July 2009 Archives
Members of the Long Beach Fire Department's Urban Search and Rescue Team drilled Monday and Tuesday in the waters off Long Beach in preparation for the rainy season.
The team practiced low speed approaches using a buoy to simulate moving towards a stationary object, such as roof tops or trees were victims might be located. J-turns were also practiced; a maneuver used when rescue boats must navigate swift and rough water. The finial primary and most dangerous drill included victim pick-ups in the water, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
The drills, which will be held again in August, are designed to prepare the team for the upcoming hurricane and rainy season. Last year the LBFD was sent by the State Office of Emergency Services to Louisiana in response to Hurricane Gustav as well as subsequent hurricanes that swept through the region. The team, comprised of seven firefighters and seven lifeguards, carried out searches and performed rescues for three weeks.
For more information and photos check out the Long Beach Fire Department's Web site, http://firechannel.org/
The team practiced low speed approaches using a buoy to simulate moving towards a stationary object, such as roof tops or trees were victims might be located. J-turns were also practiced; a maneuver used when rescue boats must navigate swift and rough water. The finial primary and most dangerous drill included victim pick-ups in the water, said Long Beach Fire Battalion Chief Frank Hayes.
The drills, which will be held again in August, are designed to prepare the team for the upcoming hurricane and rainy season. Last year the LBFD was sent by the State Office of Emergency Services to Louisiana in response to Hurricane Gustav as well as subsequent hurricanes that swept through the region. The team, comprised of seven firefighters and seven lifeguards, carried out searches and performed rescues for three weeks.
For more information and photos check out the Long Beach Fire Department's Web site, http://firechannel.org/
The Signal Hill Police Department will receive over $700,000 in federal economic stimulus funding to hire two new officers, Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. General Eric Holder announced Tuesday.
Grants totaling $1 billion were awarded to 1,046 agencies across the country, including more than $16 million for the Los Angeles Police Department, to provide salary and benefits for 4,699 officers or deputies for three years.
The Signal Hill Police Department will receive $708,654 to pay for two new positions. The LAPD is expected to add 50 new positions with its grant money.
They and the other agencies that received the funding will be required to retain grant-funded positions for at least one additional year, according to federal authorities.
"A big part of the Recovery Act is about building communities -- making them as
strong as they can be, allowing every American family to live a better life than the
one they are leading now," Biden said. "And we can't achieve the goal of stronger
communities without supporting those who keep our streets safe."
Not all agencies applied for the hiring grants, however, including the Long Beach Police Department, said LBPD Spokeswoman Lisa Massacani.
Other Southland cities receiving funding include:
-- Bell Gardens, $927,285, three positions;
-- El Monte, $2.4 million, six positions;
-- Inglewood, $3 million, 10 positions;
-- Maywood, $617,564, two positions;
-- Pomona, $3.1 million, nine positions;
-- San Fernando, $674,978, two positions; and
-- Santa Ana, $6.7 million, 18 positions.
Grants totaling $1 billion were awarded to 1,046 agencies across the country, including more than $16 million for the Los Angeles Police Department, to provide salary and benefits for 4,699 officers or deputies for three years.
The Signal Hill Police Department will receive $708,654 to pay for two new positions. The LAPD is expected to add 50 new positions with its grant money.
They and the other agencies that received the funding will be required to retain grant-funded positions for at least one additional year, according to federal authorities.
"A big part of the Recovery Act is about building communities -- making them as
strong as they can be, allowing every American family to live a better life than the
one they are leading now," Biden said. "And we can't achieve the goal of stronger
communities without supporting those who keep our streets safe."
Not all agencies applied for the hiring grants, however, including the Long Beach Police Department, said LBPD Spokeswoman Lisa Massacani.
Other Southland cities receiving funding include:
-- Bell Gardens, $927,285, three positions;
-- El Monte, $2.4 million, six positions;
-- Inglewood, $3 million, 10 positions;
-- Maywood, $617,564, two positions;
-- Pomona, $3.1 million, nine positions;
-- San Fernando, $674,978, two positions; and
-- Santa Ana, $6.7 million, 18 positions.
A new Taser stun gun capable of shocking three people or hitting one person three times, all without reloading, received rousing applause from hundreds of law enforcement officers an at unveiling Monday.
The demonstration at the Scottsdale-based company's annual conference, held in Fountain Hills, AZ., was performed by Taser International Chairman Tom Smith and his brother, CEO Rick Smith.
The demonstration at the Scottsdale-based company's annual conference, held in Fountain Hills, AZ., was performed by Taser International Chairman Tom Smith and his brother, CEO Rick Smith.
The device is the first new stun gun Taser International has introduced since 2003 and is designed to replace older Taser stun guns used by more than 14,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States.
The new models can fire three separate, double-pronged barbs that deliver 6 watts of electrical current without reloading. Older models already used by local departments such as the Long Beach Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department fire one double-pronged barb at a time and have to be reloaded after every shot.
The new stun gun costs $1,799, compared with $799 for the older model, although law enforcement agencies are being offered credits worth $300-$800 for trade-ins, and are expected to be available to law enforcement agencies in late August.
Six people were arrested for driving under the influence and a seventh person was arrested on an outstanding warrant as a result of a DUI Patrol Operation in Long Beach over the weekend.
During the operation, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, eight additional police officers were dispatched to the patrol city and specifically look for intoxicated drivers, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
A total of six people were arrested for DUI offenses, four vehicles were towed, one person was arrested after police found a warrant in their name and 83 people were cited, the sergeant said.
