In a Disaster: Get Emergency Help

During National Preparedness Month, the Los Angeles Fire Department suggests you...

Teach your children and review with all family members, how and when to call 9-1-1 for help.

By placing your phone number, address and cross street legibly near any fixed location phone, you can help dispatchers confirm important details that can speed emergency response.

Its also good idea to post alternate emergency and family contact numbers in, on and near each of your telephones.

If you accidently dial 9-1-1, stay on the line and answer the call-takers questions so they can be certain yours is a false alarm that requires no emergency response.



Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

In a Disaster: Is School In or Out?

During National Preparedness Month, the Los Angeles Fire Department asks you to...

Check your child's school website or call the school office to request a copy of the school's emergency plan. Keep a copy at home, at work and other places where you spend considerable time. Most importantly, make sure the school plan is incorporated into your family's emergency plan.

Now is also a great time to learn about the disaster plans at your workplace and other locations where you and your family spend time - it's all part of being ready!



Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

South Los Angeles Electrical Fire Displaces 20

On Monday, September 6, 2010 at 3:23 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 34 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Charles Combs, responded to a Structure Fire at 611 West 46th Street in South Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from a two-story 4,403 square-foot residential fourplex.

View Larger Pre-Fire Image (you can also click, grab or zoom the image above!)
Finding fire in the attic, firefighters commenced swift salvage operations to protect personal property by deploying tarpaulins within the structure and making judicious use of firefighting hosestreams.

The well coordinated effort of firefighters confined flames to the building's common attic, extinguishing the blaze in just 23 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Though loss from the fire was limited to $35,000 ($25,000 structure & $10,000 contents), the need to secure utilities rendered the building temporarily untenable. A total of twenty persons - 15 adults and 5 children - living in the residential fourplex were referred to the American Red Cross for interim placement assistance.

The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical in nature, and attributed to dated wiring in the 99 year-old building.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

In a Disaster: Make It a Habit

During National Preparedness Month, the Los Angeles Fire Department asks you to...

Go through your calendar now, and put a reminder on it - every six months - to review your plan, update numbers and check supplies to be certain nothing has expired, spoiled or changed.

Experience tells us that if it isn't on your calendar now, it won't be ready for you then. Take time now to practice your earthquake, fire and other disaster plans with friends, family and coworkers.

When it comes to disaster preparedness, time is of the essence.



Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

15 Acres Burns Near The Getty Center

On Saturday, September 4, 2010 at 5:01 PM, 50 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 5 Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Water Tender, 1 Rehab Plug, 4 LACO Camp Crews under the direction of Assistant Chief Daryl Arbuthnott responded to a MAJOR EMERGENCY BRUSH FIRE at NB 405 FWY at Getty Center Dr. in Brentwood.

Los Angeles Firefighters, arrived at yet another brush fire this season, along the hills near The Getty Center. Due to the already state of readiness and enhanced staffing for critical fire weather conditions, arriving crews discovered five acres of medium to heavy brush burning uphill adjacent to the 405 freeway. LAFD along with California Highway Patrol, secured the rightmost lanes of the busy freeway to begin anchoring the flames and working the flanks of the fire. The blaze moved towards a high ridge near homes below just on the other side.

Despite the calm winds, and with no 'Red Flag Warning' in effect for the City of Los Angeles, the flames still moved rapidly through the light and flashy fuels towards thicker brush. LAFD water dropping helicopters were quickly called into action and halted the advancement of the flames unreachable by ground crews. Additional fire personnel were strategically placed near homes to be safe guarded in case the fire reached any structures.

Due to the hard work and efforts of the helicopters above and the ground crews below, the fire was held to little less than 15 acres. It took over 275 firefighters 2 hours’ and 10 minutes to bring the flames under full containment. No structures were damaged during the incident and no evacuation went onto affect. The cause of the fire remains under an active investigation.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

In a Disaster: Man's Best Friends

During National Preparedness Month, the Los Angeles Fire Department reminds you...

The simple steps of disaster preparedness can benefit our furry and feathered friends as well. The READY.GOV website includes helpful information for people and their pets, including how to create a special kit for animal emergencies and evacuation.

Along with storing extra food, water and first aid supplies for your pet, now is a good time to reach out to your veterinarian, to know for certain what is best for your household pets, horses and livestock when disaster strikes.

Dogs may be man's best friend, but due to health regulations, most emergency shelters cannot house animals. With a little planning, your pet need not be left behind, but could be taken to a predesignated friend or facility during an emergency.

The time to plan for you and your pets is now.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

A Sobering Snapshot of Summer Pool Safety

As children across America go back-to-school, the Los Angeles Fire Department joins the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the Home Safety Council, in reminding Americans that pool and water safety is a year-round issue.

On average, more than 200 children younger than 15 drown in pools or spas between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Media reports suggest this year has been no different, with at least 172 children younger than 15 having drowned since Memorial Day weekend:

In addition, media accounts have tallied more than 180 non-fatal incidents involving children in pools and spas.

With such a high number of child drownings and non-fatal incidents, the LAFD joins members of the Pool Safely campaign in calling for added vigilance at pools and spas this Labor Day weekend and beyond.

Today, Los Angeles Firefighters ask you to learn and review The 7 Simple Steps to Pool Safely. To learn more, visit:

poolsafely.gov

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Don't Forget the 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony in Los Angeles

Next Friday, September 10, the Los Angeles Fire Department along with a variety of other public agencies, organizations and the U.S. military will gather to commemorate the tragedy our country suffered on September 11th, just nine years ago.

Some are surprised to learn that the LAFD was personally involved in the immediate rescue efforts after the World Trade Center disaster. More than 100 of our members were dispatched to New York as a part of our FEMA response team and formed a strong bond with New York Firefighters as they worked hand-in-hand for over two weeks. Our training center was awarded the honor of hosting this anual event. We are proud to display an impressive monument to the 9/11 disaster; a 28 foot tall, 23 ton, trident shaped piece of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, ensures that we in fact,  “NEVER FORGET.”

Please join us on Friday September 10th, at Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center located at 1700 Stadium Way – Los Angeles, 90012 from the hours of 9:00 am to 10:30 am.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

In a Disaster: Emergency Contacts

During National Preparedness Month, the Los Angeles Fire Department asks you to...

Complete an emergency contact card for every adult and child in your household - and see that they are carried at all times.

Be sure to include an out-of-town contact, as it is often easier to reach someone at a distance when local phone lines are out of service or overloaded.

And finally... know the location of a wired landline phone near where you live, work and play. In a disaster, these phones may work when cell phones and cordless phones won't.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

LAFD Takes $154,021 Boot To Las Vegas

Earlier this year, the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department actively conducted a 'Fill-The-Boot' fundraising campaign to support the fight against Muscular Dystrophy.

This weekend, the generosity of our community will be evident when funds gathered during the local campaign are presented to entertainer Jerry Lewis during the annual Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Telethon in Las Vegas.

Thanks to your support, Neighborhood Fire Fighters in Los Angeles were able to raise $154,021.71 for "Jerry's Kids" - like our friend Skyer...

These funds have been added to those gathered by International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) members across the country, and will be ceremoniously presented to telethon host Jerry Lewis by IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger during this weekend's star-studded event.

Did you miss the recent 'Fill The Boot' campaign?

You can still help by calling 1-888-HELP-MDA or clicking on the boot image above to make your secure on-line donation today!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department