Vehicle Catapults off Highway 67

Foster-

A driver traveling north on Highway 67 suddenly found himself 150’ below the freeway when he lost control of his vehicle at the top of Slaughterhouse Grade. On Monday, June 17, 2013 at 8:36 AM, the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call from witnesses that saw the car depart the roadway. Two structural engines, one rescue company, one ALS medic unit, and a duty chief were dispatched to the incident in the 13100 blk of Highway 67.

Lakeside Fire crews prepare to carry out the victim in a stokes basket.

On the arrival of the Lakeside duty chief (Laff), he located the vehicle below the highway and directed firefighters from the River Park station into an area to attempt access from a nearby residence. The crew from Engine 2 and Medic 3 accessed the area on foot and initiated an assessment on the single occupant who had suffered moderate injuries.

Lakeside firefighters hike the patient out to an awaiting medic unit.

With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) firefighters attached a wheel to the stokes basket and accessed the scene. The patient was carefully removed from the area and transported by paramedics to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center for further evaluation.

CHP is currently investigating the incident.

A total of 12 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 
Photo By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire District
 
View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Lakeside Assists with Northcote Structure Fire

Santee-

On Friday, June 14th, 2013 at 4.38 PM, the Heartland Communications Center received a call from a homeowner stating she had a fire in the carport area of her home. Three structure engines, a truck company, a rescue company, one ALS medic unit, and two duty chiefs were sent to the fire in the 9200 block of Northcote Rd in the City of Santee.

Santee and Lakeside Fire units on Northcote Rd

Medic 4 (Santee Cottonwood Station) arrived and started a search to make sure the residence had no occupants inside. The fire was soon located in an enclosed area utilized as a washroom. With the arrival of Engine 1 (Riverview Station) lines were pulled and the fire was quickly knocked down. Crews used infrared handheld units to make sure the fire was fully extinguished.

Lakeside Fire Engineer Steve Schleif attaches a four inch supply line from a nearby hydrant.

Santee crews conducted an additional secondary search to make sure all occupants, and pets, were out of the building.

The fire cause was determined to be lint build-up around the dryer unit. The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 2,900 dryer fires occur each year resulting in 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 miilion dollars in loses. This might be a stark reminder to check your dryer ventilation system today!

A total of 7 Lakeside personnel assisted with this incident. Another example of cooperative automatic aid between agencies in the Central Zone.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photos By: Fire Captain Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District
 
View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Bob Robeson Awarded "Volunteer of the Year" by the Resource Conservation District

Bonita –

At the June 7, 2013 RCD Annual Awards Luncheon Bob Robeson was given the Volunteer of the Year award for his tireless effort working for the Eucalyptus Hills Fire Safe Council.  Bob is so active and engaging, you can’t help but become enthusiastic about the doing your part about keeping your home (and your family) fire safe…but Bob doesn’t stop there; Bob also assists the Lakeside Fire Protection District volunteering as their District Liaison Officer.  In this this position at the FPD Bob represents the Fire District and does a fabulous job in spreading the word of both defensible space and personal preparedness.  But wait, there’s more…Bob is also is assisting the new El Capitan Fire Safe Council with their process in becoming a full-fledged FSC by assisting with their CWPP and attending collaboration and other meetings, giving freely of his effective and insightful opinions and advice

Bob Robeson with the "Volunteer of the Year" award.

Bob’s lifelong career was as a CALFIRE Chief Officer so he brings with him a ton of knowledge and experience about fires of the past, fire prevention and other fire service based experience.  In Bob’s acceptance speech for this award he said; “After my time at CDF I thought I had done a lot of good stuff.  But, I will tell you, my time serving my community as a volunteer is the most rewarding time I have ever spent.”

Congratulations Bob on your award and thank you so much for all you do for the Lakeside FPD.

Submitted By: Fire Chief Andy Parr, Lakeside Fire District

Police Pursuit Ends on Cresthill Place

Pepper Drive Area -

A police pursuit that originated in the City of El Cajon came to an abrupt end when the suspect's vehicle struck an occupied residence on Cresthill Place. On Thursday, June 13th, 2013, at 11:53 AM the Heartland Communications Center received a request by law enforcement to have fire crews respond and evaluate a single patient from the vehicle, and the stability of the structure that had received damage. 

El Cajon Police search the suspects vehicle.

 Initially a full first alarm assignment was sent to the call which included three structural engines, a truck company, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and two duty chief officers. On the arrival of Medic 2 (River Park Station) it was quickly determined that the occupant was uninjured. Engine 2 inspected the structure for damage and instability. After it was determined that the structure was safe the additional companies were cancelled.


View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

This incident is being investigated by El Cajon Police Department.

