Vegetation Fire on Harritt Rd

Lake Jennings: On Friday, August 27, 2010, at 7:25 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a call of a vegetation fire in the 9300 block of Harritt Rd. Reporting parties stated the fire was burning toward homes located on Telkaif St. Two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS medic unit, and battalion chief were dispatched to the incident.

Engineer Scott Smith cuts a line around the fire behind homes on Telkaif St.

On the arrival of Battalion 1 (Laff), a fire was located on the embankment behind a mobile home park. Residents in the park had managed to extinguish the majority of the fire with garden hoses.

Witnesses were able to identify a juvenile who started the fire. The child was interviewed on the scene and will be referred to a fire diversion program.

Lakeside was assisted by units from El Cajon Fire and CalFire. Fortunately most units were not need and subsequently canceled. Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) handled the mop-up and investigation.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Water Main Break in Lakeview Area

Lakeview - At 5:06 a.m., on August 27, 2010, firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) responded to a reported broken water main at the intersection of Lakeview Road and Ha Hanna Road in Lakeside. The crew from Engine 3 secured the area around the leaking water. Helix Water District personnel arrived and shut down the valves supplying the water main. The CHP assisted with traffic control.

Residents of the area should be aware that they may be without water service due to this water main issue. For more information, contact Helix Water District.

Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Fire Burning North of Lakeside....

Barona Mesa: Crews with the USFS are working a fire in the Four Corners area of the San Diego River bottom. The fire has consumed about 80 acres and is burning in a remote location. Lakeside has sent Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) to the Barona Mesa area as part of a Heartland "Structural Protection" Strike Team.

Currently the fire continues to hold at about 80 acres. After an aggressive attack by USFS and CalFire air/ground crews the fire has been contained. Ground crews worked all day, and into the night, to finish containment efforts.

Concerned citizens can call 619-590-3160 for information.

Mesa Fire as seen from North Peak (near Julian)

Lakeside Fire Crew Shuts-Off Knocked-off Hydrant...Eventually

Lake Jennings - On what may be remembered as one of the best days ever for a knocked-off hydrant call, The C-division firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) responded to the 14200 block of Jennings Vista Way on Tuesday, August 24, 2010. With the temperature approaching the century mark, Rescue 3's crew eventually located the underground shut-off valve, which was directly under the collapsing column of water, and had the torrent stopped with a few good turns of the hydrant street key.

Other than the unlucky hydrant, no other property damaged occurred.

The geyser could be seen from several blocks away!

Captain Scott Culkin and Engineer Chris Downing turning the "street key"

Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photos by: Firefighter/Paramedic Lance Buford, Lakeside Fire District

Char-Broil Recalls Vertical Gas Smokers Due to Injury Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 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: Char-Broil vertical gas smokers

Units: About 18,450

Importer: Char-Broil LLC, of Columbus, Ga.

Manufacturer: Ningbo Spring Communications of China

Hazard: When the temperature setting is in "low," the smoker's hose/valve/regulator (HVR) assembly does not allow sufficient gas to flow, causing the flame to extinguish. Gas continues to flow and build up inside the smoker. If the smoker is reignited the build-up of propane gas can cause an explosion that bursts the smoker's door open, posing an injury hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: The company has received five reports of doors bursting open and hitting consumers. Injuries reported include burns to face and head, head concussion and cuts.

Description: This recall involves the Char-Broil vertical gas smokers with model number 07701413. The model number is printed on a metal tag located on the right rear leg of the smoker. The smoker measures 21.5" x 19.5" x 45.5" and weighs 75 pounds. A "G" inside a triangle is printed on the regulator (see photo).

Sold at: Walmart and various other retailers nationwide from March 2008 through June 2010 for about $140.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled smokers and contact Char-Broil for a free replacement hose/valve/regulator assembly and installation instructions.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Char-Broil toll-free at (866) 671-7988 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at http://www.charbroil.com/

Lakeside Firefighters Deliver a Baby

Glenview - Clearly ignoring a due date of the following Friday, a Lakeside newborn decided Tuesday, August 24, 2010, was the day to come into the world. The Engine 3 crew from Lakeside's Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) were called to assist in the childbirth a little before noon. The delivery proved to be routine and uncomplicated. The mother and her new baby girl were bundled-up and tranported by paramedic ambulance to a local hospital.

