Pending favorable weather, the Los Angeles Fire Department will conduct a pair of 'live fire' training exercises early the next two mornings at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). These special drills for firefighters are scheduled to occur between 3:00 AM and 6:00 AM PST on Wednesday, December 8 and Thursday, December 9, 2010.

There are no provisions for media or public access.

Historically, smoke from this Federally mandated training has been visible more than 30 miles from the airport. We wish to emphasize there is no cause for public alarm.

Federal Aviation Regulation Part 139 requires all Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) personnel to attend a live fire training drill at least once per year.

LAFD Airport Rescue Fire Fighters serving at LAX and Van Nuys Airport use Los Angeles International Airport's $3.75 million state-of-the-art training facility to hone their lifesaving skills. This training site, located at the southwest corner of the 5.6 square mile airport grounds, was built using airport funds. It is designed to support the rigorous demands of the Los Angeles Fire Department while meeting strict aviation and environmental regulations.

Before commencing these live fire drills, LAFD members carefully monitor climate conditions. Drills are conducted in strict adherence to standards designed to maximize safety and minimize environmental concerns. These factors are confirmed with the LAX Control Tower before the final 'go-ahead' is given.

These periodic live fire drills at LAX generally take place between 3 and 6 AM, but may be postponed at the last minute due to abrupt changes in climate or as a result of Fire Department or aviation concerns.

 
We are pleased to note that all water, fuel and firefighting foam used at this LAX training facility is captured. After going through a complex series of 'scrubbers', water is tested to assure it meets strict clean water standards before being discharged to the Hyperion Treatment Plant.

Passengers and air crews should use LAX and Van Nuys Airports with confidence, knowing that highly trained members of the LAFD are always ready to protect them.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Training at Los Angeles International Airport

On Thursday, July 1, 2010 at 6:06 PM, 2 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 1 LAFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Michael Bowman responded to a Plane Crash at 1233 East Rose Avenue in Venice.

LAFD Firefighter/Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls reporting that a small plane had crashed near the eighth hole of Penmar golf course in the city of Venice.

Firefighters on scene quickly made their way to the downed aircraft and discovered only one person was on board of the Cessna 152. That person, a male adult, was declared dead on the scene. No one on the ground was injured or killed.

The heavily damaged aircraft did not catch fire and leaked only a small amount of fuel. Monetary loss is estimated at $150,000 for the aircraft and $1,000 for damage to the golf course.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by the FAA, NTSB and LAPD along with a variety of other regulating bodies. A positive identification of the deceased male, as well as the cause, time and manner of his death will be determined by the Coroner's Office.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Plane Crashed on Golf Course, 1 Man Found Dead

On Tuesday, February 23, 2010 at 5:09 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 34 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Ron Leydecker, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Injuries at 3712 South Meier Street in Mar Vista.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover a neighbor assisting a 43 year-old female from a one-story single family home with the front well involved with fire.

With word that others remained trapped, firefighters commenced the successful rescue of an 11 year-old girl and a non-breathing 40 year-old male from the smoke charged 1,044 square-foot residence.

A team of LAFD Paramedics assisted the critically injured man, while their colleagues treated the lesser-injured girl and woman who both suffered from minor burns and smoke exposure. All three were taken by ambulance to Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center.

Swiftly extending hand-lines and performing vertical ventilation, firefighters fiercely battled the blaze preventing the spread to near by residences and extinguishing it in just 26 minutes.

A Smoke Alarm was present in the home, but its functional status and role in alerting occupants could not be immediately determined.

Though the building featured legally compliant window security bars equipped with internal release, the woman related challenge in activating them for egress.

The Los Angeles Fire Department along with other Fire-Safety organizations would like to remind citizens that Smoke Alarms are critical for the early detection of a fire in your home and could mean the difference between life and death. There should be a smoke alarm on every level of the home, in hallways near sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. Change all of your Smoke Alarm batteries when you change your clocks back to Standard Time on November 1, 2010.

While bars on windows do provide security, if they are not working properly they can prevent escape from a deadly fire. These quick release devices should be easy to open and it is imperative they are maintained. Families must plan and practice escape routes while remembering, "Once Out, Stay Out".

