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In an effort to keep you up to date on the latest local, statewide, and federal fire issues, OC Firefighters send out monthly news clippings. This newsletter will help inform you about very important fire-related matters.
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OC Firefighters Rescue Lost Dog During Apple Fire
OC Firefighters battling the Apple Fire rescued a lost dog that was searching for refuge near the fire line. Fire crews went above and beyond to care for the dog by giving him water and a bite of their sandwich before carrying the exhausted pup down the hillsides to an animal control representative. On July 31, the OCFA dispatched a strike team of five Type I Fire Engines, a strike team leader and a hand crew to assist Cal Fire Riverside, Riverside County Fire and other allied agencies in battling the Apple Fire.
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More than 100 firefighters battle 21-acre vegetation fire that prompted temporary closure of Irvine Regional Park
More than 100 firefighters battled a vegetation fire that prompted the temporary closure of Irvine Regional Park on Sunday, officials reported. The fire at Irvine Regional Park, located at 1 Irvine Park Road in Orange, was reported about 1 p.m. and grew to 21 acres, the Orange County Fire Authority said on Twitter. It took firefighters about one hour and 24 minutes to stop forward progress, the OCFA said. There were no reported injuries and the animals at Irvine Regional Park were safe, officials said.
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2 firefighters help deliver baby boy in Mission Viejo parking lot
A couple pulled over into a Kaiser Permanente clinic parking lot in Mission Viejo last week when they realized they weren’t going to make it to the hospital in time to deliver their baby. Two Orange County firefighters arrived and helped deliver the baby boy in the front seat of the couple’s car. Mike and Melissa say they are grateful that everything went well and are thankful for the firefighters quick actions. The couple had a Zoom video call reunion Thursday with the firefighters, Kyle Crossen and Kai Brody, so that they could see the healthy baby they helped deliver.
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Crews contain 62-acre brush fire in Bolsa Chica wetlands in Huntington Beach; homes spared
A brush fire in the Bolsa Chica wetlands on Sunday afternoon sent blankets of dark, threatening smoke into ocean-view Huntington Beach neighborhoods. Huntington Beach Fire Department Battalion Chief David McBride said crews attacked the blaze within five minutes of it being spotted. The quick response was aided by a city fire station being nearby, at Pacific Coast Highway and Warner Avenue. He said the Orange County Fire Authority and the Fountain Valley Fire Department joined in the firefighting effort; on scene were eight fire engines and two helicopters. Three OCFA engines and two helicopters were dispatched, OCFA spokesman Paul Holladay said.
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Man Injured By House Fire In Cypress
A house fire caused one man to suffer from smoke inhalation, Sunday evening. Authorities responded to the reported fire at a home located in the 8600 block of Acacia Drive around 7:15 PM. Units arriving on scene located a two-story home with fire showing from the second-floor. Firefighters quickly knocked down the flames in less than 30 minutes. A civilian suffered from smoke inhalation as a result of the fire and was treated on scene.
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Confined Space Fire Activates OCFA Urban Search & Rescue
On the afternoon of July 21, firefighters responded to a confined space fire with reports of transients inside who were living in an underground drainage system. This incident, being a confined space rescue, required the activation of our Urban Search and Rescue Units who upon arrival facilitated the operation. This type of incident has been increasing in frequency and occurs multiple times a month.
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Vehicle Fire Breaks Out At Storage Yard In Santa Ana
A vehicle fire broke out at a storage yard and could be seen from the SR-55 Freeway, Friday night. After forcing entry into the yard the firefighters quickly doused a white pickup truck that was engulfed in flames. Nearby vehicles and a trailer appeared to be damaged but did not catch fire.
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OCFA Strike Team Assists Battling Dam Fire
In response to the Dam Fire near Azusa, Calif., the OCFA has sent its strike team of five Type III Engines and a Strike Team Leader to assist, with the resources arriving on the at the fire on July 31. This strike team will remain attached to the incident until released to return home or until it is called upon for on another incident. In this photo specifically, one of the Type III Engines is pictured as its crew works to hold the fire to Highway 39 with the help of other resources including water-dropping helicopters.
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Man dead, driver arrested in Santa Ana pedestrian crash
A 19-year-old Santa Ana man who was possibly involved in a street race was arrested Sunday night after striking a pedestrian who was crossing the street, police said. It was just after 10 p.m. when police received several calls about a man down in the road at Bristol and Myrtle streets, Santa Ana police said Monday morning. The man was found with major injuries in the street. Orange County Fire Authority paramedics treated him but pronounced him dead at the scene, police said.
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Photo courtesy of the Santa Ana Police Department
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Lake Forest Hotel Evacuated After Guest Found Making Homemade Bombs In Room
A man was arrested for making explosive devices in a Lake Forest hotel room Tuesday night, forcing evacuations and bringing out a bomb squad and hazmat team. When deputies entered the room, they discovered several homemade explosive devices and illegal explosive substances. Surrounding rooms were evacuated while an OCSD Bomb Squad and an O.C. Fire Authority Hazmat Team were called in. A man in his 30s was arrested on multiple felony charges, the sheriff’s department said.
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Driver Flees After Fatally Striking Pedestrian In Santa Ana
A pedestrian was dead after being struck by a driver who fled the scene before being located at a nearby home, early Saturday morning. Authorities responded to reports of a pedestrian down in the 2400 block of South Fairview Street, near Warner Avenue, around 1:22 AM. Units arriving on scene located a male pedestrian down in the roadway suffering from major trauma. Firefighter paramedics pronounced the victim deceased on scene.
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Fatal Shooting Investigation Underway In Garden Grove
A man was found shot to death on a sidewalk prompting a homicide investigation, late Saturday night. Authorities responded to reports of a shooting with a victim down near The Windsor Apartments located in the 10200 block of Stanford Avenue around 11:22 PM. Units arriving on scene located a male victim down on the sidewalk suffering from a gunshot wound. Firefighter paramedics pronounced the victim deceased on scene. Officers secured the scene of the shooting and were interviewing several potential witnesses.
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Woman Struck By BB, Shooter At Large In Santa Ana
A woman was struck by a BB fired by an unknown suspect, Saturday night. Authorities responded to reports of a shooting in the 1200 block of South Flower Street around 8:24 PM. Units arriving on scene located a female adult suffering from a wound to her leg. Firefighter paramedics evaluated the woman and determined she had been struck by a BB before transporting her to an area hospital.
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Car Found Torched In Santa Ana
A car was found torched in a commercial area, early Monday morning. The fire was reported by a caller in a high-rise building who saw smoke and flames coming from the area of Dyer Road and Kilson Drive around 1:28 AM. Units arriving on scene located a sedan engulfed in flames in the 3000 block of Kilson Drive and worked to extinguish the blaze. The stubborn fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes and contained to the car.
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Man, 11-Year-Old Son Escape Serious Injury After Fiery Crash In Irvine
A man and his 11-year-old son escaped serious injuries after their vehicle collided with the center divider and caught fire, Tuesday evening. Authorities responded to reports of a traffic collision with fire on the southbound I-5 Freeway just south of Jamboree Road around 1:21 AM. Units arriving on scene located a black 2003 Jaguar S-type seda engulfed in flames with a good samaritan assisting the occupants out of the vehicle. Firefighters quickly extinguished the car fire within a few minutes. The driver was treated on scene for minor injuries and refused transport. His son escaped injury.
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Calls to Orange County firefighters jump 58% on July 4th
Calls to firefighters in Orange County jumped significantly on July 4th, with crews racing around to put out more than 100 fires that day, authorities said. The call load for the Orange County Fire Authority on Saturday was 58% more than an average day, said Captain Greg Barta. Barta said the Fire Authority responded to 117 fire calls on Saturday. That included 46 tree or other plant fires, 29 garbage fires, 18 structure fires, and nine brush fires. The remaining 15 fire calls weren’t categorized. Orange County firefighters responded to 635 total calls on Saturday. They respond to around 400 to 450 calls on a normal day, Barta said.
