Santa Clarita provided Cal Fire with a demonstration of tree inventory & software.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE VISITS CITY’S URBAN FORESTRY DIVISION

On Wednesday, January 13, the City of Santa Clarita provided California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) representatives with a demonstration of its tree inventory and Arbor Pro software. Cal Fire selected the City to present the demo to provide state foresters with an example of a city eligible for the state’s Urban Forestry Inventory Grant program.
The City provided examples of how it utilizes Arbor Pro software to manage the health, location and quantity of Santa Clarita’s extensive tree population. City staff also explained how local Urban Forestry efforts benefit the local community in regards to air quality, storm water and energy savings.
“The City is thrilled that the California Department of Forestry and Fire chose Santa Clarita as an example of a City eligible for its Inventory Grant program,” said Mayor Laurene Weste. “Their visit is a testament to the dedication of the City’s Urban Forestry staff toward maintaining Santa Clarita’s tree-friendly status.”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire’s Inventory Grant program provides approximately $1.5 million in grant funding to cities, counties, and districts in need of implementing or adding to an Urban Forestry or street tree inventory program.
For more information on the City’s demonstration to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, please contact Robert Sartain, Arborist for the City of Santa Clarita, at (661) 294-2518 or visit santa-clarita.com.

Release Date: 1/20/2010
Source: City of Santa Clarita - Link
Related: CAL FIRE State Board of Forestry - Link

Prescribed fire: Tonight Air Station Miramar

Where: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on the northern San Diego base's airfield.


What:  The base military emergency-services crews will take part in a routine controlled burn.


When: The nighttime training operation is scheduled to begin about 6 p.m. Friday and last for several hours, according to the USMC station's public affairs office.


The prescribed fire is not expected to cause any visibility problems for motorists, officials said.

Phoneix Fire Dept., Youngest Chief officer

In Phoenix , Arizona , a 26 year-old mother stared down at her 6 year-old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia. Although her heart was filled with sadness, She also had a strong feeling of , she wanted her son to grow up & Fulfill all his dreams. Now, that was no longer possible.. The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true. She took her son' s hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up? Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life?' Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.' Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.' Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix , Arizona , where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix ! She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine. Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards! And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.' 'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix , so we can get them fast.' Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck. Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven. There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls. He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, And even the fire chief's car. H e was also videotaped for the Local news program. Having his dream come true, With all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible. One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone - began to call the family members to the hospital. Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and Asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition. The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor? When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire?' 'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room?' About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window-------- 16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room. With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, 'Chief, am I really a fireman now?' Billy, you are, the Head Chief, the chief said. With those words, He closed his eyes one last time.

Story stolen from a fireman's email list, According to Snopes this one is true enjoy

Earthquake: 6.0 M VANUATU

6.0 M - VANUATU

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	6.0 M
Date-Time	29 Jan 2010 09:20:04 UTC 29 Jan 2010 20:20:04 near epicenter 29 Jan 2010 01:20:04 standard time in your timezone
Location	19.039S 169.540E
Depth	85 km
Distances	62 km (38 miles) NNE (28 degrees) of Isangel, Vanuatu 194 km (121 miles) SE (138 degrees) of PORT-VILA, Vanuatu 325 km (202 miles) NNE (32 degrees) of Tadine, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia 1931 km (1200 miles) ENE (64 degrees) of Brisbane, Australia
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 8.3 km; Vertical 6.7 km
Parameters	Nph = 80; Dmin = 999.9 km; Rmss = 0.75 seconds; Gp = 86° M-type = M; Version = 6
Event ID	US 2010sbaw ***This event supersedes event PT10029000.

For updates, maps, and technical information, see: Event Page or USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information Center U.S. Geological Survey http://neic.usgs.gov/
Disclaimer

San Bernardino Fire makes great puppy save at structure fire!

Puppy rescued from house fire on 7th ST

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Source: http://sbcityfire.blogspot.com post: Puppy rescued from house fire on 7th ST

USAR News: USA-2 (CA-TF2) Welcome Home! Team 2 Stay Safe!

LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT USAR TASK FORCE RETURNS FROM HAITI
	January 27, 2010 – The Los Angeles County Fire Department is pleased to announce the return of its Urban Search and Rescue team, California Task Force 2, to Los Angeles. The team completes a 14-day deployment to Haiti where they assisted USAID with rescue and recovery efforts following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake

Update:  LACoFDTSD DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TEAM UPDATE: Please join us in supporting the second team from CA-TF2 getting ready to deploy...http://bit.ly/cucEAP5 minutes ago from Facebook Reply Retweet Deployment Support Team Update: The welcoming festivities for tonight have concluded. Thank you for an amazing...http://bit.ly/9lr1yV12 minutes ago from Facebook I posted 45 photos on Facebook in the album "Welcome Home!"http://bit.ly/bq8LCSabout 1 hour ago from Facebook DST UPDATE: Stay tuned for photos and footage of tonight's welcome home celebration. On behalf of the entire Los...http://bit.ly/b9yLhHabout 4 hours ago from Facebook I posted 4 photos on Facebook in the album "Welcome Home!"http://bit.ly/bq8LCSabout 4 hours ago from Facebook Haiti: Mt @LACoFDTSDDEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TEAM UPDATE: 2nd team from CA-TF2 getting ready to deploy #EQHaitihttp://bit.ly/cucEAP    UPDATE: CA-TF2 HAS LANDED. http://bit.ly/cpMUcJ  Update: The 72-member team is expected to arrive, by bus, at our Pacoima facility, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 28. A press conference will follow shortly thereafter. Family members and the Fire Department eagerly await the task force’s return.

LA County Fire website: Link
LA County Tech services: Facebook Link -Twitter Link

BIG SUR: Road closure due to erosion work begins Feb 1.

Emergency Project to Stop Erosion in Big Sur, Power to be Shut Off

Posted: Jan 28, 2010 9:21 AM PST Updated: Jan 28, 2010 9:51 AM PST

BIG SUR, Calif- An emergency project to prevent the Big Sur River from cutting into the embankment by the Big Sur Lodge/Big Sur Park Campgrounds begins next Monday Feb. 1, Caltrans officials announced.
Alternating lane closures with one-way reverse traffic control will be in effect from 7 am to 5 pm Mondays through Fridays for two weeks with closures primarily on the northbound side. Up to 10-minute delays are anticipated. There will be a closure this Friday, Jan. 29 from 9 am to 3:30 pm to deliver the rocks to the site and set up for next Monday's work.
There are power lines in the way so PG&E will be shutting down the power during work hours for the two-week project since there are strict specifications on the placement of a crane in relation to overhead power lines. PG&E will be notifying residents/businesses from the Big Sur Lodge/Big Sur Park Campgrounds south to the County Line informing them of the electricity shut off while work is taking place.
The project is necessary as the Big Sur River is rapidly eroding the hillside. Big rocks, approximately 5' x 5' x 5' will be placed via crane in the river to keep it from further cutting into the roadway embankment.
Granite Construction of Watsonville is the contractor for this $925,000 emergency project.

Source: KION Article Link

SDFD: Brown-out plan - Up to 8 fire engines OOS everyday

The number of fire engine companies at 13 of San Diego's 47 fire stations - including the one at Eastgate Mall and Genessee Avenue - will be reduced on a rotating basis starting next week, as part of budget cuts recently adopted by the City Council.

No fire stations will be closed as a result of the so-called "rolling brown-outs," but fire stations with multiple crews will be reduced to a single crew and their engines will be idled, according to a five-page plan released by the city.

Up to eight fire engines will be taken out of operation each day. The firefighters that typically staff those engines will be used to fill in for others who are absent from duty.

First District Councilwoman Sherri Lightner told the La Jolla Town Council last week that the plan could affect La Jolla firefighters who may have to shift to backup at Station 35 in University City.

The plan, which takes effect Feb. 6, will save the city about $11.5 million due to a reduction in overtime.

Councilwoman Marti Emerald said the plan could mean it will take longer for first responders to arrive at an emergency.

"These engine closures represent an additional 13 percent reduction in available fire crews and equipment," Emerald said in a statement. "We are patching the budget deficit by cutting public safety services. We should all be concerned about this."

According to Emerald, 22 fire stations in San Diego already fall short of a national standard for response times.

The brown-outs were included in Mayor Jerry Sanders' recent plan to close a $179 million budget shortfall. The City Council approved the budget cuts in December.

The impacted San Diego Fire-Rescue Department stations include Station 21 in Pacific each, Station 35 in University city, Station 40 in Rancho Penasquitos and Station 44 in Mira Mesa as well as others across the city.

 Source: LaJolla Light Article Link

USAR NEWS ALERT: French team pulls teen girl out of Haiti rubble

Reuters: Teenage girl rescued alive today from under a house in Port-au-Prince, 15 days after Haiti's devastating earthquake.


Twitter: #EQHaiti #USAR News: Teenage girl rescued alive today from under a house in Port-au-Prince, 15 days after #Haiti's devastating earthquake.

