Vehicle Rescue on Scripps Poway Parkway

Highway 67 Corridor-

On Wednesday, November 2, 2011, at 11:50 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received a report of a vehicle that had left the roadway on Scripps Poway Parkway just west of Highway 67. A full rescue response was sent which included two structural engines, one rescue company, an ALS medic unit, and a battalion chief (Laff). Enroute, based on location, Battalion 1 requested a response from the Poway Fire Department.

Rescue 3 uses their light tower to help crews working over the side.

On the arrival of Engine 2 (Eucalyptus Hills), they discovered a badly damaged vehicle off of the roadway in steep terrain. The crew made contact with a sole occupant that had multiple traumatic injuries. During the assessment it was discovered that the patient may have been sitting there for several hours before her discovery.

If you look carefully you can see the side mounted winch used to stabilize the vehicle on the slope. Rescue 3 has the capability to mount the winch on all four sides of the apparatus.

On the arrival of Engine 1 and Medic 1 (Riverview Station), they were assigned to patient care. It was determined that the driver-side door would require removal to extricate the occupant. With the arrival of Rescue 3 (Lake Jennings Station), the car was stabilized on the hillside with a winch and hydraulic tools were used to provide access to the patient.

The vehicle came to rest on the edge of a steep canyon.

The patient was transported to Sharp Memorial Trauma Center in Kearny Mesa for further care. The accident is being investigated by CHP. A total of 13 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident assisted by 3 personnel from the Poway Fire Department.

KGTV Link

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

Lakeside Fire Welcomes Cub Scout Troop 387

Lake Jennings-

The crew from Lakeside Fire Station #3 got to spend the evening with Cub Scout Troop 387 (Lakeside). This is great opportunities to deliver a safety message covering topics from fire safety to the use of the 911 system. As always, the Scouts had some really great questions about the daily job of the firefighters. During their visit they got to see the equipment on Engine and Rescue 3, look over the specialized medical gear on Medic 3, and tour the fire station.

It was great time.......come back soon!

Firefighter-Paramedic Justin Loffredo discusses the equipment used by paramedics.

Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams shows the troop the unique tool on Rescue 3.

The kids get an introduction to the hydraulic rescue tools used in vehicle extrications.

Captain Mark Grow demonstrates the safety gear used in structural firefighting.

Firefighter-Paramedic Eric Stamm has a safety discussion with the group.

Lakeside Cub Scout Troop 387

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow
Photos By: Fire Engineer Steve Schleif

Way to Go Lakeside....!

Lakeside, CA -

On the morning of October 25, 2011,  Lakeside Firefighters hit the streets selling the Kid's NewsDay newspaper in support of patients and families at the Rady Children's Hospital. Crews went to three different locations in Lakeside, Glenview, and the Lake Jennings area. This year's event was coordinated by Fire Engineer Chris Downing

Lakeside Firefighters Rich Smith, Josh Raczka, and Chris Williams at the intersection of Los Coches Rd and Highway 8 Business.

The crews were given until 9:30 a.m. to sell their allotment of newspapers but given the fantastic response by the community, most crews were out of papers by 8:30am.

Rich Smith makes it hard to say NO.

In many cases, people only wanted to contribute to the cause and refused the paper (to be sold later). Others contributed more than the $1 price of the paper. In the end, Lakeside Firefighters delivered $3249 to benefit Rady Children's Hospital!

Firefighter-Paramedic Jose Corona

Nobody is safe from the sales pitch.

The community has always responded to this fundraiser, making the job easy for us. Thanks for the support Lakeside....way to go!

After the Fire: Do You Know Who You're Dealing With?

In the aftermath of a structure fire the occupants are commonly approached by a number of "private contractors" who make claims that they are responding to the fire at the request of the "Fire Department" to start restoration services.This is a complete fabrication....! The Lakeside Fire Protection District has NO notification process for these services, nor do we maintain a relationship with any company for purposes of "fire restoration."

As always, the Lakeside Fire Protection District recommends that you contact your fire insurance company and follow their directions prior to signing, or making any type of agreement for these services.

Submitted By: Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Trash Truck Fire Creates a Big Mess for Lakeside Firefighters

Foster - On October 20, 2011, Lakeside firefighters responded to the area of Highway 67 and Vigilante Road for a reported "Large Vehicle Fire." Lakeside Battalion 1 (Barnes) arrived and discovered a full-sized semi tractor trailer rig with smoke showing from the cargo area. The driver was found in a safe location and confirmed the load as regular household waste (trash). On the arrival of Lakeside Engines 2 and 3, firefighters laddered the trailer and confirmed a deep-seated fire in the trash load.

