Smoke Detector “Give Away Day” a Success
By frhayes | July 23, 2008
The smoke detector “Give Away” Day held on June 21, 2008 from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. was a major success with a total of approximately 906 smoke detectors given away, with a maximum of two (2) smoke detectors being distributed for each residence in the City of Long Beach to those individuals who visited one of the Long Beach Fire Department Stations during this time period. The break down per District of how many smoke detectors where disseminated is the following:
Districts Smoke Detectors
1 65
2 63
3 95
4 72
5 256
6 102
7 95
8 66
9 92
As Emphasized before, this simple, yet effective tool has proven to save lives. Statistics show that properly installed and maintained smoke alarms in the home are considered one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire. Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries, and minimize property damage by enabling residents to detect fires early in their development. Statistics show that the risk of dying from fires in homes without smoke alarms is approximately twice as high as in homes that have working smoke alarms.
In fact as reported in the Press Telegram on Monday, June 30, 2008, at 6:31 A.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to the report of a structure fire in the 2800 block of Vista Street. There was one resident at home at the time of the fire, a 78 year old woman, she stated that ” the smoke detector in my hall way was what alerted me to the fire, I made my way into the kitchen and saw flames coming from the water heater closet, it was amazing how fast the fire spread, the smoke was so dark, I was barely able to get out of the house before the smoke became to thick to breath”.
The smoke detector helped “save a life” in this structure fire and even though it was not one that was given out during the smoke detector “give away” day. This is a prime example of how this event could help save a life in the future.
Topics: News | 32 Comments »
Garage Fire
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Boat Rescue
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Long Beach Fire Department Profiled in Community Redevelopment Agency Newsletter
By frhayes | July 8, 2008
The Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) and the Community Redevelopment Agency (RDA) have formed a partnership that will improve fire-ground safety, efficiency, help save lives, decrease injuries, and save property.
As the RDA acquires properties that are scheduled for demolition to make way for community improvements, they have allowed LBFD crews to perform multiple types of drills on “Real” structures, so in the event of an actual emergency they will be better prepared.
While the LBFD training staff has constructed many different types of simulated “props” and crews have improvised on how drills are conducted. There is no better way to perform certain types of exercises, such as roof ventilation, forcible entry techniques, and large area searches to name a few, than in a real building.
To get the complete story please click on the link below and go to pages 4&5.
http://www.longbeachrda.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2292
Topics: News | 22 Comments »
Galaxy Towers High Rise Fire
By frhayes | July 7, 2008
On Saturday, July 5th at 12:09 P.M. a call came in for a structure fire at 2999 E Ocean (The Galaxy Towers). Engine 4 was first on scene within 2 minutes and initially reported nothing showing, but then noticed light smoke from an open window. They went into high-rise mode right away and made their way up to the 10th floor, with the report of the fire on the 11th floor.
BC1 assumed command and as the crews were headed up, noticed that more smoke was coming out of the windows, and eventually some flames as well. Engine 4 along with Rescue 2, and Engine 2 made their way into the unit, which was unlocked due to neighbors who took the occupant out the affected unit #1140. Engine 4 had to deal with “pack rat” conditions, but with an aggressive fire attack knocked down the flames quickly, and the fire was contained to the kitchen area only.
There were no injuries to either Fire Department personnel or the occupant.
This response would ultimately go to a Third alarm assignment with the following units on scene;
Assistant Chiefs 1 & 2
Battalion Chiefs 1, 2, and 3
E2, E4, E6 and USAR 6, E8, E10, E1, E14, E17, E3, E13, E19, E22, T1, T14, R1, R2, R14, PIO 4, and Arson units
This incident occurred in Council District #3
Topics: Incidents | 10 Comments »