On Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 3:58 PM, 11 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 79 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Robert Willcox, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 15739 Romar Street in North Hills.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find a heavily modified detached garage to the rear of a one-story single family home well involved with fire. The burning structure, haphazardly converted over time into a two-story living quarters, had fire through the roof soon after firefighters arrival.

© Photo by Rick McClure. Click to view more...
With flames threatening nearby homes, firefighters navigated clutter and storage - as well as an empty swimming pool obscured by smoke, that was built close enough to limit ground ladder placement.

As their colleagues mounted a fierce attack on the flames, firefighters provided medical care to a 65 year-old male resident suffering from smoke exposure and a small burn injury. In fair condition, he was transported by LAFD Paramedics to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

The firefight proved challenging due to the highly compartmentalized nature of the structure, as well as pack-rat conditions within. It took the exhausting effort of 79 firefighters more than one-and-a-quarter hours to fully extinguish the flames. Many hours more were spent overhauling debris.

Despite the team effort of firefighters, one pet canine could not be found during or following the blaze, and is believed to have perished in the intense fire fueled by an abundance of interior storage.

The presence and functional status of legally required smoke alarms could not be immediately determined. The heavily modified building was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers, and suffered severe fire damage.

The fire was limited to the structure of origin. Loss from the blaze is estimated at $290,000 ($200,000 structure & $90,000 contents). The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(photos) (photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Man Injured, Dog Perishes in Swift-Moving North Hills Fire
On Monday, June 28, 2010 at 2:49 PM, 18 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Arson Unit, 3 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 LAFD Water Tender, 1 LAFD Handcrew, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 2 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, a total of 110 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Michael Little, responded to a Brush Fire adjacent to the northbound lanes of the San Diego (405) Freeway north of Skirball Center Drive in the Sepulveda Pass near Sherman Oaks.

© Photo by Mike Meadows. Click to view more...
Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly by ground and air to discover a half-acre of volatile vegetation burning east of the freeway.

With the assistance of California Highway Patrol Officers cordoning off a lane of the busy interstate, firefighters swiftly anchored the flames as fire spread uphill and eastward toward homes.

A well coordinated air and ground assault brought the terrain driven fire under control in just 53 minutes, but not before the fire had charred nearly two acres of grass and brush.

The swift arrival of LAFD water-dropping helicopters, combined with nearby resident's compliance with strict City of Los Angeles brush clearance regulations, prevented any homes from being damaged.

There were no injuries.

The fire was determined to be criminal in nature. Thanks to a cooperative effort by Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Los Angeles Police Department and California Highway Patrol, a suspect was identifed and arrested for Arson of Wildland.

The suspect, a 51 year-old male transient, was taken into custody and booked for the felony charge(s) by Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section. Bail was set at $75,000.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Arson Suspect Arrested Following Sepulveda Pass Brush Fire
Electric Daisy Carnival 2010. Click to learn more...
During the June 25-26, 2010 Electric Daisy Carnival, a large rave-type music and entertainment event at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, dozens of strategically placed LAFD personnel responded to 226 on-site medical emergencies and coordinated transport of 114 persons to area hospitals, mostly through the use of event-contracted commercial ambulance services.

No specifics are presently available regarding the age, gender, condition or affiliation of the ill and injured.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is not offering an official attendance estimate for the two-day gathering, and was not made aware of any pre-hospital loss of life associated with the event.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - LAFD Responds to 200+ Emergencies at 2010 Electric Daisy Carnival in Los Angeles
America’s most famous immigrant, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, will join Haiti recovery activist and Oscar winner Sean Penn in honoring CNN anchor Anderson Cooper at the LA Press Club’s Journalism Awards Gala Dinner, on June 27, 2010 in the Crystal Room of the Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel.

LAFD Captain Jim Perry (1939-2009). Click to learn more...
LAFD Captain Jim Perry (1939-2009 )
This year’s awards show is dedicated to the memory of Los Angeles Fire Captain Jim Perry, a "firefighter’s firefighter" and a longtime supporter of both the awards and the Los Angeles Press Club.

"This star-studded night is a celebration of quality journalism," said incoming Press Club President Will Lewis, adding that the award ceremony "Serves as an inspiration for journalists who continue to uncover stories that matter."

Cocktails and Silent Auction begin at 5:00 PM, with Dinner and the Awards Program commencing at 6:00 PM. For additional information, call (323) 669-8081 or visit:

lapressclub.org


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - 52nd Annual SoCal Journalism Awards Dinner to Honor LAFD Legend Jim Perry
Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section have released dramatic unedited video of vandals and arsonists attacking a taxi in Los Angeles following the June 17, 2010 NBA Finals.


