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 KENSINGTON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT MEMORANDUMNovember 2008 TO: President and Board Members, Kensington Fire Protection District FROM: Lance Maples, Fire Chief SUBJECT: Fire Chief's Report Fire Crews Respond South Again On November 14, 2008 at 3:00 a.m., OES 300 was dispatched as part of Strike Team 2803A responding to the Tea Incident in Santa Barbara. Captain Jose Castrejon, Captain/Paramedic Rune Hoyer-Nielsen, Engineer/Paramedic Brian Cheshareck and Engineer/Paramedic Traviss Crumpacker are the crew that is staffing our engine. At the time of deployment, the Tea Fire had already burned 2,500 acres and fire officials reported that more than 100 homes had been destroyed. By noon on the 14th, there were 700 firefighters on the line of the Tea Fire. Upon OES 300's arrival, they were staged and then redirected on Saturday to the Triangle Fire where they provided structure protection throught the night putting in hose lines and firing out the grass and brush behind the structures in the Chino Hills area. There were no homes lost in OES 300's area of responsibility and the crew was off on Sunday for rehab. It is anticipated that OES 300 will be gone until at least the 20th. Emergency Medical Technician Recertification Every two years all of our personnel must recertify in order to retain Emergency Medical Technician status. Through the Department's in-house continuing education program, we have been able to conduct training and evaluate skills over the last two years to complete this process. I am happy to report that the recertification is complete and 100% of the Department had more than enough training in order to recertify. I would also like to point out that this program is managed by Battalion Chief David Gibson, and if not for his great ability to balance all of the department's training needs this would not be possible. Enhanced Red Flag Warning Notices In an effort to make sure the public is aware of the Red Flag Warning Days, the District will now place Red Flag Warning Signs along the Arlington to heighten our citizen awareness of extreme fire weather. Signs will be placed at the intersection of Moeser Lane, Highland Boulevard, Amherst Avenue and in front of Station 65. Department Resources Respond South to Assist Others On October 13, 2008, the Fire Department provided mutual aid to two fires in Los Angeles County. Engine 72 and OES 300 responded to the Sesnon Fire (Porter Ranch, Twin Lakes and Indian Hills area) as part of two separate Type I Strike Teams. The crews consisted of Captain Carr, Captain Castrejon, Captain Grunseth, and Firefighter/Paramedic Wade, along with Captain/Paramedic Hoyer-Nielsen, Engineer Halligan, Engineer/Paramedic Cesmat and Firefighter/Paramedic Ciappara. Upon their arrival the engine companies were assigned to structure protection. Also on October 13, Captain/Paramedic Janes was dispatched to the Marek Fire (West Side Little Tujunga Canyon) to work as a Communication Unit Manager. I am happy to report that I have been contacted by one of the Strike Team Leaders from this response who complemented our responding firefighters. Fire Prevention Month Open House On Saturday, October 4th the annual Fire Prevention Month open house was held at Station 65 and Station 72. Visitors were greeted with a generous array of fire prevention educational opportunities, and a tour of the stations and their equipment. This year, for the first time, we had a barbeque at Station 65 in Kensington and a Child Car Seat Check-up at Station 72 in El Cerrito. Both were a great success! Next year we plan to rotate the barbeque to Station 72 and the Car Seat Check-Up to Station 65. The turnout this year was great even with the morning wet weather! |