Thursday, June 25, 2015

Women's Club of Lakeside Welcomes Search Dog



Lakeside, Calif.-

The Women's Club of Lakeside held their monthly meeting on Thursday, June 25, 2015, and invited Engineer Rich Smith from Station 3 to give an overview of Lakeside Fire Protection District's search dog program.  The Women's Club has chosen the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (NDSDF) for a fundraising event in September.  Bella, a purebred Labrador retriever, is a member of Lakeside Fire and a part of the NDSDF.  Her handler, Engineer Smith, gave an excellent presentation of the program and the path of becoming a handler.

Engineer Rich Smith

The NDSDF was formed after the bombing in Oklahoma City. A need was identified by the founder, also a K9 handler, to have more canine search teams, not only for violent attacks but also for natural disasters. The first training facility was at Sundowners Kennels in Gilroy, CA.  How are the dogs chosen?  Each week throughout the country, teams go to nearby animal shelters and test which dogs might have the propensity for focused attention, obedience to commands and a "high drive."  Generally, these dogs are from the retriever family, whether pure bred or mixed breed.  Most of the time the dogs are days from being euthanized.  After being rescued from the animal shelter, the dog is vet checked, hips x-rayed, and sometimes sent to a "surrogate" family to learn basic obedience for a short period, until they can be delivered to the newly constructed, multi-million dollar National Training Center (NTC) in Ojai, CA to start the formal NDSDF program, which takes approximately 8-12 months. To fully train a dog the cost is approximately $100,000. When the dog completes the training, handlers are invited to the NTC to be matched to a dog by the trainers. The dog then continues to train with their handler and the goal is to become FEMA certified within the following year.  Every three (3) years, the search team has to be recertified.  In San Diego, attached to USAR California Task Force 8, there are only five (5) FEMA certified dogs, and are assigned to fire departments in San Diego County.   Each month, the handlers meet in various locations to practice honing the dog's skills by finding people in simulated natural disasters.  While Bella is not a family pet, she receives much attention (and love) by fellow firefighters at Station 3.

Bella and Engineer Smith will be demonstrating search skills during our Open House at Station 3 in October. 

Engineer Smith, Bella, and Barbara Whitlock of the 
Women's Club of Lakeside

For more information on the Women's Club of Lakeside fundraising event, click here.

Story and Photos by M. Brown, Lakeside LVG

Monday, June 15, 2015

Vehicle Extrication Training

Lakeside, CA

Recently all Lakeside firefighters were able to participate in a valuable training exercise involving the latest techniques used to extricate patients from damaged vehicles.
Captain Eric Stamm leads this training exercise


The Lakeside Fire Protection District would like to thank Horn’s Auto (http://hornsauto.com/) for the donation of 6 vehicles to perform vehicle extrication training.  Each division had 2 vehicles to practice different vehicle extrication techniques.  
 
Captain Rick Dalldorf  looks on as Firefighter Chad Murray uses a hydraulic ram

The firefighters were able to practice various vehicle extrication techniques in a systematic manner.  During a vehicle accident it is extremely important to extricate and transport the patients to the trauma center within 1 hour.  
 
Engineer Nate Fox cuts the "A" post as Captain Jon Jordan acts as safety officer

This training allowed the veteran firefighters to review their skills and to pass their knowledge down to our newest firefighters in the department.
Hydraulic cutters are used here to make a relief cut

Story and photos by Fire Captain Eric Stamm

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Lakeside Fire Wins 2015 Firefighter Demolition Derby

Lakeside, Calif. -

After being stuck on a berm, a tie rod breaking, replacing the radiator, changing out a few tires, and cutting the trunk so our driver could see, the Lakeside Fire Pit Crew patched up the 1974 Cadillac Coupe de Ville for the final heat. FF/PM Patrick Sellers beat out ten cars to win the 2015 Firefighter Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair on Saturday, June 6, 2015.

Congratulations to FF/PM Sellers and all of the contestants who participated in support of the Burn Institute.

1974 Cadillac Coupe de Ville
(before)


After the big win!


Story by M. Brown, Lakeside LVG
Photos by Arianna Lopez



Monday, June 1, 2015

Lakeside Fire Gearing up for 2015 Demolition Derby

Lakeside, Calif. -



This Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 1:00 pm, Lakeside Fire Protection District will be participating in the Burn Institute's Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair, Del Mar Fairgrounds.  To find the cost of admission to the San Diego County Fair, click here.  

Over 15 fire departments will be competing for the big win. Lakeside Firefighter/Paramedic Patrick Sellers will be taking the wheel of a 1974 Cadillac Coupe de Ville.  We expect him to crush and dominate the field with his swift and deliberate maneuvering in the Cadillac! Please join Lakeside Firefighters this Saturday in cheering FF/PM Sellers to victory and bringing home the trophy!

FF/PM Patrick Sellers' 1974 Cadillac Coupe de Ville