Firefighters Rescue Man Injured in Flood Channel

Lakeside:

Early on the morning on May 23, 2014 Lakeside Engine 1 and Medic 2 were called for reports of a person that had fallen into the flood channel under Hwy 67.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map

Engine 1 arrived, and with the assistance of the SDSO, were able to locate the patient. The patient was a male that was injured in the bottom of the flood channel that runs under Hwy 67.  The patient had fallen approximately 20 + feet to the concrete bottom of the flood channel.

The patient fell onto the concrete from the edged of the channel.

To access the patient crews had to place a ladder into the channel and descend it.  Once the patient was accessed it was clear that he would need to be placed in spinal precautions because of his injuries.  The spinal precautions combined with the high vertical walls of the channel meant the patient would have to be hoisted out of the flood channel in a stokes basket on a backboard.   Engine 1 requested that Rescue 3 respond to the scene to bring the necessary equipment to move the patient.

R3 crews work to set up a mechanical lifting system

The lifting system requires a long section of rope and a great deal of specialized hardware

Rescue 3 arrived at the scene and assisted the crews on scene with setting up a ladder-slide and a rope lifting system that would provide a mechanical advantage to pull the patient out of the flood channel.  Once the patient was lifted out of the channel he was transported to the hospital by M2.

Once the patient was up he was moved to a gurney for transport to the medic unit 

This call was an example of one of the technical rescue situations Lakeside firefighters are capable of carrying out.  It is a low-frequency high-risk situation that requires regular training and review to stay proficient with these skills.  This rescue was carried out without any issues and the patient was successfully removed from the channel and transported to the hospital.

R3 and E1 crews put the rescue equipment back onto Rescue 3 after the call

Photos and story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Firefighters Rescue Injured Horseback Rider from River Bottom

El Monte Valley:

Firefighters from Lakeside were called Thursday April 10th, 2014 to assists a horseback rider who had been thrown from their horse.  The rider had reportedly been injured on the trail in the river bottom that runs through the El Monte Valley but the exact location was not known.  The San Diego Sheriff's Department assisted the fire department in trying to find the downed rider.  After a short time, the rider was located on the trail.

View 2014 Incident Map in a larger map


Crews from Lakeside Engine 2 and Medic 3 hiked into the scene and began rapid treatment of the patient.  Rescue 3 arrived just behind the other units to assist with extricating the patient off of the trail.  The Patient was carried out in full spinal precautions to M3.   Once in the ambulance the patient was transported to a local trauma center.

Firefighters from E2, M3, and Rescue 3 carry the injured rider out of the river bottom

The injured rider is loaded into M3 for transport to the trauma center

Photos by Captain Mark Grow
Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Firefighters Receive Sheriff's "Distinguished Service Award"

MCAS Miramar, Bob Hope Theater-

Little did fire crews reporting to work on a September day know they would soon be involved in a shoot out between Sheriff Deputies and a suspect in the 12700 block of Mapleview Street. Deputies from the Santee Sheriff office had developed a lead that possible child abuse was occurring in a local apartment complex. Acting on that information the deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect. Soon shots rang out leaving both deputies injured from gunshot wounds. Deputies returned fire while seeking refuge from the continued gunfire.

A call for assistance was made which brought a response from law enforcement throughout San Diego County. Responding law enforcement officials continued to receive gunfire from the apartment. At the same time the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call to respond to the incident for the injured officers. An engine company and medic unit responded from the River Park, and Lake Jennings fire stations.

San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore makes the award presentation to Captain-Paramedic John Hisaw, Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch, Firefighter-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood, and Firefighter Paramedic Eric Stamm. Not present was Fire Engineer Rob Andrews.

Knowing that two deputies had suffered life threatening injuries a plan was put into action that would involve fire crews operating under the cover of law enforcement. Crews entered the complex and quickly located the two officers. They were removed to a safe area where advanced life support could be initiated. But it became obvious that both of these patients needed quick transport to the trauma center where definitive care could be initiated.

The most severely injured deputy was loaded into Medic 3 and quickly transported to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center. During the transport the patient received some of the most advanced trauma care allowed in San Diego County.

