LAFD Arson Arrest Of 78-year-old Nick Pecarich, of San Pedro, For San Pedro Elks Lodge Fire

The San Pedro Elks Lodge suffered a devastating fire Tuesday morning. (photo: Chris Villanueva)

LOS ANGELES – Investigators from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Arson-

Counter-Terrorism Section, in coordination with detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Criminal Conspiracy Section, and the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on Tuesday, April 29, 2014, announced the arrest of 78-year-old Nick Pecarich, of San Pedro, in connection to the April 15 Greater Alarm structure fire at the San Pedro Elks Lodge.

Pecarich was arrested without incident early Tuesday afternoon and was booked at the LAPD Metropolitan Detention Center for violation of Penal Code Section 451(c), Arson of a structure. He is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail. The case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s office for filing of formal criminal charges.

As LAFD arson investigators and their law enforcement counterparts are continuing the investigation into this crime, no further details will be released at this time.

Pursuant to a request from the District Attorney’s office to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation, a booking photo will not be released at this time.

The LAFD wishes to thank the local community for its cooperation and assistance following this fire and during the course of the investigation. Community involvement often plays a key role in the aftermath of significant incidents, and this investigation benefited from that involvement.

The LAFD considers arson a serious crime. We will work diligently in all cases of arson to thoroughly investigate, arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson Los Angeles Fire Department 

The lodge, located at 1748 Cumbre Dr. in San Pedro, suffered massive damage to the main dining hall, the legendary bar area and other rooms in the multilevel structure. Firefighters were able to save the ritual hall and some of its priceless heirlooms inside.

More than 100 firefighters were called to the scene to put out the fire, which started at approximately 3 a.m.

Photo From http://www.sanpedrobeacon.com/2014/04/15/san-pedro-elks-lodge-partially-destroyed-in-suspicious-fire-photos/

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LODD: LACFD Firefighter Specialist Darrell Rice #CaFire

LODD: Firefighter Specialist Darrell Rice

It is with a great deal of sorrow that IAFF Local 1014 announces that Fire Fighter Specialist Darrell Rice, Fire Prevention Division, Petroleum Chemical Unit passed away Tuesday April 22nd, 2014.

Darrell has been a memberr of Local 1014 since 1991.

Please keep Brother Rice, his Wife Phyllis and Daughter Candace in your thoughts and prayers as they work through these difficult times.

Memorial Service

Please check HERE for details of Brother Rice's services, they will be forthcoming as they are available.
If you should have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Local 1014.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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San Bernardino City Firefighters Battle Vacant Structure Fire

San Bernardino City Fire DepartmentPress Release Contact: Engineer Mike Arvizo, PIO Assigned - Contact # 909-289-6679 Incident Commander: Battalion Chief Mike Bilheimer - 909-384-5279 Incident Date: 04/25/14 Location:  995 S. Washington Time of the call: 04:19 PM Number of Units: 5 Engines, 1 Ladder Trucks, 1 Battalion Chiefs Number of Firefighters:   18 Firefighters and 1 Chief Officer Fatalities/Injuries: None Property Damage: $100,000 structural and finishing Personal Items: Vacant Property Saved: $300,000 Additional Information: •         Fire Crews were dispatched to multiple reports of a residential structure fire. •         Arriving Firefighters discovered a vacant residence with heavy fire coming from the rear •         Firefighters fought the fire on two fronts, the actual structure itself and a field to the rear of the structure that was burning and threatening to spread to surrounding occupied residences. •         Firefighters were able to successfully protect 2 adjacent structures from the severe radiant heat and also kept the fire confined to the structure of origin.  One of those residences was occupied while the other was vacant. •         The fire was brought under control within 30 minutes. Mop up continued for another 3 hours. •         The cause of the fire suspicious and is being investigated by arson investigators.                                                                   **SAFETY MESSAGE** Please report any suspicious activity in and around vacant boarded-up structures to local law enforcement.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LADWP Sued For Negligence And Starting Powerhouse Fire

Lawsuit claims negligence by utility in wildfire

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/24/6350624/suit-alleges-utility-caused-california.html#storylink=cpy

LOS ANGELES -- Victims of a wildfire that burned 24 homes have sued the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, claiming the utility started the huge blaze and failed to properly maintain power lines and equipment.

