Injury Traffic Accident On 605 Freeway With Four Critical Patients
By frhayes | October 4, 2009
On Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 9:44 A.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units Engine (E) 18, E5, Light Force (LF) 19, Rescue R 17, Basic Life Support (BLS) 17, Battalion Chief 2, Orange County Medic 48, BLS16, BLS11, and R14 responded to a reported Injury Traffic Accident (ITA) with an Overturned vehicle On the South Bound 605 FWY, At SO CARSON ST, LONG BEACH, CA 90808.
Engine 18, the first arriving unit, Gave an initial report of “one vehicle over the side into a storm drain on it’s roof, investigating”. E18 crewmembers met two occupants on the shoulder of the FWY and made their way down the embankment to find four additional occupants trapped in the vehicle. LF 19 with the assistance of other units and personnel extricated these victims from the vehicle using the “Jaws of Life” and additional technical tools and equipment.
The four occupants that required extrication all received advanced life support measures while in the vehicle by LBFD Paramedics due to their serious injuries and required rapid transport to local Trauma Centers for follow-up medical treatment.
During this incident the California Highway Patrol (CHP) closed down two southbound lanes to ensure safety of emergency workers and they are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
This incident occurred in council district five with a total of 10 apparatus and 15 personnel working on this ITA for approximately one hour.
Topics: Incidents | 29 Comments »
Structure Fire at 12th Place and Ocean Blvd.
By frhayes | October 4, 2009
On Sunday, October 4, 2009 at 07:07 A.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD), units Battalion Chief (BC) 1, Engine (E) 2, E 4, E 10, Truck (T) 1, Rescue 2, E1, E6, USAR6, E101, E3, T7, R10, BC3, BC2, Arson Investigator (ARSN) 2, ARSN6 and ARSN4 responded to a reported Apartment Fire at 12TH PL, LONG BEACH, CA 90802.
Engine 2, the first arriving unit, arrived within 4 minutes of time of dispatch and reported, “smoke and fire showing from a two story four plex” E2 hooked up to a fire hydrant, pulled a hose line and advanced it up an interior stairwell to extinguish the fire and to perform search and rescue operations. E4 the second arriving Engine Company pulled an additional hose line to assist with E2 operations. T1 laddered the building to cut a hole in the roof for vertical ventilation to remove heat and smoke which assisted with firefighting efforts. Additional units assisted with firefighting operations including salvage and overhaul of the affected unit.
At the time of the fire there were three occupants, two males and one female, these residents were awaked to a smoke filled unit, and had to jump from a second story window onto a shed (approximately 15 feet) to escape. Due to this situation the female resident sustained bi-lateral wrist fractures, and was transported to a local hospital by Rescue 2. Unfortunately because of the required rapid escape from the unit the residents were not able to save two dogs in the unit that perished because of the fire.
During this incident the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) closed down both East and westbound lanes on Ocean Blvd between Alamitos and Cherry Avenue. The unit involved is a “Total Loss” estimated at approximately $200,000 dollars with all three occupants displaced. The Red Cross was contacted to assist with any of these individuals’ needs. The LBFD Arson Division currently is sifting through the debris, questioning the residents, and performing other activities to determine the cause of the fire.
This fire occurred in council district number 2 with a total of 19 apparatus and 44 personnel working on this incident for approximately one and half hours.
Topics: Incidents | 25 Comments »
Long Beach Fire Practices For A Terror Attack Response
By Jackawa Jackson | October 1, 2009
At 7:30 on the morning of October 1, 2009, units from The Long Beach Fire Department, in conjunction with LBPD, LA County Fire and other state and federal agencies, participated in a joint terrorism drill in the downtown marina.
The Scenario:
Long Beach Fire units were called to investigate smoke in the marina near Shoreline Village. Once on scene, units determined there was a small device at the end of one of the gangways dispersing some type of radioactive material into the atmosphere. This led to a total of 9 people requiring rescue, decontamination and transport to local hospitals. The long Beach Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, assisted by LA County, and other government agencies began the task of isolating and identifying the radiological agent. Other fire units were called in to set up decontamination stations and patient treatment areas. Law enforcement agencies were called in for security of the scene and investigation of the possible criminal release of the material. Long Beach Fire and LBPD dive teams responded to search below the water’s surface as well.
