Marine Program

The Leschi joined the fireboat fleet in April 2007 as the primary saltwater firefighting vessel.

Background

The Fire Facilities & Emergency Response Levy supported the Seattle Fire Department’s Marine Program with the addition of two new fireboats and the retrofit of the Chief Seattle. Separate of the Fire Levy, the Seattle Fire Department also is acquiring the 50-foot fast attack boat Marine Two, which will complete the fireboat fleet upgrade when it launches in fall 2014.

The City’s active firefighting vessels:

• The Leschi, built in 2007 – a 108-foot fireboat stationed at Fire Station 5 on Elliott Bay. It can fight fires with 22,000 gallons of water per minute and travel at 14 knots. The Leschi has replaced the Chief Seattle as the City's primary saltwater firefighting vessel.

• Marine One, built in 2006 – a 50-foot fast attack fireboat, with the capacity to pump 5,000-6,000 gallons of water per minute and a top speed of 30.5 knots. Marine One is docked at Fire Station 5 on Elliott Bay.

• The Chief Seattle, built in 1983, retrofit complete 2013 – a 97-foot fireboat docked at Fisherman’s Terminal in Interbay. It can pump 10,000 gallons of water per minute and travel at speeds up to 22 knots. The retrofit included new, larger engines; an enlarged pilot house and deckhouse; modernization of the electrical system; and an added FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared Surveillance) system. The Chief Seattle has replaced the Alki, now retired from service, as the City’s primary freshwater firefighting vessel.

The new boats increase the ability of the Seattle Fire Department to respond with greater power, speed and pumping capacity. Together, the boats will provide greater safety on the water by getting firefighters to fire and water rescues faster. All of the fireboats are designed to respond on both salt and fresh water around Seattle.

Chief Seattle being re-launched in January 2013.

In addition to fire suppression, the newest additions to the fleet accommodate Emergency Medical Service, rescue and salvage in toxic environments, and have the ability to pump water for land-based firefighting if water mains break during earthquakes or other disasters.