Senior Fire Safety & Smoke Alarm Program

Lakeside, CA -

The Lakeside Fire District, in partnership with the San Diego Burn Institute, offers FREE lifesaving smoke alarms for qualified seniors. To qualify for the Burn Institute’s Senior Smoke Alarm Program, seniors must be 62 years or older and own their own home. Representatives from Lakeside Fire will test existing smoke alarms, change batteries, or install new smoke alarm(s). It is recommended that a smoke alarm be installed in every bedroom, hallway, and on every level of a home.

Please call Lakeside Fire Administration at (619) 390-2350 from 7am to 4pm, Monday through Thursday, for more information on this free program and to schedule an appointment. 

Lakeside Logistic Volunteers Group "Life Saving" Program

Lakeside, CA -

In 2011, the United States had 1,389,500 hostile fires resulting in 3,005 fatalities.  These fires resulted in a loss of $11.7 billion dollars.  Undoubtedly, many of these fire deaths could of been prevented by a properly operating smoke alarm.

Logistic Volunteer Marilyn Brown explains the program to Katheryn Miller, which includes the Vial of Life Program

The Lakeside Fire District's Logistical Volunteer Group (LVG), has been working in conjunction with the local Burn Institute, to provide a free smoke alarm to anyone over the age of 55 who owns their home. Since the inception of the program in 2013, the LVG's have installed 152 smoke alarms to the residents of Lakeside. This program includes installing new detectors, testing and providing batteries to existing smoke alarms.

Dick Bailey prepares the smoke alarm for installation

The finished product; a properly installed smoke alarm.

According to the Burn Institute, 75% of seniors who perish in fires did not have a working smoke alarm. The aim of this program is to diminish these horrific statistics.

Lakeside residents in need of a new smoke alarm, or have questions about an existing smoke alarm, can contact the Lakeside Fire District Administration Office, (Monday - Thursday 7am to 4pm), at 619-390-2350.

Marilyn Brown, Logistic Volunteer Group

Danny Leetch Takes Third at 2014 Firefighters Demolition Derby

San Diego County Fair-

On June 7, 2014, firefighters from San Diego and Orange Counties gathered at the 24th annual Firefighters Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair. This annual event has a historical past of pitting the skills of firefighters against one another in this much anticipated event.

The event is conducted in support of the Burn Institute, and the work they do in burn prevention/recovery programs.

After last year's event, Lakeside Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch had brought his car (the "2-20") back to life. Having suffered marginal damage after a distributor cap was sheared off early in the event, it seemed logical to restore the car and give it another shot this year.

In this year's first heat, the 2-20 suffered some pretty severe body damage to the rear of the vehicle, but fortunately it was still strong mechanically. After some quick repairs in the pits, the crew was ready for the final event.

Danny puts a pretty hard hit on the National City entry.

It was pretty evident from the beginning that the final event was going to be a hard fought battle to take the first place trophy. Cars quickly were knocked out of completion with a number of hard hits. At one point the race was suspended when Danny managed to put the 2-20 on top of another vehicle. After the assistance of a backhoe the race was back on.

Danny Leetch with the third place trophy.

The 2-20 showed promise that another win was in the making but after a punishing hit by another vehicle the drive train had suffered race-ending damage.

But in the end, Danny had captured the third place trophy in a very competitive event. Danny has already set out on a plan to field a new entry next year.

Our thanks to the sponsors of the 2-20 entry:

Lakeside Firefighters Local 4488
Famulare Jewelers
Highway 67 Truck
Sparky's Transmission
A&A Muffler
Elite Auto 
Discount Signs and Banners
Santana High School - Auto Body 

Congratulations to the Imperial Beach Firefighters with their first place finish.

We apologize for the audio issues on the video presentation.



Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection 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
 

Community Comes Through for Burn Victims

Lakeside-

Every year the firefighters gather in the streets, at the crack of dawn, to collect money for burn victims. The annual Burn Institute Boot Drive has the participation of 44 fire agencies throughout San Diego County. This year Lakeside Firefighters selected three locations in the community to collect for these unfortunate victims. The money we collected would be used in programs to prevent burn injuries, help those stricken with these injuries, and send kids to a specialized outing "Camp Beyond the Scars."

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm collects donations on Los Coches Rd  near Highway 8 Business.

Fire crews departed their stations at 6 AM to start collecting donations during the morning rush hour. Crews were positioned at Winter Gardens Blvd and Woodside Ave, Los Coches Rd and Highway Business, and Lake Jennings Park Rd and Olde Highway 80.

Firefighter-Paramedic Marc Poynter, Fire Engineer-Paramedic Rich Smith, and Firefighter-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood on Highway 8 Business near Los Coches.

In the past the community of Lakeside has been very generous when asked to donate. But nobody could have anticipated the huge response. This years total was an an amazing $6260.95. The community response was simply "awesome." This money will go to a great cause, and help people with their recovery from these injuries. To say "Thank You Lakeside" just doesn't seem enough for such an outpouring of compassion. "Way to go Lakeside"....

Marc Poynter perched between lanes on Highway 8 Business.

Lakeside's Event Coordinator: Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch  
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Come Out and Support "Downhill Danny"

Time is getting close for the annual "Firefighters Demolition Derby", in support of the Burn Institute. Danny "Downhill" Leetch is defending last years first place finish in the event, so great effort has been expended in fielding a car able to defend the title.

Danny putting some of the final touches on this year's entry.

If you would like to come out and support Danny he will be at the following locations this weekend:

Albertsons     9560 Winter Gardens Blvd          Saturday, June 9th from 9 AM to 4 PM
Eastbound     10053 Maine Ave                        Sunday, June 10th from 8 AM to 1:30 PM

Come out and sign the car and make a donation. All proceeds go the the San Diego Burn Institute. Then come out and see the big event at the San Diego County Fair (link below).  We would love to see you there.....

Firefighters Demolition Derby   June 16th at 5 PM  

Last Year's Event