Tag Archives: Burbank Fire Department

Fast Action by Firefighters Stops Brush Fire Before it Can Grow

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Burbank Firefighters were called to a vegetation fire near the 16th hole of DeBell Golf Course around 12:23 Monday.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Upon the first engines arrival they reported a half acre brush fire with active fire running uphill and requested a second alarm along with assistance from water dropping helicopters because of the steep terrain.

Minutes later a Command Post was setup in the parking lot of the Castaway Restaurant and additional equipment was requested from the Area C Fire Stations, which included Glendale and Pasadena Fire Departments, along with crews setting up the heli-stop to fill the water dropping helicopters on the Starlight Mesa (above Stough Canton Park) and two LA County Camp Crews.

Los Angles City Copter 5 makes a water drop on a hotspot during a small brush fire that occurred above DeBell hole 16. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Los Angles City Copter 5 makes a water drop on a hotspot during a small brush fire that occurred above DeBell hole 16. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Firefighters, with the help of the water dropping helicopters and very little wind blowing, were able to get a handle on the fire by 3:00 pm, A total containment with lines surrounding the fire was reported at 4:00pm.

The cause will be investigated by Burbank’s Arson Investigator. There were no injuries reported. DeBell Golf Course remained open during the emergency.

A Burbank Firefighter uses a shovel of dirt to douse a a small flareup in the hills above DeBell Golf Course Monday afternoon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

A Burbank Firefighter uses a shovel of dirt to douse a a small flareup in the hills above DeBell Golf Course Monday afternoon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters extinguish a small brush fire that consumed 1 acre in the hills above DeBell Golf Course. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters extinguish a small brush fire that consumed 1 acre in the hills above DeBell Golf Course. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Los Angeles City Copter 5 makes a drop on a small brush fire that occurred Monday afternoon near DeBell golf corse. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Los Angeles City Copter 5 makes a drop on a small brush fire that occurred Monday afternoon near DeBell golf corse. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighter sprays water on the hillside along the 16th holes of DeBell where a small brush fire consumed 1 acre Monday afternoon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighter sprays water on the hillside along the 16th holes of DeBell where a small brush fire consumed 1 acre Monday afternoon. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Photo By Nick Colbert

Photo By Nick Colbert

Photo By Nick Colbert

Photo By Nick Colbert

Photo By Nick Colbert

Photo By Nick Colbert

 

LA City Fire Helicopter brings hose and refreshments to fire crews high on a hill above DeBell Golf Course. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

LA City Fire Helicopter brings hose and refreshments to fire crews high on a hill above DeBell Golf Course. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Engine 16 supplies water to a fellow crew member right above. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Engine 16 supplies water to a fellow crew member right above. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Glendale supplied several engine companies along with this water tender. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Glendale supplied several engine companies along with this water tender. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors Rolls Through Burbank

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Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors rolled through Burbank on Friday rallying for donations from several local businesses and stopped for a catered lunch on the back lot of The Warner Bros. Ranch facilities.

Warner Bros. Vice Presidents and Directors join Quest Executive Director Tom Propst with BIG check presentation. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Handing off a BIG check in the amount of $5000.00 are Warner Bros. Executives , Vice Presidents and Directors L/R Jeannette Johnson,Jeff Nagler,,Tom Probst (Quest Exec Director) , Frank O’Donnell ,Perry Husman ,Rick Warmack and Richard Gallagher (Warner Bros. Fire Chief) (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

“Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors” is a non-profit organization managed by firefighters and civilians who volunteer their services and are dedicated to assist those that have been affected by burn injuries. Burn injuries are devastating, and the majority takes a lifetime to heal. The physical and emotional pain the victims suffer is something firefighters see on a regular basis. As a result, the organization was founded in 1996 following the Southern California Malibu Brush Fire in which six firefighters were injured due to burns received while being entrapped in a “Firestorm”.

Fire Captain Gary McDiffett along with Sue & Bill Jensen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Fire Captain Gary McDiffett along with Sue & Bill Jensen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank resident Bill Jensen, a Glendale firefighter, received the most serious life threatening burns sustaining third degree burns to 70% of his body. After three months of surgeries, care and treatment and the miraculous efforts of those who cared for him, Bill beat the 5% chance of survival and was released from the burn center on his birthday that next year.