Calls for additional medic units brought two ALS units from the Santee Fire Department. The second deputy was loaded into an arriving medic unit and was also transported to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center.



As the crime scene was still unfolding the third medic unit staged in the area in anticipation that others may receive injuries. Later that medic unit would be utilized to transport the injured suspect to a local trauma center.

On May 8th, 2013, the San Diego Sheriff Department awarded the "Distinguished Service Award" to Fire Captain-Paramedic John Hisaw, Fire Engineer Rob Andrews, Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm, Firefighter-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood, and Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch. The award ceremonies took place at MCAS Miramar in the Bob Hope Theater.

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

Firefighters Battle Blaze in Wrecking Yard

Lakeside: Firefighters were called today, February 25, 2013, to the 15200 block of Olde Hwy 80 for reports of several cars on fire in a wrecking yard.  As units left their stations there were several reports of a large column of smoke being visible from far away.  E26 was the first arriving unit, reporting there was a large area of fire and heavy smoke coming from the center of the wrecking yard.  E26 did a "driveway lay" into the yard and advanced into the property to investigate what exactly was on fire.  E2, which was the next unit to arrive, attached to E26's hose lay and advanced it to a hydrant 500 feet up the road.  This would ultimately be one of the 3 supply lines that were deployed on the fire.


 
E26 made their way into the middle of the property and found a large pile of wrecked vehicles that were engulfed in flame.   Adjacent the pile of vehicles there was a large container, roughly the size of a semi truck trailer, filled with used tires that were also on fire.  The fire load was extremely large so there was a great deal of smoke being produced when crews arrived.
As engines began arriving it was clear that this would be an operation that would require a tremendous quantity of water to suppress the fire.  Flowing simultaneously on this fire were two deck guns (capable of over 1,000 gpm each), the aerial from Santee Truck 4,  two 2.5” hoselines and two 1.75” line.  This collection of attack lines and devices were putting over 3,000 gallons of water per minute onto the fire, and it was still not going out quickly.
Once much of the fire had been knocked down it was decided that the best way to get at the remaining fire was to use tractors to pluck the cars off the pile, putting them down somewhere crews could extinguish them.  This went on for several hours as the fire slowly went out. This fire shows how effective the automatic aid agreements we have in place are.



The agencies involved were: Lakeside Fire, El Cajon Fire, Santee Fire, Alpine Fire, Cal Fire, San Diego County HazMat, San Diego City Fire HazMat the CHP and SDSO.  Some of these agencies were involved because of their proximity at the time of dispatch, others were involved because of their specialized training.  Working together with several agencies seamlessly is something fire agencies in San Diego County do better than almost anywhere else in the world.



This fire did not result in any injuries to civilians or firefighters.  It was determined that the areas immediately surrounding the fire should be evacuated to ensure the public’s safety.  Once the fire was extinguished all of the employees at the surrounding companies were able to return.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Story and Video by Captain Bernie Molloy
Photos By Engineer Shawn McKenna

Motorhome Consumed By Fire In Lakeside

Engine 1 upon first arrival.

Eucalyptus Hills-

At 9:11 a.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2012, Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a large vehicle fire in the Eucalyptus Hills neighborhood. It was reported that a motor-home was completely engulfed in flames. A large column of black smoke could be seen from a distance. Engine 2 from the nearby River Park station, as well as Engine 1 and Division Chief 4106(Kirkpatrick) were dispatched to the emergency. While the crew of Engine 2 was stepping into full protective firefighting gear preparing to respond, a vehicle pulled up in front of the fire station. The driver stepped out and identified himself as a burn victim from the reported fire. The crew quickly switched gears and began to treat the burn victim. This was immediately reported to Heartland dispatch and an ambulance was started to Station 2 as well as an additional engine was assigned to the fire to replace Engine 2. Santee Engine 4 was added to the call.

Engine 1 Firefighter Shawn McKenna initiating fire attack.

