LAFD CERT Hydration Units

Yesterday we were deployed at 8:37 am to a 25 story High Rise building fire with heavy fire on the 6th floor. As you may have seen on the new, several trapped persons jumped from windows onto the jump cushions that the firefighters had setup. You may also have seen both LAFD and LA Sheriffs helicopters rescuing residents from the roof of the building. Many floors of the building were evacuated to an office building nearby which kindly provided a comfortable room to gather... in as well and drinks and snacks. Approximately 335 firefighters fought this difficult fire with a knockdown declared at just before 10 am. There was also a large response by the LAPD and LA county Sheriffs. The LAFD response included: 9 Battalion Chiefs and various Bureau and Deputy Chiefs 47 Fire Engines 4 EMS Supervisors (Captains) 18 Rescue Ambulances, 1 Fast Response Ambulance 19 Ladder Trucks Photographers, Public Information Officers, Logistics Specialists, etc. The Fire Chief The Chief of Staff CERT Hydration/Rehab Unit 59 CERT Hydration/Rehab Unit 43 Our Hydration/Rehab Units provided hydration to the firefighters and other support personnel and then served up meals for everyone who wanted one. Fortunately there was only 2 people requiring transport to hospitals. It was a long day for the four CERT responders but as always, we got the job done. See the pictures below of the team: Mona, Carl, Phil and Terrence.

I have to apologize for my tardiness in posting incidents for Hydration 59. One item of interest may be that our unit has a new designation. We have always been identified as HU 59 (Hydration 59) but we are now CE 59 for CERT 59. This was done when we received some additional LAFD vehicles. These were all to be named using the CE coding since these new units do more than hydration. So in keeping with the new coding, we are now CE 59. The close of 2019 was especially busy for ...all of the CERT call out teams and units. Starting with the Saddleridge fire onc Oct, 10 and continuing with the Palisades fire on Oct 21, the Getty fire on Oct 28 and finally the Barham fire on Nov 19. These incidents all piled up after a long stretch of no major incidents to report. We were surely caught in the 'beware of what you wish for' thing when we were wondering when the late fire season would throw some action our way. Well, after those 4 major fires we were tapped out and hoping for a break. So far, so good. Today however we had a more enjoyable assignment supporting the Kingdom Day Parade honouring Dr. Martin Luther King. Several thousand of your neighbors came out for a day of reverence, food and entertainment in the Leimert Park area. There were no reported injuries for our first aid station other than giving a bandaid to a visitor. It was another day for us to support the LAFD and the community at large. Thanks to the 13 CERT volunteers (plus 1 for me) who came out today for this event. See some goofy pictures of both the LAFD and LA County Fire Departments Recruiting teams attached. The last picture is our CE unit assignment to the event shown on our Mobile Data Terminal on board CE 59. Photo 1 is the LAFD, 2 is LA County with some Lifeguards. Interested in CERT training? See our website at www.cert-la.com. Join the team and help us make LA a safer city. CG

Part of being on the Hydration Team out of FS 59 is making sure that the rig is running well and kept clean and shiny. Today we performed the monthly bumper to bumper vehicle inspection on the rig. All mechanical parts are working, the fluids are up to the full line and all of the lights, etc. are working properly. But in order to be presentable, the rig needed a wash so we took care of that as well today. We are fully stocked and ready to serve the firefighters of the LAF...D anytime, anywhere in the City of LA. See us hard at work in the attached photos Wishing all a Happy New Year. Make it a safe one. Chin and Carl

You may have noticed that we have not posted much recently. The good news is that the past few months have relatively quiet and there haven't been any major fires in our response area which is the entire City of LA south of Mulholland Blvd. down to San Pedro. Let's hope that the trend continues at least through the holidays. We wish you as happy and SAFE holiday season. Water your Christmas trees, be careful with extension cords that may be damaged or are two thin to handle the load and keep those candles away from flammable items. And as it's been a bit chilly, put your floor heaters on the floor where they belong, away from furniture, curtains, etc. and turn them off when you go to sleep. These appliances are a major cause of residential structure fires.

Yesterday HU 59 was deployed to a structure fire involving a vacant building that had burned the previous evening. On scene was a fire engine from the Orange County Fire Authority assisting the LAFD. Thank you to our mutual aid partners who are always there when we need help.

RED FLAG parking restrictions remain in effect through Tuesday at 8 am.

The American Red Cross has reached out with a request for individuals to help support and staff shelter shifts in response to the Woolsey Fire. All CERT Members, Call Out and Non Call trained are welcome to volunteer. The following (4) Evacuation Shelters have been established in the City of Los Angeles in result of the Woolsey Fire. 1) Taft Charter High School (5461 Winnetka Ave., Woodland Hills, 91364)... 2) Canoga Park Senior High School (6850 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Canoga Park, 91303) 3) Palisades Charter High School (15777 Bowdoin St, Pacific Palisades, 90272) 4) Pierce College (7100 El Rancho Drive Woodland Hills, 91371) Details: Red Cross would like to have at least (4) CERT Members for the am shift and pm shift. (6) Members each am and pm shift for Pierce College is desired. Volunteers are asked to fill a 0600-1800 / 1800-0600 time commitment This Request for Shift Volunteers is effective immediately and has been projected by the American Red Cross the last day requiring volunteers will be this coming Thursday at 0600. CERT Members desiring to volunteer for either an am or pm shift will be provided food on site Please Email [email protected] with this information Date Desired AM or PM, First and Last Name what out of the (4) Evacuation Shelters listed above you would like to staff