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Friday, May 08, 2009 | 
Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned four Strike Teams of firefighters to assist the Santa Barbara Fire Department, Santa Barbara County Fire Department, CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and allied agencies in their battle against a wind-driven brush fire near Santa Barbara, California, 75 miles northwest of our City.
Along with official state and federal information, you can view a larger (non-official) map
These 90 personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department have been dispatched to the "Jesusita Wildland Fire" in accordance with California's Fire & Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System. Administered by the California Emergency Management Agency, the system is designed to ensure additional resources to local jurisdictions whenever their resources are committed or insufficient for a specific emergency incident.
The City of Los Angeles remains fully protected by the use of additional staff and reserve apparatus to cover foreseeable local needs.
The men and women of the LAFD ask motorists to remain watchful for these and other convoys of emergency apparatus, and to be mindful of the space necessary for them to safely maneuver on local roads and highways.
Pursuant of protocol, official public and media information regarding this wildfire, including the actions of assigned LAFD personnel, will be provided jointly through the City and County of Santa Barbara, CAL FIRE, the U.S. Forest Service and agencies that maintain daily jurisdictional authority of the area where the fire is burning.
Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
11 comments:
Thank you so much for coming (yet again) to aid in saving our little spanish tiled city.
Yes, thank you. Thank you very much.
LAFD rocks
You guys are all amazing! Thank you so much for always being there to protect all of us. It truly does mean a lot and you guys are wonderful. Please be careful out there!
Thanks to LAFD for coming to the aid of Santa Barbara once again: I know there a lot of you that either reside in our county or are retired in our county. Drink a lot of water and get rest when you can. Not only do you have to deal with the wildfire but with homes buring you have deal with all the chemicals that could be buring also from homes. Stay safe you guys do a wonderful job!!! Thank you to your families to for allowing you to work in these very tough jobs. Great Job LAFD and thanks for your help!!
Always so proud of the LAFD...we're lucky to have you!
Thanks to the LAFD and all other fire dept. coming to the aid of our beautiful city that is on fire. It is very dangerous out there stay safe and god bless you and all the rest of emergency personnel working this nasty diaster. Third fire you helped with our fire departments out with First the Gap Fire, then the Tea Fire and now this very nasty one. i heard even newborn wildlife is being rescued as they are being found left by their mothers due to the fire thanks to all. Great Job and God Bless you and your families I don't think words can say enough on how hard you hvae to work in these type of unstable fires and the smoke and chemicals that go with the fire. Take care to all you and the wonderful LAFD!!! I am sure that newborn fawn and baby bobcat appreciate you guys to for their rescue by whatever dept that was Great Job
The family of the late LAFD member Harry R. Correll would like to thank you for the hard work you are doing. We know how hard this work and already know what great people work for the LAFD. Now, you are showing the world. Those of you that know our family know most of us reside in Santa Barbara County just north of the this fire. We have friends and coworkers who do reside in the fire area and really do appeciate all fire dept. coming from all over to help. We will put you in our prayers that you stay safe while fighting this very dangerous fires. God Bless you all, The Correll Family
What a shame, all these Firefighters sucking the system dry by earning this useless overtime!!!! (sarcasm!) What the Daily News failed to note was that Fire Departments staff to the MINIMUM level to handle the daily needs of the community. (Some not even to the safe level.)
However, when events occur, like wildfires, floods, earthquakes, riots, plane crashes, training, etc, (can you say Southern California) you have to find bodies somewhere...
Add in vacations and injuries and you either hire alot of additional staff or fill with overtime.
Unfortunately, we have had 4 brother Firefighters severly burned during these fires. They may be off duty for months recovering. Do we just not fill those positions and run short?
Firefighters and Paramedics have a dangerous job. Firefighters get injured, and sometimes, some die protecting the community they serve.
In Thirty years of Firefighting I have NEVER heard one complaint from a Firefighter about risking their lives or giving their time. When a Firefighter dies, we have a funeral, put up a plaque, and once a year honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for others.
As a Firefighter, I want to thank the always supportive community for NOT buying into the half truths published in the news. Again, thank you all.
What is the best way to thank the Firefighters who saved Santa Barbara?
I honk and give the thumbs up and shout "thank you" when I see them drive by...and they smile and wave...but I really would like to thank them in a more substantive way.
Cookie Jill,
Your Santa Barbara Firefighters deserve kudos for a job well done. It was an honor for Los Angeles Fire Department personnel to work alongside them.
Among the non-profit charitable groups that can directly help them (and all of the many California fire agencies that responded), is the Fire Family Foundation.
To learn more, visit:
firefamilyfoundation.org
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
LAFD Blog: LAFD.ORG/BLOG
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