On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 2:34 PM, 14 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 2 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 3 Helicopters, 1 EMS Battalion Captain, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and 1 civilian CERT Coordinator under the direction of Battalion Chief Rudy Hill responded to a Brush Fire at 400 East Avenue 43 in Montecito Heights.

Firefighters arrived to find a half acre of grass burning along a hill threatening houses above and below. Hand lines were immediately deployed to suppress the flames and a full brush assignment with helicopters and additional engines was requested to provide structure protection to the residences. Firefighters not only had to battle fire through the grass and in structures, but downed power lines posed additional threats not to mention the triple digit temperatures.

Battalion Chief Hill stated, “One two-story garage with a converted room on the second story was well involved with fire and also two other out buildings suffered damage."

A knockdown was obtained by 91 firefighters in just 33 minutes at 3:07 p.m. The dollar loss was totaled at $170,000 ($125,000 for the structure and $45,000 for the contents). The cause was accidental. No injuries were reported and no evacuations were necessary.

Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Greater Alarm Brush Fire in Montecito Heights

On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 5:04 AM, 29 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 9 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Urban Search and Rescue Units, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 4 EMS Battalion Captains, 9 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams, 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, and 3 Foam Tenders under the direction of Assistant Chief Robert Franco responded to a Refinery Fire at 2101 East Pacific Coast Highway in the Wilmington area.

Light Force and Rescue Ambulance 38 arrived to find a large black column of smoke rising straight in the air from the Tesoro Refinery. This refinery produces 97,000 barrels of crude oil a day and is located only 23 miles from downtown Los Angeles.

As additional firefighters arrived, heavy hose streams were initiated. Task Force Commanders used ladder pipe operations which are capable of delivering 1000 GPM depending on the type of the tip used. Portable monitors, which are heavy stream appliances used in a similar manner as wagon batteries and ladder pipes were also put into operation to supply a significant amount of water on the fire quickly.

Lynn Westfall, SVP of External Affairs and Chief Economist of Tesoro stated, “The fire broke out in the coking unit at Tesoro's Wilmington refinery. The cause is under investigation and the amount of damage to the affected unit is unknown at this time. The plant is still operational but at a reduced capacity".

Two Hundred One Los Angeles firefighters along with 35 Tesoro Fire Brigade firefighters were able to obtain a knockdown in three hours and 39 minutes at 8:43 am.

No injuries were reported, although citizens in a one mile radius were briefly encouraged to remain indoors.



Submitted by Erik Scott
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Battles Fire at Tesoro Oil Refinery

Like all members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, the crew at Fire Station 99 in the Beverly Glen area of Los Angeles, is certified to provide prompt and effective medical care.

Last night, "prompt and effective" took on a new meaning for the eight personnel on duty, when a most welcome emergency arrived at their doorstep.

NewsCentral's Suraya Fadel reports...


A Calabasas couple, enroute to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to give birth to their second child, was navigating the canyon roads of Beverly Glen, when strong and sudden contractions convinced mother that a quick change of plans was in order.

The somewhat remote residential neighborhood that dad was driving through however, seemed to offer little in the way of services, until mom pointed her husband to the first visible detour: the driveway of Los Angeles Fire Station #99.

With "all hands" quickly summoned to the driveway of the mountaintop fire station, the eight member LAFD crew - which had just completed refresher training in emergency childbirth, swung into action.

Three Firefighters certified as Emergency Medical Technicians and a trio licensed as Paramedics were ably assisted by a pair of medically trained Arson Investigators. Within moments and working as a team, they aided the mother in delivering a healthy baby girl into the world.

Mother and daughter are reported to be doing fine at the UCLA Medical Center, but it's hard to know who is more proud - the Father... or his newborn daughter's eight new Uncles.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - Mother Makes 'Special Delivery' at LAFD Station 99

Pursuant of a formal Mutual Aid Request, the Los Angeles Fire Department has assigned one Strike Team of firefighters and one contract Helitanker to assist the Ventura County Fire Department and allied agencies in their battle against a brush fire near Fillmore, California, 20 miles northwest of our City.


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These 24 personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department have been dispatched to the Guiberson Fire in accordance with California's Fire & Rescue Emergency Mutual Aid System. Administered by the California Emergency Management Agency, the system is designed to ensure additional resources to local jurisdictions whenever their resources are committed or insufficient for a specific emergency incident.

The City of Los Angeles remains protected by the use of additional staff and reserve apparatus to cover foreseeable local needs.

The men and women of the LAFD ask motorists to remain watchful for these and other convoys of emergency apparatus, and to be mindful of the space necessary for them to safely maneuver on local roads and highways.

Pursuant of protocol, official public and media information regarding this wildfire, including the actions of assigned LAFD personnel, will be provided by the Ventura County Fire Department, which maintains daily jurisdictional authority of the area where the fire is burning.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

READ MORE - LAFD Responds To 'Guiberson' Wildfire Near Fillmore