West Covina Fire Department

𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 • On December 3, 2023, West Covina Fire Department, with assistance from Los Angeles County Fire Department, responded to a Residential Structure Fire on the 2100 block of E. Norma Ave. First arriving units reported smoke and fire showing from the roof of the residence and initiated fire attack. Due to the swift response and actions of first arriving personnel, the fire was confined to the attic. All occupants made it out of the residence safely and the cause of the fire is under investigation.

Thank you to for your assistance on scene and for providing response coverage to the city of West Covina while our units were assigned to this incident.

Thank you to for your assistance.

📷:

𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 𝘼𝙢𝙗𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙨 • Members of our Apparatus Committee recently conducted pre-delivery inspections of three new Firefighter/Paramedic Rescue ambulances that will be serving the community of West Covina in the new year; These ambulances will be replacing current ambulances in service.

🔥🅵🆄🅽 🅵🅰🅲🆃🔥
Typically comprised of Fire Department personnel…many fire departments establish apparatus committees to draft specifications for new vehicles, determine replacement schedules, and recommend ongoing maintenance. This allows for a balanced perspective, and an established a set of rules regarding its operation that provides general direction in areas such as budget constraints as well as design needs that could affect final decisions reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief.

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣 • Engine 1 and Rescue 2 responded to a single vehicle accident into a tree near the intersection of Sunset Ave and Badillo street, in Station 3’s district . The airbags deployed and the occupants self extricated with no life threatening injuries to the occupants or bystanders; one occupant was reported to have fled the scene shortly after the accident. The accident is under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Please drive safely and obey the rules of the road, especially during the holiday seasons.

🔥🅵🆄🅽 🅵🅰🅲🆃🔥
🚒When multiple incidents occur at the same time in a coverage area assigned to a specific fire station, the next closest and available fire station will be dispatched.

🚒When all West Covina Fire Department Resources are committed to incidents, assistance is requested and typically received from Los Angeles County Fire Department and the La Verne Fire Department to ensure all 9-1-1 call needs are met to our community and vice versa. Terminology professionally used to describe assistance received from outside of a Fire Departments response area are “Mutual-Aid” & “Automatic-Aid.”

𝘾𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙢𝙖𝙨 𝙏𝙤𝙮 𝘿𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙚 • The West Covina Fire Department has partnered with the ABC-7/Spark of Love Toy Drive! It is one of the highlights of serving the community of West Covina.

Join us by visiting any West Covina Fire Station through December 24th, 2023 to drop off new, unwrapped toys or sports equipment to benefit young to teenage children.

𝐻𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 𝐻𝑜𝓁𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎𝓈!🎄

ABC7

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 • The West Covina Fire Department extends a Thanksgiving Day blessing from our Family to yours.

We are extremely thankful for our dedicated and skilled Fire Personnel, our lasting partnerships with departments within the city and abroad, and for our valued relationships with you, the community.

🆂🅰🅵🅴🆃🆈 🆃🅸🅿🆂

🦃 Make a Fire Safety Plan & Fire Escape Plan

🦃 Utilize protective barriers when handling or placing hot items

🦃 Keep oven mitts, food packaging, small children, and pets away from cooking areas.

🦃 Don’t leave food unattended while cooking

𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙮𝙤𝙧 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣• The West Covina Fire Department extends a special Thanks to our Centennial Mayor Rosario Diaz for an outstanding year of your leadership, support, and partnership as she transitions out of the role.

We look forward to the leadership and tenure of Mayor Brian Calderon Tabatabai during this next year, congratulations.

𝐈-𝟏𝟎: 𝐋𝐨𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 • In light of this massive Arson fire incident that has crippled one of the countries busiest roadways and caused significant financial loss, the West Covina Fire Department wants to assure our community that we are dedicated and committed to ensuring your safety as well as the safety of our First Responders when it comes to Arson.

