BATTALION 14 News & Information

Battalion 14 responded with TF-60, RA-860, E-86, RA-86, E-76 and EMS-14 to 5025 Cartwright Ave. in North Hollywood on a reported structure fire.

Responding companies reported a "loom up" enroute and found a well involved detached garage behind a single family dwelling.

As firefighters advanced the initial fire attack lines they heard small explosions inside the structure that later proved to be fireworks that had been stored inside.

Members were able to salvage some very valuable original artwork that had been inside the rear portion of the garage. The occupant, an artist who had created much of the artwork inside a makeshift art studio in the garage over a 25 year period, was extremely grateful for firefighters efforts.

Pictured (above) is Firefighter Nick Robideau (FS 60) preparing to place a line on the fire.

Pictured (below) are Captain Cameron Cress (FS 60), Firefighter Robideau and Captain Scott Frazier (FS 60) shortly after arriving on scene.

Great job!

On June 25, 2006 at 0520 hours Battalion 14 responded along with E-89, TF-60, RA-860, LF-102 and EMS-14 to a reported Structure Fire at 6813 Troost Ave. in North Hollywood.

First arriving companies reported heavy smoke coming from a commercial building behind an Automotive Repair Shop.

E-89 and E-60 initiated fire attack after facing very difficult access challenges. An Emergency Traffic was issued following a report of a metal fence being charged with downed power lines.

Members made an outstanding save of what proved to be a cabinet manufacturing shop. Aggressive firefighting coupled with outstanding roof ventilation contributed to the save. Although there was significant damage to the office portion of the structure nearly 125 feet of the production building was saved.

Additional Companies included LF-98, TF-88, Battalion 10 and Division 3.

Pictured are Firefighter Louie Polanco (FS 60) and Firefighter Brian Coulas (FS 102) during roof ventilation operations.

Battalion 14 recently responded to a Physical Rescue on the 170 Freeway in Fire Station 89s district. First companies on-scene reported a 3-vehicle T/A with one occupant trapped.

Firefighters used the Jaws of Life to free the victim. He was transported to a local hospital in serious condition.

The occupant of the vehicle pictured received NO injuries and was found to be in excellent condition despite the damage to the vehicle. This occupant was wearing his seatbelts.

Just a reminder...

The Retirement Dinner for Battalion 14 Chief Rick Kay will be held at the Oddyssey Restaurant, 15600 Odyssey Drive in Granada Hills (75s District) on Thursday, June 22 at 6:00 p.m. . It's not too late to sign up and we hope to see you there!

For info contact the Battalion 14 office or Fire Station 60.

The Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce's motto is: Advocates for Business - Partnering With the Community. The organization's motto was in full display on a recent afternoon at Fire Station 86.
Chamber President Roy Disney and L.A. City Councilman Tom LaBonge presented FS 86 a check for $5,000, the proceeds from the group's 2nd annual pancake breakfast on Fire Service Day at the station.

Many dignitaries from the local community were on hand for the ceremony, including past Chamber President Richard Bogy, Industrial Metal Supply's Neil Sherman, local realtor Steve Hampar and Tolucan Times publisher Mardi Rustam.

"Stand By" You have just arrived at the scene of a working fire in a large commercial building. First arriving companies are hot on your tail and you are trying to
a. size up the fire
b. develop strategy and tactics
c. place your companies
d. request additional companies
e. write down your company assignments for resource tracking

Now....all of this is tough enough but the thing that is really confusing the situation is all of the radio traffic...you can't even get a word in edgewise. As the IC you need to gain control or it's only going to get worse. Your frustration is mirrored by the Company Commanders who are trying to talk to you over the radio and getting no response. They don't know if your failure to answer them is because you don't hear them or because their radios aren't working.

It's unfortunate but true that our worst radio communications often occur at the most critical time of the incident when we can least afford them: as companies are arriving on scene. As the IC there is a method that you can use to not only gain control of radio traffic but also buy critical decision making time. And you can do this while letting your responding companies know that you hear them and will address their messages. Respond with a clear and concise "Stand By".

As simple as this sounds... it works. It not only reduces the stress level of those trying to contact you but also insures them that they are being heard. "Engine 78 Stand By" lets that officer know that the message got through and that you will get back to him/her in a moment. The message "Stand By" tells them that your are understandably busy at the moment but have not forgotten them. Use of the phrase "Stand By" also gives you time to formulate your plan of attack and focus on better organizing assignments with less communication confusion.

Give it a try....it works!

Battalion 14 companies were dispatched to a reported structure fire in Sun Valley at 1954 hours. BC14 responded northbound on the Hollywood Freeway and reported a loomup to the northeast. OCD responded that they were receiving multiple calls, a sure sign that this was the real thing. Sure enough, E89 arrived onscene 4 minutes after dispatch and reported a single family dwelling well-involved. E89 and E77 made an aggressive fire attack, while E289 and LF60 took the roof and provided effective ventilation. The fire was knocked down at 2008, just 14 minutes after the fire was reported and 10 minutes after the first unit arrived onscene. The cause of the fire was undetermined after a grimy, 3-hour investigation.