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 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 Fire Participates in Multi-Agency Training

Interstate 8 View Point-

The Scenario: A vehicle has left the freeway and plummeted 200 feet into a canyon. The occupant has a broken leg and requires immediate attention from medical personnel.

Crews stand ready to pull the crew up from 200 feet below.

That was the scenario presented to crews from Lakeside, Viejas, San Diego County Fire Authority, Alpine, and Sycuan during a training exercise held at the view point on Interstate 8 east of Alpine. These types of operations require careful attention to detail as crew safety is dependent on a properly constructed rope system. Should this system have a catastrophic failure the safety of crew members on the rope could be compromised, so we practice.

A crew prepares a victim to be raised up in a basket while medic tend to their injuries.

Crews met during three training exercises to refresh skills that are not commonly used. But just weeks ago crews were called to this very location for a vehicle that had broken through the barrier wall and ended up in the canyon below. A haunting reminder of this incident remains as crews were lowered to an area near the wreckage..

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

Lakeside CERT Training

Lakeside, CA -

Disaster preparation and response classes will be held here in Lakeside beginning on Saturday, October 5, 2013. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact the Lakeside area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional responders are not immediately available to help.

Students learn about fire safety.

Lakeside currently has over 150 CERT members who have completed this training. They benefit by feeling more secure with the knowledge that they are better prepared for and know exactly what to do when the next large scale event impacts their community. If you would like to learn more about disaster preparedness please visit the Lakeside Fire website at http://www.lakesidefire.net and click on the CERT link to submit an interest form. You must be 18 years or older or of high school age and attending the training with a parent or guardian.

Knowing just what to do is all important following a disaster.

Submitted by: Lakeside Fire Captain Chuck Palmore, CERT program manager

The “Mass-Casualty Incident”: Bringing Organization to Chaos

Viejas-

Crews have been dispatched to a vehicle accident on the freeway. While en route law enforcement advises them that a bus has rolled off of the freeway and they have multiple victims with some trapped. This was the scenario crews faced during a recent drill at the Viejas Outlet Center. The drill was recently coordinated by the Viejas Fire Department as part of an inter-agency training that involves first-responders in the east county region of San Diego County.

The crew from Lakeside Rescue 3, and CALFIRE, start working on a plan to remove a victim from under the bus.

Mass-causality incidents present one of the most challenging scenes that first-responders can be faced with. Not only do you have the challenge of organizing a highly traumatic scene, but you must sort through the patients and identify those most in need of help....quickly. The benchmark of an effectively managed incident is the delivery of the most severely injured to local hospitals in the shortest possible span of time. Ultimately surgical intervention is the only thing that will save these traumatized victims, thus a real effort must be made to get those people transported to appropriate care.

Victims are brought to treatment areas where the received care prior to transport to the hospital.

Victims are sent to local hospitals from the treatment areas based on severity of their injuries.

In this scenario crews were also faced with a victim that was ejected from the bus and then became trapped. Lakeside Rescue 3 was given the assignment to remove the victim with the assistance of an engine company from CALFIRE. A pneumatic system of high pressure airbags was used to lift the vehicle off of the victim.

Crew members are critiqued by observers. Everybody learns something new.

The skills re-enforced at this drill are universal to any incident that involves several casualties that has the potential to overwhelm local first-responders, or the local hospitals. In this drill a total of 22 patients were evaluated.



Agencies participating in this training were:

Alpine Fire Protection District
American Medical Response
Barona Fire Department
CALFIRE
Lakeside Fire Protection District
Mercy Air
Sharp-Grossmont Hospital
Sycuan Fire Department
Viejas Fire Department
Viejas Tribal Security

Thanks again to the Viejas Fire Department for sponsoring this training opportunity.

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

Lakeside Firefighters Test Skills above El Capitan Reservoir

Peutz Valley: Lakeside Firefighters returned to a remote location to practice technical rescue scenarios. In this situation the crews from Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station) and Engine 26 (Blossom Valley) were given the task of accessing a 200' deep canyon, locating a victim and returning that victim to the roadway attached to lifelines. While normally these situations are pretty routine, in this situation crews were faced with nine foot high vegetation, and large crops of poison oak.

Firefighter Todd Welch checks the "self equalizing" anchoring system.

