Lakeside Firefighters Honored at The Meadows

Flinn Springs, CA -

The residents of The Meadows mobile home community invited Lakeside Firefighters to a pancake breakfast on Saturday, April 9, 2016. The purpose of the breakfast was to thank local firefighters for their service to this community. Some residents were sporting custom made t-shirts thanking the firefighters for saving their lives (and the lives of their loved ones.) One gentleman we met told us how active he is playing softball and bowling several times each week and stating it would not be possible if not for the lifesaving service our firefighter-paramedics provided him in his time of need. Our firefighters heard many stories like this during their visit.

This event was a good reminder of why we come to work every shift. Thanks to the terrific residents at The Meadows. We had a great time.

Engine 26 and Medic 3 enjoy a visit to The Meadows MHP.

Post and Photo by: Division Chief Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Assist Alpine at Residential Structure Fire

Alpine, CA - 

Lakeside firefighters assisted Alpine Fire at a fire in a vacant residential structure on Eltinge Dr. on the evening of April 7, 2016. Viejas Engine 25 was first on scene reporting smoke from the attic area. Crews forced entry to the home and pulled ceilings to access the fire in the attic. The fire was extinguished in approximately 20 minutes. Firefighters remained on scene for overhaul for two hours. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Attic fires can be some of the most complicated and labor intensive types of fires to fight.

Responding resources included: E17, Div 4702 (ACP); E25, Chief 5801 (VJS);  E26, E3 (LKS); T4, R5 (SNT); E7415 (SDF).

Providing lighting to interior crews.

SNT Rescue 5 providing incident air support.

Post and photos by: Engineer-Paramedic Danny Leetch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Honor Fallen Brother

 Bonita, CA -

Lakeside Engine 1 was in attendance at a memorial service to honor the life and service of Captain Bill Stutzman of the Donovan Correctional Facility Fire Department who died suddenly this month. Many local firefighters were there including the Chula Vista and San Diego Fire Rescue Department honor guards. Captain Stutzman was also honored as a USAF veteran by a moving flag presentation. Lakeside Firefighters are proud to honor our fallen brother. Interment will be at Miramar National Cemetery.

l-r Engineer Vasquez, Captain Barnes, FF-PM Paterson

Photo and post by: Captain Wes Barnes, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Battle Fire at Eastbound Neighborhood Grill

Lakeside, CA -

At 4:08 a.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2016, Lakeside Firefighters were alerted to a reported commercial structure fire in the 10000 block of Maine Avenue in the old downtown Lakeside business district. Engine 2 from the nearby River Park fire station was on scene in under five minutes reporting moderate smoke showing from the roof of the Eastbound Neighborhood Grill, a popular local bar and restaurant.

Lakeside Division 4103 (Hisaw) arrived simultaneously, assumed Maine Incident Command (IC), and began directing firefighting operations. With the quick arrival of subsequent companies, E2's crew stretched a hoseline to the smoky interior of the building to discover a well-advanced fire in the kitchen. It took firefighters around ten minutes to knock down the fire. An additional hoseline was stretched to the roof by the Truck 4 crew to extinguish fire that had also extended there. The quick response and aggressive operations limited fire damage to the kitchen. The rest of the occupancy did have some smoke and water damage.

Lakeside Firefighters would like to acknowledge our automatic-aid partners for their timely assistance in controlling this dangerous fire. Units attending this incident included: E1, E2, E3, M2, Div. 4103, Div. 4105, Chief 4101, Support 4140 (Lakeside); E4, T4 (Santee); E8, E9 (Heartland). Additionally, Heartland Engine 10 was moved to cover Lakeside Fire Station 2 during the incident. San Diego Sheriff's deputies also assisted.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Hoselines stretched off Engine 2.

The fire hydrant was close by.

Lakeside LVGs set up incident support near Santee Truck 4.

