Lakeside Engine 2 Responds To Power Lines Down

Eucalyptus Hills, CA -

Lakeside firefighters responded to a report of power lines down on Wednesday, April 11, 2012, in the area of Eucalyptus Hills Drive and Pinehurst Drive. Once in the reported area, the crew from Lakeside Engine 2 found that a Pepper tree had fallen onto the electric and telephone service loops of a private residence just west of the intersection. This caused the power pole supporting these lines to snap and drop the lines onto the ground and into the path of traffic on Eucalyptus Hills Drive.

Lakeside Firefighter directs traffic.

Once the Engine 2 captain surveyed the situation, a request was made for CHP and SDG&E to respond. Engine 2's personnel then isolated the incident and denied entry to civilians until the scene could be made safe by SDG&E.

An SDG&E linesman goes to work.

Story and Photos by: Lakeside Fire Engineer Carl Chiodo

Rescue on Ashwood Street

Lakeside-

On Wednesday, March 14, 2012, at 4:52 p.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls reference a traffic collision in the 10400 block of Ashwood Street. One structural pumper, one rescue company, and an ALS medic unit were dispatched to the scene. Enroute to the incident, additional information was received that one of the cars was overturned and the driver was trapped. The call was upgraded to a "rescue response" which brought a response from 4106 (Division Chief Kirkpatrick).

Firefighter-Paramedic Chris Williams works in the interior of the vehicle.

On the arrival of Engine 2 (Riverpark Fire Station), firefighters discovered a female occupant trapped in her badly damaged sedan. The crew accessed the vehicle and initiated medical care to the sole occupant. On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3 (Lake Jennings Fire Station), the car was stabilized and the process of disentanglement began.

As firefighters started with their initial plan, the patient complained that she was having additional pain with the movement of the car. Crews switched gears and elected to remove the back door and the back of the seat that she occupied. Crews were able to remove the victim with this procedure. New hydraulic rescue cutters, recently purchased with a grant, were used to cut through "new technology metals."

Firefighter-paramedics assessed the victim and determined that her injuries would require evaluation at Sharp Memorial Trauma Center. The patient was transported via Lakeside Medic 3.

The CHP is currently investigating the accident. A total of 9 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire Protection District
Photos By: Fire Captain Rick Dalldorf, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Lakeside Fire Department Promotes a Captain and Engineer

Lakeside:

At the Lakeside Fire Protection District Board Meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2012, Lakeside had a badge pinning ceremony for the department's two most recent promotions.  The district has recently promoted Engineer Ian Lowe to the position of fire captain and Firefighter/Paramedic Lance Buford to the position of engineer.  In the ceremony Fire Chief Andrew Parr, in front of a large crowd of citizens in attendance at the board meeting, gave some history on the positions Ian and Lance were being promoted into and what it takes to fill these positions.  

From left to right: Engineer Buford, Captain Lowe, Fire Chief  Parr

Captain Lowe joined the Lakeside Fire Protection District on November 6, 2000, as a firefighter/paramedic and was promoted to engineer in June of 2008.  During his 11.5 years with the department Ian has been involved in many projects including overseeing the the annual public open house .

Captain Lowe with his family

With his new role, Captain Lowe will be taking over the position of training captain for the department.  He is already hard at work sculpting future fire recruit candidates at the 22nd Heartland Fire Academy where he is one of the four lead instructors and acting as the Lakeside Fire training representative.  Captain Lowe is now assigned to station 1 on B-Division.

Engineer Buford was hired by Lakeside on March 30, 2002 also as a firefighter / paramedic.  He has spent the past 9 years working on both the engines and the ambulances in the district.  Lance holds the reputation of being one of the finest chefs on the department so it is not uncommon that when not performing his duties he creating something in the kitchen that is sure to put the rest of our dinner creations to shame.

Engineer Buford with his family and newest member of the Lakeside Fire family

In addition to his new role of fire engineer, Lance and his wife Melissa have  recently had their first child, something Lance is sure to find involves more wake-ups than the medic unit.  Engineer Buford is now assigned to Station 3 on C-Division, which is a great challenge for an engineer because of the variety of apparatus housed at Station 3.

Promotions within the Lakeside Fire protection District represent much more than time served.  On a department such as Lakeside, which has limited promotions due to the size of the district (4 stations),  promotions are filled based on a list that is established through a testing process.  These promotional tests occur once every two years for each position and have established minimum requirements to take the test based on the position the candidates are testing for.  With the high-driven nature of the firefighters of the Lakeside Fire Protection District, promotional exams are highly competitive affairs with crews studying and preparing for up to a year in advance of the test date.  The tests, though different for each position, entail written, manipulative, and interview components and take several days to complete.  Both Ian and Lance have demonstrated that they possess the skills and knowledge necessary to not only fill their positions but excel in them.  The Lakeside Fire Protection District is happy to have Captain Lowe and Engineer Buford here in Lakeside to serve the citizens of the district.

Photo and Story submitted by:  Captain/Paramedic Bernie Molloy

Morning Rollover on Hwy 67

Lakeside, CA -

On the morning of March 1, 2012, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a rescue traffic collision on southbound Hwy 67 just north of Slaughter House Canyon Road with reports of a trapped victim.  When Engine 2 and M2, from the Riverpark fire station, arrived on scene they found the driver had extricated himself out of the vehicle and only had minor injuries.  This incident was located on a high- speed blind corner; because of this hazard, Lakeside Engine 1 from the Riverview fire station was used up the road to help control the southbound traffic that was traveling rapidly through the accident scene.  In precarious locations such as this, preventing another traffic accident from happening in the same location while firefighters are working is of paramount importance to protect the first responders as well as the patients they are working on.