Upon arrival to the fire, Lakeside Engine 1 reported a large motor-home fully involved in fire with the potential of flames spreading to nearby vegetation. Engine 1 crew quickly pulled an attack line and began the fire fight. Because of the large size of the vehicle and the amount of fire involvement, a water supply from the closest hydrant was requested immediately. Santee Engine 4 arrived at scene soon thereafter to lay a large diameter supply line from a hydrant down the street up the long driveway to Engine 1. Division Chief 4106 arrived to take over incident command. The fire was knocked back before it was able to get established in the vegetation surrounding the motor-home. With an adequate water supply secured, the fire was soon fully extinguished.

Engine 2 Captain John Hisaw, FF McKenna, and Reserve FF Zauss finish extinguishment.

After Engine 2 was able to turn the burn victim over to Medic 2 for transport to the hospital, they were able to respond to the fire scene to assist with overhaul. Incident support was provided by the Lakeside Logistics Volunteer Group. San Diego Sheriff arson investigators were called to the scene to determine the cause of the blaze which is still under investigation. The burn victim was transported to the UCSD Burn Center by Medic 2.

Crews were successful in keeping the fire from the surrounding vegetation.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map

Submitted By: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain
Photos By: Todd Welch, Lakeside Firefighter

Early Morning Fire Damages Garage

Lakeside, CA-

At 4:34 a.m., on the morning of May 4, 2012,  Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire with multiple reports of smoke and fire in a multifamily residential complex on Summersun Lane . Responding from the Riverview fire station (fs1) just one block away, Engine 1 firefighters arrived just minutes later to face heavy fire coming from a garage unit with flames threatening the living space above it. San Diego Sheriff Deputies were on scene evacuating residents. Engine 1 initiated fire attack and was soon supported by personnel from Engine 2 and Medic 2 from the Riverpark fire station (fs2). San Miguel Engine 19 from their Bostonia fire station arrived next and was assigned to protect and check for fire extension in the adjoining living areas. Santee Engine 4 and Truck 4 from Cottonwood fire station 4 were right behind and they were put to work supporting the operation.

Lakeside Division Chief 4103 (Laff) took over Incident Command(IC) from Engine 1. El Cajon Battalion 3 (Snow) arrived to assume the role of Safety Officer. The fire was brought under control by the quick action of all fire personnel on scene. All fire units were on scene in less than ten minutes from the time of the initial dispatch. Fire damage was confined to the garage with minor smoke and water damage to the adjoining garage. Fire did not extend to any of the attached living areas.

The garage was a total loss.

Support Unit 4140 was requested by the IC to provide logistical support to the incident. Unit 4140, staffed by members of the newly established Lakeside Logistics Volunteer Group (LVG) arrived with cold water, coffee, and food for the firefighters, scene personnel, and the temporarily displaced residents.

Lakeside LVGs assist with incident support.

Members of the Sheriff Bomb/Arson unit were on scene to determine the origin. The cause of the fire is under investigation. SDG&E also responded personnel to secure the damaged gas and electric utilities. This incident is another example of the excellent cooperative efforts of multiple agencies to provide public safety to the citizens of Lakeside. Thank you to all who assisted.

Submitted by: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain
Photos by: Dennis Canfield, Lakeside LVG Member

Suspicious Package Results In A Hazmat Response

On Wednesday, August 24, 2011, at 3:31pm, Lakeside firefighters from Blossom Valley station 26 were dispatched to investigate a report of a suspicious package containing unknown chemicals. Upon arrival at the Chocolate Summit Drive residence, the homeowner stated that an unexpected package was found at their front gate. The small cardboard box was marked with hazardous warning markings and lacked any shipping information to indicate its origin, intended destination, or exact contents.

Multi-Agency Hazmat Response

Sensing that something was not right, the homeowner left the package in place and called 911. After a cautious visualization by fire personnel, the package markings and incident situation was reported to the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health Hazardous Incident Response Team (DEH-HIRT) for consultation. The scene was secured and a safe perimeter was established.  Due to the circumstance and limited available information, it was decided that a full Hazmat response was indicated. This response included units from San Diego County and City Hazmat teams along with the San Diego Sheriff Bomb Squad.

