On Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 8:43 AM, 5 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Arson Unit, 2 EMS Battalion Captains, 2 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, L.A. County Health Haz Mat, the Red Cross, DOT and assistance of the LAPD Bomb Squad & Supervisor, responded to reports of an EXPLOSION at 19227 W. Ingomar St. in the Reseda area.

Initial reports to responding Firefighters indicated a container was on fire with ammunition exploding, located behind a single family dwelling. As Firefighters arrived on scene, they found 2 outbuildings and a storage container well involved with fire, with confirmation that "thousands of rounds of ammunition" were going off. Firefighters aggressively deployed handlines to achieve a quick knockdown of the blaze, as additional manpower was requested by the IC. For the safety of Firefighters, protective vests were donned and portable monitors were expeditiously set-up 40 to 50 feet away as an indirect firefighting method to assist in containing the fire and cooling the contents of the container.

As the bulk of the fire was knocked down, the LAPD Bomb Squad was requested to assist with the incident. 5 properties, surrounding the buildings of fire origin, were evacuated as a precaution to the residents. The owner of the property arrived on scene to assist Fire and Police with information regarding storage inside the container and sheds.

It took 82 Firefighters 1 hour, 56 minutes to completely knockdown the fire. No injuries to civilians or Firefighters were reported. The Red Cross, Canteen Services, was requested for the evacuated residents. The cause and dollar loss estimate is undetermined until the completion of the fire investigation.

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Submitted by d'Lisa Davies
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Residential Fire Reveals Ammunition Storage in Reseda

On Saturday, May 30, 2009 at 1:30 PM, 22 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Arson Units, 3 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 6 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 166 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Assistant Chief Greg West responded to a Major Emergency Structure Fire at 6818 Vineland Avenue in North Hollywood.

Firefighters arrived quickly to discover heavy smoke showing from the rear of a 6,675 square-foot one story industrial building. Forcing entry through rolling steel doors, firefighters extended handlines to do fierce battle with well-entrenched flames in a shoe warehouse densely pack with combustible goods, including footwear and packaging.

Swift and well coordinated action by firefighters brought full extinguishment of the flames in just 51 minutes. The fire caused significant damage to the building inventory, but remained within the confines of the nearly six decade old non-fire sprinklered structure.

The business owner suffered minor smoke exposure while escaping the flames, and a Los Angeles Firefighter sustained an eye injury while making forcible entry. Both men were taken by LAFD Ambulance to Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank, where they were treated and released.

LAFD Heavy Equipment Company personnel from the Special Operations Division responded to assist with the removal and overhaul of smoldering debris, an endeavor that kept firefighters on scene for more than twelve hours.

Loss to "Hollywood Heels" a wholesaler of fashion footwear, is still being tabulated.

The cause of the blaze is categorized as accidental, and attributed to a lit candle.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Candle Sparks Blaze in NoHo Shoe Warehouse

This week's groundbreaking for new Fire Station 82 in Hollywood gives us an opportunity to highlight the LAFD projects made possible by Proposition F, the November 2000 bond measure overwhelmingly approved by Los Angeles residents to replace 19 existing Fire Stations and construct one new Fire Station.

Cost savings through Proposition F oversight have made it likely that one additional replacement Fire Station can be constructed with remaining funds.

The Los Angeles Fire Department is pleased to provide a status update regarding the twenty-one above mentioned Fire Stations, as well as two non-Prop F projects.

Here is a current overview:

- Fire Station 89 (North Hollywood), Regional Station at the current location of 7063 Laurel Canyon Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on August 20, 2003 marked the start of construction on an apparatus storage facility and training classroom. That work was completed in August 2004 and a Grand Opening ceremony was held on December 9, 2004. Fire Station expansion will use Proposition Q funds.

- Fire Station 77 (Sun Valley), Standard Station at 9224 Sunland Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on October 24, 2003 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station. The new station opened for service on June 22, 2005. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on September 17, 2005.

- Fire Station 83 (Encino), Standard Station at 4960 Balboa Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on April 26, 2004 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station. The new station opened for service on January 19, 2006. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on February 26, 2006.

- Fire Station 5 (Westchester/LAX), Regional Station at 8900 Emerson Avenue. A groundbreaking ceremony on May 13, 2004 marked the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station, apparatus storage facility and classroom. The new station opened for service on April 13, 2006. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on June 24, 2006.

- Fire Station 65 (Watts), Standard Station at 1801 East Century Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on May 10, 2004 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station. The new station opened for service on July 20, 2006. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on September 30, 2006.

- Fire Station 59 (Sawtelle/West LA), Regional Station at the current location of 11505 West Olympic Boulevard. Construction of a training and apparatus storage building was completed November 1, 2006. A Grand Opening ceremony to recognize that project and a Fire Station expansion utilizing Prop Q funds was held on April 14, 2007.

- Fire Station 114 (Van Nuys Airport), LAFD Air Operations and Airport Rescue Firefighting facility at 16617 Arminta Street at Van Nuys Airport. A groundbreaking ceremony on June 26, 2004 marked the start of construction for a multi-role facility that provides airfield emergency response as well as serving as the operational base and maintenance site for all LAFD helicopters. The station opened for service on March 8, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on May 31, 2008.

- Fire Station 81 (Panorama City/North Van Nuys), Standard Station and Drill Tower at 14355 Arminta Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on June 14, 2004 marked the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station, drill tower, recruit training center and apparatus storage facility. The station opened for service on March 19, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on July 14, 2007.

