Downey Fire Department

It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of former Downey Fire Engineer, Jim Marsh.

Jim was one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. He was always willing to help guys study for promotional exams and was always willing to help out around the station. Jim worked for the DFD for 24 years and retired in 2012.

He was respected and loved by members of the Fire Department and he will be missed.

A memorial service will be held, to honor Jim, at the England Family Mortuary on June 28, 2024, at 10:00 am. More details will be provided as they become available.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss and sadness.

Recruit class 2024 Alpha update

Over the last two weeks, the recruits have been busy covering topics such as;

- Search
- Rapid Intervention
- Two days of Auto Extrication
- Swift water rescue
- Flammable liquid fires
- Three days of Ventilation training
- Fire Behavior

The Recruits also completed number three of the four Fitness Evaluations they see during the Tower. Everyone did great and even some of the Training Division jumped in (way to go Capt. Halbmaier)

Two weeks left before the recruits enter the Paramedic Field Evaluations part of their training. Over the next two weeks they get Wildland training, just in time as the weather is changing, US&R and live fire training.

Finish strong 2024A!!

Wildland season preparations

With the weather changing and the vegetation across the state drying out, your Downey Fire Department is wrapping up refresher training, exercises and multi-agency drills to prepare our personnel for the upcoming season.

This years prep consists of annual in house RT-130 for all personnel, Strike Team Leader and Overhead refresher training from OES,
Mutual Threat Zone Multi Agency training in La Habra Heights and Montebello.

As Mutual Aid requests come in from all over the state, have no doubt that the men and women of the Downey Fire Department will have no hesitation to respond while maintaining ISO Class 1 service here in Downey.

Structure Fire

Units on scene right now of a detached garage fire. The fire was "knocked down" quickly and we have our investigation team on scene. There were no injuries reported.

Units on scene:
- E64
- E62
- E61
- R648
- T611
- B604
- Inv631

The Downey Fire Department has created its own YouTube channel! Please subscribe! We will be using this platform to share information on many different aspects of our Department like our Volunteer forces, career opportunities, and public safety messages. This is a great way to stay connected to the DFD!

Downey Fire Department's YouTube Channel This video introduces the Downey Fire Department's YouTube channel

Recruit Tower 2024 Alpha update

Recruit Tower 2024 is at the halfway mark. Over the last two weeks the recruits have covered;

- Ground Laddes (lots of ground ladders)
- Truck set up
- Fire Ground Survival
- Search
- Fitness Evaluations

Next week we jump into Auto Extrication, Swiftwater Rescue and Rapid Intervention.

Get your rest 2024A, four more weeks to go!

On duty crews are an integral part of our recruit training, thanks to the crews for coming down and participating.

Even Training Coordinator, Captain Josh Halbmaier jumped into the Fitnes Evaluation and posted a competitive time.

This is leading by example at its finest.

Attitude - Effort - Teamwork - Performance

Tree Fire

Units on scene of a tree fire at 7000 Firestone bl.

No injuries and fire is currently under investigation.

A celebration of life for former Fire Chief Don Davis

Today recruit class 2024-Alpha participated in the first session of fireground survival. These skills will keep them calm and sharp In a dreaded “Mayday” situation. Tomorrow they will continue refining these skills which will keep them safe on the fire ground. 

Grass Fire

Units on scene of a small grass fire on the south side of the Rancho property.

No injuries and the cause is under investigation.

Recruit Class 2024

The first two weeks of recruit training are in the books!

Over the last two weeks we have covered;

- Fitness
- SCBA's and PPE
- Hose Lays
- Multi-Company evolutions at both our facility as well as at a satellite regional training facility in Vernon.

During that time we even found time for the recruits to get their first paychecks!!

Two weeks down, six more to go!

Next week we start in on ground ladders.

Stay tuned for updates

Celebrating our own!!!

Last night at the City Council meeting, in honor of Public Service Recognition week, our own Christy Hedden was recognized.

Christy has been with the Fire Department for 8 years serving as an Administrative Assistant. Christy serves an invaluable role for our agency and has led many important projects.

Christys enthusiasm for her work is infectious as is her beamimg smile.

The City and our Department are better off with her and the work she does.

In attendance was Christy's son, Izayia.

Congrats Christy!!

Look forward to seeing everyone out there!

***UPDATE***

The incident has concluded and the Auto Zone parking lot is accessible.

Investigation

Right now, your Downey Fire Department in cooperation with our partner agencies, Downey Police Department, Los Angeles County Health HazMat and Santa Fe Springs Fire-Rescue are on scene of an investigation.