Sheriff Bomb Squad with portable X-Ray equipment

A plan was developed with input from all agencies involved. Initially, Sheriff Bomb Squad personnel were sent in with portable x-ray equipment to determine if any evidence of an explosive device was present. The x-ray was then analyzed and no explosive device indicators were detected. San Diego City Hazmat-1 personnel were then sent in wearing level-B exposure suits to open the package and inspect its contents.

San Diego City Hazmat-1 personnel

Hazmat personnel discovered a two-part industrial adhesive inside which was properly packaged in accordance with hazardous materials transport regulations and deemed not to be a hazard. The box and contents, which included indications as to its origin, were removed from the scene by County Hazmat and an investigation into its intended destination will be conducted.

In this incident, the package turned out to be safe and harmless in its proper containers. However, the homeowner acted absolutely appropriately when faced with the unknown nature of the situation. Remember, if something doesn't seem right to you, treat it with caution and be on the safe side.

Submitted By: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain
Photos By: Robert Williams, Lakeside Fire Engineer

Paraglider Crash Brings Multi-Agency Response

Blossom Valley-

On Monday, June 13, 2011 at 5:56 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call from a downed paraglider pilot who stated he was below the Blossom Gliderport and believed he was severely injured. A full rescue response was dispatched that included two engine companies, a rescue company, ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief.

Lakeside paramedics initiated advanced life support upon arriving at scene.

As Battalion Chief Ron Laff accessed the area, he could see the collapsed canopy of the victim's glider significantly below the jump-off point at the glider port. A request was made for ASTREA from the San Diego County Sheriff's Department to respond and assist ground units in locating the victim. The crew from Rescue 3 and Medic 3 loaded their equipment into a four wheel drive unit and accessed the area.

The patient is hoisted to Copter 12.

A CalFire crew member, and Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams hang onto a "tagline" as the patient is hoisted to the helicopter. The "tagline" keeps the patient from spinning once he enters the rotor-wash from the suspended helicopter.

Once over the mountain, ASTREA was able to direct crews to the victim. On their arrival, the victim had complaints suggestive of spinal injuries and fractures. The patient was also exhibiting signs of shock. Paramedics on the scene initiated advanced life support, which included IV fluids to combat the shock.

The flight crew pulls the victim into the helicopter.

Due to the extremely steep terrain, the decision was made to hoist the patient to a helicopter then rendezvous with a Mercy Air helicopter for transport to a trauma center. Copter 12 was dispatched to the scene and made radio contact with ground units. Once overhead, the air crews had to carefully evaluate the safest method to hoist the patient.

Copter 12 lands at the landing zone to transfer the patient to Mercy Air 5

Mercy Air 5 lifts off for Sharp Memorial Trauma Center

A crew member was lowered to the scene and prepared the patient for the hoist operation. After the victim was safely in Copter 12, it departed the scene to land in a nearby field so the patient could be transferred to Mercy Air 5. The patient was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital for evaluation in the trauma center.

Agencies assisting the Lakeside Fire District include CalFire (air and ground), San Diego Sheriff Department, and Mercy Air. 




Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.
Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Raczka, Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, and Firefighter Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Extinguish Small Grass Fire

Rios Canyon -

Heartland Fire Communications received numerous 911 calls for a fire in the vegetation at Pecan Park Lane and Rios Canyon Road just before noon on May 15, 2011. Firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) were first on scene and quickly extinguished a large spot fire in the grass field.

The fire was caused by sparks from a power saw cutting metal posts. This incident is a good reminder that great care must be taken when using power tools around dry vegetation. There is an abundance of grass in Southern California this spring due to the winter rains we had. This fuel type is easily ignited and fire spreads very quickly through it.

Assisting agencies on this incident included El Cajon, CalFire, and San Diego Sheriff.

This fire spread quickly through the cured-grass fuels.

Story and photo by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Paraglider Crash Brings Multi-Agency Response

Quail Canyon: On Saturday, November 27, 2010, at 2:05 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a paraglider that had experienced a rough landing at the Blossom Valley Glider Port, resulting in injuries to the pilot. A rescue response was dispatched including one structural engine, one rescue unit (with a 4x4 utility vehicle), an ALS ambulance, and battalion chief (Lawler).

