OKLAHOMA CITY - A member of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Command Staff was sent to assist those affected by the devastating tornado in Oklahoma City.

On May 20, at 3:56 pm EDT, a tornado developed near Newcastle, OK (pop. 7,847) and swiftly moved ENE across Moore (pop. 56,315) before dissipating at 4:36 pm EDT. The tornado was reported to be a mile wide with winds of at least 166 mph creating widespread damage and casualties.

In support of the national response to the events that occurred in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan areas of Moore and Newcastle, one member of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Command Staff has been activated and is being sent to Oklahoma as a member of FEMA’s overhead command team. California Task Force One (CA-TF1) has not been activated. However, LAFD Urban Search and Rescue Teams are standing by.

For more than two decades, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has helped organize and support a system of regional Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task Forces available for mobilization by State and Federal government on an as-needed basis.

Comprised of specially trained and equipped local firefighters and other certified responders, this nationwide network of 28 FEMA USAR Task Forces includes eight in the Golden State, two of which are maintained here in Los Angeles County (CA-TF1: Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) & CA-TF2: Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD), similar sounding but separate organizations).

The LAFD along with FEMA urge residents in impacted areas to listen carefully to instructions from their local officials and take the recommended protective measures to safeguard life and property while response efforts continue. Listen to state, local and tribal officials who ask you to remain in shelters, homes or safe places until they give the “all clear” to travel. Roads are very likely to be damaged or blocked by debris, and traffic jams slow emergency managers and first responders as they attempt to reach hard-hit areas.

We encourage individuals in the affected areas following a disaster to monitor local radio, TV stations, the National Weather Service at www.weather.gov or a NOAA weather radio for the latest weather and emergency information.

We strongly remind all that NOW is the time to get prepared for tornadoes and other disasters such as earthquakes that threaten the Los Angeles area.

There are tools and resources available online to help you prepare for, respond to and recover from any type of disaster. Visit www.ready.gov to learn more. The Spanish language site – listo.gov. Those with a Blackberry, Android or Apple device can download the FEMA app to access safety tips, shelter locations, and more.

Member's of the Los Angeles Fire Department hearts go out to those affected by the devastating tornado and we tip our helmets to all First Responders, particularly those bravely assisting in Oklahoma this week, which is National Emergency Medical Services Week (May 19-25, 2013).

Members of the Media are welcome to visit Fire Station 88 today, May 21, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM to view members of CA-TF1 practice.

UPDATE (May 21, 2013 1:43 PM): Federal disaster aid has been made available to the State of Oklahoma in the area affected by severe storms and tornadoes since May 18, 2013. Individuals and families impacted can apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov.

Three important things for YOU & YOUR FAMILY to think about:

1) How will you locate loved ones during an emergency? After a disaster, phone lines may get congested. To get in contact with friends and family, use text messaging services and update social media networks. Try American Red Cross Safe and Well website.

2) How can you help children cope with disasters? Disasters can leave children feeling frightened, confused and insecure. Whether a child has personally experienced trauma, or has seen the event on television or has heard it discussed by adults, it is important for parents and teachers to be informed and ready to help if reactions to stress begin to occur. Click here for more information.

3) How to clean up and return home after a disaster? After a disaster strikes, use extreme caution when returning home. You may be anxious to see your property but do not return to your home before the area is declared to be safe by local officials. Click here to learn what to do before entering your home.

If you feel moved to help the disaster victims, the State of Oklahoma has donation information available at OKStrong.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

Many are surprised to learn the Los Angeles Fire Department commenced ambulance service in 1927. In the decades that have followed, the LAFD has remained a proud provider of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) across what is now a 470 square mile jurisdiction and home to nearly four million people that live, work and play in Los Angeles.

This year's theme, "EMS: One Mission. One Team", marks the 40th annual National Emergency Medical Services Week from May 19-25, 2013. This is not only an opportunity to affirm our long-standing commitment to EMS, but more importantly to applaud the less visible members of a national EMS system that seek to assure the comfort, recovery and survival of all who turn to them when afflicted with sudden illness or injury.

This week, we proudly recognize the around-the-clock devotion of 9-1-1 dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, nurses, physicians, hospital technicians and support staff who work alongside us in a noble pursuit.

It is our hope that you will join us this week in reaching out to the providers of EMS in your community, not only to say thank you, but to allow them an ability to better understand your needs and concerns related to emergency health care.

Want to get involved?

Earlier this month your Los Angeles Firefighters instructed Hand's Only CPR to hundreds who visited seven LAFD Fire Stations. Due to the positive feedback from participants, the LAFD will host a free "Sidewalk CPR" event at various locations throughout Los Angeles on June 4th, 2013 where you will have an opportunity to practice this life saving skill on mannequins. We look forward to providing you with more details on this exciting upcoming event soon.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

PALMS - On Wednesday, May 15, 2013 at 7:53 AM the Los Angeles Fire Department was called to assist the Los Angeles Police Department with their investigation of explosive devices in the 3800 block of South Overland Avenue, near Culver City.