Reed Saxon, File / AP Photo

FILE - In this June 2, 2013 file photo, a charred Radio Flyer wagon seen in the ruins of a home, one of at least five structures destroyed or severely damaged, in what has been called the Powerhouse fire in Lake Hughes, Calif. Victims of the wildfire are suing Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, claiming the utility started the massive blaze and failed to properly maintain power lines and equipment.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/24/6350624/suit-alleges-utility-caused-california.html#storylink=cpy

About 100 plaintiffs, ranging from homeowners to a camp for disabled children, filed the lawsuit last month alleging negligence, dangerous condition of public property and other grounds, the Daily News reported Wednesday.

The plaintiffs are seeking unspecified damages in Los Angeles Superior Court.

The Powerhouse Fire burned 53 structures, including two dozen homes, and more than 30,000 acres near Santa Clarita and in Angeles National Forest. It began May 30 near a hydroelectric power plant and burned for about 10 days.

Attorney Gerald Singleton, who is representing the plaintiffs, said an investigation by his group into the cause of the fire focused on power lines.

"You weed out every cause besides the power lines," Singleton told the newspaper. "It doesn't look like there are any other ignition sources."

Results of a U.S. Forest Service probe have not been released. The utility, in a statement, said it is also conducting an investigation.

"LADWP has furnished the investigators with all information requested," the statement reads. "LADWP does not believe that equipment age was a factor in the cause of the fire."

The fire started near the site of Powerhouse 1, the original hydroelectric power plant for the city of Los Angeles. It forced the evacuation of 3,000 residents from the foothill hamlets of Lake Hughes and Lake Elizabeth to desert communities in Lancaster.

Nearly 2,200 firefighters converged from across the West to fight the blaze driven by high winds, triple-digit temperatures and unseasonably dry brush not burned for nearly a century.

Once the DWP is officially served with the complaint, it will have 30 days to respond.

Article Sources: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/24/6350624/suit-alleges-utility-caused-california.html
http://www.dailynews.com/general-news/20140423/powerhouse-fire-victims-sue-los-angeles-department-of-water-and-power--------------------------------------------

CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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San Bernardino City Fire Facing Arson Fire Spike in Abandoned Homes and Businesses #CaFire

Calif. fire department sees jump in arson fires

An investigator says 46 of the 52 structure and car fires in the city since January could be the work of arsonists

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — There’s a new byproduct of troubled economic times and the city’s financial woes.

San Bernardino firefighters say structure fires have skyrocketed so far this year, compared to the first four months of last year. This time last year San Bernardino City firefighters battled 25 working structure fires compared to the 52 they've fought this year so far. “If you look at our city and the number of abandoned homes and businesses, that’s the primary factor in the number of fires we’re having to face right now,” said San Bernardino City Fire Chief George Avery. San Bernardino arson investigator Steve Tracy says 46 of the 52 structure and car fires in the city since January could be the work of arsonists.

“The arson rate in the last two years is off the chart for a city of this size,” Tracy said.

Some of the fires are suspected to have been accidentally or purposely started by transients squatting in abandoned structures. Fire officials say about 70 percent of the structures that have burned this year are abandoned buildings.

Investigators believe some of the squatters suspected in the fires are former jail inmates released as a result of prison realignment.

“When some of the inmates are released, they don’t necessarily have a place to go,” Tracy said. “Some of them are monitored by probation or parole, but some of them don’t have a place to live, so they’re left to live on the streets.”

They’re taking advantage of boarded-up and abandoned buildings and that’s what they’re calling home, he added.

“We see an influx of warming fires that get out of control when the weather is colder,” he said.

But not all of the blazes fit that description.

“Some of the fires have been started by squatters trying to strip copper wire of the plastic insulation in abandoned structures,” Tracy said. “They use a lighter to heat up the plastic and melt it away from the copper wire. When it drops, sometimes a fire breaks out.”

According to a witness in one neighborhood, one fire that injured a firefighter this week started through gang intimidation.

