Storms Bring Busy Shift for Lakeside Fire Crews

Lakeside - An unusually strong storm system brought lightning and periods of heavy rain to most areas of the Lakeside Fire District for much of the day on September 30, 2010. Just after 12:00 p.m., and for the next several hours, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a series of fires caused by lightning downstrikes within the district. Several trees and utility poles were struck, in addition to an incident at a local middle school that caused damage to electronic equipment. As is usually the case during rainstorms, fire crews also responded to an increased number of traffic collisions. As of 7:00 p.m., Lakeside Firefighters had responded to 25 calls for service. That is more than double our call volume on a "normal" shift.

Firefighters from the Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) attend a traffic collision on I-8. The rainbow stretched from Blossom Valley to Crest!

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

Lakeside Firefighters Extricate Trapped Truck Driver

Foster - At 8:22 a.m., on September 28, 2010, Heartland Fire Communications dispatched Lakeside Fire units to a rescue traffic accident in the area of the San Vicente Reservoir in the north part of the fire district. Based on subsequent reports indicating a trapped victim, Battalion 1 (Tockstein) assigned an additional engine company to the rescue response.

Firefighters from the Eucalyptus Hills fire station (Engine 2) were first on-scene reporting a large water tanker rollover with major damage and a trapped victim. Battalion 1 assumed Moreno IC and directed crews from E1, E2, R3, and M1 during the 40-minute extrication. Due to the complicated rescue scenario and extended extrication time, an aeromedical helicopter (Mercy Air 5) was requested for transport.Lakeside Firefighter/Paramedics were able to begin treatment on the patient while the extrication was being performed.
Once freed from the wrecked truck, the single patient was ground transported by M1 to the waiting helicopter and flown to the trauma center at Sharp Memorial Hospital in San Diego.

During the rescue, fire crews also had to deal with leaking fuel from the truck. Lakeside Fire Chief Andy Parr also assisted on the call with the landing of the Mercy Air helicopter.

Rescue crews used lifting bags, stabilization struts, and hydraulic tools during this extrication.

Lakeside Firefighters work to free trapped truck driver.

Lakeside Firefighter Shawn McKenna (left) waits to make another cut.

Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photos by: Battalion Chief Chuck Tockstein, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Crews Assist Neighboring Agencies

Lakeside: On Saturday, September 25th, 2010, Lakeside crews stayed busy assisting on a number of significant fires in the area.

At 11:23 AM, Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) responded to the Descanso area on a residential structure fire that had spread to additional structures and the vegetation. Crews arrived on-scene an assisted with the knock-down of a fully involved residential dwelling that had spread to the vegetation, consuming about an acre. In addition the fire had spread to another structure.

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Crews were committed for approximately three hours on this incident. Other Central Zone agencies that responded to the fire included Alpine and Viejas Fire.

Then at 4:08 PM, Brush 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) responded to the City of Santee on a brush fire in the area of Carlton Hills and Lake Canyon Rd. The fast-moving fire consumed about forty acres of grass, and for a time threatened some structures in the area. Engine 1 (Riverview Station) responded as part of a strike team to protect homes in the area.

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These are great examples of the mutual aid system in San Diego County.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Department Open House Reminder

The Lakeside Fire Protection District annual open house is today, September 25, 2010. The location is at the Lake Jennings fire station (fs3) at 14008 Highway 8 Business, El Cajon, CA, 92021. Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For a map, CLICK HERE.

Lakeside Fire Department Station 3

Submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Extinguish Small Vegetation Fire

Camino Canada Area - Firefighters from Lakeside's Lake Jennings (fs3), Blossom Valley (fs26), and Eucalyptus Hills (fs2) fire stations were dispatched to a report of smoke in the wildland area behind the Walmart store at 1:35 a.m. on September 24, 2010. With the assistance of San Diego Sherriff's helicopter (ASTREA), crews located a small fire in the vegetation approximately 500 feet up the hillside. Firefighters with handtools extended a hoseline and extinguished and overhauled the small fire.

