Badge Ceremony
By Jackawa Jackson | February 19, 2009
On February 17, 2009 at 1:00 pm, the Long Beach Fire Department held a badge ceremony at fire department head-quarters, in order to recognize the recent promotions of various members from the Marine Safety Division and the Fire Suppression Bureau. Below are their names and ranks. The following will fill positions vacated by retirements and other promotions. Due to the number of promotions, only a few of the photographs taken are shown on this page. Congratulations to all!
Marine Safety Chief:
Paul Wawrzynski
Rescue Boat Operators:
James Reinheimer
Scott Dixon
Marine Safety Captain:
Alan Miki
Marine Safety Officers:
Patrick Morrison
Ian Wenger
Fire Engineers:
Phil Gonsal
Peter Kusel
John Wright
Ryan Ellis
Matt Brunsmann
Steve Wiggs
Dennis Garrett
Corey Levin
Cory Girard
Darren Strecker
Jake Atwood
Fire Captains:
Matt Block
James Kimbrough
Andy Aguirre
Topics: Events | 31 Comments »
Early Morning Wreck On The 605
By Jackawa Jackson | February 18, 2009
At 7:45 on the morning of February 17, Long Beach Fire Department units were called to the transition road from East bound 7th St to the North bound 605 to a report of an overturned vehicle.
Upon arrival, they found a small sedan on it’s roof, off to the side of the freeway. The male passenger was able to climb from the wreckage, but the 23 year old female driver required minor extrication. It took firefighters 5 minutes to remove the patient from the car. She was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. There were no other vehicles involved and no other injuries reported.
Topics: Incidents | 19 Comments »
Multi Agency Confined Space Drill Onboard The Queen Mary
By Jackawa Jackson | February 18, 2009
On the morning of February 17, 2009 a multi-agency drill was held onboard the Queen Mary. USAR teams from Long Beach Fire Department as well as from LA County Fire participated.
The purpose of the drill was to simulate the rescue of a trapped worker below decks of the ship. Working in a confined space is very hazardous. There is danger from lack of oxygen, accumulation of toxic or explosive gases as well as physical dangers presented by the space itself. Both teams worked in conjunction, utilizing various lowering and raising systems in an effort to extricate the patient from the space.
The evolution, even though a simulation, needed to be well choreographed in order to insure the safety of the rescuers and the patient. These types of exercises allow all of our USAR members to gain comfort working with different agencies as well as maintain a high level of training in the latest rescue practices.
Topics: Events | 22 Comments »
Tree-trimmer gets stuck!
By JJohnson | February 17, 2009
http://longbeach.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=532&sn=longbeach.granicus.com
On the afternoon of Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 a call came into the Long Beach Fire Department for a man stuck in a tree, complaining of shortness of breath. Engine 9 was the first on scene (in about 4 mins.) and noticed a worker who was dangling from his safety harness. Truck 11 was also dispatched and arrived just after E9. They immediately noticed the need to “Get the Stick up” or to put the 100′ aerial ladder into service.
Apparently the tree trimmer was trimming the palm tree when some of the fronds above him fell onto him, knocking him from his position, hanging him from his harness. E9, estimating that he was about 60ft. in the air, called for additional resources, including BC3 and Truck 7 (T7 has a basket on the end of their 75′ ladder). In an effort to get a better grip on the man, T11 began cutting away the excess palm fronds with their chain saw.
After almost 30 mins in the tree, with T11’s crew supporting him, the individual was rescued and let down to the ground on the end of the aerial ladder. The approx. 30 year old Hispanic male was looked at by the paramedics on Rescue 9, whereupon he refused transport. There were no other injuries to report.
The total number of units on scene were:
E9, R9, T11, T7, BC3, PIO4
Topics: Incidents, News, Video | 24 Comments »
Garage Gutted By Fire On The East Side
By Jackawa Jackson | February 15, 2009
On Sunday, February 15, 2009 at 12:16 am, BC2, E18, E5, E19, T19 and R17 responded to a Garage Fire at 3618 Ostrom Ave.
Upon arrival, Engine 18 found the attached, two car garage of a single family dwelling fully involved in flames. Backed up by Engine 5, the house was searched while the garage fire was extinguished. Two cars in the garage were burned, but firefighters kept the fire from spreading into the house.
Since there were no injuries, the family declined the services of Public Works (board-up) and the Red Cross (shelter).
Extensive overhaul was conducted to seek out hidden fire in stored material. Truck 19 provided lights and blowers, and overhauled roof rafters and trim.
A total of 6 apparatus and 19 personnel responded to this call.
Topics: Uncategorized | 21 Comments »