Lakeside paramedics and CalFire flight crew members stabilize the injured patient.

 On arrival, crews were informed that the patient was at the top of the peak and had suffered spinal injuries due to rough landing. San Diego County Copter 10 had arrived in the area and was attempting to locate a landing zone while ground crews accessed the area.

Additional flight crew members arrive for the carryout to the copter.

 The crews from Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Medic 3 accessed the area by vehicle and made patient contact.The CalFire flight crew had accessed the area and had initiated patient care. Due to the remote location, the decision was made to fly the patient via helicopter to the Rios Little League Field, where they would rendezvous with a ground transport unit.

Crew members load the injured pilot into San Diego Copter 10 for the flight to the Rios Little League Field

After the patient was stabilized, the crew hiked the patient to the helicopter where two Lakeside Paramedics boarded for the short flight to the ball field. From that location, that flight met with Engine 26s (Blossom Valley Station) and M3 (Lake Jennings Station) for ground transport to Sharp Trauma in San Diego.

Assisting Lakeside on this incident was SDSO, Cal Fire, and CHP. A total of nine Lakeside personnel responded to this incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Department Open House

On September 25, 2010, the Lakeside Fire Protection District held its annual Open House. Every year, near the start of national Fire Prevention Week, we open the doors of fire station number three on Highway 8 Business to provide fire prevention education to the public. 

This event is geared towards children and adults alike, providing them with information on being fire safe. The event showcases one of our district's four stations, much of the apparatus operated by the district, vehicle extrication demonstrations, a jumper for the kids, an opportunity for the kids to operate a fire hose, Smokey the Bear, and Bella, the district's search and rescue dog. 

We invite many other agencies to participate in the event and they provide the public with additional safety information. We would like to thank the following agencies for making our event successful: the San Diego Burn Institute, the San Diego Sheriff Department Crime Prevention Unit, the California Highway Patrol, Cal Fire, Sharp-Grossmont Stroke Prevention, Farmers Insurance, San Diego County Watershed, (CERT) Community Emergency Response Team-Lakeside, and Road One Towing. Thank you to all who attended our event and we will see you next year!  For a full preview of the pictures we took at the 2010 Open House see our photo album.

Story by:  Engineer/Paramedic Chris Downing, Lakeside Fire District

Suspicious Fires in the Los Coches Area

Update: On 7/30/10 an arrest was made in this case.


Glenview: On Thursday, July 29th at 10:37 PM, two structural engines, a brush engine, an ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief were dispatched to the area of Los Coches Rd and Interstate 8 for a vegetation fire. Engine 8 (El Cajon-Madison) arrived and found a large spot burning between the eastbound lanes and the off-ramp to Los Coches Rd.

A CalFire firefighter looks of the origin-cause of the fire. 

Crews were able to quickly knock down the fire and cut a line around it. Additional investigators were called into the area as there has been a rash of suspicious fires in the area. Many of the reporting parties indicated the fires may have been started by an aerial flare.

If you have information, or have witnessed suspicious activity in the area please call Lakeside Fire Prevention at (619)-390-2350.

Lakeside crews were assisted by El Cajon Fire, CalFire, CHP and SDSO

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District 

Lakeside Fire Responds to Possible Explosive Device

Winter Gardens: Lakeside E1 (Riverview Station) and Battalion 1 responded to a residence on Hillvale Lane, in Lakeside, on Saturday evening for a possible explosive device. Engine 1 arrived on scene along with SDSO deputies to find a military shell which appeared to be about two and a half feet long and possibly "live". The shell was found by an 11 year old boy who was digging in his yard just feet from his house. The boy and his family were evacuated from their home along with a neighboring family from their home. 

The military ordinance after it had been removed by SDSO Bomb-Arson. Yes, that's big..! 

The SDSO Bomb Arson unit responded and removed the shell from the scene. The exact size of the shell was still undetermined at the time of removal but possibly might be a 75mm or 3 in. round according to the responding Bomb Arson deputy. The residents had no idea how the shell got there or how long it may have been buried in their yard.


Story and Photo Submitted By: Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire District