Lakeside Firefighters Respond to Vehicle Fire with Extension to Residence

Lakeside, Ca-

Early on the evening on Thursday, May 17, 2012, Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a reported vehicle fire in front of a residence on Amato Drive in Lakeside. On the arrival of Engine 1 (Riverview fire station), firefighters observed that the vehicle fire had extended into the garage of the residence with an exposure to the second floor above. The Engine 1 Captain (Lowe) immediately requested a full structure assignment consisting of 3 additional engine companies, 1 truck company, 1 medic unit, and division chief.  The Engine 1 crew quickly extinguished the vehicle fire and made access to the garage, limiting further fire spread.  On the arrival of additional fire companies, crews assisted with salvage and overhaul operations checking the rest of the house for fire extension and protecting personal property.  The cause of the fire is under investigation and no injuries were reported.

Lakeside units assigned to this call were Engine 1, Engine 2, Medic 2, and Division 4103.  Other agencies assisting were San Miguel, Heartland Fire Rescue, and CAL Fire.

Vegetation Fire Marks the Beginning of Fire Season

Foster-

On Sunday, May 13, 2012, at 10:53 a.m., the Lakeside Fire Protection District received calls for a vegetation fire on Highway 67 midway up the Slaughterhouse Grade. Additional callers stated the fire was advancing up a hillside. Two structural engines, one brush engine, an ALS medic unit, and two staff officers were dispatched to the incident. In addition, CalFire sent a full response including aircraft to the fire.

The crew from Engine 2 and Medic 2 put in a hose lay in on the northern end of the fire.

Crews advance a hose lay up the perimeter on Division Alpha.

 On the arrival of Engine 2 and Medic 2 (Riverpark Fire Station), firefighters reported about a half-acre of light grass burning and advancing up an eastern facing slope next to the highway. Crews also had to deal with a number of spot fires near the main fire. Fortunately much of the fuel in the area is still alive, thus the fire was isolated to the light grass, resulting in a slower spread of the fire.

Copter 12 dropping water on Division Alpha

With the arrival of Brush 1 (Riverview Station) hose lays were established on both sides of the fire to control the forward advance. San Diego Copter 12 arrived and made a number of drops on the head of the fire stopping the up slope advance of the fire.

With the arrival of additional resources a final control line was placed around the fire and the entire burned area was overhauled. The final size of the fire was placed at about one acre. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

While not a major fire it is a reminder that fire season has arrived in the east county.

Lakeside Incident Commander: Division Chief Chuck Tockstein
Submitted By: Fire Captain Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

What Are Divisions?

To help manage fires they are broken down into geographic areas that are managed by a Division Leader. This provides for better management and accountability of personnel on the fire ground.   Typically the left side of the fire is designated Division Alpha, while the right side is given the designation of Division Zulu. As the fire grows additional divisions are added as needed.  

Lakeside Fire Fighters Battle Well-Involved Residential Fire

Firefighters stretch hoselines for fire attack.

Lakeside, CA-

Shortly after shift change on Tuesday morning, May 8, 2012,  Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a well-involved residential structure fire not far from the new River Park fire station on Lakeside Avenue.  Once enroute, Engine 2 reported to Heartland Dispatch and responding units that heavy smoke was visible from their quarters. Lakeside Division 4103 arrived and assumed Incident Command (IC) assigning incoming fire units to necessary tactical assignments . After laying over 700 feet of 4 inch supply line from the closest fire hydrant, Engine 2 was assigned fire attack, assisted by Engine 4 (Santee).  Shortly after making entry into the well involved structure fire, crews had to back out due to heavy fire conditions inside the large single family home.  After Santee Truck 4 arrived on scene and was able to cut some holes in the roof to ventilate much of the heat and smoke, fire crews where able to make entry once again and knock down the fire and extinguish it.

Santee Truck 4 performs roof ventilation operations.

The Truck 4 crew placing ground ladders.

After the Sheriff Bomb-Arson Investigators had finished their investigation, firefighters were able to finish overhauling the structure and removing anything that might cause the fire to reignite.  Once this labor intensive task was complete, crews were able to rehab with water, gatorade, and snacks provided by the Lakeside Logistics Volunteer Group.

Firefighters faced heavy smoke and fire conditions.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map

Lakeside Fire would like to acknowledge the timely assistance provided to us by our automatic aid partners during this challenging incident. Units assigned to this fire included: E1, E2, M2, 4103, 4105, 4106, 4140 (Lakeside); E4, T4, E5 (Santee); E6, E206 (El Cajon); E19, E21, LA23 (San Miguel); T27, 4803 (Barona); 4702 (Alpine).