Funding for the eight-hour patrol operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
During the operation, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday to 2 a.m. Saturday, eight additional police officers were dispatched to the patrol city and specifically look for intoxicated drivers, said Sgt. Dina Zapalski, a Long Beach Police Department spokeswoman.
A total of six people were arrested for DUI offenses, four vehicles were towed, one person was arrested after police found a warrant in their name and 83 people were cited, the sergeant said.
Funding for the eight-hour patrol operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Long Beach police will meet with concerned members of the community next week to discuss crime in the South Division area, authorities announced Monday.
South Division Cmdr. Jay Johnson and LBPD Crime Analyst Corinne Swart will lead the meeting, which is scheduled to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 28 in the community room at LBPD's head quarter's, 400 W. Broadway.
Swart is expected to break down the latest trends in the area, while Johnson plans to talk about what police are doing to address those crimes.
Parking will be provided in the city structure next to the LBPD Headquarters, at Broadway and Chestnut Avenue.
Those interested in attending must RSVP to Police Service Specialist Mary Antunez via e-mail at maantun@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-5829.
South Division Cmdr. Jay Johnson and LBPD Crime Analyst Corinne Swart will lead the meeting, which is scheduled to run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on July 28 in the community room at LBPD's head quarter's, 400 W. Broadway.
Swart is expected to break down the latest trends in the area, while Johnson plans to talk about what police are doing to address those crimes.
Parking will be provided in the city structure next to the LBPD Headquarters, at Broadway and Chestnut Avenue.
Those interested in attending must RSVP to Police Service Specialist Mary Antunez via e-mail at maantun@longbeach.gov or call 562-570-5829.
A Long Beach Fire Department Engineer and a retired fire captain rescued a high school baseball player after the 14-year-old boy was struck in the chest with a fastball and collapsed in cardiac arrest, fire authorities said Friday.
Long Beach Fire Engineer Steve Roberts and Retired LBFD Captain Jack Lee were off-duty on the afternoon of June 24 and watching Steve's son high school baseball game, at Los Alamitos High School, when the 14-year-old was beaned by the fastball while preparing to bunt, said Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
While sprinting to first base the 14-year-old collapsed unconscious and Roberts and Lee charged onto the field only to find the injured player was Lee's grandson, Jackson said.
Roberts began rescue breathing and Lee began chest compressions. The two continued CPR until the arrival of an Orange County Fire Authority Medic, who began paramedic level treatment. The 14-year-old was rushed to a local hospital where he recovered fully and was released two days later with no serious deficits from his ordeal, Jackson said.
The incident, Jackson said, demonstrates the importance of immediate CPR followed by rapid advanced life support and the training of people to carry out such life-saving efforts.
Roberts is a veteran with 19 years of experience and is currently assigned to Long Beach Fire Station 22. Lee retired as a captain in October of 2006, Jackson said.
"In this instance, the skills learned and frequently practiced on the Long Beach Fire Department allowed these men to function seamlessly at a critical moment and undoubtedly assisted in the successful resuscitation and salvation of this young life."
Long Beach Fire Engineer Steve Roberts and Retired LBFD Captain Jack Lee were off-duty on the afternoon of June 24 and watching Steve's son high school baseball game, at Los Alamitos High School, when the 14-year-old was beaned by the fastball while preparing to bunt, said Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
While sprinting to first base the 14-year-old collapsed unconscious and Roberts and Lee charged onto the field only to find the injured player was Lee's grandson, Jackson said.
Roberts began rescue breathing and Lee began chest compressions. The two continued CPR until the arrival of an Orange County Fire Authority Medic, who began paramedic level treatment. The 14-year-old was rushed to a local hospital where he recovered fully and was released two days later with no serious deficits from his ordeal, Jackson said.
The incident, Jackson said, demonstrates the importance of immediate CPR followed by rapid advanced life support and the training of people to carry out such life-saving efforts.
Roberts is a veteran with 19 years of experience and is currently assigned to Long Beach Fire Station 22. Lee retired as a captain in October of 2006, Jackson said.
"In this instance, the skills learned and frequently practiced on the Long Beach Fire Department allowed these men to function seamlessly at a critical moment and undoubtedly assisted in the successful resuscitation and salvation of this young life."
Long Beach firefighters were called to an over-turned car on the San Diego (405) Freeway at Lakewood Boulevard shortly after 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Upon arrival, however, firefighters could see the car had plunged off the north side of the freeway, plowed through a chain link fence below and sheared a large tree from the base of its trunk.
The driver, who was not identified, was taken by paramedics to a local hospital with moderate injuries, said Long Beach Fire Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
Her car, a Mercedes, also collided with another Mercedes parked on Kilroy Airport Way before coming to a stop. No one else was hurt in the crash, Jackson said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation , according to the California Highway Patrol.
Check out the Long Beach Fire Department's Blog site, http://firechannel.org/, for more photos.
Upon arrival, however, firefighters could see the car had plunged off the north side of the freeway, plowed through a chain link fence below and sheared a large tree from the base of its trunk.
The driver, who was not identified, was taken by paramedics to a local hospital with moderate injuries, said Long Beach Fire Capt. Jackawa Jackson.
Her car, a Mercedes, also collided with another Mercedes parked on Kilroy Airport Way before coming to a stop. No one else was hurt in the crash, Jackson said.
The cause of the crash is under investigation , according to the California Highway Patrol.
Check out the Long Beach Fire Department's Blog site, http://firechannel.org/, for more photos.
