LAFD Provides Keys to Safe and Sane Independence Day

If you listen, the "U.S.A." chants are getting louder. "London Calling" you say? Absolutely. First, however, we celebrate our country's Independence Day! With that...red, white and blue will once again be the order of the day!  Despite its mid-week celebration this year, Wednesday, July 4, 2012, will no doubt bring out the best and in some unfortunate cases, the worst in revelers from coast to coast.

For the safety and security of all, your Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reminds you once again, that fireworks of all types, even those dubbed "safe and sane", remain illegal in the City of Los Angeles. We encourage everyone to join with firefighters everywhere in support of a safe Independence Day by attending or viewing a public fireworks show sponsored and produced by professionals. For detailed information please visit:

safejuly4th.org

You may choose to spend the mid-week Holiday at home with your family or a small group. But it is Summer and you may have opted to travel by air, road or rail and spend it with the masses elsewhere or perhaps with a huge group that just happens to resemble your family. Wherever you wind up and however you do it, your LAFD would like to offer a few tips on staying safe and perhaps keeping yourself sane. Additionally, we want you to rest easy knowing your LAFD stands always at the ready for anything that may come our way.

These 4th of July Safety Tips are provided with help from our friends at the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health and a few of our own, we thought were worthy of mention:

• Cook, grill or BBQ intelligently. Use clean plates, store food properly and prepare it correctly. Oh yeah, and watch out for over-exposure to the grill..yes, too much to eat!
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure and sun damage...especially if it's your attempt to even-out that burn from the "fluorescent sun" in your office. Wear sunscreen. Apply it generously and often.
• Be aware of changing weather conditions. Find or tune into a news source.
• Be aware of changing traffic conditions, road closures and other delays.
• If in or around any body of water, please pool safely and always have someone watching the water.
• If you take to the mountains for some hiking or biking, don't go alone and please do so during daylight hours. Hydrate and pack a snack. Don't underestimate the terrain. And, if you have one, take a mobile phone with you and make sure it's charged.
• If you choose to imbibe, don't drink and drive! We all know the sobering statistics. Appoint a designated driver early, use a driver service (there are many), call a cab or just stay sober!
• Whatever you do and wherever you do it...have fun, but please exercise good judgment and common sense!

LAFD's Air Ops: "Patriotic Hydration"

Enjoy the weekend. Enjoy family and friends. Enjoy foods and libations (in moderation.) And enjoy the freedom and liberty that was made possible by those the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our independence!

May God Bless the United States of America!

And the crowd chants "U.S.A....U.S.A...U.S.A."

Submitted by, Matt Spence Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

LAFD Mourns Passing of Chief Helicopter Pilot Glenn V. Smith



LAFD Chief Helicopter Pilot Glenn V. Smith
(1956-2011)

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department mourn a pillar of our Department, Chief Helicopter Pilot Glenn V. Smith, who recently lost a courageous battle with cancer at age 54.

If you've seen an LAFD helicopter in flight, or listened to the calm coordination of Fire Department air operations in Los Angeles via scanner radio, chances are you experienced in some small way, Glenn's remarkable career of lifesaving work, which included being a two-time recipient of the LAFD Medal of Valor.

Glenn Victor Smith was born in Lake Providence, Louisiana on October 29, 1956. The youngest of five boys in his family, and number 12 in a line of 17 children, he moved as a young boy to Los Angeles, growing up just south of the central city.

Glenn attended Los Angeles High School where he played the trumpet in the school marching band. In 1975, he married Marva Lajoy, his bride for life. In 1978, he was proudly appointed to the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he earned a reputation as a quick study. Soon becoming a skilled firefighter and a compassionate paramedic, he ultimately decided... (read more...)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

Brush Fire in Lake View Terrace is Hit Hard and Fast

LAKE VIEW TERRACE - At 2:25 on October 22, 2011, a "Brush Fire" ignited on the fringe of a quiet neighborhood in the north end of the San Fernando Valley at 11880 Terra Vista Way.

Originally reported as a 3-4 acre fire in light-to-medium brush, first on-scene resources found fire moving rapidly, up very steep terrain, towards the front-end of the Angeles National Forest. This brought a swift and heavy response, as 75 Los Angeles Firefighters worked aggressively in the 90 degree heat, to prevent the fire from further spread.

