Rescue 1, a ton of tillers, and new rigs for (almost) all the chiefs! Click “show more” to see more information about each clip, as well as links to the original videos.
2019 was a great year for my youtube channel: I showed my face for the first time, was re-accepted into the YouTube partner program, and continued to grow in views and subscribers. As always, a huge thanks to all my loyal subscribers and viewers – your comments and engagement are what make this channel fun! Here’s to a great 2020!
My Top 10 Seattle Fire Responses:
#10 – 3 in a row (0:08)
Convoy-style responses are always fun to catch! Here are Engine 17, Ladder 9 and Engine 31 responding to a structure fire in Ballard.
#9 – Engine 41 going against traffic (0:45)
15th Ave NW is the major north/south route leading into Ballard from downtown. Early in 2019, the center turn lane was removed and a median was installed to cut down on the number of crashes. It worked, but the downside is now emergency vehicles tend to get caught in the (frequently heavy) traffic on 15th. Here, Engine 41 crossed into oncoming traffic before the median started, to avoid traffic backed up at the intersection.
#8 – Ladder 6 jumps the median (1:08)
In this clip, Ladder 6 faces traffic along the same stretch of road as in the previous clip and, like Engine 41, decides to go left of center to get around it.
#7 – Aid 5 gets a police escort (1:38)
There are a number of areas in Seattle (mainly around Pioneer Square and several homeless encampments) where Seattle Fire units will only respond with a police escort. In this clip, Aid 5 leaves Station 10 with an escort from two Seattle Police units.
#6 – Air 10 responding (x2) (2:09)
Air 10 carries extra bottles for fire crews, and often responds without lights and siren. I was lucky enough to catch it responding with lights twice this year.
First clip: https://youtu.be/gfK8lUWtxZ0?t=102
Second clip: https://youtu.be/vJgC9o1vj28?t=146
#5 – Fire Investigator responding (x2) (2:29)
In these clips, the Seattle Fire Investigator is seen responding to two different incidents. In the first, I caught him after he’d passed the police blockade, so his lights were already switched off. In the second clip, he flips on the lights as he goes through the intersection. I also caught him responding to a boat fire last year, but didn’t realize who it was at the time. This is (as far as I know) the only Seattle Fire unit that uses blue and red lights, instead of just red.
First clip: https://youtu.be/vJgC9o1vj28?t=355
Second clip: https://youtu.be/0YYU2VshHvM?t=272
Clip from last year: https://youtu.be/m9GgmOTXLbk?t=201
#4 – Brand New Command SUVs (2:44)
Early in 2019, the Safety Chief, Deputy Chief and Staff/ICS Support Chief received new Ford Explorer SUVs to replace their Suburbans. The Staff Chief is based out of Station 10, and the other two are based out of headquarters (which is just a few blocks away), so they often end up responding in a chief convoy.
First clip: https://youtu.be/BruHzp0mGnc
Second clip: https://youtu.be/Lqb6SwcueCc?t=85
#3 – Brand New Battalion Rigs (3:23)
In late 2019, several of the Battalion Chiefs received new Ford F-250 Utility Trucks to replace their Suburbans. I was lucky enough to catch several of them responding shortly after they were put into service.
Battalion 2: https://youtu.be/0YYU2VshHvM?t=101
Battalion 4: https://youtu.be/0S56gB_klGU
Battalion 6: https://youtu.be/vJgC9o1vj28?t=40
#2 – 5 Tillers in one morning (4:01)
On October 7th, I filmed a large number of Seattle Fire units responding to a 3-alarm fire in Ballard. Among the units were 5 different tiller trucks: Ladder 4, Ladder 1, Ladder 10, Ladder 6 and Ladder 9.
#1 – Heavy Rescue responding (4:57)
Seattle’s Rescue 1 is a beautiful rig, and always a pleasure to see. I only caught it once this year, but I was able to get a nice, clear shot with horns and siren, so I was happy.
That’s it for 2019 – let me know what you thought in the comments below and, as always, thank you for watching!
Outro music: Demilitarized Zone by Ethan Meixsell, via the YouTube audio library.