In addition to the Sheriff's personnel, Lakeside units were assisted by El Cajon (E8) and Calfire (E3382) fire crews.The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Perform a Show-and-Tell

Lakeside - Engine 1 and Medic 1 stopped by the Montessori Preschool to show some lucky boys and girls their equipment and talk about what they do as firefighters.  Captain Beto Lawler explained the importance of knowing when to call 911 and stop, drop, and roll.

Engineer Frank O'Grady then put on all of his protective clothing and demonstrated the stop, drop, and roll technique and showed the children what firefighters look like all dressed up.  It's important for kids to see us in our gear so they're not scared of us.

 Once the demonstration was over, Firefighter/Paramedics Jamie Hazlewood, Eric Stamm, and Matt Buzzell answered questions from the group.  After that, the group was allowed to climb in the fire engine and  ambulance and see all the equipment that we use.

 The kids had fun handling the equipment, sitting in the seats, and getting to talk to us.  Show-and-tells are a great form of education that the fire department likes to do for the community to let the public know what we do, how we operate, and what people should do in emergency situations.

Submitted by: Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell, Lakeside Fire District

Hangin' Around the Channel Road Bridge

Lakeside: The crews from the Lake Jennings and Riverview stations took advantage of the opportunity to conduct high angle drills off the Channel Road Bridge (San Diego River).To perform this drill we took advantage of the lane closure already in place by the contractor building the new fire station nearby.
Without this traffic control equipment in place we wouldn't have had the opportunity to close a lane of Channel Road to complete this drill as performed.  Firefighters are always looking for these kinds of opportunities to hone their skills without undue impact to the daily activities of the community.

Intertwined within the community of Lakeside are flood control channels, cliffs, commercial and industrial structures that pose the potential for extremely difficult rescue situations.The techniques used to conduct these operations is commonly referred to as "technical rescue." The techniques and disciplines required to conduct these operations requires constant review.

Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams rappels to the riverbottom

The operations conducted on Wednesday (September 22nd, 2010) on the bridge simulated lowering a paramedic to a victim located in the river bottom. Initial operations are directed towards getting definitive medical attention to the victim in the least amount of time. The Lakeside paramedics are trained to work in a wide variety of environments, and are trained in the technical rescue skills necessary to access these patients.

Firefighters Jon Jordan and Chris Williams don harnesses needed to conduct high angle operations.

Rescue 3 is a specialized apparatus that carries sufficient equipment to conduct specialized operations in the urban and wilderness setting. Outfitted with1800' of rope, and a complete array of hardware, there are few situations that we cannot access.

Firefighter Paramedic Jon Jordan on a two rope lowering system.

For those that passed us on the bridge, and thought a horrible accident had occurred......not to worry, it was just a training exercise to help us prepare for such an incident.

Fire Engineer Steve Schleif operates the lowering system .

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photos By: Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Lakeside Firefighters Make Quick Stop on Garage Fire

On Friday morning, September 17, 2010, at 1:23 a.m., Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a residential structure fire in the 11000 block of High Ridge Road in the Eucalyptus Hills area of the fire district. Lakeside Battalion 1 (Tockstein) reported that he could see flames while responding from the Lake Jennings area.  Firefighters from the Eucalyptus Hills fire station (Engine 2) were first on-scene and made a quick-attack on a well-established fire in the attached garage of an occupied house. The quick response and aggressive actions by fire crews prevented the fire from spreading into the dwelling, limiting fire damage to only the garage. No one was injured and the cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Units on scene were Lakeside Engine 2, Engine 1, Engine 3, Rescue 3, Medic 1, and Battalion 1.  Santee Truck 4, Engine 4, and CalFire 3382 also assisted with the attack. 

Submitted by: Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell, Lakeside Fire District

Vigilante Road Accident Damages Multiple Vehicles

Moreno Valley: On Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 2:46 PM, the Lakeside Fire District received calls about a large truck that had impacted multiple vehicles, and was currently resting on top of a car on Vigilante Road just east of Highway 67. A full rescue response was dispatched, including a structural engine, a truck company, a rescue company, a ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief.

On the arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) they discovered a large "work truck" that had impacted multiple vehicles parked on Vigilante Rd. One of those vehicles was occupied by a male patient that was unrestrained at the time of impact.

On evaluation of the occupants it was discovered that only one patient had minor injuries requiring transport to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Engine 2 and Medic 5 (Santee FD, Carlton Oaks Station) were able to handle the incident and the other resources were cancelled.