Lakeside Fire District received assistance from Heartland Fire & Rescue, and the Santee Fire Department.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photo By: Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire District

The Stork Visits Flinn Springs - Lakeside Firefighters Assist with Newborn Delivery

Flinn Springs, CA - 

An expectant mother didn't quite make it to the hospital early Wednesday morning, June 12, 2013. The car she was traveling in pulled over on westbound Interstate 8 and 911 was called when the baby could not wait any longer. Firefighters from Lakeside's Blossom Valley fire station (fs26) were alerted at 3:49 a.m. and quickly responded to help.

By the time firefighters had arrived, a healthy baby boy had already delivered. The crew assessed both mother and baby and prepared both for transport to Grossmont Hospital. Lakeside Medic 2 from the River Park fire station (fs2) arrived to provide transport.

Ironically, Engine 26 had just returned to quarters from another childbirth-related call when this call was dispatched.



Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.com

Traffic Collision with Entrapment on Wildcat Canyon Road

Lakeside, CA - 

A driver suffered major injuries in a head-on traffic collision on Wildcat Canyon Road in Lakeside. Firefighters were alerted at 5:15 a.m. on Sunday, June 9, 2013, for the accident just north of Muth Valley Road. Barona Engine 27 was first on scene reporting a high-speed collision with patient entrapment. Firefighter-paramedics from Lakeside's River Park fire station arrived soon after and deployed their hydraulic rescue tools to begin patient extrication and treatment. Lakeside Rescue 3 arrived and assisted with their larger complement of rescue equipment.

Due to the extended extrication, a Mercy Air helicopter was requested for transport. A team of firefighter-paramedics worked to stabilize the patient while Medic 2 was driven to the Landing Zone at El Capitan High School. The patient was tranported to the care of Mercy Air 6 and flown to Sharp Memorial Hospital Trauma Center.

Units attending this incident included: Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 3, Medic 2 (Lakeside); Engine 27 (Barona); Battalion 3 (Heartland Fire-Rescue).

Mercy Air 6 arrives at the "LZ."

MA-6 on the ground with E1 and M2.

Heartland Fire-Rescue Battalion 3 (Kakuris) was the Incident Commander.

Post and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Danny Leetch Drives the 2-20 into the Finals at the Firefighter's Demolition Derby

Del Mar-

With a strong entry, and a pit crew made up of family and firefighters, Danny Leetch drove the 2-20 into the finals at the 2013 Farmers Insurance Fire Expo and Demolition Derby. This event is conducted every year in support of the Burn Institute.

Danny Leetch, and wife Rory (on right) poses with neighbors (and pit crew) Nichole, Joe and Robert.

After a strong showing in the second heat Danny drove to the pits with significant mechanical problems. Crews were given four hours to make the repairs before the finals. With a pit crew composed of family members, and Lakeside firefighters, repairs to the body and a radiator swap was done expeditiously.

Lakeside firefighters Jose Corona, Carl Chiodo, and John Hisaw (L to R) swap out the radiator.

During the second heat Danny took a blow to the front of the vehicle that ruptured the radiator and drove metal into a rear tire. But even with those problems the rest of the car was in "competition shape", and a hopeful to take the finish flag.

Lakeside's John Hisaw works to repair bodywork that was rubbing on the rear tire.

As the flag dropped for the final event the 2-20 was looking strong. But the 2-20's time in the arena would come to an end with a crushing blow that would drive the car into a safety berm and ultimately kill the engine. In the end the Bonita Firefighter's "#38 Car" would win the event....congratulations!

We wanted everyone the have the opportunity to see the event, so the video link below has all three heat races and the finals.

Thank you for your support Lakeside.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
 

Lakeside Firefighter's Scholarship Presented to El Capitan Student

El Capitan High School-

On June 6, 2013, representatives from the Lakeside Firefighter's Association attended the El Capitan High School awards ceremony to award the 3rd annual Lakeside Firefighter's Scholarship. After carefully reviewing the applications of the many deserving students a committee of firefighters narrowed the field down to one winner. This year the award went to Tyler Scott Leone.

Lakeside Firefighters Corey Palmore, Steve Russo, and Carl Chiodo (L to R) make the presentation at the El Capitan awards ceremony.

Community service is one of the major factors on which a college bound Senior can win this award. Tyler really excelled in this area along with having a strong GPA. According to his teachers, Tyler has not let his confinement to a wheelchair  stop him from participating, influencing, and inspiring the community around him. Tyler has overcome adversity to participate and assist with the boy's basketball and football teams as well as being incredibly active in the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Tyler joins firefighters on stage to receive his scholarship.

Tyler has done numerous T.V. interviews at various MDA fundraising events, has been on the MDA telethon, and raises money each year to assemble a team for the MDA walk. He has been the MDA Goodwill Ambassador of San Diego County and then the Goodwill Ambassador for the entire state of California! These are just a few of the things Tyler has been involved with.

Tyler with the Lakeside Firefighters.

The Lakeside Firefighters would like to congratulate Tyler on his graduation from high school and thank him for his incredible service to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and for being an inspiration to us all.

Story By: Fire Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire District

Photos By: Fire Captain Rick Dalldorf, Lakeside Fire District