LBFD Fireworks Safety Demonstration
By stberge | July 2, 2009
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Multiple Vehicle Accident On The 91 Freeway
By Jackawa Jackson | July 2, 2009
On the morning of July 2nd, at 4:56 am, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to the East bound 91 freeway at Paramount to a report of an injury traffic accident with one vehicle on fire. Upon arrival it was discovered that there were 5 vehicles involved in the accident with fire showing from one. The driver of the vehicle on fire managed to climb from his car prior to it becoming engulfed in flames. The fire was rapidly extinguished and crews began treating the injured. One patient required extrication. It took Truck 11 crewmembers approximately 10 minutes to cut the individual from the wreckage. There were a total of 6 patients involved. (1 critical, 1 moderate, and 4 with minor injuries) Two of the 6 patients elected not to be transported. The entire East bound side of the 91 was shut down for a short period of time. It is unknown what brought about the early morning collision but the cause is currently under investigation. A total of 23 firefighters and 4 ambulance operators responded to this incident.
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Vehicle Plunges From The 405 Freeway Shearing A Tree On The Way Down
By Jackawa Jackson | July 1, 2009
At 1:46 pm on July 1, 2009, Long Beach Fire Department dispatched units to the North bound 405 freeway at Lakewood to a report of an overturned vehicle. Once on scene, E17 crew members discovered the vehicle was not overturned but had instead driven off the side of the freeway, plowed through a chain link fence, and come to rest on Kilroy Airport Way below. Before coming to a stop, the Mercedes sedan sheared a tree at the base and collided with a similar Mercedes parked on the street. The female driver was transported to an area hospital with minor to moderate injuries. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. A total of 15 firefighters and 2 ambulance operators responded to this incident.
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LBFD Cert Graduation – A 7.2 Quake Hits SoCal…..Now What?
By JJohnson | June 28, 2009
On the morning of Saturday, June 27th, the Long Beach Fire Departments CERT program held yet another successful graduation at it’s impressive training facility. For those who don’t know what CERT is, it stands for Community Emergency Response Team. This program is put on by the LBFD at no charge to the public. Since the program began over 13 years ago, the LBFD has graduated over 4400 people.
The scene was played out as if the “The Big One” hit Southern California. The CERT class was utilizing the skills they learned over the 6 week course and were able to help the “injured.” The “injured” consisted of volunteers and past graduates who were given various fake injuries. The class had to handle the disaster situation until the Fire Department arrived.
Our goal is to provide you with valuable information that will benefit you, your family, and your neighborhood. Our commitment to you is to provide you an effective training program in a professional and safe manner. You’ll find that the Long Beach CERT team is comprised of members from all walks of life and experience. Our success is based on utilizing the varying talents from all our members, new and old. Furthermore, we encourage and expect an open environment where we can all share ideas and experiences that will benefit the CERT team.
CERT History
CERT originated in 1985 when the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) recognized a need to educate the community about disaster preparedness, especially as a result of a major earthquake. Living in Southern California, we are constantly faced with the potential of a significant earthquake that could severely affect Southern California.
LAFD began a program that educated individuals about what they could do to protect themselves and their families in the event of a catastrophic disaster. The CERT concept was well received and extremely successful. Eventually word spread. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) then worked with LAFD to create CERT guidelines to make the program available across the nation. CERT is now a 20-hour program that falls under the government’s Citizen Corps umbrella.
Long Beach CERT Program
Our CERT program follows the FEMA guidelines and consists of basic instruction in the following areas:
1. Disaster Preparedness
2. Fire Suppression
3. Basic First Aid
4. Search & Rescue and Cribbing (Leveraging)
5. CERT Organization & Disaster Psychology
6. Terrorism
CERT training is offered each quarter during the year. Each class is taught one day a week on 6 consecutive weeks for 3 hours each night. On the Saturday of the last week, we have a graduation ceremony that includes a disaster drill, which incorporates all the skills learned in the class.
For those of you that would like to be part of this program, you can check out http://longbeach.gov/fire and follow the link to CERT or you can email Firefighter Joshua Johnson who is the LBFD CERT coordinator at Joshua.Johnson@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-2516
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Big Rig Collides With An Occupied Structure
By Jackawa Jackson | June 27, 2009
On the morning of June 27th, just before 4:00 am, Long Beach Fire Department units were dispatched to 1715 West Anaheim Street to a report of a vehicle into a building. Upon arrival, Engine 3 found a Big Rig had plowed into the front of a 24 hr café located at the dispatched address. The business was occupied at the time of the collision. The driver of the truck managed to back his rig out of the hole created by the impact and awaited arrival of the fire department. Fortunately, the cashier was not at the register at the time of the accident and all other patrons were in other areas of the building. Had this not been the case, the results could have been catastrophic. The building appeared to have sustained significant damage and the Long Beach Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue team was called out to provide shoring and building stabilization. A search of the area was conducted to insure there were no victims pinned under the wreckage. The building department responded to check the structural integrity of the business. The driver of the truck was transported by Rescue 13 to a local hospital with minor injuries. There was no report of fire and no other reports of injuries to civilians or firefighters. A total of 16 firefighters responded to this incident. The cause of the accident is currently under investigation.
