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

For many of those served by the Los Angeles Fire Department, the coming days will be anything but a holiday. Fires caused by candles and carelessness with fire will certainly damage homes, dampen spirits - and sadly, may take lives.

As we enter the peak of the holiday season, the men and women of the LAFD ask you to join them in putting a stop to these needless and often tragic blazes.

Is there a really a problem?

Citing statistics for 2003-2007, our friends at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) report that thirteen percent of home candle fires occur in December, 1.6 times the monthly average.

Why is the LAFD sharing this message now?

Many Americans consider candles as benign holiday gifts, or may use them with little thought of safety during Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa celebrations. Christmas Day remains the peak day for home candle fires with Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day following close behind.

The danger not always where you think...

Candles cause 4% of all home fires in our country and an alarming 6% of home fire deaths. More than one-third of home candle fires start in bedrooms, where 44% of candle associated deaths and half of associated injuries occur.

The danger is real - and far from seasonal!

Annually, an estimated 15,260 home structure fires started by candles are reported to Fire Departments in the United States. These fires result in approximately 166 civilian deaths, 1,289 civilian injuries and a direct property loss of $450 million.

Yes, the impact of candles can be staggering.

According to the NFPA:

• More than half of all candle fires start when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains or decorations, were too close to the candle.
• In one-fifth of the fires, the candles were unattended or abandoned.
• An alarming number of fires are started by people (often children) playing with candles.
• 12% of candle fires start after the candle user falls asleep - a factor that was prevalent in 36% of home candle fire deaths!

The Los Angeles Fire Department suggests you consider safe alternatives to candles. If candles must be used:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles at least 12" away from any flammable items, including areas cluttered with holiday decorations - and especially distant from children and pets.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Use sturdy non-combustible candle holders that won't tip over easily and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in or near windows, blinds and curtains.
• No one should sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out of children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Never use a candle if medical oxygen is used in the home.
• Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space or checking pilot lights or fueling equipment.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles for emergency lighting.
• And finally, please consider gifts other than candles this holiday season!

Please accept our warmest wishes for safe and joyous Holidays!


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - December Holidays: Season of Light -or- Season of Fright?

On Wednesday, December 1, 2010 at 5:11 PM, 17 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 7 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Arson Units, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 5 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Deputy Chief Mario Rueda responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 1736 E LAS VEGAS ST. X PLEASANT Ave in Boyle Heights.
 
Firefighters arrived on scene to a two story multi-resident home with several separate occupancies under a duplex type construction. An LaCo. Fire Department Squad who was already close by, along with LAFD Personnel made a quick forcible entry through two of the structures metal clad doors to face heavy smoke and fire.

Firefighters had to knock down a bulk of the flames in order to reach the second story where it was reported that additional victims may still be trapped. Roof teams on the outside put up a 20 ft ladder, to rescue a 67 year old man who was hanging out of a smoke filled second story window. Personnel on the roof had the unusual operation of making a bridge spanning one duplex to the other in order to cut hole on an extremely steep pitched roof line.

The entire operation, from the knocked down of the fire, to the rescuing of all the building's occupants was successful. Thanks to the quick and decisive work of all the firefighters, 22 victims including one infant were displaced, but alive. Only the 67 year old male was treated and transported to an area hospital for minor injuries.

The American Red Cross was on hand to assist all those residents in need of help. Fire loss was estimated at $ 225.000 ($150.000 structure & $75.000 contents). The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Submitted by Devin Gales, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Several Residents Displaced After Devastating Fire

The Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to unveil LAFDmobile, a free application for iPhone and Android smartphones.

Created and funded as a proof-of-concept by a veteran firefighter to support the "LAFD Everywhere" initiative, LAFDmobile is designed to put timely and authoritative information into the hands of mobile Angelenos.

Though the free application works only on two platforms at this time, there are plans to include other popular devices.

Convenient and easy to use, LAFDmobile consolidates many of the Los Angeles Fire Department's existing on-line offerings into a single mobile dashboard.

To install the LAFDmobile application on your iPhone or Android device, simply enter the URL (web address) below into your smartphone's existing browser:

http://bit.ly/lafd-mobile

NOTE: The URL above is case sensitive (all lower case) and must be visited via your mobile web browser. The LAFDmobile application is not available in iTunes or the Android Marketplace. Those with non-supported smartphones can obtain similar information through the Department's LAFD.ORG website and other on-line offerings.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

You can also scan the image above
with your smartphone QR Code Reader
to easily install LAFDmobile

READ MORE - LAFD Debuts 'LAFDmobile' Smartphone Application