Gantry Crane Training 160 Feet Up
By Steve Yamamoto | December 9, 2010
December 6th marked another day on the calendar where the Long Beach Fire Department and Los Angeles County Fire Department teamed up for a multi-agency drill in the Port of Long Beach. As one of the busiest ports in the world, the Port of Long Beach is home to many large pieces of machinery that can pose many unique challenges for the Fire Department in a rescue situation. That said, it is extremely important that the LBFD and the LaCoFD train together from time to time to ensure swift operations during future incidents while providing for safety.
The drill took place at the Long Beach Container Terminal (LBCT) on top of one of the gantry container cranes perched over 160’ high above the ground below. Participants in the drill were Task Force-6 (Engine-6 and Urban Search And Rescue-6), Engine-10, Rescue-10, and LA County Task Force-103. A total of six evolutions were performed with the purpose of improving interoperability with regards to technical skills. This was done while working closely with the stakeholders in the Port. The evolutions consisted of a Victims Stokes rescue w/ paramedic attendant, two single rescue lowers, single rescuer rappel, live rescue lower, and a mannequin rescue lower. The LBCT was very accommodating to our needs for the day and it served as great opportunity to practice with both agencies working together on a single incident.
Topics: Training | 93 Comments »
Badge Ceremony November 2010
By Steve Yamamoto | December 9, 2010
On November the 19th, 2010, the Long Beach Fire Department recognized certain members for their recent promotion to the ranks of Battalion Chief and Dispatcher. The Ceremony took place at Fire Headquarters, located at 3205 Lakewood Blvd. where these individuals were pinned with their shiny new badges and congratulated. Individuals listed below will fill positions vacated by retirements and other promotions. Again, Congratulations!
Jeff Ohs Battalion Chief
Greg Henry Battalion Chief
Tom Crewse Battalion Chief
Kathryn Oura Dispatcher
Kortnee Sagely Dispatcher
Topics: Events | 28 Comments »
Spark of Love Toy Drive
By Steve Yamamoto | December 7, 2010
The Long Beach Fire Department is currently accepting toys for this year’s “Spark of Love” Toy Drive. Toys may be dropped off any Long Beach Fire Station, City Hall, CVS Pharmacies, and select business throughout the city.
The Spark of Love provides toys to needy children who would otherwise go without a gift this holiday season. Spark of Love works in concert with local Fire Departments in the Southern California area to fulfill Holiday dreams of needy children. Here in Long Beach, Counselors of the Long Beach Unified School District identify recipients in advance. Local Fire Station crews prior to Christmas, distribute the toys to the selected families. The hands-on interaction made possible by Spark of Love provides a positive role model for children, builds goodwill within our community, and allows Firefighters the opportunity to reinforce important life safety practices during the holiday season.
Toys, games, books, school supplies, and even clothes are accepted. Items must be new and unwrapped. Toys for all ages are welcomed and items for teens are also needed. Your donation is greatly appreciated and goes a long way in helping make this holiday season special for those in need. Thanks for your support. Have a safe and joyful holiday season.
For more information, please contact the LBFD Community Services Division at (562) 570-2519
Topics: Events | No Comments »
Boy,2,Rescued From Apartment Fire-Video
By Admin | December 6, 2010
Topics: Incidents, Video | 26 Comments »
2-Year Old Rescued from a Burning Apartment
By Steve Yamamoto | December 6, 2010
Early this morning just before 1:30 am, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) responded to a two-story apartment fire in North Long Beach on the 2600 block of E. 55th Way. When Engine 11 arrived on scene they saw that the upstairs unit of the apartment was heavily involved with fire and smoke. Crewmembers were then frantically told by people outside that there was a 2-year old boy still inside of the upstairs room. Two Firefighters immediately went inside the burning building upstairs with their charged hose and began an aggressive attack of the fire while conducting a search for the little boy. The first Firefighter headed towards the closest room when he suddenly and unexpectedly fell through the floor from the weakened support member. Luckily he was able to catch himself with his arms before he fell completely through to the first floor below. The Firefighter then pulled himself back up out of the hole and continued his search while the other Firefighter knocked down the fire. Seconds after, he quickly found the boy and discovered him in respiratory arrest. He immediately picked up the small lifeless body of the child and ran out to the Paramedic Rescue where they began quick treatment and transport to the hospital. Miraculously the Paramedics were able to resuscitate and revive the child to where he was breathing on his own.
The boy is listed in “Critical”, but “Stable” condition and has been showing signs of improvement. Injuries suffered by the Firefighter were minor and he was treated on scene and released. The cause of the fire has been determined by Fire Investigators to originate in a malfunctioning electrical exhaust fan located in the kitchen above the stove. The accumulation of high heat over many hours caused a deep-seated fire in the ceiling void between the first and second floor that spread throughout the upstairs. This also created weakened support members that were hidden in the floor and eventually collapsed under the Firefighter’s weight. There were reports from neighbors that an audible smoke alarm could be heard earlier around 8:30 pm but unfortunately the Fire Department was not notified until much later. This however brings up the importance and value of working smoke alarms inside of the home and especially at night when most are asleep.
Thanks to the valiant efforts of the LBFD, this child was rescued and brought back to life all while protecting the other units and occupants in the complex from the fire. There were a total of 15 Fire Department Apparatus including LA County Engine 45 on scene with 34 personnel operating on this incident that took place in the 8th Council District.
Topics: Incidents | 18 Comments »
