Tag: firefighters

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Wednesday, August 21, the city of West Hollywood posted on its website that it is encouraging community members to prioritize preparedness and is getting out the word that the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (“CERT”) is presenting CERT Training in September 2024.

West Hollywood CERT Training is free and will take place on Friday, September 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, September 28; and Sunday, September 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the West Hollywood Park Aquatic and Recreation Center’s Fairfax/La Brea Room, located at 8750 El Tovar Place, adjacent to West Hollywood Library.

Space is limited and expected to fill quickly. Participants must register in advance and attend all three sessions to receive a certificate of completion. To register for CERT Training visit the LA County Fire Department CERT training website.

The city of West Hollywood is alerting the public that following a disaster, police, fire, and medical professionals may not be able to meet the immediate demand for emergency medical attention. Residents and neighbors may need to rely upon one another to help with immediate life-saving needs. CERT Training was developed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide basic fire safety and life-saving skills.

CERT Training participants will learn valuable survival skills, including disaster preparedness, terrorism, disaster fire suppression, disaster psychology, disaster medical operations, light search and rescue, team organization, and drill simulation, which can be vital in the immediate aftermath of a major disaster.

For more details contact Jessica Anukam, West Hollywood’s Public Safety Specialist, at (323) 848-6436 or at janukam@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

By Trevor

PACIFIC PALISADES—On Tuesday, August 6, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that the city of Los Angeles Fire Commission recognized the members who intervened and help to ensure his safety.

In June 2023, a group of three friends were hiking on the Temescal Canyon Trail above the Pacific Palisades coastline. It was a warm, humid day and one hiker felt weak and dizzy, unable to continue walking. His friends called 9-1-1, triggering the dispatch of a hiker rescue response.

Task Force 69 and their paramedic rescue ambulance, RA69, made their way to the canyon while LAFD Air Operations dispatched two helicopters (hoist aircraft and command aircraft).  Engine 69 and RA69 members arrived and utilized necessary equipment and supplies. The topography made radio communications difficult and the Metropolitan Fire Communications (MFC) 9-1-1 call-taker remained on the phone with the hikers and relayed information to the Incident Commander to help the crews locate the group. Engine 69 Captain was experienced in the area and used his expertise to find a better line-of-sight to the command airship to improve their radio communications.

Firefighters were able to locate their patient, a 55-year-old male complaining of dehydration, dizziness, nausea and difficulty walking. Initially reluctant to allow a full medical workup, the firefighters took note of his low blood pressure (80/46), high heart rate (116) and his hot, pale and diaphoretic skin conditions. These are all indicators of a potentially significant heat related medical emergency thus the Firefighter/Paramedics started an IV and administered fluids, along with various cooling measures.

While the patient’s condition improved, crew recommended a hoist operation.

The Incident Commander and helicopter pilots assessed the situation and concurred. After being hoisted, the patient was onboard Fire-1 and a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG), that measured electrical activity of the heart, revealed the hiker was experiencing a ST elevation myocardial infarction – he was having a ‘silent heart attack’. He was swiftly transported via air ambulance to an appropriate medical facility.

A silent heart attack, known as a silent myocardial infarction (SMI), accounts for 45 percent of heart attacks.* They are described as “silent” because the symptoms lack the intensity of a classic heart attack, such as extreme chest pain and pressure; stabbing pain in the arm, neck, or jaw; sudden shortness of breath. Instead, one may just feel fatigued or discomfort and attribute it to heat or lack of sleep.

The coordinated efforts of the members from Fire Station 69, the diligent 911 call-taker and the talented Air Operations not only resulted in the successful hoist rescue of a hiker in distress but saved the life of the hiker.

The city of Los Angeles Fire Commission recognized the below members for their dedicated efforts and skillful handling of a patient whose life was in the balance:

-Pilot IV, Rickey Wheeler (retired)

-Pilot I, Scott Keelin

-Captain I/Paramedic, Michael McIndoe

-Firefighter/Paramedic, Jesse Beck

-Firefighter/Paramedic Dominic Marquis

-Firefighter Patrick Mandich

-Firefighter/Dispatcher, Anthony Zermeno

By Trevor

STUDIO CITY—On Sunday, March 24, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced a river rescue transpired at 5:03 p.m. on the Los Angeles River East of Laurel Canyon Boulevard.