The witness, who wished to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation, said the three-alarm fire in the 3400 block of East 21st Street on Tuesday was started by gang members trying to intimidate nearby residents into paying them a “safety tax.”

“They try to intimidate us all of the time into paying them money so we could live safely from other gangs,” the witness said. “We have to live here because we can’t afford to live anywhere else and we’re being extorted by these thugs.”

That witness said if they go to the police, they are forced to give the “tax collector” more money.

“These thugs started this fire as a warning for us to pay them or else,” the witness said. “I’m not paying a dime, but I’m scared to even live here now.”

Arson investigators said even though the investigation into Tuesday’s three-alarm fire is ongoing, they’ve determined the cause was arson.

The department plans to work more closely with police since many of the fires are considered criminal acts.

“This is obviously another branch of crime that needs attention that we’ve committed our arson unit to as much as possible,” Avery said.

Avery said the hope is that a partnership will help generate solid evidence and, hopefully, more charges filed by the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office against arsonists.

The department is also working with city officials on the overall socioeconomic issues contributing to the problem, Avery said.

“We are working with the city manager and the city attorney’s office to work with the code enforcement issues as far as the general blight and the abandoned homes that are just left in that state for years,” he said. “We are trying to find an opportunity to clean all of those up.”

But finding the resources to solve the problem could be a challenge, given the city’s struggle with bankruptcy, personnel and program cuts.

“With the amount of reductions we've faced over the years, it’s become even more challenging than ever,” Avery said.

Copyright 2014 San Bernardino County Sun
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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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SFFD: No reprimand for SF Battalion Chief who filmed Asiana 214 crash #CaFire

No reprimand for SF firefighter who filmed Asiana crash

Battalion Chief Mark Johnson's footage showed a teen being run over by a fire truck

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco's fire chief has quietly rescinded her controversial reprimand of a battalion chief whose helmet-mounted camera captured the moment when a 16-year-old survivor of the Asiana Airlines crash at the airport was run over by a fire rig.

Chief Joanne Hayes-White had initially concluded that Battalion Chief Mark Johnson violated a 2009 department general order against unauthorized filming "in the workplace" and at stations when he recorded the July 6 crash scene with a personal camera he had installed atop his helmet.

Helmet-mounted camera view when the Asiana flight 214 crashed in July.

The value of Johnson's footage showing crash victim Ye Meng Yuan of China being run over by a rig — the second of two that struck and killed her — didn't outweigh the privacy rights of other crash survivors and firefighters, the chief said at the time. The Fire Department could be held liable for violating federal medical-privacy laws if firefighters used the footage in unauthorized fashion, Hayes-White said.

Had her discipline order stood, the department would have put a letter of reprimand in Johnson's file that could have hampered his possibilities for promotion. He was not facing suspension or firing.

Covered in foam
Johnson took command of the scene at San Francisco International Airport shortly after the crash of the Asiana Boeing 777, in which two other passengers also died. His camera footage showed the Chinese schoolgirl being run over as she lay covered in flame-retardant foam near the burning plane's left wing, and made it clear that other firefighters had not warned him or other rescue coordinators that Ye was there.

Hayes-White moved to discipline Johnson shortly after The Chronicle published still photos from his footage. By that time, however, fire officials had already learned that footage from another rig — this one taken by a department-sanctioned dashboard camera — showed that it had hit a clearly visible Ye when she was not concealed by foam. She was completely covered by the time Johnson's camera recorded her being run over by the second rig.

The San Mateo County coroner concluded after an autopsy that Ye was alive before the rigs ran her over.

Second thoughts
Department officials later said they were reconsidering the restrictions on helmet cameras, which several firefighters and paramedics had been using. They said the policy ultimately would still have to preserve victims' and firefighters' privacy rights.

Mindy Talmadge, spokeswoman for the department, declined to comment Thursday when asked about the Johnson case, saying it was a personnel matter.

In appealing the action, Johnson argued that the department had never had a specific ban on the cameras. Johnson has told investigators he installed his device after questions emerged about his role in the handling of a 2011 house fire in the Diamond Heights neighborhood in which two firefighters died.

