Townhouse Fire Displaces Family and Pets
By JJohnson | March 16, 2009
A call came in at 10:55pm on Sunday, March 15th to Long Beach Fire Department for reports of a dryer fire on the 3300 block of Elm Ave. Engine 9 was the first apparatus on scene within 3-4mins and noticed, as they turned the corner from Long Beach Blvd, heavy black smoke and fire coming from the townhouse. They made an aggressive attack using their hotline and began to knock down the fire. Engine 9’s Captain reported that all occupants were safely out.
Engine & Truck 7 were quickly second on scene and helped out with fire attack and ventilation of the townhouse. Engine 13 and Battalion 3 and Rescue 9 were also on scene. Engine 11 was called out by BC3 as a fourth engine for man power and RIC. The fire was contained to the single townhouse and did not spread to the second floor.
The fire spread from the dryer into the kitchen and living room as well as a little into one of the downstairs bedrooms. There were 2 adults and 1 child as well as 4 dogs that were displaced due to the fire and the Red Cross was called out to aid with some help and shelter. There was 1 patient transported to St. Mary’s Hospital for non-life threatening injuires, however the man was not involved with the fire.
A total of 23 firefighters were on scene and there were other injuires to report
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
LBFD Looses Their Hair for St. Baldricks!
By JJohnson | March 16, 2009
On Sunday, March 15Th the Long Beach Fire Department Firefighters gave up their hair for the fight against child cancer research. The LBFD set a goal of $5000.00 and with all of the help from family and friends and the Local 372, were able to reach that goal. It was a great event for a great cause. The Mayor of Long Beach, Bob Foster, came out to show his support, however he did decline to get shaved, Next year maybe!
St. Baldrick’s began as a casual conversation between friends and has exploded into the world’s biggest volunteer-driven fundraising program for childhood cancer! In nine years, events have taken place in 18 countries and 48 US states, raising over $50 million, and shaving more than 72,000 heads.
What is St. Baldrick’s?
St. Baldrick’s is the world’s largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.
At a St. Baldrick’s event, something amazing happens. People who normally shy away from the very thought of childhood cancer find themselves compelled to support this cause after looking into the face of these brave children who are smiling broadly as their friends and family members proudly display their newly shorn heads.
Volunteers and donors see it can be fun to support a serious cause. Young cancer patients and survivors see how many people care. And researchers see St. Baldrick’s funds helping to find cures!
In case you’re wondering, “St. Baldrick” is merely a fictional character – a morphing of “St Patrick’s” (the day the event was born), and “bald.” There is no real saint, but we do have a mascot, Lucky the Leprechaun!
Topics: Events, News | 24 Comments »
LBFD Museum Rigs on Display
By JJohnson | March 16, 2009
On February 26Th, 2009 our Long Beach Fire Department Museum (formerly Station 10) had all of their rigs on display at once. SPAAMFA – The Society for Preservation & Appreciation of Antique Motorized Fire Apparatus, were having their annual So cal event in Pomona and wanted to see our museum. This association is run by individual owners and enthusiast and bring their antique rigs all over the country for display.
LBFD rigs were all on display for the first time ever and the Museum wanted to show their dedication to restoring all of the apparatus they have. The people who work at the museum are all volunteers and have various backgrounds and do the work on their own. They get money from donations given to the museum. The rigs in the picture, from left to right are as follows:
- 1929, 1926, 1924, 1922 Ahrens Fox’s
- 1921 Seagrave Ladder Tiller- truck
- 1958 Mack B125, Thermodyne
Topics: Events | No Comments »
City of Long Beach Improves Emergency Response Times by Answering Wireless 911 Calls for Service Made Within City Limits
By frhayes | March 12, 2009
After four months of rigorous testing, the City of Long Beach is improving emergency response times by directly answering all wireless 9-1-1 calls for service made within the city limits. Wireless 9-1-1 calls made along or near freeways are required by law to be answered by the California Highway Patrol (CHP).
Previously, Long Beach residents who dialed 9-1-1 from wireless phones experienced unnecessary delays because their calls were answered by a limited number of CHP dispatchers who had to screen the call, determine the caller’s location and then transfer the call to Long Beach Communications Center, where dispatchers would also have to query the wireless 9-1-1 call.
“The City of Long Beach is improving public safety by directly answering wireless 9-1-1 calls for service made within the city limits,” Mayor Bob Foster said. “By reducing the response times to emergency calls, Long Beach is another step closer to our goal of becoming the safest large city in California.”
“By answering local wireless 9-1-1 calls directly, City dispatchers are able to save an estimated 30 to 60 seconds per call, because CHP dispatchers are no longer involved in the process,” Police Chief Anthony Batts said. “In a life-threatening emergency, every second counts, and we are continuing to answer more than 92 percent of all 9-1-1 calls for service within 10 seconds, which is the state standard.”
In November 2008, the City of Long Beach began working with Los Angeles County, the State of California and the six major wireless carriers to phase in the responsibility of answering wireless 9-1-1 calls for service made within the City. The phase-in was recently completed after each cell site, or cell tower, was successfully tested to ensure that wireless 9-1-1 calls for service in its sector would be answered by City dispatchers.
“The City of Long Beach is committed to using technology to improve the services we provide to our residents and businesses,” Fire Chief David Ellis said.
In the event of a crime in progress or other emergency, the public should continue to call 9-1-1, regardless of whether they are using a traditional landline or wireless telephone.
“It’s important to remember that 9-1-1 calls are for immediate emergencies only,” Fire Chief Ellis said. “Dial 9-1-1 when lives are in danger, to report a fire, or if someone has a serious injury or medical condition. Never dial 9-1-1 for directory assistance, to ask for directions or to report a non-emergency.”
The CHP will continue answering wireless 9-1-1 calls made from the vicinity of freeways throughout California, regardless of city boundaries.
In a related development, the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday, March 10, authorized the City to join the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System (LA-RICS) Joint Powers Authority for the development of a regional, shared communications system for public safety first responders. LA-RICS is a modern, integrated, and wireless voice and data communications system that will support more than 34,000 public-safety first responders and local mission-critical personnel within the Los Angeles County region. The system will improve communications for both day-to-day incidents and during large-scale disasters.
In anticipation of LA-RICS, the City has already acquired approximately $5 million in handheld and vehicle-mounted radios and communication center upgrades, paid for from Homeland Security Grant Funds. These radios are currently in use on a daily basis by first responders, and will allow communication with other first responders from neighboring jurisdictions.
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Topics: Uncategorized | 24 Comments »
Blast From the Past 2000 – “104 Years of Service”
By frhayes | March 12, 2009
Topics: Video | 28 Comments »