Fire Department Responds to Swarm of Bees

The responded to a variety of emergency calls during the week of April 17 through April 23.  The following is a breakdown of incident types for this period:

Incident Type Count

Fire: 1

EMS/Rescue: 49

Hazardous Condition: 1

Good Intent Call: 7

Service Call: 5

False Alarm: 6

Severe Weather: 1

Total Incident Count: 70

Sunday, April 17

At 4:45 p.m., Engine 105 responded to an investigation in the intersection of Duarte Road and Santa Anita Avenue.  Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered a large swarm of bees in a tree in the parkway next to the sidewalk.  Fire personnel neutralized the swarm utilizing Class A foam to prevent a hazard to the public.

Monday, April 18

At 11:16 p.m., Engine 107, Truck 105, Battalion 105 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a medical assist in the 200 block of Colorado Place. Upon arrival, fire personnel evaluated a female who was unconscious and not breathing. The victim was found hanging by a rope from a towel rack in an apparent suicide attempt. All Los Angeles County protocols were followed as the victim was pronounced deceased at the scene. The body was released to Arcadia Police for further investigation and coroner notification.

Tuesday, April 19

At 12:11 p.m., Engine 105, Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, Battalion 105, with units from the Monrovia Fire Department, responded to a hazardous condition in the 1100 block of South Tenth Avenue.  Upon arrival, fire personnel met with the resident who explained that the wall heater had turned on by itself and was emitting smoke.  Upon investigation, the wall heater was found in the on position and could not be turned off by the switch.  Fire personnel shut down power to the appliance at the circuit breaker and removed the defective appliance from the wall.

Wednesday, April 20

At 10:24 a.m., Engine 107, with units from the Pasadena Fire Department, responded to a vehicle accident on the eastbound 210 Freeway in Monrovia.  Upon arrival, fire personnel evaluated and treated a male patient suffering from head pain as a result of jumping out of a moving vehicle during a police pursuit.  The patient was placed in full cervical spine immobilization and transported to Huntington Memorial Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Thursday, April 21

At 2:54 p.m., Engine 106 and Rescue Ambulance 106 responded to a medical assist in the 1000 block of La Cadena Avenue. Upon arrival, fire personnel evaluated a male victim who was suffering from an altered mental status. The patient received advanced life support at the scene, including blood glucose reading and drug therapy, and was transported to for further evaluation and treatment.

Friday, April 22

At 9:49 a.m., Engine 105, Engine 106, Engine 107, Truck 105, Rescue Ambulance 105, Battalion 105, and units from the Monrovia Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the 100 block of East Saint Joseph Avenue.  Upon arrival, fire personnel discovered heavy smoke within the apartment unit. Fire personnel gained entry to the unoccupied unit through an open window, and confirmed a small fire in the kitchen. A primary search was conducted and a small dog was found hiding under the master bed. Following fire extinguishment and smoke removal from the unit, fire personnel placed the dog in the care of a neighbor in an upstairs apartment and left a note for the tenants explaining the events that transpired in their absence.

Saturday, April 23

At 4:57 p.m., Truck 105 and Rescue Ambulance 105 responded to a medical assist in the 400 block of South Baldwin Avenue. Upon arrival, fire personnel evaluated a female patient who had choked on a piece of food and was experiencing shortness of breath. Prior to fire personnel arrival, a bystander effectively performed abdominal thrusts, dislodging the food.  The patient received advanced life support measures at the scene and was transported to Arcadia Methodist Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Fire Prevention

Plan Checks

2 Residential Building Plan Checks

1 Commercial Building Plan Check

1 Fire Sprinkler Plan Check

1 Hood & Duct Plan Check

Construction Inspections

1 Fire Alarm Inspection

4 Fire Sprinkler Inspections

3 Occupancy Finals

Other Inspections

113 Annual Life & Fire Safety Inspections

5 Permit Inspections

6 Business License Inspections

1 5 -Year Sprinkler Certification Inspection

Training

During the reporting period, the Arcadia Fire Department conducted a total of 356 hours of training. Some of the subjects covered were: Hose Evolutions, Ladder Evolutions, Ventilation Techniques, Salvage and Overhaul Techniques, Tiller Certification, Defensive Driving, Engine Company Equipment, Search and Rescue, Communications, EOC Operations, Records Management, Fire Suppression Tactics, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Truck Operations, Emergency Medical Technician, Paramedic Continuing Education, Hazardous Materials, Lighting Operations, Rope Rescue, Incident Command, Pre-Incident Planning, Supervision and Management, and Standard Operating Guideline Review.

Volunteer Weekly Activity Report

During the reporting period, the Arcadia Fire Department had a total of 10 hours of volunteer activities.  Specifically, volunteers from the community donated their valuable time last week in assisting the Department with administrative duties in the Fire Prevention Bureau and processing emergency medical services forms and paramedic reports.  It is worth noting that all volunteers and Department personnel who have access to emergency medical services forms and paramedic reports are trained on the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule.