Bonita Structure Fire

Bonita: At approximately 11:24 am, the Bonita Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire on the 3700 block of View Verde.  Upon arrival, fire crews noted smoke and flames coming from the front of the residence.  Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the structure itself was not on fire, but a "tar-pot trailer" used for roofing, was fully engulfed in flames just adjacent to the structure. With the assistance of San Miguel Engine 16, fire crews were able to keep the fire isolated to the trailer and protect the exposures of the structure.

The Bonita Fire Department would like to remind all homeowners to have fire extinguishers readily accessible in their homes.

Auto vs.Pedestrian in Lakeside

Lakeside: On Wednesday, December 23rd at 5:22 PM, one company, a Battalion Chief, and ALS ambulance were dispatched to a pedestrian vs. vehicle at the intersection of Lemoncrest Drive and Winter Gardens Blvd. Units from Lakeside Station #1 found a 13 year old juvenile that had been struck by a car in the intersection. Crews rapidly assessed the patient and determined that her injuries were potentially serious. As paramedics initiated treatment the decision was made to fly the patient via aero-medical to Children's Hospital in Kearny Mesa.


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The child had suffered multiple head injuries and was complaining of abdominal pain. Mercy Air 6 was dispatched from Gillespie Field to a nearby landing zone. A company from the Santee Fire Department was dispatched to the landing zone to coordinate the arrival of the helicopter.

The California Highway Patrol is currently investigating the incident.

Submitted: Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

Barn Fire in the Lake Jennings Area

Lake Jennings: On Sunday, December 20th at 9:36 AM, 6 companies, a Battalion Chief and ALS ambulance were dispatched to a detached barn fire at 9561 Vista Hills Pl, in the Lake Jennings area of Lakeside. Responding units could see a significant column of smoke in the area. On arrival of the first engine company they found a well involved barn behind the residence.Captain Dalldorf initially took command but it was subsequently transferred to Battalion Chief Larkin.

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Crews were advised that there was the potential that livestock type animals may still be in the structure.Crews stretched attack lines to the backyard, where unfortunately, a number of animals had perished. Crews completed control and overhaul of the fire.

Cause of the fire is under investigation. Units from Lakeside, El Cajon and CALFIRE responded to the incident.

Submitted: Mark Grow, Lakeside Fire District

National City Firefighters assist with Christmas for the Needy

For 30 years, the National City Firefighters have been involved in helping needy families during the Christmas season. This year was no exception as both on duty and off duty personnel assisted with the “Spirit of the Holidays” annual distribution of food and toys.

Union President Mark Beveridge with charity organizers Cecelia and Denise Kirk

This program started back in 1979 when the National City American Legion Post came to the back door of the fire station and gave 6 turkeys for the firefighters to give out to needy families. Within 5 years, the firefighters had adopted the program and were using U-Haul trailers to distribute food and gifts to over 200 families. In 1995, the "Christmas in July" charity took over the Christmas program. This year charity gave out 200 meals and 400 toys and gifts for the kids.

Families began lining up at 4:00 am at the MLK Building in National City

Firefighter Chris Peters help package Christmas dinners

Over 400 toys were given out during the event

Engineer Matt Lucas and Firefighter Brian Smith in the holiday spirit

Kids line-up to see Santa

Over 200 Christmas dinners were given out

East County Toy & Food Drive

El Cajon: These pictures are from Saturday's East County Toy & Food Drive. East County Fire Departments teamed up with the El Cajon
Salvation Army to gather toys to assist 1,500 pre-registered families needing help during the holidays. Due to the rain the donated toys had to be stuffed into rig compartment and in plastic bags to protect them from the rain. The toys were taken to the Target parking lot in El
Cajon at Broadway and Graves today at 11am. The rain did not dampen spirits - the public turned out at a steady rate, between 9am and 12pm, to drop off toys and monetary donations - Viejas donated $15,000 toward helping families during the holidays. Thank you to all the Fire Departments that took part! Merry Christmas!

Author - Monica Zeck

ECFD in Afghanistan

From left to right: SFC Belis, SGT Adams, SPC Vertullo,
CPT Gonzalez, SPC Phillips, PFC Stafford, SSG Bah.

Currently stationed in Iraq for a 15 month tour; attached to the 3rd Infantry Division working for MND and other organizations.

