Spokane Valley Fire Department

Believe it or not, there is no universal elevator key.

With more than 100 elevator manufacturers in the United States and no standard locking system, firefighters must be familiar with a wide variety of tools, keys, and access methods. What works on one elevator may not work on another.

When someone becomes trapped in an elevator, firefighters must be prepared to safely gain access and assist those inside.

After recently attending specialized elevator rescue training, two firefighters from Station 8 brought that knowledge back to their crew during a hands-on training session at the former Spokane Valley Library. Firefighters practiced identifying different systems, using specialized equipment, and accessing elevator cars when traditional methods are not an option.

These types of emergencies may not happen every day, but when they do, specialized knowledge, preparation, and problem-solving are critical to ensuring a safe and efficient rescue.

What the public sees is the response. What they don't always see are the hours of training that make that response possible.

A special thank you to the City of Spokane Valley for allowing us to use the facility for this valuable training opportunity.

🚒👨‍🚒📚 Future Firefighters in Training!

On Wednesday, we welcomed Mrs. Castillo's Kindergarten class from South Pines Elementary to SVFD Station 9!

Engineer Kiefer, Firefighter Ovnicek, and Firefighter Casida spent time talking to the students about fire safety, showing them around the station, and giving them an up-close look at the equipment firefighters use every day to serve our community.

Thank you to Mrs. Castillo's class for stopping by and being such great visitors. We loved meeting you and sharing a little bit of what we do! 🚒❤️


Central Valley School District - Spokane Valley, WA
South Pines Elementary

⚠️ Weather Alert: Strong and potentially dangerous winds are expected this afternoon.

Now is a good time to secure loose outdoor items and be mindful of any activities that could spark a fire. Small actions can make a big difference during high-wind events.

There will be widespread wind gusts around 30-50 mph across the Inland Northwest Tuesday Afternoon. These winds will create difficult driving conditions for high-profile vehicles and cause choppy waters on regional lakes. Isolated tree damage is also possible, particularly around the Wenatchee area and Waterville Plateau. Secure loose outdoor items and trash cans before Tuesday morning.