CHP is currently investigating the incident. A total of 13 fire personnel were sent from the Lakeside and Santee Fire agencies.


Submitted By: Captain John Hisaw, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Accident on Highway 8 Business and El Dorado Parkway

Glenview: On Monday, September 20th, 2010 at 2:43 PM, the Lakeside Fire District received multiple calls of a traffic accident in the area of Highway 8 Business and El Dorado Parkway. A structural engine, a rescue company, and ALS medic unit were dispatched to the incident.

Lakeside Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, and Fire Engineer Steve Schleif, assess one of the occupants.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) the unit located a moderate velocity accident that had forced a vehicle into a fire hydrant. The occupant complained of pain and was assessed by paramedics. It was determined the patient required further evaluation and was transported by Medic 3 to Alvarado Hospital.

"One tuff hydrant"

Crews were surprised to find that even after the hydrant had been impacted, it had not been "knocked off". Most hydrants are designed to shear off when impacted to protect the piping system. This one stood defiant!

At the same time this incident was dispatched, units in northern Lakeside were being dispatched to another vehicle accident in the area of Highway 67 and Vigilante Rd. Needless to say the District was busy for a time.

A total of 8 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident. CHP is currently investigating the accident.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Vehicle Accident with a Twist

Glenview: On Wednesday, September 15th at 8:08 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received 911 calls about a overturned vehicle in the area of Camino Canada and Los Coches Rd. A structural engine, rescue unit, and ALS medic unit were dispatched to the incident.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station) the vehicle was quickly located but it was unoccupied. Some alert witnesses stated that the driver was now at a gas station near the scene of the accident.

Fire Engineer Steve Schleif works to contain a spill. Firefighters work to keep contaminates out of the flood control system.

When the injured party entered the business, it gathered the attention of an off-duty El Cajon Police officer and four Department of Corrections officers. The patient was detained until the arrival of paramedics. The patient was transported to Grossmont Hospital in stable condition.

CHP is currently investigating the accident.

Blowout Starts Trailer Fire

Blossom Valley: On Monday, September 13th, 2010, at 2:02 p.m., the Lakeside Fire District received multiple calls about a large truck on fire in the area of Interstate 8 and the old Map Stop. Two structural engines and a Battalion Chief were dispatched to the incident.

Firefighter-Paramedic Bryan Peters prepares a hose line to extinguish the tire fire. These incidents can require large amounts of water to cool the surrounding metal to a point the fire won't reignite.

Battalion 1 (Laff) located the fire in the westbound lanes, east of Lake Jennings Park Rd. The rear wheels on a large construction trailer were on fire spreading a thick blanket of smoke across the freeway. On the arrival of E3 (Lake Jennings Station), the fire was quickly extinguished.

The driver reports that one of the tires had blown out causing the fire.

A total of 7 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident. Units were assisted by CHP.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Hikers Rescued Off El Capitan

El Monte Valley: On Sunday, September 12th, 2010 at 9:18 PM, the Lakeside Fire District received a request to assist the San Diego Sheriff Department with the rescue of three hikers on the side of El Captain Mountain. A rescue unit, ALS medic unit, and battalion chief were dispatched from the Lake Jennings station to El Monte Park.

Originally the Sheriff Department received a 911 call from three hikers that had lost their trail in the darkness and were stranded on the mountain after a day of rock climbing. ASTREA was sent to the area and quickly located the party, but due to their location on the mountain it was determined that a hoist lift would be required.

San Diego Fire Department dispatched Copter 2 to the area. What would normally be a routine rescue became a little more challenging with clouds of ash (from the recent Monte Fire) blew up obscuring the crews vision. Eventually a rescuer was lowered to the victims and they were hoisted to the helicopter.

Lakeside paramedics evaluate the three hikers at El Monte Park

The trio was flown to El Monte Park to be evaluated by Lakeside paramedics. It was determined that the three had mild dehydration and required no additional medical attention.

