"Valley" and "Dunbar" Incidents

Shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2013, firefighters from multiple agencies were dispatched to reports of a vegetation fire along eastbound Interstate 8 just east of Greenfield Drive.  Initial reports stated the fire was about 1 acre in size  with a slow rate of spread.  Minutes later the fire grew rapidly as the wind picked up and pushed it up the hill toward homes on Lotus Ln.  Firefighters quickly responded to the area to defend homes.  Along with the air support from the firefighting helicopters and the quick deployment of fire crews into the area, no homes were lost and no one was hurt.  Firefighters worked well into the night to contain the fire and several fire crews remained on scene overnight to monitor the area.  The fire was estimated to be about 30 acres and the cause is still under investigation.

At the same time the Valley fire was being dispatched, another fire was reported along the right shoulder of eastbound Interstate 8 just before Dunbar Ln.  Multiple agencies were dispatched to this location at the same time as the Valley fire.  Both incidents shared the air resources and had quick action from ground crews to stop the forward progress and contain the fires without injuries or homes being lost.  The size of the Dunbar incident is unknown and is also under investigation.

Units from the Lakeside Fire Protection District on these incidents were Engine 2, Engine 3, Engine 26, Brush 1, Water Tender 7251, and Chiefs 4101, 4103, and 4105.

Other agencies were Cal Fire, El Cajon, Santee, U.S. Forest Service, Alpine, and Barona Fire.

Story and Photos By: Engineer Matt Buzzell

Citizens of Lakeside Donate over $4,000 to the MDA

Lakeside, Ca -

On the morning of Wednesday, September 25, 2013, Lakeside Firefighters were out in force collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.  Fire crews along with off duty personnel were deployed around the community doing the Fill the Boot for the MDA event. The MDA has had a close relationship with the fire service since they started working together in 1954.  This partnership has raised over $275 million dollars (nationally) over its almost 60-year history.  The Lakeside Fire Protection District is happy to contribute to this cause and our citizens have proven that they love to help as well.

A little Lakeside resident learning early to donate to those in need

Lakeside firefighters were able to raise $4,044.74 thanks to the help of the community.  As we always see when we host these kinds of fund raisers, the citizens of Lakeside are incredibly generous.  To be able to raise over  $4,000 in just two and half hours shows how charitable this community is; and for that the Lakeside Fire Protection District and the MDA thank you!

Engineer Smith and FF/PM Watte jump on the bus

FF/PM Poynter with some admiring fans

Captain Culkin filling his boot and his caffeine quota for the day

Engineer Vasquez and Captain Molloy Filling the boot

Photos by: Lindsay Southall Fundraising Coordinator Muscular Dystrophy Association - San Diego & Imperial Counties

Story by: Captain Bernie Molloy

County Proclaims "Lakeside Fire Protection District Day"

San Diego, CA - 

On September 24, 2013, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors issued a special proclamation honoring the Lakeside Fire Protection District and recognizing its 50th anniversary.

Presented by Vice-Chair Dianne Jacob, the proclamation emphasizes that "the record of the Lakeside Fire Protection District public service, emergency medical service, and fire protection is one to be praised and respected."

Commending the entire organization for its 50 years of outstanding service, the proclamation declared the 24th day of September 2013 to be "Lakeside Fire Protection District Day" throughout San Diego County.

While humbled by the recognition offered by the Board of Supervisors, the men and women of your district continue to strive to provide the best possible service to our community.

Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Fire Chief Andy Parr, President Susan Conniry, and Director Jon Lorenz after the presentation of the Proclamation

Submitted By: Division Chief Jim Kirkpatrick, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside CERT Training

Lakeside, CA -

Disaster preparation and response classes will be held here in Lakeside beginning on Saturday, October 5, 2013. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the Lakeside area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

Students learn about fire safety.