"We were really excited to get the T-shirts. when we recieved the package some people were scared to wear pink t shirts but they finally warmed up to the idea and took the picture."

ECFD Captain Dave Rickards sent a group of Army Rangers our Breast Cancer Awareness shirts several weeks ago. The men featured in this photograph are all medics. Through a mutual friend, Dave was able to send this care package of shirts along with some other items in a gesture to show support for our troops fighting in the Middle East.

Members of the ECFD are proud to wear our department logo. Sharing that pride with our troops is an honor.

Poway Firefighters hold Benefit for Bedard Children

Poway: As many of us remember the tragic events that unfolded in Poway when a single mother of two was struck and killed by a driver suspected of being under the influence. Left behind were two small children that now forage ahead without their mother. To help out the Poway Firefighters are holding a benefit at the Bellus Academy of Beauty. The Academy and the Firefighters have teamed up to help these kids out. This Friday, December 18th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM, they will be holding a Spa-Cut-a-Thon where all proceeds, and 20% of retail sales, will go to benefit these kids. The spa is located at 13266 Poway Rd, in Poway.  To make an appointment call 858.748.1490. In addition the Poway Firefighters will be holding a boot drive for those that want to make a donation.

In this time of giving please try to remember these two kids that find themselves in need this Christmas.

Update: Poway Firefighters Association, Local 3922 and the Bellus Academy of Beauty raised an ASTOUNDING $6800 for the Kristen Bedard Fund!!!! Thank you to everyone who committed their free time to help out, the students who put in 110% for the hundreds of customers and last, but definitely not least, the amazing generosity of everyone who donated!!! Thank you for making this an AMAZING success!!!!

Story Links:

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local-beat/A-Mother-Gone-Too-Soon-78107217.html

Lakeside Breaks Simultaneous Working Structure Fires

Lakeside: On Monday, December 14th,  Lakeside and Santee Fire units were dispatched to a residential structure fire at 12122 Lakeside Ave. On the arrival of E1 they reported a two story residential structure with smoke showing from the second floor. Battalion Chief Laff arrived on-scene and assumed command of the incident. Crews were able to make a quick knockdown and isolate the fire to a bedroom.

No civilian or fire service injuries were reported at this incident. Fire is currently under investigation by the Lakeside Fire Protection District. Initial loss is being estimated at $20,000.

While units were completing operations at the Lakeside Ave fire the Heartland Communications Center received calls about another fire at 14646 El Monte Rd. Units clearing from the Lakeside Ave fire were quickly re-assigned to the new fire. An additional Lakeside engine from the Flinn Springs area, and an engine from the El Cajon Fire Department were added to the response.

On the arrival of E4 and M3 they found a single family dwelling with heavy smoke showing. A fire was located in the attic of the dwelling that had spread to the exterior of the building. Crews were able to quickly search the dwelling and determined that all occupants were out of the building. Crews isolated the fire to the attic of the dwelling.

Command was assumed by Battalion 1 (Laff) and Battalion 2 (Miller) assumed operations.

Units from Lakeside, Santee, El Cajon, and CALFIRE responded to this new fire. An engine from the Bonita and National City Fire Agencies covered the Lakeside area while companies were committed.

No civilian or fire service injuries were reported at this incident. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Loss at this fire was also set at approximately $20,000.

Structure Fire in Peutz Valley

Peutz Valley: On Monday, December 14th, units from the Alpine, Viejas, Lakeside, San Miguel, and CALFIRE responded to the 1600 block of Peutz Valley Rd to a reported residential structure fire.

Battalion 58 (Pfohl) was first on-scene with fire and smoke showing from a two story residential structure. Arriving engine companies conducted an interior search and found no occupants. Engine 19 was assigned to start vertical ventilation as crews suspected the fire had spread to the attic. Engine 3, 25, and 26s are conducting an interior attack.

Crews were dependent on "storage tank" water as there are no hydrants in that area. Crews also had to deal with access issues as a key bridge in the area showed signs of erosion from recent rains.

