Gig Harbor Fire Reports: Amputated Finger, Car Fire, Illegal Burn Pile

Total calls during this period: 96

EMS: 70  

Fire/Service: 10            

Other: 16

Amputated Finger: On July 12, crews responded to reports of a man cutting off his fingers with a table saw. When they arrived, he had already covered the wound with a wash cloth and a bystander had collected the tip of one finger. He was transported to a hospital while the engine crew stayed behind to locate the other amputated finger. The finger was located and taken to the hospital.

Numbness: On July 12, crews were called to a scene where a man was complaining of numbness and tingling in his fingers, toes and around his mouth. He also felt a strange sensation in his chest and became lightheaded. Crews evaluated him and were unable to find anything abnormal, and he did not wish to be transported. His father was advised to monitor him through the night and call back if his symptoms reappeared or he lost consciousness.

Choking: On July 13, a 3-month-old child began choking on her formula. When her mom thought she was having trouble breathing, she called 911. After calling, the child began to vomit, clearing her airway. When crews arrived, she was breathing normally again and after an evaluation, it was decided a transport was not needed.

Vehicle Fire: On July 14, crews were dispatched to reports of a truck on fire near a home. Upon arrival, firefighters found the truck fully involved in flames with extension to the grass and a wood pile. They used 480 gallons of water and 2.5 gallons of foam to extinguish the fire. Once out, they used a thermal imager to search for hot spots and none were found. 

Seizure: On July 14, a mother heard a loud noise and found that her son had fallen on the floor and was having a seizure, which lasted about two minutes. When his seizure stopped, the man began communicating quickly and did not appear confused. Crews transported to a hospital for further evaluation.

Laceration From Falling: On July 15, a woman was vacuuming when she tripped on the cord and struck her head on a piece of furniture. She crawled to her phone and dialed 911. Crews arrived to find her on the floor with a cut above her eye and a cut on the back of her head. They controlled the bleeding and transported her to a hospital.

Burn Complaint: On July 15, crews responded to a complaint of burning. When they arrived, they found an unattended burn pile. They extinguished it with a garden hose on site and left a note for the homeowner informing them that they were in a no-burn zone and burning was not permitted.

Seizure: On July 17, crews responded to reports of a seizure. A man was staying with friends when he began having trouble with his balance and fell and then began seizing. After crews evaluated him, it was determined that his seizure was caused by his diabetes, so he was made a peanut butter sandwich and given a sports drink. Transport was not needed.