Urban Search and Rescue Helicopter “Pick Off” Drill With Sheriff’s Department
By frhayes | December 30, 2008
On Sunday, December 28, 2008 members from the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) team and the Sheriffs Department conducted joint training in the Port of Long Beach. The training included a safety briefing and an overview of the aircraft; members of the US&R team were then hoisted into the aircraft to complete the “Pick Off” operation.
This drill was undertaken to improve the ability to transport US&R team members and equipment to remote locations in a rapid period of time to help facilitate rescue operations. It also serves to improve relationships between different organizations that would work together in a “Real” emergency situation.
Thirty US&R members attended this drill with the crew-members from the sheriffs department; similar drills have been conducted or will be undertaken on all three shifts.
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Explosion In A Down Town Apartment Complex
By Jackawa Jackson | December 27, 2008
This afternoon, an explosion rocked an apartment complex located at 550 Orange Ave. Long Beach Fire Department units responded to this address and found a first floor unit that had sustained damage consistent with a blast. Windows had been blown out and the dry wall of the apartment had been damaged. A slow leak in the unit’s forced air furnace had caused gas to accumulate until it found an ignition source. The adult male resident was asleep at the time of the explosion. A small fire had been extinguished prior to fire department arrival. The resident was un-injured and there were no other injuries reported. 19 firefighters and 1 arson investigator responded to this incident.
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Red Cross “Home Town Hero” Nominations Requested
By frhayes | December 24, 2008
Throughout our communities, ordinary people perform extraordinary acts of courage and kindness everyday. The American Red Cross needs your help to identify and recognize our local Heroes! Heroic acts include, but are not limited to, use of CPR/First Aid, assisting a choking victim, fire rescue, helping aid a car accident victim, acting as a Good Samaritan, and water rescue.
The selected Hometown Heroes from the cities served by the Greater Long Beach Chapter - Artesia, Bellflower, Avalon/Catalina Island, Cerritos,Hawaiian Gardens, Lakewood, Long Beach, Paramount, and Signal Hill - will be honored at a recognition breakfast on March 10, 2009.
If there is any information on any incidents during 2008, or any knowledge of heroic acts that you believe would merit a nomination for a “Home Town Hero” please forward this information to Community services or call Javier Ramirez at (562) 570-1219. In addition to this request, during 2009 as these types of incidents occur please secure as much information as possible and forward as cited.
To Nominate a Hometown Hero or for more information call 562-490-4003 or download a nomination form at http://www.redcrosslb.org/show.aspx?mi=4585. All entries due by January 31, 2009.
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Spark of Love Aquarium of the Pacific Family Day
By frhayes | December 23, 2008
On Tuesday December 23rd, the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) “Spark of Love” Toy Drive partnered with the Aquarium of the Pacific for the sixth year of what’s become an annual holiday event.
Throughout the month of December, the LBFD collects toys for needy families. In this process, several select Long Beach families are picked to receive a special day at the Aquarium. Included in this day is a catered lunch, art activities, a visit with Santa, a generous donation of toys, gift bags, and a private in-depth tour of the Aquarium.
The event started at 11:00 am in the back patio area of the Aquarium with the families arriving to start selected art activities. Pizza was delivered for lunch, with various drinks provided, and sugar cookies completed the meal.
Santa Clause arrived, transported by LBFD Fire Engine #1 along with Santa Ray, who just happened to be visiting the aquarium, to pass out candy canes and visit with the children. Seven Long Beach families received large boxes of toys for the children, including several bikes. The Long Beach Police Department also made a very generous donation to the families of a complete turkey dinner for their holiday enjoyment.
With the efforts of the LBFD, LBPD, numerous volunteers, and the generosity of the Aquarium of the Pacific, a civic minded organization the event was again a huge success. Thank you to all who have helped make the “Spark of Love” Christmas drive so successful over the years.
Merry Christmas.
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2008 Sworn and Civilian Employee of the Year Nominations Requested
By frhayes | December 22, 2008
2008 nominations for a Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) sworn and civilian Employee of the Year are now being accepted. To recognize these employees of the LBFD who have demonstrated extraordinary effort, talent or time spent on activities, which benefit the fire department or community in a manner above and beyond the normal excellent job, provided by employees. (E.g., exemplary committee work, special projects, community activities etc…).
