Long Beach Fire Department Strike Team Fights Wildland Fires in Butte County
By frhayes | July 3, 2008
A Strike Team from the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) is actively fighting the wild land fires in Northern California, in Butte County. As quoted in the Sacramento Bee News Paper, Captain Jim Underwood describes the current situation and the demands of fighting a wild land fire. He stated that, “If there is an active fire, no one can really sleep. If they do, you’re sleeping with one eye open”.
In the article printed in the Sacramento Bee it also provides information on how the LBFD crews had worked a 24 hour shift at the fire stations prior to being deployed to Northern California, which required hundreds of miles of travel to assist with helping to contain the devastating wildfires that are plaguing Northern California. In fact the article describes how there are at least 36 fires raging that have burned at least 17,500 acres in the Butte County fire area.
The pictures associated with the article show a map of the fires burning in Butte County, Firefighter Mike Lorton asssiting with extinguishing a fire, and a very dirty and tired looking Captain Tripp Chambon.
For the full story please click on to the attached link at:
http://www.sacbee.com/fires/story/1057902.html
Topics: Incidents, Uncategorized | 17 Comments »
Arson Fires Investigation Continues
By frhayes | July 3, 2008
Attached below is a link to a news story covered on the Channel 9 News on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 covering the on-going investigation of the multiple arson fires that were recently set on the West side of Long Beach.
http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=70712@kcbs.dayport.com
Topics: Incidents | 25 Comments »
Multiple Arson Fires on the West Side of Long Beach
By frhayes | July 1, 2008
On Monday, June 30, 2008 at 10:53 P.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to the report of an unknown fire in the 3000 block of Adriatic Ave. The first on scene unit Engine 13 found a small trash fire in the alley with no witness, which was easily extinguished with a portable water extinguisher.
However this was only the beginning of what would ultimately total 14 possible arson fires on the West side of Long Beach that continued until almost 4:00 A.M. the next day.
The subsequent fires consisted of multiple different types in many different diverse areas. There were fires found in trashcans and dumpsters, fires caused by placing combustibles, such as old mattresses against garage doors. There were solitary car fires causing damage to tarps and truck covers, others that caused exposure damage to nearby vehicles consisting of meting bumpers, and paint peeling off of the exteriors due to the high heat levels. There was even damage sustained to a rear sleeping area in a motor home that was parked in an alley.
Some of these fires were very small and involved products of little or no value, however these fires often spread to nearby living areas, such as the case of dumpsters near the eaves of structures, often near bed rooms. In addition to the possible spread of fire, it should be noted that one of the most dangerous activities emergency responders perform is responding to an emergency. Every time emergency units respond there is the possibility of traffic collisions that could injury or even kill the responders or citizens on the road.
Officers from the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) West Division initiated a search of the area for any suspects on the morning of July 1 st , employing members from their K-9 and Helicopter Divisions. Members from the LBFD Arson Division are actively pursuing this case and ask for the publics help with any information relating to these incidents.
Anyone with information that could help with this investigation is asked to call the LBFD Arson Hot Line at: (562) 570-2582
Topics: Incidents | 49 Comments »
Smoke Detector Helps Save a Life at House Fire on Vista Street
By frhayes | June 30, 2008
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. The first on scene unit, Engine four within four minutes, gave an initial size up of a single story, single family residence with heavy black smoke showing from the front of the structure, pulling a “hot line” for fire attack.
The second arriving Engine Company supplied water and assisted with the extinguishment and search of the residence. The Truck Company preformed vertical ventilation on the roof to assist with search activities, and firefighting operations, and specifically assisted with checking for fire in the attic area.
The Rescue Unit was initially dedicated to treat any possible occupants at the time of the fire and additional units assisted were needed in the operations. A quick “knock down” of the fire with a coordinated search of the occupancy was achieved within seven minutes of the time of arrival of the first on scene unit.
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 daughter of the resident while visiting her mother approximately six months ago recounted how she had noticed that there were no functioning smoke detectors in the house. She purchased one and placed it in the hallway to help protect her mother in the event of a fire, this wise decision obviously contributed to help saving a life. The Red Cross was contacted to assist the displaced resident, however she declined their services, indicating that her daughters would assist her.
An Arson investigator from the LBFD concluded that the probable start of the fire was in the water heater closet, he was unable to conclude if the water heater had started the fire, and categorized the fire as an “undetermined” cause at this time. Two rooms were severely damaged in the fire, the kitchen, and a living room area, with additional smoke damage through most of the structure.
Units that responded were: BC2, E10, E2, E4, T14, R2, Arson 4, and PIO1 with a total of 30 personnel.
This incident occurred in the 2nd Council District.
Topics: Incidents | 25 Comments »
House Fire in the 1000 Block of Olive Ave.
By frhayes | June 29, 2008
On Sunday, June 29, 2008, at 3:43 P.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to the report of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Olive Ave. The first on scene unit Battalion Chief One (BC1) within three minutes, gave an initial size up of a single story, single family residence with light smoke showing from the front of the structure, and dark black smoke coming from the rear of the residence.
BC1 established the Incident Command System (ICS) and directed the first in Engine Company to assume “fire attack” pulling a hose line to extinguish the fire and conduct a search of the residence for any occupants. The second arriving Engine Company supplied water and assisted with the extinguishment and search of the residence. The Truck Company preformed vertical ventilation on the roof to assist with search activities, and firefighting operations, and specifically assisted with checking for fire in the attic area.
The Rescue Unit was initially dedicated to treat any possible occupants at the time of the fire and additional units assisted were needed in the operations. A quick “knock down” of the fire with a coordinated search of the occupancy was achieved within six minutes of the time of arrival of the first on scene unit.
Once the fire was extinguished the Rescue Unit was placed on standby to treat any possible injuries sustained by firefighters, and the additional crews shifted to salvage and overhaul operations, to protect undamaged goods, and to ensure that personnel belongings were moved to safe locations.
There were three residents at home at the time of the fire, non of these residents were injured due to the fire, nor were there any firefighters injured during the emergency operations. The Red Cross responded on the request of the fire department to care for their needs (possible food, clothing, or relocation).
An Arson investigator from the LBFD concluded that the probable start of the fire was in the South West corner of the house, he was unable to rule out the primary cause of an electrical nature, and categorized the fire as “undetermined” cause at this time. Two rooms were severely damaged in the fire, the kitchen, and a living room area, with additional smoke damage through most of the structure.
Units that responded were: BC1, E10, E1, E101, T1, R10, E3, E2, Arson 4, and PIO1 with a total of 30 personnel.
This incident occurred in the 6th Council District.
Topics: Incidents | 29 Comments »