The Arcadia Fire Department responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of September 4 – 10, 2022. The following is a breakdown of incident types recorded for this time period:
Sunday, September 4 At 9:05 a.m., Engine 107 and Sierra Madre Rescue Ambulance 41 responded to the 700 block of Santa Anita Avenue for a reported overdose victim. Firefighters were met by California Highway Patrol (CHP) stating a driver was intoxicated and in need of assistance. Paramedics evaluated and transported this patient to USC Arcadia Hospital for observation and care with CHP following up due to the circumstances. Monday, September 5 At 5:52 p.m., Engine 105 responded to a report of electrical wires down in the 1700 block of Mayflower Avenue. Upon arrival, wires were found lying across the street and blocking the path of travel. The wires appeared to be knocked down by a tall vehicle that was driving through the area. Fire personnel mitigated the problem by cutting the wires, moving them away from the street, and making the proper notifications. There were no remaining electrical hazards after fire personnel left the scene. Tuesday, September 6 At 6:59 p.m., Engine 105 and Rescue Ambulance 105 were dispatched to the 100 block of Colorado Boulevard for a four-year-old female in distress. Firefighters arrived to find the patient unconscious and unresponsive. Advanced life support was initiated, and the patient was transported to Children’s Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Wednesday, September 7 At 5:29 p.m., Engine 107 and Rescue Ambulance 105 were dispatched to the 300 block of East Foothill Boulevard for a person reported to be unconscious and unresponsive. Firefighters arrived to find a person sleeping with no medical complaint. This person refused any additional services or transportation. Thursday, September 8 At 5:50 a.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to the 200 block of West Huntington Drive for a reported heart attack victim. Firefighters arrived to find a 59-year- old male in severe distress. Paramedics initiated advanced life support including a 12- lead electrocardiogram, oxygen, intravenous access, and medication therapy to treat the symptoms. The patient was transported to Arcadia USC Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. Friday, September 9 At 9:12 a.m., Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, and Battalion 105 were dispatched to a traffic collision with reports of a vehicle rolled over and victims trapped. Battalion 105 arrived to find all occupants out of the vehicles, with no injuries reported. The scene was released to Arcadia Police Department. Saturday, September 10 At 6:52 p.m., Engine 107 and Rescue Ambulance 105 responded to the 1400 block of Oak Meadow Road. Fire crews arrived to find a 70-year-old male in cardiac arrest. Paramedics initiated advance life support measures and the patient responded well to the treatments given. Upon transfer to the hospital, the patient’s pulses and breathing were restored. The patient was transported to USC Arcadia for further treatment and evaluation.
Personnel Updates Our nine probationary firefighters are in various stages of their training. As part of their one-year evaluation and training, they are assessed at their three-, six-, nine-, and eleven- month time period, as mentioned in past reports. During the next two weeks, including this reporting period, Battalion Chief Richard Oishi and Training Captain Richard Olivarez will be evaluating three of the probationary firefighters on their three-month evaluation. Here are pictures from one examination during this reporting period.
Strike Team Deployment Wildland fire activity increased during this reporting period with the start of a few larger fires. Battalion Chief Cody Cerwin was deployed to Mountain Incident in Siskiyou County to assist as part of the state’s mutual aid system. He is serving as a Division Supervisor Trainee. His responsibility on the incident includes managing a large geographical area and all the resources assigned to it. Our two state-owned resources, the Type 1 and Type 6 fire engines, were both deployed to Mosquito Fire in El Dorado County. Our Type 6 fire engine, OES1613, was deployed along with fire engines from Long Beach, Torrance, Rancho Cucamonga, and Ontario. This team is led by a Battalion Chief from Long Beach Fire Department. Our Type 1 fire engine, OES343, was deployed along with resources from Long Beach, Glendale, and Altaville-Melones. This team is led by a Battalion Chief from Amador Fire District from Northern California.
Training During the reporting period, Arcadia Fire Department conducted a total of 44 hours of training. Some of the subjects include: Hose Evolutions, Ladder Evolutions, Ventilation, 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.