UPDATE: December 11, 2025 at 11:32 p.m.
The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) released new photos on Thursday capturing the efforts of the combined Swift Water Rescue team, with members of the SVFD as well as the Spokane Fire Department.
The team carried out two rescues in Skagit County throughout the day, contacting residents who were unable to leave their homes.
In addition to these rescues, the team supported a National Guard helicopter in rescuing an individual whose vehicle was swept off the roadway.
UPDATE: December 10, 2025 at 8:46 p.m.
The City of Spokane Fire Department (SFD) announced that Mayor Lisa Brown authorized their response to an emergency request from the state calling for swift-water resources to assist in the Puget Sound region as flooding continues.
A six-member team of Water Rescue firefighters, led by SFD Station 2 Captain Jared Contabile, will reportedly arrive in Snohomish County later in the evening. The team is joined by water rescue personnel from the Spokane Valley Fire Department.
SFD officials stated that with the region expected to remain under severe flood risks through Saturday, it is unknown how long SFD’s water rescue team will be deployed.
SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – The Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is sending six members of their Swift Water Rescue team and a boat to western Washington. This move comes in response to requests for water rescue resources and assistance during a period of historic flooding in the region.
SVFD Deputy Chief John Leavell announced the team would depart from Fire Station 5, located off Sullivan Road. Patrick Erickson, SVFD’s Interim Community Affairs Director, said the team would be heading out at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night.
Article originally published December 10, 2025 at 6:01 p.m.
