Off-Duty LBFD Firefighter Uses CPR To Save A Life
By JJohnson | July 11, 2009
On the evening of 7/7/09 at around 6:15pm, Long Beach Firefighter Kevin Byrne had to use the skills that we as a firefighters use everyday on the job, only this time he was off-duty and his friend/teammate was involved. Kevin was playing basketball in Newport Beach, getting ready to sub into the game. His teammate Dave was ready to come out for a break, when he bent over and rested his hands on his knees. Dave then called for a time out and then went down to the ground. Another teammate, Craig Covey who is a Captain with OCFA, also noticed his teammate go down and both he and Kevin jumped into action.
Byrne said Dave just went limp, falling flat on his back and slamming his head into the hardwood. Covey and Byrne rushed over while witnesses dialed 911.
Immediately, the two men began performing CPR, first with Covey on the chest compressions and Byrne assisting with breathing. The men said from the time Dave collapsed to them performing CPR, maybe 30 seconds had passed. Both knew CPR is only a temporary fix. The gym did not have a portable Automatic External Defibrillator, which can measure a person’s heart beat and give them the necessary shock. The men had to perform CPR for about four minutes, they said, before Newport Beach paramedics arrived with their defibrillator.
When paramedics arrived, they immediately gave Dave a shock, and that was all he needed. By the time Dave got to the hospital, he was conscious and talking to paramedics.
This type of incident demonstrates the importance of immediate bystander CPR followed by rapid advanced life support.
Topics: Uncategorized | 32 Comments »
Two Of Our Off Duty Members Perform CPR On A 14 Year Old Family Member In Full Arrest
By Jackawa Jackson | July 10, 2009
On June 24th, off duty Engineer Steve Roberts and Retired LBFD Captain Jack Lee were watching Steve’s son’s high school baseball game at Los Alamitos High School. A 14-year-old boy, while at the plate preparing to bunt, was struck in the chest with a fastball. The boy began to run to first base but collapsed unconscious before he could get there. Steve and Jack charged onto the field only to find that the injured player was Jack Lee’s grandson. The boy was in cardiac arrest. Engineer Roberts began rescue breathing and retired Captain Lee began chest compressions. The two continued CPR until the arrival of Orange County Fire Authority Medic 17 who quickly began paramedic level treatment. The boy was transported to a local hospital where he recovered fully and was released 2 days later with no serious deficits from his ordeal. This type of incident demonstrates the importance of immediate bystander CPR followed by rapid advanced life support. Engineer Roberts is a veteran with 19 years of experience. He is currently assigned to Long Beach Fire Station 22. Jack Lee retired form Long Beach as a Fire Captain in October of 2006. In this instance, the skills learned and frequently practiced on the Long Beach Fire Department allowed these individuals to function seamlessly at the critical moment and undoubtedly assisted in the successful resuscitation and salvation of this young life.
Topics: Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
Early Morning Garage Fire Spreads to The House, 3 Girls Get Out Unharmed
By JJohnson | July 10, 2009
The call came into the LBFD dispatch center for reports of a garage fire on the 6700 block of DeLeon St. at around 5:45am, on 7/10/09. Engine 22 along with BC2 were on scene quickly and reported heavy smoke & fire coming from the attached garage and spreading to the house. E22 pulled one of their attack lines and began knocking down the flames. Engine 17 was also close behind and pulled an additional attack line off of 22’s and assisted them with fire attack.
Engine 18 began a primary search for victims, luckily everyone was out. Engine, Truck and Rescue 14 were also on scene and helped to extinguish the fire. Units had to deal with a broken gas meter on the house next door which was blowing gas up in the air about 10 ft. They worked quickly to keep the flames at bay with their hose streams and were able to shut off the gas. There was minor damage exterior damage to the house next door, again with no injuries.
A man who was on his way to work was driving by and quickly stopped to help. He went to the front door to see if anyone was inside and was able to awake the 3 girls inside. They were all able to make it out without any injuries thanks to the passer by.
There were no injuires to Firefighters or civilians.
Units on scene: E22, BC2, E17, E14, R14, T14, E18, PIO 4.
A total of 23 firefighters were able to knock down the fire within 20 mins of the dispatch.
Topics: Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
LBFD Fire Station One “The Big House” Conducts Ladder Pipe Drill
By frhayes | July 9, 2009
On Wednesday, July 8th the members from Fire Station One, the “Big House” conducted an Ariel ladder drill at the Long Beach Convention Center. This drill was intended to practice the operations of hooking up a water supply through multiple hoses to supply enough water to provide for an elevated water stream that could be used to fight large fires. Multiple different types of nozzles were used at the tip of the ladder to determine the best one for different types of applications.
This drill also provided the opportunity for the Engineers to practice elevating and raising the ladder which would be needed to provide for the rescue of possibly trapped victims involved in a high rise structure fire. The length of the ladder at full extension is approximately 100 feet, however due to climbing angles and possible set backs from different buildings, rescue operations would usually be limited to about the 8th or 9th floor balcony levels.
Topics: Uncategorized | 192 Comments »
LBFD Hazardous Material Task Force 24 Response
By frhayes | July 8, 2009
On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 10:00 A.M., Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) units responded to a reported Hazardous Materials incident at 2401 SEPULVEDA BLVD, LONG BEACH, CA 90810.
Engine 13, the first arriving unit, made contact with the management from the CSTI shipping terminal who provided information that there was a slow leak from one or multiple 55 gallon drums being carried on a flat bed car in a container. The container had 80 drums in it, and absorbent pads had been placed around the liquid to prevent any spread of the liquid.
Hazardous Materials Task Force 24 (HMTF24) with the assistance of the Los Angeles City Hazardous Material team set up a “safe zone” to prevent anyone from entering the area near the flat bed. HMTF24 then made entry into the area with full protective equipment, including breathing apparatus to verify that the chemical that had been reported by management was Diethanolamine.
Information about this chemical indicated that it is extremely hazardous in cases of skin or eye contact, and in cases involving ingestion or inhalation. Due to the actions of management, and the combined efforts of the Hazardous Materials teams there were no injuries caused by this incident. A private clean up company was requested to handle this operation with all other units released from the operations.
This incident occurred in council district 7, with a total of 14 apparatus and 23 personnel working on this incident for approximately 2 hours.
Topics: Incidents | 23 Comments »