If you have information regarding those seen in this troubling video - especially the person(s) igniting and stoking the spread of flame, please call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section directly at (213) 485-6095.

Those with surveillance camera footage or personal camera and cellphone video of this and other acts of arson are encouraged to call LAFD Investigators.

You can help: Share this by e-mail, post a link via social media or embed the video (and our request) on your Facebook page, website or blog.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - LAFD Investigators Release Dramatic Arson Video
On Thursday, June 17, 2010 at 3:32 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 17 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 LAFD Brush Patrol Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 68 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Terry Manning, gathered for a Special Event Standby near the Staples Center arena at 1111 South Figueroa Street in the Convention Center District of Los Angeles.

In the seventh and decisive game of the NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious against the Boston Celtics.

In the 3 hours that followed the game, 68 strategically deployed Los Angeles Firefighters responded to 37 incidents within a one-half mile tactical area surrounding Staples Center.

LAFD incidents included 15 rubbish fires, 1 vegetation fire, three vehicle fires and 18 medical aid requests for persons ill or injured. A total of 8 persons were taken by Fire Department ambulance to area hospitals.

The age, gender, condition and affiliation of patients, as well as the circumstances of their illness and/or injuries was not immediately available.

The lawless behavior of some celebrants following the game remains under investigation by Los Angeles Police Department officials.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - LAFD Battles Fire and Renders Aid Following Lakers Victory
Click to visit LAFD.ORG
The Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to announce the recently revamped website LAFD.ORG

The new LAFD.ORG was created to share Fire Chief Millage Peaks vision of an appealing portal where members of the Department and those they serve can easily obtain information.

The recently updated LAFD.ORG, which is presently separate from the LAFD News & Information blog, completely replaces earlier on-line content.

The modern and improved LAFD.ORG is made possible by a small and dedicated team that includes:
  • Captain Johnny Green
  • Firefighter Phil Bowdoin
  • Programmer Analyst III Giselle Federis
  • Senior Systems Analyst II Oscar Barrera
  • ..and Carlo Abrantes of the City's Information Technology Agency.
Please take a moment to visit LAFD.ORG, and then kindly return to share your comments and suggestions below.

NOTE: Your suggestions and observations (which you are welcome to make anonymously) will be provided directly to Captain Green and his LAFD.ORG development team.
READ MORE - Los Angeles Fire Department Unveils New Website
On Friday, June 11, 2010 at 11:00 AM, 36 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 16 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 1 Helicopter, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 248 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as Los Angeles County Fire Department staff responding in Mutual Aid, all under the direction of LAFD Deputy Chief Mario Rueda, responded to a Major Emergency Industrial Fire at 900 East Slauson Avenue in South Los Angeles.

© Photo by Mike Meadows. Click to view more...Responding to numerous cell phone callers providing non-specific information regarding one or more explosions and a well-established fire, Los Angeles Firefighters quickly arrived at United Alloys and Metals to find heavy fire at an industrial facility known for processing titanium and super alloy scrap.

Firefighters came to the immediate aid of a worker critically injured by an earlier explosion and fire, as they brought huge volumes of water to bear upon intense flames encompassing a 150' x 100' area that included titanium shavings in large bins and containers.


Despite the challenge of subsequent explosions and resultant precautions, the first arriving 160 firefighters were able to tame the blaze in just 2 hours and 22 minutes.

Along with the critically injured civilian, one Los Angeles Police Officer suffered a minor injury during the course of the fire. Both were taken to an area hospital by LAFD Ambulance.

The ensuing investigation and stabilization of the scene kept scores of Los Angeles Firefighters on site for more than 24 hours.

Monetary loss from the blaze is still being tabulated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(photos)


Submitted by Cecil Manresa and Brian Humphrey, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Massive Fire and Explosions Rock South L.A. Metal Processing Firm
The Los Angeles Fire Department's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section is actively investigating a series of eight intentionally set fires that occurred in Northridge in the early morning hours of June 10, 2010.


View Larger Map with Detailed Information (or click, grab & zoom the map above!)

The fires, which primarily consisted of rubbish or small vegetation, occurred between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM.

Four similar fires that occurred in the area during April, at first considered a random spree of arson, are now being investigated as work of the same arsonist.

LAFD Investigators are urging residents to be alert for suspicious activity, and to minimize the threat of arson by abating dry vegetation, trash and debris. Property owners are also encouraged to use outdoor lighting, lock vehicles and place rubbish within covered trash cans in well-secured areas to curtail the possibility of arson.

The investigation into these purposely set fires is being led by the LAFD's Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section, working closely with officers from the Los Angeles Police Department's Devonshire Community Police Station.


Anyone witnessing active fire, fire-setting or imminent danger to life and property is encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately.

