With their sensitive hearing, many household pets become terrified by fireworks.

In Los Angeles, it's not uncommon this time of year for firefighters to deal with persons bitten or injured by skittish animals or traffic collisions caused by wayward dogs, cats and horses.

While we encourage attendance at a professional fireworks show, it's best to leave your furry friends at home with someone to watch over them. In fact, now is a good time to prepare your home to safely harbor your pet from frightful sights and sounds associated with Independence Day celebrations.

- Make sure your pets are wearing proper identification - and consider a microchip. If your pet runs away due to fireworks, you'll have a better chance of recovering them if a sturdy, legible and accurate ID tag is worn.

- Contact your veterinarian for professional advice in preparing animals for the noisy days to come. For household pets, a quiet and well-secured room with soothing music and your pets favorite toy may be just what the doctor orders. If you’re having visitors over, consider keeping pets in a room that’s off-limits to guests, with plenty of water and food.

- Take a photograph of your pet and place the telephone numbers for your veterinarian and Animal Care and Control agency near your home phone and in your cell phone. In the event of an escaped animal or crisis, you can contact these professionals promptly for guidance.

- Even if your animals don’t seem upset by noise, they can still be harmed by burns, injuries and ingestions related to fireworks. Survey your property for hazards, and pay close attention to your pet for any signs of illness or injury.

Within the City of Los Angeles, our friends at the Department of Animal Services can be reached directly at (888) 452-7381 or by calling 3-1-1.

Should you experience an emergency that endangers human life or property and demands immediate attention, your Police or Fire Department may be contacted via 9-1-1.

Please join us in making sure that every member of your household celebrates safely!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Prepare and Protect Your Pets From Fireworks

On Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 10:01 PM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 32 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Rideout, responded to a Structure Fire at 2747 North Laurel Canyon Boulevard in the Hollywood Hills.

Los Angeles Firefighters arrived quickly to find fire showing from a one-story hillside home.

Forcing entry into the smoke-charged residence, firefighters quickly encountered household pets seeking to escape the blaze, and soon commenced an exhaustive search of the 1,288 square-foot building to find and rescue a half-dozen more animals in severe to extreme distress.

The fire was swiftly confined to the home's kitchen and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

The total of nine pets rescued from the burning home, including four dogs and five cats, were cared for by Los Angeles Firefighters, who soon determined that two dogs and two cats were beyond medical help.

Following more than a half-hour of on-scene care by firefighters, the two dogs and three cats who survived the blaze, were entrusted to the care of a responder from the Department of Animal Services.

No human injuries were reported.




Monetary loss to the 55 year-old home - unoccupied by humans at the time of the fire, is estimated at $110,000 ($75,000 structure & $35,000 contents). The cause of the late night blaze is categorized as electrical.

We were deeply touched by this video statement from the resident...



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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Los Angeles Firefighters Pull Nine Pets From Burning Hollywood Hills Home

On Monday, May 9, 2011 at 4:26 PM, 4 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 27 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief John Drake, responded to a Structure Fire at 6014 Farmdale Avenue in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke showing from a one-story single family home. Forcing entry, they encountered intense fire within the dining area and kitchen.

Simultaneous to their assault on the flames, firefighters performed a rapid yet thorough search of the 1,116 square-foot building - in zero visibility conditions, to discover and rescue a pair of lifeless pet dogs from the smoke-charged home.

While a relentless fire attack continued - and with no human patients found, teams of Los Angeles Firefighters, including Firefighter/Paramedics, began vigorous attempts at resuscitating the canines using every tool at their disposal, including specialized animal care supplies.

Within a few minutes, one of the pets was sadly determined to be beyond medical help, while the other was seen as clinging to life. The latter animal was provided unyielding care for nearly one-half hour by LAFD personnel, who transported the dog in a Fire Department vehicle to a nearby veterinary office.

Despite the combined effort of firefighters and a veterinarian, the dog succumbed soon after arrival at the animal hospital. It is believed that both pets died due to smoke exposure.

The fire was confined within the two rooms of origin and extinguished in just 17 minutes. No human injuries were reported. The 59 year-old home was not equipped with residential fire sprinklers.

Monetary loss from the fire has been estimated at $85,000 ($75,000 structure & $10,000 contents). The cause of this late afternoon blaze is categorized as electrical.