Lakeside firefighter/paramedics commonly assist in several childbirths every year within our fire district. We wish the mother and her newborn all the best.

Story by : Captain Scott Culkin,  Lakeside Fire District

Multiple Fires Hit Lakeside Area

Lakeside: On Sunday, August 22, 2010, at 4:19 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received calls about multiple vegetation fires burning along Lake Jennings Park Road near the dam. Two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS medic unit, and battalion chief were dispatched to the fires. In addition, CalFire sent a full response to the fires.

Battalion 1 (Laff) arrived and located two fires burning along the roadside. The largest of the two fires was about one acre burning on the face of the dam. The other smaller fire was located near Julian Avenue. Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) arrived at the larger fire and started a hose lay on the northern end of the fire. E26s (Blossom Valley Station) took a position on the southern flank and started a hose lay.

The crew from Engine 3 starts a hose lay on division alpha.

Brush 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) and Brush 23 (San Miguel-Dehesa Road) arrived and assisted with the hose lays. Engine and handcrews from CalFire arrived to assist. Crew progress was hampered by the steep slope and loose footing.

The fire near Julian Avenue was extinguished by Engine 1 (Riverview Station).

Fire burns along Lake Jennings Park Road. Fire was held to about one acre.

Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch applies foam during overhaul.

In the midst of this operation some of the engines had to be pulled from the fire to respond to a new incident at Julian Avenue and Pino Drive. Crews extinguished another vegetation fire that consumed a quarter acre at that location.

Crews were then sent to a fire in the Wildcat Canyon area near Old Barona Road. Crews from Barona Fire responded and assisted fire investigators at the scene.

Currently all fires are being investigated.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

El Monte Fire Spreads Towards Cleveland National Forest

El Monte Valley: On Saturday, August 21st, 2010 at 12:58 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received multiple calls reporting a vegetation fire in the 16400 block of El Monte Rd. Two brush engines, three structural engines, an ALS ambulance, and a battalion chief were dispatched to the incident. In addition, both CalFire and USFS sent full wildland responses including air assets from Ramona and Gillispie Field.

The fire scene from one of the first due engine companies.

First arriving units discovered a well establish fire on the north side of El Monte Rd at the base of El Cajon Mountain. The fire was making hard runs up the hillside with spot fires out in front of the fire. In addition, the fire was threatening structures along El Monte Rd, and at the base of the El Capitan Reservoir.

Crews were deployed to protect the threatened structures while crews on the brush engines took action on the fire. Soon after these operations began, the Incident Commander (Tockstein) was advised of eight people trapped by the fire in an area between El Cajon Mountain and El Capitan Reservoir. A request was made to have the SDSO Copter fly into the area and evacuate the residents. Copter 10 removed 8 occupants and some domestic animals from the area.

The communications center then received a cell phone call from climbers on the cliff face stating that the fire had surrounded them and their egress had been cut off. The SDSO copter flew into the area and soon located two climbers in extreme terrain. Both hikers were hoisted into the helicopter and removed from the area. In total, the SDSO copters removed 10 people from the fire area.

Lakeside firefighters evaluate the approaching "head" of the fire.

The fire continued to advance in a northwesterly direction into rugged terrain. The fire eventually burned into an area at the base of El Capitan Reservoir which has multiple sheds and storage areas. Crews protected the majority of the structures but the fire did advance into an area containing PVC and ABS pipes. Brush 18 (San Miguel Fire) was requested to utilize a specialized foam system to suppress the plastics fire.

The fire hits the base of the El Capitan Dam. Lakeside crews hurry into defensive positions to protect the structures.

By evening, the forward progress of the fire had been stopped by ground crews and aerial resources. The "uneasy" control line held into the evening, allowing crews time to work the fire overnight. At last report, the fire had consumed just over 1000 acres. Two firefighters suffered minor injuries.

Lakeside and San Miguel firefighters work to extinguish a fire burning in PVC and ABS pipes.

