East Pierce Fire and Rescue (EPFR) responded to 113 alarms during the 24-hour period of Jan. 6 due to the wind storm that struck the region early that morning. Of the 113 alarms, 65 of those were dispatched between midnight and 8 a.m., with a peak of 22 incidents between 3 and 4 a.m., at the height of the storm. Normally, EPFR responds to 31 incidents per day.

Several homes were damaged by fallen trees. Most incidents were for trees and/or wires down blocking roadways.

One incident of interest was shared via twitter by IAFF Local 3520. The incident occurred at 11:07 a.m. near Chrisella Road and Meridian Avenue East in Edgewood. A man had attempted to ride his bicycle over power lines. He was fortunate that the lines were not charged, but they did provide a formidable obstacle, causing the man to fall to the ground. There was no electrical shock, his injuries resulted from the fall. He was transport by EPFR Medic Unit to Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup with neck and back pain.

Stay away from downed power lines.

“Some people get angry when firefighters won’t move power lines” stated Chief Bud Backer, “but you never know if there may be residual power in the lines. It’s not worth the risk, so if you see that a firefighter won’t do something, that’s a strong indication that you shouldn’t do it either.”