On Monday, June 8, 2009 at 6:51 PM, 10 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 77 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Franco, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 1520 West Florence Avenue in South Los Angeles.


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Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke from a fast-moving rubbish fire in the alley of a one-story commercial building. The flames had extended within the structure, threatening a two-story apartment building to the east and a storefront church to the west.

LAFD personnel aggressively attacked the flames, using handlines to confine the fire before it spread to the adjacent buildings. The well-coordinated offense limited the blaze within the mattress store and alley of initial involvement.

The flames were extinguished in just 31 minutes.

After sustaining a severe nail puncture to his hand during the fire assault, one firefighter was taken to California Hospital Medical Center, where he was treated and released to remain off duty.

The same hospital later saw a teenage female from the neighborhood brought to their facility by LAFD Ambulance in fair condition, after complaining of exposure to smoke from the fire.

No other injuries were reported.

Loss to 'Dream & Rest Mattress Company' is still being tabulated. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

(photos)


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - South L.A. Mattress Store Fire Sends 2 To Hospital

Sixty-Five years ago the world united against tyranny. With death and destruction all around them, these soldiers charged on to victory. May the World never forget the sacrifice that was made this day, and in all wars, to provide the very freedoms many of us take for granted.

"June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. General Dwight D. Eisenhower called the operation a crusade in which “we will accept nothing less than full victory.” More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler."

The Men and Women of the Los Angeles Fire Department wish to extend our gratitude and respect to the true Hero's protecting this fine Nation. Those Men and Women serving in the Military , past and present, locally and abroad, in battle or just prepared to battle, family and friends, we humbly salute you.

Submitted by Ron Myers, Captain
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Looking For A Hero? D-Day, 65 Years Ago Today...

On Monday, June 1, 2009 at 10:43 PM, 23 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 7 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, 1 Dozer, 2 Tractors, 2 Loaders, Heavy Equipment Unit under the direction of Assistant Chief Mark Stormes responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 6914 N. Beck Ave. in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find heavy smoke and fire showing through the roof from an unoccupied, 50x100 foot, 1 story carpet and hardwood manufacturing commercial building. Swiftly extending handlines, firefighters did fierce battle with the blaze. Due to the structural collapse of the roof and the building's walls, fire crews were forced to go into a defensive mode. They began attacking the fire with heavy streams of water from the roofs of adjacent structures as well as from the street.

Firefighters worked diligently to prevent the spread of fire to any of the surrounding structures in this commercial area of North Hollywood. The fire was contained to only the one building. Early on in the firefight, one Fire Captain was treated and transported for fatigue and remains hospitalized under observation. There were no other injuries reported. Companies continued firefighting efforts throughout the early morning hours,with over 170 fire personnel continuing the attack. Water appliances were used on the ground, as well as several ladder pipe operations.

Thanks to the exhausting efforts of all fire teams the blaze was finally knocked down after a seven hour stand. Extensive overhauling of the site was initiated, with several companies remaining on scene to watch for hot spots. The cause of this fire has still yet to be determined and the monitory loss is still being tabulated.

Submitted by Devin Gales
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Blaze Erupts In Commercial Building In North Hollywood

It’s summer time. Kids are out of school. Families are enjoying backyard barbeques and pool parties. A backyard pool is more common today and provide recreation for family and friends a large part of the year. But let’s not forget pool safety! A backyard swimming pool can be as much fun as it can be dangerous, especially for children.

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five in Florida, Arizona and California. According to government statistics, for every drowning there are approximately eleven near drowning incidents with many resulting in debilitating brain damage.

A study was initiated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, of children age 5 and younger who drowned in backyard pools in the above mentioned states. The results may help clarify why drowning is still the number one killer for three states and stands at number two for the nation. These are some of the findings:

1. Which parent was in charge of supervision at the time of drowning?

• 69 percent of incidents occurred while one or both parents were responsible for supervision
• 77 percent of the children had been seen 5 minutes or less before being missed and subsequently discovered in the pool.
• 23 percent were last seen in the yard, porch or patio, but not in the pool area.

2. What was the person responsible for supervision involved in at the time of drowning?

• 39 percent were doing chores.
• 18 percent socializing.
• 9 percent on the telephone.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department would like to reiterate the importance of pool safety, especially at this time when we are experiencing triple digit temperatures. THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE ON POOL SAFETY.

• Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
• Do not let your child use air-filled "swimming aids." They are not a substitute for approved life vests.
• Anyone watching young children around a pool should learn CPR and be able to rescue a child if needed. Stay within an arm's length of your child.
• Remove all toys from the pool after use so children aren't tempted to reach for them.
• Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area. Don't be distracted by doorbells, phone calls, chores or conversations. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you.
• Any door leading to the pool area should be kept locked.
• Invest in floating pool alarm devices
• If there is a lot of traffic around your pool, a self-closing and self locking gate assures closure for those “who forget.”
• Every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool first. Valuable time is wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool!
  

Teaching your child how to swim DOES NOT mean your child is safe in water, but you can help them help themselves by:

• Having your children trained for pool survival when he is able to crawl or walk to your pool.
• All survival swim instruction must be reintroduced to children after a period of not being in the pool.
• Your child can be taught survival swimming and will retain it during water active months with practice.
• Children should be taught to negotiate to a wall or steps and know how to get out.

Have a safe and cool summer vacation!

Consumer Product Safety Commission
Are You Watching Your Kids Around Water?
Water Related Injuries
Pool Fencing
Splash Zone USA (with kids in mind)

Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Having Fun in the Summertime