Small Brush Fire In El Cajon Quickly Contained

At 11:05 a.m. Saturday morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning up hill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were able to contain the blaze in approximately 30 minutes but remained on scene for over an hour and a half putting out hot spots.

The cause of the fire was accidental; a resident digging with a steel-bladed hand tool hit a rock, creating a spark, which ignited dry vegetation. Good preventative weed abatement practices around structures by homeowners allowed firefighters to quickly gain the upper hand on this fire without allowing the fire to cause structure damage. El Cajon fire crews were assisted by firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department and from the San Miguel Fire Protection District.

*A reminder: When clearing brush, always keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose near by in case you accidentally spark a blaze.

Unusual Rescue In Lakeside

At 10:35 a.m. this morning Lakeside Fire crews, with assistance from El Cajon Fire & Rescue, responded to reports of a seven-year-old boy with his head stuck in the storm drain located near 10252 Big Cone Court in Lakeside.

It took approximately 40 minutes to extricate the child using the “Jaws of Life” to break apart and spread-open the concrete and steel drain structure. Once the child was extricated he was examined by Lakeside Paramedic Firefighters and was found to be uninjured. The child was apparently attempting to retrieve a toy that had fallen into the storm drain when he became stuck.

Heartland Zone News

Check out the latest issue of the Heartland Zone Newsletter. It’s a special newsletter highlighting what’s happening with various San Diego County Emergency agencies in the Heartland Fire District. You can also view previous issues of: Heartland Zone News

Newborn Surrendered To El Cajon Fire Station

In December of 2007, the El Cajon Fire Department joined fire agencies from throughout San Diego County to become a designated site for the Safely Surrendered Baby program. The Safely Surrendered Baby law established hospitals as safe haven sites and allowed the Counties to designate other facilities such as fire stations as safe haven locations.

Recently, a young mother left her baby, just hours old, with El Cajon firefighters at Station 6 on Lexington Avenue. Firefighters provided the immediate emergency medical care necessary and transported the infant to a receiving hospital. Within a few days, the healthy baby girl was adopted.

El Cajon Fire Chief Mike Scott says, “The El Cajon Fire Department is honored to make our fire stations available for this valuable program. As a result of this recent event a life was saved, and a couple’s dream to adopt a child came true.”

In 2001, SB1368 became law and established the Safely Surrendered Baby program. The purpose of the law is to encourage parents to bring unwanted infants, up to three days old, to reception centers such as hospitals or fire stations, rather than abandon them in dumpsters or bushes. The law is to protect babies from being hurt or killed because they were abandoned. No names are required and the parent(s) will not be subject to prosecution for child abandonment. The baby will receive needed medical treatment and be placed in an adoptive home. There is a mechanism for parents to reclaim the infant within 14 days if deemed appropriate by Child Welfare Services.

Fire stations are located in the communities where people work and live, and have always been thought of as places where people can go to get help. A local fire station can be less intimidating than a hospital. The City of El Cajon has four stations: Station #6 at 100 E. Lexington Avenue, Station #7 at 695 Tyrone Street, Station #8 at 1470 East Madison Avenue, and Station #9 at 1301 North Marshall Street.

For more information about the Safely Surrendered Baby program please contact the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency at (858) 694-5700.

For information about this recent incident in El Cajon, please contact El Cajon Fire Division Chief Rick Sitta at (619) 441-1608.

One Of El Cajon’s Finest Honored By El Cajon Masonic Lodge

El Cajon Fire Chief Mike Scott is proud to present Firefighter Dave Truttmann as the El Cajon Firefighter of the Year for 2009.

Firefighter Truttmann is our most senior firefighter and has served the community of El Cajon for 30 years. He started his career in El Cajon in 1979. During that time he has responded to thousands of fires, rescues and medical emergencies. He has approached each incident with a high level of professionalism and compassion for those affected by these emergencies.

He is not being recognized merely for his length of tenure, but for his continued level of commitment and attitude to his responsibilities as a firefighter. He is an aggressive firefighter that truly loves his job and cares for the citizens of El Cajon as well as his fellow firefighters. Dave shows up to work with a smile on his face everyday. Dave is always contributing to the team, has a strong work ethic and is a great example of what a firefighter should be.

The above photo is of Dave receiving recognition by the El Cajon Masonic Lodge.

Early Morning Fire Destroys Trailer Home In El Cajon

At 7:03 a.m. Wednesday morning, El Cajon Fire crews responded to a trailer home fire at the Horseshoe Trailer Park, located at 150 South Anza, Space 1B. As crews arrived they found a 30-foot trailer home fully involved. Firefighters had the fire knocked down in less than 10 minutes. Their quick action kept the fire from spreading to nearby trailers, and the fire was contained to the one trailer and an attached patio area. An elderly man was at home, inside the trailer, when the fire started; he was able to escape unharmed.

