Early Afternoon Blaze In A Row Of Detatched Garages
By Jackawa Jackson | April 28, 2009
At 2:07 pm, Long Beach Fire Department units responded to a report of a garage fire located to the rear of 4308 E. 4th St. Truck 14 arrived first on scene to find heavy smoke emanating from a row of detached garages to the rear of an apartment building. The truck crew began rapid forcible entry operations in an effort to make way for the first arriving engine company. This would be Engine 4, which arrived, seconds later. An aggressive interior attack, in conjunction with rapid vertical ventilation, and the close proximity of responding units helped to confine this fire to the garage of origin. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. There were no injuries reported to citizens or to firefighters.
Topics: Uncategorized | 25 Comments »
Photos Of Current Ambassadors
By Jackawa Jackson | April 28, 2009
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE LONG BEACH FIRE AMBASSADORS
In 1991 the Long Beach Fire Ambassador Program was launched through the efforts of Donna Griggs and Captain Walt Gupton. There were 20 original members invited to become Ambassadors.
The Fire Safety House is a major component of the Fire Ambassadors program and travels throughout the city’s schools teaching Long Beach area 3rd grade school students the how to be fire safe. The portable and interactive Fire Safety House was purchased in 2002 using grant money and donations from Allstate Insurance. In the beginning of the program, the primary activities of the Fire Ambassadors was distribute fire safety and emergency literature at health fairs and delivering Fire and Burn Safety messages to various organizations, companies, Neighborhood Watch meetings and senior and adult living complexes. A segment on earthquake preparedness was added later. This program uses a dramatic video of what would happen in Long Beach during a 6 point earthquake and a advises everyone to be “prepared” at all times.
Representing the Fire Department at many functions throughout the city and providing fire education to children is a major responsibility. That’s why it is so important that we select Ambassadors who are enthusiastic are professional in their appearance, actions, and adherence to the Rules and Regulations of the organization.
The Long Beach Fire Ambassadors are always seeking new members. Volunteers must be retired and over the age of 55 and over.
Ambassador’s Mission Statement
The Mission of the Long Beach Fire Ambassadors, in partnership with the Long Beach Fire Department, is to increase awareness of fire safety at home and in the community and to educate children and adults in ways to prevent injuries to persons and property damage as a result of fire.
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Long Beach Cancer League Charity Event
By frhayes | April 28, 2009
On Saturday, April 25, 2009 the Long Beach Cancer League (LBCL) presented their 33rd annual Long Beach Gala “In the Mood” at the Daugherty Sky Harbor Hangar. This event was co-chaired by Loren Miner and Sheryl Stewart, with event honorees Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Chief David Ellis and his wife Roni, both cancer survivors.
The event was “Sold Out” attended by 500 guests, including additional LBFD cancer survivors Battalion Chief Mike Albarran and retired Captain Hank Zavaleta. Guests were treated to a Gourmet dinner, dancing, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Some of the unique items available during the auctions included private dinner parties, sporting events, private television show tapings, and exciting travel opportunities.
The LBCL, a fundraising auxiliary of the American Cancer Society, is comprised of over 100 dedicated volunteers who have created and promoted this event on a yearly basis. During the last thirty-three years over ten million dollars has been raised, and with this years proceeds more funds will now be available to help fight cancer.
The specific mission of the LBCL is to further the general purpose of the American Cancer society. Some of the ways that this is accomplished is through funding cutting edge research, providing some services at no cost to patients and their families, as well as providing transportation to and from cancer treatment facilities.
The American Cancer Society as a whole is a nationwide voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering through research, education, advocacy and service.
To help the LBCL please call (562) 437-0791 (option 3) ext. 245 or to learn more about the ACS call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org
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Swine Flu Cases Reported In The U.S.
By Jackawa Jackson | April 27, 2009
What is swine influenza?
Swine influenza, or “swine flu”, is a highly contagious acute respiratory disease of pigs, caused by one of several swine influenza A viruses. Morbidity tends to be high and mortality low (1-4%). The virus is spread among pigs by aerosols, direct and indirect contact, and asymptomatic carrier pigs. Outbreaks in pigs occur year round, with an increased incidence in the fall and winter in temperate zones. Many countries routinely vaccinate swine populations against swine influenza.
Swine influenza viruses are most commonly of the H1N1 subtype, but other subtypes are also circulating in pigs (e.g., H1N2, H3N1, H3N2). Pigs can also be infected with avian influenza viruses and human seasonal influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. The H3N2 swine virus was thought to have been originally introduced into pigs by humans. Sometimes pigs can be infected with more than one virus type at a time, which can allow the genes from these viruses to mix. This can result in an influenza virus containing genes from a number of sources, called a “reassortant” virus. Although swine influenza viruses are normally species specific and only infect pigs, they do sometimes cross the species barrier to cause disease in humans. This appears to be the case with this virus. As of 27 April 2009, the United States Government has reported 40 laboratory confirmed human cases of swine influenza A(H1N1), with no deaths. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection with the same virus, including seven deaths. Canada has reported six cases, with no deaths, while Spain has reported one case, with no deaths.
Swine influenza has not been shown to be transmissible to people through eating properly handled and prepared pork (pig meat) or other products derived from pigs. The swine influenza virus is killed by cooking temperatures of 160_F/70_C, corresponding to the general guidance for the preparation of pork and other meat.
What You Can Do to Stay Healthy:
There are everyday actions people can take to stay healthy.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
- If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
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Shake Rattle and Roll – Long Beach Airport Drill
By frhayes | April 25, 2009
On April 24, 2009 from 10:00 PM to 12:00 PM a full scale Airport exercise was conducted, the purpose of the drill was to provide an exercise in which airport and emergency service organizations could provide fire, rescue, emergency medical and related services to victims of a major earthquake and aircraft disaster. It also provided the opportunity for those public and private organizations to interface under a Unified Command structure during an airport emergency setting.
This drill also satisfied the FAA requirement for conducting a triennial aircraft emergency exercise. The drill evaluated the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF), Airport Management, Security, Police, and EMS response for their operational readiness in the event of an earthquake and mass casualty incident.
The scenario for the drill was that the Los Angeles area had suffered a 6.4 magnitude earthquake centered approximately 2 miles north of the Long Beach Airport. The airport subsequently suffered extensive damage with reported injuries to employees and passengers due to shattered glass and debris.
The exercise began with various departments and agencies initiating their post earthquake operational procedures. Agencies were then given status injects as they checked the structures and places listed on their Earthquake Operational Plans.
The Airport Emergency Plan was utilized following the sections for natural disasters, structure fires, and aircraft incidents. The Multi-Hazard Functional Plan was also referenced. Responsibilities were shared among all stakeholders in the city that share joint responsibilities involved in the event of an aircraft disaster or mass casualty emergency at the Long Beach Airport.
There were various emergencies throughout the airport; however, the main scenario centered on a plane fire caused by the earthquake. The fire and explosion caused approximately 60-100 injuries.
City of Long Beach agencies that participated in the drill included Airport Operations, Long Beach Fire, Police, Search and Rescue, and the Emergency Operations Center (EOC). Outside agencies that participated included the Los Angeles County Sheriff Air Support, fire departments within Los Angeles and Orange Counties, National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Greater Long Beach Chapter of the American Red Cross, St. Mary Medical Center Disaster Resource Center, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, U.S. Airways, various ambulance agencies and other Airport tenants. There were also approximately 200 volunteers from across Long Beach and the Southern California region that assisted with this exercise.
Topics: Events, Public Safety | 36 Comments »
