Rescue51

I don't see them getting two stations, though that might be nice. Maybe only one station. I like the idea in north Santee, off Magnolia. I know with the Rancho Fanita development, I thought they were slated to get another station towards the west end of Santee. Not sure. So Santee has fs's 4 + 5. 4's runs an engine, a truck, and recently I am seeing a squad. Not sure if the new 4x4 patrol will be at 4's or 5's. Probably makes sense out of 5's as 4's has a newer type-3 brush rig (Brush-4). Plus 5's runs a fair amount of rescues for the Mission Trails area, and the 4x4 would be a good resource. Fs5 runs two pumpers out of the house, E5 and E205. Though I like traditional RED color rigs, I like the Santee tradition of YELLOW. The rigs at fs4 are RED now. Getting new stations are a huge commitment. They need rigs for them, and personnel running 24/7/365. Lots of $$$. ~Rescue51 https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/recent-fire-deaths-heighten-calls-fire-protection-ballot-measure-santee

Too bad Pierce does not offer the Quantums any longer. I know that was the preferred choice for Oceanside FD.

Good to know SCNRADIO, thank you for adding new information. It will be interesting to get some dirt on the new Squad-4. I suspect it might be a tender type to T4, used for MedAid calls and more. Hopefully as such, it will reduce the depreciation, mileage and wear & tear, not to mention what is rarely mentioned, which is keep the availability status higher when not used (truck) for BLS level calls.

I noticed on a run last night, Santee FD had Squad 4 (SQ4) along with Truck 4 (T4) on the incident. Anyone have any information on which rig the "squad" is? Thanks.

Could this be what was listed as SQ4, instead a patrol? Nice looking rig. 300gwt. Photo credit South Coast Fire.

Seems some departments are doing what I recommended (like a parrot) for many years, which is to use a squad or rescue (technical/USAR) in place of a aerial ladder truck, for the high volume of medical aids, especially so many being BLS level. It is nice to see them doing this like El Cajon/Heartland Fire-Rescue's SQ6. I am seeing recently a SQ4 too for Santee FD, I am assuming in place of their Pierce TDA.

Interesting to run the newer Pierce truck (formerly T15) out of 14's, as 14's is such a busy station. They will run the truck into the ground. I thought maybe the reserve truck (T215) was assigned to 14's if their front-line Pierce pumper was out of service. But, in reading the information here, seems T15 is now T14.

My understanding is Pierce no longer takes new orders/build on the Velocity design/specs. Oceanside must have slipped those orders in last year +++.

I understand, Heartland Fire-Rescue's E11 (La Mesa), may have just taken delivery of another new Pierce pumper. The front-line rig from a delivery date of around 2016, was damaged by an out-of-control vehicle, and is in for repairs. When finished, apparently it will become the front-line for Fs13.

Many agencies in Southern California seem to be finally adding BLS rigs, which is a great idea to give relief to the ALS boxes always running to hangnails, nose bleeds, and the frequent flyers with mental, or other chronic 911 call requests. Over 2 decades ago a few departments experimented for a while with the call downgrades to BLS level, and were running specific rigs for that, but I understand potential liability became a reason for taking those out of service. Today, the crazy call volume of medical aids, is overwhelming the systems. I also have been advising for 20 years for agencies to stop running their trucks (ladders/towers/platforms) on the BLS type calls. It is wearing those rigs out way too early, and at today's $1.2 - $1.5 (+/-) purchase outlay for a truck, it makes no sense.

I noticed that Lemon Grove E10 is now running an older Pierce, versus the newer Pierce acquired a few years back. I would think if fs10 is running a reserve as E10, it would be numbered E310, since their 2nd operational Pierce pumper is numbered E210. Anyone have any clues? I noticed La Mesa E13 is now one of the newer Pierce rigs, very standardized with E11, El Cajon's E6, E8, E9. Wish Heartland was still doing their newsletter electronic updates that they once did, but it seems many of the agencies do not do updates on their websites any longer like in past. Perhaps I will check to see if they updated anything on their Facebook accounts. ~Rescue51

Anyone have info or pics on the rig that is new, responding from fs#17, as S17?

