Fire Destroys Commercial Building East of Downtown Los Angeles

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 at 6:40 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and Deputy Chief Mario Rueda under the direction of Assistant Chief Terrance Manning responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 680 S Santa Fe Ave. in the Industrial Eastside of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a large, 100' X 150', single-story commercial building with heavy fire showing. Due to the intensity of the fire and compromised structural safety, a defensive, exterior fire attack was initiated. Firefighters laddered adjacent buildings, taking up defensive positions using large diameter hose lines, to protect the structures.

It took ninety-three Firefighters just 37 minutes to control the blaze. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Prepare and Protect Your Pets From Fireworks

With their sensitive hearing, many household pets become terrified by fireworks.

In Los Angeles, it's not uncommon this time of year for firefighters to deal with persons bitten or injured by skittish animals or traffic collisions caused by wayward dogs, cats and horses.

While we encourage attendance at a professional fireworks show, it's a good idea to leave your furry friends safe at home, ideally with someone to watch over them.

In fact, now would be a great time to prepare your residence to safely harbor your pet from the frightful sights and sounds that may be associated with Independence Day celebrations.

First, make sure your pets are wearing proper identification. If your pet does run away during during the exploding noise of a fireworks display, you will have a better chance of recovering the animal if it is wearing an ID tag.

Secondly, contact your veterinarian now for professional advice or assistance in preparing animals for the noisy days to come. For household pets, an otherwise quiet and well-secured room with television or radio playing at normal volume may be just what the doctor orders.

Lastly, take a photograph of your pet and place the telephone numbers of your veterinarian and Animal Care and Control agency near your home phone and in your cell phone. In the event of an escaped animal or crisis, you can contact these professionals promptly for guidance.

Within the City of Los Angeles, the Department of Animal Services can be reached directly at (888) 452-7381 or by calling 3-1-1.

Should you experience an emergency that endangers human life or property and demands immediate attention, your Police or Fire Department may be contacted via 9-1-1.

Please join us in making sure that every member of your household celebrates safely!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Fire Damages Four-Plex In Lincoln Heights

On Monday, June 29, 2009 at 3:13 AM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Dennis Waters responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 2800 E Manitou Ave in Lincoln Heights/Solano Canyon.

Firefighters arrived to find a 2 story four-plex apartment building with heavy smoke and fire coming from the first and second floor of one unit. The fire spread to the rear of the building causing the flames to involve the attic area of the complex. As crews began initial fire attack, they witnessed several of the residents exiting the structure.

Seven occupants, consisting of four adults and three children suffered minor injuries and were treated and transported to an area hospital in stable condition. American Red Cross was called to the aide of 21 individuals displaced as a result of this incident.

It took 108 firefighters 42 minutes to extinguished the flames.The dollar loss is estimated to be $350,000 ($300,000-structure and $50,000-content).The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department

Who Will Rescue The Rescuers?

Every minute in the United States, an ambulance gets turned away from an emergency room because hospitals are simply too full. In Los Angeles, where patient and paramedic wait times can span the day and night, the system is being challenged in ways that may alarm you:

FIRESTORM is a feature-length documentary that examines the health care crisis through the prism of the Los Angeles Fire Department. With resources strained, and 9-1-1 being used for everything from heart attacks to itchy feet, LAFD Paramedics are often heard to ask: Who Will Rescue The Rescuers?

www.firestormmovie.com

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

When Seconds Count...

With so many people questioning municipal priorities, we offer this thought provoking video from the Orlando Fire Department:

Whether Oakland or Orlando, make certain your Neighborhood Firefighters can always effectively respond: "When Seconds Count..."


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Nine Displaced by Wind Driven Fire in Boyle Heights

On Wednesday, June 24, 2009 at 3:51 PM, 8 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters,2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 56 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief James Gaffney, responded to a Structure Fire at 2510 East 2nd Street in Boyle Heights.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from the attic of a one-story residential fourplex. With winds from the east gusting to 20 miles per hour, flames had taken strong hold of the common attic within the former single family home prior to their arrival, briefly threatening a dwelling to the north.

