LAFD Statement from Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings: I will retire from the Los Angeles Fire Department.

LOS ANGELES - We would like to share with you a statement from Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings:
 

"Effective November 1, 2013 the Mayor will be appointing an Interim Fire Chief. 

Following a period of transition, I will retire from the Los Angeles Fire Department. 

Serving those who, live, work and play in Los Angeles is an extremely rewarding experience. It is a profound honor to work with and lead you incredible men and women of the LAFD. 

Every day, responding to over 1,100 calls for service, you make a positive difference in the lives of so many Angelenos  LAFD employees and volunteers have risen to the multiple challenges of increased workload, decreased funding, staff reductions, fewer apparatus and aging equipment.

 All the while, you continue to provide world class public safety, save lives and protect property. I could not be more proud of what you accomplish each day.

I remain committed to the on-going success of this great Department. I will retire confident that Los Angeles’ strong support of Public Safety and the Los Angeles Fire Department will afford the continued provision of service befitting the City of Angels. Be well and be safe." - LAFD Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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LAFD: Firefighters Escape Harm When West Adams Building Collapses #CaFire

CA-LFD 1381 - Major Emergency Structure Fire

Location: 4100 W Jefferson Bl

West Adams

Dispatch Time: 9:59 PM Wednesday, October 9,  2013

WEST ADAMS - Firefighters attempting to save a recently renovated Los Angeles business from flames escaped harm late Wednesday evening, when the roof of the building suddenly collapsed - just nine minutes after the fire was reported.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 9:59 PM on October 9, 2013 to 4100 West Jefferson Boulevard in the West Adams area, where firefighters arrived quickly to find flames through the roof of a one-story 50' x 50' building with a 20' addition to the rear. 

Forcing entry into south side of the well-secured structure charged with heat and smoke, six firefighters took a brief moment for situational awareness prior to entry. Despite the clamor of a what would soon become a "Major Emergency" blaze, their experienced ears noted sounds of structural compromise - and they stood their ground - seconds prior to collapse of the building's roof in an area where they would have been standing. 

A well-coordinated transition to defensive operations ensued as all personnel were accounted for and assured to be unharmed. Heavy streams were used to push back flames that briefly towered in the sky, as 121 LAFD personnel under the command of Battalion Chief Surgey Tomlinson held the fire in check. The blaze was skillfully confined to the non-fire sprinklered building of fire origin, and fully extinguished in just 54 minutes. 

No injuries were reported. 

Fire loss to the vacant building, zoned for light manufacturing and being prepared for lease, is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E29 E27 RA68 E26 T26 E226 E215 T15 RA15 EM13 BC11 BC5 E15 BC18 E229 T29 E43 DC1 BC5 E46 E261 T61 EM11 T3 E203 E3 UR3 UR88 BC1 E68 E210 T10 RA94 E10 T21 E221 E21 AR1 SQ21 T21 E221 AR2 T66 E266 T2 E202

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For Updated Information and Video Please Refer to:
http://lafd.blogspot.com/2013/10/firefighters-escape-harm-when-west.html

Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service, 

Brian Humphrey

Firefighter/Specialist - Public Service Officer

Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center

Los Angeles Fire Department

"Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride"

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CFN - California Fire News 2013 

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Red Flag Conditions LAFD Pre Deploying Additional Resources for Santa Ana Winds Wildfire Danger

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