Headlines - Just News headlines all the time: Dec 13, 2007

Thursday, December 13, 2007

California Fire News

Posted: 12 Dec 2007 12:31 PM CST

United States Fire Administration Releases Reports on Fire Department Runs only about eight percent of all calls actually involve fire.

About eight percent of all calls actually involve fire.

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has issued two (2) special reports, part of its Topical Fire Report Series, examining fire department responses to all types of emergency situations.

In addition to fighting fires, fire departments respond to emergency medical service (EMS) calls; technical rescues; explosions; hazardous threats and conditions; natural disasters, and false alarms. Fire departments are also called upon to respond to a wide variety of none emergency situations.

"Throughout the history of our nation, fire departments have, and continue to provide the necessary response and services to the communities they protect," said U.S. Fire Administrator Greg Cade.

"In today's community and emergency environment, fire protection is only one of the many functions of a fire department. As in the past, today's firefighters are trained to handle all types of incidents, including EMS and will continue to prepare themselves for all types of emergencies, threats and vulnerabilities in the future."

The two reports, the Fire Department Overall Run Profile and the Fire Department Fire Run Profile, were developed by the National Fire Data Center, part of USFA. To understand the full role fire departments play in a community, these reports explore fire department run activity as reflected in the 2004 National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) data.

The Fire Department Overall Run Profile looks at all types of fire department runs or calls including fire, whereas the focus of the Fire Department Fire Run Profile is strictly fire.

Fifty-five percent of department responses require EMS and rescue services. False alarms account for 12 percent of all fire department runs, followed closely by good intent calls at 10 percent. About eight percent of all calls actually involve fire. Forty-two percent of all fire runs are to incidents involving structures, followed by outside fires at 35 percent.

The short topical reports are designed to explore facets of the U.S. fire problem as depicted through data collected in NFIRS. Each topical report briefly addresses the nature of the specific fire or fire-related topic, highlights important findings from the data, and may suggest other resources to consider for further information.

Copies of the reports can be downloaded at:

Fire Department Overall Run Profile <

Fire Department Fire Run Profile

This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

LACOFD Air Ops wins award - Igor I. Sikorsky Humanitarian Award

Posted: 12 Dec 2007 11:19 AM CST

HAI Announces Recipient of the 2008 Igor I. Sikorsky Humanitarian Award

HAI is proud to announce this year's Igor I. Sikorsky Humanitarian Award recipient, County of Los Angeles Fire Department, Air Operations Section, Pacoima, California.

The Los Angeles County terrain can be as diverse as the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, the vast high desert of the Antelope Valley, the islands of Catalina and San Clemente, and the expansive coastline and scenic beaches that make up the greater Los Angeles area. During the fall and winter months, the department routinely battles the destructive wind-driven "Santa Ana" wildfires that push down from the high-desert area to the coastline. The unit has pioneered the use of helicopters in wildland firefighting and is still a leader today in the use of aircraft in urban areas. In 2006, the department battled 405 wildfires and dropped nearly two million gallons of water and retardent. In addition to their expertise in firefighting, the department has been a major player in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operations since 1967. In 2006, they transported more than 1,222 patients, performed more than 30 hoist rescues, and flew just over 15,000 passengers.

August 2007 marked the 50th anniversary of the Air Operations Section of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. From their humble beginnings with a single Bell 47 to the present day fleet of three Sikorsky S-70 Firehawks, six Bell 412s, and a Bell 206 JetRanger, the Air Operations Section has been serving the citizens of Los Angeles County with pride. During that time, the unit has flown well over 100,000 hours in support of operations in and around the Southern California area. With more than 4,600 personnel and 179 fire stations, the department is the largest county fire department in the United States, and its population base of 11 million makes Los Angeles County one of the most populated regions in the country.

To ensure safety, pilots work closely with firefighters and paramedic crews. Chief Anthony Marrone credits the staff for the section's safety record. Marrone points out, "We have a great group of dedicated pilots, firefighters, paramedics, and mechanics, that is why we have one of the safest operations in North America." We congratulate the dedicated men and women of the Air Operations Section as they continue to save lives, protect property, battle wildfires, and provide outstanding service for the next 50 years.

All winners will be recognized at HELI-EXPO 2008's annual "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet on February 25, 2008 at 8:00 p.m. in Houston Texas. For more information about the 2008 "Salute to Excellence" Awards Banquet, contact HAI's Communications Department at 703-683-4646, fax: 703-683-4745, or email: rotor@rotor.com. For more information on HELI-EXPO 2008, visit www.heliexpo.com.

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Burn permits avaliable now in Sierra Foothills

Posted: 12 Dec 2007 11:14 AM CST

Restrictions on controlled burning in parts of the Sierra foothills were lifted Tuesday by CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service.

Burn permits now are available for the Camp Nelson, Johnsondale, Ponderosa, Coy Flat, Quaking Aspen, Pierpoint, Rogers Camp, Sugarloaf, Sugarloaf Mountain Park, Sugarloaf Village, Camp Wishon, Doyle Springs, Cedar Slope and Sequoia Crest areas.

The restrictions had been initiated due to the high risk of brush fires in these areas during this year's fire season.

A Forest Service officer may need to see the piles of branches, leaves or other items to burn before a permit is issued.

Call the Sequoia National Forest district office in Springville at 539-2607, extension 222, to request permits.

Carmel - Cal Fire/Cacagua Fire- Prescribed burn today

Posted: 12 Dec 2007 11:05 AM CST

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has scheduled a prescribed burn for today and will burn about 250 acres of brush and oak woodland at the University of California, Berkeley's Hasting Reserve east of Carmel.

The burn will "enhance wildlife habitat and encourage native/palatable forage as well as reduce the fire hazard," Cal Fire said.

Hastings Reserve is a longtime research facility situated 25 miles inland on Carmel Valley Road.

Cal Fire and Cacagua Fire District crews will carry out the burn. Roadside information signs will be strategically located for the traveling public, Cal Fire said.