Fire Blotter: Firefighter Injured During Storm Cleanup Operations

The responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of Nov.27-Dec. 3. The following is a breakdown of incident types recorded for this period:

Fires: 18
EMS/Rescues: 82
Hazardous Materials: 151
Service Calls: 14
Good Intent Calls: 28
False Alarms: 26
Severe Weather: 12
Total Incident Count: 331

Nov. 28:

At 12:13 p.m., Engine 106, Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 106, Battalion 105, with units from Monrovia Fire, responded to an appliance fire inside a residence on the 100 block of West Magna Vista Avenue. The fire was out but light smoke was coming from the kitchen when firefighters arrived. Paramedics treated a resident experiencing shortness of breath. The patient was transported to for further evaluation and treatment.


Nov. 29:

At 1:12 p.m., Engine 106 responded to a reported sheared hydrant at the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and Palm Drive. An accident involving a single vehicle caused the sheared hydrant. The fire crew assisted the Arcadia Water Department with shutting off the water and assessed the driver for injuries. The driver declined paramedics' request to treat him.

Nov. 30–Dec.3

Hurricane-force winds led to more than 300 calls for service, which ranged in type from fire, medical, hazardous conditions and false alarms to general service calls.

The estimated fire damage is $20,000, resulting from the following:
    •    4 structure fires caused by downed electrical wires
    •    6 vegetation fires caused by downed electrical lines
    •    4 “other” type fires which include rubbish, cooking, chimney and outside electrical equipment

Firefighters also responded to reports of:
    •    4 natural gas leaks
    •    Approximately 200 electrical power line investigations
    •    Approximately 30 investigations of hazardous conditions, including trees into a structure or vehicle, water problems, vehicle accidents, and other type hazards.
    •    69 medical assists

Fire Department personnel assisted the Public Works Department in clearing approximately 45 streets to make way for emergency vehicles. 

Fire personnel also set barricades at 36 locations and established stop signs at various intersections.

One firefighter was injured during the course of the tree removal operations. The firefighter sustained a significant laceration to his thigh while using a chainsaw. The firefighters was treated at Methodist Hospital an is expected to make a full recovery.