Golden Guardian/Port Protector Exercise Conducted In Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach, California
By frhayes | May 19, 2010
On March 19, 2010 at 9:00 AM, the Golden Guardian/Port Protector exercise commenced on a dock at Shoreline Park in the City of Long Beach, California. The scenario for the event included “Simulated Terrorists” shooting multiple victims, causing a Multi-Casualty Incident (MCI), an explosive devise detonating with the release of a hazardous substance, and the commandeering of docked vessel with twenty (20) passengers aboard.
An aggressive response was undertaken by the participating agencies, which included; the Long Beach Fire and Police Departments, members from the Los Angeles Port Police and Fire Department, representatives from the Port’s of Long Beach and Los Angeles, the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with other partnering agencies also participated.
The first arriving units recognizing the significance of this incident requested the Specialized Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team from the LBPD and the Tactical Medics from the LBFD. These two units working in a coordinated effort with other resources were able to enter the impacted area safely and remove the injured patients to a safe location for treatment and transport. Additional operations included a Hazardous Material Team entry with “Full Body” encapsulation on supplied air; a “Shoring Operation” by the Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team, rescue boat tactics and rescue by the Long Beach Marine Safety Division, and multiple helicopters were incorporated into the exercise.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger first implemented this statewide exercise series in 2004 to be conducted on an annual basis to coordinate prevention, preparation, response, and recovery involving Federal, State, and local agencies to prepare for the possibility of manmade or natural significant occurrences. Golden Guardian is currently the largest statewide exercise program of it’s kind in the country and serves as a great example of a proactive approach for preparing for “Any and All” types of potential incidents that could impact the state of California.
Topics: Events | 99 Comments »
SWAT Standby In East Long Beach Ends In Flames
By Jackawa Jackson | May 14, 2010
Just after 10:30 on the morning of May 13, 2010, units from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to the area of Woodruff and the 405 freeway to assist law enforcement with a SWAT stand-by. Three individuals, reportedly involved in a bank robbery, were at large in the area. This set off a massive manhunt, by various law enforcement agencies. LBFD units were on hand to assist with any potential medical needs of officers or citizens. At one point during the search, teargas was used in an area of heavy brush adjacent to the freeway where one of the suspects was thought to be hiding. The teargas drove the suspect from his hiding place and into the custody of law enforcement however it also touched off a small brush fire as well. Fire units on scene immediately responded, under the cover of SWAT Team members, to the area to extinguish the blaze. Units brought the fire under control within and matter of minutes with no fire spread to surrounding structures. Units who responded to this incident were E22, E18, E3, LF 19, R9, R17, and BC 2.
Topics: Incidents | 24 Comments »
E10 and BC 1 Respond To An Afternoon Blaze In Signal Hill
By Jackawa Jackson | May 12, 2010
Just after 1:00 on the afternoon of May 11, 2010, Long Beach Engine 10 and Battalion 1 were dispatched into Signal Hill to assist LA County Fire Department with a reported structure fire. The Long Beach Fire Dispatch Center was, at the time, receiving numerous calls concerning this incident prior to dispatch. Enroute to the address, located at 2665 East PCH, a large column of smoke was visible to responding companies. Long Beach Engine 10 arrived on scene at the same time as LA County Engine 60 from Signal Hill. Both units launched a coordinated attack on the fast moving fire that was rapidly consuming the 2 story wood structure. Additional fire crews joined the firefight and the blaze was brought under control within a matter of minutes. There were no reported injuries to firefighters or citizens. There is no immediate damage estimate and the cause is currently under investigation.
Topics: Incidents | 35 Comments »
House Fire On Loma Vista Displaces Family Of Four
By frhayes | May 10, 2010
On Monday, May 10, 2010 at 12:45 PM, Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to a reported Structure Fire on the 1200 Block of LOMA VISTA DR, LONG BEACH, CA 90813.
Battalion Chief One (1), the first arriving unit, arrived within four minutes of the time of receiving the call and reported “Heavy Smoke Showing From The Rear Of The Building”. The home was of “Victorian” architectural style, at the time of the fire a mother who resided at the location was notified of the fire by neighbors, she quickly ran upstairs to check if her older Son was in his bedroom, fortunately he was not at home. With the assistance of the first arriving Firefighters she and a younger Son were able to exit safely, with no injuries.
Additional Firefighters fought the stubborn fire that appears to have started from an exterior location but had traveled into the attic. Crews fought the fire from inside the house and others cut holes in the roof to gain access for hose lines to extinguish the fire. Firefighters also performed salvage and overhaul operations to en sure that the fire was completely out, and to save as much of the building at it’s contents as possible.
The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes with an estimated damage of between 75 – 100 thousand dollars. The residents; a mother, two Sons, and a young Daughter were all displaced due to this incident, fire officials notified the Red Cross who will be providing assistance to this family.
Currently, as is the standard operating procedure, the cause of the fire is under investigation by the LBFD Arson Bureau. This incident occurred in City Council District One, with a total of 15 apparatus and 37 personnel conducting operations for approximately two (2) hours.
Topics: Incidents | 27 Comments »
The Great Tree/Tires/Car/Motorhome Fire of 2010
By JJohnson | May 6, 2010
The afternoon of may 6th, 2010 is when the LBFD responded to reports of a treefire behind the residence on the 2300 Block of Poppy St. Engine 12 was first on scene and reported that there was in fact a massive tree, in the rear, on fire and that it was extending to a debris pile and motor home directly next to it. Engine 11, Truck 11 and Engine 9 went one street North to 63rd Street due to the deep lot size to check for exposures and pull additional lines. Multiple attack lines were pulled and with that aggressive attack, units were able to knockdown the fire within 10 Min’s. Due to the large amount of debris and other vehicles, it took crews a while to overhaul (or look for hot spots) the fire.
No injuries to civilians or firefighters and total units on scene were: E12, E11, T11, R12, E9, BC3
Topics: Incidents | 26 Comments »