Assisting the LAFD's efforts, were our partners from neighboring jurisdictions, as Los Angeles County Fire (LACo) and the Angeles National Forest (ANF) both sent fire resources. Additionally, two Quebec Bombardier "Super Scoopers" and the Erickson "Air-Crane" (all on-lease through the Brush Season), as well as four LAFD water-dropping helicopters, delivered very strategic water drops. Together, with the fire crews on the ground, this brush fire was brought under control in just 54 minutes and held to approximately eight acres.

Ground and air crews stayed on-scene for three and half hours, as the burn area was cooled and surveyed to ensure that no embers remained. Careful management of brush incidents in this manner, will prove to be of the utmost importance, as we move deeper into the Brush Season and as we make preparations for our first "wind event," with the "Santa Anas" expected sometime next week.

No structures were damaged during the firefight; however, there was an incident-related injury reported shortly after the fire was fully extinguished. One ANF Firefighter was transported to a local hospital, via air-ambulance, for heat-related complications.

The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units:
E98 T98 E298 BC12 E77 E24 E91 E7 E275 T75 E274 T74 H0D H0F BC10 E70 E89 H2 H4 H5 WT77 RP88 DC3 T90 E290 H733 AR2 RH114 H0E H0A H1 E90

Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

Multi-Story Residential Blaze in Echo Park

ECHO PARK - A relentless fire in a multi-story residence, required more than 150 Los Angeles Firefighters and  two water dropping helicopters to extinguish. The October 12, 2011 incident was reported by multiple 9-1-1 callers at 5:41 PM, bringing a rapid response from Firefighters as they ascended narrow roads en route to 1357 North Elysian Park Drive, just west of Dodger Stadium.

Arriving at a three-story Craftsman-style residence with a basement, Firefighters made access and quickly extinguished the flames on the first floor, however they still had fire roaring on the floors above, through the attic and in the basement.

Truck Companies assigned to the roof, aggressively performed vertical ventilation with chainsaws, as fire blew from each hole that was cut. The environment then became unsafe and required a quick exit from the roof, before it collapsed.

As scores of additional Firefighters were dispatched, the strategic decision was made to request water dropping helicopters. They were able to survey downwind for burning embers, while having the capability to swiftly halt advancing flames if they spread to the hillside. Ultimately, one precise water drop on the burning structure itself, was all that was required.

Through the exhausting assault, Firefighters, for a time, went into "defensive mode," exiting the untenable structure to do battle from the exterior. Then, once additional headway was made, they re-entered the wood-sided, century-old house to attack the flames head-on.

Firefighters continually overcame heavy fire on multiple floors of this balloon construction house, protecting adjacent residences and ensuring flames did not spread to nearby, volatile vegetation. As if that wasn't enough, live ammunition that had been stored on the second floor, discharged in the midst of the firefight.

Battalion Chief Fred Mathis stated, "...another challenge we faced was access to the hilltop house. There was one way in and out. After the first apparatus arrived, all those following had to stack one behind the other, downhill. This required some Firefighters to carry gear up a 1/4 mile, then back again to exchange air bottles. It was a tough location. They did a great job!"

This "Major Emergency Structure Fire" was fully extinguished in one hour and 16 minutes by 165 Firefighters. Fortunately, due to an aggressive attack and sound command, no one was injured.

One owner of the residence, a senior, was compassionately evaluated by Firefighter/Paramedics on-scene. She did not require transport to a hospital.

There was extensive damage to one side of the residence, however it was not a total loss. The estimated dollar loss was $300,000 ($250,000 structure and $50,000 contents).

The cause of the fire is under active investigation.

Dispatched Units:
E11 E3 BC11 E9 E220 T20 RA3 RA803 EM6 E29 E203 T3 E6 SQ21 DC2 BC1 E15 E211 T11 EM2 BC2 UR3 T27 E227 RA827 T5 E205 UR88 BC5 RA20 RA27 E27 H0E H0B E205 T5 H2 H4 E90 E215 T15 EA2 RT59 RA1 E226 T26 E21 RA56 RA11 EM11 T90 E290 AR1 T61 E261 E5 E89 SU1 T12 E212 E63 T39 E239 RA6

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

The LAFD Unveils Its Preparation for Brush Season and Asks You a Question

On Friday September 23, the news media gathered together at Chatsworth Reservoir, where Fire Chief Brian Cummings presented the resources that the City of Los Angeles has available to combat the threat of this year's Brush Fire season.

