Lakeside Firefighters Battle Structure Fire in Self-Storage Unit

Winter Gardens: Lakeside Firefighters responded to a reported multi-family residential structure fire at 8810 Winter Gardens Blvd at 38 minutes past midnight on Thursday, March 10, 2011. Units assigned to this incident included Lakeside E1, E2, and Battalion 1; El Cajon E8 and Battalion 3; and, Santee E4, Truck 4, and Medic 4. While enroute, Heartland Fire Dispatch reported to the responding units that the fire was located in the storage units in front of the Mountain View apartments at the given address.

Firefighters stretch hoselines and ladder the building.

Upon arrival, Lakeside E1 had smoke showing from the street and began a 4" supply line from the hydrant in front of the complex. After completion of the supply line, E1 encountered heavy fire coming from an open roll-up style storage unit door. The unit on fire threatened exposures on each side and the second floor above it. A vehicle parked directly in front of the involved unit was also starting to burn. E1 deployed a hoseline to attack the fire while E8 assumed the Incident Command role until Battalion 1 arrived.

Crews from Lakeside, El Cajon and Santee work to control the fire.

All of the first alarm units were utilized in the mitigation of this incident including Battalion 3 as Safety Officer and the Santee Fire units laddering the building and performing ventilation operations. After the fire was extinguished, the unit of origin was thoroughly overhauled while the fire investigator on E2 conducted an investigation into the cause of the fire.

Submitted By: Fire Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Crews Train on the New El Monte Trail

El Monte Valley: Lakeside has a new trail in the community! Only dedicated last month, this new multi-use trail stretches from the El Monte Valley to the community of Blossom Valley. The two-mile path ascends some 1,200 feet to the ridge line above.

Crews use a mechanical advantage system to assist crews on steep portions of the trail.

But as with any trail system, there eventually comes a time when firefighters are called out due to an emergency on the trail. Given the rugged terrain, crews used the opportunity to pre-plan for potential emergencies and practice skills unique to extracting patients from the area.

Crews practice anchoring to "what ever they can get their hands on".. Crews often anchor to rocks, trees, and even the brush.

Crews discussed the best access points and quickly inserting paramedics into the environment so they can get to the patient quickly and initiate care. A key component to a successful rescue is the delivery of definitive care in a timely manner.

Lakeside Fire crews have prior experience with these types of rescues in the El Capitan Mountain area and throughout the region. But what makes this trail unique is the sheer steepness of the slope. This terrain tends to limit options you would normally have for transporting patients from the trail.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Driver Walks Away from Unique Accident

Glenview: On Wednesday, March 9, 2010, at 7:30 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a call about a vehicle that had entered the flood control drainage at the intersection of Highway 8 Business and Los Coches Rd. A structural engine, a rescue company, and an ALS medic unit were dispatched to the incident.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3, they discovered a pick-up truck straddling the drainage at that intersection. The sole occupant had climbed out of the waterway and was making contact with SDSO deputies that had arrived on-scene.

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm sets up a ladder to assist law enforcement in the investigation.

The occupant had some minor complaints of pain but refused transport to the hospital. The driver stated he though he was entering the parking area of the nearby strip-mall at that intersection.

CHP is currently investigating the incident. A total of 5 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident, assisted by 3 personnel from the San Miguel Fire District (E19-Bostonia Station).

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow

Rollover Accident Creates Traffic Snarl on Ashwood

Lakeside: On Monday, March 7, 2010, at 9:51 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a call about an overturned vehicle on Ashwood St in the area of Willow Rd. Lakeside responded a structural engine, a rescue company, and a ALS medic unit to the incident.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station), they discovered a pick-up truck on its roof. Fortunately, the occupant only suffered minor injuries and was able to self-extricate himself. The driver reports that his seat belts were in use at the time of the collision.

Seat belt use in rollover type incidents is extremely beneficial as it can prevent the occupants from being ejected from the vehicle. Patients ejected from cars have a significantly lower survival rate as compared to occupants that remain in the vehicle.