Earthquake: 6.1 M PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION

6.1 Mw - PHILIPPINE ISLANDS REGION

Preliminary Earthquake Report

Magnitude	6.1 Mw
Date-Time	27 Jan 2010 18:49:33 UTC 28 Jan 2010 02:49:33 near epicenter 27 Jan 2010 10:49:33 standard time in your timezone
Location	13.684N 125.439E
Depth	24 km
Distances	141 km (88 miles) ESE (106 degrees) of Pandan, Catanduanes, Philippines 192 km (119 miles) ENE (72 degrees) of Legaspi, Luzon, Philippines 200 km (124 miles) NNE (26 degrees) of Calbayog, Samar, Philippines 493 km (306 miles) ESE (102 degrees) of MANILA, Philippines
Location Uncertainty	Horizontal: 7.6 km; Vertical 22.1 km
Parameters	Nph = 102; Dmin = 684.7 km; Rmss = 1.12 seconds; Gp = 75° M-type = Mw; Version = 6
Event ID	US 2010rzbv ***This event supersedes event AT00461817.

For updates, maps, and technical information, see: Event Page or USGS Earthquake Hazards Program
National Earthquake Information Center U.S. Geological Survey http://neic.usgs.gov/
Disclaimer

Justice served: Glenn Johnson found guilty!!!

Former LAcoFD Assisant Fire Chief Glenn Johnson found guilty of animal cruelty (SECTION 597(A) PC) with enhancements! 
Convicted of malicious beating a neighbors puppy to death with a 12 pound rock.

REPORT AND SENTENCE HEARING SET ON 03/08/2010 AT 8:30 IN DEPT. 55

Mr. Johnson had many prior run-ins and complaints with his neighbors and coworkers, This was wanton premeditated killing and a disgrace to his badge he should be sentenced to the maximum allowable under law!


Case RIF147295 Defendant 591118 JOHNSON, GLYNN DAMON - Actions and Minutes

Action Date	Action Text	Disposition	Hearing Type
12/16/2010	BAIL BOND # S1001387803 EXPIRES. (TWO YEARS FROM EFFECTIVE DATE OF 12/16/2008 - PURSUANT TO SECTION 1304 PC)
03/08/2010 8:30 AM DEPT. 55	REPORT AND SENTENCING	ACTIVE	REPORT AND SENTENCING
01/26/2010	JURY FINDING ON 12022(B)(1) PC & 1192.7(C)(23) PC FILED. (PUBLIC)
01/26/2010	JURY FINDING ON 12022(B)(1) PC & 1192.7(C)(23) PC FILED. (CONFIDENTIAL)
01/26/2010	JURY VERDICT (FORM) AS TO COUNT 01 FILED.(CONFIDENTIAL)
01/26/2010	JURY VERDICT FORM AS TO COUNT 01 FILED (PUBLIC)
01/26/2010 9:00 AM DEPT. 55	JURY TRIAL (JURY DELIBERATING)	DISPOSED
Minutes HONORABLE J. THOMPSON HANKS PRESIDING. COURTROOM ASSISTANT: KL1-K. LARSON JURY RETIRES AT 9:00 TO CONTINUE DELIBERATIONS. COURT REPORTER: HB-H. BOWDEN PEOPLE REPRESENTED BY DEPUTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: WILL ROBINSON. DEFENDANT REPRESENTED BY PVT JOHN SWEENEY-ANGELA POWELL. DEFENDANT PRESENT. AT 12:43 JURY RETURNS WITH A VERDICT. WE THE JURY IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED ACTION, FIND THE DEFT. GLYNN DAMON JOHNSON, GUILTY, IN COUNT 01 OF A VIOLATION OF SECTION 597(A) PC. JURY FINDS ENHANCEMENT(S) 1U IN COUNT 01 TRUE. JURY FINDS ENHANCEMENT(S) DW IN COUNT 01 TRUE. DATED: 01/26/2010, AND SIGNED BY: # 4 JURY FOREPERSON. JURORS ARE POLLED ON THE VERDICT(S) AND ALL JURORS ANSWER IN THE AFFIRMATIVE. RE-READING OF THE VERDICT(S) AS RECORDED IS WAIVED JURORS ARE THANKED AND EXCUSED. REPORT AND SENTENCE HEARING SET ON 03/08/2010 AT 8:30 IN DEPT. 55. REFERRED TO PROBATION DEPARTMENT FOR PRESENTENCE REPORT. DEFENDANT WAIVES TIME FOR SENTENCING. DEFENDANT ORDERED TO REPORT TO PROBATION OFFICE FORTHWITH, OR UPON RELEASE FROM CUSTODY. DEFENDANT ORDERED TO RETURN ON ANY AND ALL FUTURE HEARING DATES. CURRENT BAIL BOND CONTINUED.