In a March 19 letter rescinding Johnson's reprimand, provided to The Chronicle by Johnson's attorney, Murlene Randle, Hayes-White said she had reviewed "pertinent information" in the battalion chief's defense and concluded the department had "insufficient evidence" to support the reprimand.

It is not clear what that evidence was. But Randle said at least one high-ranking fire official had testified at the appeal hearing that the department did not, in fact, have a specific policy against helmet-camera recording by firefighters.

Two others accused
Johnson had been accused of violating the camera policy along with two other firefighters, whose cases were unrelated to the Asiana crash, Randle said. All three firefighters are African American, and Randle said it appeared that the Fire Department was unfairly targeting blacks who used the devices.

Hayes-White also rescinded reprimands pending against the other two firefighters.

Johnson has declined to comment. The head of the San Francisco Black Firefighters Association, Battalion Chief Kevin Smith, said fire officials should never have opened the disciplinary proceedings.

"It was unfair, it was unjust," Smith said, adding that Johnson "did not do anything to warrant this type of attack."

'Bad message'
Reprimanding Johnson "sent a bad message throughout the department that getting to the bottom of something, getting to the truth, may not always be to your benefit," Smith said.

Randle said Johnson was being disciplined for doing the right thing.

"The goal appeared to have been to punish him for bringing the video to the attention of the department, which would never have disclosed what had occurred had it not been for the video," Randle said. "This amounted to punishing Mark for being honest in turning in the video."

Talmadge said the order prohibiting unauthorized filming remains in place while the department decides whether to make the policy "more specific."

Copyright 2014 San Francisco Chronicle
Original Link: http://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Asiana-crash-No-reprimand-for-S-F-firefighter-5427996.php

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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580 Fire CA-ALCO/SCU- 580 Wildland Fire, Some Units Being Released... #CaFire

580 Fire CA-SCU- 580 WUI Wildland Fire Livermore, Alameda County

580 Fire Wildland Fire Livermore
Credit: @loribuckmajor

Update: - Some local units being released(ALCO) including WT 44

Location: - Old Altamont Road at Moto X, Westbound 580 at Greenville Rd.
IA Description: - Grass Fire affecting freeway traffic.
IA Resources: - CAL FIRE and Alameda Fire
ROC: -
ROS: -
Structure Threats: - Yes
Situation Concerns/Alerts: - Powerlines, RR tracks
Situation Comments: - Multiple Fires reported in Livermore areaOnline Scanners: - http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/feed/473

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CalFireNews
https://twitter.com/AlamedaCoFireAlamedaCoFire
Weather: - Weather Conditions for AATC1
Current time: April 23, 2014 - 4:15 GMT 
Most Recent Observations at April 23, 2014 - 3:12 GMT

	3:12	Max since Midnight	Min since Midnight	24 Hour Max	24 Hour Min
Temperature	48.0° F	59.0 at 22:12	44.0 at 12:12	59.0 at 22:12	44.0 at 12:12
Dew Point	39.1° F	48.1 at 9:12	31.4 at 19:12	48.1 at 9:12	31.4 at 19:12
Relative Humidity	71%	100 at 10:12	38 at 23:12	100 at 10:12	38 at 23:12
Wind Speed	32 mph from WSW	34 at 7:12	17 at 22:12	37 at 5:12	17 at 22:12
Wind Gust	39 mph	47 at 7:12	29 at 23:12	48 at 6:12	29 at 23:12
Solar Radiation	19.0 W/m*m	949.0 at 20:12	1.0 at 7:12	949.0 at 20:12	1.0 at 5:12
Fuel Temperature	47.0° F	70.0 at 20:12	43.0 at 13:12	70.0 at 20:12	43.0 at 13:12
10 hr Fuel Moisture	9 gm	25 at 13:12	7 at 7:12	25 at 13:12	5 at 5:12
Battery voltage	13.60 volt	14.10 at 17:12	12.70 at 9:12	14.10 at 17:12	12.70 at 9:12

Precipitation accumulated since midnight: 0.00", in 24 hours: 0.00"

Web Cams: -

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LODD: CAL FIRE Asst. Chief Renny E. LeRoy

LODD: CDF Firefighters Asst. Chief Renny E. LeRoy

It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Assistant Chief Renny E. LeRoy of IAFF Local 2881 - CDF Fire Fighters, Sacramento, California. Brother LeRoy, 60, passed away on Thursday, April 3, 2014 from pancreatic cancer.