Through Bill’s experience and that of other burn survivors, it has been noted that while the patients care and treatment is being managed and monitored by doctors and nurses, it is usually the families whose lives are thrown into dis array. Through the efforts of this organization, support ranges from family and patient visits to providing material and/or monetary donations to the patients and/or immediate family to assist during the critical time of recovery.

Several Burbank Firefighters serve on the Board of Quest along with Glendale Battalion Chief Tom Propst who is the Executive Director.

Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins enjoys a catered lunch provided by Engine 18 and Warner Bros. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Glendale Fire Chief Harold Scoggins enjoys a catered lunch provided by Engine 18 and Warner Bros. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

During Fridays stop at Warner Bros, their Fire Department Engine 18 and crew hosted a lunch for the caravan of participants, Engine Companies from Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Beverly Hills, and several more enjoyed a delightful meal and followed with introductions of Warner Bros. Vice Presidents and Directors of Security & Fire Departments. A check was given on behalf of Warner Bros. in the amount of $5000.00, to help the organization.

Burbank Firefighters Local 778 Director Peter Henderson sign a BIG check in the amount of $3500.00, as Jeff Howe from Quest assists.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters Local 778 Director Peter Henderson sign a BIG check in the amount of $3500.00, as Jeff Howe from Quest assists.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Once on the road again, the Quest traveled to Disney Studios, Vons Pavilion on Alameda, and then headed to Burbank Fire Headquarters, where Burbank Firefighters Local 778 presented the Quest with a donation in the amount of $3500.00. After leaving headquarters, the quest continued on to Million Air, and The Bob Hope Airport Fire Department.  Early reports received reported the Quest in their 5 days of traveling the State they raised in excess of $110.000.00 for burn survivors.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Fire Captain Gary McDiffett along with Sue & Bill Jensen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Fire Captain Gary McDiffett along with Sue & Bill Jensen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Quest @ WB Ranch -5

Firefighters Respond to House Fire on Monterey Ave.

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Burbank Firefighters received a call of a possible house fire at 2013 Monterey Ave. at 11:50 am.

Upon arrival, Truck 11 reported heavy smoke coming from the top of the residence on Monterey Ave.

Upon arrival, Truck 11 reported heavy smoke coming from the top of the residence on Monterey Ave.

Upon arrival, Burbank’s Truck 11 reported that there was heavy smoke coming from the structure and proceeded to start ventilation to open the roof.  The first-in engine company started fire attack and had the fire knocked down inside the residence within about 15 minutes.

Salvage was then stared to help protect the resident’s belongings from smoke and water damage.  No one was home at the time and it was reported that the residents were at work at the time of the fire.  The house is located on Monterey between Keystone and Lamer and is only about a block from Monterey High School.  There was no threat at any time to the students or school.

An Alert gardener, Sergio Lopez, who was mowing a lawn down the street heard something strange and looked up to see flames on the side of the house.  He ran next door and alerted the resident who called the fire department, as neighbors grabbed garden hoses and started getting water on the flames before the fire department arrived.

One Burbank Fire Captain Jim Baldridge received a small bruise to the bridge of his nose, while attacking the fire. He remained on the job. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

One Burbank Fire Captain Jim Baldridge received a small bruise to the bridge of his nose, while attacking the fire. He remained on the job. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

At the start of the incident, Paramedics treated a nearby resident who reportedly had difficulty breathing and a Burbank Fire Captain had a small, minor laceration to the face.

The fire caused $50,000 damage to the structure and $ 30,000 damage to it’s contents. The cause is still under investigation.

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Soot covered firefighters come out for air while other firefighters salvage the occupants expensive electronics. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Soot covered firefighters come out for air while other firefighters salvage the occupants expensive electronics. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The mail must go through, as this mail person actually picked up a letter that was still on the front screen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The mail must go through, as this letter carrier actually picked up a letter that was still on the front screen. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Neighbors look on to the damage that was caused, to the roof after fire ripped through the residents. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Neighbors look on to the damage that was caused to the roof after fire ripped through the residence (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Traffic Accident Brings out ‘Jaws of Life’

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Burbank Fire Fighters responded to the intersection of Empire and Lincoln to a reported two car traffic accident with a person possibly trapped on Tuesday, April 30.

