Fire Prevention Week 2011
By Steve Yamamoto | October 7, 2011
This year, Fire Prevention Week will be observed on October 9-15. This long-standing tradition was created in 1920 by President Woodrow Wilson to increase awareness of fire safety issues in America.
For this year’s Fire Prevention Week, the department has once again joined with the National Fire Prevention Association to promote the message; “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your family from fire!”
To keeping you family safe the Long Beach FD emphasizes three key points:
Practice your Exit Drills In The Home (E.D.I.T.H)
Maintain working smoke alarms and CO detectors
Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it
On Saturday, Oct 15th, the Long Beach Fire Department will conduct a Fire Prevention Week Open House event at all fire stations from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
We invite the public to visit our Fire Stations to interact with Fire personnel, learn about fire service careers and get a behind the scenes view of our facilities and emergency equipment. Free smoke alarms are available to the public and will be given out while supplies last.
New for this year is the requirement of carbon monoxide detectors in homes that have an attached garage or utilizes fossil fuel burning appliances. Please take note this requirement will extend to multi-family dwellings starting Jan. 1, 2013.
It is important to remember that carbon monoxide takes 450 lives per year and sends another 20,000 to the emergency room.
It is a colorless, odorless gas produced when fossil fuels burn and is referred to as the silent killer.
Lastly, the Long Beach Fire Department is pleased to announce that effective Jan. 1, 2012, all Engine Companies will be equipped with hand held carbon monoxide detection monitors. This will allow our firefighters to detect this deadly, colorless, and odorless gas that is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in the United States.
For more important safety information please use the links below:
Topics: Public Safety | 29 Comments »
Fire Prevention Week Video Public Service Announcements
By Steve Yamamoto | October 7, 2011
Escape Plan – 15 seconds
Smoke alarms – 15 seconds
Get Low and Go – 30 seconds
Topics: Video | 40 Comments »
Fire Prevention Week – Sparky and the Runaway Robot
By Steve Yamamoto | October 7, 2011
Preview the 2011 FPW video: Sparky ® and the Runaway Robot
Topics: Video | 22 Comments »
Stanley Ave. Fire
By Steve Yamamoto | October 6, 2011
On September 27th, 2011 at approximately 9:00 AM, units from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to an apartment fire on the 1000 block of Stanley Ave. Long Beach Fire Engine 4 responded within four minutes to the fire at a two-story, duplex building.
Engine 4 immediately pulled multiple hose lines to execute an aggressive interior attack of the fire. Other firefighters assisted in the extinguishing efforts and the fire was declared knocked-down in five minutes. These swift actions made it possible to quickly extinguish the fire.
After the fire was extinguished fire officials determined that only the involved unit sustained fire and smoke damage. The occupants of that unit were able to evacuate safely before the Fire Department’s arrival and only one female patient received minor injuries to her hands as a result of this fire. She was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by Long Beach Fire Department, Fire Investigators.
One family was displaced as a result of this incident. The Red Cross was notified for possible sheltering needs.
Topics: Incidents | 44 Comments »
Firefighter Charles Hakopian Awarded Medal of Valor by Governor Brown
By Admin | September 15, 2011
2011 Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Ceremony from The Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown
Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today awarded the Medal of Valor to Long Beach Firefighter Charles Hakopian, who risked his life rushing into a burning building to rescue a trapped 2-year-old boy who had stopped breathing due to smoke inhalation.
“Firefighter Charles Hakopian exemplifies the bravery, professionalism and commitment to serving our community that is inherent in our Fire Department, “ Mayor Bob Foster said. “Firefighter Hakopian’s selfless action saved a little boy’s life that night.”
Firefighter Hakopian was one of 13 Public Safety Employees who received the Medal of Valor, the highest honor that the State of California bestows upon its public servants, during a ceremony in Sacramento with Attorney General Kamala D. Harris.
“Charles represents the high caliber of men and women we have working for the Long Beach Fire Department,” said Chief Alan Patalano. “I take great pride knowing he responded above and beyond the call of duty, upholding the most sacred principle of this honorable profession in risking his own life to try to save another.”
On December 6, 2010, Firefighter Hakopian and his fellow crewmembers responded to a residential structure fire, where bystanders informed them that a 2-year-old boy was trapped inside. Without hesitation Hakopian entered the home, went upstairs and then fell through the floor that had been weakened by the fire, to his elbows.
Firefighter Hakopian continued to a bedroom where he found the little boy unconscious on the floor in respiratory arrest. He picked up the boy and took him downstairs to waiting Paramedics, who resuscitated the boy on the way to the hospital.
“I am very honored to receive the award and fortunate to work with such a strong group of individuals. Each member of our department who was involved in the incident deserves recognition and credit in the rescue that took place. We all worked together, which led to a very positive outcome. We are all very happy that Justin is fully recovered and doing well,” said Firefighter Hakopian.
Firefighter Hakopian joined the Long Beach Fire Department on August 28, 2006. Thanks to his valiant efforts that night, the little boy is healthy today.
Topics: Video | 23 Comments »