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Chatsworth Metrolink Union Pacific Train Derailment Incident
By frhayes | September 16, 2008
On Friday, September 12, 2008 at 4:23 PM, 38 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 28 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 Rehab Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 Helicopters, 7 EMS Battalion Captains, 8 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, Foam Tenders 100 & 60, Emergency Air 1, the Heavy Equipment Company, Emergency Lighting 72, 83 and 112, 20 Division 3 CERT members with a Coordinator, all under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to reports of a train derailment near 21631 W. Heather Lee Ln. in the Chatsworth area.
The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) at approximately 6:30 PM received a request for a survey of available resources from Region One Dispatch in regard to our ability to send our Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team to assist with the incident. At approximately 9:30 PM we received the formal request to deploy our team to the incident, this request however was canceled prior to our team arriving at the incident. Deputy Chief of Operation Jeff Reeb and Battalion Chief of Operations Maurice Sinsley did respond to the incident that evening to observe operations and attend briefings to learn valuable information that may assist our organization in the future.
The following morning a three member team from the LBFD traveled to the incident site to meet with the Planning Chief, who the night before was the Extrication Group manager, responsible for running operations to rescue trapped patients. The Los Angeles City Fire Department was incredibly gracious in taking the time to explain their operations. Pointing out challenges, complications, what worked well, and where improvements could be made in the future. This information and the information received by the Operations Chiefs will be shared will all members in the future, to ensure that we are better prepared for a similar incident that could occur in the city of Long Beach.
The link for the LA City Fire Department is attached for the full story and pictures of the incident:
http://lafd.blogspot.com/2008/09/train-derailment-causes-multi-casualty.html
Topics: Incidents | 27 Comments »