Update: Olympic View House Fire on December 3rd

The Kitsap County Fire Marshal has determine the fire was caused by a failed flu pip. Cracks in the horizontal pipe of the wood stove led to fire spreading within the walls and eventually through the wall into the living room. (original press release posted below)

Photos of pipe are attached, courtesy of the Kitsap County Fire Marshal’s Office

– Over time the soot in your chimney is refined by heat and becomes an extremely flammable material called creosote. What most people don’t realize is the creosote in their chimney is flammable and all it takes is a tiny spark or ember to ignite the creosote and start a chimney fire, where the actual walls of your chimney flue are on fire. Chimney fires burn at over 2,000 degrees and can easily spread to the rest of your house.

– You need a chimney sweep to remove the creosote from your chimney flue. Chimneys and pipes like the ones on wood stoves are designed for smoke to pass through at relatively low temperatures; they are not built to withstand chimney fires.

Homeowner Escapes Fire By Jumping from Roof

A Central Kitsap man is safe after jumping from his roof to escape an early morning house fire. At approximately 2:16 am, Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue was dispatched to the 16000 block of Olympic View Road NW in Silverdale.

The first 911 caller was a neighbor reporting the house fire. A second call into dispatch was from the homeowner himself who stated he had made it onto his roof and was going to jump. Once he did, he informed dispatchers that he was uninjured.

Crews arrived and observed the two story, single family home was fully involved. The fire was upgraded to a 2nd alarm, dispatching additional resources to the scene. As crews fought the fire, the homeowner was checked by medical and confirmed to be uninjured.

The fire was under control at 2:51 am. The homeowner reported his smoke alarms woke him up, he checked the hallway and found fire and was forced to escape through his bathroom window onto the roof.

The County Fire Marshal was dispatched to investigate the cause and the homeowner will stay with family.

Crews remain on scene to check for, and extinguish, any hotspots.

Mutual aid was provided by the Navy Region Northwest and the Poulsbo Fire Department.

Bedroom Fire In Island Lake Community

At 9:40 pm last night, November 23rd, CKFR responded to a call for a structure fire in the 13000 block of Lakeridge Circle NW. Initial reports stated the fire was in a bedroom, occupants were evacuated, and everyone was out of the house.

On arrival, crews observed heavy smoke coming from the structure, a two story duplex. Fire was found on the second floor and firefighters were able to quickly get it under control and contained to a room and contents.

There were no injuries and two cats were rescued by the crew. Information from the homeowner indicates the fire may have been started by a candle. The Kitsap County Fire Marshal is investigating.
Poulsbo Fire Department and Navy Region Northwest provided mutual aid.

We highly encourage the use of flameless candles in your home, but if you choose real candles, please remember the following:
* Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
* Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
* Keep candles at least 1 foot away from anything that can burn.

Answering Questions About The EMS Levy Renewal

A message from CKFRs Board of Commissioner’s Chairman, Dick West

On behalf of your Fire Commissioners and Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue, I’d like to wish our community a Safe and Happy Fourth of July.

While there is not a fireworks ban in place, we are under a Phase 1 Burn Ban and our area is at risk with the impending wildfire season. We encourage finding alternative ways to celebrate this year, eliminating fireworks, to ensure everyone stays safe.

Thank you,

Dick West, Chairman

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue

Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Reports Mid-Year Call Volumes

EMS Accounts for 68.68% Percent of All Emergencies

Call volumes continue to climb for Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue. As of May 31, 2021, call volumes for all emergencies were 10.42% higher than the first five months of 2020. Emergency medical service (EMS) accounted for 68.68% of all calls. This is a 15.87% increase in medical calls compared to the same time period.

“We are ready and able to respond to higher call volumes because of community support for our EMS program,” said Fire Chief John Oliver. “Funding is used to provide Advanced Life Support, which is the highest level of emergency medical care available.”

Last year, CKFR staffed an additional full-time ambulance to meet the needs of its growing community. Most recently, it has put in service another part-time ambulance to respond during peak call times.

CKFR funds its emergency medical program through a 6-year EMS levy capped at $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property. Voters last approved the EMS levy in 2015 and it will expire at the end of the year if not renewed during the August 3 Primary Election.

The EMS levy funds both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) care to residents. Basic Life Support (BLS) uses nationally certified Emergency Medical Technicians for non-critical calls, such as first aid, basic CPR, and administering some medications.

ALS is the highest level of care available delivered in the field by Paramedics who are nationally certified through 1,800 hours of life-saving training. These medical professionals can start IVs, surgical procedures to clear airways and stop serious bleeding, and provide advanced cardiac life support.