Those with information about this arson spree or other suspicious fires, should call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section office directly at (213) 485-6095.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Public Help Sought in Battling Northridge Arson Fires
On Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 7:42 PM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 23 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Chris Kawai, responded to rescue riders stranded on a Ferris wheel at 1521 North Highland Avenue in Hollywood.

© Photo by Mike Meadows. Click to view more...Summoned by carnival operators who had established a short-term presence on the athletic field at Hollywood High School, Los Angeles Firefighters arrived to find ten persons stranded in the open air seats of a twin Ferris wheel that had suddenly become inoperative.

Immediately assuring the temporary amusement ride was stable and the riders informed and uninjured, firefighters conferred with technicians who had recently assembled and were operating the 85 foot high device.

Delicately using a Fire Department aerial ladder in a crane-like fashion, firefighters extracted riders one-at-a-time, gently lowering them with an accompanying LAFD rescuer to the top of an adjacent cargo trailer. The 100-foot capable ladder was then repositioned to repeat the operation.


The calm and orderly effort took more than two hours, and occurred without physical injury. The three adults and seven children declined medical treatment or transportation.

Temporary amusement rides in California are operated under the auspices of the State's Department of Industrial Relations.

(photos) (video) (video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Firefighters Rescue Ten Stranded on Hollywood Ferris Wheel
On Saturday, June 5, 2010 at 11:34 AM, 41 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 12 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Foam Tender, 2 Dozer Tenders, 2 Loaders, 2 Transports, 2 Emergency Lighting Units under the direction of
Assistant Chief Mark Stormes responded to a Major Emergency Fire at 1903 N. Blinn Av. in Wilmington / Harbor City.

Firefighters arrived to find a huge black column of smoke rising straight in the air from a very large complex. Further assessment revealed an outside fire which had extended throughout a 25' by 100' pile of scrap metal. The Incident Commander quickly called for additional resources to the facility doing business as a Pick-Your-Part Auto Yard. Ladder pipes, wagon batteries, and portable monitors, capable of delivering copious amounts of water were placed in operation to attack the bulk of the flames.

Even with personnel on hand, water and equipment, the fire grew in intensity due to the increasingly difficult task of reaching the seat of the fire. The pile, being the size of a football field, spread fast as more resources were soon dispatched to the incident to continue the fight. Firefighters were leading a fierce attack on the flames, when two tanks housing gas and oil were reported to be in the path of the fire. Crews were able to prevent them from catching fire.

With a swift and well-coordinated transition, firefighters went into "defensive tactics" utilizing all available heavy stream appliances and master streams appliances at the scene. Class A foam was introduced to protect all sides of the incident, with even more resources added to the fight. Crews raced to surround the flames, as the water supply in the area was quickly reaching maximum levels.

After several hours, the difficult fire continued to burn, causing great concern for nearby residence that had to endure large amounts of smoke. Fire crews worked tirelessly but vigorously to achieve a knockdown, which wouldn't come till the following day. Additional bulldozers were requested to dismantled the pile and finally reach the seat of the fire.

Over 250 LAFD personnel (at the peak of the incident) extinguished the stubborn blaze in 32 hours & 10 minutes. 50 firefighters remained on scene throughout the night, into the third day to prevent rekindling and to ensure safety. A total of 425 firefighters were actively involved in this incident lasting nearly two full days.

Happily only 1 civilian & 1 firefighter suffered non-life threatening injuries on 6-05, both were treated and expected to fully recover. No structures were directly damaged as a result of the event. The cause of the blaze is listed as accidental and estimated dollar loss are still yet to be determined.

Submitted by Devin Gales,Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - LAFD Battles Large Fire In Scrap Yard
The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department warmly welcome you to join them this Tuesday, June 8, 2010 for a very special evening at the Avalon Hollywood.

Plan to be alongside us for a star-studded evening that benefits both the LAFD Fallen Firefighters Memorial and the Los Angeles Police Department Memorial Foundation.

Our celebrity host Dan Aykroyd will set the stage for a fun and exciting evening that begins with a silent auction at 7:00 PM, followed by an 8:00 PM live performance by an All-Star 24-piece Jazz Orchestra fronted by none other than Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane.

The fun continues into the night.

The Avalon Hollywood is in the heart of Hollywood at 1735 North Vine Street, and you couldn't find a better time or reason to be there.

So spread the word by sharing this event flyer - and set aside just one night to help us honor our personal heroes: The spouses, orphans and loved ones of those who have paid the ultimate price.

For ticket information, please click here or visit:

avalonhollywood.com


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
READ MORE - Dan Aykroyd & Seth MacFarlane Headline Hollywood Concert for L.A. Police & Fire Department Charities

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