The Los Angeles Fire Department is partnering with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to bring you timely and accurate information regarding recent:

• Salmonella Typhimurium infections
• Recalls of peanut containing products

To assist today's federal effort, the LAFD News & Information blog is featuring a web link and on-line widget allowing blog visitors to search for peanut containing products subject to recall...

Will You Help Us?

During this time of public uncertainty, we're asking webmasters and bloggers across our nation to temporarily include this widget on their sites. You can easily publish this real-time display by clicking here or on the 'Share' tab in the widget above.

For additional information, call: 1-800-CDC-INFO or visit:

www.fda.gov
www.cdc.gov

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Salmonella and Peanut Recall Information Available on LAFD Blog

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

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and their families invite you to join them for an action-filled afternoon, as the Los Angeles Kings tender a:

Salute To Heroes - Firefighters Day:

Saturday, February 14, 2009
1:00 PM
L.A. Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Staples Center
1111 South Figueroa Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015

As part of their seasonal Salute to Heroes, the Los Angeles Kings have pledged a generous percentage of proceeds from ticket sales to benefit the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter's Fund, as well as the Firefighter Cancer Support Network.

We hope you can join us for this special day of fun at Staples Center. Your tickets are now available on-line or by calling (213)742-7230.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - L.A. Kings to Salute Firefighters at Staples Center

On Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at 8:34 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 CERT Coordinator all under the direction of Assistant Chief Roxanne Bercik responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 3305 S Central Ave in South Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a two-story apartment over a commercial building with heavy fire on the second floor. Confronted immediately with several people hanging from the second floor windows, Firefighters performed coordinated rescues using ladders as fellow Firefighters began an interior attack on the fire. Fortunately, all occupants were able to escape the fire without serious injury.

One civilian was treated and released on scene after suffering a minor second degree burn to the hand. The fire was contained in just 23 minutes and the damage was limited to several units on the second floor and the attic of the apartment building. Firefighters remained on scene for several hours, protecting homeowners belongings from additional damage. During the overhaul phase of the fire, two dogs and one cat were discovered deceased in the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation and the dollar loss has yet to be determined.

(photos)


Submitted by Ron Myers, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Civilians Rescued From Burning Apartments