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The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department join members of the public and Firefighters nationwide in mourning the death of Gerald Ford, 38th President of the United States.

In accordance with the United States Flag Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Section 175(M); and pursuant of a Presidential order, the U.S. Flags at all Los Angeles Fire Stations will be flown at half-staff for the next 30 days.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Tags: LA, Los Angeles, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department

You've heard and seen weather warnings, er.. watches - or were they advisories? When it comes to emergency management and your safety, words have meaning. That's why the Los Angeles Fire Department suggests you become familiar with the terms used to identify severe weather conditions. Advisories, Watches and Warnings are not synonymous! Watch: A watch is used when the risk of a hazardous

On Monday, December 25, 2006 at 4:29 AM, seven Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, three LAFD Rescue Ambulances, two Arson Units, one Hazardous Materials Team, two EMS Battalion Captains, one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, one Division Chief Officer Command Team, under the direction of Battalion Chief Douglas Graft responded to a Structure Fire at 2342 N. Riverdale Av. in Lincoln Heights/Solano Canyon.

As Firefighters arrived they found a 1000 Square Foot, single family residence with heavy fire showing from one room in the front of the home. In addition, the remainder of the home was heavily charged with thick smoke. The home was fortified with security bars on the doors and windows, causing Firefighters to have to conduct forcible entry to gain access into the home to fight the fire and perform a thorough search for possible victims. Due to numerous vehicles in the driveway, the time of day, and the fact that it was Christmas morning, it was feared that the house would be occupied.

While Firefighters attacked the fire and performed vertical ventilation on the roof, additional Firefighters conducted a thorough search within the structure. Firefighters were able to locate and remove a 21 year-old male from the home. Firefighter / Paramedics quickly assessed the man and determined that he was not breathing and immediately began performing Advanced Life Support measures in an attempt to resuscitate the individual.

Due to the quick actions of Firefighter / Paramedics, the man was successfully resuscitated and transported to Los Angeles County Hospital in extremely critical condition. Preliminary reports have indicated that there were working smoke alarms in the home.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The dollar loss is estimated at $40,000 ($30,000 Structure and $10,000 Contents).

Submitted by Ron Myers/Brian Ballton, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

Tags: LA, Los Angeles, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department

In light of a fatal fire last night in Hollywood involving a Christmas Tree, the Los Angeles Fire Department reminds you: "It can take seven years to grow a Christmas tree... and seven seconds for it to become an inferno." The men and women of the LAFD ask you to play close attention to the video, and to understant The Facts About Fire: Fire is FAST! There is little time! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. In minutes, a house can be engulfed in flames. Most fires occur in the home when people are asleep. If you wake up to a fire, you won't have time to grab valuables because fire spreads too quickly and the smoke is too thick. There is only time to escape. Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs. This heat can melt clothes to your skin. In five minutes a room can get so hot that everything in it ignites at once: this is called flashover. Fire is DARK! Fire isn't bright, it's pitch black. Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire you may be blinded, disoriented and unable to find your way around the home you've lived in for years. Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill. Breathing even small amounts of smoke and toxic gases can make you drowsy, disoriented and short of breath. The odorless, colorless fumes can lull you into a deep sleep before the flames reach your door. You may not wake up in time to escape. In the event of a fire, time is the biggest enemy and every second counts! Escape first, then call for help. Develop a home fire escape plan and designate a meeting place outside. Make sure everyone in the family knows two ways to escape from every room. Practice feeling your way out with your eyes closed. Never stand up in a fire, always crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered. Never return to a burning building for any reason; it may cost you your life. Having functional Smoke Alarms and practicing your home escape plan will dramatically increase the chance that you and your loved ones will survive a fire. Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman Los Angeles Fire Department Tags: LA, Los Angeles, LAFD, Los Angeles Fire Department