- Fire Station 62 (Mar Vista), Standard Station at 11970 West Venice Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on October 17, 2005 recognized the June 2005 start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station, which opened for service on May 29, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on January 5, 2008.

- Fire Station 84 (Warner Center/Woodland Hills), Regional Station at 21050 Burbank Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on September 9, 2004 marked the start of construction for a new 7-bay fire station, apparatus storage facility and classroom. The station opened for service on September 18, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on November 1, 2008.

- Fire Station 36 (San Pedro), New Satellite Fire Station at 1005 North Gaffey Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on May 2, 2005 marked the start of construction on the new 3-bay station, which opened for service on July 8, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on November 10, 2007.

- Fire Station 43 (Palms), Standard Station at 3690 Motor Avenue at Regent Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on February 6, 2006 marked the start of construction for a new 6-bay fire station that opened for service on September 25, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on August 16, 2008.

- Fire Station 87 (Granada Hills), Regional Station at 10124 Balboa Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on September 19, 2005 marked the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station, apparatus storage facility and classroom that opened for service on November 11, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on May 3, 2008.

- Fire Station 67 (Playa Vista), a non-Prop F new Standard Station at 5451 Playa Vista Drive. A groundbreaking ceremony on December 16, 2004 marked the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station that opened for service on October 15, 2007. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on February 16, 2008.

- Fire Station 13 (Koreatown/Pico-Union), Standard Station at 2401 West Pico Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on July 10, 2006 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station that opened for service on August 5, 2008. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on February 28, 2009.

- Fire Station 21 (South Los Angeles), Regional Station at 1192 East 51st Street behind the existing station. A groundbreaking ceremony on April 3, 2006 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station, apparatus storage shed and classroom that opened for service on November 18, 2008. A Grand Opening ceremony date is soon to be confirmed.

- Fire Station 4 (Civic Center), Standard Station and Dispatch Center at 450 East Temple Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on January 19, 2006 recognized the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station, Fire Dispatch Center and City EOC. The Fire Station element of this multi-faceted project opened for service on December 2, 2008 and a Grand Opening ceremony was held on October 17, 2009. The in-service date for the new Fire Department Dispatch Center has yet to be scheduled.

- Fire Station 78 (Studio City/Valley Village), Standard Station at 4041 Whitsett Avenue. A groundbreaking ceremony on October 23, 2006 marked the start of construction on a new 6-bay fire station that opened for service on September 30, 2008. A Grand Opening ceremony was held on January 18, 2009.

- Fire Station 31 (Sylmar), a non-Prop F new Standard Station at 16320 Foothill Boulevard. A groundbreaking ceremony on November 1, 2006 highlighted the Department's intent to construct a new Neighborhood Fire Station serving the far north San Fernando Valley. A completion date has yet to be determined.

- Fire Station 64 (South Los Angeles), Regional Station at 10811 South Main Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on February 15, 2007 marked the start of construction on a new 7-bay fire station, apparatus storage shed and classroom that opened for service on July 7, 2009. A Grand Opening ceremony has yet to be scheduled.

- Fire Station 94 (Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw), Regional Station at current location, 4470 Coliseum Street. A groundbreaking ceremony on February 21, 2008 marked the start of construction for an enhanced facility that includes an expanded Fire Station, apparatus storage building and multi-purpose room. Completion is scheduled in December 2009.

- Fire Station 82 (Hollywood), will consist of a unique 3-story Fire Station with underground parking at 5769 Hollywood Boulevard, as well as an annex constructed at the site of the current station at 1800 North Bronson Avenue. A groundbreaking ceremony on May 28, 2009 marked the start of construction at the Hollywood Boulevard site. Completion is scheduled for February 2011.

- Fire Station 7 (Arleta), is to be an additional replacement station made likely through availabile Proposition F funds. A site for new Fire Station 7 has yet to be selected.

Comprehensive information regarding each Proposition F Fire Station project, including construction photos, can also be accessed via a detailed monthly report in PDF format.

If you have questions or concerns about the Proposition F Projects listed above, please visit:

www.lafd.org/propf.htm

..or call the LAFD Proposition F Team directly at (213) 202-3455.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Fire Station Construction Update

Los Angeles Fire Chief Douglas Barry announced his intent to retire at a Thursday afternoon press conference.

KTTV-TV's John Schwada reports...



Chief Barry issued this statement to LAFD members Thursday morning...

"For the past two-and-a-half years, I have had the honor and privilege of serving you and the people of Los Angeles as Fire Chief. It has been the proudest time of my 34-year career and so it is with a deep sense of gratitude that I announce my intent to retire effective August 30, 2009.

As I reflect back, I am proudest of what we as a Department have accomplished together. We have brought about a unity of purpose and have moved our Department to even higher levels of professionalism both operationally and in our work environment. We have made great strides in strengthening our future leaders by giving them the tools they need to be successful.

I am encouraged by the current spirit of the Department and believe it is on the verge of achieving bigger and better things. It is my strong belief that the progress and improvements we have achieved together will have long lasting positive impacts.

Over the next several months I will continue to focus on the future of the Department and will ensure that there is a seamless transition of leadership. I will give my all, and I ask you to do the same, in making the Department’s next leader equally successful.

In closing, I cannot put into words my appreciation for the support and encouragement I’ve received from all levels of the Department. It has been a humbling, unforgettable experience. I thank all of you, sworn and civilian for making my time as Fire Chief such a rewarding experience. I owe all of you a debt of gratitude."

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Chief Douglas Barry Announces Retirement