Lakeside Fire Responds to Extrication on Highway 67

Lakeside: On Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at 2:31 p.m., Heartland Fire Communications dispatched a multi-company response for a reported freeway traffic collision on Highway 67 near Johnson Lake Rd. in Lakeside. Battalion 1 (Tockstein) assumed “67 IC” reporting a two-vehicle head-on collision with patient entrapment in both vehicles. An additional ALS ambulance and aeromedical response from Mercy Air 6 was added to the incident.

Battalion Chief Tockstein surveys the scene after the extrication had been completed.

Crews from E1, E2, E4 and R3 used hydraulic rescue tools to extricate each driver from their heavily damaged vehicles. Firefighter/paramedics from Lakeside M1 provided advanced life support care and one patient was transported to Sharp Memorial’s trauma center by the crew from Mercy Air 6. Tragically, the other patient did not survive the accident and was pronounced dead on scene.

Agencies attending this incident included Lakeside, Santee and El Cajon Fire Departments, Mercy Air and the California Highway Patrol.

 Submitted by Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire

Weather Related Incidents keeps Lakeside Units Busy

Los Coches: On January 21st, at 12:48 PM, four companies, an ALS ambulance, and a Battalion Chief were dispatched by the Heartland Communications Center to a tree that had fallen on an occupied dwelling, in the 9200 block of Los Coches Rd. Crews were advised that a natural gas leak may also be present. On the arrival of Engine 2 they initiated a search and determined that all the occupants were accounted for, and uninjured. The crew quickly secured both electrical and gas service to the occupancy.

Crews from both Lakeside and El Cajon responded to the incident. Battalion 1 (Larkin) was the IC.

A large tree lies across a structure in the 9200 blk of Los Coches Rd. Firefighters were initially worried about trapped victims. No injuries were reported.

Winter Gardens: Prior to the tree call Lakeside units had responded five companies, an ALS ambulance, and a Battalion Chief to a reported "apartment fire" in the 9200 block of Winter Gardens Blvd. Upon the arrival of E1 it was determined that a large cypress tree had fallen into the power lines igniting a small fire. Crews became concerned that the wires would eventually fall, and a nearby elementary school was about to release the students which added to the potential danger.

The area was secured and SDG&E was requested. Units from San Miguel and Santee assisted Lakeside on the incident.

Captain Beto Lawler supervises operations on Rockcrest Rd near Winter Gardens Blvd. Firefighters were concerned about school aged kids in the area.

Crews also responded to a number of "wires down" calls in the Golden Ridge area, and in the Julian Ave area. 

In anticipation of the storm the Lakeside command staff had augmented staffing with two additional engine companies which allowed for quicker responses.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Weather Related Fatality in Lakeside

Flinn Springs: At approximately 3 PM, on January 19th, companies from the Lakeside Fire District were called to 15141 Olde Highway 80 for a large tree that had fallen, crushing a number of the occupancies in the park. Battalion Chief Brent Larkin (IC) states that a total of three occupancies have been destroyed in this incident. Crews initiated a search and rescue operation to look for potential victims. After a hour long rescue operation crews located the body of a female victim in one of the trailers. Concerned that other victims might be trapped under the large eucalyptus tree, a request for a heavy crane was made. Marco Crane responded to the incident and was able to remove the tree allowing crews to complete the search. No additional victims were found.

Crews from Lakeside, Santee, and CALFIRE search for victims

Damage to another coach in the area

Lakeside Fire was assisted by crews from El Cajon, Santee and CALFIRE. In addition a handcrew responded to assist in the search operations.

Representatives from both the Red Cross and TIP responded to assist.

Submitted: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photos Provided By: San Diego Sheriffs Department