This rescue operation is commonly know as a "Pick Off". It requires a high degree of coordination between the rescuer in the canyon, and crews above that are responsible for the safe return of both parties. But crews are initially challenged by the lack of large anchoring points (areas we attach ropes to that can withstand the loads placed on them). In this situation crews developed a complex anchoring system that distributes the load to multiple points. The attachment points for this rescue were two mature sumac bushes.

A firefighter is lowered 200' to a victim below. Can you see the firefighter?

Another potential problem facing the firefighters is the possibility the victim may become panicked while being raised back up. Crews learn techniques that limits the potential for trouble in these situations. If not handled correctly the rescue can be defeated by the actions of the victim.

The firefighter and victim (in this case another firefighter) are raised back to the roadway.

Given the rugged terrain surrounding the community of Lakeside, crews practice these skills on a regular basis to stay proficient.

Firefighter-Paramedic Jose Corona and Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams are safely returned to the roadway after being drug through sumac and poison oak.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District
Photos By: Fire Captain Chuck Palmore and Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Presents Two Dealerships with Certificates of Appreciation

East County-

Recently the Lakeside Fire Protection District held a comprehensive training event dealing with the complexities of today's new vehicle technology (original story). Essential to this training opportunity was the ability to look over these vehicles and to actually see the new safety features.

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm presents Kyle Nyswonger and Chris Levin, of DCH Honda of Lemon Grove, with certificates issued by Fire Chief Andy Parr

The Lakeside Fire District approached DCH Honda of Lemon Grove and Toyota of El Cajon to see if it was possible to borrow two hybrid vehicles for this training opportunity. Both dealerships enthusiastically responded to the request and provided vehicles for the training.

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm presents certificates to Michelle Candelaria, and Allison Fritz, of Toyota of El Cajon

On Tuesday, April 26, 2011, the Lakeside Fire District presented Certificates of Appreciation to both of these fine businesses. By providing these vehicles for training, area firefighters are now better prepared to deal with vehicles and the new technology. We would like to thank the staff at DCH Honda of Lemon Grove and Toyota of El Cajon for their generosity.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Train on New Technology Vehicles

Lakeside Station 3:  

Exotic Metals; Enhanced Safety Systems; Alternate Fuels; New Extrication Methods. These are just a few of the topics Lakeside Firefighters reviewed at a recent Field Care Audit coordinated by Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm.

Steve Carpenter discusses new airbag systems in today's vehicles. Firefighters need to learn the potential hazards of these systems in rescue situations.

Increasingly, firefighters face new technology in vehicles that require new techniques and equipment. The most significant change in the modern vehicle is the introduction of high-strength steel. This steel provides a safety cage around the occupant while decreasing overall vehicle weight. 

Firefighters look over the advanced technology in the Honda Civic Hybrid

Firefighters look at the new technology in the 2011 Toyota Prius.

 In many cases, the strength of this steel exceeds the cutting power of modern rescue tools. Thus firefighters need to exploit other weaknesses and find “work around” methods. There was a day when rescue tools with a cutting force of 30,000 pounds could quickly disassemble most vehicles. However, some of the new metals in cars today require a cutting force of 200,000+ pounds, and in some situations even that isn’t enough.

Hybrid vehicles contain new technology steel that ultimately makes them lighter.

Locating the HV battery packs on today's hybrids is essential for safe operations. Crews look over the battery location on the Prius.

 Another technology in a constant state of change is airbag systems. Not only have there been great advancements in construction and placement of these safety devices, but the computer systems that control their deployment have become smarter. And while these systems have saved thousands of lives, these systems can pose a hazard to rescuers should additional bags deploy during rescue operations.

With the price of gasoline spiking in 2008 (and recently), the interest in hybrid and electric vehicles has exploded. It is vital that firefighters know how to work around these vehicles during rescue operations. The introduction of high voltage electrical into the rescue matrix simply means crews need to understand the systems.

Lakeside Fire would like to thank Steve Carpenter of FS3 (distributor of rescue tools) for conducting the class. We would also like to thank DCH Honda of Lemon Grove, and Toyota of El Cajon, for providing the hybrid vehicles.

Crews from Lakeside Fire, CalFire (Flinn Springs Station), and San Diego Federal Fire attended the training.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Fire Crews Train on the New El Monte Trail

El Monte Valley: Lakeside has a new trail in the community! Only dedicated last month, this new multi-use trail stretches from the El Monte Valley to the community of Blossom Valley. The two-mile path ascends some 1,200 feet to the ridge line above.

Crews use a mechanical advantage system to assist crews on steep portions of the trail.

But as with any trail system, there eventually comes a time when firefighters are called out due to an emergency on the trail. Given the rugged terrain, crews used the opportunity to pre-plan for potential emergencies and practice skills unique to extracting patients from the area.

Crews practice anchoring to "what ever they can get their hands on".. Crews often anchor to rocks, trees, and even the brush.

Crews discussed the best access points and quickly inserting paramedics into the environment so they can get to the patient quickly and initiate care. A key component to a successful rescue is the delivery of definitive care in a timely manner.

Lakeside Fire crews have prior experience with these types of rescues in the El Capitan Mountain area and throughout the region. But what makes this trail unique is the sheer steepness of the slope. This terrain tends to limit options you would normally have for transporting patients from the trail.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Firefighters Train for Entrapment Under Vehicles

Lake Jennings Fire Station: One of the most dreaded calls that firefighters respond to are those involving people trapped under vehicles. One might ponder how people get into this situation, but as more and more people conduct maintenance on their vehicles at home we see an increase in these types of incidents.

But these calls can result in some horrific injuries, not to mention a high probability of death. Our passenger vehicles range in weight from 2,500 pounds to a impressive 7,500 pounds in larger SUV's. When this type of weight is placed on the human body it quickly becomes a race against time to get the weight off of the victim.

Firefighter-Paramedic Bryan Peters works with a cribbing stack at a recent training exercise.

Lakeside Firefighters use a system of cribbing and pneumatic bags that are capable of lifting 60,000 pounds. This equipment is part of the inventory of Rescue 3 located at the Lake Jennings Fire Station. Crews regularly work with these tools under various simulations to maintain skills that are necessary for these types of rescues.

But working on vehicles is only part of the situations where these airbags are of beneficial use. Crews can use these tools in structural collapse, industrial rescues, vehicle extrication, right down to getting a child "unstuck" from playground equipment.

Recently these tool were used to assist in the rescue of a driver that was pinned in a water truck that had rolled down a hillside (link).

Fire Engineer Chris Downing monitors progress as crews work to free a simulated victim. If done incorrectly loads can fall on the rescuers.

Before working under your vehicle please observe some basic safety rules when using jacks:

• Use only jacks that are maintained in good operating condition.

• Place the jack securely on a dry, level, clean surface at right angles to the load.
• Position the jack at the jack point recommended by the vehicle manufacturer.
• Shift the vehicle with automatic transmission to park or to low gear, if it has a standard transmission, and apply the parking break.
• Use chocks in front and back of the wheel that is on the diagonal from the wheel that will be raised (e.g., if jacking up the right, front wheel, use the chocks on the left, rear wheel).
• Do not overload a jack beyond its capacity. All lifts must be vertical.
• Do not position yourself where you could be pinned between the operating handle and the wall if the vehicle or jack moves accidentally.
• If working alone, always arrange to have someone check on you at pre-arranged, regular intervals.
• Place safety stands under the vehicle to support the vehicle if an employee must work under the vehicle.
• Ensure that the safety stands are in good condition and positioned properly and that the correct support pins are used in adjustable axle stands.
• Do not get under a vehicle that is supported by a jack only - always use suitable safety stands. 

Crews work on a simulated off-road incident where operations are more complex. Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, Fire Engineer Chris Downing, and Firefighter-Paramedic Jose Corona observe the effectiveness of the airbags in lifting this vehicle.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Drew Auto Group Hosts Vehicle Extrication Training

La Mesa: Two years ago, the staff at Drew Ford-Hyundai-Volkswagen (La Mesa) recognized the need to expose first-responders to the quickly advancing technology used to make new cars some of the safest vehicles ever produced. With this safety came advancements in construction and metallurgy that required a "re-think" on how occupants could be effectively extricated from these automobiles.

Toby Chess reviews new construction and safety innovations in todays vehicles.

One could say that the modern engineering of these vehicles is based on keeping people from being trapped and injured during impacts. With energy absorbing zones and load transference elements, crews needed to know how to get into one of these engineering marvels without unnecessary delay.

Looking for other sponsors of this event, Drew Auto Group soon found sponsorship from State Farm Insurance and Dupont. With the ball now rolling, additional sponsors jumped on-board to make this a "state of the art" event (see the complete list below).

Steven Carpenter instructs a firefighter on door removal.