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Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Despite Extreme Firefighter Effort, Two Canines Perish in North Hollywood Fire

On Sunday, May 8, 2011 at 7:18 PM, the Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned to assist an animal in peril in the 5300 block of Elvira Road in Woodland Hills.


Neighborhood Firefighters arrived quickly to find a hawk entangled in fishing line strung between a tall tree and utility pole. An LAFD Ladder Truck joined the Engine Company in a delicate effort to rescue the raptor, by carefully extending an aerial ladder 40 feet beyond utility lines.

Firefighters cut the filament line - a possible remnant from a kite, to release the frightened animal. The hawk was gingerly placed in a lightweight sack to protect it from further harm, and entrusted to the care of a responder from the Department of Animal Services.

No persons were injured.

Those who encounter animals in distress in the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to call the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services at (888) 452-7381. Additional information on animal care and control can be found at:

laanimalservices.com

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Video: Firefighters Rescue Imperiled Hawk in Woodland Hills

On Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:19 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 3 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Heavy Rescue, 2 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 2 Swift Water Rescue Teams under the direction of Assistant Chief Tim Manning responded to a River Rescue at 385 Los Angeles River in the Industrial Eastside area.

When 9-1-1 callers reported a dog in distress within the Los Angeles River and the possibility of someone jumping into the waters to rescue it, sixty LAFD firefighters from across a broad expanse sprang quickly into action on the ground and in the air. Firefighter/Dispatchers queried callers to determine that this 3 year-old German shepherd mix was trapped in frigid fast-moving water and the LAFD wanted the rescue to take place from trained professionals rather than well intentioned individuals that can all-too-easily become victims.


 
Due to recent severe weather, local flood control channels remain swelled with storm-water, causing the Los Angeles Fire Department to remain in a "River Rescue" preparedness status. Members were strategically pre-deployed to a helipad at Piper Tech, where historically many rescues have taken place, providing a short distance to the LA River. At 1119 hours they were dispatched along with ground swift water rescuers to join the Vernon Fire Department in this recovery.

Due to the fast moving water and the steep embankment, the dog was unable to climb out. Once the canine moved from the side of channel to the center, swift water rescue teams were at a disadvantage to reach him, thus the decision was made by Commanders to deploy firefighters from a helicopter in a hoist operation.

Firefighter Joe St Georges was lowered into the rapids and quickly made his way to the dog and despite being continually bit, held on to the frightened pooch as they were lifted to safety.

The helicopter flew a short distance to a nearby bridge, where it landed to transfer the German Shepherd, now nicknamed Vernon, to the care of ground-based LAFD firefighters that offered comfort and provided medical evaluation.

Vernon is being quarantined for observation (routine after a bite) at S.E.A.A.C.A. Animal Shelter and Firefighter St Georges received a bite wound to his hand and various punctures on his arms. Joe was treated and released at USC medical center.

The LAFD wishes to remind citizens that when rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, flood control channels, rivers, and arroyos can quickly fill with fast-moving water, creating a potentially life-threatening danger to anyone who gets caught or swept away. Please keep all animals under supervision and remember it is against the law to be inside a flood control channel in Los Angeles, regardless of the weather.

Thanks to all the firefighters involved and due to their bravery and continual training, this incident had a successful outcome.

After an abundance of requests across the nation to provide cards of thanks and donations, the following address is provided: 200 N Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. LAFD Administration, Attn.: Dog Rescue.

Submitted by Spokesman Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Heroically Rescues Canine from LA River

On Monday, April 6, 2009 at 8:20 AM, 7 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances and 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 41 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Ronald Jackson, responded to a Structure Fire at 6300 Jumilla Avenue in Woodland Hills.

Firefighters arrived quickly and witnessed smoke and fire coming from two rooms of a 2,000 square-foot ranch style single family dwelling.


It took crews 10 minutes to extinguish the blaze.

There were two occupants in the home at the time of the fire; however both made it out safely prior to the arrival of the Fire Department. 1 occupant sustained minor injury to his knee , the other with no visible injury, neither needed transport.

Two dogs were also caught in the blaze, one escaping with its life and one perishing in the flames.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $24,000 ($20,000 structure & $4,000 contents). Firefighters noted excessive storage in the home and determined the blaze was caused by the ignition of ordinary combustibles placed near an electric wall heater.


Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Storage Near Wall Heater Sparks Woodland Hills Blaze