After assessment by the paramedics, the driver elected to seek medical attention on his own. CHP is investigating the accident. Traffic control remained in-place until the vehicle could be removed. A total of 6 personnel from the Lakeside Fire District responded to the incident assisted by 2 personnel from the Santee Fire Department.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Station 3 Crews Handle Pickup Vs. Pole

Glenview -

An early morning traffic collision brought a response from Lakeside Firefighters on Sunday, March 6, 2011. A single small pickup struck the traffic light pole at Los Coches Road East and Los Coches Road. The apparently unrestrained driver struck the windshield with his head resulting in substantial traumatic injury. Lakeside firefighter-paramedics transported the single occupant to an area trauma center for evaluation.

Units attending this incident  included Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings fire station), Engine 8 (El Cajon, Madison Ave fire station), and a CalFire Battalion Chief who was first on scene. CHP is investigating the accident.

Lakeside Firefighters attend to injured driver (note hole in windshield).

Story and Photo by: Firefighter-paramedic Danny Leetch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Reserve Firefighters Begin Training

El Cajon, CA -

After a lengthy recruitment process, Lakeside's first group of reserve firefighters finally have begun their training. Six reserve firefighters spent a good part of Sunday, March 6, 2011, at the Heartland Training Facility with the engine and medic crews from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3). The morning was filled with equipment familiarization on the Engine, Medic , and Rescue 3 apparatus. After lunch, the reserves practiced basic hoselays and stretches utilizing 4" supply hose and preconnected attack lines.

Lakeside Fire's Reserve Firefighter program gives those interested in a fire service career and opportunity to gain valuable experience and training while assisting the district in fulfilling its mission of fire suppression, fire prevention, and emergency medical services delivery.

Lakeside's Reserve Firefighters getting ready to work

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

IKEA Recalls Coffee/Tea Makers Due to Burn and Laceration Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: FÖRSTÅ Coffee/Tea Makers

Units: About 94,000 in the U.S. and 34,000 in Canada

Distributor: IKEA Home Furnishings, of Conshohocken, Pa

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Hazard: Pressure from the metal pot holder against the coffee/tea maker can cause the glass to break unexpectedly, posing burn and laceration hazards.

Incidents/Injuries: IKEA has received one report in the U.S. of a glass coffee/tea maker breaking. No injury was reported. IKEA has received 19 additional reports, outside of the U.S., of the glass coffee/tea makers breaking, resulting in 12 reports of burn injuries from spilt coffee/tea and one report of a laceration injury.

Description: This recall involves FÖRSTÅ coffee/tea makers sold in sizes 0.4 and 1 liters. The coffee/tea maker is a press pot comprising a handmade clear glass pot, metal holder and black plastic top and handle. Coffee/tea makers included in this recall have supplier number 20325, "IKEA" and "Made in China" etched on the bottom of the metal holder.

Sold exclusively at: IKEA stores nationwide from January 2010 through December 2010 for between $6 and $10.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the FÖRSTÅ coffee/tea makers and bring it back to any IKEA store for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.ikea-usa.com

Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1285

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting www.saferproducts.gov

Rancho Canada Traffic Accident sends Two to Trauma Center

Glenview: On Thursday, March 3, 2011, at 1:03 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received calls about a vehicle that had left the roadway in the 8500 block of Rancho Canada. One engine company, a rescue company, and an ALS ambulance were dispatched to the incident.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3, it was determined that the incident involved a single vehicle that had failed to negotiate a curve in the road impacting some large landscaping rocks. The impact had resulted in severe traumatic injuries to both occupants.

Firefighter-Paramedic Jose Corona initiates care on one of the occupants.

A request was made for an additional ALS ambulance and a chief officer to respond to the incident. Local residents stated a third occupant had self-extricated and departed the scene. Both Lakeside Fire and SDSO units searched the area and were unable to locate the third occupant.

Severe damage to the vehicle from a high speed impact.

Both Medic 3 and Medic 1 (Riverview Station) transported their patients to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital with significant injuries. A steering wheel airbag deployment undoubtedly saved the life of the driver given the amount of damage to the vehicle.

CHP is currently investigating the incident. A total of 8 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident assisted by 3 personnel from the El Cajon Fire Department (E8-Madison Ave Station).

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District