The overnight arrest of a suspect by the LAPD generated a multi agency response when several homemade explosive devices were discovered in a 4 story apartment building. Evacuation of that building and several others nearby established a safety perimeter, as LAFD personnel coordinated the calm and orderly evacuation of hundreds, including a terminally ill resident taken to the safe refuge of an area hospital by LAFD ambulance.

Over 100 LAFD members under the command of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas were committed to the incident for nearly 12 hours. The LAPD Bomb Squad carefully extracted devices from the building and rendered them safe. A telephone information line was established for displaced residents, as well as a shelter at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

The joint agency response included the Culver City Police and Fire Departments, the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the American Red Cross.

No injuries were reported. At 8:30 PM residents were allowed to return to their homes.

Dispatched Units: AR9 AR11 AR23 AR7 E43 RA43 BC18 DC2 DC1 EM18 BC1 BC5 UR27 SQ21 T27 E227 E27 E21 T21 E221 RA27 RA827 E94 E62 RA62 E58 RA58 E263 T63 EM9 EM13 HL2 HL3 HL6 CP3 EM9 RA59 T37 E237 E26 RT59 AR17 E29 BC5

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

LOS ANGELES - With the resumption of hot weather, don't underestimate the heat or overestimate your abilities!

The Los Angeles Fire Department encourages you to stay safe during a heat wave by following the links below - and sharing these hot weather safety tips with your family, friends and coworkers:

• LAFD Paramedics Stress Hot Weather Safety
• Children, Hot Weather & Cars = Danger!
• Hot Oven, Hot Car... It's the Same Thing
• Extreme Heat Safety Information

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

On Saturday, May 11, 2013** from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM all Neighborhood Fire Stations in the City of Los Angeles will be expecting your visit.

To increase community awareness of Fire Department services, the Los Angeles Fire Department designates the second Saturday of each May as Fire Service Recognition Day. This year, we celebrate:

"Providing Exceptional Customer Service - Anytime, Anyplace"
During our 2013 open house, LAFD proudly highlights the commitment of Los Angeles Firefighters in assuring the satisfaction of those they are sworn to serve.

Along with personal tours of YOUR Neighborhood Fire Station, the LAFD will be hosting special "Hands-Only CPR" demonstrations at select sites, as well as enhanced displays at these locations:

Fire Station 5
8900 Emerson Ave
Westchester

Fire Station 27 & LAFD Museum
(8:30 AM - Noon Pancake Breakfast )
1327 North Cole Ave
Hollywood

Fire Station 34
3661 7th Ave
Jefferson Park

Fire Station 56
2759 Rowena Ave
Silver Lake

Fire Station 63
(8:00 AM - Noon Pancake Breakfast )
1930 Shell Ave
Venice

Fire Station 65
1801 East Century Blvd
Watts

Fire Station 69
15045 Sunset Blvd
Pacific Palisades

Fire Station 86
(8:00 AM - Noon Pancake Breakfast)
4305 Vineland Ave
Studio City

Fire Station 88
5101 North Sepulveda Blvd
Sherman Oaks

Fire Station 112
444 South Harbor Boulevard
San Pedro

LAFD Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
1700 North Stadium Way
Elysian Park

** Those unable to attend on Saturday due to religious observance, are warmly welcomed to join us on Sunday, May 12, 2013 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at three special locations:

Fire Station 58
1556 South Robertson Blvd
Pico/Robertson

Fire Station 61
5821 West 3rd St
Fairfax District

Fire Station 102
13200 Burbank Blvd
Valley Glen

We look forward to meeting you at any City of Los Angeles Fire Station during our Annual Open House Celebration!

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

The Los Angeles Fire Department joins the American Nurses Association in celebrating National Nurses Week.

With a theme of "Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care", National Nurses Week 2013 is a chance for LAFD first responders to extend appreciation and raise awareness of nursing, especially the critical role nurses play in emergency health care throughout our community and across the nation.

In honor of the commitment and tireless effort of nearly 3.1 million registered nurses nationwide, the LAFD proudly salutes the entire nursing vocation. Learn more at:

 

nursingworld.org

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

As previously mentioned this Saturday, May 11, 2013, the Los Angeles Fire Department will be celebrating “Fire Service Day” throughout the City.

All 106 neighborhood fire stations will be open to the public beginning at 10:00 AM and conclude at 4:00 PM. During our annual Open House Celebration we will be hosting special demonstrations, enhanced displays, and instructing Free Hand's Only CPR for the public at the following LAFD Fire Stations (FS).

