Lakeside Fire Fighters Lend a Hand at Ronald McDonald House

San Diego, CA -

A group of off-duty Lakeside Fire Fighters and their family members spent a few hours on Friday, March 29,  2013, helping serve  dinner to hungry families at the Ronald McDonald House in San Diego. The dinner service program utilizes volunteers to pay for, help prepare, and then serve the meal to guests, visitors, and staff. 

The Ronald McDonald House Charities San Diego® provides a "home away from home" for families with children being treated for serious, often life-threatening conditions at local hospitals. Located in Kearney Mesa, it is adjacent to Rady Children's Hospital.

Lakeside Fire Fighters (and family) serving up dinner.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photo by: Firefighter Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire District

They're Back..........Rattlesnakes

Lakeside-

As most of us know Lakeside is "snake country", but knowing when they will make their yearly appearance has always been tricky. With the recent heat wave in the East County it would appear that the snakes are making their way out of their burrows. So once again it demands our vigilance when working in areas where snakes could be. For further information on rattlesnake safety CLICK HERE for a link to the California Fish and Game site.

Snake recently removed from a property in the Blossom Valley area.

Remember, the Lakeside Fire District can be called to remove snakes from your residential property. Isolate the snake and keep humans and pets away till the arrival of the firefighters.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Structure Fire in Blossom Valley brings Multi-Agency Response

Blossom Valley-

On Tuesday, March 12th 2013 at 11:32 PM, the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call about a fire in a detached garage in the 10000 blk of Silva Rd in the Blossom Valley area. The reporting party stated that an RV in the structure was possibly on fire. Four structural engines, a truck company, and ALS medic unit, and two duty chiefs were assigned to the call.

Crews attack the fire inside of the RV.

On the arrival of Engine 26 (Blossom Valley Station) they found a large detached garage with heavy smoke conditions on the interior. With the arrival of Engine 17 (Alpine Fire) crews accessed the interior and found smoke conditions down to the floor. Interior crews were able to open up the doors to decrease smoke conditions, they then discovered the fire was isolated to the interior of the vehicle. Fortunately the fire had not extended to the structure.

Lakeside Fire was assisted by Alpine and Viejas Fire. Cause is currently under investigation.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map  

Photo By: Fire Engineer-Paramedic Rich Smith, Lakeside Fire District
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Community Comes Through for Burn Victims

Lakeside-

Every year the firefighters gather in the streets, at the crack of dawn, to collect money for burn victims. The annual Burn Institute Boot Drive has the participation of 44 fire agencies throughout San Diego County. This year Lakeside Firefighters selected three locations in the community to collect for these unfortunate victims. The money we collected would be used in programs to prevent burn injuries, help those stricken with these injuries, and send kids to a specialized outing "Camp Beyond the Scars."

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm collects donations on Los Coches Rd  near Highway 8 Business.

Fire crews departed their stations at 6 AM to start collecting donations during the morning rush hour. Crews were positioned at Winter Gardens Blvd and Woodside Ave, Los Coches Rd and Highway Business, and Lake Jennings Park Rd and Olde Highway 80.

Firefighter-Paramedic Marc Poynter, Fire Engineer-Paramedic Rich Smith, and Firefighter-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood on Highway 8 Business near Los Coches.

In the past the community of Lakeside has been very generous when asked to donate. But nobody could have anticipated the huge response. This years total was an an amazing $6260.95. The community response was simply "awesome." This money will go to a great cause, and help people with their recovery from these injuries. To say "Thank You Lakeside" just doesn't seem enough for such an outpouring of compassion. "Way to go Lakeside"....

Marc Poynter perched between lanes on Highway 8 Business.

Lakeside's Event Coordinator: Firefighter-Paramedic Danny Leetch  
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

OPENING DAY FOR RIOS CANYON LITTLE LEAGUE

Rios Canyon-

Saturday, March 2, 2012, was the opening day for the Rios Canyon Little League. This is one of the many organizations that the Lakeside Firefighters Association helps support each year. Engine Company 26, from the Blossom Valley fire station, was asked to come out and assist with the opening day festivities by leading the Pledge of Allegiance. After this, each team and player was introduced individually to the crowd and received their team hat.

The San Diego Padres sent out members of the Pad Squad to help out with the event. Later there was a base running competition, home run derby, and bouncy houses for the kids. All the players looked excited for the season to start. From everyone at the Lakeside Fire Department, good luck this season and have fun.