Local News Media at Chatsworth Helispot

The location was one of LA’s 32 helispots, which provided a beautiful backdrop of brush-covered, rugged terrain, steep canyons and rolling hills, that reminded those present just how vulnerable Southern California is to a major brush fire. The purpose of this meeting was two-fold...

First, to reassure YOU that the LAFD is prepared for this year's Brush Season.


Water Tender, Air-Crane, Crew 3, LAFD Copter

On display, were two of the Department's six helicopters that make up the LAFD's prestigious air fleet. Five of those "air ships" are capable of dropping hundreds of gallons of water and the other is used as a Command ship, strategically placed to direct these precise water drops.

In addition, the LAFD utilizes an Erickson Air-Crane, which is a wildfire, heavy-lift helicopter, capable of providing superior aerial fire suppression services during the peak of our Brush Fire season. The Erickson Air-Crane is available this year from August 15 through January 2012.

Available to meet first hand, was the hard working and cost effective "Crew 3," comprised of LAFD Cadets. These volunteers dedicate themselves to clearing brush from hillsides and fire roads, as well as creating fire breaks throughout the city.

Also present, were one of the LAFD’s three Bulldozers, a LAFD Dozer Transport and a LAFD Water Tender. This Heavy Equipment is used to cut brush along the tops of LA’s many ridges and hillsides. They create fire breaks and directly attack the fire by smothering its progression.

However, it is not just about the equipment. It's the uniformed firefighters from your 106 neighborhood fire stations that make you safe. They constantly train and prepare themselves for the many emergencies they face, including the threat of a major brush fire.

The Second purpose of this gathering was to ask a question:
"Just how ready are YOU?"

The LAFD promotes the "Ready, Set, Go" preparedness campaign, and asks you to:

• Be Ready: Prepare your property. Cut back the ornamental brush around your home and allow 200 feet of clearance.
• Get Set: Prepare your family. Have a plan for what to do in the event of an emergency.
• Go: Be ready to go when you are told to evacuate. Once you leave, stay away until uniformed personnel say it is safe to return.

Fire Chief Brian Cummings Addressing Media

Chief Cummings stated, "I challenge every resident of Los Angeles to have an emergency plan and to discuss the plan with each member of your family. This is especially important for those residents who live in or near brush areas."



The Los Angeles Fire Department wants to reassure you they are prepared. It is now up to you to prepare yourself, your family and your home.

Ready, Set, Go

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman

Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source

Tough Blaze in Hollywood Hills Home Injures Two Firefighters

HOLLYWOOD HILLS - Firefighters filled the narrow, windy streets of this quiet Hollywood Hills neighborhood, where they battled intense flames, in an attempt to save a large, private residence on the 7300 block of Woodrow Wilson Drive. This 2000 square foot, single story residence, presented several challenges to those on-scene, including the dark, steep hillside on which it was built and the heavy, dense brush that surrounds it. Additionally, there were some traffic issues, as large fire apparatus attempted to negotiate these hills.

The initial dispatch, at just before 8:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2011, brought the LAFD's water-dropping helicopters, as this was originally thought to have been a "brush fire." While water-drops were not an option in this residential neighborhood, our air resources did provide very valuable lighting to the incident, in the form of their "Nightsun" lamps. Visibility on the nearly black hillside had only been made worse due to the smokey conditions, and the lamps assisted in the illumination of several other hazards, including an empty, in-ground swimming pool located in the front yard.
(video)




After an exhausting battle that lasted nearly one and a half hours, 80 Firefighters officially declared a "knockdown" and the Incident Commander's initial fear of this fire extending into the surrounding brush, was not realized. This was due, in large part, to the strong efforts of all members on-scene. The incident took tremendous coordination, as most companies were forced to park their apparatus down the hill, and then hike back up, in order to go to work. Two LAFD members were sent to local hospitals for observation, after both sustained (at the time of this posting) not yet determined, illnesses/injuries.

The cause of this Friday night blaze remains under active investigation and the dollar loss is still being tabulated. The LAFD did not formally determine or identify the legal owner of the property at the time of the fire.

DISPATCHED UNITS: E76 RA876 E97 RA97 E227 T27 BC5 BC14 E29 E41 E27 E82 E86 E68 H6 H2 H1 DC3 T90 E290 E26 E261 T61 BC18 E3 RA41 EM9 BC11 RA27 RA82 EM14 E11 E215 T15 AR2 RM2 E88


Submitted by Matt Spence, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Follow @LAFD and @LAFDtalk on Twitter and find us on Facebook

Article any source