Flooded Homes On The West Side
By Jackawa Jackson | February 7, 2009
At 7:38 am this morning, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to a report of a flooded residence located at 2334 Arlington. Once onscene, it became apparent there were numerous residences affected by the rising water from heavy rainfall. It was reported that there were up to 30 homes flooded with standing water up to 2-3 feet in some. There were also numerous stranded vehicles in the area. The affected area stretched from Santa Fe to the city limit and from Wardlow to Arlington. Numerous LBFD units including: engines, trucks, rescues, USAR 6, swift water rescue, search and rescue, Battalion Chiefs, and the mobile command center responded to this incident. An evacuation center was set up at Cabrillo High School located at 1300 W Hill Street. This was done in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Initially, Long Beach transit buses were provided to re-locate stranded families to the evacuation center. There were no reported injuries or deaths associated with this incident.
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
Vehicle Plunges 50 Feet From The 2nd Street Bridge On To Appian Wy
By Jackawa Jackson | February 6, 2009
At 2:07 am on the morning of February 6, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to 5839 Appian Way to a reported vehicle over a bridge. Upon arrival, they found a 27 year old male had driven his car through the guard rail of the 2nd Street bridge and plunged nearly 50 feet to the street below. The vehicle landed on its roof in a planter. Tragically, the driver was killed by the force of the impact. It took the Long Beach USAR team and Truck 14 nearly20 minutes to cut the victim from the wreckage. The scene was then left in the hands of the police department. Engine 8, Truck 14, Rescue 14, BC 2, USAR and Engine 6 responded to this incident.
Topics: Incidents | 30 Comments »
Structure Fire At 1016 Newport
By Jackawa Jackson | February 5, 2009
On the afternoon of February 5 at 1:31 pm, E10, E14 , E17, T14, R17 and BC2 responded to an apartment fire in a second floor duplex at 1016 Newport Ave.
The fire was contained to a bedroom with smoke damage throughout the unit. No one was home at the time and there were no injuries to firefighters or civilians.
Topics: Incidents | 26 Comments »
Swift Water Rescue Training at Lake Castaic
By frhayes | February 5, 2009
On January 28, 2009 members from the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) comprised of personnel from the Marine Safety Division and the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team participated in a multi-agency water rescue drill. This event hosted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) was held at Lake Castaic in the San Fernando Valley.
Additional agencies that participated included the Los Angeles City Fire Department and the Sheriffs Department. The LBFD towed their Office of Emergency Services (OES) trailer and Inflatable Rescue Boat (IRB) Thunderduck for participation in operations. Specific disciplines that were addressed included the use of IRB’s, Personnel Water Craft (PWC), and how to incorporate helicopters safely and efficiently during rescues.
This annual training allows our Swift Water Rescue Team members to enhance inter-agency water rescue responses, and increase coordination, and cooperation. The LBFD members can respond as teams of two, or when assembled in a configuration of seven Firefighters pared with seven Lifeguards, making up Swift Water Rescue Task Force 12 (SWRTF 12). One of the very few tasks forces of this configuration and specialized abilities in the Nation.
Last year in September the LBFD demonstrated our commitment to helping others in times of disasters. SWRTF 12 was deployed to Louisiana in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Gustaff, to perform search and rescue missions. In addition to being prepared to help others in need, on a National level, the Swift Water Rescue Team is placed into operation when certain benchmarks of rainfall are met. The team can also be requested when their specialized tools equipment, and experience can assist with operations in the city of Long Beach, or when neighboring jurisdictions forward a request.
Topics: Events | 29 Comments »
Airport Rescue Firefighter Training
By frhayes | February 4, 2009
Forty Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Firefighters recently completed an 8-hour training session at the San Bernardino County Regional Training facility. The training focused on Aircraft Rescue Firefighting (ARFF). Firefighters received training on how to handle many different types of aircraft emergencies. Including how to handle large exterior fuel fires, the control of fires within the cockpit and passenger compartments, and also included a course on how to drive the ARFF units.
This training was in partial fulfillment of the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) mandatory annual requirements. All ARFF personnel must participate in a “live burn” exercise, as well as 10 other disciplines on an annual basis. The Long Beach Airport funds this training, in fact last year to improve efficiency and to trim costs, 16 LBFD instructors were sent to Seattle Washington (Boeing) to a “Train the Trainer” course. The objectives of this presentation was to focus on the highly specialized and individual training needs required at the LB Airport, and for the crews who respond at this facility.
This advanced team-based training focused on incorporating the Incident Command System (ICS) and communications early on an incident, while using realistic fuel props. In addition to this, after a review of the strategic direction of the ARFF program, previous training, FAA requirements, and discussions with ARFF personnel, additional training focused on: Hands-on experience with liquid fires, coordination between rigs, hand-lines, and interior operations (including driving and pumping). Aircraft construction (conventional and composite) as it relates to crashes and fires, and the latest research on “best practices” was also shown through a tour of the Boeing facility, and discussions with subject matter experts.
The training received by the ARFF LBFD members is now regularly incorporated into monthly training given to all of the qualified ARFF members that focuses on the 10 disciplines required, and covers areas that go beyond the minimum mandated.
The LBFD ARFF program has grown dramatically over a very short time period, and continues to improve based on the hard work and dedication of its members. In fact on April 24th, 2009 there will be a large exercise (coordinated by the LBFD) that will call for the support and coordination of all assets that function at the Airport to secure a successful operation.
The LBFD appreciates and thanks the Long Beach Airport for their continued support, both financially, and on a day-to-day basis.
Topics: Events | 1 Comment »