I noted on a T/C response tonight Ramona was running USAR#80 on that run. I did not realize Ramona got a USAR. They previously were running a 2007 or so walk-around rescue they received I believe from the County of San Diego Fire Authority. Interesting changes ahead up in Ramona.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/ramona-sentinel/news/story/2021-12-08/planning-group-supports-water-districts-move-to-relinquish-its-emergency-services-oversight Ramona Planning Group supports plan to move fire and emergency services oversight to county By Julie Gallant Dec. 8, 2021 9:33 AM PT Ramona Community Planning Group members are backing the Ramona Municipal Water District’s efforts to transfer its oversight of fire and emergency medical services to the San Diego County Fire Protection District. At their Dec. 2 meeting, members voted 14-0-1, with member Kevin Wallace abstaining, in favor of the proposal. “This should have happened a long time ago,” said Casey Lynch, a Planning Board member. “The Ramona Municipal Water District needs to get back to providing water, sewer and parks services. Getting fire services off the books and into the county’s hands, where we know they do a good job, will give us more protection and care in fighting fires.” Water district Directors Jim Hickle and Jim Piva gave a presentation to the group on how emergency service response levels could be increased without taxes or fee increases. Hickle said the water district took charge of fire and EMS services in 1981, when it merged with the Ramona Fire Protection District. In 1993, the water district started contracting for emergency services with Cal Fire, which continues to provide services today. Most water district customers have paid $188 per household annually for emergency services since that time, but the costs to provide the services have been increasing by about 5 percent per year, Hickle said. And the growth in emergency responses to 4,000 calls annually is due in part to tourists and other pass-through traffic in Ramona and also to a growing population of 45,000, he said. Hickle and Piva joined Craig Schmollinger, interim general manager, on an ad hoc subcommittee to review the finances of providing emergency services and the need for increased services. One of their recommendations was to increase staff on fire engines at Ramona Fire Stations 81 and 82 to three personnel, which they say is an industry standard. Another was to add a third advanced life support (ALS) ambulance in Ramona. Committee members also looked at ways of increasing emergency services. But after a meeting with Cal Fire Chief Tony Mecham they determined the best solution is to transfer authority to the San Diego County Fire Protection District. Reverting to a self-run Ramona Fire Department would be too costly and placing a fire services tax on the ballot for voters to consider is not likely to pass with a two-thirds approval requirement, they said. “Fire services need to increase, not decrease,” Hickle said. “We came to the agreement that what we feel is the best option is to transfer authority to San Diego County Fire Protection District. The county has more discretionary funds and economies of scale to pay for the services.” On Dec. 14, the water district board will meet at 6 p.m. at the Ramona Community Center, 434 Aqua Lane, to get public input on the proposal to apply to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) to transfer oversight to the county Fire Protection District. Planning Group member Dawn Perfect asked whether the Ramona Fire Department’s buildings, land and equipment would be transferred to the county if the transition takes place. Piva said the facilities and their maintenance would become the county’s responsibility. But if Ramona incorporates in the future, the assets, including the land, would be returned at “zero cost,” which is the same as what the water district is charging the county, he said. In other action, Planning Group members agreed to draft a letter expressing their interest in “exploring” the option to move Ramona to a Community Services District and send it to LAFCO. In August, LAFCO staff recommended that Ramona form a Community Services District as a way for the community to be governed locally. It would be considered a transitional step toward incorporating in the future, officials said. The recommendation was made based on Ramona’s growing population and trend toward urbanization. Planning Group member Torry Brean said the letter should clarify that the Planning Group is not taking a position on forming a Community Services District but intends to get more information about the concept to be able to make an informed decision. Planning Group Chairwoman Robin Joy Maxson said the group already responded to LAFCO’s presentation on the proposal and sent their feedback to the agency. The next step is to send a letter to LAFCO expressing their interest in exploring options, she said.

I noticed the older Pierce pumper now has the numbering on it E10 which was E210. Assuming the newer Pierce is not E210. I assume from a fleet management perspective, they are trying to put runs/time/miles/cycles on the older engine, and maybe E210 gets more runs unless they use a rotation system at the house. It would not surprise me to see another Pierce engine going to Fs#10's though I could be wrong. Wonder which rig is the spare/reserve that runs as E310? Thanks

Glad to see this for Sutphen. Pierce is a major player out here and seems to have at least 50+% market share on new pumper/truck deliveries. No doubt good rigs, but I like to see competition and Sutphen certainly has much with the REV Group and all their purchases and likely consolidation of brands/plants. REV Group owns most of the brands now. I am still sad to see ALF gone. I am seeing more Arizona agencies with E-One (which is also a REV Group owned company). I recall when E-One was quite present in San Diego area like with Santee FD, San Miguel Fire-Rescue. It is nice to see Ventura running and ordering Rosenbauers, or our state buying HME rigs. I think it is good to mix it up a bit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvCxq1VMMq0

@e5911 I like you have thought this one out quite a bit over time. I truly believe BLUE code/warning lights are very effective at night. I am a believer that the contrast in colors is very effective to the eyes. When someone sees red/blue/white and maybe even amber, I believe studies show the recognition value is very high. Departments that use white lights in edition to the red, hear in California, add much recognition value to their rigs and clearing intersections. Some departments just use red, no whites, no rear ambers, and I find that although red is the most effective daytime color, those that use on the rear amber/red are more effective. Of course amber only in rear is more a caution, red/amber in rear more a warning. Many departments use wig-wag headlamps, though many stopped. The wig-wag flash on LED headlamps is very effective. I don't think CHP is going to allow blue on fire/medics anytime soon. In the Craig Peyer incident here in San Diego, many policies changed after the CHP officer Peyer was convicted with murdering Cara Knott while Peyer was on-duty. While at time he had red/blues, there was controversy of when should a woman pull over for an emergency vehicle? The proposition was don't ever stop for a sedan with only red lights, as it may not be law enforcement. Then only pull over in a lighted area. That was before LED lamps, where any bozo can go buy a set of red/blues and put them on his dash or inside grill keeping them rather concealed, and go around pulling people over while impersonating a police officer. ~Rescue51