There are no reported injuries to civilians or fire service personnel.Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Media Contact: Heartland Fire

Early Detection Prevents Damaging Fire

Story By: Bernie Molloy, Firefighter-Paramedic, Lakeside Fire District

Lakeside: On Sunday, December 13th at 10:17 PM, employees at the Taco Bell at 13418 Camino Canada smelled a light odor of smoke all night but could not find it.   Later in the evening they noticed the exterior Taco Bell sign was putting out steady smoke and called 911.  B1, E3 and M3 arrived on scene and found there was steady smoke coming from the exterior sign as well as a very light odor of smoke in the restaurant.

Lakeside Firefighters Investigating Smoke from the Sign

The odor of smoke was addressed with horizontal positive pressure ventilation.  When the building was laddered we found that there was deep charring surrounding the conduit feeding power to the light in the "T" of the Taco Bell sign, each letter had it's own power supply. There was no access to the rear of the sign from the drop ceiling in the restaurant so we had to make a small inspection hole through the exterior of the building to check for extension, of which there ended up being none.  We were able to dig out the charred wood with an axe and gave it a foam and water treatment with a PW extinguisher.  If nothing else we familiarized ourselves with what the internals of abuilding of this construction type look like, and were able to get

fresh foam in our PW.

La Mesa Condo Fire

La Mesa: At 4:17 p.m., Heartland Fire dispatched a response for a kitchen fire at a condominium complex located at 9320 Earl St. #25. Fire crews arrived in less than 5 minutes and discovered heavy smoke coming from a single unit.  Firefighters quickly extended hose lines into the structure through thick, dark smoke that was down to the floor.  Fire crews used a Thermal Imaging Camera to help them locate the fire through the smoke.  The fire was found in the kitchen area and was extinguished in 13 minutes.  Most of the fire damage was contained to the kitchen and dining room area; however, there was significant smoke and heat damage to the rest of the residence.  Firefighters cut a hole in the roof to provide for ventilation of the smoke and to check for fire extension into the attic space.

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The cause of the fire is under investigation.  The primary focus of the fire investigation is the kitchen area.  One adult female was currently living in the condo and she was in the home at the time of the fire.  Smoke detectors alerted the woman, who was in the bedroom, that there was a fire in the home and she was able to make it out safely before firefighters arrived.  The resident seeked temporary shelter with a neighbor until her family could be notified.  Damage to the structure and contents inside are estimated at $120,000.

   

Sonny Saghera

Fire Engineer/Public Information Officer

La Mesa Fire Dept.

East County Fire Agencies Team Up with the Salvation Army

El Cajon: East County Fire Departments teamed up with the El Cajon Salvation Army to gather toys to assist 1,500 pre-registered families needing help during the holidays.  Due to the rain the donated toys had to be stuffed into rig compartment and in plastic bags to protect them from the rain.  The toys were taken to the Target parking lot in El Cajon at Broadway and Graves today at 11am.  The rain did not dampen spirits - the public turned out at a steady rate, between 9am and 12pm, to drop off toys and monetary donations - Viejas donated $15,000 toward helping families during the holidays.  Thank you to all the Fire Departments that took part!  Merry Christmas!

Monica Zech
Public Information Officer
El Cajon Fire

 El Cajon Fire Department Truck 6 at the Parade with Santa

 Lakeside E26s at the Event

 Santee Fire Department's Rescue 5 filled with Toys

 The unloading of the toys

Firefighters saw to it that none of the gifts got rained on.

National City responds to Ambulance vs. SUV

National City Engine 31B responded to a AMR BLS unit involved in a rear end accident. The ambulance was transporting an elderly male back home from Paradie Valley Hospital when an SUV hit the back of their ambulance unit. Firefighter Sammy Mendoza, seen in the photo below, using the Power Hawk to extricate the occupant in the back.The wife was in front seat complaining of chest pain.



Photo By Jeremy Day

Highway 67 Crash

On Saturday, December 12th at 7:45 AM, 3 companies, 1 ALS Ambulance, and a Battalion Chief from the Lakeside Fire District responded to the area of Slaughterhouse Canyon and State Highway 67 for a reported vehicle over the side.

On arrival crews met with a witness that was able to pinpoint the location where the vehicle had departed the roadway. At the time of the accident the area had received a recent rain event that had left the roadway wet.

