Early morning house fire…..causes more damage to home already being remodeled
By JJohnson | January 31, 2009
In the early morning hours on Saturday, January 31st, a call came in at 2:38am for a house fire on the 300 block of Haines ave. Station 14 ( engine, truck, and rescue) is literally around the corner and they were on scene in less than a minute. E14’s Captain reported flames showing through the roof, to the rear of single story, family residence and they began fire attack. T14 went to the roof for ventilation with the help of R14, E4 was on scene quickly and pulled additional lines off of E14 and helped with fire attack.
The house was in the process of being remodeled and fortunately, no one home at the time. The fire was in the living area of the house and with an aggressive interior fire attack, the fire was knocked down within 10 mins and no firefighters were injured, even though there was reports the fire burned through the raised foundation in one of the rooms.
Total units on scene: BC2, E14, T14, R14, E4, E2, POI 4
Topics: Incidents | 22 Comments »
You never know when the urge to hit golf balls will strike!
By JJohnson | January 29, 2009
On the morning of January 29th at 9:02, a call came into Long Beach Fire Department for a single engine aircraft emergency involving a Robinson R22 helicopter. E9 was first on scene and reported no emergency and no injuries. The 2 individuals onboard took off from Torrance airport and were headed to Long Beach airport, when the pilot noticed his fuel gauge came on as well as another indicator light.
The pilot was an instructor and he and the other occupant realized that they weren’t going to make it to the airport and decided that the driving range was a safe spot to land. This was a good choice considering it was right next to the 405 Fwy, the LA riverbed, and close to housing tracts. The helicopter landed fine and there was no damage to report. A mechanic was called out to look at the engine and determine if would be able to fly back to the airport or if they would get it back some other way.
Engine 9, Engine and Truck 7, Crash 1, BC3 and POI2 & 4 were all of the units involved. There were no injuries to report.
Topics: Incidents | 26 Comments »
Battle Of The Badges Blood Drive
By Jackawa Jackson | January 28, 2009
The morning of January 28 2009 began Long Beach Fire Departments involvement in the Red Cross Battle of the Badges blood drive. Members from the police department were also contributing.
The Battle of the Badges is an opportunity for all badge carrying personnel, including friends and family, to positively impact our community by competing in a friendly competition to see who can donate the most blood and ultimately save the most lives.
Blood supplies typically fall to critically low levels during the winter months. We can have
a substantial impact on the availability of blood for accident victims, cancer patients, premature babies and burn patients.
*The agencies with the most presenting donors and the most presenting donors per capita will win awards. All presenting donors will receive a Battle of the Badges commemorative t-shirt and a voucher for two Los Angeles Clippers game tickets*.
Topics: Events | 18 Comments »
Arson Fire in North Town with Dog Fatality Under Investigation
By frhayes | January 22, 2009
On January 21, 2009 at approximately 4:45 P.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Engine Company 12 (E12) responded to the report of an unknown type fire in Houghton Park, located in the vicinity of Harding Street and Atlantic Ave.
Upon arrival E12 personnel found a smoldering fire on the grass area just west of the Skate Park. They discovered palm tree frawns covering a plastic bag that contained a dog, which appeared to be of a Chihuahua bread. The dog was deceased; it is unknown whether the dog had died due to the fire or if it had expired prior to the fire.
The Long Beach Police Department (LBPD), an Arson Investigator from the LBFD, and Animal Control all responded to the scene. Adults and children who were near the location of the fire were questioned to determine if there were any witnesses to the incident. Presently there are no known witnesses; however there were possible pieces of evidence that are being evaluated. The LBFD, LBPD, and Animal Control will continue in a joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire, find out the circumstances surrounding this incident, and determine if possible who is responsible.
Information from the investigative team indicates that this fire may be similar to two fires involving dogs that occurred in November of 2007 that are unsolved. As information becomes available I will forward this to all media outlets.
Today, January 22, 2009 flyers have been distributed at local schools in the area and throughout the community asking for the communities help in solving this crime. An Arson Hotline has also been established at (562) 570-2582 were anyone with information regarding the dog, owner, or suspect information can be forwarded to.
If there are any specific questions or if I can be of any further assistance please contact me.
Topics: Incidents | 28 Comments »
Long Beach Fire Department Crane Rescue Drill in the Port of Long Beach
By frhayes | January 22, 2009
On Thursday, January 22, 2009 members from the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) conducted a “high angle” rope rescue drill, on a 150-foot crane in the Port of Long Beach, at the Long Beach Container terminal (LBCT).
The drill consisted of a briefing covering operations and safety issues, which occurred at fire station #6, the location where the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Task Force Six (TF-6) is housed. TF-6 as well as other Units and personnel from other LBFD stations throughout the city also participated; including Los Angeles County (LACOFD) US&R 103 who accepted our invitation attend.
At 0900 hours the dispatch center broadcast a request for units to respond to the LBCT for a 40-year-old male with stroke type symptoms. This patient was in a cab of a crane unable to exit, due to being incapacitated. Other terminal personnel were also unable to assist in the treatment or movement of the worker due to the cab being stuck over the water, and the inability to move it back to it’s docking location.
All members working together were able to drop a rope vertically from the crane to a waiting fireboat at sea level. This crew in turn “sling shot” the rope horizontally to waiting crewmembers on shore. A mechanical advantage system, including a safety line was put into place for a patient/rescuer lowering operation.
From the time of dispatch to the time that the patient reached the ground was approximately one hour. Considering the complexity, danger, and the amount of coordination required to perform this rescue, it was completed in a very efficient and timely manner. Personnel at the LBCT terminal stated, “The operation was completed very quickly and that is reassuring to know if this type of incident occurs, that we have confidence that the LBFD is up to the challenge”.
The LBFD thanks all of the personnel from the LBCT that participated, and made this drill a success, and to the LACOFD for continually participating in multi-jurisdictional operations to ensure that in a “real” emergency we will both be better prepared.
Topics: Events | 218 Comments »