Lakeside currently has over 150 CERT members who have completed this training. They benefit by feeling more secure with the knowledge that they are better prepared for and know exactly what to do when the next large scale event impacts their community. If you would like to learn more about disaster preparedness please visit the Lakeside Fire website at http://www.lakesidefire.net and click on the CERT link to submit an interest form. You must be 18 years or older or of high school age and attending the training with a parent or guardian.

Knowing just what to do is all important following a disaster.

Submitted by: Lakeside Fire Captain Chuck Palmore, CERT program manager

Lakeside Firefighters Participate in Lindo Lake Park Clean-Up

 Lakeside, CA -

On Saturday, September 21, 2013, the Lakeside Firefighters participated in the 29th annual California Coastal Cleanup Day at Lindo Lake Park. The clean-up and beautification efforts concentrated in areas around Lindo Lake, Cactus Park, and other areas around the county. A combination of both on and off duty Lakeside Firefighters teamed up with local volunteers and park personnel to plant oak trees around the north perimeter of the lake

Submitted By: Firefighter-Paramedic Jamie Hazlewood, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Semi Truck Fire Closes Off Ramp

Glenview-

On Thursday, September 19, 2013, at 1:45 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a call about a semi-truck fire in the area of Interstate 8 (westbound) at Los Coches Road. Initially dispatched were two structural engines and a chief officer.

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm calls for water. The fire would require about 300 gallons to fully extinguish the flames.

Upon departing the Lake Jennings Fire Station, firefighters could see a building column of smoke in the area. Crews requested CHP in anticipation that traffic may be affected by the fire.

Drivers patiently wait till the road could be re-opened.

On arrival of Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Fire Station), firefighters discovered a flat-bed semi truck with the rear wheels on fire. The truck driver originally stopped on the freeway but was worried the fire might spread to the vegetation so he continued down the off-ramp until he was clear of the brush. Firefighters pulled attack lines and started the process of cooling the brakes to a point that they would not reignite the tires. After the application of about 300 gallons of water, the fire was fully extinguished. Crews worked to contain runoff so it would not enter the waterways.

As a result of the fire, the Los Coches Road off-ramp was closed for about 15 minutes while fire fighting operations continued.

The fire was determined to be related to a mechanical failure in the braking system. A total of 7 Lakeside personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Additional Photography By: Captain Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Protection District

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Lakeside Firefighters to Hit the Streets for the MDA Boot Drive

Lakeside, CA -

On September 25, 2013, Lakeside Firefighters will be participating in the MDA Boot Drive. Firefighters will be located at two locations:

Winter Gardens Blvd and Woodside Ave

Highway 8 Business and Los Coches Rd

The firefighters participate in this event annually which collects money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The relationship between the MDA and firefighters goes back to 1954. Since that time firefighters from across this country, and Canada, have contributed over $275 million dollars. Typically the yearly contribution is over $20 million.

So we hope to see ya early in the morning....!

Lakeside Fire Announces "Open House" Dates

Lake Jennings Fire Station-

The Lakeside Firefighters have announced that this year's open house will be held on September 28, 2013, at the Lake Jennings Fire Station (Station #3). This event will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the station located at 14008 Highway 8 Business.

What better opportunity to come by and see the apparatus, station, and demonstrations. We look forward to seeing you there so mark those calendars.....

Vehicle Accident Closes Oak Creek Drive

Eucalyptus Hills:

On Saturday September 14, 2013 Firefighters from Lakeside Station 2 were called to the reports of a vehicle accident involving a power pole.  When Engine 2 arrived at the scene it was confirmed that there was an SUV that had collided with a utility pole.  The vehicle had sheared the pole off at it's base and it was being supported by the overhead wires, the vehicle, and a concrete column.

The pole being broken meant that the overhead power lines were not supported, so a section of Oak Creek Dr had to be closed until the power pole could be supported.  The vehicle also had to be left in place until the pole could be supported so the risk of the wires coming down would be lessened.

SDG&E arrived on scene to begin the repairs once they had the resources available.  The repairs to the pole are expected to go on through this evening.  The driver of the vehicle sustained minor injuries.  CHP is conducting an investigation into the cause of the accident.