Sworn employee nominations are limited to all ranks, up to and including Battalion Chief, and all civilian employees may be nominated. A selection committee of at least seven members of the LBFD, chaired by the Battalion Chief of Community services will be formed in January to make the selections (P&P 1.4.1.3).
LBFD employees may be nominated by their supervisors or by other members having knowledge of qualifying activities of the nominees. To make a nomination please E-mail all members of Community Services (B.C. F. Hayes, Capt. J Jackson & F.F. J. Johnson). Include as much specific information as possible on why the person is being nominated.
The deadline for nominations will be January 15, 2009, if there are any questions, or if assistance is required please contact the Community Service members cited.
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Long Beach Fire and Police Department Code 3 Toy Delivery Parade
By frhayes | December 20, 2008
On Saturday, December 20, 2008 the Long Beach Fire and Police Departments made their annual Code 3 Toy Delivery. The procession of Police motorcycles and a Fire Engine with Santa Clause riding on top in his sleigh left the toy warehouse located at (2760 Studebaker Road, in the Parks and Recreation service yard, between Willow and Spring) to make toy deliveries to needy families in the City of Long Beach.
There were 10 stops made along the parade route, delivering gifts to families displaced from their homes due to fires, families affected by crimes, and others due to many diverse circumstances needing assistance this holiday season. This year there was a very strong showing of firefighters, police officers, and other volunteers that made this event a success.
As the fire trucks and police cars traveled along the parade route with lights showing, and sirens blaring. Children came out from there homes from far and wide to receive toys, candy canes, and to get a glimpse of Santa. This event made a lot of children, families, and volunteers very happy, and really demonstrated what the holiday season is all about.
If there are any questions in regard to this event or if assistance is required please contact me.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays
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Invitation to Attend Miller Children’s Hospital Christmas Visit with Captain Dave Holden
By frhayes | December 19, 2008
On Friday, December 19, 2008 at 9:00 A.M. the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) will be joining hospital staff, and other volunteers to conduct the annual Christmas visit at Miller Children’s Hospital. This year will be a special occasion due to Captain Dave Holden a 40-year veteran of the LBFD who helped establish the program making his last visit as a sworn department member, due to his impending retirement at the end of this year.
There will be a brief news conference in the lobby of Memorial Hospital located at (2801 Atlantic Ave. 90806) that will outline the mission of the LBFDKid’s program now in it’s 10th year of existence. Which is to enhance the lives and well being of the chronically ill children at Miller Hospital, through bringing smiles and laughter. This program has always been a great opportunity for members of the LBFD to provide an atmosphere of caring, comfort, fun and enjoyment to each patient treated at Miller Children’s Hospital; and to enhance the LBFD’s presence in a non-threatening, non-emergent role within the community.
Captain Holden will also be honored for his many years of commitment to the LBFD and specifically thanked by members of the Fire Department, and hospital staff for his time and efforts to make the visits to Miller Children’s Hospital a success. Some of the things that makes Captain Holden’s career so unique is that typically after 30 years of service department members retire. Captain Holden not only worked an additional 10 years but in that time period was assigned to one of the busiest stations in the city (Station 2). He was involved with planning and coordinating the fourth of July fireworks shows, the Firefighter picnics for current and retired Firefighters, and designed the badges that LBFD members proudly wear.
Once the news conference is completed we will be assisting Santa and Mrs. Clause in delivering gifts and candy canes to the little ones that are unfortunately spending some of their holiday season away from home.
A cordial invitation for all to attend is being sent out to make this years Christmas visit a success and to honor one of the individuals who made this program possible. If there are any questions or assistance needed please contact Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
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LBFD 2008 Christmas Tree Burn
By stberge | December 18, 2008
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Rialto Pins Badge on Fire Departments Chief
By frhayes | December 17, 2008
The following article was published today, Wednesday, December 17, 2008 in the Sun Newspaper, covering San Bernardino and the Inland Empire by Staff Writer Josh Dualancy.