Post By: Engineer/Paramedic Matthew Buzzell
Photos By: Firefighter/Paramedic Bryon Peters

Early Morning Fire Damages Garage

Lakeside, CA-

At 4:34 a.m., on the morning of May 4, 2012,  Lakeside firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire with multiple reports of smoke and fire in a multifamily residential complex on Summersun Lane . Responding from the Riverview fire station (fs1) just one block away, Engine 1 firefighters arrived just minutes later to face heavy fire coming from a garage unit with flames threatening the living space above it. San Diego Sheriff Deputies were on scene evacuating residents. Engine 1 initiated fire attack and was soon supported by personnel from Engine 2 and Medic 2 from the Riverpark fire station (fs2). San Miguel Engine 19 from their Bostonia fire station arrived next and was assigned to protect and check for fire extension in the adjoining living areas. Santee Engine 4 and Truck 4 from Cottonwood fire station 4 were right behind and they were put to work supporting the operation.

Lakeside Division Chief 4103 (Laff) took over Incident Command(IC) from Engine 1. El Cajon Battalion 3 (Snow) arrived to assume the role of Safety Officer. The fire was brought under control by the quick action of all fire personnel on scene. All fire units were on scene in less than ten minutes from the time of the initial dispatch. Fire damage was confined to the garage with minor smoke and water damage to the adjoining garage. Fire did not extend to any of the attached living areas.

The garage was a total loss.

Support Unit 4140 was requested by the IC to provide logistical support to the incident. Unit 4140, staffed by members of the newly established Lakeside Logistics Volunteer Group (LVG) arrived with cold water, coffee, and food for the firefighters, scene personnel, and the temporarily displaced residents.

Lakeside LVGs assist with incident support.

Members of the Sheriff Bomb/Arson unit were on scene to determine the origin. The cause of the fire is under investigation. SDG&E also responded personnel to secure the damaged gas and electric utilities. This incident is another example of the excellent cooperative efforts of multiple agencies to provide public safety to the citizens of Lakeside. Thank you to all who assisted.

Submitted by: Chuck Palmore, Lakeside Fire Captain
Photos by: Dennis Canfield, Lakeside LVG Member

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 Participate in 47th Annual Lakeside Western Days Parade

Lakeside:

Lakeside Firefighters on Saturday 4/21/2012, along with Lakeside Logistical Volunteer Group and Lakeside CERT members participated in the 47th annual Lakeside Western Days Parade.  The parade is put on by the Lakeside Chamber of Commerce each year to coincide with the Lakeside Rodeo which had it's 48th running this year.   The overall theme of the parade was "Lakeside; A Community Building Leaders."  The parade gave many organizations and groups in San Diego's East county the opportunity to highlight their cause.  The Chamber of commerce was awarding 7 trophies this year with categories ranging from a Community Trophy to the Grand Marshal award for the entry that had the best portrayal of Western Days.

E2 Leading the Parade with some bull horns for good measure

The fire department in Lakeside looks forward to the opportunity to participate in incidents such as the Western Days Parade.  These gatherings provide us the opportunity to show the citizens we serve some of the services we offer them.  This year the department entered the parade with the theme "A salute to our community volunteers".   Included this year in our parade entry was Engine 2 and Medic 2 from the new River Park Fire Station as well as our CERT  trailer and the support vehicle used by our LVG (Logistical Volunteer Group).

Medic 2 just behind E2

After the primary response vehicles came the support vehicles, which were operated by members of our Logistical Volunteer Group.  First up was the CERT trailer, which houses the equipment community members of the CERT team would use to aid the department  in the event of a large scale emergency.

Lakeside Utility 3 towing the CERT Trailer

Following the CERT Trailer was Support 4140, the vehicle used by Lakeside's Logistical Volunteer group.  The LVG are part of the Logistics Section of Lakeside fire and perform functions that support operations personnel (firefighters) with supply chain management, transportation of equipment and personnel, and many other logistics functions such as incident support.

Support 4140, the LVG Vehicle

Lakeside Fire thanks our volunteers who truly make our job easier.  If you would like to find out information on our volunteer programs please refer to the corresponding website for the volunteer program you are interested in.

Lakeside Reserve Firefighter Program

Lakeside Logistical Volunteer Group

Lakeside CERT

Story By: Captain Bernie Molloy, Lakeside Fire Protection District

Quick Action by Neighbors Limits Damage at Residential Fire

Lakeside, CA -

A fire on the porch of a residence was extinguished thanks to the quick action of neighbors in Lakeside on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Several nearby residents put water on the fire using a garden hose as Lakeside firefighters responded to the call. Upon arrival of firefighters from Lakeside's Riverview fire station (fs1), the fire was mostly knocked down. The crews from Lakeside Engine 1, Engine 2, and Medic 2 checked for fire extension into the residence and secured utilities to the home. Damage was limited to the porch and outside wall. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire damage was limited to the porch and outside wall.

View Incident Map 2012 in a larger map  

Story by: Captain Scott Culkin, Lakeside Fire District
Photo by: Engineer-paramedic Chris Downing, Lakeside Fire District

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