Lakeside Firefighters Train for Engineer's Test

Lakeside, Calif. - 

Engine companies in Lakeside have been putting in a lot of time lately training their firefighters to take the upcoming engineer promotional exam. The engineer position on the fire department (sometimes referred to as apparatus operator) is the firefighter responsible for driving and operating all of the assigned fire apparatus including pumpers, aerials, and rescues. In order to qualify to take the exam, a firefighter must have several years on the job.

In addition to operating the apparatus, engineers are tasked with preventative maintenance and other duties to ensure the constant readiness of all district rolling stock.

One of the most important aspects of this training is to practice pumping hoselines and utilizing both pressurized (hydrants) and static (tanks) water supplies. Engineers are required to calculate pump pressures using complex formulas that involve consistent, real world scenarios. To that end, our engine companies may be seen flowing hoselines during drills.

With the ongoing drought conditions in California, our fire crews are very sensitive of the need to minimize our water use during these drills. Please be assured that we are taking every precaution to use the least amount of water possible while providing realistic training for our engineer candidates.

FF-PM Steve Russo (l) at E-1's pump panel while Engineer Robert Williams assists.

Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Board Votes to Relocate Fire Station 1

Lakeside, Calif.

As the next step in a multi-year fire station realignment project, the Lakeside Fire Protection District board voted unanimously on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, to begin the long-awaited process of relocating Lakeside Fire Station 1 (Riverview).

The station realignment project, an integral part of the district's long-term strategic plan, is aimed at improving emergency response times and ensuring uniform coverage for the citizens in the 55-square-mile fire district. The first phase of the project, which began in 2010, saw the relocation of the district's Eucalyptus Hills Fire Station (fs2) approximately 1.5 miles to the south to its new location at 12216 Lakeside Avenue. The new River Park Fire Station houses a paramedic engine company, advanced life support (paramedic) ambulance, and the district's water tender. In addition to the fire station, the district administrative offices are located at the new site.

The second phase in the multi-year project included moving the Riverview Fire Station (fs1). In support of the district's strategic plan, the district board commissioned a detailed study by Citygate Associates in 2014. The comprehensive report strongly affirmed the need to relocate Lakeside's Riverview Fire Station toward the south end of the fire district.

After months of hard work, district staff identified several potential locations that would best serve the district's needs. While the exact location is not yet decided, it is generally going to be in the area of Winter Gardens Boulevard and Pepper Drive. This location will provide excellent coverage of the Pepper Drive and Winter Gardens areas of the fire district while still allowing quick response to the Riverview and Lakeside areas.

Lakeside Fire District station locations - March 2015.

Lakeside's River Park Fire Station opened early 2012.

Posted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside C-Division Training Day

Lakeside, Calif.

 On Sunday, March 22, 2015, the C-division firefighters from Lakeside fire stations 1 and 2 got together to drill on wildland fire operations. The crews practiced pump-and-roll, drafting, relay pumping, and water supply operations utilizing Brush 1 and Water Tender 7251.

 One of the most frequent questions we get from our citizens is "what do firefighters do during their workday."In today's fire service, firefighters have little "down time" during their shifts. Each day of the week comes with a routine that includes vehicle, apparatus, and station maintenance; fire prevention inspections, public education events, and obviously calls for service. One activity that happens virtually every day of the year is training.

Due to the "all-risk" nature of the modern American fire service, our firefighters must constantly train. We strive to maintain competencies in a wide range of areas including structural and wildland firefighting; technical rescue to include vehicle, rope, and water rescue; emergency medical services at the advance life support (paramedic) level; hazardous material, gas and electrical emergencies. Within each of these broad subject areas are myriad other competencies that need to be trained on.

The Lakeside Fire District has always prided itself on its training program and the professional competency of our personnel. As our district training motto states: we train for "Readiness, Safety, and Duty."

Engineer-PM Jon Jordan (r) and FF-PM Bing Tom train on Lakeside Brush 1.

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

Lakeside Engine 1 Puts New Pumper in Service

Lakeside, CA - 

The Lakeside Fire District has placed a new apparatus in service at Engine Company 1. The new custom Smeal Triple Combination Pumper began service at the district's Riverview Fire Station on March 18, 2015.

This fire engine is the third custom Smeal pumper that Lakeside has put into service since July, 2012, as part of the district's planned apparatus replacement program. It will replace a KME engine that will be placed in reserve status.

Manufactured in Snyder, Nebraska, the pumper is built on a Spartan custom chassis and features a 1500 gallon per minute single-stage fire pump and a 500 gallon water tank. The short wheelbase and excellent ground clearance make it highly suitable for the varied geography of the fire district.

New Smeal pumper at Lakeside fire station 1 on Riverview Ave.

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