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Come Out And Share In The Fun Of The 2009 LBFD Fireworks Display
By Jackawa Jackson | June 25, 2009
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LBFD Fireworks Demonstration Media Event
By frhayes | June 24, 2009
Subject: LBFD Fireworks Demonstration with Subject Matter Experts and Arson Investigators Media Event Invitation
The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) invites all media personnel to a fireworks demonstration to visually demonstrate how dangerous they can be. Subject matter experts will also be available to provide specific information on safety, and Arson investigators will talk about “Real Life” incidents and enforcement plans for illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July. This demonstration will take place on Wednesday, July 1st at 11:00 A.M. at the LBFD Training center, located at 2249 Argonne Ave. 90806.
Fireworks have become a traditional part of an American family’s Fourth of July celebration. Unfortunately, these celebrations all too often result in serious burns, hearing loss and other injuries. Fireworks are illegal in Long Beach, and dangerous wherever they are ignited. Those are simple facts, yet every year people take needless risks when they celebrate the Fourth of July. Even so-called Safe and Sane fireworks and sparklers are harmful.
Here’s a sobering look at the dangers of fireworks:
• 20 Americans died in 2007 as a direct result of injuries caused by fireworks or related fires.
• Nearly 10,000 people each year are treated for injuries caused by fireworks.
• Half of all fireworks injuries happen to children under 15.
• Sparklers account for the most injuries (1,500), and for half the injuries to children under 5.
It’s amazing how many of these needless injuries could have been prevented, for information on fireworks safety please visit www.nfpa.org .
Yet the National Council on Fireworks Safety does have some promising news. For the past several years, there has been a decreasing trend in the fireworks injury rates. A major reason has been the increasing popularity of professional fireworks shows, which residents are encouraged to attend.
Every year, about 50 professional shows are held throughout Los Angeles County on the Fourth of July, including a show at Veterans Memorial Stadium, and another show visible from the Greater Queensway Bay and beachfront areas.
Check www.longbeach.gov or your local newspaper for more information, and leave fireworks shows to the professionals. They’re safe, and they’re amazing.
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LBFD Skillful Rescue From The Top Of Down Town Ferris Wheel
By frhayes | June 23, 2009
On Monday, June 22, 2009 at 9:34 P.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units Truck 1, Truck 7 and Battalion Chief 1 responded to a report of two people stuck at the top of a Ferris wheel at 65 S PINE AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90802.
Truck 1 arrived on scene and determined that a mechanical malfunction had occurred causing the two people to be stuck at the apex of the wheel. After consulting with the operators, maintenance personnel, and attempting numerous ways of bringing the car down unsuccessfully, Truck 7 was requested to respond. This apparatus has a “Basket” attached at the top of the ladder and due to safety concerns, the plan was to have the stuck individuals exit the car and enter the basket to be lowered to ground level.
Once Truck 7 arrived on scene the Engineer carefully drove up a curb and over a sidewalk to a grassy area directly beneath the Ferris wheel, and extended the ladder approximately 60 feet above ground level. Raising the ladder proved to be quit a challenge due to having to move the basket into perfect position to provide for a safe transfer, and to ensure that no damage was done to the Ferris wheel. With the skillful operation of the ladder completed by two firefighters from inside the basket, the rescue of the trapped occupants was accomplished.
With the cheers of all of the “Onlookers” who had stopped to take in this unique site, the man and woman both in there early 20’s expressed their gratitude to the firefighters for helping them back on to solid ground after about 45 minutes of overlooking the skyline of Long Beach.
There were no injuries to the two people involved, who were re-united with friends to continue on with the rest of the evenings activities, minus any more Ferris wheel rides for a very long time!!!
This incident occurred in Council District 1, with a total of 3 apparatus and 9 personnel responding to this call, and working for approximately 1 hour.
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Boaters Rescued From A Capsized Powerboat
By Jackawa Jackson | June 23, 2009
On Sunday June 21st at approximately 6:35 pm the Long Beach Fire Department Marine Safety Division received a mayday call involving an overturned 20 foot power boat with 2 persons in the water at the east end of the federal break wall. RB-2 and RB-3 responded, rescuing the male and female victims from the water, turning the vessel right side up and removing all water from it. They then towed the boat back to the South Shore launch ramp. Fortunately, the boaters were un-injured in this accident. Both boaters were in their late 30’s. The cause of this accident is currently under investigation.
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Long Beach Fire Responds To An Evening Train Derailment
By Jackawa Jackson | June 22, 2009
At 9:44 pm on June 18th Long Beach Fire Department units were dispatched to a reported train derailment at 975 PIER F. On arrival E-1 found a Pacific Harbor Lines train with 3-empty well cars derailed. The derailment occurred at the curve of Pier F ave in between the LBCT yard and a Tidelands injection well. Fortunately, there were no containers on the damaged portion of the train. The train was 86-cars long with 35 loads on the north end of the train about 1-mile away. Pacific was in the process of transferring containers from LBCT to Pier A. A total of 24 firefighters responded to this incident.
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