The vehicle after it was moved to its wheels by the tow truck.

As can be seen in the photos, this accident occurred on the same curve on Hwy 67 as that the accident the day before  in the north bound lanes.  This corner is extremely slick in wet weather conditions so we caution drivers to exercise extreme caution when traveling this section of Hwy 67 on rainy days.  The driver of the vehicle was not transported to a hospital, the cause of the accident is under investigation by CHP.

Damage to the front of the vehicle

Story and photos by: Captain / Paramedic Bernie Molloy

Rollover on Hwy 67 in Lakeside

On the morning of February 28, 2012, Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a reported rollover with trapped victims on Highway 67 just north of Slaughterhouse Canyon Road at the top of the grade.  While units were enroute, CHP arrived and confirmed that there were two trapped victims.  Lakeside Division Chief 4105 arrived and assumed 67 IC, reporting a pickup truck on its side with two patients inside. Lakeside Engine 2 and Medic 2 ( River Park station) were directed to stabilize the vehicle and assess the condition of the two patients. Engine 1 (Riverview station) and Rescue 3  (Lake Jennings station) arrived shortly after and were able to assist in quickly extricating both injured occupants. Lakeside firefighter-paramedics transported both victims to an area trauma center.

Lakeside Fire units on scene included 4105, Engine 1, Engine 2, Rescue 3, Medic 2, and Medic 3.    

Submitted by: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell 1B
Photo By: Captain Chuck Palmore 1C

Lakeside Firefighters Battle 2nd-Alarm Condo Fire

At 8:00 a.m. Sunday morning, February 26, 2012,  Lakeside Firefighters were dispatched to a multifamily residential fire with multiple reports of smoke and flames.  Upon leaving their nearby quarters, Lakeside Engine 2  reported a column of smoke was visible.  Battalion 8 (Kremensky) was the first unit on scene reporting smoke and flames showing from both floors of an occupied 2-story condominium.  Lakeside Engine 1 (Riverview station) was the first engine on scene followed shortly by Engine 2 (River Park station).  Firefighters quickly stretched handlines and attacked the fire, coordinating interior firefighting operations with outside vertical (roof) ventilation. A rapid response coupled with well-coordinated and aggressive firefighting limited direct fire damage to only the involved unit. Damage to adjacent units was limited to only smoke. One victim was transported by firefighter/paramedics to the local burn center with injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Lakeside firefighters were assisted on this challenging fire by our automatic-aid partners from Santee, El Cajon, San Miguel, and Barona. Units attending this incident included: E1, E2, E3, M2, and 4103 (Lakeside); E4, T4, R5 (Santee); E6, T6, B3 (El Cajon); E19 (San Miguel); B8 (Barona).

Smoke and fire showing from 2nd-story windows.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map 

Submitted By: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell 1B

LMS Opens A New Performing Arts Center

Today marked the long awaited opening of the Lakeside Middle School Performing Arts Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Members of the Lakeside Fire Department were invited to attend the event including Fire Chief Andy Parr, Fire Board Director Susan Conniry, and Engine Company 1.

Lakeside Union School District Board of Trustees President Keith Hildreth cuts the ribbon with Trustees Kevin Howe(retired Lakeside FD), Twila Godley and Gelia Cook assisting.

The school has been undergoing some major improvements that were officially declared open today. The focus of the project, which was started in 2008, is a state-of-the-art performing arts theater. Also included in the upgrades are a new office, new library, lunch area, and parking lots.

LMS Band and Show Choir performed to a full house during the ceremony.

Riverview Fire Station 1 has shared the Lakeside Middle School property and has enjoyed the daily sounds of laughter and happiness from its students for decades.

Lakeside Fire Board Director Susan Conniry with Captain Chuck Palmore and Firefighter Todd Welch.

The students and faculty were very excited and proud to unveil the new look and facilities to parents and the public. With the addition of the brand new performing arts center, Lakeside Middle School can boast to having one of the finest performing arts programs in San Diego County.

Driver Suffers Minor Injuries after Significant Vehicle Accident

Flinn Springs-

On Wednesday, February 8, 2012, at 8:15 a.m., the Lakeside Fire District received a report that a vehicle had come off of Interstate 8 and had come to rest in the rear parking-lot of a business in the 9400 block of Bond Ave. A structural engine, rescue company, ALS medic unit, and a division chief were dispatched to the incident.

Lakeside Fire personnel assess the driver for injuries, Damage to the vehicle suggest it rolled over at least once.

On the arrival of Rescue 3 and Medic 3, firefighters located a compact sedan that had rolled down the embankment from the eastbound lanes of Interstate 8 to a  parking area on Bond Ave. Crews made patient contact and discovered the occupant had only minor complaints of pain. Fortunately the occupant was wearing her seat belt which obviously factors into the fact there were no significant injuries.

The vehicle fortunately came to rest in some unoccupied parking spaces.

After assessment, the patient was transported in Medic 3 to Sharp-Grossmont Hospital for further evaluation. Currently CHP is investigating the accident.

A total of 9 Lakeside Fire personnel responded to the incident.

Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District