Seattle Fire department’s statement on fire drills:  Fire drills are required by code and since there are too many variables building to building to possibly cover all the scenarios, fire drills must be held as per code. The responsible parties will have to do the best they can in these scenarios, but we believe that the drills are far too important to life safety to offer waivers or exemptions. I would say the biggest issue will be the gathering point after they leave the building and the need to possibly designate more than one or expand the original area for social distancing.

Bellevue Fire Department’s statement on fire drills: Fire drills are still required during COVID-19, however, the Bellevue Fire Marshal is open to discussing partial and virtual drills.

Bellevue Fire Department moving to eLock Knox Box system

As part of our ongoing effort to enhance public safety in all buildings and improve emergency responders' ability to manage incidents, the Bellevue Fire Department has worked closely with Knox in piloting their eLock System. 

This system is a technological leap forward for the company, it is the first complete electronic rapid access solution for emergency responders.   

Bellevue fire will be investing in the electronic keys, building owners will be investing in the Knox Box keyway change out kits.  Knox Box security and core change for boxes manufactured after 2000 ($229.00), new box ($400.00) and core ($229.00) for boxes manufactured prior to 2000.  

Building owners will order the kits through Knox website (see linked document) and the kits are shipped directly to the Bellevue Fire Department with your building’s identifier and the Bellevue Fire Department will arrange to come out and install the kits.  No power or internet connection is needed, the e-key carried on the fire apparatus provides the power.  

Other Code news: Seattle Energy Code Adoption has been postponed to November 1, 2020.