Lakeside Firefighter's Scholarship Presented to El Capitan Student

El Capitan High School-

On June 6, 2013, representatives from the Lakeside Firefighter's Association attended the El Capitan High School awards ceremony to award the 3rd annual Lakeside Firefighter's Scholarship. After carefully reviewing the applications of the many deserving students a committee of firefighters narrowed the field down to one winner. This year the award went to Tyler Scott Leone.

Lakeside Firefighters Corey Palmore, Steve Russo, and Carl Chiodo (L to R) make the presentation at the El Capitan awards ceremony.

Community service is one of the major factors on which a college bound Senior can win this award. Tyler really excelled in this area along with having a strong GPA. According to his teachers, Tyler has not let his confinement to a wheelchair  stop him from participating, influencing, and inspiring the community around him. Tyler has overcome adversity to participate and assist with the boy's basketball and football teams as well as being incredibly active in the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Tyler joins firefighters on stage to receive his scholarship.

Tyler has done numerous T.V. interviews at various MDA fundraising events, has been on the MDA telethon, and raises money each year to assemble a team for the MDA walk. He has been the MDA Goodwill Ambassador of San Diego County and then the Goodwill Ambassador for the entire state of California! These are just a few of the things Tyler has been involved with.

Tyler with the Lakeside Firefighters.

The Lakeside Firefighters would like to congratulate Tyler on his graduation from high school and thank him for his incredible service to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and for being an inspiration to us all.

Story By: Fire Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire District

Photos By: Fire Captain Rick Dalldorf, 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.

Lakeside Firefighters Help a Local Family

It saddens anyone to hear about a child stricken with a disease that no young person should experience. Such was the case when Lakeside Director Nick Johnson approached the Lakeside Firefighters with the story of Jake Collins. Nick had a child in the same class as Jake when his medical situation unfolded.

Lakeside Firefighter Association President Eric Stamm presents the family with the gas cards.

Like any other child, Jake was a very active boy attending Lakeview Elementary School in Lakeside. All that would change when on April 13th, 2012, Jake received a diagnosis that he had a rare cancerous tumor of the brain stem known as a Difused Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. With that diagnosis that family would soon be making daily drives to Rady Children's Hospital  for radiation and chemotherapy. The treatment schedule was so rigorous that Jake's mom would leave her job to tend to Jake's needs.

Jake gets to hit the air horn.

With the loss of her income the bills would soon start taking their toll on the family budget. With much of Jake's treatment not covered by their insurance the family would certainly face hardship and an uncertain future.

The firefighters were informed that the daily drives to Children's had impacted their bottom line with gas over $4.00 a gallon. To help take some of the pressure off the family the Lakeside Firefighters presented Jake's mom with $1000 in gas cards. It is our hope that this will help the family in their effort to see that Jake is cured of this illness.

Jake had also expressed a desire to see the fire engine, so the crew from Engine 3 (Lake Jennings Station) paid him a visit where he had the opportunity to take a ride in the engine. The high point of his visit was when he was allowed to honk the air horn (sorry neighbors). Ya know Jake, we still like to honk the horn.... Get well soon..!

If you would like to help this family please visit Jake's website at: http://fundraiserforjacob.bbnow.org/index.php



Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Donate $2000 to the Lakeside Longhorns Cheer Squad

Lakeside-

The Lakeside Longhorn Midget Cheer Team has been making a name for themselves. After competing locally, the girls found their way to the Regional Finals in Long Beach. In Long Beach, the girls went up against teams from Hawaii, Arizona, and the Southern California area. Once again the team placed first, which meant they were headed to Orlando, Florida for the National Finals.

The Lakeside Longhorn Cheer Team with the Lakeside Firefighters, and a $2000 check!

The Lakeside Firefighters were treated to a goodbye cheer.... Good Luck Girls!

But moving an entire cheer team across the country is not cheap. Looking at costs of about $24,000, the team started an aggressive schedule of fundraising in the community. With the support of the community and local businesses, the girls came to the Lakeside Firefighters with a very impressive amount already in their war chest.

On the morning of Saturday, December 3, 2011, the entire squad showed up at a recent Lakeside Firefighters Association meeting to make a presentation. From that meeting the Lakeside Firefighters were glad to contribute $2000 to the effort. This is a very impressive group of young people and we wish them the best of luck next week in Florida!

Lakeside's Danny Leetch takes First Place at Demolition Derby

San Diego County Fair-

In 2010, Danny Leetch got the bug to try his luck in the demolition derby arena. The Firefighter Demolition Derby was the perfect venue as the proceeds from this effort would go to burn survivors. With the financial backing of the Lakeside Firefighters Association, Danny would locate and purchase a 1973 Cadillac Coupe Deville. After extensive repairs and modifications the vehicle was ready to participate in the 2010 event. But this was not going to have a happy ending. As the vehicles rolled out to the arena, the vehicle suffered a mechanical break-down that would prevent it's participation.

Danny Leetch with his best supporter....wife Rory.

Undaunted by this event Danny continued to maintain the vehicle for an entire year. After months of final preparation work the only thing Danny needed was funds for the entry fee. One day, Danny had the idea to drag the vehicle up to a local shopping center in Lakeside and see if he could generate some interest.

Danny Leetch accepts the trophy from James Floros (Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer) of the Burn Institute.

Not only did the crowds show up, but they were very supportive of Danny's effort. With almost $900 collected Danny needed some sponsors to assist with additional costs. Paytons Hardware (Lakeside), Black Mountain Bikes (Mira Mesa), and Famulare Jewelers (Carlsbad) stepped up and sponsored Danny for the approaching event.


All Danny needed now was a pit crew to assist him on the day of the event. In stepped Danny's family and a number of off-duty firefighters.