SDG&E supported the pole to begin the repairs

Once the car was removed the damage could be seen.

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Photos and Story by Captain Bernie Molloy

Lakeside Assists Cal Fire in Alpine

Alpine-

On Saturday, September 14th, 2013 at 3:49 pm, the Lakeside Fire District was dispatched to the 1100 blk of Alpine Blvd to assist Cal Fire with a vegetation fire. Other Central Zone agencies assigned to the fire were Alpine Fire District, Viejas Fire Department, and Heartland Fire & Rescue. Cal Fire had initiated a high wildland response with multiple engines, and air resources, assigned to the fire.

Lakeside Firefighter Bing Tom pulls a line on the western flank of the fire.

Reports indicated a fire burning between Alpine Blvd and the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8. Additional callers indicated that the fire may have spread to the center divider.

Crew from Brush 17 push a hose lay towards the freeway.

Firefighting efforts resulted in a short closure of Interstate 8.

With the arrival of Brush 17 (Alpine Fire) they located a quarter acre fire burning from Alpine Blvd to the interstate above. With the arrival of two engines from Lakeside (Engine 26 and Engine 3) they were assigned to the interstate side of the fire and started hose lays on the flanks of the fire. Brush 25 (Viejas Fire) and Cal Fire units arrived shortly and the fire was quickly contained.

Cal Fire is investigating the fire. A total of two brush engines, three structural engines, and two duty chiefs responded from the Central Zone.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

Passing of Former Fire Marshal Chuck Whitlock

The Lakeside Fire Protection District was saddened to learn of the passing of former Fire Marshal Chuck Whitlock who died on Monday, September 9^th after a long battle with cancer. Chuck served with the District from April 1961 to December 1995, reaching the rank of Battalion Chief. He will be missed by all of us here at the Lakeside FPD. The family has advised that no services are planned.

Fire Marshal Chuck Whitlock

Battalion Chief Chuck Whitlock (left) helps organize a vegetation fire near Los Coches Rd and Ha Hanna Rd. Fire occurred in mid-1980's.

Lakeside Fire Fighters Climb to Honor 9/11

San Diego, CA - 

A group of off-duty Lakeside Fire Fighters and several of their family members participated in the annual 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb in San Diego on Sunday, September 8, 2013. For the third straight year, our team climbed a total of 110 stories to honor the sacrifices of first responders including 343 FDNY firefighters who gave their lives that day.

The event is held at the San Diego Bayfront Hilton which is 30-stories tall. Teams had to complete multiple climbs to reach the 110-floor total.

The annual event drew a large number of teams representing firefighters, law enforcement, military, and many civilians. Teams raised money for donations to the local charity FireFighter Aid and the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. This year, nearly $50,000 was raised!

Lakeside Fire Fighters would like to thank those of you who, through your generous donations, helped our team raise over $1300.

Our 2013 Team: back from l: Engineer Scott Smith, FF-PM Steve Russo, Captain Beto Lawler, FF-PM Jon Jordan, Captain Scott Culkin, FF-PM David Csik. front from l: FF-PM Justin Loffredo, FF-PM Danny Leetch, Captain Ian Lowe, Engineer-PM Matt Buzzell, FF-PM Corey Palmore.

Lakeside Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo rings the bell to honor an FDNY firefighter just prior to starting the climb. Retired Carlsbad firefighter Rick Fisher tends to the bell.

Firefighters and family members head back to the stairs again!

FDNY Tower Ladder 152 on display. This ladder company from a station in Queens attended the 9-11 incident.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire
Photos  by: Cindy Russo

September's Meeting of the "Conversation with the Fire Chief" Goes on the Road

Lakeside, CA -

An opportunity to speak to the fire chief and other members of the district will be held on Thursday September 12, 2013, at 9:00 a.m. in the lakeshore room of the Lakeside Community Center.

This informal opportunity to speak to the fire chief and other members of the district is a yearlong commitment to improve communications within the district and with the community.

Prior meetings have been held at the new River Park fire station but the group is trialing a different time and venue in the hope that the group would have improved dialogue with the people we serve.

The community is welcome to attend this meeting and coffee will be provided by the district's Logistical Volunteer Group for this event.

RSVP's are not required, but if you plan on attending please call Karen (619) 390-2350 Ext. 07 and let her know.  It would be helpful to know how many we plan to expect.

Fire at WD Hall Elementary School Damages Stored Supplies

Pepper Drive Area-

On Sunday, September 8th, 2013 at 2:19 pm, the Heartland Communications Center received a 911 call about a possible structure fire at W.D. Hall Elementary school located at 1376 Pepper Drive. Initially dispatched were four structural engines, one truck company, an ALS medic unit, and two staff officers.

On the arrival of Engine 8 (Heartland Fire & Rescue, Madison Ave) they reported smoke from behind the main campus. As they accessed the area behind the school they discovered a fire burning up against metal containers used to store school supplies. The exterior fire was quickly knocked down but crews discovered the fire had extended into two of the metal containers.

Heartland Fire & Rescue Engine 8 picks up equipment after working in near 100 degree temperatures.

Additional help was requested from Engine 1 (Riverview Station), Engine 9 (Heartland Fire & Rescue, Marshall Av), and Truck 4 (Santee Fire, Cottonwood St) to remove items from the containers so that the fire could be extinguished. After extensive work, from crews wearing breathing apparatus, the fire was knocked down. School officials were summoned to the scene.

The fire is currently under investigation. Lakeside Fire was assisted by Heartland Fire & Rescue, Santee Fire Department, and the San Miguel Fire District.

At the time of this incident Lakeside Fire had multiple resources at a boating accident on El Capitan Reservoir. Another example how automatic aid works when agencies are committed to other significant incidents.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photo By: Fire Chief Andy Parr, Lakeside Fire District

 

View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

OES 305 at the Rim Fire with Strike Team 6840A

Yosemite National Park-

Stanislaus National Forest-

On the morning of Friday,August 23, 2013, rumors swirled about the Lakeside fire stations that orders would soon be received that would send OES 305 northward to the massive Rim Fire burning west of Yosemite National Park in the Stanislaus National Forest. This fire had started off of the Rim Overlook on Highway 120 on August 17th, and since that date the fire had essentially been doubling in size every day. With few available fire resources left in Northern California, the request for more engines slowly worked its way down California. When engines left Riverside County, we knew it was only a matter of time.

At 5:15 p.m. on August 23,2013, word was passed down that OES 305 was assigned to Strike Team 6840-A.  We would be heading north as an "immediate need" strike team with other OES engines from Chula Vista, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, and Vista. The strike team would be led by Division Chief Hitchcock from the City of Poway and Strike Team Trainee, Battalion Chief Rich Brocchini from the City of Chula Vista.  It would take the strike team 13 hours to wind its way north to base camp southeast of Sonora. After a trip that long base camp came as a welcome sight.

The crew from OES Engine 305 stock up in anticipation of an assignment.

Base Camp, home for the next 12 days.

The next morning it became evident what a massive firefighting effort this had been. The base camp had been overrun by fire on two different occasions. Taking this in stride, a representative from PG&E conveyed the story how everyone in base camp moved to the center of a clearing until fire crews could stop the flames. Base camps rarely have this type of occurrence, but to have this occur on two occasions is extremely rare.

Scars of the Rim Fire just below base camp.

A forest lost when the fire came out of the Tuolumne River gorge towards Cherry Lake Rd.

That afternoon we received word that we would be assigned to a particularly sensitive infrastructure site. We were assigned night operations at the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park. This reservoir provides drinking water to over 2 million San Franciscans and provides power generation. In addition, there are a number of historically significant cabins on this site. The Hetch Hetchy lake was created with the completion of the O'Shaughnessy Dam in 1923. The entire project was a water works program in response to the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Hetch Hetchy prior to the fire arriving in the area.