During the incident, boaters were evacuated to the marina to allow aircraft to use the lake as a water source. El Monte County Park is currently being used as the base camp for the duration of the fire. El Monte Road was closed during the incident and continues to be subject to closure.

Fire map as of Sunday, August 22nd, 2010

Submitted: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District.

Blog reaches 10,000 ‘hits’, Another Lakeside FPD Milestone to be Celebrated!!

The Lakeside community should be congratulated for taking advantage of a relatively new (and free) Lakeside Fire Protection District resource, our Blog.  This week we hit the 10,000 mark of folks checking in with their Fire District to find out what’s going on and to receive updates and interesting information about the District and its Firefighters.  As of this week over 10,000 of you have read current articles highlighting our training, investigated some of our emergency activities and received updates on our personnel and District projects and initiatives. A select group of Firefighters (Bloggers) work very hard to post items to the Blog as soon as possible after the event occurs to keep citizens and friends of the District informed about what’s going on.   We try to provide info on all subjects from community education to mutual aid requests for our firefighters outside of the District.  We also work just as hard to protect our citizens’ privacy, follow all laws and District policy on Internet use as well as cooperate with our allied Firefighting counterparts and our friends in law enforcement.  With this post I want to say Great Job!!!! to my crew of firefighters who produce the articles, and to our citizens who loyally follow us on the blog, our website, on Twitter and on Facebook.   Thanks for your continuing interest and

I encourage you to become involved with your Fire District through a CERT Class or perhaps as a District logistical volunteer (program starting soon)..  Also please come to our Open House on September 25^th at our Fire Station 3 facility at 14008 Highway 8 Business...watch our Blog for more info on this fantastic event.  As your Fire Chief I sincerely appreciate everyone’s support of this exciting and informative project.  Thank You for Your Continued Support!!  

Andy Parr, Fire Chief

Our Bloggers are always looking for constructive feedback on their project so please send me an email and tell me what you think of our blog; I’ll pass along your comments to the Bloggers so we can make our Blog even better!1 Thanks in advance for your comments!!  Andy (aparr@lakesidefire.com)

Multiple Stabbing Victims on Lakeshore Drive

Lakeside: On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, at 1:46 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District dispatched an engine company and ALS ambulance to the 12600 block of Lakeshore Dr for a reported "stabbing" incident. On arrival, crews stood-by until SDSO deputies could secure the area. Engine 1 and Medic 1 (Riverview Station) made patient contact with a victim that had multiple penetrating injuries to the chest. Medics initiated advanced life support and transported the patient to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

During that initial patient contact, the crew was advised of a second victim in the area. An additional ALS ambulance and engine company were requested to respond to this second victim. On the arrival of M3 (Lake Jennings Station) and E2 (Eucalyptus Hills Station), firefighters located a victim in acute status with multiple wound to the chest and neck area. This victim was also transported to the Sharp Memorial Trauma Center.

Later, a third victim was located with non-life threatening injuries. An additional medic unit (Medic 6-City of El Cajon) was dispatched and this victim was transported to Grossmont Hospital.

View Lakeside Incidents and Story Map in a larger map

This incident is currently under investigation by the San Diego Sheriff Department.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Hit and Run Driver Creates Mess on Camino Canada

Glenview: On Monday, August 16th at 4:06 PM, the Lakeside Fire District dispatched an engine company to a report of flooding in the area of Camino Canada and Los Coches Rd. On the arrival of Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) the crew discovered water arching across the roadway from a large irrigation line that had been damaged.

Firefighter-Paramedic Bryan Peters inspects a leak on a large irrigation pipe. Crews quickly shut down the leak.

Witnesses state a vehicle struck the water line and left the area. A master control box for the areas irrigation was also damaged.

Crews were able to shut down the water and refer the matter to the local development agency. CHP is investigating the incident. If you have information about this incident please contact the El Cajon CHP office.

Submitted By: 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

VIAL OF LIFE

VIAL of LIFE is a program that the Lakeside Fire Protection District provides to its citizens to help them keep track of there medical information and to assist emergency personnel if they are ever called to your home. The Vial of Life is designed to speak for you when you can't speak for yourself and provide information to emergency personnel that can allow them to treat you quickly and appropriately.  This was originally designed for the elderly and disabled, but is a great tool for anyone. 