Danny accepts the checkered flag.

Danny mixes it up with the 16 car from San Miguel, and the 225 from Viejas.

Danny puts a nasty hit on the CalFire car.

In a bit of a pile-up.

The first heat was a well-fought battle and having placed second, Danny would now move on to the finals. But a problem existed. The rear of the Cadillac had been damaged so badly that the pit crew was unable to remove a flat rear tire. In addition, the radiator had blown in the first heat and nobody knew how long the giant V8 would hold out.

The radiator on the 2-20 gives out in the first heat.

Crews attempted to bend the metal away from the tire with pry bars....but no luck. Fortunately the pit crew located additional pry bars and an axe that was used to cut away the fender.

With less than a minute to spare, Danny was back in the seat and headed out for the final event.

The Lakeside 2-20 goes after the 34 car from National City.

All the brother and sister firefighter/drivers after the event. Everyone appears to have survived another year.

With a mortally wounded radiator, Danny's strategy was basic.....go out and do as much damage before the engine blew-up. And Danny did just that! Using both the front and back of the vehicle, Danny was making headway. At one point the 2-20 just quit running....but after some TLC the old girl re-fired.

In the end, Danny had taken the trophy for first place. The 2-20 had hung on by a thread. With two gallons of gas left in the tank, a bent rear axle, bent steering, and an engine so hot it had managed to melt away most of the plastic parts, the 2-20 had done its job.

Click here to see the Pomerado News story on the event.



Photos By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Disrtict
Video Courtesy of: Burn Institute

Firefighter Demolition Derby this Saturday

Del Mar, California -

This Saturday, June 18th at 5:00PM, Danny Leetch will pit his driving skills against other firefighters in the annual Firefighter Demolition Derby at the San Diego County Fair. Danny will represent the Lakeside Firefighters as he attempts to battle it out to victory.

Danny Leetch (driver seat) and the crew from Engine 26 at the Vons

The proceeds from this event go to the Burn Institute to help pay for the support services they provide to burn survivors. This last Saturday Danny took the car to the local Vons (on Camino Canada) and received almost $500 dollars in community donations. This money will be used to assist the Burn Institute in their efforts....

Danny would like to invite out the community of Lakeside to witness this event. With luck....Danny will bring the trophy home to Lakeside...! For more information about these events click this LINK

Good Luck Danny...!

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photo By: Firefighter Todd Welch, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters announce winner of Rick Smith Memorial Scholarship

On June 2, 2011, the Lakeside Firefighters' Association presented the winner of the Rick Smith Memorial Scholarship at El Capitan High School's annual awards ceremony. This is the first year for this scholarship which was created by the Lakeside Firefighters' Association to honor the late R.A. "Rick" Smith who was a longtime community activist. Mr. Smith was involved in many organizations that benefited Lakeside and served for 20 years as a member of the Lakeside Fire Board.

Carl Chiodo and Lakeside Firefighters' Association President Beto Lawler present Belen Montoya with a check at an award ceremony held at El Capitan High School

One of the main considerations for awarding this scholarship was service to the Lakeside community. After interviewing the six outstanding students that applied for this scholarship, the Lakeside Firefighters were faced with the difficult task of choosing a winner.

Belen with members of the Lakeside Firefighters' Association

This year the scholarship was awarded to El Capitan High School senior Belen Montoya. Along with excelling scholastically, Belen has spent many hours mentoring and tutoring not only her fellow students at El Cap, but also bilingual children at Riverview Elementary School. She has been active in El Cap's "Roots and Shoots" program, the Academic League, served as Vice President of the Spanish Club, and has participated in El Cap's Insight program. Belen even spent over 200 hours of her own time helping the school's Science Department move into their new building last summer! These are just a few of her many contributions and accomplishments not only as an outstanding student, but also as an outstanding member of the Lakeside community. It is with great pleasure that the Lakeside Firefighters' Association presented her with this scholarship to be used towards her college education. They are sure that it will be a great investment, not only for Belen's future but also for the future of Lakeside. 

Congratulations and good luck Belen.

Submitted By: Fire Engineer Carl Chiodo, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters "Adopt-a-Family"

Lakeside: For the tenth year, the Lakeside Firefighters collected money in support of a local family in need. The firefighters started this program when there appeared to be a need here in the community of Lakeside. The firefighters receive referrals from the school district, and local churches.

Firefighter Shawn McKenna and Fire Enginner Chris Downing load gifts for delivery to the "adopt-a-family".

In November, the Lakeside Firefighters collected money from within their group in support of this worthy cause. This year we were able to provide Christmas decorations, and gifts for nine children. The event is coordinated by Fire Engineer Chris Downing and Firefighter-Paramedic Jose Corona.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Support "Run for the Arts"

Saturday, April 17, 2010

Lakeside Firefighters participated in the Lakeside PTA Council "Run for the Arts" on Saturday.  Attending the event were on-duty crews from the Riverview fire station (fs1) along with several off-duty members. Lakeside Firefighters are privileged to attend many community events throughout the year.

Lakeside Firefighters present donation to Lakeside School Board member (and retired Lakeside Firefighter) Kevin Howe

Information and photos submitted by: Firefighter/Paramedic Josh Raczka

Lakeside Firefighters Boot Drive for the Burn Institute

Lakeside: On April 21st, 2010 the Lakeside Firefighters will be holding a boot drive to benefit the San Diego Burn Institute. Firefighters will be located at the corners of Winter Gardens Blvd and Woodside Ave, and  Highway 8 Business and Los Coches Rd. The drive will run from 6:30 AM to 10:00 AM, and again at 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

Proceeds go directly to the Burn Institute in support of their many programs here locally.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District