LONG BEACH FIREFIGHTERS SERVE UP PANCAKE BREAKFAST
By Jackawa Jackson | November 26, 2008
Members of the Long Beach Fire Department will be donning aprons, flipping pancakes and offering “service with a smile” when they host 100 first grade students from Cesar Chavez Elementary School to a breakfast being held to kick off a toy drive for the underprivileged. Sponsored by the Daily Grill, the event will take place at the chain’s Long Beach restaurant at 1 World Trade Center (ground floor of the Hilton Hotel), which is sponsoring the breakfast, on Thursday, December 4 at 10 a.m. The breakfast is being held to “spark” interest in the Fire Department’s annual Spark of Love toy drive. The Daily Grill in Long Beach will serve as a drop-off site and have pledged to offer $10 gift cards valid in January and February 2009 with the donation of an unwrapped gift valued at more than $10 or more.
“During these trying economic times, it’s important to remember that there are those who are experiencing even greater hardships and we hope that the toy drive will help bring some joy into their lives,” said Kevin Kinard, general manager of Daily Grill in Long Beach.
Added Frank Hayes of the Long Beach Fire Department, “We’re excited to be partnering with Daily Grill to help us call attention to this year’s Spark of Love toy drive and hope that their $10 gift card offer helps spur interest.”
Toys may be dropped off at the Daily Grill in Long Beach before December 24 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For more information, call (562) 753-2170 .
Topics: Events | 24 Comments »
Sand And Sand Bags Available At Firestations
By Jackawa Jackson | November 26, 2008
With the predicted rain, the FCC is already getting calls for sandbags. Stations should be reminded that they are responsible for ordering bags from the Storekeeper. All publicly accessible stations should have sandbags.This year, the City has determined that sand will once again be made available. The stations where the sand will be placed are 7’s, 12’s, 13’s and 14’s. Residents will need to bring their own shovels. A PSA will go out later today letting the public know where sand and sandbags will be available and that they will responsible for bringing their own equipment. They will also be reminded that they must dispose of the sand properly. The recommendations will include planters and lawns. Disposing of the bags of sand on the beach or down storm drains is illegal.
The four stations are being asked to call Public Works to order more sand.
Topics: Public Safety | No Comments »
Former Long Beach Council Member Turned State Senator Visits Millers Children Hospital
By JJohnson | November 25, 2008
On Thursday, November 20th former Long Beach Council member Jenny Orpeza took time from her schedule to visit some of the kids at Millers Children Hospital and spread some joy for the upcoming holidays. She who was once the 1st District Council Woman for Long Beach, who then went on to serve 2 terms in the 54th State Assembly and is now one of our State Senators. She wanted to see the tremendous progress happening at Long Beach Memorial hospital as well as give out some toys (generously donated by the LBFD) to kids in need of cheering up this holiday season. She walked through an entire floor dedicated to children and there recovery as well as saw first hand the new construction going on. The LBFD would like to thank Jenny Orpeza for her time and dedication to a wonderful cause.
Topics: News | 23 Comments »
LBFD LAR COPP Profiled in Industries First Newsletter
By frhayes | November 21, 2008
The Long Beach Fire Department is profiled in the first newsletter formulated by the planners, developers, and builders of the LAR COPP vehicle (Los Angeles Common Operational Picture Program).
So what is a LAR COPP vehicle? Why was it developed? What components does it have? And what can it are used for?
Without getting to complicated, the Los Angeles Regional Common Operational Picture Program (LAR COPP) is a secure, web-based platform (Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburbans, Motor Homes) that provides real-time situational awareness to agency executives and Department/Emergency Operations Centers from the scene of an incident within the Los Angeles region.
The LAR COPP was developed because the National Incident Management System (NIMS) calls for the development of Common Operational Picture (COP) protocols and technology to link Incident Command Posts, Emergency Operation Centers and other stakeholders in events of regional, or national significance. A COP program provides consistent, standardized information and intelligence to all parties with approved access to the information. A COP program is an interdisciplinary (Law Enforcement, Fire, Emergency Management, etc.) interagency, interactive tool that is accessible to each government entity within the Urban Area.
Each field response command post vehicle (Law or Fire Command Vehicle) is equipped with a wireless broadband digital camera that provides real time video of an incident. The portal through which the video is transmitted is also capable of capturing and displaying a Glossarial Information System (GIS), Pictometry, or satellite photo image of the affected area with information on the perimeter, traffic routes and emergency vehicle access notated on the image, along with basic Incident Command System information. There is also the ability to communicate through a “message board” access the Internet to send and receive important information, and effectively track resources on scene of an incident.
The concept in general allows responding, assisting and impacted agencies to quickly evaluate the scope of the incident and take appropriate actions. It is a “Regional Resource” along with others that belong to the LBPD, LACOFD, LACFD, LAPD, Sheriffs etc. that can be requested at any time to assist with each agencies needs.
Here is the newsletter that profiles the Long Beach LAR COPP at the 2008 Long Beach Grand Prix.
Topics: News | 27 Comments »
Overturned Big Rig Snarles Traffic On The 710 Freeway
By Jackawa Jackson | November 19, 2008
On the afternoon of November 19, the driver of a tractor-trailer hit the center divider of the north bound 710 freeway north of Del Amo. The impact knocked loose a chunk of concrete the size of a bowling ball which was thrown into oncoming traffic on the south bound side. The concrete flew through the windshield of a vehicle striking the male driver. He was transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. The big rig came to rest on its side but not before striking one other vehicle. Fortunately, no other injuries were reported. E11, E9, E6, T7, R11, R13, and BC3 responded to this incident.
Topics: Incidents | 25 Comments »