The Vial of Life is a small plastic case with a magnet on the back allowing it to be placed on your refrigerator.  Inside the vial you will find and a slip of paper explaining the importance of having this available to paramedics and a brief description of what will take place if the fire department is ever called to your home for a medical emergency.  Along with this slip of paper you will find a sticker and information on where to place the sticker.  Last you will find the patient information card.

Here is were all of your personal and medical information is written down for paramedics.  If you are ever unconscious, this is where we will look for your name, birth date, insurance, and medical information.  All of this information is not only needed for the paramedics to care for you, but it is also necessary information for the hospital.  The hospital will need this information to enter you into there system to allow family members to locate you if you were by yourself.

You can see that this can be a very useful tool, but it needs to be kept up to date. It is very important that every time you receive a new medication, new doctor, or new insurance that this card needs to be up dated.  Citizens can pick up a Vial of Life at our administrative office located at 12365 Parkside st. in downtown Lakeside.  

By: Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell

Engine 1 Gets A Shine At The El Capitan High School Band & Color Guard Car Wash

Engine 1 gets some TLC

Firefighters from Lakeside's Riverview fire station (fs1) participated in a car wash fund raiser Saturday to support the El Capitan High School Band and Color Guard. The money raised will be going to the First Annual El Capitan Invitational Field Tournament for small bands to be held November 6, 2010 at El Capitan High School in Lakeside.

No lack of enthusiasm here

This fundraiser is from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, August 7th, at the Napa Auto Parts on Woodside Ave. in Lakeside. The crew of Engine 1 paid for the engine to be washed out of their own pockets and said that the El Cap students were enthusiastic and did a great job of making Engine One shine!

El Capitan Band and Color Guard members with Capt. Darby, FF/PM Jordan and E-1

Story and Photos by: Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire Engineer

Drew Auto Group Hosts Vehicle Extrication Training

La Mesa: Two years ago, the staff at Drew Ford-Hyundai-Volkswagen (La Mesa) recognized the need to expose first-responders to the quickly advancing technology used to make new cars some of the safest vehicles ever produced. With this safety came advancements in construction and metallurgy that required a "re-think" on how occupants could be effectively extricated from these automobiles.

Toby Chess reviews new construction and safety innovations in todays vehicles.

One could say that the modern engineering of these vehicles is based on keeping people from being trapped and injured during impacts. With energy absorbing zones and load transference elements, crews needed to know how to get into one of these engineering marvels without unnecessary delay.

Looking for other sponsors of this event, Drew Auto Group soon found sponsorship from State Farm Insurance and Dupont. With the ball now rolling, additional sponsors jumped on-board to make this a "state of the art" event (see the complete list below).

Steven Carpenter instructs a firefighter on door removal.

Instructors Toby Chess and Steven Carpenter were brought in to teach the event. As experts in their fields, they packed the four-hour event with discussions about construction techniques, airbags and safety systems, hybrid vehicles, and new extrication techniques. The last two hours of the class allowed the attendees to actually use some of these techniques on vehicles.

Lakeside Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams using cutters to remove a roof.

Firefighters deal with an "under-ride" collision.

Firefighters complete a dash-roll (note the position of the steering wheel). This evolution becomes necessary if the victim is trapped by the dash, or the legs are trapped below the dash area.

Firefighters from throughout San Diego County attended the training. These classes are especially valued as cars are increasingly hard to find to practice these operations.

You have better trained firefighters due to these fine sponsors.......thank you!

Drew Auto Group (Ford-Hyundai-Volkswagen)
State Farm Insurance
Dupont
Auto Club of Southern California
Allstate Insurance
Kent Automotive
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
West Auto Wreckers
Finishmaster
California Autobody Association
FS3-Holmatro Rescue Tools

Instructors:
Toby Chess
Steven Carpenter

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Tackle McWest Lane Fire

Lakeside, CA -  Lakeside Firefighters from the Riverview station (Station 1) were dispatched today to the area of McWest Lane in Lakeside for the report of a vegetation fire.


