Red Cross “Home Town Hero” Nominations Requested
By frhayes | December 24, 2008
Throughout our communities, ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of courage and kindness everyday. The American Red Cross needs your help to identify and recognize our local Heroes! Heroic acts include, but are not limited to, use of CPR/First Aid, assisting a choking victim, fire rescue, helping aid a car accident victim, acting as a Good Samaritan, and water rescue.
The selected Hometown Heroes from the cities served by the Greater Long Beach Chapter – Artesia, Bellflower, Avalon/Catalina Island, Cerritos,Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Paramount, and Signal Hill – will be honored at a recognition breakfast on March 10, 2009.
If there is any information on any incidents during 2008, or any knowledge of heroic acts that you believe would merit a nomination for a “Home Town Hero” please forward this information to Community services or call Javier Ramirez at (562) 570-1219. In addition to this request, during 2009 as these types of incidents occur please secure as much information as possible and forward as cited.
To Nominate a Hometown Hero or for more information call 562-490-4003 or download a nomination form at http://www.redcrosslb.org/show.aspx?mi=4585. All entries due by January 31, 2009.
Topics: News | 28 Comments »
Spark of Love Aquarium of the Pacific Family Day
By frhayes | December 23, 2008
On Tuesday December 23rd, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) “Spark of Love” Toy Drive partnered with the Aquarium of the Pacific for the sixth year of what’s become an annual holiday event.
Throughout the month of December, the LBFD collects toys for needy families. In this process, several select Long Beach families are picked to receive a special day at the Aquarium. Included in this day is a catered lunch, art activities, a visit with Santa, a generous donation of toys, gift bags, and a private in-depth tour of the Aquarium.
The event started at 11:00 am in the back patio area of the Aquarium with the families arriving to start selected art activities. Pizza was delivered for lunch, with various drinks provided, and sugar cookies completed the meal.
Santa Clause arrived, transported by LBFD Fire Engine #1 along with Santa Ray, who just happened to be visiting the aquarium, to pass out candy canes and visit with the children. Seven Long Beach families received large boxes of toys for the children, including several bikes. The Long Beach Police Department also made a very generous donation to the families of a complete turkey dinner for their holiday enjoyment.
With the efforts of the LBFD, LBPD, numerous volunteers, and the generosity of the Aquarium of the Pacific, a civic minded organization the event was again a huge success. Thank you to all who have helped make the “Spark of Love” Christmas drive so successful over the years.
Merry Christmas.
Topics: Events | 26 Comments »
2008 Sworn and Civilian Employee of the Year Nominations Requested
By frhayes | December 22, 2008
2008 nominations for a Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) sworn and civilian Employee of the Year are now being accepted. To recognize these employees of the LBFD who have demonstrated extraordinary effort, talent or time spent on activities, which benefit the fire department or community in a manner above and beyond the normal excellent job, provided by employees. (E.g., exemplary committee work, special projects, community activities etc…).
Sworn employee nominations are limited to all ranks, up to and including Battalion Chief, and all civilian employees may be nominated. A selection committee of at least seven members of the LBFD, chaired by the Battalion Chief of Community services will be formed in January to make the selections (P&P 1.4.1.3).
LBFD employees may be nominated by their supervisors or by other members having knowledge of qualifying activities of the nominees. To make a nomination please E-mail all members of Community Services (B.C. F. Hayes, Capt. J Jackson & F.F. J. Johnson). Include as much specific information as possible on why the person is being nominated.
The deadline for nominations will be January 15, 2009, if there are any questions, or if assistance is required please contact the Community Service members cited.
Topics: News | 36 Comments »
Long Beach Fire and Police Department Code 3 Toy Delivery Parade
By frhayes | December 20, 2008
On Saturday, December 20, 2008 the Long Beach Fire and Police Departments made their annual Code 3 Toy Delivery. The procession of Police motorcycles and a Fire Engine with Santa Clause riding on top in his sleigh left the toy warehouse located at (2760 Studebaker Road, in the Parks and Recreation service yard, between Willow and Spring) to make toy deliveries to needy families in the City of Long Beach.
There were 10 stops made along the parade route, delivering gifts to families displaced from their homes due to fires, families affected by crimes, and others due to many diverse circumstances needing assistance this holiday season. This year there was a very strong showing of firefighters, police officers, and other volunteers that made this event a success.
As the fire trucks and police cars traveled along the parade route with lights showing, and sirens blaring. Children came out from there homes from far and wide to receive toys, candy canes, and to get a glimpse of Santa. This event made a lot of children, families, and volunteers very happy, and really demonstrated what the holiday season is all about.
If there are any questions in regard to this event or if assistance is required please contact me.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
Topics: Events | 26 Comments »
Invitation to Attend Miller Children’s Hospital Christmas Visit with Captain Dave Holden
By frhayes | December 19, 2008
On Friday, December 19, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) will be joining hospital staff, and other volunteers to conduct the annual Christmas visit at Miller Children’s Hospital. This year will be a special occasion due to Captain Dave Holden a 40-year veteran of the LBFD who helped establish the program making his last visit as a sworn department member, due to his impending retirement at the end of this year.
There will be a brief news conference in the lobby of Memorial Hospital located at (2801 Atlantic Ave. 90806) that will outline the mission of the LBFDKid’s program now in it’s 10th year of existence. Which is to enhance the lives and well being of the chronically ill children at Miller Hospital, through bringing smiles and laughter. This program has always been a great opportunity for members of the LBFD to provide an atmosphere of caring, comfort, fun and enjoyment to each patient treated at Miller Children’s Hospital; and to enhance the LBFD’s presence in a non-threatening, non-emergent role within the community.
Captain Holden will also be honored for his many years of commitment to the LBFD and specifically thanked by members of the Fire Department, and hospital staff for his time and efforts to make the visits to Miller Children’s Hospital a success. Some of the things that makes Captain Holden’s career so unique is that typically after 30 years of service department members retire. Captain Holden not only worked an additional 10 years but in that time period was assigned to one of the busiest stations in the city (Station 2). He was involved with planning and coordinating the fourth of July fireworks shows, the Firefighter picnics for current and retired Firefighters, and designed the badges that LBFD members proudly wear.
Once the news conference is completed we will be assisting Santa and Mrs. Clause in delivering gifts and candy canes to the little ones that are unfortunately spending some of their holiday season away from home.
A cordial invitation for all to attend is being sent out to make this years Christmas visit a success and to honor one of the individuals who made this program possible. If there are any questions or assistance needed please contact Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
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Topics: Events | 29 Comments »