Vehicle lies in a drainage off Highway 67

Jacuzzi Fire Extends into Dwelling in Lakeside

On Thursday, December 10th at 11:28 PM, the Heartland Communications Center received calls of a structure fire at 13347 Lakeshore Drive in the community of Lakeside. Five companies from the Lakeside and Santee Fire Agencies responded to the incident. In addition an ALS ambulance and Battalion Chief responded to the call.

Crew from E1 working the main fire.

Some Sandbags still Available

With the recent rain event this past week supplies of sandbags are running low at local fire stations. And even though forecasters doubt these next three storms will match the "punch" of the December 7th event, soil saturation may lead to significant runoff.
The following fire stations still have supplies of sandbags available. Most are offering up to 10 bags per resident. The bags are available to residents and occupants. Contractors should purchase bags at a vendor.

National City Firefighters assist ROP program at Sweetwater H.S.

On December 9th, members of the National City Fire Department was invited to assist with a new ROP program at Sweetwater High School. The “firefighting” program is billed as a “muster competition” between local high schools with the same ROP curriculum.

ROP students prepare for search and Rescue competition

Sweetwater H.S. was scheduled to compete with Mar Vista H.S., but when Mar Vista was unable to make it, the crew of Truck 34 was happy to participate in order to keep the competition going.

The muster included hose lays and a search and rescue timed evolution. All the of students involved were extremely enthusiastic and ready to take on the “pros".

Firefighter Mejia during the competition

B.C. Beck speaks with the students at muster

Photos by Mike LaFreniere

National City Fire Responds to Swift Water Rescue

Photos by Firefighter Mike Mejia

On December 7th at 3:30 pm, National City Firefighters responded to a reported swift water rescue in the wooded area next to the Plaza Bonita Shopping Center. This was during a major winter storm the pounded San Diego County with high winds and heavy rains. Heartland dispatched E31, T34, B57, AMR #418, San Diego City Lifeguards, National City Police and the Border Patrol's rescue unit. B57 assumed command of the scene and was given information from bystanders that a person living in the wooded area was trapped between the rushing waters and the street. T34 was assigned to deploy the 105 ft ladder to perform an aerial survey of the scene.

Firefighter Mike Mejia climbs the aerial to survey the scene

It was determined that one person was stuck in the vacant land. At first he was determined to stay where he was. Firefighters and Lifeguards were able to convince him to leave the area. Lifeguards deployed their Zodiac raft and brought the man out. A number of other people living in the area swan to safety on their own.

B.C. Beck takes command of the scene

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December Storm Stretches Resources in Heartland

Story By: Mark Grow, Heartland Zone News

Photography By: Bernie Molloy
Firefighter-Paramedic, Lakeside Fire District

Update: During the 24 hours of December 7th the Heartland Communications Center handled 250 calls (normal range 130-170). Many of these calls dealt with storm related incidents. This map shows some of the storm related calls that Heartland crews responded to during this time period.

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This is a partial map of storm related calls based on dispatch code. Some storm related incidents may not be identified by using this method.

Heartland: The much anticipated storm moved into San Diego County with a vengeance and created a wave of calls in the Heartland Communications Center for assistance. Calls ranged from traffic accidents to a water rescue in the National City area. As the storm front passed a new wave of calls for wires down and tree fires started. One such incident left the Crest area without power.

Salvation Army Trying to Fill a Giant Void...

On December 17, 18 & 21, the East County Toy and Food Drive will provide toys and a Christmas meal to about 1,500 east county families who have signed up with us requesting assistance.  To do this we need your help!!  We desperately need toys and financial donations to make this possible.  Every year, our good friends at Viejas host Stoney and Rob's Holiday Party and Auction in their Dreamcatcher Lounge in the Casino.  This is our major fundraiser for the holiday season.  We are asking for a donation of $10 with a new unwrapped toy for a 10-12 child (or $20 without a toy) as you arrive.  Inside, heavy hors d'oeuvres will be available along with Christmas music and tunes provided by our DJ, Eric Lund as you relax and visit with friends and bid on some of the great silent and live auctions we have available.  Once again, Steve Hamann will be our host for the evening.  Take a break from the busyness of the Christmas season, and join us for a wonderful evening in support of an important cause.  All money raised remains here in the East County and will assist local families this Christmas.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Darren Norton, Captain
East County Salvation Army &
East County Toy & Food Drive
619-954-9719

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Toy Drop-Off Points and Parade Route