The 83-year old home was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

Monetary loss from the fire is currently being tabulated and the cause of this early morning blaze remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey and Erik Scott, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Mar Vista Blaze Injures Family of Three

On Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 4:55 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 4 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 36 Los Angeles Firefighters under the direction of Battalion Chief Edward Bushman, responded to a Trailer Fire With Civilian Injuries at 4133 South Redwood Avenue in the Venice area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover a 6' x 10' windowless trailer burning in the side yard of a single family home.

 According to witnesses, a man and woman in their mid-30's had been sleeping within the compact trailer when it erupted in flames.

Reportedly assisted from the fire by a male homeowner who came to their aid with a garden hose, the trailer occupants were free from the flaming vehicle but severely burned on firefighters arrival.

As LAFD personnel treated the critically injured pair - and assessed the needs of the uninjured homeowner, other firefighters quickly extinguished the trailer before flames could extend to the nearby one-story dwelling.

The burned man and woman - whose affiliation was not immediately known, suffered 3rd degree burns to their faces, arms and legs. In critical condition, they were transported by LAFD ambulance to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Westwood.

No other injuries were reported.

Though propane in or near the trailer is believed to have fueled the explosive flames, the specific cause of the fire remains under active investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Pair Suffers Critical Burns in Venice Trailer Fire

The early morning hours of December 4, 1984 were cool, quiet and peaceful for Los Angeles Airport Police Officers Joe Ransfer and Robert Lopez, on routine patrol of LAX and environs.

That was until about 4:50AM, when they were stunned to see flames piercing the roof of the one-story Proud Bird Restaurant not far from the airport's south runways.

As the Officers keyed their radio to request the first of 23 fire companies and eight rescue ambulances that would respond to the blaze, little could they imagine the commitment, bravery and unspeakable loss about to envelop the Los Angeles Fire Department in the coming minutes before dawn.

Before that December sun would rise, one Los Angeles Firefighter would succumb, a colleague would earn a Medal of Valor, four firefighters would be injured and an entire city would join a Fire Department in mourning.

Firefighter Benjamin Pinel never came home to his wife and 6 month old daughter that morning.

The sun has risen more than 9,000 times since - yet never have we forgotten this chapter in our history caused by the scourge of arson. We encourage you to learn more about that morning, 25 years ago today...

Benjamin Pinel's Last Alarm - The Proud Bird Restaurant Fire

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 25 Years Ago Today: Arson Blaze Takes the Life of Firefighter Ben Pinel

On Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 9:38 AM, 13 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 89 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as 1 Company of Los Angeles County Firefighters, all under the direction of LAFD Battalion Chief Michael Greenup, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3817 South Ocean Front Walk in the Venice area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived at a three-story beachfront condominium complex, to discover smoke showing from one of three attached units.


View Larger Map (you can also click, grab and zoom the pre-fire image above!)
Met by construction workers who had been renovating the one unoccupied dwelling, firefighters commenced a well-coordinated attack on the flames, which had taken ahold of walls on the ground floor parking area and extended vertically within the recesses of the two-story unit to its attic above.

Using thermal imaging cameras and strategic vertical ventilation, firefighters greatly minimized the horizontal spread of the fire, sparing the two adjacent homes and extinguishing the stubborn flames in just 34 minutes.

No injuries were reported, and no one was displaced by the fire.

Loss to the 36 year-old wood frame and stucco building has been estimated at $200,000 ($150,000 structure & $50,000 contents). The cause of this mid-morning blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to construction activities.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighters Quell Flames at Venice Beach Condominium

On Monday, July 20, 2009 at 5:34 AM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 5 Arson Units, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Milage Peaks responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 8936 S. Sepulveda BL in Playa Del Rey.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke and fire coming from the second floor of a 2 story commercial building. Crews began an aggressive attack, deploying multiple hand lines on the ground while simultaneously providing vertical ventilation on the roof.

Even though some adjacent buildings were threatened, Firefighters were able to contain the fire to only one structure and saved a good portion of the building. It took 91 Firefighters 29 minutes to obtain a knockdown of the flames. There were no injuries reported to civilians or Firefighters.

The commercial building was doing business as a Medical Marijuana Dispensary. The exact cause of the fire is under investigation. The total dollar loss was estimated at $500,000 ($300,000 structure & $200,000 contents).

Submitted by Devin Gales/in behalf of Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Flames Erupt in a Medical Dispensary