On Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 5:36 PM, 6 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 1 Battalion Chief Officer Command Team and Animal Services, under the direction of Battalion Chief John Vidovich, responded to a Structure Fire at 2130 N. Echo Park Av. in the Silver Lake area.

Firefighters arrived on scene to find a 1 story, single family dwelling, approximately 1500 square feet, with fire showing from the front of the structure. Additional information was transmitted to Firefighters at the scene, that the structure had severe pack rat conditions and possible animals trapped inside.

Firefighters fought energetically to deploy handlines and find an access way to the seat of the fire, wading through the thick accumulation of salvaged items. During ventilation efforts, heat holes only produced puffs of smoke, as the modified attic was also packed with salvaged items to the ceiling level.

It took 37 Firefighters 39 minutes to finally call a knockdown on the fire. The cause was determined to be electrical, with a dollar loss estimated at $25,000 [$25,000 structure and $5,000 contents]. The 67 year old female occupant declined assistance from the Red Cross, opting to shelter with family. Animal Services was called to assist in the removal of approximately 10 deceased cats. Traffic along Echo Park Boulevard was diverted in both directions for the duration of the incident.

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire in Local Residence Reveals Extreme Pack Rat Conditions

Did you know that each year, more than two million poisonings are reported to our nation's Poison Control Centers?

If you think that poisonings only happen to those with kids or someone else, please think again. Accidental poisonings are a leading cause of home injury death, and those of all ages are at risk.

Quick!!...you just discovered your young nephew has ingested paint, or that your elder parent took a handful of the wrong medication. What do you do?

When someone in Los Angeles is unconscious, not alert or has difficulty breathing, we trust your first call will be to 9-1-1 for the immediate light-and-siren response of trained rescuers.

But what about the majority of situations where you merely have suspicion or there is no evidence of distress? When no life-threatening symptoms are present, who do you call?

If the patient is stable and you need prompt guidance regarding poisoning or accidental overdose, a single phone call to 1-800-222-1222 will put you in immediate touch with an expert at a Poison Control Center near you.

If you have an old number for a Poison Control Center on your phone, it may still work. But when you get a chance, please post and learn the new number: 1-800-222-1222. It's free, private - and can save you a trip to the emergency room!

1-800-222-1222 is the single toll-free phone number that works around-the-clock anywhere in the United States and its territories for poison emergencies - and also welcomes your questions about poisons and poisoning prevention.

All questions about poisons are smart questions!
Call 1-800-222-1222

We strongly suggest that you place 1-800-222-1222 prominently on or near your home telephone, and write it next to other emergency numbers inside the front cover of your telephone directories.

Because accidental overdoses and poisonings can occur anywhere, we also suggest you add 1-800-222-1222 to your wireless phone, and provide it to relatives, babysitters, caretakers and those at your place of work, school and worship.

During National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, 2009, the Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to share these ten important tips:

1. Know what things in and around your home could poison you.


2. Put child safety locks on cabinets to safely store cleaners, medicines, cosmetics, chemicals and other poisons.


3. Keep all of these products in their original packaging with the labels on them.


4. Look at product labels for the words "Caution", "Warning", "Danger" or "Poison" on the box or bottle. Follow directions carefully when using these products.


5. Be aware that fuels (such as gasoline), car fluids (such as anti-freeze), pesticides (such as bug killers), and lawn and garden products (such as fertilizer) are poison.


6. Do not mix household products together because their contents could react with dangerous results.


7. Install a carbon monoxide (CO) detector near the bedrooms and the furnace (at least 15 feet away) to warn you of high levels of CO, a deadly gas you cannot see or smell. The gas collects when fuels are burned. Too much collected gas can harm you.


8. Have a qualified service person check heaters, stoves and fireplaces every year to see that they work safely.


9. Keep the Poison Control Hotline number by every phone or on the refrigerator: 1-800-222-1222.


10. Know to call 1-800-222-1222 if someone takes poison. This number will connect you to emergency help in your area. You can also call the hotline if you have a question about poisons. It's free, private, and can save you a trip to the emergency room.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - 10 Tips To Keep You Out Of The Emergency Room

On Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 11:39 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 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 73 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West, responded to a Structure Fire at 6535 Cedros Avenue in Van Nuys.

Firefighters arrived quickly on the east side of the Van Nuys High School campus to find fire showing from a one-story bungalow housing 2 classrooms.



Forcing entry through the gates of the well-secured campus to carry ground ladders and hoselines more than 200 feet, Los Angeles Firefighters swiftly ascended the 40' x 100' structure to perform vertical ventilation, as their colleagues aggressively attacked the flames below.

The fire significantly damaged one classroom configured for theater arts, and extended to threaten another. The flames were confined to the structure of origin, and extinguished in just 22 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Loss from the fire is estimated at $70,000 ($50,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of this late night blaze was determined to be a deliberate act.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Fire Damages Van Nuys High School

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department warmly welcome you to join civic and community leaders, including Fire Chief Douglas Barry, at the public dedication and grand opening of the LAFD's newest Neighborhood Fire Station.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
New Fire Station 13
2401 West Pico Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90006

We are pleased to offer an interactive map with driving directions to this new facility, which is now in service protecting the Pico-Union and Koreatown neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Following Saturday's dedication ceremony, there will be food and entertainment as well as a chance to tour Southern California's newest Fire Station. All members of the community are welcomed to this family-themed public event.

A Brief History of Fire Station 13...

Now housing an Engine Company, Paramedic Rescue Ambulance and serving as Battalion 11 Headquarters, new Fire Station 13 replaces a cramped and inefficient facility on South Vermont Avenue that opened in 1950.


Former Fire Station 13 was designed to house no more than four male firefighters and one limited-role (now antique) fire apparatus serving an established neighborhood west of downtown Los Angeles.

Constructed for $79,730 on a 50' x 190' lot, the fifty-eight year old former facility was deemed deficient in meeting modern seismic safety, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, Building Code, ADA and separate gender accommodation issues.

LAFD operational and societal advances over nearly six decades made that 4,758 square-foot station - and only slightly larger parcel of land, inadequate for providing timely and effective response to a community that now includes sizeable commercial and industrial properties as well as many large multi-story apartments.

A New Fire Station for Pico-Union and Koreatown...

The new 15,250 square-foot Fire Station 13 is built on a one acre site, and is designed to address modern response needs while bringing efficiency to LAFD's workforce - and therefore convenience and enhanced service to a vibrant neighborhood we've long been proud to be a part of.

The energy conserving 6-bay facility also features an important "drive through" feature that prevents the need to block traffic on busy Pico Boulevard when rehousing Fire Department vehicles.

We encourage you to learn more about new Fire Station 13 and the many Fire Department facilities being modernized through Proposition F by viewing a highly detailed on-line Monthly Progress Report.

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, February 28, 2009. Please don't forget your camera!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Grand Opening of Fire Station 13 in Los Angeles