Damage has been estimated at $50,000 for the one bedroom trailer home, and $7,000 for its contents. There were no injuries reported. The cause of the fire is now under investigation, but it appears to be accidental. The American Red Cross is now assisting the displaced couple with temporary housing.

Note: There was no working smoke alarm in this trailer. The heat of the flames caused the man to wake up and escape. He was fortunate. In homes with no working smoke alarms most often occupants will die of smoke inhalation before flames reach them. Make sure your home has a working smoke alarm, one for each level of your home, and another just outside the sleeping areas for added protection. For additional safety information please visit our website at www.elcajonfire.com.

Photos taken by El Cajon Deputy Fire Marshal Tom Hamma

Quick Action Douses Bank of America Fire – (See Video)

May 19, 2009 – At 7:33 p.m. tonight, El Cajon Firefighters responded to reports of a fire in the kitchen area of the Bank of America branch located at 512 Fletcher Parkway. Upon arrival, fire crews found smoke coming from the rear of the building, where they made entry. Quick action by firefighters had the fire knocked down in fifteen minutes. About fifteen firefighters fought the blaze. Damage was contained to the kitchen and a small room located in the back area of the bank. Two bank employees, inside at the time the fire started, escaped unharmed.

The fire is now under investigation. Preliminary damage is estimated to be $100,000. The bank will remain closed until repairs can be made.

Information On Swine Flu & Prevention

For information on the Swine Flu and prevention measures, please check the the following links. 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Swine Flu page

Current CDC figures about swine flu in the U.S.

Swine Influenza and You [PDF] – comprehensive information from the CDC on the disease and recommended precautions.

World Health organization: (Updates on outbreaks)

Or, feel free to contact 1-800-82-SHARP or go online to Sharp Health Care.

Graduation Day for the 19th Heartland Fire Academy

CONTACT: Monica Zech
Public Information Officer
(619) 441-1737 – office
(619) 843-7218 – cell

Monday is Graduation Day for the 19th Heartland Fire 1 Academy. These twenty-one graduates successfully completed 14-weeks (488 hours) of firefighter training at the Heartland Training facility in El Cajon. The graduation ceremony will be held on Monday, April 20th, 6:00 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 East Douglas Avenue in El Cajon.

Among the graduates are those taking positions as firefighters, reserve firefighters and six are open enrollment students from Miramar College. Fire graduates will be joining El Cajon Fire, Alpine, Bonita, Coronado, Lakeside and Mt. Laguna Fire Departments.

Several Fire Chiefs will be there to officially welcome their new firefighters and reserve firefighters. They are: El Cajon Fire Chief Mike Scott, Alpine Fire Chief Bill Paskle, Bonita Fire Chief Scott Walker, Coronado Fire Chief Kim Raddatz and Mt. Laguna Fire Chief Dennis Sherman.

The San Diego Firefighters Emerald Society Bagpipe & Drum Band will be a part of the opening ceremonies as they lead the graduates into the room.

Each graduate successfully completed the Heartland Firefighter Academy which consists of both classroom instruction and manipulative practice. Academy classes were held every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for 14 weeks, approximately ten hours per day. Some of the graduates are Reserve Firefighters, an auxiliary position with the El Cajon Fire Department. It is an opportunity for those interested in a fire service career to get valuable hands-on experience while giving back to the community. For information about the El Cajon Reserve Firefighter program please visit www.elcajonfire.com.

Cake and punch will be provided following the graduation ceremony.

19th Heartland Fire Academy, Graduating Class Demonstration Day

For Immediate Release Contact:
Monica Zech, Public Information Officer
(619) 441-1737 – office

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2008
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Heartland Fire Training Facility – 1301 N. Marshall

Just two days before their graduation, fire academy recruits demonstrated their firefighting skills Saturday for several Heartland Fire Chiefs, family members and for the media, at the Heartland Fire Training facility in El Cajon.

Among the twenty-one graduates are recruits for the El Cajon, Alpine, Bonita, Coronado, Lakeside and Mt. Laguna Fire Departments and six are Miramar College open enrollment students.

This Firefighter 1 Academy just completed 14 weeks of training, with graduation ceremonies to be held on Monday, April 20 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon. Fire training involved 488-hours of classroom sessions on topics such as firefighter safety, equipment operation, fire extinguishers, forcible entry tools and techniques, lifting and hoisting equipment, fire hose, hose nozzles and fittings, hose evolutions, ladders, breathing apparatus, fire control, fire prevention, and more; plus manipulative classes giving recruits the opportunity to practice skills taught in the classroom. Recruits had to pass weekly training evaluations by assigned instructors from the El Cajon, La Mesa and San Miguel Fire departments. The Coordinator of the Academy is retired Batallion Chief Bruce Cartelli.

The Academy graduation will be held on Monday, April 20, 6:00 p.m., at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 E. Douglas Avenue.

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