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 Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 2:50 PM, 9 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 6 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Rehab Tender, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 64 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Ralph Ramirez, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 485 Halvern Drive in the Los Angeles community of Brentwood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find smoke showing from the improved attic of a 6,513 square-foot two-story single family home undergoing a major remodeling.

Met by contractors who had been overseeing a plumbing upgrade, firefighters soon learned that a torch being used by a plumber had ignited construction materials within the walls and soon spread to the fully finished 'third-level' attic in the central portion of the expansive home.

With all construction workers safe and accounted for, comprehensive salvage efforts were swiftly undertaken as firefighters extended handlines to battle stubborn fire in concealed spaces throughout the 70 year-old non-fire sprinklered home.

Strategic vertical ventilation helped curtail the spread of fire, as firefighters used thermal imaging devices to find and abate the rapidly spreading fire.

The relentless effort of firefighters confined flames to the central portion of the home, with the blaze fully extinguished in just 59 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $352,000 ($350,000 structure & $2,000 contents). The cause of this mid-afternoon blaze is categorized as accidental.

(photos)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Plumber's Torch Sparks Stubborn Brentwood Blaze

On Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 10:58 AM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 2 Division Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Dozer Team, 1 Utility Resource under the direction of Assistant Chief T. Manning responded to a TRENCH RESCUE at 602 N. Palisades Dr. in Pacific Palisades.

Firefighters responded to a three story below grade single family dwelling, where reports of a person buried under an unknown amount of dirt was trapped. As crews quickly assessed the scene, they discovered that an individual who later was described as a 24 year old male, had been working in an 8x8 11 ft trench. The worker who apparently was attempting to water proof the area, was the victim of an unexpected cave in, just prior to the 911 call.

All personnel worked diligently and swiftly to try and dig out the man, but the un-shored, large amounts of dirt and the depth hole proved to be extremely challenging. With an already heavy amount of resources and equipment on scene, a request was made to call in three LAFD USAR Teams in an effort to expedite the rescue operation. A crew had to breach a nearby retaining wall to try and gain access to the victim. Despite the prompt efforts of the Los Angeles Firefighters and Paramedics, the injured male succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

It took 86 fire personnel and rescuers a little over five hours to completely recover the body of the worker. CAL –OSHA will continue an investigation as to what caused the incident, but the exact time and manner of death will be determined by the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office.



Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Worker Dies After Being Trapped Under Dirt

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

The Los Angeles Fire Department is investigating a string of suspicious fires in the Venice area over the past month that may be the work of an arsonist.

City officials are asking local residents to report any suspicious activity and to take common-sense precautions to prevent fires near their homes.

According to Bill Rosendahl, Councilman for the Venice area, "We are determined to keep Venice safe by working together with the community; we will apprehend and arrest the person or persons responsible."

These fires have started as outside fires, mostly in areas such as automobiles, fences and rubbish, but some have extended into a structure, according to Fire Department officials.

The Los Angeles Fire Department Arson Investigators interviewed two individuals in relation to these fire incidents. Currently, no suspects are in custody.

The lead agency is the Los Angeles Fire Department, working in conjunction with the Los Angeles Police Department, Council Member Rosendahl’s office and other allied agencies, including the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Fire officials urge residents to be on alert for suspicious activity. The LAFD recommends that residents lock all vehicles, secure gates and garages, and place rubbish in cans and secure trash cans behind closed or locked fences.

Residents should immediately call 9-1-1 should they discover an active fire; residents are also urged to call the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section office directly at 213-485-6095 to report suspicious activity or to relay information about any of the recent fires.


Submitted by Captain Tina Haro, Public Information Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Public Help Sought in Battling Suspicious Venice Fires

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 Tuesday, August 11, 2009 at 5:15 AM, 20 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 4 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 2 Rehab Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 135 Los Angeles Firefighters, as well as one civilian CERT Coordinator under the command of Deputy Fire Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 11925 Santa Monica Boulevard in West Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from the upstairs rear of a modern two-story 'L' shaped 'strip mall' of commercial businesses.

With fire suddenly through the roof, firefighters used power and hand tools to force entry into the smoke-charged businesses. Fire teams found intensly entrenched flames in the recesses of a first floor restaurant, extending through a massage and skin care firm above.

With the expertise of firefighters performing vertical ventilation, the horizontal spread of the fire was soon stemmed, as firefighters fought the stubborn blaze on two floors beneath them.

Despite structural compromise and seemingly unyielding fire, the flames were confined to the structure of origin and extinguished in just 53 minutes.

There were no injuries.

Though not in imminent peril, two occupants of an adjacent building to the east were found to have been sleeping in their business. Awakened by firefighters, they were safely escorted from the scene.

Loss to the heavily damaged Yekta Restaurant and Wat Po Thai Spa Massage above, as well as the adjacent El Super Taco and Monte Alban Restaurant, is still being tabulated.

The cause of this pre-dawn blaze remains under active investigation.

