Long Beach Fire Ambassador’s Senior Program
By Jackawa Jackson | January 26, 2010
The Long Beach Fire Department is proud to announce the kick off of our Fire Ambassador’s Senior Program. The fire ambassadors have been known as a highly motivated group of retirees who travel to local elementary schools, teaching fire safety to 3rd grade classes. Now, they will go to various senior groups offering free seminars on topics including but not limited to:
- Fire prevention tips for seniors
- Escape plans during various emergencies
- Injury prevention and accident control
- What to have in place prior to an emergency
This program will be beneficial to the community because it will be a program for seniors put on by seniors. Free emergency preparation bags will be handed out to interested parties, while supplies last, at each of their classes. Whether men and women live alone in a high-rise or with family in a 2-bedroom house, The Long Beach Fire Ambassadors want seniors to be prepared for any situation that may come their way.
Anyone wishing to have the Fire Ambassadors come out and teach a class should call (562) 570-2563.
Topics: Public Safety | 30 Comments »
Apartment Fire on Olive Avenue Displaces Family of Five
By frhayes | January 18, 2010
On Monday, January 18, 2010 at 2:59 P.M., Long Beach Fire department Units responded to a reported Structure Fire at 2020 OLIVE AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90806.
The first arriving unit, Engine 7 reported smoke and fire showing from upstairs unit in a “fourplex” apartment building. The crew advanced a house line up the stairwell to extinguish the fire while other crews assisted with checking the building for any occupants. The fire was extinguished with fire damage to at least two rooms and smoke damage throughout the entire unit. No injuries were reported to any residents or firefighters. However one adult and four children were displaced due to this incident.
The Red Cross responded to this location to assist the residents with food, clothing, shelter, and any other possible needs they could assist with to reduce the impact of this fire on the family. Currently members of the LBFD Arson Bureau are investigating the cause of the fire.
This incident occurred in council district 6 with a total of 8 apparatus and 21 personnel responding to this call.
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
LBFD Urban Search and Rescue Task Force Conducts Exercise to Prepare for Future Deployments
By frhayes | January 18, 2010
Recently a Mobilization Exercise (MOBEX) of two Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Regional Task Forces (RTF’s), comprised of 29 highly trained members was conducted at the Long Beach Fire Training Center. The MOBEX involved members of the Office of Emergency Services (OES) (US&R) RTF 2 comprised of (Area E – Vernon, Downey, Montebello, Santa Fe Springs, and Compton) and RTF 3 (Area F – Long Beach) with air support provided from the United States Coast Guard and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Airship 5.
The drill included multiple complex dispatch locations: Port of Long Beach, Downey Studios, and the Long Beach Fire Training Center. The drill simulated multiple large debris flows through urban areas with a large life hazard following significant rainstorms. The two RTF’s were dispatched with the goal of a 45 min assembly/response time. The RTF’s goal is to somewhat bridge the gap between the local first responders, and the 12-hour minimum response time of the larger Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Task Forces. Both RTF’s gathered at the Long Beach Fire Training Center to establish a Base of Operations (BOO).
The drill emphasized the abilities of these teams to conduct Reconnaissance and Search multiple affected areas, both on the ground and from air support, and to prioritize (triage) their rescue efforts. Search teams were comprised of Technical Search Specialists, Rescue Specialists, Structural Specialists, K9 Specialists, and Medical Specialists. Once victims were located, they were triaged, extricated (if necessary), and treated for their injuries.
Some victims were located and rescued with the use of search dogs, while others required complex rope systems and even air support to transport them to safety. Interoperability played a key part in the team’s success in completing the complex rescue tasks. Over 60 members participated and many lessons were learned.
The drill concluded with a critique and will be followed by a formal After Action Report. This report will detail the objectives of the MOBEX, reinforce the strengths of the teams, and identify areas that can still be improved. In the future, more of these drills will be conducted on an at least annual basis to ensure these teams are at their most efficient and capable levels.
With the recent deployments of California FEMA US&R task forces to help with those affected by the Earthquake in Haiti and the eminent size-able rainfall predicted in the region. The RTF’s could be requested for mutual aid assistance if the rain does in fact cause problems and for any other types of situations that may require a team of technical experts with their specialized equipment, now or in the future.
Topics: News | 24 Comments »
Early Morning Fire at Lucille’s Restaurant
By frhayes | January 15, 2010
On Friday, January 15, 2010 at 4:46 A.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to a reported Fire Alarm at 7411 CARSON BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90808 ‘LUCILLE’S SMOKEHOUSE”.
Engine 18, the first arriving unit, reported smoke showing from a roof ventilator and initiated an investigation of the situation. The initial crews encountered difficulty in locating the source of the smoke due to construction features and other factors. Due to this situation additional units where requested to en sure that the fire was located as soon as possible to limit the damage to the structure.
Crews where sent to the roof and coordinated their search efforts with members inside the restaurant by opening holes in the roof, and pulling ceiling tiles. Through this combined effort the fire was located in a void space between the ceiling and the roof.
Due to this fire the sprinkle system activated spreading water throughout portions of the restaurant. Once the fire was extinguished, firefighters shut down the sprinkler system and began salvage and overhaul operations to limit damage to the structure, and to protect equipment.
Currently members of the LBFD arson, and fire prevention bureau, in addition to personnel from the health and building departments are working to determine the cause of the fire. It is the goal of these many different agencies to work with the restaurants management to en sure that any problems are rectified and that they can “Open for Business” as soon as possible.
This incident occurred in council district 5 with a total of 27 apparatus and 40 personnel working on this incident for approximately 4 hours.
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
Long Beach Search & Rescue Graduation
By JJohnson | January 14, 2010
On Tuesday January 19th Long Beach Search and Rescue will host the graduation ceremony for its Basic Academy. 30 young men and women (age 15-19) will be graduating from this 15 week training course and become members of the Long Beach Search and Rescue Unit. During this physically and mentally challenging academy these young adults learned basic rescue skills including: rescue team organization, radio communications, ladders, emergency lighting, emergency vehicle operations, introduction to the Long Beach Police and Fire Departments, and much much more.
These 30 young men and women will now be joining the rest of Long Beach Search and Rescue as uniformed volunteers for the City of Long Beach. Last year alone the members Long Beach Search and Rescue donated over 25,000 volunteer hours to the city at emergencies, support activities, and though public education programs.
Topics: Events | 22 Comments »
