“Pack Rat” Conditions Found at Apartment Fire On The 200 Block of Atlantic Avenue
By frhayes | September 10, 2009
On Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 6:23 A.M. Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units Battalion Chief 1, Engine 1, Engine 101, Engine 2, Truck 1, Rescue 1, and Arson investigators 1&2 responded to a reported Apartment Fire at 225 ATLANTIC AVE, LONG BEACH, CA 90802.
Engine 2, the first arriving unit, arrived within four (4) minutes from time of dispatch and broadcast to all other responding units that “smoke and fire was showing from a rear window of a two (2) story duplex”. Engine 2 advanced a hose line into a rear bedroom on the first floor that was fully involved and conducted a coordinated search of the occupancy for any residents. The fire was extinguished and held in check, isolated to only the first floor with no extension to the second story. Other LBFD units assisted with smoke evacuation while conducting salvage and overhaul of the affected unit. There was one resident who suffered from smoke inhalation that was treated by Rescue 1.
“Pack Rat” conditions were found in the apartment building by advancing fire crews that blocked the rear egress door. Fortunately this did not hamper escape routes of the residents or trap any firefighters in the engulfed unit. These conditions could have had deadly consequences, in addition to this it is unknown if any smoke detectors were in “proper working order” to alert the residents of the fire. There was a basement in the building that was also searched for victims and extension, with an “all clear” of any victims, and no extension occurring. The Building was turned over to the Arson Bureau, who are still in the process of investigating the cause of the fire. All utilities remained intact, however the occupants of the unit were displaced due to the fire.
This incident occurred on the border between council districts 1 and 2, with a total of 9 LBFD apparatus and 19 personnel responding to this call, who worked on this incident for approximately 2 hours.
Topics: Incidents | 20 Comments »
9/11 Ceremony at the Police and Fire Memorial Next to City Hall
By frhayes | September 8, 2009
September 11, 2009 marks the 8th anniversary of the tragic event that unfolded in New York City, in 2001. To recognize this date, the Long Beach Police and Fire Departments will once again host the annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony adjacent to City Hall.
The event will begin promptly at 9:00A.M. It is advisable to arrive early. The event will feature the pledge of allegiance, a moment of silence and the placing of wreaths at the base of the memorial. There will be a bugler who will play “Taps” followed by a bagpiper on site that will play “Amazing Grace” to conclude the ceremony. No speeches will be given.
The event will be held at the Police and Fire Memorial next to City Hall, on Chestnut Street near the intersection of West Broadway.
Topics: Events | 27 Comments »
9/11 Ride and Ceremony
By JJohnson | September 8, 2009
9/11 is a day that no one ever forgets and anyone you ask will know exactly where they were at, and what they were doing on that tragic day. Engineer Gary Biggerstaff of the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) has conducted a memorial every year since that day, and will keep on doing so.
This is an event that he and his family started on their own and each year, more and more people, and bikers show up. It begins with a bike ride to Cooks Corner, then back to Long Beach, and ends at Gary’s house for a ceremonial display of camaraderie, and compassion for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Over 400 bikes and up to 1000 people have filled his street in the past to show their support . We thank Gary for all of his hard work and dedication.
Topics: Events | 219 Comments »
Hazardous Materials Training
By Jackawa Jackson | September 8, 2009
On Saturday, August 29th, withstanding the summer heat and humidity, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Hazardous Materials Task Force performed their monthly Continuing Education by performing a simulated “Level-A Entry”. The drill, conducted at the LBFD Training Center on Argonne Avenue simulated leaking cylinder of sulfur dioxide that had been knocked over at a loading dock. Each month, the Hazardous Materials Continuing Education (HMCE) curriculum concentrates on a specialized aspect of a hazardous materials emergency. The simulation of a “Level-A Entry” brings all the specialized aspects together as a whole.
| At the Command Post, Hazardous Materials Specialists help determine the response objectives |
After the exercise, the “entry team” joked that they would prefer a winter simulation. The Level-A entry suits, better known as “sauna suits”, protects the wearer from chemical exposure but also encapsulates them to “bake in their juices”. Hazardous Material emergencies are labor intensive and support personnel are needed to dress the entry team and decontamination (decon) teams, stand-by for rescue, decontaminate, dress down the entry and decon teams, and provide medical support.
Topics: Uncategorized | 142 Comments »
Long Beach Fire Department’s Recent Strike Team Deployment To The Station Fire
By Jackawa Jackson | September 7, 2009
During the early stages of the recent brush fires in the Los Angeles County Region the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) honored a request for a (Type 1) mutual aid strike team, comprised of 5 Engine Companies, 1 strike team leader, and 1 assistant. This strike team was deployed to the “Station Fire” for approximately 72 hours, working 12-hour operational periods, from approximately 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Their primary responsibility was “Structure Protection”. Type 1 strike teams are specifically suited for this type of responsibility based on the fact that they are made up of Engine Companies where their “day to day” function is to protect structures, such as residential housing and commercial buildings etc.
The strike team leader reported that they were assigned a specific housing tract where they evaluated the area for specific fire hazards, made plans to initiate if the fire did in fact reach this area, and positioned each Engine Company in the most advantageous location to protect their area of responsibility. Fortunately the main body of the fire did not reach their location and they were demobilized and have returned to the city.
Currently the LBFD has provided 3 Fire Line Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT’s) to the incident. These members are assigned to 3 different divisions and are supporting “Hot Shot” crews. In the event that any injuries occur, these EMT’s can provide medical treatment rapidly in the field. The LBFD also has a strike team currently on stand-by comprised of on-duty members and units available to respond in the event that the fire conditions change, or if any other major brush fires break out that would need mutual aid support.
This strike team would be deployed based on an evaluation of current conditions in the city of Long Beach and the resources available to address any current, or potential incidents in the city. If this strike team is deployed resource staffing in the city would be addressed by management, and filled by off-duty LBFD members.
Topics: Incidents | 26 Comments »