• FS 5: 8900 South Emerson Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90045 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
• FS 27: 1327 North Cole Avenue Hollywood CA 90028 (8:00 AM - Noon *Pancake Breakfast*)
• FS 63: 1930 Shell Avenue Venice CA 90291 (8:00 AM - Noon *Pancake Breakfast*)
• FS 65: 1801 East Century Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90002 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
• FS 86: 4305 Vineland Avenue Studio City, CA 91602 (8:00 AM - Noon *Pancake Breakfast*)
• FS 88: 5101 Sepulveda Boulevard Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)
• FS 112: 444 South Harbor Boulevard, Berth 86 San Pedro CA 90731 (10:00 AM - 2:00 PM)

Members of the LAFD, local LAFD Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and CPR instructors will be on hand to demonstrate the basics and proper techniques of Hands-Only CPR. Participants will have the opportunity to practice on mannequins this life saving skill. The training will not result in CPR certification, but information on how you can get certified will be available.

 
Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone at any time. Nearly 300,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually and only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander. Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths. In fact, less than eight percent of people who suffer cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive. On the other hand, effective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival.


Most people who experience cardiac arrest at home, work or in a public location die because they don't receive immediate CPR from someone on the scene. As a bystander, don't be afraid. Your actions can only help.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

With May 8, 2013 recognized as National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Deputy Administrator Richard Serino joins the Los Angeles Fire Department in reminding you to plan for disasters with pets, horses and livestock in mind:

There are three simple steps you can take today!

• Ensure your pet is wearing a collar with your current contact information. Because you may be mobile in a crisis, be sure to include your cell phone number on your pet's identification tag.
• Create a basic disaster kit with enough dry food and water for each animal to last at least five days. Medications and medical records stored in a waterproof container will prove helpful, as will garbage bags to collect pet waste.
• Have sturdy leashes, harnesses and carriers you can use to transport animals safely in an emergency.

For more information on preparing pets for disaster, visit:

ready.gov/caring-animals

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

SHERMAN OAKS - Two firefighters suffered burns this morning battling a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at a three-story hillside home in Sherman Oaks on May 4, 2013.

Los Angeles Firefighters quickly made their way up a narrow, winding road to 4008 Sumac Drive, off Beverly Glen Boulevard, at 12:02 a.m. Arriving firefighters found at least one room ablaze in the unoccupied house, which had two stories below ground level (sub level 1 & sub level 2). An aggressive attack ensued and additional resources were immediately requested.

First arriving firefighters attacked the ground level flames and quickly realized intense flames were burning beneath them as well. Conditions inside the structure rapidly deteriorated. All three floors quickly became unstable due to extensive fire load. One veteran Fire Captain, low on air, was forced to call "Emergency Traffic" due to difficulty exiting the massive structure. He narrowly exited. Firefighters were ordered out of the structure and forced to fight the flames defensively from the exterior. Ultimately all three floors of the home were charred with extensive fire damage.

One hundred firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, took just over one hour to fully extinguish the blaze.

Two firefighters were injured and transported to local hospitals. One Fire Captain in serious but stable condition and one Firefighter in fair but stable condition, both received minor burns. No civilians were injured.

Several arson investigators remained on scene for hours carefully combing through debris. The cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section.

This incident reminded many firefighters of the recent tragic fire at a hillside home on 1546 N. Viewsite Drive in Hollywood Hills where sadly LAFD Firefighter Glen Allen was killed.

The estimated dollar loss is $260,000 ($180,000 structure & $80,000 contents).

Dispatched Units: E99 E33 RA99 T88 E288 RA88 EM14 BC10 BC714 E81 E10 DC3 E278 T78 E108 BC9 E293 T93 UR88 RA78 E481 E109 RA83 T39 EM9 EM17 T27 E227 UR27 BC5 RA827 AR2 EA1 E37 RT83 CM3 AR11 AR9 CM2 SU2 T90 E290

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

As wildfire danger continues in Southern California, the risk of vegetation fire is apparent.

Regionally...

To assist you in preparing for this cyclical nemesis, the Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to share regional Fire Weather reports issued twice daily by the National Weather Service.

...and Locally

We remind you that regional reports mentioned above are separate from any local declaration that may enact special Red Flag Alert Parking Restrictions in the City of Los Angeles.

How Danger is Determined

To remain vigilant, Los Angeles Firefighters continuously analyze the relationship between factors of the "Fire Environment Triangle". The balance or imbalance of:

• Weather
• Terrain
• Fuels

...will dictate the fire hazard for a geographic region. Within such regions, local agencies - such as the Los Angeles Fire Department, may independently assess wildfire danger and enact local programs and restrictions.

You Can Help!

While terrain is readily assessed, and many hazards are managed by our annual Brush Clearance Program, the LAFD asks you to remain cognizant of local fire weather and Red Flag Alert Parking Restrictions.

Your personal awareness of overall wildfire danger, combined with readiness to take quick action are key to our collective survival of brush fires.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department