Burbank Fire Captain Brad Royal radios for additional equipment that would be needed to free this trapped driver. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Captain Brad Royal radios for additional equipment that would be needed to free this trapped driver. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Upon their arrival, they found two cars had tangled in the intersection and then came to rest on the northeast corner curb. Firefighters found the driver of one of the cars trapped caused by damage to her drivers door.

The call was upgraded to a ‘Physical Rescue’ which called for a truck company with specialized equipment including the ‘Jaws of Life’ and other hydraulic tools necessary to bend and cut metal or open doors that are mangled.

Burbank Firefighters use specialized equipment to get this patient out of her crashed car, prior to being transported to a trauma center for care.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Firefighters use specialized equipment to get this patient out of her crashed car, prior to being transported to a trauma center for care.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Once the door was opened, Burbank Firefighters and Paramedics were able to extricate and treated the driver that was trapped. She was later transported to Holy Cross Trauma Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Battalion Chief Eric Garcia was in charge of the incident.

Burbank Fire Paramedics package up this patient for transport to a trauma center. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Paramedics package up this patient for transport to a trauma center. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

BFD Rescue Empire & Lincoln -5

Evergreen Retirement Residence Gives Donation to Burbank Fire Corps

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Avi Heyman and Grace Jones from Evergreen presented the Burbank Fire Chief Tom Lenahan and Battalion Chief Jeff Howe, along with Eric Bamgardner the check this past week. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Avi Heyman and Grace Jones from Evergreen presented the Burbank Fire Chief Tom Lenahan and Battalion Chief Jeff Howe, along with Eric Bamgardner the check this past week. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Evergreen Retirement Residence, located at 225 Evergreen in Burbank, held a Monte Carlo Night recently to benefit The Burbank Fire Corps. As a result of this fund raiser, $3000 was raised and donated to the Burbank Fire Corps. Avi Heyman and Grace Jones from Evergreen presented the Burbank Fire Chief  Tom Lenahan and Battalion Chief Jeff Howe, along with Eric Bamgardner the over sized check this past week..

The funds from this event will be used to train and prepare the citizens of Burbank in the event of disaster.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s Top Award For Citizenship Dinner & Awards

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Friday night the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) held its 10th Annual Gala event, this year saluting a former Burbank Fire Chief and a local credit union for stellar records of community service and compassion.  Staff of the charitable agency that for 39 years has offered services and assistance to families, seniors, the homeless and virtually any Burbanker in need, said accounting for the event is not yet complete.  But initial figures indicate this year’s has been the most successful fundraiser thus far.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Receiving their awards are Philip Denlea of Logix Federal Credit Union, Barbara Howell BTAC Executive Director, and Chief Ray Krakowski retired. (Photo by Ross A. Benson

 

“We rely on this event to replenish our food pantry and our budget, and we deeply appreciate the support,” said Barbara Howell, BTAC’s Chief Executive Officer.  “The community has enthusiastically seconded our picks for the honorees to receive this year’s “Burbank’s Top Award for Citizenship.”"

The 2013 honorees gathered at the Castaway Restaurant were recently-retired Burbank Fire Department Chief Ray Krakowski and Logix Federal Credit Union, formerly called Lockheed Federal Credit Union.

In addition to Krakowski’s 32 years of service for the city, beginning as a fire fighter, and ultimately serving as Interim City Manager, BTAC also cited his long record of service to the Boy Scouts, the Fire Chiefs Association and the National Forest Service.

The Logix Banking Team (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Jason Lee, left, Art Aguilar, Ernie Bolanos, Philip Denlea and Alethia Calagias represented Logix Federal Credit Union at Burbank Temporary Aid Center’s annual dinner on March 1 at the Castaway Restaurant. The financial institution was the recipient of Burbank’s Top Award for Citizenship along with Chief Ray Krakowski. retired.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Logix F.C.U., founded in Burbank in 1937, was chosen for its long record of supporting a lengthy list of organizations including, but extending well beyond, BTAC.  A partial list includes Penny Lane Centers, For The Troops, Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center Foundation, Burbank Family Service Agency, and Leadership Burbank.

Logix was also cited for its “Volunteer Time Off” program, giving employees paid time off to volunteer for BTAC and others.  An especially popular activity for the volunteers has been working on BTAC’s annual “Santa’s Room” program, collecting and sorting toys, then helping client families “shop” Santa’s Room for Burbank’s neediest kids.