Chief LeRoy began his career with CDF in 1971 as a Firefighter in the Fresno-Kings Unit. In 1972 he became a Fireman and in 1974 he promoted to Fire Apparatus Engineer. In 1981 he promoted again, this time to Miramonte Camp as a Fire Crew Supervisor (Fire Captain). In 1987, Chief Leroy promoted to Battalion Chief at the California Institute for Women Training. He transferred to the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit at Baseline Camp in 1991 and was based at the Emergency Command Center from 1994 until 2001 when he promoted to the Assistant Chief – Administrative Officer. In 2003, Chief LeRoy returned to Baseline Camp and retired in 2006.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1 p.m. April 8, 2014 at University Vineyard Church, 4910 N. Woodrow Ave., in Fresno. (559) 346-1872. A reception will follow after the service.

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family can be sent to 1178 Mill Street, Selma, CA 93662. Other expressions for the family or the local can be sent to IAFF Local 2881, 1731 J Street, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95811-3022, or emailed to smokeyo2@volcano.net.

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LAFD MEMBERS TO ATTEND BOSTON LODD FIREFIGHTER FUNERALS

LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS TO ATTEND BOSTON FIREFIGHTER FUNERALS   

LOS ANGELES (March 30, 2014) – The Los Angeles Fire Department joins the nation and the Boston Fire Department in mourning the loss of two of their bravest in a nine-alarm fire on March 26, 2014. The LAFD will be represented at the upcoming funerals and memorial services by two of our own members, who will travel to Boston on Monday.  

Through a collaborative effort between the LAFD, the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association, the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, and Virgin America Inc., two LAFD members from our own Fire Station 33 in South Los Angeles will attend the funerals of Boston Firefighter Michael Kennedy and Lieutenant Edward Walsh.  

“We mourn the tragic loss of these two dedicated firefighters and we are proud to stand with our brothers and sisters in public safety in honoring their lives and sacrifice,” said LAFD Interim Chief James Featherstone. “The two LAFD members in Boston will carry with them the support and condolences from all 3,300 men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department, who know well the risks and challenges of our chosen profession.” 

Related Info Links: 

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)

Boston Fire Department
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association 

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112

Fire Station 33

Michael Kennedy and Lieutenant Edward Walsh.---------------------------------------------

CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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CAL FIRE plans to hire more crews ahead of very active wildfire season

CAL FIRE plans to hire more crews due to dry conditions

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- CAL FIRE has now announced plans to hire more crews ahead of what they believe could be a very active wildfire season. The firefighters will be hired in the Bay Area, the Sacramento foothills and right here in Central California.

Firefighters from all around the state traveled to the Valley last year to battle the massive Rim Fire, which tore through 400 square miles. But crews believe this year could be worse because the severe drought dripping California right now is drying up vegetation, everywhere.

"With these very dry conditions, fire is able to spread much quicker than normal, especially this time of year," said CAL FIRE's Ryan Michaels.

In the past three months alone, Cal Fire went to more than 800 wildfires. But in an average year, they typically combat 300 or fewer fires. In April, 25 season firefighters will join local stations to deal with the sharp increase in calls.

"As we progress into the summer we will go into our peak levels, so we will add on more people then. This is our typical staffing arrangement, it's just much earlier in the season than anticipated" said Michaels.

Crews say the recent rain showers helped soak the parched soil and generate some green grass. But we need many more longer downpours to create a safer terrain.

"What we are concerned with is the brush and vegetation, the timber that are very, very dry. This little rain unfortunately isn't making much of an impact to that," added Michaels.

Firefighters want everyone in the Valley to clear brush and weeds on their property at least 100 feet around their homes. They say creating that defensible space is crucial to keeping your home safe.

Source: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news/local&id=9484870---------------------------------------------

CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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