LAFD ground and air response, following a sudden rainstorm, had to assist an adult female first discovered in the concrete-lined Los Angeles River flood control channel near Whitsett Avenue. The victim was “less than knee depth” in water that was moving at approximately 15 miles-per-hour, the LAFD indicated.

After being thrown a flotation device and briefly holding onto the lower portion of a 24-foot wooden ladder lowered by the first arriving LAFD crew along the vertical concrete wall of the Los Angeles River, the 35-year-old woman was again swept a short distance downstream by the 15 mile-per-hour flow of storm water, before being rescued by an LAFD Rescue Helicopter crew using a hoist cable and harness.

She and her LAFD rescuer were safely hoisted aboard the aircraft where she received continuous in-flight care for minor injuries, including hypothermia, during direct helicopter transport to an area hospital. The woman has confirmed there were no other persons or animals with her or known by her to be in peril. No additional details about the incident were provided by the LAFD, who gave another update at 5:42 p.m.

By Trevor

STUDIO CITY—The Los Angeles Police Department disclosed that the Los Angeles Fire Department battle a blaze at the famed Baked Potato Jazz Club on Tuesday, March 19.

It was posted on Facebook that the blaze erupted at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd. near the rear portion of the businesses audio/visual equipment room. The fire was reported at 5:28 a.m., with firefighters responding to the one-story commercial building with smoke emerging from the rear.

Crews quickly deployed hose lines to the rear and extinguished the flames, keeping them from extending inside the main portion of the business. It took 34 firefighters 17 minutes to extinguish the flames. There were no reports of any injuries during the fire.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

“As firefighters, we take our task to protect property seriously, whether fighting fire in a shed or a mansion. But sometimes there’s a little extra pride and joy that comes with saving a building as iconic as the Baked Potato, founded 54 years ago. We hope the community continues to enjoy this local Studio City venue for years to come, and we are happy to now be a part of the history of this famous Jazz Club,” the LAFD noted on Facbeook.

The jazz club is located at 3787 Cahuenga Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604. All ages are welcome and the establishment is open for business nightly from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. The kitchen is open till 11:30 p.m.

“The Baked Potato Jazz Club has been the home venue for some of the greatest musicians since 1970. The world famous Baked Potato Jazz club offers stellar music nightly and great food. We invite you to buy tickets to one of our upcoming events and experience the LA Jazz Music Scene for yourself, and see some of the greatest musicians since 1970. The world famous Baked Potato Jazz club offers stellar music nightly and great food. We invite you to buy tickets to one of our upcoming events and experience the LA Jazz Music Scene for yourself,” the Baked Potato Jazz Club website states.

By Trevor

BEVERLY HILLS—The city of Beverly Hills indicated in a press release that the Beverly Hills Fire Department (BHFD) will see the return of its Empowerment Camp on October 14 and October 15. The event will give 9th thru 12th graders the chance to learn hands-on firefighting exercises, training and leadership opportunities

“Our Beverly Hills Fire Department and the City of Beverly Hills is committed to uplifting and empowering this next generation of great leaders,” said Mayor Dr. Gold. “We want to inspire all young people in their journey of becoming firefighters.”

The camp will be held in-person at the Fire Department at 445 N Rexford Dr. Women who are 18 and older and actively pursuing a career in firefighting are asked to apply as a mentor instructor.

“We are fortunate to have had so many curious young adults participate in our hands-on training, getting a close glimpse of what our women and men do to protect our community,” said BH Fire Chief Greg Barton. “We look forward to welcoming the class of 2023!”

“We had such a great turnout last year,” said Melissa Hillis, BHFD Fire Engineer. “The teens really pushed themselves and made us all proud. Our department is a huge proponent of improving gender diversity and increasing community ties, so we’re welcoming all curious minds this year who are aligned in our mission.”

Registration for residents will start Friday, September 1. and is free. Registration will remain open until the camp is filled. To register, visit beverlyhills.org/empowermentcamp or for questions email FiredUp@beverlyhills.org.

By Trevor