We Love A Clean Lakeside

Lakeside-

Photo courtesy of Jay Renard, Photojournalist East County Herald

Over 300 volunteers from the Mormon Helping Hands descended upon Lindo Lake County Park today. They worked in conjunction with I Love A CleanSan Diego’s Creek to Bay Cleanup project to clean several sites here in Lakeside. This well organized effort deployed groups of volunteers to Lindo Lake, the Lakeside Linkage Preserve, the Whitaker House, and the San Diego River at Cactus Park. 

Working closely with the Lakeside's River Park Conservancy, this mass of workers not only cleaned up debris around the lake and other sites, but did landscape work, painted public restrooms, the boat house and bridge, and re-stripped the parking lot and handicapped parking spaces. The project began bright and early this morning and by 8:00am hundreds of volunteers clad in yellow vests swarmed around Lindo Lake and the other locations looking much like busy worker bees. By 12:00 noon they departed our Lakeside community to reveal sparkling clean parks and grounds.

Pictured with Lakeside LVG members and Engine 2 Crew are event coordinator Marsi Walker and Robert Wood. Photo courtesy of Jay Renard, Photojournalist East County Herald

Lakeside Fire District’s Logistics Volunteer Group was there in force along with Engine and Medic 2 to support the clean-up effort with shade, water and snacks that were provided by the Mormon Helping Hands Santee Stake.

 Mormon Helping Hands began in 1998 and has since donated millions of hours of service through hundreds of thousands of volunteers. It is a non-proselytizing program meant to provide assistance through response to natural disasters and local needs within the community. We thank the Mormon Helping Hands and all of the volunteers who participated in today’s beautification effort here in Lakeside.

 Submitted by: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain

Lakeside Fire at the Lakeview Elementary School "Bike Rodeo"

Lakeview Elementary-

It's not often that we get to go out and meet the next generation of firefighters, but on February 2nd, 2013, the crew from Station #3 got that opportunity when we were invited to the Lakeview Elementary School "Bike Rodeo." This awesome program is centered around bike safety, but the firefighters and law enforcement also had the opportunity to talk about other safety topics.

Probationary Firefighter Brent Watte talks to the crowd about fire safety.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department were also in attendance to talk with the kids, and the Optimist Club of Lakeside was there cooking some great food.. Of course the firefighters always view this as a recruitment tool as we all knew we wanted to be firefighters in grade school, and given the interest, I think Lakeside will be in good hands for generations to come.

Kids get the opportunity to demonstrate their bike handling skills.

A future Lakeside Firefighter tries on his gear.

A special treat for the crew came when we put our "Probationary Firefighter" in a public speaking role. Asked to give a ten minute talk about fire safety, we think he did a good job for his first time. As you might guess this won't be the last time he's asked to talk in front of a crowd.

Kids get a look a Engine Company 3

Thank You Lakeview Elementary School for inviting us to such a fun event.

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

Filling the Boot for the MDA

Lakeside Firefighters were out in force Thursday morning raising funds and awareness for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).  The International Association of Firefighters has been partnered with the MDA for decades, raising over $275 million since 1954 though local fund raising such as this and various other methods.  The money raised helps the MDA fund worldwide research efforts to eradicate 40 neuromuscular diseases.  The contributions of the firefighters also go towards MDA's summer camps for children, professional and public health education and other programs. 

The Crews from St. 3 and St. 26

Every year the Lakeside Fire Protection District partners with our local branch of the MDA to go out and do our part to help the MDA achieve their goals.  Both on and off duty personnel take to the streets from 6:30 am to  9:00 am at two of our busiest intersection in the district.  This year we had all crews from all stations able to get out to help.  During the two and a half hour period we were able to raise over $4,000 for the MDA.  We realize this money comes directly from the pockets of the citizens we serve and we appreciate their compassion and commitment to this issue.  As with all of the charity events we help with, all of the money goes directly to the charity.  We are happy to make this donation to the MDA in the name of the citizens of Lakeside.  If you live in Lakeside (or happened to be driving through yesterday morning) we appreciate your help! Thanks to the caring citizens of Lakeside we are consistently able to make healthy donations to the charities we support.

To see all of the great work that the MDA does on a daily basis please go to their website at: www.mdausa.org .

The banner says it all

Firefighters Line the Street to "Fill the Boot"

Story Submitted by:  Firefighter / Paramedic Bernie Molloy
Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm

Lakeside Firefighters Participate in Opening Ceremonies for BULLS ONLY RODEO

This weekend was the annual Bulls Only Rodeo at the Lakeside Rodeo Arena.  Engine 1 from the Riverview fire station was asked to help kick it off by allowing 11 year old Maggen sing the national anthem on top of the fire engine.  Joining her was retired Gunnery Sargent Nick Popaditch from the United States Marine Corp. GySgt Popaditch had combat tour in Operation Desert Storm, and two combat tours in Iraq as a Tank Commander.  He was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V”, the Combat Action Ribbon, and many other medals for his honorable and patriotic service.  He was the commander of the tank that toppled the Saddam Hussein statue in Baghdad.   It was an honor for the community to have him there that night and to be able to show their support for his service and achievements.  

The rodeo lasted for 2 days and fun was had by all who came to show their support to the riders and the sport.  The Lakeside Fire Department didn't have to transport anyone to the hospital so we think it was a successful event.

Story By: Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell, Lakeside Fire District

Photos By: Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Leetch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Help Kick-off Relay for Life

Lakeside Middle School is hosting Lakeside's First Annual Relay For Life event.  The event is coordinated by The American Cancer Society and lasts for 24 hours.  The relay is comprised of teams camped out at the event in tents and RVs with friends and family members to cheer them on.  Each team is asked to have a member on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life unites communities across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that often takes too much. The Lakeside Fire Department had the privilege to help kick-off the event by leading a group of cancer survivors around the track for the first lap.  

 Submitted By: Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell, Lakeside Fire District