Fire

LAFD: Can We Find You?

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypost.com 

If you have ever driven the streets of Los Alamos in the dark when it is raining or snowing, desperately searching for a house number, you will understand why Los Alamos Fire Department is calling on property owners to maintain visible numbers on their houses.

LAFD Emergency Medical Services Division Chief Ben Stone explains that not being able to find a house number adds additional stress to an already stressful situation, especially when someone is critically ill or injured.

“Imagine yourself calling 911 for a family member Read More

LAFD Battalion Chief Moves To Operations

Los Alamos Fire Department Battalion Chief has moved from her former position as Safety Division Chief to B Shift Chief. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post
maire@ladailypost.com

Los Alamos Fire Department Battalion Chief Wendy Servey’s first career choice was not firefighting but from the moment you meet her, you realize that she truly found her calling when she first became a career fire medic.

Originally from near Cleveland, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science – Design and Visual Communications at Bowling Green State Read More

LAFD Emergency Medical Calls On The Rise

LAFD EMS Division Chief Benjamin Stone stands next to a machine that dispenses medication to LAFD personnel to replenish those administered during their shift. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

The Los Alamos Fire Department has responded to 1,046 calls for emergency medical services (EMS) so far this year, up 144 from the same period last year.

EMS Division Chief Benjamin Stone said he has carefully documented each one of those calls and is proud of LAFD’s response to them. In 2015, the Department responded Read More

LAFD Holds Resuscitation Academies Sept. 29-30

LAFD News: 

 

The Los Alamos Fire Department and The Maryland Resuscitation Academy (RA) will present two consecutive one-day resuscitation academies 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 29-30 at the University of New Mexico-Los Alamos.

The Maryland RA is a one-day, intensive course dedicated to improving survival rates of patients suffering pre-hospital cardiac arrest and is suitable for emergency medical services (EMS) supervisors, medical directors, fire/EMS chiefs, EMS personnel of all levels and hospital and emergency department staffs across New Mexico Read More

McQuiston: The ABCs Of Fire Extinguishers

By ALLEN MCQUISTON
The Jemez Agency
 
The ABCs Of Fire Extinguishers – What You Need To Know
 
It might seem hard to believe, but there are some people that feel fire extinguishers are not a valuable fire protection method.
 
The fact is, most people have limited knowledge of fire extinguishers and their intended use. A fire extinguisher can certainly be a lifesaver.
 
There are numerous factors to consider when selecting the proper fire extinguisher. Selection, location, servicing, and training are the key elements of utilizing fire extinguishers to their full
Read More

DPU Notes Increase In Gas Leak Reports

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos Daily Post

A spike in suspected gas leaks reported to the Los Alamos Department of Public Utilities and Los Alamos Fire Department last week was mostly related to leaking appliances, according to the County’s Deputy Utilities Manager Jack Richardson.

There was a total of six calls Aug. 17 alone but Richardson said his supervisors were not really surprised.

“As we head into fall weather, people are relighting furnaces and using more gas, so we get more calls than we typically do. About half the calls are for leaking appliances such as hot water Read More

LAFD Responds To Gas Leak At Duplex Near Urban

Los Alamos Fire Department and County Utilities responded to a suspected gas leak early this evening at a residence at 41st Street and Urban Street. The homeowner reportedly smelled gas when he arrived home from work and called the County. A gas leak was found somewhere underneath the home and gas has been shut off to both sides of the duplex until State inspectors check the system. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos firefighters check for a gas leak early this evening at a residence at 41st Street and Urban Street. Photo by Maire O’Neill/ladailypost.com

Firefighters Read More

Ojitos Fire On SFNF Provides Opportunity To Use Fire For Resource Benefit

SFNF News:
 
SANTA FE  Fire managers on the Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) continue to monitor the lightning-caused Ojitos Fire on the Coyote Ranger District with a focus on using low-intensity fire on the ground to achieve multiple resource benefits.
 
The 330-acre Ojitos Fire is on the boundary of the Chama River Canyon Wilderness where fire managers are using natural barriers like roads, rocky mesas and drainages to limit the fire’s spread. The fire’s growth has been limited by monsoonal moisture and topography, which includes drainages, cliffs and patches of
Read More

No Injuries In West Jemez Road Accident

Traffic is delayed Monday afternoon on West Jemez Road as a man and his grandson are rescued from their vehicle after it left the road and ended up in a ravine some 50 feet below. Los Alamos Police Officers Tim Lonz, Jay Eakins and Cmdr. Preston Ballew responded to the scene following a 911 call and rescued the two people from the vehicle. There were no injuries and no citation was issued. At first it proved difficult to locate the vehicle but it was eventually spotted by Eakins. Los Alamos Fire Department also responded. Photo by Josh Smith Read More