(photos) (video) (video)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey and Devin Gales, Spokesmen
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Predawn Fire Damages West L.A. Strip Mall

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

On Wednesday, July 8, 2009 at 12:44 PM, 67 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 2 Rehab Units, 3 Helicopters, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Water Tenders, 3 Dozer Teams, 10 Brush patrols, 2 Rehab Tenders, along with the assistance of L.A.County Fire, Santa Monica Fire, Culver City Fire, Beverly Hills Fire under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Brush Fire at 1200 Getty Center Dr.in Brentwood.

Firefighters arrived to find a small column of smoke coming from the hills near the Getty Center Museum. Fire crews encountered several acres of burning brush with no structures immediately threatened. Although they experienced some difficulties due to the steep terrain as well as the over 40-50 year old dead/dense brush, they continued to attack the blaze utilizing all the resources on hand.

Additional resources were called in and strategically placed in a variety of locations throughout the area, in an attempt to control the perimeter of the fire.

Over 380 Firefighters were deployed over the course of three days before full control over the flames was achieved. 80 acres were consumed by this fire, however due to favorable weather conditions and an aggressive, well coordinated air and ground attack, they were able to declare full containment early on the third day.

Although this fire lasted three days, there was only one Firefighter who sustained a minor injury with no reported injuries to Civilians or animals. The cause of the blaze is reported to be accidental, attributed to a weed Abatement tool during an operation.


Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 80 Acres Of Brush Are Consumed Near Getty Center

On Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 7:41 PM, 17 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 8 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Emergency Air Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 3 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 128 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel, as well as one CERT Coordinator, all under the direction of Assistant Chief Jeffrey S. Mottram responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 11666 West Goshen Avenue in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the top floor of a 3-story apartment building.

Swiftly extending handlines, firefighters did fierce battle within the two-story unit, preventing the flames from spreading to other parts of the densely built and non-fire sprinklered wood-clad structure.

The fire was confined to the unoccupied apartment of origin and extinguished in just 53 minutes.

During the intense attack on the flames, a Fire Captain sustained severe but non-life threatening muscular injury, and remains hospitalized pending surgical consultation.

While seeking to recover and preserve the resident's personal property from the charred unit, firefighters discovered the remains of one pet cat that succumbed at the scene.

Though another cat was initially believed to have perished in the flames, the formerly missing feline was found later in the neighborhood with serious burn injuries. A community based effort is now underway to support the care and rehabilitation of 'Dokes'. See his Facebook page or call (310) 473-2951.

Monetary loss from the fire is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to a combustible item left on or near the stove.

(video)

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Firefighter Injured, Cat Perishes in Brentwood Blaze

On Monday, April 13, 2009 at 3:38 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 6 Arson Units, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 38 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Randy Beaty, responded to a Structure Fire with Civilian Fatality at 12026 Benmore Terrace in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy fire showing from the upper "street level" floor of a 2-story terraced hillside home.

Aided by precise vertical ventilation, firefighters made an aggressive interior attack on the blaze, confining the fire to the upper floor and extinguishing the flames in just 28 minutes.

During a methodical search of the 3,234 square-foot residence, firefighters discovered the body of an elderly male. Beyond medical help, he was declared deceased at the scene.

No other injuries were reported.

The presence of smoke alarm(s), their functional status and role at the time of the fire could not be immediately determined. There were no window security bars or obvious non-fire factors to impede egress. The 56-year old home was not equipped with fire sprinklers.

A positive identification of the dead man, as well as the precise cause, time and manner of his death will be determined by the Coroner's Office.

Monetary loss from the fire has been estimated at $1,750,000 ($1,500,000 structure & $250,000 contents). The cause of this early morning blaze remains the focus of a joint Police and Fire Department investigation.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Man Found Dead at Scene of Brentwood Fire

On Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 2:37 PM,7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Hazardous Materials Teams,1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, L.A. County Health Haz Mat and LAPD Haz Mat, under the direction of Battalion Chief Peter Benesch, responded to a Hazardous Materials Incident at 2210 S. Barry Av. in the Sawtelle area.

Firefighters responded to reports of a hazardous material spill at a commercial business. When Firefighters arrived, they found 25 to 30 employees of the business self evacuating and were promptly taken to a safe location. Further investigation revealed the company, Barry Avenue Plating Company, had contaminated soil in the process of being removed from the property. Approximately 200 gallons of Calcium Polysulfide, used in preparing the soil for removal, was accidentally spilled. The chemical is not used in plating operations.

A Haz Mat entry team deemed the material to be static and contained in a 20 foot by 10 foot containment pool. Readings were taken and no atmospheric hazard was found. The incident was downgraded and turned over to L.A. County Health Haz Mat to oversee the proper clean-up and removal of the material.

52 Firefighters were utilized during the incident. No residential evacuations were necessary, but Olympic Boulevard was shut down between Barrington Avenue and Federal Avenue for the duration of the incident.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Accidental Spill Evacuates 30 From Local Business