Story Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Wildcat Canyon Traffic Accident

Muth Valley - Lakeside firefighters from the Riverview and Lake Jennings stations with the assistance of the Barona Fire Department (station 27) were called to respond to Wildcat Canyon for a traffic collision.  Units arrived on scene to find 2 vehicles had collided on a very narrow section of Wildcat Canyon Rd.  Fortunately, there were no fatal injuries.  The road was closed, however, as the accident was handled  resulting in traffic being brought to a grinding halt for a short period of time.

The narrow section of the road was occupied with several emergency apparatus

These accidents prove to be very dangerous for firefighters and first responders. Closing the road is a necessary step when there is not shoulder or area to divert the traffic.  On the accident scene, firefighters must extricate victims from vehicles, provide medical care, and move these patients to ambulances for transport.  All of these actions would be greatly complicated if cars were driving through the accident scene.  Whenever you see firefighters on the side of the road, please remember they are putting themselves in harm's way to help somebody who has found his or herself in need.  Slow down, stop if necessary, and please be very careful as you pass the scene.  The next time you feel frustrated in a traffic jam caused by an accident think about the fact that someday it could be you or one of your loved ones on the side of the road. We will be there to help them too.

Lakeside and Barona fire crews move a patient to an awaiting ambulance.

Story submitted by: Firefighter / Paramedic Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Firefighters Help Resident with Large Rattlesnake

 Winter Gardens - Did you ever wonder how "Rattlesnake Mountain" got its name? The Engine 1 crew from Lakeside's Riverview fire station (fs1) got a good reminder when they responded to assist a homeowner on September 8, 2010, with a very large rattlesnake that had taken up residence in his laundry room.

"It was one on the biggest snakes I can remember in a long while," remarked Lakeside Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Moore. After locating the angry reptile behind the washing machine, the firefighters carefully captured and removed the snake from the residence.

Lakeside Firefighters respond to many "snake removal" calls in our district each year, mainly during the spring and summer months. Residents are reminded to be very cautious around wild snakes, especially in the Rattlesnake Mountain area!

Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Moore with his reptile friend!

Story and Photos submitted by: Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Moore, Lakeside Fire District

COUNTY APPROACHES 500 WHOOPING COUGH CASES IN 2010

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION 

Pertussis cases have continued their steady increase in San Diego County, and now have more than tripled the number of cases from 2009.

The County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) officials report that there have been 495 confirmed cases of pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, reported in 2010. There were 143 cases in all of 2009 and the previous high for the county was 371 cases in 2005.

“We continue to recommend that people with medical coverage go to their private provider to obtain the pertussis or whooping cough vaccine,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.H.S., County Public Health Officer. “People with no primary care physician can go to HHSA’s Public Health Centers and the county continues to offer weekend vaccination clinics at six Northgate Markets locations and the San Ysidro port of entry.”

The Northgate Markets clinics will be held on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinic at the San Ysidro Port of Entry will be held on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The clinics are scheduled to continue on weekends until Sept. 26, based on vaccine availability.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that children get one dose of DTaP vaccine at the following ages: 2 months; 4 months; 6 months; 15 to 18 months and 4 to 6 years.

The CDC also recommends that children receive a booster shot of Tdap vaccine at 10-11 yrs. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) recommends an adolescent-adult pertussis booster vaccine (Tdap) for everyone 10 years or older who has not yet received it, especially women of childbearing age, before, during, or immediately after pregnancy; and other people, including household contacts, caregivers, and health care workers, who have contact with pregnant women or infants.

Children 7-9 years of age who did not receive all of their routine childhood shots are recommended to receive a Tdap booster dose.

A typical case of pertussis in children and adults starts with a cough and runny nose for one-to-two weeks, followed by weeks to months of rapid coughing fits that sometimes end with a whooping sound. Fever, if present, is usually mild. The disease is treatable with antibiotics. 

For more information about whooping cough, please call the HHSA Immunization Branch toll-free at (866) 358-2966, or visit the web site at www.sdiz.org.          