Instructors Toby Chess and Steven Carpenter were brought in to teach the event. As experts in their fields, they packed the four-hour event with discussions about construction techniques, airbags and safety systems, hybrid vehicles, and new extrication techniques. The last two hours of the class allowed the attendees to actually use some of these techniques on vehicles.

Lakeside Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams using cutters to remove a roof.

Firefighters deal with an "under-ride" collision.

Firefighters complete a dash-roll (note the position of the steering wheel). This evolution becomes necessary if the victim is trapped by the dash, or the legs are trapped below the dash area.

Firefighters from throughout San Diego County attended the training. These classes are especially valued as cars are increasingly hard to find to practice these operations.

You have better trained firefighters due to these fine sponsors.......thank you!

Drew Auto Group (Ford-Hyundai-Volkswagen)
State Farm Insurance
Dupont
Auto Club of Southern California
Allstate Insurance
Kent Automotive
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
West Auto Wreckers
Finishmaster
California Autobody Association
FS3-Holmatro Rescue Tools

Instructors:
Toby Chess
Steven Carpenter

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside, Alpine and Viejas Fire Departments Train in Trench Rescues

Viejas: Woven throughout virtually every community are a series of underground utilities that at some point required a trench to place the equipment. Trenching operations for the most part are safe and typically don’t have disastrous outcomes, but for those operations that skirt current OSHA regulations, or trenching equipment is used improperly, the outcome can result in severe injuries or death.

Padre Dam Municipal Water District sent their vacuum truck capable of removing 12 yards of dirt per load. These trucks are considered important tools in trench rescue.

Till the late 1980’s fire agencies had little formal training on trench collapse, in many cases the rescuers would become additional victims. Statistically 25% of all victims are “would-be-rescuers.” This number includes co-workers and first responders that entered the trench and soon became trapped.

Santee Fire Captain David Leask demonstrates a set of Speed Shores.

So problematic were the issues that soon OSHA would mandate that “trench rescue teams” had to have mandated training, and that their rescue operations would meet the same industry standards that everyone was subjected to.

Lakeside Engineer Steve Schleif lowers a set of speed shores into a trench opening.

Soon the fire service responded by established formal training programs, and outfitting specialized teams that carried the unique equipment required at these operations. At some point in every firefighters career they receive this training.

A firefighter works on the lower strut inside of the trench. Room is a premium once inside of the trench.

Recently this complex training was made available to agencies on the eastern edge of the Central Zone (old Heartland Zone), through funding from San Diego Gas and Electric. Firefighters from Lakeside, Alpine, and Viejas were invited to participate in the two day training.

Viejas provided the site where a series of complex trenches could be dug to hold the training, and the Santee Fire Department supplied the instructors and technical expertise for the training. Currently the Santee Fire Department has an active confined space/trench rescue program jointly funded with the Padre Dam Municipal Water District.

Firefighters work to create a safe area where rescue operation can begin.

The two day class involved orientation to current OSHA standards that affect rescue operations, orientation to commercially available shoring devices, and improvised shoring operations. The last day crews spend the entire day in the trenches tackling complex shoring operations and  simulated emergency situations.

Two firefighters work a the bottom of a trench to remove a simulated victim.

The Lakeside Fire District would like to thank the following participants:


San Diego Gas and Electric - Provided funding for the entire training and related costs.
Viejas: For providing the training site and the hospitality.
Santee Fire Department: For providing the instructors and technical expertise.
Padre Dam Municipal Water District: For sending specialized equipment to the drill site.




Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside Welcomes Paramedic Intern Watte

The Lakeside Fire Protection District welcomes Paramedic Intern Brent Watte to the community of Lakeside. This 22 year old Alpine resident is in the final phase of his paramedic training. Assigned to veteran Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams, Brent will complete 22 shifts, of carefully supervised, internship on Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Station). During this internship Brent will be required to demonstrate the essential skills of operating in the pre-hospital setting.

Paramedic Intern Brent Watte

Currently a student at the EMSTA College, this phase of his training is the culmination of a year long quest that included a didactic portion where the "book knowledge" of being a paramedic is tackled. Only if this section is completed the intern is then sent to the local hospitals to start using their advanced life support skills under the close supervisions of doctors and nurses. With completion of these two sections the students are then sent out to regional paramedic providers to prove their abilities under "real world" conditions.

Brent is currently a reserve firefighter with the San Miguel Fire District, and hopes to find employment with a local fire agency as a Firefighter-Paramedic.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District