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Dumpster Fire in Lake Forest Prompts OCFA Response
Firefighters from OCFA Truck 22 make quick work of a dumpster fire in Lake Forest on July 11, preventing it from extending to an adjacent business.
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Extra hot, dry conditions coming to Southern California
Temperatures are expected to rise in the coming days in Southern California – reaching triple digits in some areas and heightening the risk of fires. This sizzling weather will make the region more vulnerable to fire. Capt. Greg Barta of the Orange County Fire Authority said firefighters battled some vegetation fires recently that they were able to keep from growing very much. “Fortunately, we were able to deploy resources quickly and keep them from spreading,” he said. “We pay close attention to the weather pattern, so we are taking note of the high temperatures.” Barta advised the public who hit the beaches or the trails to be prepared.
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Pool Safety Tips
With rising temperatures, many of us are looking for fun ways to cool off - with one method being to jump in the pool. Check out some of these pool safety tips from the Orange County Fire Authority for children and adults that will help ensure you and your family not only have fun, but stay safe.
Drowning Prevention for Children
- Always keep children within arm’s reach
- Remove items that a child could climb on to get over a fence and into a pool area
- Designate a water watcher; someone who is free of distraction and can focus on those in the water
- Install and maintain proper barriers around the pool and spa areas such as fences, gates, doors, alarms and safety covers
- If a child goes missing, ALWAYS check the water first
Drowning Prevention for Adults
- Never swim alone
- Learn to swim
- Learn CPR
- Wear a life vest if you are not a strong swimmer
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Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study
Submitted By Jeff Hughes, OC Firefighters Local 3631 Wellness Agent
The Firefighter Cancer Cohort Study (FFCCS), which is a FEMA-funded research project, was established in July 2016. It provides a national framework to collect and integrate firefighter epidemiologic surveys, biomarkers and exposure data focused on carcinogenic exposures and health effects. The long-term goal of this project is to follow long-term 10,000 firefighters over a thirty-year observation period. Partners in this research project are University of Miami (Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center), University of Arizona (Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health), National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOSH), Boston Fire Department and the Tucson Fire Department.
Cancer is a leading cause of fire service morbidity and mortality, and a recent National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) study demonstrated an excess mortality rate for cancer in firefighters compared with the general population. Firefighters are exposed to multiple carcinogens in the workplace through skin contamination and inhalation. However, we currently do not understand which individual exposures are responsible for cancer in firefighters, the mechanisms by which these exposures cause cancer, or effective means of reducing exposures. Since cancer has a long latency period, biomarkers are also needed that can measure the effects of carcinogen exposure well before the development of cancer, when interventions to prevent disease could be effective. Development of a large (>10,000 firefighter) multicenter firefighter cancer prospective cohort study will address these needs, but the framework for such a study needs to be first developed and tested among a smaller initial set of fire service partners.
The OCFA has signed letters of support by the Fire Chief and the Local 3631 president for these important research projects. The OCFA currently has 116 volunteers already included this research study which included completing the online survey and baseline biological sampling of blood, urine, and buccal cells (cheek swab). The FFCCS is a long-term project that follows volunteers throughout their career and periodically checks for epigenetic changes due to exposures. These changes are assessed by Exposure Assessments, Survey Assessments, and Biomarker Collections.
The OCFA is participating in the following FFCCS projects: Non-ARFF PFAS (OCFA has 59 participants), ARFF PFAS (17 ARFF participants), WUI (40 participants), Fire Cause Investigators and the Female Firefighters Health Study. I will be going into more detail on the individual research projects in future newsletter articles.
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2018 Orange County Firefighters Year In Review
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In 2018, our Firefighters responded to more than 142,000 emergencies throughout the 23 cities and unincorporated communities of Orange County. The Year in Review book serves to illustrate the daily challenges that our First Responders face while serving on the frontlines. Click HERE to view the book.
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OC Firefighters - IAFF Local 3631 | 1342 Bell Avenue, Suite 3A | Tustin | CA | 92870
THIS MESSAGE WAS CREATED BY JIMMY BLACKMAN & ASSOCIATES.
Copyright © 2017 OC Firefighters, all rights reserved.
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