The locations and dates for the vaccination clinics (all are held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Sept. 26, subject to vaccine availability):

Saturdays

San Ysidro Port of Entry, 720 East San Ysidro Blvd, San Diego

Sundays

Northgate Market, 2909 Coronado Avenue, San Diego

Northgate Market, 1410 South 43^rd Street, San Diego

Northgate Market, 1058 3^rd Avenue, Chula Vista

Northgate Market, 1346 South Mission Road, Fallbrook

Northgate Market, 1150 East Vista Way, Vista

Northgate Market, 606 North Escondido, Escondido

This week’s new pertussis cases where there is a potential for public exposure are:

·         A 2-year-old with an unknown immunization history that attended Olivehain Country Preschool from Aug. 7 to Aug. 18. The child was diagnosed in Hawaii. Contact: Kathy Barry (760) 942-5434.

·         A 6-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Carrillo Elementary School in the San Marcos Unified School District. Contact: Dana Roderick (760) 752-1294.

·         An 8-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Sweetwater Springs Elementary School in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Contact David Kinzel (619) 668-5700, ext. 6211.

·         An 8-year-old who was up-to-date on immunizations and attends Lemon Avenue Elementary School in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District. Contact Karen Walker (619) 668-5700.

·         A 10-year-old who was due for a booster shot and attends Ocean View Hills School in the San Ysidro School District. Contact: Jennifer Brown (619) 428-4476, ext. 3012.

·         An 11-year-old was due for a booster shot and attends Flora Vista Elementary School in the Encinitas Union School District. Contact: Stephanie Casperson (760) 944-4300.

·         A 33-year-old who was fully immunized and was at the Sharp Rees-Stealy Pediatric Clinic in the Grossmont Medical Plaza in La Mesa. Contact: Dr. Fred Fung (619) 446-1530.

·         A 54-year-old with an unknown immunization history that was at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Outpatient Dialysis Center in Hillcrest. Contact: Kimberly Edwards (619) 543-2707.

         

Information Provided By the County of San Diego

Another Baby Delivery for Station 3 Crews

Glenview - For the second time in less than two weeks Lakeside Firefighters from Lakeside's Fire Station 3 (fs3) were called to help deliver a baby.  These new Lakeside residents are proving eager to see the sun, arriving before their due dates and before their moms were able to get to the hospital.  This baby was a health little boy who showed up around noon on September 5th.  Both mom and baby are doing well and were transported to a local hospital.

We wish mom and baby all the luck, and hopefully a little sleep.

Front row parking for our new resident

All hands on deck for a safe transfer

Story by : Firefighter/Paramedic Bernie Molloy,  Lakeside Fire District


Photos : Captain Rick Dalldorf, Lakeside Fire District

Update on Cowboy Fire

Campo Area - As of September 4, 2010, the Cowboy Fire is approximately 827 acres and is 65% contained. There are currently no structures threatened or destroyed. Assigned resources are as follows:


874 personnel
49 engines
32 handcrews
4 air tankers
2 helicopters
4 dozers
14 water tenders


Full containment is expected sometime tomorrow.


Lakeside Firefighters assisted on this incident under the state mutual-aid system. Crews from the Eucaltyptus Hills fire station (fs2) responded as part of both Type I (Engine 2) and Type III (Brush 2) strike teams. Engine 2 was released from the incident on Friday morning and is back in district. Brush 2 is currently still assigned as part of Central Zone (formerly Heartland) strike team 6440C.

Vegetation Fire Near Lake Morena

Star Ranch Area - CalFire units are working a vegetation fire in the Hauser Canyon area south of Lake Morena. The smoke column is clearly visible from the Lakeside area. This view is from Lyon's Peak http://hpwren.ucsd.edu/anim-a2/hpwren-iqeye13/hpwren-iqeye13.html

The Cowboy Fire from Lyons Peak

 Lakeside Fire has dispatched Engine 2 and Brush 2 (Eucalyptus Hills) to the Campo area as part of a Heartland strike team. 

Submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire to hold Open House

Lakeside: The Lakeside Fire District has announced that the 2010 Open House will be held on September 25, 2010, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The event will be held at Lakeside Fire Station #3, located at 14008 Highway 8 Business (see map below).

There will be a number of events including a vehicle extrication demonstration, apparatus displays, vehicles from multiple fire and law enforcement agencies, station tours, and activities for the kids.

Firefighters demonstrate vehicle extrication operations.

The Lakeside Fire District would like to cordially invite you and your family to attend this annual event....!

Agencies from throughout the region will be there.

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