View Lakeside Incidents and Story Map in a larger map

When E1 and M1 arrived at the scene, they found a small, quick moving fire in light, flashy fuels that had the potential to reach several structures.  Bystanders attempted to put the fire out,  but were overrun by the heat. Crews made a rapid attack on the fire, preventing it from reaching any of the threatened houses.  The crews were able to keep this fire to a relatively small area of less than an acre and no homes were damaged.

As we come into summer, it is important to remember how quickly a small spark can turn into something much larger.  The fuels in this vacant lot, as can be seen in the pictures, were extremely dry.  These fuel characteristics can be seen throughout the county today and will remain the same throughout the summer.  This is a good reminder to do the required clearing around your house.  For information about how to make sure you are in compliance feel free to contact your local fire department.

Captain Barnes dons his protective equipment before starting a hoselay

As is shown above, firefighters must wear protective gear to attack fires in the wildland setting.  This was a relatively small scale fire but the protective equipment worn here is the same equipment we wear on fires such as the Cedar Fire and Witch Creek Fire.

Firefighters halt the lateral spread of the fire

These light, flashy fules can be very dangerous to fight fire in.  These fine fuels allow fires to spread very quickly.  If there is a sudden gust of wind the fire can change from a small spot to several acres in a very short time.  Fortunately, the Lakeside firefighters on the scene of this fire were able to quickly put out the flames and keep the fire from becoming much more of an incident.

Mopping up the fire

Fire Sprinklers Prevent Major Lakeside Blaze

Lakeside, CA - While returning to quarters from another call, the Engine 1 crew from Lakeside's Riverview fire station (fs1) noticed a ringing fire alarm on a multi-occupancy commercial building in the 11900 block of Woodside Ave. on Monday evening, August 2, 2010. Engine 1 Captain Wes Barnes requested a first-alarm commercial structure assignment when his investigation revealed water flow from the building's sprinkler system and moderate smoke showing from the structure.

Engine 1's crew forced entry to one of the roll-up doors and located the source of the smoke utilizing their thermal imaging camera. The small fire had been extinguished when a single-head was activated from the wet-pipe sprinkler system installed in the building.Crews removed the smoldering material from the building and then focused on removing the remaining smoke and water.

Other fire units attending this incident included E4, T4, and M4 from Santee; E2, E3, B1, and 4101 from Lakeside. SDSO and CHP assisted with traffic control. The cause of this fire is under investigation.

This incident is a pointed reminder of the ability of sprinkler systems to extinguish fires in many types of occupancies. Despite a popular misconception, this fire was extinguished by a single sprinkler head resulting in minimal water damage.

Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Information submitted by: Captain Wes Barnes, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters help with Fire in Anza Borrego State Park

In the early morning hours of Saturday, August 1st, 2010, firefighters from Lakeside's Blossom Valley fire station (fs26) responded as part of Heartland Strike team 6440C to the Scissors fire. The incident was near the 14-mile marker of County S2, threatening the Anza Borrego State Park. The fire had started the night before, and was burning on both sides of S2. Initial attack fire crews had worked through the night, and the Heartland Strike Team was assembled and dispatched to assist units still at the scene. Strike Team 6440C was assigned to Div. A, and was tasked with mop-up and patrol. Work consisted primarily of mopping-up the residual hotspots, and containing any flareups that would occur. County Copter 12 was requested to assist with any flareups that occurred. Due to the terrain, vegetation, and challenging access, work proved difficult and slow. Weather on the valley floor was 96 degrees, with a relative humidity of 7%. Unfortunately, Lakeside Brush 26 developed mechanical problems and would eventually need to be towed back to the Lakeside Fire repair facility.  


Strike team assignments such as this are very common for the agencies of Southern California.  With mutual aid agreements in place all throughout the state, agencies provide assistance to one another when it is needed. These mutual aid agreements make it possible for Lakeside Fire Department to substantially augment our response capabilities when we have a fire that calls for more resources.

Engineer Williams and Firefighter Fox work on mopping-up the fire

A view of the type of vegetation available to burn in the desert

Copter 12 arrives to help with flare-ups

Brush 26 has a mechanical issue

Brush 26 catching a ride home

Story and pictures provided by: Captain Jerry Daoust, Lakeside Fire District
Submitted by: Firefighter / Paramedic Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire District