Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson Los Angeles Fire Department Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

The official site for LAFD News has moved, and continues to be a work in progress. We encourage you to now visit and bookmark:

lafd.org/news

The site you are currently viewing will no longer be updated. Once the new LAFD News site is fully functional, we hope to make our former content (years 2004-2014) available for viewing here as an historical archive. We appreciate your patience during this prolonged transition.

ENCINO - The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) extinguished structure fire that claimed two lives and hospitalized six, including one firefighter.

Just before 9:00 PM on August 28, 2014, firefighters responded to 5330 Lindley Avenue to find a three-story center-hallway apartment/condo building over a parking structure, with one unit on the third floor well involved in flames. An aggressive attack ensued and additional firefighters were quickly requested.

Over 100 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief Al Valle, fully extinguished the flames in just over one hour.

A total eight civilian patients were evaluated. Sadly an elderly male and female were determined dead, most likely due to asphyxiation from smoke. Five others required transport to local hospitals and one declined transport. Lastly, one firefighter suffered a hand injury and was transported to a local hospital in Fair condition.

A positive identification of the deceased, as well as the cause, time and manner of their death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner. There were no security doors or bars on windows to impede egress. This is the 19th and 20th civilian fatality related to a structure fire in LAFD's jurisdiction in 2014.

The Mayors Crisis Response Team assisted those affected by this traumatic incident and the American Red Cross assisted with those displaced.

The cause of the fire is under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Section and the estimated dollar loss is being tabulated.

Hard wired Smoke Alarms were located however they did not appear to be functional. Friday morning August 29, 2014, firefighters will canvas the neighborhood as part of the LAFD’s Smoke Alarm Field Education (SAFE) Program, distributing free smoke alarms and fire safety information.

Dispatched: E83 RA83 E293 T93 E100 RA100 E288 E88 T88 EM17 BC17 BC10 E84 RA73 DC3 RA88 E103 E290 T90 EM15 BC15 RA90 RA39 RA104 EM14 E273 T73 E39 E90 E237 T37 EM9 UR88 T89 E289 UR89 E27 BC5 RT83 RA909 E87 E305 T105 AR2 RA72 RA105 AR10 AR11 AR21

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

VENICE  – On the afternoon of July 27, 2014, a bolt of lightning from an unexpected summer storm struck Venice Beach. LA County Fire Department  (LACoFD) Lifeguards and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) units sprang into action to assist numerous injured people.


The first person rescued from the ocean was 56-year-old Robert Kilroy, an off-duty seasonal LA County Lifeguard and a professional chiropractor. Dr. Kilroy was pulled by his 15-year-old daughter Emily from the water in cardiac arrest. First responders began immediate CPR on Dr. Kilroy and transported him to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood. Four days later he was discharged from the hospital after making a full recovery and has returned to work and his normal everyday activities. Tragically, one individual also in the ocean at the time succumbed to his injuries.

On Thursday, August 28, 2014 the LAFD and LACoFD officials joined medical personnel from Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center to re-unite with Dr. Kilroy, to share his story and discuss the importance of Bystander CPR and ocean safety ahead of the Labor Day holiday, at the Venice Beach Pier parking lot.

“It really underscores the need for everyone to learn CPR, learn how to use a defibrillator, because you never know,” said Dr. Marc Eckstein, medical director of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

FAIRCREST HEIGHTS – A male in his 70’s, two dogs and a bird were found dead in a burning home Sunday afternoon.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 4:51 PM on August 24, 2014 to the report of a structure fire at 1568 South Point View Street in the Faircrest Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles. Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from the attic of a one story 1,544 square-foot home.

Access was difficult due to excessive storage in front yard, back yard, roof and throughout the 80 year old residence. During fire attack, LAFD responders discovered a man without vital signs of life, who was later determined to be dead at the scene.

Ninety-seven firefighters under the command of Battalion Chief Kevin Pearson were able to fully extinguish the flames in just 31 minutes. Two dogs and a pet bird also succumbed in the fire. No other injuries were reported.

Firefighters found no evidence of functional smoke alarms inside the residence. The home was heavily damaged by the fire, and was not equipped with optional residential fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the victim, as well as the cause, time and manner of his death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Department of Coroner.

As LAFD Arson Investigators were seeking the cause of the fire, firefighters canvassed the neighborhood as part of the LAFD’s Smoke Alarm Field Education (SAFE) Program, distributing free smoke alarms and fire safety information.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E58 RA858 E68 E261 T61 RA61 E292 T92 EM11 BC18 E62 E61 E294 T94 E43 DC1 BC11 RA68 E34 E237 T37 EM1 BC1 T5 E205 E5 UR5 UR88 BC4 E26 AR2 AR1 RT59 RA892 AR11 RA894 AR21 AR13 E58 T94 E294 AR21

Submitted by Shawn Lenske, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

A strong earthquake near Napa in Northern California this week, reminds us that disasters can strike without warning.

What would you do...

...if basic services - water, gas, electricity and telephones - were entirely cut off? ...if roads were impassible or neighborhood firefighters were committed to major emergencies and unable to reach you right away?

The answer is Preparedness!

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department want you and your family to be safe. Here are some tips for getting and staying prepared:

• Know the types of disasters that can occur in your community.
• Make a family emergency plan that coordinates with your school, work and neighborhood plans. Practice them with the every member of your household - and don't forget your pets!
• Create a disaster supplies kit that includes enough supplies for each family member for at least three days. Remember to check your kit every six months.
• Teach children about emergencies, including when to call for help, where you'll meet and how you'll communicate following a disaster.
• If you commute to work, know alternate routes and carry appropriate supplies, such as a disaster kit in your car - and a compact kit with bare essentials such as a small flashlight and whistle when on public transportation.

Being prepared will not only help you survive a disaster, but greatly lessens the impact of common emergencies such as injury, fire and severe weather.

The LAFD suggests these resources to help you prepare:

• American Red Cross - Plan and Prepare
• CDC - Emergency Preparedness and Response
• CERT - Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT - LA)
• Disability.gov - Disaster Preparedness
• Earthquake Country Alliance
• FEMA - Are You Ready? Guide
• FEMA - Ready Kids
• LAFD - Emergency Preparedness Booklet
• Los Angeles County - Emergency Survival Program
• MySafeLA.org
• Ready.gov
• ReadyLA.org

The time to get ready for unexpected situations is right now - while you have time to listen, learn, plan and prepare!

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Your Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is excited to share that the LAFD.org website, including the LAFD News and Information, and LAFD ALERT web pages are being updated and redesigned.

In early September the first phase of our online content will launch. There will be an entire re-design of the websites bringing them into compliance with the Federal Government’s Section 508  regulations regarding individuals with disabilities.

The new online content is a collaborative effort between web design firm Lightray and multiple LAFD Sections (Administrative Operations, MIS, Community Liaison Unit, Fire Prevention Bureau, and the Training and Support Bureau). We thank the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation for providing generous financial support for this project.

This redesign will provide the LAFD with a new public web presence, showcasing the latest technology, and a user-friendly design and interface, which will allow visitors to quickly and easily navigate the site to find important information about the Department. The site will be easily readable on all types of devices, including computers, tablets and mobile phones.

It is important to note that the new websites will continually evolve as additional features are added and content is updated. During this period, some of our legacy content may be unavailable.

We thank you for your patience as this long-needed project gets underway and we look forward to your feedback once our online content goes live.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

VAN NUYS - Over 125 firefighters battled a brush fire that erupted within the Sepulveda basin on August 22, 2014, scorching 30 acres.

Just before 4:00 PM the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) responded to the 15700 block of Burbank Boulevard to find thick brush and trees on fire in the Sepulveda basin.

A 10 mph southerly wind began blowing embers, creating several spot fires. The flames quickly spread to 10-acres and began burning two different areas, South and North of Burbank Boulevard, prompting the Incident Commander to create two separate branches of command and control. A large column of grey smoke was clearly visible from the 405 and 101 freeways.

Firefighters attacked the flames with hose-lines and hand tools, in nearly 90 degree weather. Multiple helicopters, including the Erickson Air-Crane, performed precise water drops.

Fortunately there are no structures threatened and firefighters were able to take more of a defensive posture. No one was injured.

The fires prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down the Burbank Boulevard off-ramps from the northbound and southbound San Diego (405)  Freeway. Burbank Boulevard also was closed between Woodley Avenue and Balboa Boulevard for a period of time.

Over 125 firefighters, under the command of Assistant Chief Andrew Fox, fully extinguished the flames in nearly two and a half hours. A total of 30 Acres burned.

Firefighters remained on the scene through the next day to continue extinguishing hot spots.

The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E83 E88 WT88 T88 E288 BC10 H4 T90 E290 E239 T39 RA39 E100 E109 H0A EM14 BC14 E102 H3 RA83 E99 DC3 EM9 BC17 E105 E87 E109 H748 E93 E108 E89 E7 E86 E260 T60 E278 T78 BC9 BC12 E60 RA100 RA90 E37 E98 E81 E61 E27 HU59 BP44 BP74 E33 E5 E61 E8 E90 E33 BP78 E105 E88 BP109 E87 E83 T98 E298 BC10

(VIDEO)

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

LOS ANGELES - The City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department has announced its "Five Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness" program, an easy-to-use guide for creating a neighborhood disaster preparedness plan.

The program will be introduced at a series of identical community preparedness workshops to be held throughout the City during September.

Each community workshop is free to attend, and refreshments will be provided. There will be a raffle with door prizes. Registration is limited, so please sign up today!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014
6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Cheviot Hills Recreation Center
2551 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Register now for this workshop

Thursday, September 18, 2014
6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Alpine Recreation Center
817 Yale Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Register now for this workshop

Wednesday, September 24, 2014
6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Sunland/Tujunga Municipal Building
7747 Foothill Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 91042
Register now for this workshop

Thursday, September 25, 2014
6:30 PM-8:30 PM
Crenshaw Christian Center
7901 South Vermont Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90044
Register now for this workshop

At the core of the award-winning program is the Five Steps Toolkit, which enables residents to define their neighborhood, rally and engage community members and build a customized disaster response plan. This toolkit is inclusive of people with disabilities, those whose primary language may not be English, and others who may need extra help after a disaster.

"All of us are greater than any one of us," said James G. Featherstone, General Manager of the City of Los Angeles Emergency Management Department. "The Five Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program is designed to empower communities to not only address the unique issues they may face in case of an emergency, but create a plan to manage an emergency situation safely and effectively."

For more information on the Five Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness program, including the Five Steps Toolkit - or to register for one of the four free workshops - please visit:

www.5steps.la

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Dodgers saluted firefighters from across The Golden State on Tuesday evening, during Firefighter Appreciation Night at Dodger Stadium.

The August 19, 2014 event featured a matchup between the Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, and started with a hosted pre-game reception for firefighters and their families, and continued through a warm summer evening of exciting Major League Baseball.

During pregame ceremonies, newly appointed Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas was asked to throw the honorary first pitch:

While the Dodgers bested the Padres (8 to 6), the real winner of the game was the California Fire Foundation, which benefitted from a generous portion of the evening's ticket sales. The non-profit organization provides emotional and financial assistance to families of fallen firefighters and the communities they protect.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department thank the Dodgers organization for their longstanding support of California first responders, and encourage you to join firefighters and their families for an afternoon or evening of fun this season at Dodger Stadium.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department