Post and photos by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Firefighter Survival Training at Lakeside FS2

Lakeside, CA - 

Lakeside's A-Division firefighters drilled on firefighter survival techniques at the River Park fire station training tower on March 21, 2016. This important training, developed by the California Fire Service Training and Education Program (FSTEP), focuses on techniques for escaping entrapment situations during above-ground firefighting operations. In order to ensure safety, a rope system and harness are used to provide fall protection.

The first technique is the head-first ladder bail utilizing an existing ground ladder. This evolution allows the firefighter to rapidly exit the window and immediately pivot to a feet first profile.

FF-PM Brent Watte bails out the window.

 The next technique is the hose slide, utilizing a hoseline to slide to the ground.

Engineer-PM Josh Wilson slides to safety.

Post and Photos by: Captain Eric Stamm, Lakeside Fire District

Local Fire Agency Designators

Lakeside, CA - 

It is a well known fact that the California fire service has developed a robust system for the sharing of resources during periods of statewide emergency. This "Mutual Aid" system, established in the 1970s to help combat our perennial wildfires, is perhaps the most advanced in the world. It has evolved into a complex system able to instantly mobilize a great number of fire resources (engines, crews, aircraft, dozers, management teams) and quickly move them to areas of the state with the need for help.

The cornerstone of California mutual aid is the Multi-Agency Coordination System or "MACS." Contained within MACS is a Resource Designation System part of which provides a three letter designator for each separate agency and mutual aid operational area.

The San Diego operational area's MACS designator is XSD. Local fire agency designators for the San Diego County Central and Metro Zones are as follows:

CENTRAL ZONE:
Alpine - ACP;
Barona - BBB;
Bonita-Sunnyside - BON;
Lakeside - LKS;
Heartland Fire-Rescue - HRT;
Santee - SNT;
Sycuan - SYC;
Viejas - VJS;

METRO ZONE:
Chula Vista - CHV;
Coronado - CRD;
Federal - FFD;
Imperial Beach - IMB;
Miramar - MSM;
National City - NAT;
Poway - POW;
San Diego - SND.

http://www.firescope.org

 Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Firefighters Battle Tractor Trailer Fire

Lakeside, CA - 

Overheated brakes ignited a fire in a semi tractor trailer on westbound I-8 near Dunbar Lane on the evening of March 13, 2016. On arrival, firefighters encountered a 53-foot trailer well-involved with fire. Due to the limited water supply at the scene, several engines were initially required to battle the blaze. Additionally, Lakeside's water tender (WT7251) was also dispatched. Once the fire was knocked down, extensive overhaul operations were required to ensure all fire was extinguished. Several engine companies were on scene for nearly six hours.

Units attending this incident included: E2, E3, WT7251, Div.4104 (LKS); E17, Div. 4702 (ACP); E25 (VJS); E8 (HFR); B2 (SNT). Other assisting agencies included CHP and CalTrans.

The trailer was a total loss.

A CalTrans loader helps clean up.

Post and photos by: Captain Ian Lowe, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Hosts CERT Drill

On Saturday, February 27th, Lakeside Fire Protection District Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted a simulated natural disaster at the Meadows Mobile Home Park. The drills consisted of a variety of scenario based exercises with an attempt to simulate what CERT members would experience during a real activation.

CERT Members practice First Aid Skills

The CERT members received a text message CERT activation, which described a natural disaster that caused damage to the Meadows MHP. When the CERT members arrived on scene, they immediately established the Incident Command System. The incident command system is the same system structure that is used throughout the nation by emergency response agencies to manage emergency responses.

CERT Members practice extricating patients

 The exercises the CERT members trained in were: damaged structure with gas leaks, injured victims dressed in moulage (makeup to simulate injuries), multiple fires, traffic control, and conducting radio communication through the proper channels.

The Community Center was transformed into a Command Post

Lakeside CERT members were professional and resourceful throughout the drill. The Lakeside FPD CERT members are progressively growing. I would like to thank everyone for their participation.

CERT Members having an After Action Review

Story and pictures provided by Engineer Lance Buford, LFPD CERT Coordinator