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Stubborn Fire Has Plenty Of Firefighters Busy Hunting

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Burbank Fire Fighters were summoned to 225 S. Rose Street Friday afternoon for a reported fire somewhere in the walls of the apartment building, possibly near a chimney.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

The complete assignment of Firefighters went to every floor looking for the source.

Firefighters using rotary saws, axes, and an inferred camera, finally located some charring in an exterior wall. The assignment which consisted of three engines companies, two truck companies, a rescue ambulance and a Battalion Chief.

After about a half an hour of breaking walls and wetting the area, the fire was considered ‘Knocked Down’ and Battalion Chief Eric Garcia started releasing equipment, so engines that had come to Burbank to man stations from nearby Glendale go return home.

Burbank Fire Fighters cut into the walls to extinguish a stubborn wall fire. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Fire Fighters cut into the walls to extinguish a stubborn wall fire. (Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

 

Damage estimate was not readily available, and the cause was being investigated by Burbank Arson Investigator.

Burbank Apartment Building Suffers Damage After Driver Crashes Through Wall

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Burbank Police and Firefighters responded to 458 E Tujunga Avenue around 8:30 pm on Wednesday evening to a reported  vehicle into a building in the garage, with the driver possibly having a heart attack.

Burbank Police Traffic Officer Jim Peterson questions driver Aratek Murkelyan who accidentally ran into the wall in the building in which he lives.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police Traffic Officer Jim Peterson questions driver Aratek Murkelyan who accidentally ran into the wall in the building in which he lives.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Burbank Police arrived on scene first and discovered that the driver was walking away not suffering from an apparent heart attack. Burbank Firefighters arrived and discovered a gas line had had been severed, along with a waterline leading to a water heater that supplied the multi-unit apartment complex. Paramedics quickly checked the 80 year-old driver, Aratek Murkelan and determined he was alright.

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Firefighters shut off the gas supply to the apartment house and called Southern California Gas Company and requested  Burbank’s Building Department to see if the building was safe to occupy.

Damage was limited to the garage and a wall in apartment A along with the water heater and all the lines going to and from it. No damage estimate was given.

Tom Lenahan Named New Burbank Fire Chief

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Burbank Interim City Manager Ken Pulskamp has named  Tom Lenahan to become the permanent Fire Chief for the City of Burbank.

New Chief Lenahan -2

Photo By Ross A. Benson

Lenahan has been serving as the City’s interim fire chief since the departure of Chief Ray Krakowski who retired December 24, 2012.

Chief Lenahan began his career in public safety as a deputy with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1982. Five years later, he joined the Burbank Fire Department as a firefighter. During the last quarter century Lenahan has worked as a firefighter/paramedic, Engineer/paramedic, Captain/paramedic, EMS coordinator, Battalion Chief, Assistant Fire Chief, and Fire Marshall.

“This year marks the Burbank Fire Department’s centennial and Chief Lenahan has been here for twenty-five of those 100-years,” says Pulskamp. “I’m confident he will continue the tradition of providing top level public safety services to the residents of Burbank.”

New Chief Lenahan -6

Burbank Fire Chief Tom Lenahan (Photo By Ross A. Benson)

Pulskamp selected Chief Lenahan after an internal recruitment that lasted approximately one month.

“I look forward to taking on the challenge and the additional responsibilities of Fire Chief,” says Chief Lenahan. “The City of Burbank and the Burbank Fire Department has provided everything to me and my family and I look forward to giving back.”

Chief Lenahan assumes his position immediately.

Second Fire at Downtown News Stand Set By Unknown Suspect

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Burbank Fire Fighters were called to The Newspaper Stand located at 316 N. San Fernando Blvd. following a report of a building fire. Upon their arrival they found for the second time in less than two weeks, a suspicious fire caused by burning debris next to the front roll up door.

Burbank Fire Captain Mike McDonald looks at the damage caused after this most recent suspicious fire outside the Newspaper & Magazine stand at 316 San Fernando Blvd.(Photo by Ross A. Benson)

Fire fighters extinguished the fire and the owner of the business who was on scene commented that after the last fire he just replaced the metal door.

The investigation is continuing by Burbank’s Arson Investigator, and the Burbank Police Department.