Whether an elderly man would have survived a recent apartment fire had a nearby fire engine been in service that day is debatable, given the quick response by firefighters. What isn’t up for debate is that the city’s decision to sideline up to eight fire engines per day in a cost-cutting “brownout” plan has led to longer response times in San Diego.
Hemet firefighters and paramedics Chris Galetta and Dan Lamy felt like they made a difference. They spent eight days in the village of Titanyen, repairing broken bones that hadn't been set since the quake occurred on Jan. 12 and treating survivors for typhoid and malaria.
A Ventura County firefighter was recovering at UCLA Medical Center on Tuesday after surgery for a serious eye injury he suffered Monday evening when ammunition and other items exploded during an house fire in Thousand Oaks, authorities said. Local 1364 member Paul Torres, 36, underwent five hours of surgery to his right eye, Ventura County Fire Department officials said.
Late last year, CPF led a united fire service in support of a measure designed to put more money directly into first responder services. When the bill failed we said we'd be back, and we are. As part of his 2010-2011 budget, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has re-introduces the CPF-backed Emergency Response Initiative.