BUREAU COMMANDER Deputy Chief

Daryl Arbuthnott

ASSISTANT BUREAU

COMMANDER Assistant Chief Gregory Reynar

Andrew Fox Emile Mack

TRAINING OFFICER Captain II

Richard Fields

EMS OFFICER Captain I Danny Wu

OFFICE

4960 Balboa Blvd. Encino, 91316

818-728-9921 Office 818-728-9931 Fax

Email: lafd.valleybureau

@lacity.org

1

Fire Department Reorganization Making a Response Department...more Responsive! By Deputy Chief Daryl Arbuthnott

Sunday, January 11, 2015, marked a historical day in the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) 129-year history when the Department Re-organized its oversight of emergency service operations from a single downtown command into four geographic bureaus.

The LAFD change in its business model brings the Fire Department organizational structure into alignment with the LAPD organizational model. While the LAFD is widely recognized as a world leader in all risk emergency response, re-organizing the oversight of the emergency operations of 106 fire stations and approximately 2700 firefighters from a single downtown command into four geographic bureaus commanded by its own Deputy Fire Chief will improve efficiency in its all risk emergency response, and allow the Department to be more responsive to the non emergency needs of the community including business, civic and non profit groups and the field. The Fire Department Emergency Operations will now be de-centralized into four specific bureau designations; Operations Central Bureau, (see Reorganization continued on page 2)

1

MySafe:LA Free Smoke Alarm Program

During the past two years, 42 people have died in home and apartment fires in Los Angeles. In every single fatal case, there was NO working smoke alarms in the homes that burned. No home should ever be without smoke alarms. People are dying in house fires in Los Angeles. Half of those people are older adults. MySmart:LA’s FireSmart:LA program teaches students, families and older adults to be aware of the risks related to house fires. They teach (see Smoke Alarms continued on page 2)

 

VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 OPERATIONS VALLEY BUREAU APRIL 2015

Proudly serving the communities of: Arleta, Bell Canyon, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, City of San Fernando, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, Noho Arts District, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pacoima, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sylmar, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Universal City, Van Nuys, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills.

Fire Department Reorganization 1 MySafe:LA’s Free Smoke Alarm Program 1

The Valley Public Safety Advisory Committee 2

LAFD Trains on New Fire Ground Strategy 3 LAFD Innovation 3 Encino Hospital Opens First Geriatric Emergency Room in SoCal 4 San Fernando Valley Bar Association Honors LAFD Captain 4 LAFD Milestones 4 EVENTS CALENDAR 4 LAFD/LAPD St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser 3/21

CicLAvia – The Valley Walk, Skate, and Bike Ride 3/22 FIRE SERVICE DAY Fire Station 86 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser 5/07 LAFD Class 15-01 Recruit Academy Graduation 5/14 LAFD/LAPD Grateful Hearts Warner Center Food and Music Festival 6/18

In This Issue

1  

2

Reorganization (continued from Page 1) covering the downtown civic center of the city, Operations West Bureau Hollywood, West LA, Palisades, and the Airport including LAX, Operations Valley Bureau providing oversight for the San Fernando Valley and Operations South Bureau with responsibility for South LA and the Harbor including the Port of Los Angeles. Each bureau is headed by a Fire Deputy Chief who acts as the area Fire Chief. The Operations Valley Bureau, headed by Deputy Chief Daryl Arbuthnott, is the largest of the four bureaus which consist of five battalions, 38 fire stations and approximately 270 square miles of geographical coverage. While a permanent facility is under review by the Department to determine the best location for Fire Department business offices serving the San Fernando Valley, a temporary Valley Bureau office is operating out of Fire Station 83 located at 4960 Balboa, Blvd., and Encino, CA 91316. The LAFD’s organizational change will assist the Department as part of the city family in achieving Mayor Garcetti’s “Back to Basics” initiative which includes ensuring the City’s neighborhoods are safe, improving accountability and efficiency in

3

city government, partnering with residents and civic groups to meet community needs, and promoting a strong business climate. Located conveniently in the center of the San Fernando Valley, LAFD Valley Bureau will improve Department accountability to the various communities of the Valley where businesses and community members have access to direct their concerns and ideas; the ability to access public facing data driven measurements to assess the performance of their local fire station’s performance; participate in Department sponsored education and awareness programs including fire prevention, community events, business partnerships and community-based training exercises where communities join the Department for meaningful disaster preparedness training; participate in the newly established Operations Valley Bureau

2 L o s A n g e l e s F i r e D e p a r t m e n t

4

– Public Safety Advisory Committee (VPSAC) where community representatives engage in public safety discussions for improvements; and the alignment with LAPD, our public safety partners for seamless incident management. The Operations Valley Bureau (OVB) is committed to building and developing relationships with businesses and community stakeholders while ensuring the best fire life safety protection for Valley residents. For additional information, please contact the Operations Valley Bureau office by email: LAFD.valleybureau@lacity.org, or by calling (818) 728-9921.

LAFD  Operations  Valley  Bureau’s  temporary  administrative  location  at  Fire  Station  83  in  Encino.  

 

 

2

Smoke Alarms (continued from Page 1) people how to react if a fire breaks out in their home, and how to get out safely. MySafe:LA makes it easy to make sure your family is protected at all times with their FireSmart:LA FREE smoke alarm assistance program. Visit any LAFD fire station, fill out an interest card, and pick up your free smoke alarm today. For more information about MySafe:LA programs please visit www.mysafela.org or visit your local fire station.

1. Place one smoke alarm on each level of the house near the stairs, including

entrances to the attic or basement if you have one.

2. Install one smoke alarm in each common area, such as a living room or dining room.

3. Avoid placing the alarm near a fireplace, stove or other appliance that typically generates safe amounts of smoke and heat.