The EMS levy costs the average homeowner (defined as a home having an assessed value of $400,000) $200 per year. Please note that the assessed value of a home is less than its market value. Kitsap County determines a property’s assessed value and levy amounts are calculated on that basis.

More information about the EMS levy renewal can be found on the Fire District’s website at ckfrdev721.wpengine.com. Fire Chief John Oliver also is available to answer questions at (360) 447-3566 or joliver@ckfr.org.

Board Passes Resolution Placing EMS Levy Renewal on Ballot

EMS Accounts for 64 Percent of All Emergencies

The Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners voted unanimously to place a levy renewal on the ballot for emergency medical service (EMS). Voters are being asked to renew the EMS levy during the August 3 Primary Election for the same rate and time period they previously approved in 2015.

“EMS is the emergency service our community relies on most,” said Fire Chief John Oliver. “Sixty-four percent of our emergency calls are for this service, and that number is increasing.”

In 2020, EMS accounted for 64 percent of all CKFR’s 8,827 emergency calls. The Fire District funds its emergency medical program through a 6-year EMS levy of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property. Voters last approved the EMS levy in 2015 and it will expire at the end of the year. Since that time, call volumes have increased 24 percent for EMS-related incidents alone. 

The EMS levy funds both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) care to residents. Basic Life Support (BLS) uses nationally certified Emergency Medical Technicians for non-critical calls, such as first aid, basic CPR, and administering some medications. ALS is the highest level of care available delivered in the field by Paramedics who are nationally certified through 1,800 hours of life-saving training. These medical professionals can start IVs, surgical procedures to clear airways and stop serious bleeding, and provide advanced cardiac life support.

CKFR runs one BLS and three ALS transport units 24-hours a day. This means residents receive the highest level of care possible from the time paramedics arrive on scene and all the way to the hospital. The total cost of the EMS levy for the owner of a $400,000 home (an average for the area) is $200 per year.

More information about the EMS levy renewal can be found on the Fire District’s website at ckfrdev721.wpengine.com. Fire Chief John Oliver also is available to answer questions at (360) 447-3566 or joliver@ckfr.org.

Board to Meet on Resolution Placing EMS Levy Renewal on Ballot

The Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue Board of Fire Commissioners will meet to consider a resolution placing a levy renewal for emergency medical service (EMS) on the August 3 Primary Election ballot. The request would ask the Central Kitsap community to renew funding for the program at the same rate and time period as was approved in 2015.

The meeting will take place on Monday, April 26, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Community members are welcome and encouraged to attend virtually. Meeting access information is available on CKFR’s website at ckfrdev721.wpengine.com.

The Fire District funds its emergency medical program through a 6-year EMS levy of $0.50 per $1,000 of assessed property. Voters last approved the EMS levy in 2015 and it will expire at the end of the year. Since that time, call volumes have increased 24 percent for EMS-related incidents alone.  In 2020, EMS accounted for 64 percent of all CKFR’s 8,827 emergency calls.

The EMS levy funds both Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) care to residents. Basic Life Support (BLS) uses nationally certified Emergency Medical Technicians for non-critical calls, such as first aid, basic CPR, and administering some medications. ALS is the highest level of care available delivered in the field by Paramedics who are nationally certified through 1,800 hours of life-saving training. These medical professionals can start IVs, surgical procedures to clear airways and stop serious bleeding, and advanced cardiac life support.

CKFR runs one BLS and three ALS transport units 24-hours a day. This means residents receive the highest level of care possible when paramedics arrive on scene and all the way to the hospital. The total cost of the EMS levy for the owner of a $400,000 home (an average for the area) is $200 per year for a 24-hour paramedic response.

“It’s a fact that community support through the EMS levy makes saving lives possible,” said Fire Chief John Oliver. “We are grateful that our community sees the value of the program.”

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Central Kitsap Fire & Rescue (CKFR) has provided fire and emergency medical service (EMS) to residents and businesses since 1942. Today, the Fire District is one of the largest emergency providers in the county, responding to over 8,800 emergency calls per year. CKFR operates under a balanced budget, and has passed all its financial and accountability audits with the State of Washington. More information about CKFR is available at ckfrdev721.wpengine.com

Garage Fire

CKFR and the Bremerton Fire Department teamed up for a structure fire once again. This time in the 3000 block of Olympus Drive NE.
Dispatched at 12:22 pm, Bremerton was first on scene and discovered a room and its contents on fire.
It was quickly extinguished and the County Fire Marshal responded to investigate the cause. There were no injuries.

House Fire

CKFR and the Bremerton Fire Department responded to a residential fire in the 2600 block of NE Garinger Street. Upon arrival, firefighters observed smoke coming from the eaves. Homeowners were not present at the time. The fire is extinguished, but the structure suffered significant damage. The County Fire Marshal will investigate the cause.