C-Division Aerial Operations Training at TOTF

Lakeside, CA - 

Lakeside Firefighters train every shift. At least twice every month, our engine companies and medic units attend what is referred to as "color group" training at the Thomas H. Owen Heartland Fire Training Facility (TOTF) in El Cajon. This training facility, which opened December 1, 1973, was one of the first of its kind in the nation, formed as a Joint Powers Authority between three east county fire districts (Lakeside, Santee, Spring Valley) and two cities (La Mesa, El Cajon). TOTF provides training for hundreds of firefighters every year from all over San Diego County.

The C-Division crew from Lakeside's River Park Fire Station (fs2) attended their regularly scheduled drill time at TOTF ("the tower") this morning. E202s and M2 personnel worked on hose evolutions for fire attack, pumper operations, and a specialized drill utilizing the aerial ladder on the pumper (E202s).

Engine 202s is a specialized apparatus which is rated as a Type I fire engine capable of pumping 1500 gallons per minute for fire control. Additionally, the engine has a 65-foot Telesqurt, telescoping aerial boom with a ladder. This apparatus provides aerial rescue capability and an elevated nozzle capable of discharging up to 1000 gallons per minute for fire control.

Lakeside Probationary FF-PM Kyle McKee climbs the aerial.

Lakeside Engine 202s, 65-foot TeleSqurt.

Post By: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photos By: FF-PM Brian Moore, Lakeside Fire District

Motorcyclist Injured on Highway 8 Business

Glenview: On Wednesday, May 11th at 11:32am, the Lakeside Fire District received calls about a downed motorcycle rider in the 13400 block of Highway 8 Business. Units dispatched included Engine One (Riverview Station), Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station).

Fire crews discovered a single rider down in the roadway with complaints of pain and a possible loss of consciousness. Crews initiated rapid trauma care and the patient was transported to the Trauma Unit at Sharp Memorial Hospital.

Crews load the injured rider for transport to Sharp Trauma.

Occupants in a vehicle involved in the accident were not injured. Crews assisted CHP with traffic control till the roadway was clear.

The accident is currently being investigated by the CHP. A total of 8 personnel from the Lakeside Fire District responded to the incident.

This accident occurred at the same location as a prior motorcycle accident that occurred recently (LINK)

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

High Angle Rescue Training

Firefighters train in high angle techniques.

 Even though there are few high-rise buildings in the East County, the Lakeside Fire Department requires that all firefighters be trained in some basic high angle rescue techniques. Aside from the rare emergency incident involving a tall building rescue in a neighboring agency, the same equipment and techniques are required for any situation where one might come in contact with a sheer vertical drop. A few such possibilities in or close to Lakeside include, bridges, sheer roadside drop-offs, rock climbing sites and power line towers. Since these incidents are so few and far between and the penalty for a mistake is so great, refresher training is a must to remain proficient in this highly technical skill.

Firefighter/Paramedic Danny Leetch looks calm checking his rigging high above the concrete.

 
This recent training was conducted at the Tom Owens Training Facility (TOTF) in El Cajon. The five story training tower is used to provide a realistic atmosphere to practice . One of the key safety features at the tower is a fall arresting net placed below the rope rescue side of the building. Although the net might look soft and safe from the ground, it looses much of it's comforting appeal from over 60' in the air. In fact, in the event of a fall, chances of death are reduced but serious injury is still likely.

Leetch evaluates his incapacitated victim under the watchful eye of Captain Beto Lawler. 

This drill was conducted to simulate a high angle rescue where an individual has become incapacitated or had an equipment failure requiring a rescuer to be lowered down to his position for assistance. Once in place, the rescuer is required to evaluate and secure the individual and then transfer him onto his own rescue rope system and both are lowered to safety. There are many steps, people and equipment involved in this process which needs to be coordinated and accomplished in a very specific order to result in a safe and successful outcome.

Secured to his rescue system, Leetch removes Captain Chuck Palmore from the damaged line.

Submitted by: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain

Photos by: Battalion Chief Brent Larkin and Engineer Rich Smith

Final Test Days For The Heartland Fire Academy

The last full week of  Heartland's 20th Fire Academy is under way with final manipulative testing in the many skills learned by the students throughout the 15 week training course. Each recruit is given specific tasks to perform in which he must put together many steps in order to complete the evolution according to exact standards. Lakeside Engine 3 and crew were on hand today to assist with the testing process along with engines from El Cajon, La Mesa and San Miguel. Today's test evolutions included fire hose advancement and ground ladder manipulation.

Lakeside Fire Captain Beto Lawler administers a hose evolution test

A written final examination was given to the recruits last week. Other skills to be evaluated this week will be the knowledge and use of Self Contained Breathing Apparatus(SCBA), ropes and knots, search and rescue, and more hose evolutions. The much anticipated graduation day is next Monday, April 27th.

Submitted by: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain