LAFD Battles Fire and Renders Aid Following Lakers Victory

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