Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Brownie Troop 6675 Visits Fire Station 3

Lake Jennings - 

The firefighters at Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) got a special visit from some great kids on Tuesday, November 29, 2011. Brownie Troop 6675 came by for a station tour and visit. The on-duty crew showed the girls (and their moms) our quarters, offices, dayroom, and kitchen. They were also given a tour of all the apparatus housed at fire station 3. We also had a brief talk about home fire safety and demonstrated a smoke detector for the girls. The brownies were working on their first aid badges and this tour helped them toward attaining that goal.

The "C" division crew with Brownie Troop 6675. From left, Reserve Firefighter Matt Schaldach, Firefighter Shawn Mckenna, Engineer-Paramedic Chris Downing, and Captain-Paramedic
Scott Culkin.

Story submitted by:  Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District.


Thursday, November 17, 2011

Head-on Collision on Highway 67 Brings Multiple Rescue Response

Lakeside:  Just after 1:00 p.m. on November 17, 2011, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a reported head-on collision on Highway 67 just north of Vigilante Road. On arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills fire station), it was discovered that each vehicle had a trapped victim in critical condition. An early request for assistance brought multiple agencies together for a coordinated extrication effort.
Major damage to both vehicles required a lengthy extrication effort. 
Numerous tools and advanced rescue techniques were used to complete the rescues.
Arriving firefighters were assigned to each vehicle in order to provide patient care and conduct rescue operations. Lakeside Battalion 1 (Chief Laff) provided incident command and directed the efforts of several agencies including Lakeside, Santee, and San Miguel Fire Departments as well as Mercy Air who provided aeromedical transport for one of the victims. Both extrications took approximately 30 minutes and required the use of tools from two rescue units. A total of 24 fire personnel were involved in the incident. CHP is currently investigating.

The victim from this vehicle was transported by Lakeside Medic 3
 to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.
Incidents such as these demonstrate the value of interagency cooperation and joint training. The Lakeside Fire Protection District is thankful for the assistance provided by our neighboring agencies and is proud to provide similar help when needed.
  
Story submitted by: Captain Jim Kirkpatrick, Lakeside Fire District 
Photos provided by: Fire Chief Andy Parr, Lakeside Fire District

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Lakeside Firefighters Attend "Heroes" Breakfast at Lakeside Farms School

Lakeside, CA -

The C-division firefighters at Lakeside's Riverview fire station (fs1) were treated this morning to a "Heroes Breakfast" at Lakeside Farms Elementary School. This annual event is hosted to honor those people that the students regard as "heroes."  In addition to the firefighters, several active duty and veteran personnel from the military also attended.  The heroes were thanked for their service as the students passed through the auditorium to view walls decorated to celebrate the heroes and the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.  Thanks again to the PTA, staff, and students of Lakeside Farms.

Attending the event were: Captain Wes Barnes, Engineer/paramedic Ian Lowe, Firefighter Nate Fox, Firefighter/paramedic Steve Russo, and Firefighter/paramedic Danny Leetch.

Engine and Medic 1 crews with the kids at Lakeside Farms School.

Story and Photo submitted by: Captain Wes Barnes, Lakeside Fire District.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Lakeside Firefighters Extinguish Small Vegetation Fire

Lake Jennings - 

A small vegetation fire brought a wildland resource response from Lakeside firefighters on Thursday, November 10, 2011. Firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) made quick work of the small fire on Lake Jennings Park Road not far from Engine 3's quarters. Despite the recent rains, the vegetation remains very dry and still poses a fire danger. Resources on scene included: E3, M3, B1 (Lakeside); E3382 (CalFire).

A ground ladder is used to access the fire area.  

Story submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District.
Photo by: Engineer-paramedic Chris Downing, Lakeside Fire District.




High-Speed Head-On Collision Brings Full Rescue Response on I-8

Alpine, CA -

An apparent wrong-way driver collided head-on with another vehicle on eastbound Interstate 8 just east of the Peutz Valley bridge this afternoon just before 1:30 p.m. Firefighters from Lakeside's Blossom Valley (fs26) and Lake Jennings (fs3) fire stations responded to the scene. Alpine Battalion 7 (Paskle) assumed I-8 Incident Command and requested additional resources including an aeromedical transport helicopter.

Firefighters were faced with one critically injured patient and two additional patients with moderate injuries. Due to the major vehicle damage, fire control measures were also put in place.  The CHP eventually closed-down eastbound I-8 to allow the Mercy Air 6 helicopter to land. The critically injured patient was loaded and transported by MA6 while the other two were ground transported by Medic 17 (AMR) to an area trauma center. The CHP is investigating the accident.

Fire resources assigned to this incident included: E26s, R3, M3, B1 (Lakeside); E19 (San Miguel); B7 (Alpine). Also assisting were SDSO, CHP, AMR, and Local Tow Company.