View Larger Pre-Fire Image (you can also click, grab or zoom the image above!)
With fire spreading freely through the attic of the 114 year-old building on account of the wind and balloon frame construction typical of the era, firefighters fiercely fought the blaze by opening the steeply pitched roof to limit fire extension while their colleagues below fought flames and protected resident's belongings.

The fire was confined to the attic of the 1,777 square-foot structure and extinguished in just 45 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Though smoke alarms were present within the structure, their functional status and role in alerting occupants could not be immediately determined.

Nine adult residents displaced by the fire were referred to the American Red Cross for assistance.

The diligent firefighting and salvage efforts of Los Angeles Firefighters limited loss to $45,000 ($30,000 structure & $15,000 contents). The cause of the fire was determined to be electrical and attributed to the building's antiquated wiring system.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Fireworks, Burns and the Law in L.A.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to share a thought-provoking video focused on "Fireworks, Burns and the Law in L.A." from award-winning producers David and Cameron Barrett:

Senseless calamaties to people and pets remain a sad reality for Los Angeles Firefighters, as time and again, we see needless fireworks injuries.

We hope that you will join firefighters and their families in celebrating Independence Day at a public fireworks display. For more information, visit:

www.safejuly4th.org

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

LAFD Recruits: Having What it Takes...

In welcoming the newest members of the Los Angeles Fire Department from Recruit Class 2008-4, we can affirm that our community is in capable and caring hands for decades to come...

Do you - or someone you know - have what it takes to be a Los Angeles Firefighter? To learn more, visit:

JoinLAFD.org

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Workers Stranded in Malfunctioning Boom

On Monday, June 15, 2009 at 8:42 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a Heavy Equipment Operator, Light Vehicles 89 & 97 and the LAPD, under the direction of Battalion Chief Peter Benesch, responded to a Rescue incident at 2050 N. Cyprean Dr. in the Hollywood Hills.

Firefighters responded to reports of two workers stuck in the basket of a hydraulic boom, approximately 40 to 50 feet above the ground. The workers had been doing repairs on the adjacent radio tower, when they experienced difficulties maneuvering the boom basket. The first arriving Firefighters on scene, found the location of the workers problematic for responding heavy apparatus. An additional USAR company, light vehicles and a heavy equipment operator were requested to assist at the scene.

Firefighters began the daunting task of hand carrying and setting up, rescue equipment, generators and lights. As the aerial ladder truck slowly trudged up the narrow private road, Firefighters began stabilization operations to the boom.

The ladder truck made the long assent and culminated the rescue attempt with the extension of the aerial ladder in the rescue of the two trapped workers. It took approximately 55 Firefighters and specialty equipment, 1 hour, 32 minutes to rescue the workers. Fortunately, the proper use of safety equipment contributed in the worker's receiving no injuries.

(video)

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

Commercial Blaze Catches Fire To Near By Home

On Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 7:15 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Armando Hogan responded to a Structure Fire at 4429 S. Vermont Ave in Exposition Park/Coliseum Area.

Firefighters arrived to a 50ft X 75ft 1 story commercial building well involved with fire to the rear . Although crews made a quick attack on the blaze, one home located behind the structure was exposed to high heat and caught fire.

Three residents made it out of the home prior to fire crews making entry. A male and female in there 40's suffered slight smoke inhalation with burns to their faces and arms. Both were treated by paramedics then transported to area hospitals in stable condition. 2 teenagers were treated at the scene with no report of injury. Sadly two of the family's dogs perished in the blaze.

It took 65 Firefighters 17 minutes to fully extinguish the fire. The caused was due to a candle accidentally being left unattended. The dollar loss is estimated at $18,000-content and $ 48,000-structure. Smoke detectors did play a significant role in the warning of the occupants.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department