Long Beach Fire Department Participates In A Multi Agency Drill In Vernon
By Jackawa Jackson | August 18, 2009
Long Beach Fire Department units consisting of BC1, BC8, Haz Mat 24, Engine 4 and Engine 17 participated in a joint hazardous materials exercise hosted by Exxon/Mobil and the city of Vernon Fire Department. They were also joined by other participating agencies, which included fire departments from the cities of Compton, Downey and Santa Fe Springs.
The scenario simulated a leaking rail car containing pure ethanol with an injured victim. The objectives of the drill were to provide rescue and medical treatment of the injured and to contain and control the hazardous materials release and coordinate mitigation efforts.
Firefighter/Hazardous Materials Specialists from the Long Beach Fire Department along with members of the Vernon Fire Department made entries into the “exclusion zone” to monitor the air for explosive atmospheres, access the leaking rail car and take control actions, thereby stopping the hazardous materials release and thereby successfully terminating the event. Exercises such as this help hazardous materials responders maintain a constant state of readiness in the event they should be required to respond to actual chemical releases.
Topics: Uncategorized | 23 Comments »
Overturned Vehicle On The 405 Freeway
By Jackawa Jackson | August 17, 2009
At 12:44 am on August 17, 2009, Long Beach Fire responded to the North bound 405 freeway at Palo Verde to an injury traffic accident involving 2 vehicles including 1 on it’s roof. Battalion 2 was the first unit on scene with Engine 17 and Rescue 17 close behind. Fire crews found the driver of a small Honda sedan suspended upside down in his vehicle, which had come to rest in the number 3 lane. Firefighters from Truck 19 provided stabilization to the precariously positioned vehicle while other crew members worked to free the trapped driver. Firefighters had the 30-year-old male patient freed from his wrecked car in a matter of minutes. He was transported to a local hospital with minor –moderate injuries. The occupants of the other vehicle were not injured in the collision. Responding units included: E17, E9, T19, R17, and BC 2.
Topics: Uncategorized | 23 Comments »
Firefighters Use The Jaws Of Life To Free Trapped Occupant
By Jackawa Jackson | August 17, 2009
At 4:51 on the morning of August 17, 2009 , Long Beach Fire Department units responded to a report of an injury traffic accident with a possible trapped victim at the intersection of Clark and Carson. Engine 19 arrived on scene within 4 minutes from time of dispatched and determined that there was indeed a man trapped and required extrication. The 28-year-old male passenger suffered moderate injuries when a bobtail truck struck the BMW sedan in which he was riding. The impact was such that firefighters from T19 needed to use the jaws of life to free the man from the vehicle. It took firefighters 7 minutes to free the patient from the wreckage. The drivers of the BMW and the driver of the bobtail truck were not injured. Paramedics from Rescue 17 transported the patient to a local trauma center. A total of 11 firefighters and 2 civilian ambulance operators responded to this incident. Responding units included E19, T19, R17, BLS 4 and BC 2.
Topics: Uncategorized | 28 Comments »
Station 11 Practices Above Ground Rescue
By Jackawa Jackson | August 14, 2009
On August 6, 2009, units from Long Beach Fire Station 11 practiced what is called a ladder pick-off operation. This operation is used in situations where a patient is either above ground or below grade and has suffered some illness or injury. This illness or injury precludes them from exiting their location on their own and must be brought to a more accessible area. In this particular evolution, a simulated worker has become incapacitated on the roof of a large commercial building and must be brought down to ground level for transport to a hospital. The 100-foot aerial ladder of the truck company is used as base of attachment and an elevating platform for the various raising and lowering systems use in these operations. A litter or stokes basket is employed for actual patient transfer. Many of the individuals who are assigned to the 5 truck companies in the City of Long Beach are USAR (Urban Search and Rescue) qualified and are proficient in the areas of high and low angle rescue. Many of our crews train tirelessly in an effort to perfect their rescue techniques, so, should their skills be called upon, our firefighters will perform flawlessly and all tasks that need to be accomplished will be second nature.
Topics: Uncategorized | 27 Comments »
Units From Long Beach Fire Department Arrive On Scene Of A Well Involved Apartment Fire
By Jackawa Jackson | August 13, 2009
At 5:31 pm on the evening of August 13, 2009, Long Beach Fire Department received a call for an apartment fire located at 113 West 9th Street with children possibly inside. E101 arrived on scene at 5:35 pm to find the second story unit of a 4 plex with a large volume of fire showing from what appeared to be a rear bedroom. Engine 101 crewmembers mounted an aggressive interior attack on the seat of the fire while additional companies began a diligent search of the dwelling for possible victims. The rear bedroom and attached hallway were fully involved in fire with heavy smoke all the way to the floor in the rest of the apartment. Truck 1 used chain saws to open the roof in an effort to provide a somewhat tenable atmosphere for the fire attack and search teams. The fire was brought under control within a matter of minutes. Fortunately, no one was home at the time of the fire and initial reports of children trapped proved to be false. The American Red Cross was contacted to provide shelter for a mother and her 5 children. The children ranged in age from 11 months to 12 years old. There were no injuries reported to citizens or to firefighters. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.
Units responding to this call included Engine 101, Engine 1, Engine 3, Engine 10, Rescue 13, Truck 1, BC 1, and Arson 1. This incident occurred in city council district 1.
Topics: Incidents | 32 Comments »
