The Arcadia Fire Department responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of September 21, 2008 to September 27, 2008.
The following is a breakdown of incident types for this time period:
Incident Type: Count
* Vehicle Fires: 1
* Vegetation/Brush Fire: 1
* EMS/Rescue: 63
* Hazardous Condition: 1
* Service Call: 6
* Good Intent: 12
* False Alarm: 13
Total Incident Count: 97

The following is a sample of emergency calls responded to during the designated week:
Monday, September 22, 2008
* At 9:19 p.m., Engine 105 responded to a hazardous materials investigation in the vicinity of East Huntington Drive and North Santa Anita Avenue. Arcadia units investigated an odor of acetone. During the investigation, a one gallon container of acetone was found at the scene with all of its contents evaporated. The container was disposed of.

Wednesday, September 24
* At 12:56 p.m., Engine 106 responded to a vehicle fire in the 200 block of West Huntington Drive. Upon arrival, fire personnel found a fully involved engine compartment fire. Forcible entry was utilized to open the vehicle’s hood to access the fire location. The fire was extinguished utilizing Class A foam, overhauled and investigated. There were no injuries to civilians or fire personnel.

Thursday, September 25
* At 1:36 p.m., Engine 107, Engine 106, Engine 105, Engine 101, Battalion 105, with the Pasadena and Monrovia Fire Departments, responded to a reported vegetation fire in the 2000 block of Canyon Road. Upon arrival, fire crews found a large pine tree limb pressing down on Southern California Edison power lines causing the limb to smolder. Fire personnel secured the area and requested SCE to respond to the scene.
* At 9:10p.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a request for medical assistance in the 400 block of Walnut Avenue. Upon arrival, fire crews found an elderly male with stroke symptoms, which included slurred speech and left side body weakness. Fire personnel performed advanced life support procedures, which included the administration of medication from the Los Angeles County FASTMAG study program for patients with stroke symptoms. Fire Department Paramedics transported the patient to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Friday, September 26
* At 6:10 p.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a vehicle versus motorcycle in the vicinity of South Baldwin Avenue and West Duarte Road. Fire personnel found a male patient complaining of back, lower extremity, and flank pain. The patient was placed in full cervical spine precautions, preventing additional spinal cord injury. Advanced life support was provided on scene. The patient was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. There were no additional injuries to civilians or fire personnel.

Fire Department Open House

Beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2008, the Arcadia Fire Department hosted a Community Open House at new Fire Station 105, located at 710 South Santa Anita. Approximately 500 members from the community attended this five-hour event, which included tours of the fire station and equipment, safety handouts and refreshments. The Arcadia City Council and City Manager can be assured that the new fire station was enthusiastically received by the community with many positive and appreciative comments.

Fire Prevention Bureau

3 Residential Building Plan Checks
1 Commercial Building Plan Check
8 Fire Sprinkler Inspections
1 Fire Alarm Inspection
1 Hood & Duct Inspection
3 Occupancy Final Inspections
9 Annual Life Safety Inspections
2 Permit Inspections
2 Business License Inspections
8 Complaint Inspections
1 5-Year Sprinkler Certification

The Fire Prevention staff met with the operations manager of the Arcadia Methodist Hospital this week to discuss temporary egress plans during the construction of their new North Tower Building. Construction barricades will be erected on October 6th and will be placed around the north perimeter of the existing facility, thus necessitating relocation of many exits and the emergency room public access.

Training

During the reporting period, the Arcadia Fire Department conducted a total of 335 hours of training. Some of the subjects covered were: Hose Evolutions, Ladder Evolutions, Ventilation Techniques, Salvage and Overhaul Techniques, Tiller Certification, Defensive Driving, Engine Company Equipment, Search and Rescue, Communications, EOC Operations, Records Management, Fire Suppression Tactics, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Truck Operations, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic Continuing Education, Hazardous Materials, Lighting Operations, Rope Rescue, Incident Command, Pre-Incident Planning, Supervision and Management, and Standard Operating Guideline Review.