the Post Office between 150th and 151st streets.

These locations “might replace (municipal lot) parking that might serve the city’s interests and also serve the fire district’s interests,” Martin said. In addition, about 15 city fleet vehicles can be parked in a secure lot at the district’s other station in Normandy Park.

Fire Chief Mike Marrs told council members the fire district would like to move forward with siting and planning the new station “as quickly as possible” because of current “favorable construction costs and bond sales.” One source later told the B-Town Blog that, given current prices, beginning work now could save the district $1-2 million.

Marrs added the fire district also has identified two other potential sites. He didn’t disclose their location to avoid the possibility of inflating sale prices.

But Councilwoman Lucy Krakowiak said while “public safety is the number one priority for our citizens … downtown parking is a need, too…. For the big picture of parking solutions, we need to bring private property owners together and see how to use private lots that sit largely vacant.”

Deputy Mayor Sue Blazak added, “The two issues go hand in hand. While there should be a spot for the fire department, we can’t separate it from parking.” Blazak is running for election to a second term in November.

Councilman Gordon Shaw disagreed, declaring that “putting off the fire station for parking is unreasonable.” In their discussion, he noted, council members were “putting the parking issue over the fire issue. We’ve got our priorities upside down. Parking is not the chief’s issue.”

Shaw suggested at an earlier meeting that the fire department should build its new station on the municipal parking lot site, and that this parking be replaced not with a single lot but by clusters of spaces at various locations in the downtown area.

On the busiest day downtown this year, when Town Square and the new library/city hall were dedicated in June, “less than 10 vehicles were parking in (the municipal) lot,” Councilwoman Rose Clark said at Monday’s meeting. Suggesting that the fire department could make better use of that location, she voiced support for building the new station there.

Mayor Joan McGilton said she “would like to see a decision regarding the municipal parking lot, and then go on to a discussion of parking. I don’t know if we can solve our parking needs in time to meet the fire district’s schedule.”

The new fire station will be paid for by a sale of bonds that was approved by voters in the fire district last November, as will the Normandy Park fire station at 135 S. Normandy Road. Plans call for rebuilding that station at the current location.

Marrs says new fire stations are needed because the existing facilities were built about 50 years ago when the transition from volunteer to primarily paid firefighters was just beginning. Now the aging buildings – not built for equipment for such things as equipment for contamination calls that weren’t part of the service then – “have all sorts of deficiencies including seismic.” And the existing Burien station “can’t house the department’s ladder truck downtown, where it’s needed.”

“We understand that (parking) is the primary concern of the city council,” he adds. “They don’t want to lose parking. That’s why they’re reluctant to sell the municipal parking lot to us without replacement parking.” Currently the fire department has no replacement parking offer, but “we’re working on what one might look like and what the costs might be.”

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