YouTube: New Videos from CALFIRETV

 CAL FIRE is most often highlighted in its role as a wildland fire fighting agency, but CAL FIRE is also a leader in flood response.

USA-2 UPDATES: Follow the USAR teams on Twitter and Facebook

Follow LACoFD-TSD on (click the twitter logo)
Briefings:
01-28-10	The Los Angeles County Fire Department is pleased to announce the return of its Urban Search and Rescue team, California Task Force 2, to Los Angeles. The team completes a 14-day deployment to Haiti where they assisted USAID with rescue and recovery efforts following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The 72-member team is expected to arrive, by bus, at our Pacoima facility, at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 28. A press conference will follow shortly thereafter. Family members and the Fire Department eagerly await the task force’s return.
01-25-10	Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team (USA-2), working in direct support of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is continuing to conduct field operations. Structural engineers are currently inspecting surrounding critical infrastructure and essential facilities in and around Port-au-Prince to possibly allow for the re-occupation of structurally safe buildings. Team members from USA-2 are assisting with the assembling of large tents to be used for humanitarian assistance purposes. It is anticipated that USA-2 will be arriving back in Los Angeles later this week. Updates will be provided as they become available.
01-23-10	January 23, 2010, 1710 hr (EST) –The Los Angeles County Urban Search and Rescue Team (USA-2), as part of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has extricated a 24-year old man from the Hotel Napoli Inn. As part of a joint rescue attempt with the Virginia and French Urban Search and Rescue teams, USA-2 assisted with the removal a man trapped nearly 12 days. The victim appeared to be in good condition with no significant injuries. Updates will be provided as they become available.

Twitter updates:

Los Angeles County Fire Tech Services Port-au-Prince time: 13:17 HRS, Current temperature: 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

48 minutes ago

Los Angeles County Fire Tech Services DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT TEAM UPDATE: Fully engaged in finalization process for anticipated demobilization of USA-2.

USA-2 UPDATE:  Angeles County Fire Tech Services on Facebook reports that USA-2 UPDATE: All team members are curently at the Base of Operations; after a day of activities, primarily providing humanitarian support. Team members are reported to be in very high spirits as they look forward to a potentially soon demobilization date.

Follow on Twitter at  @LACoFDTSD

Washington: Large rock hits drivers window on Vancouver Fire Department’s ladder trucks

Rock-thrower damages ladder truck

Crew escapes injury in early-morning attack

Shane Parker/Vancouver Fire Department

The impact of a large rock caved in part of the driver’s-side windshield of one of the Vancouver Fire Department’s ladder trucks as it returned from a call in east Vancouver early Saturday.

The impact of a large rock caved in part of the driver’s-side windshield of one of the Vancouver Fire Department’s ladder trucks as it returned from a call in east Vancouver early Saturday.

A Vancouver Fire Department ladder truck crew had a narrow escape early Saturday when someone hurled a large rock into the massive vehicle’s driver-side windshield.
None of the four firefighters on board were injured, according to Vancouver firefighter-spokesman Jim Flaherty. But he said the incident easily could have turned out worse.
“The reality of it is, if had it gone a foot either way and if something happened to the driver, then we’d have gotten into a vehicle control issue,” Flaherty said. “An out-of-control or incapacitated driver of a ladder truck is going to have a bad result for the other people inside and whatever else that multi-ton ladder truck comes into contact with, whether it’s another vehicle or a building.”
Police are investigating.
The ladder truck crew, which was returning from a 911 call in Orchards, was driving south in the 4100 block of Northeast 112th Avenue at 1:35 a.m. Saturday at the time of the incident, Flaherty said.
The rock, which weighed 2-3 pounds, caved in a section of the driver’s-side windshield. Flaherty said the crew didn’t see who threw it. “It happened so quickly,” he said.
At 56 feet, the ladder truck is so long that it needs a tiller-man at the rear of the apparatus to to help steer the vehicle around corners. It weighs 31 tons.
“The driver did a heck of a job getting it stopped safely,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty, who called the incident “extremely stupid and extremely dangerous,” said the damaged truck will be out of service until it can be repaired. With a reserve ladder truck already out of service, the incident leaves the city with only one working ladder truck.
The Vancouver Police Department asked that anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Cpl. Doug Rickard at 360-487-7535.
“We believe somebody knows something about this,” Flaherty said. “Now, with all of the east side of the community without a ladder truck, we’re looking for somebody to really step up.”

Source:

By Mark Bowder
Columbian Staff Writer

Saturday, January 23, 2010

columbian.com. Article Link
Photos: Shane Parker/Vancouver Fire Department