RIALTO - The city welcomed its new fire chief Tuesday.
Robert Espinosa stood proud inside the garage of Fire Station 201 as his wife, Laurie, pinned the badge on him in front of a crowd of about 75 friends, family and firefighters from the department he now commands.
After a speech in which he touched on some of the highlights of more than three decades in what he deemed a “noble profession,” the 50-year-old Espinosa made a promise to those who are curious about his leadership style.
“This is not going to be a solo fire chief show,” Espinosa said. “It’s going to be a cooperative effort by everybody to make sure we are doing what’s best for the department and what’s best for the city and what’s best for the citizens.”
Espinosa takes the reins here after 24 years in the Long Beach Fire Department, where he capped his tenure as an assistant fire chief.
He leads a department reeling from infighting such as arbitration hearings pitting some rank-and-file personnel against their bosses.
But after a celebratory swearing-in, it was difficult to detect in Espinosa anything other than optimism about the department’s direction.
“You can always improve on morale, and I think what you’re looking at is people that are very excited about change,”
he said. “I think they’re very excited about the future, and new ideas and leadership.”
And at least one colleague suggested that pressures from outside the department could prove more worrisome than those from within.
“He’s taking leadership at a time when there’s no money,” said Jim Ballard, who served as interim chief from early July through last week. “That’s going to be a real challenge.”
Both Ballard and Espinosa said budget woes locally and statewide will make for a difficult transition, but it can be navigated by more efficiently delivering service to the community.
Ballard added that Espinosa has the experience to make it happen.
“He’s decisive, knows where he’s going, knows how to get there,” Ballard said. “He has all the skills for the job. There’s no question about that.”
Espinosa said one of his biggest accomplishments in Long Beach was negotiating a contract between the firefighters’ union and the city.
The chief, who lives in Orange County, will work as a full-time employee at a rate of $14,441 a month, according to the city’s Human Resources Department.
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Long Beach Fire Department and the Redevelopment Agency Partner to Conduct Drill at 645 East Ocean Blvd.
By frhayes | December 17, 2008
In late October, Redevelopment Agency (RDA) Communications Officer Victoria Ballesteros advised the Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) that a demolition contract had been awarded for a property at 645 East Ocean Blvd.
The LBFD and the RDA have formed a strong partnership in regard to their department notifying the LBFD and taking the required measures to supply buildings and structures for scenario based training in “real” environments.
Captains Don Anderson and Jim Rexwinkle were instrumental in coordinating the drill activities for all three shifts, which occurred on November 14, 15, & 16. Some of the challenges that they faced was evaluating the structure (three story center hallway) and developing scenarios based on training needs, of specific fire companies. They also had to ensure that the contractors did not lose items (rafters) planned for salvage, due to LBFD activities.
Drills accomplished included forcible entry, hose line deployments (rope bag drop) “Firefighter Down” with entanglement, requiring a Rapid Intervention Crew (RIC) deployment. Ladder placements, discussions on building construction features, and how this would affect fire-fighting operations.
A total of 80 Firefighters attended this training, including:
B Shift: E1, T1, R1, E11, T11, R11
C Shift: E1, T1, R1, Task Force 6, BC1, E9, E11, T11, R11, E4, T19, E3
A Shift: E1, T1, R1, E7, T7. The afternoon session was canceled due to the Strike Team deployment.
The ability to train in “Real” structures is such a unique and valuable occasion.
As very well stated by Captain Rexwinkle ” The opportunity to train in “Real” buildings allows our Firefighters to test their skills. It provides for the possibility of mistakes occurring, which then can be corrected, potentially saving the lives of Firefighters, and the trapped victims, which they may need to rescue”.
This partnership is a great way to show how two city departments working together can improve efficiency, save money, and demonstrate to the community our commitment to make Long Beach a better city to work, live and play in.
Thank you to the Redevelopment agency, the Long Beach Fire Department looks forward to a growing partnership into the future. For more RDS information check out the Long Beach Development Services November newsletter.
Long Beach TV-8 conducted interviews and filmed operations, a video will be posted in the future to the Fire Channel web site.
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