Lakeside firefighter/paramedics work on critically injured patient.



Both vehicles sustained major damage.
Mercy Air 6 lands on eastbound I-8.
Photos and story submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Lakeside Units Assist Barona Fire with a Fully Involved Structure

Barona-

On Wednesday, November 9, 2011, at 2:10 a.m., the Heartland Communications Center received calls reference a fully engulfed residential structure on fire in the 1100 blk of Ak Uunyaa Wy on the Barona Reservation. Initially dispatched was five structural engines, one rescue company, one water tender, an ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief.

Engine 27 and Engine 1 operating at the fire scene.
Fire extends throughout the home under construction.
 On the arrival of Engine 27 (Barona), firefighters discovered a 4000+ square foot, residential structure (under construction) fully involved in fire. A request was made for brush engines as embers from the fire had the potential to ignite the nearby vegetation. CalFire dispatched two brush engines to assist.

The crew from Lakeside Engine 1 arrive on-scene.
On the arrival of Engine 1 (Riverview Station), they were tasked with assisting with knock down on the fire, and obtaining a water source. The problem was that the nearest hydrant was about a quarter of a mile from the fire. With the arrival of Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 4 (Santee-Cottonwood), crews laid out an extensive hose lay to the hydrant. With a secure water source, Engine 27 was now able to use master streams (a hose stream in excess of 500 gallons per minute) to take the heat out of the fire.

Firefighter-Paramedic Jon Jordan, and Reserve Firefighter Corey Palmore use a heavy stream to knock down the fire.
Crews then extended handlines to continue with the extinguishing of the fire. Crews were pulled back due to the complete loss of structural integrity.


Currently the San Diego Sheriff Bomb-Arson team is investigating the fire.

Lakeside units dispatched to fire: Engine 1, Engine 2 (diverted to medical aid call), Engine 3, Battalion 1. 

A total of 10 Lakeside Fire personnel initially responded to the fire.

Photos and Story By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Monday, November 7, 2011

National Test of the Emergency Alert System is November 9th at 11:00am


At 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 9, 2011, the nation’s emergency services workers will be testing the National Emergency AlertSystem.  This national system has been put in place to distribute information to citizens through a trickle-down system of local emergency centers which are in place nationwide.  Commercial broadcasters, as part of their license to broadcast to a service area, agree to cooperate with state and local authorities in the use of this system.

San Diego County residents are familiar with frequent tests of our local Emergency Alert System (EAS) as well as the (thankfully) occasional advisories, usually for severe weather and other emergency information distribution.

In this first ever test on a nationwide scale, the national system will activate state relay centers that will, in turn, activate local emergency centers (San Diego County) sending the emergency signal to local broadcasters and cable providers. 

The test should last about 1 minute. 

So, on November 9, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. (PST), stand by for a test. This is a test of the emergency activation system.  This is only a test.

Submitted by Andy Parr, Fire Chief


 

Rescue 3 Assists the Rural Fire District in Harbison Canyon

Harbison Canyon-

On Monday, November 7, 2011, at 2:25 a.m., a request was made by the Rural Fire District to have Lakeside Rescue 3 respond an assist on a structure fire in the 600 blk of Silverbrook Dr in the community of Harbison Canyon.

Hoselines run up the driveway of the involved structure. The majority of the dwelling was saved.
On the arrival of Rescue 3, fire units were engaged in locating a fire that had originated in the fire place but now was running through walls and the attic space of a house. Rescue 3's crew was assigned to the roof of the structure to remove the enclosure around the chimney and any roofing involved in the fire.

Apparatus from multiple agencies line-up along the narrow road.
Once the enclosure had been breached, the crew located active fire running up the wall and into the attic space. Between the hoselines in the interior and those on the roof, crews were able to knockdown the fire.

In addition to crews from the Rural Fire District, there were personnel from CalFire, Sycuan Fire, and Lakeside Fire on scene.

A total of 3 personnel responded from Lakeside Fire.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Sunday, November 6, 2011

One Critical in Highway 67 Collision

Moreno Valley-

On Sunday, November 6, 2011, at 9:37 p.m., the Heartland Communications Center received multiple calls about a major collision that had occurred in the 11900 blk of Highway 67. Calls indicated that a head-on collision had occurred and one of the vehicles was engulfed in flames. Another calling party indicated an occupant was trapped in a vehicle near the fire. A full rescue response was dispatched that included two structural pumpers, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief (Darby).

Heavy damage is evident to both vehicles.
On the arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills), they discovered one vehicle on fire with a critically injured occupant lying in the roadway. The crew pulled an attack line to knock down the fire and initiated patient care on the victim.

With the arrival of Battalion 1, Engine 1, and Medic 1, crews identified a total of three patients. An additional ALS medic unit was requested which brought a response from Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station). It was determined that no victims were trapped so the crew from Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) was assigned to triage and patient care.