Drills such as this help to streamline operations between The Long Beach Fire Department and the various agencies who would likely respond to an attack such as this. Frequent realistic training exercises help crews to maintain a constant state of readiness and allow decisive and appropriate actions on scene to become second nature.
Topics: Uncategorized | 46 Comments »
Long Beach Fire Department Rescue Boats Called To Remove A Family Member From A Cruise Ship
By Jackawa Jackson | September 30, 2009
At approximately 7:50 PM on the evening of September 29, Fire Department Marine Safety Division Rescue Boats were requested by United State Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach to respond to the cruise ship “Zuiderdam” about 8 miles off Long Beach.
The ship, which had left LB hours before and was en-route to Mexico, had an 85 year old male on-board with stroke symptoms. Coast Guard sent out a paramedic equipped helicopter to evacuate the patient. A short time later, USCG Sector LA/LB called RB2’s station (land line) and asked them if they were able to retrieve the patients wife, who was unable to go in the helicopter due to the lack of space (paramedic was already on-board.)
RB2 and RB1 went en-route to the cruise ship which was now about 3 miles off Long Beach. RB2 arrived and removed the woman from a door near the water line without incident.
RB2 took the woman back to Rainbow Harbor, Pine Avenue Pier, and arranged for a cab to Torrance Memorial Hospital where her husband had been transported by the USCG helicopter.
Topics: Uncategorized | 33 Comments »
The LBFD Announces Fire Prevention Week Campaign and Fire Stations Open House
By frhayes | September 28, 2009
National Fire Prevention Week will be observed during the second week of October 2009. For this event the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) will be joining forces with the non-profit fire safety organization, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) to present the theme of this years campaign “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned”.
The start of fire prevention week will begin on Sunday, October 4th when All LBFD Fire Stations will conduct an “Open House” from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. for residents to visit the fire station, view the fire engines and equipment, and meet their local firefighters. Then Beginning on Monday, October 5th through Friday, October 9th, the LBFD will issue a daily Public Service Announcement (PSA) focusing on ways to stay fire smart. To close out the weeks activities on the last day of this event, Saturday, October 10th an “Open House” from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. will be conducted at the LBFD Museum located at 1445 Peterson Avenue, 90813.
Fire prevention pamphlets and information will be available for adults and children, firefighters will also be available to talk about, and answer questions about safety issues including; home fire safety check lists, home fire escape planning, proper use of smoke detectors and space heaters.
The statistics are staggering. Each year roughly 3,000 people die as a result of home fires and burns, and more than 200,000 individuals are seen in the nation’s emergency rooms for burn injuries.
The most common types of burn injuries result from fire or flame burns, scalds and contact burns. Burns are painful and can result in serious scarring and even death. When we take extra caution in our homes to ensure that the curling iron is out of children’s reach or pot handles are turned away from the edge of the stove, such injuries are entirely preventable. Keeping our homes safe from fire and preventing devastating burn injuries is a healthy change we can all make happen.
By following simple safety rules, you can “Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned.”
- Keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over.
- Have a 3-foot “kid-free” zone around the stove.
- Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
- Be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, oven, irons, lamps, and heaters.
- Install tamper-resistant receptacles to prevent a child from sticking an object in the outlet.
- Never leave a child alone in a room with a lit candle, portable heater, lit fireplace or stove, or where a hot appliance might be in use.
- Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
- Set your hot water temperature no higher than 120 degrees.
- Install anti-scald valves on showerheads and faucets.
The LBFD encourages Everyone to view and follow the information that will be provided during fire prevention week, the longest running public health and safety observance, in it’s 87th year. In addition to this, all residents are encouraged to take advantage of the great opportunity to visit your local fire station, the LBFD Museum, and meet the firefighters in your area.
For more information on the National Fire Prevention Week, fire safety, and the Long Beach Fire Department please go to: www.nfpa.org or https://firechannel.org/blog/
Topics: Events | 29 Comments »
