Long Beach Fire Responds To An Evening Train Derailment
By Jackawa Jackson | June 22, 2009
At 9:44 pm on June 18th Long Beach Fire Department units were dispatched to a reported train derailment at 975 PIER F. On arrival E-1 found a Pacific Harbor Lines train with 3-empty well cars derailed. The derailment occurred at the curve of Pier F ave in between the LBCT yard and a Tidelands injection well. Fortunately, there were no containers on the damaged portion of the train. The train was 86-cars long with 35 loads on the north end of the train about 1-mile away. Pacific was in the process of transferring containers from LBCT to Pier A. A total of 24 firefighters responded to this incident.
Topics: Incidents | 26 Comments »
The Long Beach Fire Department Emphasizes that FireWorks are Dangerous and That they are Illegal in the City of Long Beach
By frhayes | June 18, 2009
According to statistics gathered by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) on Independence Day in a typical year, more fires are reported than on any other day of the year, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause. In 2004 alone, fireworks caused an estimated 1,500 structure fires and 600 vehicle fires reported to fire departments. These 2,100 fires resulted in an estimated 21 million in direct property damage.
In 2005 hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 10,800 people for fireworks related injuries. Nearly half the people injured by fireworks were under the age of 15, with children between the ages of 10-14 injured nearly three times greater then the general population. Sparklers, fountains, and novelties alone accounted for 26% of the emergency room fireworks injuries.
The slogan used by some fireworks manufacturers “Safe and Sane” proves to me inaccurate when in fact 95% of the fireworks injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms were attributed to fireworks that Federal regulations permit consumers to use. Fireworks and sparklers are designed to explode or throw of showers of hot sparks, with temperatures that may exceed 1200 degrees. The most tragic of statistics gathered by the NFPA indicates that between the years 2000-2004, 7 people per year were killed in fires started by fireworks, and that an additional 7 people were killed directly by fireworks.
In addition to the dangers associated with fireworks the Long Beach Police Department will be actively enforcing laws regarding the possession of all types of fireworks, including sparklers.
To ensure a safe and enjoyable 4th of July celebration the Long Beach Fire Department encourages the viewing of fireworks shows conducted by trained professionals. These presentations can be seen at Veterans Stadium, the Virginia Country Club, off the stern of the Queen Mary, and in neighboring Cities that offer fireworks shows.
For more information on fire hazards and fireworks safety please refer to; www.nfpa.org
Topics: News | 18 Comments »
4th of July Public Service Announcement
By frhayes | June 18, 2009
Topics: Video | 35 Comments »
Amonia Leak At A Juice Plant Triggers A Hazardous Matierials Response From The Long Beach Fire Department
By Jackawa Jackson | June 18, 2009
At about 11:45 pm on the evening of June 18th, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to a possible ammonia leak after a local resident walked in to Fire Station 3 complaining of a strong irritating odor.
An ammonia leak was discovered at 625 W. Anaheim, International Juice Concentrate. It took approximately 40 Long Beach Fire personnel including members of The Long Beach Fire Department’s Hazmat Team approximately three hours to locate, isolate, secure the leak.
The walk in patient at Station 3 was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center by LBFD paramedics complaining of shortness of breath. There were no other reports of injuries to citizens or firefighters.
Topics: Incidents | 29 Comments »
Big Rig Tanker Fire Takes The Life Of Its Driver And Requires Numerous Resources To Contain
By Jackawa Jackson | June 13, 2009
Just before 6:00 pm on the evening of June 13, 2009, Long Beach Fire Department units were called out to a report of an unknown type fire in the area of the 91 and 710 freeways. Upon arrival Long Beach Engine 12 found a large tanker truck had impacted the side rail of the East bound 91 to the North bound 710 transition road and was fully involved in fire. A huge fire ball enveloped the overpasses above due to the large quantity of flammable or combustible liquid that the tanker was carrying. Numerous units from Long Beach Fire were assisted by units from Compton and LA County Fire Departments in an effort to control the blaze. A literal river of fire flowed from the tanker into the storm drain and a nearby pumping station causing plumes of flame to erupt from other remote storm drains reaching 20 feet into the air. The intensity of the fire was such that all that remained of the truck were its’ axles and small portions of the cab. Large chunks of concrete also “spalled” or popped free from the transition road above due to the intense heat. Sadly, the driver of the big rig perished in the accident. The cause of this tragic accident is currently under investigation. Structural engineers were called in to determine the structural integrity of the overpass as well as surrounding structures. The Long Beach Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team responded in an effort to identify the product the driver was carrying and monitor for flammable vapors. A total of 47 firefighters for from LBFD and 17 firefighters from assisting agencies responded to this incident.
Topics: Uncategorized | 26 Comments »