Units are working to ensure the scene is safe.
There is no need to take any action other than avoiding the Auto Zone at 9920 Paramount Bl.

Stay tuned for updates

🚨 Come and visit your Downey Firefighters at the Downey Street Faire 🚨

Crews from every station will be rotating into our booth until 6 PM to connect with the community. Stop by and say hello! 

It’s with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of former Downey Fire Chief and Downey City Manager, Don Davis.

Chief Davis had a long and successful career with the Downey Fire Department, serving as Fire Chief from 1978 until 1985. After retiring from the Fire Department, he became the Downey City Manager and served in that role until 1989.

He was respected and loved by members of the Fire Department and throughout the City and he will be missed.

Details regarding a memorial service are currently being planned and we will pass that information along as it becomes available.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this time of great loss and sadness.

The Downey Fire Department collaborated with CHP, Downey Police Department - Government Agency, and the Downey Unified School District today in the "Every 15 Minutes" campaign. A powerful message was delivered to Downey High School students on the consequences of driving under the influence. The Truck Company demonstrated the extrication using the "Jaws of life" while the Firefighter Paramedics conducted the medical treatment and transportation of the simulated victims.

Units on scene

Right now your Downey Fire Department is on scene of a rubbish fire. Units made an aggressive attack and had a quick knock down. Personnel are investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

No injuries have been reported.

Recruit Class 2024 Alpha

Today was orientation day for the five newest members to join the Downey Fire Department family.

Starting May 6th, the recruits begin the eight week intensive training. Upon completion of the suppression training, the recruits will then transition into a four week paramedic field evaluation.

After 12 weeks they will be ready for assignment and ready to serve the community.

Stay tuned for updates!

Good luck 2024Alpha!

Brandon Fewell
Corey Gregersen
Matthew Komoto
Aaron Orens
Michael Sevillano

Congratulations to two well deserving public servants.

Downey Police Department detective Jason Estrada and Downey Fire Department engineer Jake Jerzykowski were honored as Police Officer and Firefighter of the Year, respectively, at an awards luncheon Tuesday.

Estrada joined Downey PD as a police aide in 2005. He currently is a corporal assigned to the homicide desk.

Jerzykowski has been with Downey Fire since 2017 and has taken on a variety of leadership roles, including as the Downey liaison for a regional task force.

Read Across America

Today, your Downey Fire Department had the honor of participating in the Read Across America program at Alameda Elementary.

Paramedic Engine 62 led the motivation and awareness program in two different classrooms.

Thanks to the staff at Alameda Elementary for creating this fantastic opportunity.

Multi Agency Training

The Alameda Corridor Transit Authority organized its yearly training exercise today, bringing together multiple agencies to enhance their emergency response capabilities along this critical economic artery.

Your Downey Fire Department is back with Monthly Safety Messages! We are dedicated to keeping you all safe year-round. February's Safety theme is Having an Escape Plan. Knowing your way out of your home is extremely important if there is ever an emergency. Review these tips and stay tuned for further safety messages!

Bellflower Incident...

Right now, your Downey Fire Department is working at an incident on Bellflower Blvd.

No injuries have been reported and the incident is static.

The south bound lanes of Bellflower Blvd. are shut down from Hall rd to Buckles

Happening right now!

The 12th annual TLC 5k benefit run/walk got kicked off this morning at Apollo Park.
The fund raiser is to benefit the Downey Unified School District TLC Famiky Resource Center.
The crew on Truck 611 had the honor of flying the flag at the start of the event.

Rainy day schedule!!

This week our units are training at the buildings at Patton and Cleta (formerly Hutchinson Seal)

This opportunity came from a partnership with Reyes Coca Cola and the Downey Fire Dept.

Thanks to everyone for making these buildings available for this very valuable training.

Attitude - Effort - Teamwork - Performance

Truck training

Truck Companies doing Truck Company stuff....

Regional Truck Training at the David Rosa Memorial Training Center provided hands-on experience for Truck Companies to master critical operations.

At 1:47 PM this afternoon, a magnitude 4.6 earthquake occurred in the Malibu, CA area. Shaking was felt in the City of Downey. The Downey Fire Department initiated its earthquake response procedure, which includes a windshield damage assessment of our city infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and high hazard occupancies.

Field personnel completed the windshield damage assessment with no damage reported in the City of Downey. We are monitoring for any additional reports of damage in the community. The fire department remains vigilant and fully prepared to respond to the needs of our community.