Police Pursuit Ends on Cresthill Place

Pepper Drive Area -

A police pursuit that originated in the City of El Cajon came to an abrupt end when the suspect's vehicle struck an occupied residence on Cresthill Place. On Thursday, June 13th, 2013, at 11:53 AM the Heartland Communications Center received a request by law enforcement to have fire crews respond and evaluate a single patient from the vehicle, and the stability of the structure that had received damage. 

El Cajon Police search the suspects vehicle.

 Initially a full first alarm assignment was sent to the call which included three structural engines, a truck company, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and two duty chief officers. On the arrival of Medic 2 (River Park Station) it was quickly determined that the occupant was uninjured. Engine 2 inspected the structure for damage and instability. After it was determined that the structure was safe the additional companies were cancelled.


View 2013 Incident Map in a larger map

This incident is being investigated by El Cajon Police Department.

Lakeside Fire District received assistance from Heartland Fire & Rescue, and the Santee Fire Department.

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

Multi-Agency Response Stops a Fire Before it Starts

Pepper Drive Area -

A heads-up homeowner and some old fashioned detective work prevented a dangerous attic fire from erupting in Lakeside on April 27, 2013. A strong smell of smoke in his home prompted the homeowner to seek the help of the fire department in locating the source. Heartland Fire Communications dispatched a full first-alarm structure assignment bringing E1, E3, M2, Division 4103 (Lakeside); E8, E9 (El Cajon); T4 (Santee); and Chief 4801 (Barona) to the scene.

Firefighters systematically checked the two-story home and eventually located the source of the smoke in a corner of the second-story attic space. Once located, the small, smoldering fire was accessed by cutting a hole in the roof and applying water from a preconnected hoseline. Although a small amount of damage was warranted, the detection and extinguishment of this small fire prevented a potentially devastating attic fire.

This response characterizes the excellent interagency cooperation and seamless emergency response that we enjoy in east county. As always, Lakeside would like to thank our auto-aid partners for their timely assistance and excellent work on this call.

Firefighters go to work on the roof.

Santee Truck 4 Captain John Sengebusch and Firefighter-paramedic Clint Pusey accessing the fire.

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

Motorcyclist Suffers Major Traumatic Injuries in Crash with a Bus

Pepper Drive Area-

On Sunday, August 19, 2012, at 3:52 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls about a motorcyclist that had collided with a bus in the area of North 2nd Street and Pepper Drive. Callers indicated that the victim might be trapped under the bus so a full "vehicle rescue" response was sent. This included a structural engine, a rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a duty chief.

Firefighters from Lakeside and San Miguel work to stabilize the patient.

The driver on the motorcycle evidently lost control of the bike and slid under the front of a MTS bus that was stopped at a bus stop. First arriving units found the patient trapped under the front of the bus with airway compromise. The bus had lowered onto the patient crushing him.Firefighters re-inflated the air-bag suspension system on the bus allowing crews to remove the victim.

Flight crew members assist in preparing the victim for a flight to the trauma center.

The patient suffered from multiple life-threatening traumatic injuries. Due to the severity of the injuries the decision was made to fly the patient to Sharp Memorial Trauma via a Mercy Air medical helicopter.

Agencies that assisted included San Miguel, Santee, and Heartland Fire-Rescue. CHP is currently investigating the accident.

Story By: Firefighter-Paramedic Steve Russo, Lakeside Fire Protection District