The O'Shaughnessy Dam at Hetch Hetchy

One of many cabins located in the Hetch Hetchy area.

Prior to our arrival, a strike team from Fresno County had been assigned there on day shift. They had evaluated the structures and increased the defensible space with the assistance of a hand crew. For the night shift, engines were assigned patrol and lookout duties. With the fire working its way up the Tuolumne River, nobody wanted to be caught off guard so crews kept a vigilant watch on the approaching fire front. Fortunately, the weather cooperated and the fire never made it to our area; however, we all knew it was more of a question of "when" it would get there. Burning in heavy timber in impossible terrain makes control elusive at best.

The Rim Fire burns towards our location on the first day.

The next morning the fire had established itself on the ridge above Hetch Hetchy.

Getting to our assignment meant navigating a narrow road with a 1000' vertical drop to the Tuolumne River on one side.

On the second day of the fire, the perimeter had basically surrounded the lake and had burned along the road that we had used for access. With one-hundred foot trees burning on both sides of the road, concern that the strike team could be cut-off by falling snags had to be factored. Contingency plans were made should the strike team be isolated and lose access to food and supplies. There was also the concern about the fire hitting the area without the assistance of additional help. By morning the fire had continued to burn around the lake. A spot fire had established itself on the ridge above the cabins and concerned firefighters that the fire was well established on three sides. Fortunately, the road access held and the Fresno County strike team arrived to relieve us.

A spot fire gets established on the ridge above Hetch Hetchy. This spot fire would soon become a factor.

Upon departing our assignment that day, crews came across a mother bear and her cub wandering aimlessly down the roadway. Obviously driven from her home by the approaching fire, the impact on wildlife is driven home with scenes like this.  Driven back into the hills by the approaching engines we can only hope that these beautiful animals escaped the fire unharmed.

Life in a base camp becomes more like a series of automated motions. Food, shower, sleep, and restock all became a routine. Crews could come get a hot meal that wasn't served in a brown bag. You could wash the prior days dirt off in hot showers in the incident base. And you could now settle down for some much needed rest.

The incident base and engine staging was at two different locations. Crews navigated down a path between the two locations. 

Crews line-up for dinner. 

Because of the distance between our assignment and the base camp, the decision was made to change our work shift from 12 hours to 24 hours. This was a welcomed change as we would only need to make the 90 minute drive every other day allowing us more time to rehab between shifts. Upon being released from a division assignment, sleep takes a backseat to getting the engine prepared for another day on the line. Only after the rig has been fueled, supplies for the next day are retrieved, and broken equipment replaced, can the crew consider food and sleep.

After your meal comes the all too popular game of "find the cell phone signal." For some reason these elusive hot-spots tend to wander around basecamp on their own. Finding these spots is considerably easier; just look for a crowd of firefighters holding their phones at arm’s length in a ten-foot square. While often mistaken as a mystic "fire dance," it's only us trying to talk to home. The ability to talk back to home is a big morale booster as our families continue with their activities in our absence.

The average day starts at 4:30 a.m. when crews scurry to get a hot meal and prepare the engine for the next 24 hour assignment. The strike team leaders are briefed at 6:00 a.m. on where the operational assignments are issued. There is an expectation that crews are ready to roll after that meeting, There is little tolerance for crews that are not ready to roll so every effort is made not to be "that" crew. After a short briefing, crews are on the road to their assignments. This can make for an interesting sight when multiple strike teams attempt to leave base camp on a single dirt road.

We would return to Hetch Hetchy as the fire continued to close in on the area. The spot fire that had established itself on the ridge above the cabins had now grown significantly and was threatening the area as it back-burned back through the canyon. A second OES strike team from Placer County had been assigned to the area to provide better coverage of the multiple dwellings. But we had been lucky deep in the canyon. The high winds that had been plaguing the fire in the high country never surfaced in the canyon.

The fire starts its downward spread towards our location.

The once small spot fire burns from the east towards Hetch Hetchy.

The changing scenery as crews now have fire on all sides of their location.

Fire burns on both sides of the Tuolumne River to the west of our location.

While on evening watch, we could see from our lookout that the fire had crossed the Tuolumne River and was now burning on the south wall of the canyon. This could eventually create a problem in our location The strike team had pre-located safety zones should the fire overrun our position. Fortunately a persistent inversion layer returned and slowed the fire activity. We had been fortunate for today.

We continued to return to Hetch Hetchy for the first week. This area created a unique challenge for fire managers. The terrain and proximity to the reservoir did not make it a good area to conduct burning operations, so the fire was allowed to take its own course. By day seven, we basically had fire completely around our location. The sound of trees falling broke the silence every few minutes with a sound reminiscent of thunder.  This sound would soon be followed by the sound of boulders rolling towards the camp. The fire was now well established in the Tuolumne River to our west and the fire had spotted down to the lake to the east. On the morning that we were relieved by the Fresno strike team, the fire was just outside of the perimeter of Hetch Hetchy. It's probable that the fire will continue to threaten the area requiring us to take action, but for now the fire was burning through ground clutter which was beneficial for us.

Crews from the lookout could see through the smoke building Pyrocumulus clouds near our location. These typically indicate heat pushing up through the inversion layer. They are never a welcome sight.

Lakeside firefighter Jose Corona keeps an eye on the fire from the lookout. The Lakeside crew was tasked with taking weather observations and posted as a lookout at the heliport high above Hetch Hetchy.

The fire finally reached our protection area on the afternoon of August 31st. Throughout the night, the fire made a number of intrusions through the ground fuels. Crews patrolled and extinguished fires within our area all night. On the morning of September 1st, the fire had crept-in along dead logs to ignite an area that could cause a number of trees to drop and block access. It also presented the possibility of fire spread into the cabin areas to the north. The strike team extinguished the fire and conducted overhaul of the area. We were soon released back to base camp for some much needed time off.

Lakeside Engineer Scott Smith and Firefighter Jose Corona put in a hoselay on a hot spot.

Firefighter Jose Corona overhauls an area where the fire had gotten close to the area we were assigned to protect.

Much to our surprise, upon reaching base camp we were informed that our time at the Rim Fire had come to an end. We were to start the process of demobilization that day in anticipation of departure the next morning. Demobilization comes with mixed emotions for crews. We were happy to head home to our families but we felt like the final chapter at Hetch Hetchy had not been written yet. Those duties would now fall to another strike team as we departed the Sierra foothills for Southern California.

OES Engine 305 receives a mechanical inspection to make sure it's roadworthy for the trip back to Lakeside.

Strike Teams are one of the oddest events that firefighters experience in their careers. You take 22 total strangers and task them with some of the most important assignments they will ever experience with an expectation of  results. These stories are never about the accomplishments of a single engine or crew, but are more a tale of how a group of strangers prevailed.   

Our fellow crew members:

Strike Team Trainee Rich Brocchini (Chula Vista) with Strike Team Leader Kevin Hitchcock (Poway) (left to right)

OES 315 from the Vista Fire Department. Firefighter Ray Tellechea, Engineer Jim Sawyer, Captain Robbie Ford, Firefighter Matt Ryan (left to right)

OES 307 from the Chula Vista Fire Department. Firefighter Pablo Ornelas, Firefighter Brian Clark, Engineer Matt Minehan, Captain Dan Giles, and Chief Rich Brocchini (left to right)

OES 308 from the City of Poway. Captain Steve La Corte, Firefighter Chris Withey, Engineer Jeff Cole, Firefighter DJ Schroeder, Chief Kevin Hitchcock (left to right)

OES 336 from the Rancho Santa Fe Fire District. Captain Marshall Jordan, Firefighter Grant Smith, Engineer Joe Carter, Engineer Lee Haskin (left to right)

OES 305 from the Lakeside Fire Protection District. Captain Mark Grow, Firefighter Josh Wilson, Firefighter Jose Corona, Engineer Scott Smith (left to right)

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photography By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District