Fire Engineer Scott Smith on stand-by with a hose line in case of re-ignition of the fire.
All three patients were transported to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital. The accident is currently being investigated by CHP. A total of 14 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident.

Highway 67 was shut-down for an extended period of time while crews resolved the incident.

Lakeside Fire units dispatched to this incident included: Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills), Engine 1 and Medic 1 (Riverview), Rescue 3, Medic 3 and Battalion 1 (Lake Jennings).

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Video By: Fire Captain Jerry Daoust, Lakeside Fire District

Traffic Accident Causes Traffic Snarl on Lake Jennings Park Rd

Lake Jennings Area-

On Sunday, November 6, 2011, at 5:08 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District responded to the intersection of Harritt Rd and Lake Jennings Park Rd for a reported vehicle accident. On arrival, crews conducted assessments on the four occupants in the two involved vehicles. Fortunately nobody was seriously injured and only one occupant required transport to the hospital.

Lakeside paramedics work on the injured occupant who was later transported to Alvarado Hospital.
It was soon recognized the heavy traffic from people returning home from their weekend activities was backing-up into the Lakeside area on Lake Jennings. Crews assisted CHP with traffic control to keep Lake Jennings Park Rd open to travel. After tows arrived for the involved vehicles traffic was returned to normal conditions.

Currently the incident is under investigation by the CHP. A total of 9 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident.

Dispatched Lakeside Units included:  Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station), Engine 26s (Blossom Valley Station)

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

You Changed Your Clocks. Did You change Your Batteries?

Lakeside, CA-

It is that time again. Last night, we all got an extra hour of sleep as we changed our clocks back one hour to standard time.  It is also time to replace those batteries in your smoke alarms.

Lakeside Fire District wants to remind everyone that a properly functioning smoke alarm is your best chance to escape a residential fire. Smoke alarms should be placed in hallways outside of sleeping areas, in every bedroom, and on every level of your home. Also, remember to test your smoke alarms every month!

Lakeside reserve firefighter David Csik changes a smoke detector battery at fire station 3.


Photo and story submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Friday, November 4, 2011

A Great Day at Lakeside Station #3

Lake Jennings Area-

On October 13, 2011, the crew from Lakeside Fire Station #3 received a report that a teacher at Lakeview Elementary School had lapsed into unconsciousness. In a series of fortunate events, a teacher from another classroom had discovered Vickee Cloniger at her desk unresponsive. A call was placed for help and the school nurse responded to the classroom.

Discovering that Vickee was now pulseless, CPR was started until the arrival of the fire department engine company and paramedic ambulance. Upon entering the scene, the crew discovered that the patient continued to be pulseless. Advanced cardiac life support was initiated which included a series of defibrillations to re-start the heart. Soon paramedics detected a pulse and the monitor indicated that Vickee's heart had started beating again.

Vickee, and husband CJ, present the crew at station #3 with a "thank you" cake. (from L to R): Firefighter-Paramedic Lance Buford, Fire Engineer Steve Schleif, Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, CJ Cloniger, Vickee Cloniger, Fire Captain Mark Grow, Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm
Medications were administered to keep the heart functioning normally and the crew rapidly loaded her into Medic 3 for the short ride to Grossmont Hospital. En route to the hospital the crew was amazed as the patient not only started breathing on her own, but had regained consciousness and was holding a conversation with the medics.

Over the weeks of recovery, the crew was able to follow Vickee's recovery through reports from the hospital. But the best reward occurred on November 4, 2011, when Vickee, and her husband visited the crew at the fire station.

Fully recovered, Vickee has returned to the job she loves; as a 1st grade teacher at Lakeview Elementary.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Vehicle Rescue on Scripps Poway Parkway

Highway 67 Corridor-

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at 11:50 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway on Scripps Poway Parkway just west of Highway 67. A full rescue response was sent which included two structural engines, one rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief (Laff). Enroute, based on location, Battalion 1 requested a response from the Poway Fire Department.

Rescue 3 uses their light tower to help crews working over the side.
On the arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills), they discovered a badly damaged vehicle off of the roadway in steep terrain. The crew made contact with a sole occupant that had multiple traumatic injuries. During the assessment it was discovered that the patient may have been sitting there for several hours before her discovery.

If you look carefully you can see the side mounted winch used to stabilize the vehicle on the slope. Rescue 3 has the capability to mount the winch on all four sides of the apparatus.
On the arrival of Engine 1 and Medic 1 (Riverview Station), they were assigned to patient care. It was determined that the driver-side door would require removal to extricate the occupant. With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station), the car was stabilized on the hillside with a winch and hydraulic tools were used to provide access to the patient.

The vehicle came to rest on the edge of a steep canyon.
The patient was transported to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center in Kearny Mesa for further care. The accident is being investigated by CHP. A total of 13 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident assisted by 3 personnel from the Poway Fire Department.

KGTV Link

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District