Fatality Vehicle vs Pedestrian
By Jackawa Jackson | December 14, 2009
At 6:35 on the morning of December 14, 2009, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to the 1500 block of west Willow to a report of a vehicle vs. a pedestrian. Engine 13 and Rescue 13 arrived on scene within minutes and found a woman who had been struck by a large SUV. The force of the impact caused the woman, who appeared to be in her 60’s, to be thrown nearly 75 feet. Sadly, the woman was killed in the collision. The driver of the SUV was uninjured and the cause of the accident is under investigation by LBPD.
Topics: Incidents, News | 29 Comments »
Rain + Small Hatchback + Tunnel Divider = 2 Fatalities
By JJohnson | December 13, 2009
On the evening of December 12, 2009 at 8pm the Long Beach Fire Department was called out to an injury traffic accident at the Spring Street Tunnel and Kilroy Airport Way. LF19 were on scene within minutes and reported that there was 1 vehicle involved with 2 victims inside. The small, 2 door hatchback had apparently been traveling East on Spring and somehow ended up against the divider to the tunnel, subsequently splitting the car into 2 pieces. The tunnel was shut down in both directions to traffic, due to the amount of damage and debris.
Battalion 3 along with Truck 7 & Rescue 9 were also on scene and began to help with the extrication of both victims. After assessing both victims, it was determined that they both were dead from the impact. Both truck companies used their Jaws of Life to cut the car from around the bodies so they could be removed for the coroner.
Topics: Incidents, News | 21 Comments »
Elderly Woman Narrowly Escapes Flames
By Jackawa Jackson | December 3, 2009
At 11:12 on the morning of December 2, 2009 Units from the Long Beach Fire Department responded to 3825 Faust to a report of a house fire with an elderly woman possibly trapped inside. Upon arrival, Engine 18 found heavy smoke billowing from the rear of the house as well as from a closed garage door. Engine 18 crewmembers mounted an aggressive attack on the fire while other crews searched the residence for victims. The fire was contained to the area of an attached single car garage; however, the interior door was left open. This caused chocking heat and smoke to fill the residence. One elderly female was in the house at the time of the fire. An off duty Orange County Fire Authority captain was in the area and assisted the adult son of the woman trapped inside. Both forced entry into the rear of the house and assisted the woman to the front yard of the house where they awaited fire department arrival. Another passerby attempted to control the fire with a garden hose prior to fire department arrival. He sustained burns to his hands and face and was transported to a local hospital by Long Beach paramedics. Both mother and son from the involved residence suffered from smoke inhalation and were also transported to a local hospital.
The cause of this fire is currently under investigation. There is no immediate estimate on damage. Fortunately there were no reports of injury to first responders or to other citizens. The first fire units arrived on scene 3 minutes from the time of dispatch. Responding units included: Engine 18, Light Force 19, Engine 5, Light Force 14, Rescue 17, Rescue 9, BLS 17 and BC 2.
Topics: Incidents, News | 24 Comments »
LBFD Spark of Love (SOL) Campaign Kicks Off
By frhayes | November 24, 2009
Spark of Love Program Description
In the early 1950’s, firefighter Murray Cohn started collecting toys for needy kids in the area surrounding his fire station. This labor of love and generosity took root and grew to other crews in surrounding stations helping the cause and providing for even more kids. Upon Cohn’s retirement, Captain Jim Salisbury took over for several years. Captain Bob Caldon (retired) ran the toy program for over 20 years, and now other LBFD members wishing to carry on the traditions from long ago have taken on the program, to help hundreds of needy families each year.
In 1992, a cooperative decision was made to develop a regional toy drive. Known as the “Spark of Love,” local area fire departments have teamed with ABC Channel 7 for financial backing, supplies, and media coverage.
Through the combined generosity of businesses and residents, each year the Spark of Love program provides gifts to kids throughout Long Beach who would have otherwise gone without. Spark of Love works in conjunction with several other charitable organizations to both giving and receiving toys and donations. Each year we provide toys for about 400 families and over 20 different community groups. This builds goodwill within our community, and provides kids with positive role models.
Teachers in the LBUSD identify special need families throughout the year. Firefighters also see hardships in the areas they serve and can recommend families. Toys are collected throughout the month at various city events, parties, local businesses, and from residents who drop the toys off at our fire stations. The program runs as a result of numerous volunteer hours put forth by our LBFD firefighters, lifeguards, Ambassadors, and Honoraries.
Delivery are made to families and community organizations throughout the month of December, culminating in our CODE 3 Delivery Day where we make rounds all throughout the city with Santa in his fire engine sleigh.Donations should be new, unwrapped, toys, sports equipment, clothes, or school supplies. Items for teens are also needed.
These items can be dropped off at any local area fire station, CVS Pharmacies, City Hall, or select local area business. SOL also accepts monetary donations. Checks should be made out to Friends of Long Beach Firefighters, Spark of Love.
Topics: News | No Comments »
Vehicle “Into the Brush” Off The 405 FWY at Lakewood Blvd.
By frhayes | November 23, 2009
On Monday, November 23, 2009 at 15:03 P.M., Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to a reported Injury Traffic Accident (ITA) Overturned On the South Bound 405 FWY, At LAKEWOOD BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90815.
Engine 17, the first arriving unit, arrived within 4 minutes of time of dispatch and found a vehicle that had exited the freeway at a high rate of speed, and had traveled approximately 100 feet down the embankment.
Fortunately other drivers had seen the vehicle travel from the fast lane all the way off of the freeway into heavy brush, and were able to direct fire crews to the scene of the accident. Otherwise the vehicle would have been very difficult to locate due to the brush “closing up” behind the dense shrubbery.
The initial crews made the difficult decent down to the vehicle and were surprised that the driver, an approximately 40 year old female had sustained only minor injuries, however due to the damage to the vehicle she was transported by ambulance for a full medical evaluation at a local hospital.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) assisted fire crews by directing traffic away from the emergency scene, and are currently conducting a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
A total of 7 apparatus and 11 personnel responded to this call.
Topics: Incidents | 33 Comments »