Yesterday, the dispatch was initiated for a Cessna 340 (twin-engine piston powered, AvGas fuel) that crashed north of Gillespie Airport, near Santana High School (Jeremy St./Greencastle St.). The airplane was on a flight plan from Yuma, AZ to Montgomery Airport, San Diego. Based on altitude data I looked at, and the cloud bases, I believe the instrument pilot was in the clouds around time it appears something caused his loss of control. The pilot was killed, as was a poor UPS driver making deliveries. The occupants of the house most severely impacted and with rapid fire development, it appears two occupants were rescued by bystanders, though the dog was lost. So far no more updates on if the fatality count has gone up. Two residential homes were destroyed, the corner house both by impact damage and fire. 2nd house by fire. I saw a picture of one of the engines of the plane in a 3rd house, laying in a room, with major floor tile damage. ~Rescue51 Here are the units dispatched, went en route, and all were at one time on-scene. Some of those unit numbers I do not recognize: 4101, 4102, 4202, 4801, 5801, B1, B2, BLS403, E1, E2, E19, REDX, SDFR HazMat 1, SDFR B4, E205, E4, M2, M4, M5, ReHab 1, L&A 46, E6, E8, E9, T4, T6, R3, RE12, TIP 10

California Red: Thanks. Tip10 is the PERT kind of unit with trained trauma intervention psychologist, social worker. There were many people in that neighborhood traumatized by the crash/explosion/fire and likely seeing the UPS driver on the ground with fatal injuries. I've seen REDX list before on assignments, and don't know either what that is designated for. It looked to Alpine's chief/BC/division chief, was also on-scene. I am wondering if he just happened to be in the area at time of event.

Caught B47 (or 4701's) new Chevy rig today outside station. Also parked by a newer Ford Explorer which I am not sure who is assigned that from Alpine Fire Protection District. AFPD has always been a bit different/stylish/innovative. Don't see too many Chevy BC rigs like that. The black trim looks nice! ~Rescue51

Was up in Alpine this past Sunday and noticed a brand news spanking nice looking BC rig, a Chevy pick-up with the usual command bed. Really nice looking rig with the chevrons in the back. The gentlemen driving stopped up the street and I regretted not stopping to introduce myself and take some pics. Not seeing anything about it in social media, so standby for some pics. Not sure if they go by BC-7 or 4701 up there. In the old days it was Fire-47, and my friend the former chief "Woody" Downing, unfortunately, I learned passed on I think this past July. For those that did not know Chief Downing, he was quite progressive for the little Alpine Fire Department back in the 1980's and 1990's. He was responsible for getting them the two beautiful then new E-One Hurricane pumpers that were the light show in town before LED lighting. He was spearheading a new station which was designated as Station 24, Harbison Canyon, and actually one of the Hurricanes was E24. Due to budgets and internal politics on the fire board, that Fs was never funded/built. There is now a Fs24 with a County of San Diego Fire Authority rig, staffed by Cal Fire. I was wanting to get to the El Cajon or La Mesa car shows since Woody was still attending and showing his vehicles. Due to COVID environment and all the chaos, I never got to go by. I believe Woody at one time had an older Crown pumper in his personal fleet. ~Rescue51

Yesterday there was a response for a brush fire in San Miguel's district and I had someone code behind me and it was one of the older San Miguel type-3 Navistars, rolling code to the incident. It was designated as Brush 46. I thought that was interesting. It had all the old school lights on it, but a great siren, and I wish who made that siren because it is very unique. I suppose Brush 46 is a rover or float rig where they can place it anywhere in district, likely depending on fire danger and staffing. Sorta like Light & Air 46 (E-One) which once was the district's rescue.

Hopefully this does not become a train wreck.

Little addendum to my last originating post here. Chief Downing had a good relationship with Crest and Bostonia FD (respectively Fs18 and Fs19). I believe at that time Crest/Bostonia was headed by Chief Daryl Jobe (or Jobb??) . Daryl was good at grant writing and ended up, due to that, getting funded for those Ferrara pumpers, and the Ferrara rescue that got absorbed by San Miguel Fire-Rescue, but prior to that Cal Fire. At one point the union between Crest & Bostonia was called East County Fire. Fs19 had a van-like Ford box ambulance (Aid-19???) and that always ran up the grade to the medical aids in Alpine, think it was only BLS. The 2 E-One Hurricanes that Chief Downing spec'd and had the builds on, they were fairly innovative, with roll-up doors back then (circa 1990), and I believe E17's may have been one of the first rescue-pumpers in that era. The roll-up doors had not yet been perfected and some of the engineers + FF's complained if E17 got on an uneven grade or slope, the doors would not roll-up. Not sure if Campo FD took the E17 or E24 (reserve) but eventually they ended up with one of those Alpine pumpers for a while (see photo). ~Rescue51