4. Place one alarm in each bedroom or in the hallway in front of adjoining bedrooms.

5. Keep your alarms accessible, since you’ll need to test them monthly, and change batteries twice a year.

6. Do not place the alarm near ceiling fans.

7. Never paint your smoke alarms, or place stickers on them.

LAFD In-Service Training Section Develops New Training

Members  of  Fire  Stations  39  and  90  take  a  short  break  during  overhaul  after  their  second  structure  fire  before  noon!  

LAFD In-Service Training Section Develops Video for Progressive Firefighting Tactic The In-Service Training Section (ISTS) of the Los Angeles Fire Department specializes in developing the latest techniques in fire suppression and firefighter safety to provide the community with the highest quality of service. LAFD ISTS filmed a “Transitional Fire Attack” video at Fire Station 89 in North Hollywood, a new technique in fire suppression that will improve firefighter and public safety. With an emphasis on continuing education and forward thinking, the LAFD is constantly improving its skills and knowledge with research and technology.

Operations Val ley Bureau 3

 Creating the LAFD Valley Bureau Public Safety Advisory Committee A top priority of the LAFD Operations Valley Bureau is to establish a “Valley Bureau Public Safety Advisory Committee” to ensure fire department related community issues are shared and appropriately addressed. The advisory committee will be comprised of four citizen volunteers and several representatives from the Fire and Police Departments. Input from citizen members in the following sectors would certainly enhance the diversity of the newly-established advisory committee: Medical, Entertainment, Private, Education, Environmental, Community Service, and Clergy & Religious organizations. LAFD Operations Valley Bureau will work with Los Angeles City Councilmembers to create this influential council in order to serve its citizens better.

LAFD Innovation: Improving the Hydrant Spanner Engineer Dennis Garrison from Fire Station 39 in Van Nuys is developing a ratcheting hydrant spanner that opens tough hydrants faster–– resulting in quicker fire suppression, reduction in property damage, and most importantly a greater survivability rate for occupants. LAFD’s  In-­‐Service  Training  Section  and  North  Hollywood’s  

Fire  Station  89  members  collaborate  to  film  the    “Transitional  Fire  Attack”  training  video  at  Drill  Tower  89.  

 

LAFD Milestones in Your Community 20 Years James Fernandez Fire Station 70 Northridge Craig Poulson Captain Fire Station 7 Artleta Eddie Marez Captain Fire Station 60 North Hollywood Brian Simon Firefighther/Paramedic Fire Station 88 Sherman Oaks George Suchand Engineer Fire Station 96 Northridge Retirements Randy Beaty Battalion Chief Fire Station 60 North Hollywood

Encino Hospital Opens First Geriatric Emergency Room in Southern California

LAFD OVB, Battalion 10, and Engine 83 were honored to attend the opening of Encino Hospital’s grand opening of Southern California’s first ever Geriatric Emergency Room and InPatient Clinic. The new program will launch at Encino Hospital Medical Center (EHMC) and has been designed to provide specialized care for senior patients from their initial Emergency Room experience through the end of their hospital stay. “As patients age, their medical histories become complicated,” noted Dr. Jason Greenspan, director of Encino Hospital’s emergency room. “Elderly patients may take multiple medications with potentially negative interactions, or they may have functional and cognitive impairments that complicate treatment. Our new geriatric emergency and inpatient units will address these specific needs in an innovative, ground-breaking way.”

Captain Chuong Ho awarded “Annual Heroes Award”

Captain Chuong Ho will be honored as the Valley Community Legal Foundation of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association’s “Annual Heroes Award” Recipient. Captain Ho also has an extensive background in law and labor experience, earning a B.A. from UCSB and having graduated from Chapman University School of Law.

LAFD  OVB,  Battalion  10,  and  Engine  83  with  Senior  ER  Physicians  Dr.  Greenspan  and  Dr.  Hernandez  

3

Chief  Randy  Beaty  and  his  family  celebrate  his  last  shift  after  providing  years  of  exemplary  service  to  the  City  of  Los  Angeles.  

Proudly serving the communities of: Arleta, Bell Canyon, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, City of San Fernando, Encino, Granada Hills, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, Noho Arts District, North Hills, North Hollywood, Northridge, Pacoima, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sylmar, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Universal City, Van Nuys, Warner Center, West Hills, Winnetka, Woodland Hills.

 

Battalion  14  Chief  Randy  Beaty  enjoys  his  last  shift  at  North  Hollywood  Fire  Station  60  with  his  wife    Rochelle  and  LAFD  firefighter  sons  Chris  and  Dan.    

Captain  Chuong  Ho  proudly  serves  the  community  of  Encino  out  of  Fire  Station  83.  

LAFD Class 15-01 Recruit Academy Graduation 5/14 Grateful Hearts Fundraiser & Food Faire June 26th, 2014 11:30am-2:00pm Warner Center Park 5800 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Woodland Hills 91367

4  

LAFD Valley View Events

MARCH 21 LAFD/LAPD St. Baldrick’s Fundraiser Fire Station 89, North Hollywood Join our fight against childhood cancer! www.stbaldricks.org/events/lafdlapd 22 CicLAvia — The Valley Skate, Bike, Walk through the Valley… North Hollywood, Studio City 29 Glenn Allen Memorial BBQ Fundraiser Fire Station 78, Studio City MAY 9 Fire Service Day All LAFD Fire Stations Stop by and visit your local fire station! 15 LAFD Recruit Class 15-01 Fire Station /Drill Tower 81 Academy Graduation Panorama City JUNE 26 Grateful Hearts Fundraiser & Food Faire Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills

LAFD  Fire  Chief  Ralph  Terrazas  and  LAPD  Police  Chief  Charlie  Beck  participate  in  St.  Baldrick’s  fight  against  childhood  cancer.