Firefighter Survival Training at Lakeside FS2

Lakeside, CA - 

Lakeside's A-Division firefighters drilled on firefighter survival techniques at the River Park fire station training tower on March 21, 2016. This important training, developed by the California Fire Service Training and Education Program (FSTEP), focuses on techniques for escaping entrapment situations during above-ground firefighting operations. In order to ensure safety, a rope system and harness are used to provide fall protection.

The first technique is the head-first ladder bail utilizing an existing ground ladder. This evolution allows the firefighter to rapidly exit the window and immediately pivot to a feet first profile.

FF-PM Brent Watte bails out the window.

 The next technique is the hose slide, utilizing a hoseline to slide to the ground.

Engineer-PM Josh Wilson slides to safety.

Post and Photos by: Captain Eric Stamm, Lakeside Fire District

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

Lakeside Firefighters Perform Home Pool Safety Inspection

Lakeside, CA - 

Firefighters from Lakeside's River Park Fire Station (fs2) helped a local resident with a pool safety inspection on Friday, August 28, 2015. The district's pool safety program is a resource to help residents with creating a safe environment in and around backyard pools and to decrease the incidence of drowning-related calls within the fire district.

According to district pool safety program coordinator, Firefighter-Paramedic Brian Moore, pool safety is as easy as A,B,C,D:

A - Adult Supervision should always be present when kids are in or near the pool. During parties or
      gatherings, a designated "Water Watcher" should always be present;

B - Barriers such as fencing and self latching, child-proof gates should be in place;

C - CPR trained persons should be present and a cell phone or landline should be immediately
      accessible for emergencies;

D - Devices to help someone in trouble should be available like life rings or hooks. Use of approved
      flotation devices;

Additional safety information includes:

- Removing and storing all pool toys after use;
- Providing steps or ladders at each end of the pool;
- Keeping the water level at least 3 inches below the pool deck to provide a hand hold;
- Store pool chemicals away from the pool area;
- Keep chairs and ladders away from the pool area fencing;
- Provide for an unobstructed view of the pool from windows.

Lakeside Firefighters welcome the opportunity to provide this important service to our residents. If you would like a home pool safety inspection, contact us at 619-390-2350.

For more information on pool safety, visit the district website here: http://lakesidefire.net/lakeside-pool-safety/

Firefighter-Paramedic Brian Moore checks the water level. Note the toy in the pool.

An example of an approved flotation device for a child.

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

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Alerts Sleeping Family

Lakeside, CA - 

A family was awakened by their home's Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarm early on the morning of August 16, 2015. Firefighters from Lakeside's River Park Fire Station were summoned at 2:35 a.m. to investigate the hazard. Arriving to find the home's occupants outside, the crew from Engine 2 used their carbon monoxide detector to confirm that the residence did contain significant levels of the deadly gas. Upon investigation, the source was confirmed to be a charcoal barbecue that had been stored in the garage after earlier use. The barbecue was moved outside and a ventilation fan was used supply the home with fresh air. Several subsequent walk-throughs of the home confirmed that no levels of CO remained.

Carbon Monoxide presents a particularly insidious danger to occupants. It is colorless and odorless which makes it virtually undetectable to humans. Its physical properties allow it to mix well with air inside your home allowing it to persist in nearly all the spaces inside. CO is produced by the incomplete combustion of fuels from sources like gas-burning appliances, charcoal grills, or automobile exhaust. According to the CDC, an average of 430 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from unintentional CO poisoning.

This incident is an important reminder of the need for functioning CO (and smoke) alarms in residential dwellings. The CO alarms in this home (which were located on every level and outside each sleeping area) alerted these sleeping residents to the presence of a potentially deadly condition.

When using charcoal barbecue grills, ensure the coals are properly extinguished (wet and cold) and disposed of in an approved container prior to storing the grill. Additionally, have gas furnaces serviced prior to (fall and winter) use.

This bbq grill was producing a lot of CO!

 Post by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Dinner at Lakeside fire station 2

 Lakeside, CA -

Sunday night, a lucky family was able to take a private tour of the new fire station 2 on Lakeside Ave and then sat down to enjoy a dinner prepared by the on-duty firefighters.  The Lakeside Firefighters donated "A Dinner at The Fire House" to the Lakeside River Park Conservancy to be raffled off for charity at a fund raising dinner.  The Peers family was the lucky winner and were able to treat themselves and their immediate family to a dinner headed-up by firefighter/paramedic Jose Corona.  Along with the tour of the station and a closer look at the fire apparatus, the family got to know a few of the first responders in their community.

As the event came to an end, the Station 2 units received a call and everyone got to watch as engine2 and medic 2 headed to a call.

Lakeside Places New Apparatus In Service

Riverpark Fire Station-

On July 18, 2012, the Lakeside Fire Protection District placed its latest apparatus acquisition in-service at the new Riverpark Fire Station. The 2012 Smeal fire apparatus is the first of four engine companies to be purchased over the next three years. These apparatus will replace current vehicles that will be placed into reserve status, allowing the district to have reliable "back-up" apparatus that can be staffed during periods of high fire activity.

The design of the apparatus has roots in Riverside County where this design has been very successful working in terrain much like that here in Lakeside. The new engine has extremely good ground clearance with a very tight turning radius. These attributes come in handy when navigating some of the narrow roadways found around the community.

The new Engine Company 2

The purchase comes after an intensive search by the department Apparatus Committee. The committee consists of employees from all levels and job functions within the agency. It is their job to make recommendations to staff for future vehicle purchases. This group was able to travel to Temecula where a sister rig has been in-service for a while. Crews were able to drive and talk to employees about the performance of the engine company.

Smeal Fire Apparatus are built in Snyder, Nebraska. They are becoming increasingly popular with agencies with a wildland interface area (such as Lakeside)

This new apparatus will be stationed at the Riverpark Fire Station on Lakeside Ave.   

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

Crews Make Good Use of New Facility

Riverpark Station-

During the design phase of the new Riverpark Station one of the features was a training tower that would allow Lakeside Fire crews to train on a multitude of skills locally. The training tower was designed not only to provide a prop for fire suppression activities, but to allow for training on unique rescue skills.

Crews construct a tripod made from carbon-fiber elements

One of the design features was a series of openings that would allow crews to train on their “below grade” skills. These are rescue skills that allow crews to raise victims out of areas that present unique challenges. The tower allows for the lowering, and raising, of crews up through the three story tower through a series of narrow openings.

Firefighter-Paramedic Jon Jordan is lowered through the opening on the top story.

Captain-Paramedic Rick Dalldorf on his way down three stories.

The new training tower continues to provide outstanding training opportunities for crews.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Photos By: Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm