Upcoming September 11 Ceremony
By Admin | September 3, 2010
Topics: Events | 32 Comments »
Overturned SUV on Spring and Orange
By Jackawa Jackson | September 1, 2010
Just after 6 a.m. on the morning of August 28, 2010, units from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the corner of Orange Ave. and Spring St. to a report of an overturned vehicle with one person trapped. Truck 7 was first to arrive on scene and found the driver of a small SUV upside down and entangled in the wreckage of his vehicle. Fire crews used the Jaws of Life and had the male patient free from his damaged vehicle an on his way to a local hospital within a matter of minutes. Fortunately, the driver only suffered minor injuries. There were no other injuries reported to citizens or firefighters. Responding units included. Engine 7, Truck 7, Engine 9, Rescue 9, BC 3 and LA County Engine 60. The cause of this accident is under investigation.
Topics: Incidents | 113 Comments »
LBFD Hazardous Materials Task Force on Overturned Tanker Video
By JJohnson | August 30, 2010
A little after 4pm on 5/4/10, the LBFD was dispatched out to reports of an overturned tanker truck at Paramount Blvd. and the on-ramp to the Westbound 91 Frwy. First arriving units on scene noticed the tanker trailer was on it’s side and leaking a fair amount of fuel. It was estimated later, at a rate of around 25 gallons a minute. Additional resources were called to the scene, including the Hazardous Materials Task Force as well as additional Engine companies for man-power.
No injuries to responders or civilians were reported. Approximately 500 gallons of diesel fuel entered the storm drain system. The diesel fuel in the storm drain was stopped at Artesia and the Rail Road tracks west of Paramount Blvd.
A total of 47 Firefighters responded to this incident, 38 from Long Beach and 9 from our Area “E” (Vernon and Santa Fe Springs Fire Departments) partners. Area “E” provided Hazardous Materials Response Teams. Other responders included, LBPD, CHP, CalTrans, Long Beach Public Works, California Fish and Game, Long Beach Health Department, Health 44 and Long Beach Search and Rescue.
Initial emergency operations focused on protecting life safety, contain the leaking fuel, control the leak and eliminate ignition sources. Water supply was established and a foam blanket was put down to control vapors. This foam blanket was maintained throughout the incident. Once the incident became stabilized, Hazardous Materials operations were initiated. This included air monitoring, environmental monitoring, and preparing for a “Stinger” operation. This operation is used to access the leaking product and place a recovery tube into the tank to off load the product prior to righting the rolled over tanker.
Hazardous Materials Specialists entered the “exclusion zone” and began procedures to off-load the diesel. This included stabilizing the rolled over tank, grounding and bonding the tank. After this was completed, the HazMat Specialists accessed the remaining fuel in the tank by drilling two, 4” holes in the aluminum skin of the rolled tank. A pump off truck was then placed in a position for the remaining product to be pumped into. A vacuum truck was also on scene to recover the spilled fuel and foam mixture.
A total of 2600 gallons of diesel fuel was recovered from the rolled over tank during the “Stinger” off-loading process. 1400 gallons of leaking diesel fuel and water/foam mixture was recovered from the containment area. 500 gallons of diesel fuel is estimated to have entered the storm drain. This estimate is on the “high” end.
Topics: Incidents, Video | 30 Comments »
Long Beach Fire Department Hosts August S.A.F.E.R. Meeting
By Steve Yamamoto | August 26, 2010
Date: Thursday, August 26, 2010
Subject: Long Beach Fire Department Hosts August S.A.F.E.R. Meeting
On the morning of August 25, 2010, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) hosted the Southern Area Firefighter’s Equipment Research (SAFER) Meeting at our Fire Training Center. The SAFER organization is a regional association between manufacturers, vendors, and Firefighters looking at means to increase firefighter safety and efficiency through innovative new products and equipment. Started in 1976, LBFD is one of the association’s first charter members. Fire department personnel from other agencies such as Newport Beach Fire, Downey Fire, and Los Angeles County Fire were also in attendance and toured our facility.
One of the topics this meeting specifically looked at was the recent enhancements made to our training facility. A state of the art microwave link system has allowed our Headquarters, Training Center, and Downey Fire Headquarter to videoconference simultaneously for a myriad of uses. During the testing of this system, participants were at each of the three venues. The system is designed to allow us to host regional training classes and conferences at our Training Center with other agencies at the same time using the hi-tech audio and video equipment. This is just one of the many ways that the Long Beach Fire Department is utilizing Federal Grant monies to better our department’s capabilities and ultimately provide for a safer community.
Topics: Events | 29 Comments »
Crane Operator Trapped When A Compressed Cylinder Explodes
By Jackawa Jackson | August 25, 2010
Just after 11:30 a.m. this morning, units from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to Pacific Coast Recycling located at 482 Pier T Ave to a report of a crane operator who had been trapped inside of his crane due to an explosion. The crane operator, who appeared to be in his 60’s, was moving a pile of debris when a pressurized cylinder within the pile exploded. The blast sent both ends of the cylinder rocketing in opposite directions. On of the ends struck the cab of the crane, trapping the operator beneath the crane’s protective steel cage. It took firefighters roughly 10 minutes to cut the man from the wreckage using the Jaws of Life. He was transported to a local hospital with moderate injuries. The Long Beach hazardous materials team determined the cylinder did not contain any explosives and was probably a part of a water softening system. A total of 24 fire personnel responded to this incident that occurred in council district 2.
Topics: Incidents | 19 Comments »