Past experience with these types of fires dictated that the load be dumped out and the fire accessed from the ground. A representative from nearby Daily Disposal offered-up his yard for the load to be dumped in. Once on the ground, the trash fire was quickly extinguished.

Thanks to Daily Disposal for the use of their yard, bobcat and water tender. It was a great help in taking care of this fire.

Lakeside firefighters assess the situation.

A ground ladder helps firefighters make access.

A couple of "locals" offer to help out!

Story and Photos Submitted by: Acting Battalion Chief Wesley Barnes, Lakeside Fire District.

Lakeside Firefighters Respond to Truck Accident on Wildcat Canyon Road

Wildcat Canyon - On the morning of October 19, 2011, Heartland Fire Communications dispatched Lakeside and Barona firefighters for a reported large delivery truck that had rolled-over on Wildcat Canyon road near Stelzer Park. Lakeside Battalion 1 (Tockstein) was first on-scene assuming "Wildcat IC" and reporting a 2-ton delivery truck that had left the roadway on the west-side of Wildcat Canyon Road and had rolled onto its side. The vehicle sustained major damage and a heavy tow truck was requested. Firefighters arriving on scene encountered the driver who had self-extricated from the wreckage. Lakeside firefighter/paramedics treated the single patient and transported him to Sharp Memorial trauma center in San Diego.

It was subsequently discovered that the truck's fuel tank was leaking diesel fuel. A HazMat response was requested and San Diego County HazMat, San Diego County Roads, and a private cleanup firm eventually responded. It took nearly three-hours to mitigate this incident with the truck finally being pulled-off the embankment by the tow company. Traffic on Wildcat Canyon Road was backed up for miles due to the need for a lane closure.

This incident is a great example of how the fire service uses the Incident Command System to manage numerous numbers and types of resources from several different agencies in order to successfully mitigate a complex incident.

Responding resources included: E1, R3, M1, B1 (Lakeside); E27, B8 (Barona); San Diego County HazMat and Roads; Private tow and cleanup companies; CHP.

Delivery truck sustained major damage.

Lakeside Firefighters Nate Fox and Ian Lowe Work on the damaged truck.

Story and Photos submitted by: Captain Wesley Barnes, Lakeside Fire District.

Lakeside Firefighters are "Passionately Pink for the Cure"

Lakeside, Ca. - This October, you may notice that the Lakeside firefighter's uniform t-shirt looks a little different. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lakeside Firefighters have gone "Passionately Pink for the Cure." This nationwide fundraising effort is coordinated between affiliates of the International Association of Fire Fighters and Susan G. Komen for the Cure ®. A portion of the price for each shirt sold to firefighters is donated to this important cause. Lakeside firefighters will be wearing the shirts on-duty throughout the month of October.

Lakeside firefighters are "Passionately Pink for the Cure."

Story and Photo Submitted by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District

Multi-Agency Response Holds Vegetation Fire to Half Acre

Glenview-

On Thursday, October 13th, 2011 at 7:50am, the Heartland Communications Center started to receive multiple calls about a vegetation fire in the area of Highway 8 Business and Aurora Drive. The initial response included engines from Lakeside, El Cajon, and CalFire.

Firefighters from Lakeside and CalFire stop forward fire spread on Division Zulu.

On the arrival of Battalion 1 (Laff) a "large spot" of heavy vegetation was burning up slope through an open field that lies between the interstate and Highway 8 Business. Additional brush engines and aerial support was requested. This sent additional equipment from Lakeside, San Miguel Fire Districts, and Copter 10 and 12.

Initially progress was slow due to steep terrain, but crews later used ladders to access the fire area. Although weather conditions were ideal for a fire, the lack of winds kept the fire spread to a minimum. Eventually crews were able to stop forward progress at a half acre. Crews were then tasked with cutting a fire control line around the perimeter.

Witnesses were able to identify a suspect in connection with the fire. Sheriff deputies arrested the suspect near the scene.

Dispatched Lakeside units: E3 (Lake Jennings), BR26 (Blossom Valley), B1, BR2 (Eucalyptus Hills), 4103, El Cajon units: E8 (Madison Ave), CalFire units: 3382 (Flinn Springs), San Miguel units: BR23 (Dehesa Rd).

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

What are Divisions?

Divisions are geographical segments of a vegetation fire. Breaking the fire down into these smaller segments makes managing the fire more effective as the Incident Commander only needs to communicate with a limited number of managers. As the fire grows in size additional Divisions can be assigned.

Typically when an initial commander pulls up to the fire the left flank is known as Alpha, while the right flank is called Zulu....