Thursday, October 11, 2012

Lakeside Firefighters Remind You To "Have Two Ways Out"


Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website,  
www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2012 NFPA.


Lakeside, Ca -

It's Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme,“Have 2 Ways Out!”, focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. The reality is that when fire strikes, your home could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few minutes. It is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds. What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or flames? That's why having two ways out is such a key part of your plan. 

  • According to an NFPA survey, only one-third of Americans have both developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
  • Almost three-quarters of Americans do have an escape plan; however, less than half actually practiced it.
  • One-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
  • Almost two-thirds (62%) of reported home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
  • Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in reported home fires in half.
  • In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 92% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated only 77%  of the time.

Click Here to Download these NFPA Escape Planning tips.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Monday, October 8, 2012

Reserve Firefighter Recruitment

Lakeside, CA -

The Lakeside Fire Protection District is currently accepting applications for the position of Reserve Firefighter. A Reserve Firefighter with the Lakeside Fire District is used to augment the career firefighter force an is an unpaid position.

The application period opens Monday, October 8, 2012, and the filing deadline is 4:00 p.m., Friday, October 26, 2012.

For more information on this recruitment including the job announcement and reserve application, visit:

http://www.lakesidefire.net/lks_reserve_ff.php


Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Gas Leak Closes Busy Intersection

Flinn Springs-

On Wednesday, October 3, 2012, the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call that a construction crew had struck a high pressure gas main near the intersection of Dunbar Lane and Olde Highway 80. Initially dispatched were four structural engines, a truck company, and two chief officers.

On the arrival of Engine 26 (Blossom Valley Station), firefighters discovered a high pressure leak emanating from a trench. SDG&E crews had arrived and requested that the fire companies provide protective hoselines for their crew members who were going to enter the area to seal off the leak. Unfortunately, fire crews were cutoff from their closest water sources due to the location of the leak. Two engine companies laid out over 1000 feet of 4 inch supply line from a distant hydrant on Chocolate Summit Drive.

Fire crews position protection lines as SDG&E personnel enter the hazard zone.

During the height of the incident all traffic had been stopped on Dunbar Lane, Olde Highway 80, and Chocolate Summit Drive. SDSO and CHP assisted with street closures.

SDG&E crews were able to seal the leak without further incident. Area roadways were quickly opened as the gas dissipated from the area.

A total of 14 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident, assisted by a crew from Heartland Fire and Rescue.

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