In a display of this commitment, the West Covina Fire Department, along with surrounding fire agencies, employ Arson Investigators to identify, locate, and prosecute persons responsible for Arson to the full extent of the law. In addition, our established partnerships with Regional Fire Investigative Task Forces as well as local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies allows for information sharing and resource allocation in the course of pursuing those responsible for Arson and bringing them to justice.

The West Covina Fire Department and the West Covina Police Department understands and prioritizes the importance of safeguarding our community when it comes to Arson. And, will continue to do so by maintaining our strong professional partnerships and investigative resources.

𝐈𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟎 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞, 𝐏𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐦𝐛 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭: 𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐛𝐨𝐦𝐛@𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞.𝐠𝐨𝐯 𝐎𝐑 𝟏-𝟖𝟎𝟎-𝟒𝟔𝟖-𝟒𝟒𝟎𝟖

𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 • Our association with the Los Angeles Area Regional Training Group provided an opportunity to receive Green Cell Training. This training allowed current and prospective Company Officers as well as Chief Officers incident scene and resource management skill development via incident video simulations.

These simulations challenged Personnel to safely and efficiently organize a fire incident scene to help an incident run smoothly; This contributes towards the appropriate implementation of pertinent strategies and tactics to be properly organized and conducted to reduce injuries and loss to the community as well as first responders.

🤝Special Thanks to the Green Cell training cadre. Your contribution to the development of our current and future agency leaders is greatly appreciated.

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙋𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙒𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙧! • Congratulations to Allison Lee of Vine Elementary! Allison is the Winner of this years Annual Fire Prevention Week Poster Contest themed “Cooking safety begins with you.” During the months Council Meeting as well as during this weeks West Covina unified school district board meeting, Allison was recognized and congratulated by the West Covina Fire Department, Council members, and School Board members.

In keeping up with tradition, Allison name will be engraved on the department’s award recipient plaque and her art work will be displayed on Quint 2 and Paramedic Rescue Ambulance 2 over the next month.

Thank you to all who entered the contest this year. We are impressed by all of the great art work we received; you are all very talented and have a bright future a head. Keep up the Great work!

𝙂𝙤 𝙀𝙖𝙜𝙡𝙚𝙨!

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙑𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮 • On this day, The West Covina Fire Department honors all current and former members of the Armed Services. Our country’s greatness is built on the foundation of your courage and sacrifice.

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓋𝒾𝒸𝑒

𝙇𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡 𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙚𝙧 /𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 • After an arduous three week in-house academy and an arduous probationary period of completing one-year of Probationary drills and testing in six months, our three Lateral Firefighter/Paramedics have successfully completed their Probationary period. In recognition, West Covina Fire Department Fire Chief Capelle presented the three of them with their official Firefighter/Paramedic helmet shield!

Collectively, they bring 31 years of fire service experience that was obtained from their time with the City of Compton Fire Department. Their high level of knowledge, skills, and abilities is a tremendous asset that will allow the West Covina Fire Department to continue to provide the best service possible to both our agency and to the West Covina community.

Congratulations Firefighter/Paramedic Medina, Firefighter/Paramedic Rice, and Firefighter/Paramedic Rudometkin for your commitment, dedication, and sacrifice towards accomplishing this milestone for a second time in your careers!

𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝘿𝙖𝙮𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙎𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚! • Set your clocks back 1 hour tonight and change the batteries in all of your smoke detectors.

Daylight Savings Time officially goes into effect Sunday November 5th, 2023 at 2:00am.

⚠️🆂🅰🅵🅴🆃🆈 🆃🅸🅿🆂⚠️

🔔install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside of bathrooms, near stairwells and on each floor of your home.

🔔Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

🔔Carbon Monoxide alarms should be installed in a central location outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home

🔔Heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel can be sources of Carbon Monoxide; Carbon Monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas that claims the lives of more than 400 people die each year due to poisoning.

🔔If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it.

𝘾𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 • We appreciate the hospitality .wc! We always have an enjoyable experience when we visit, just as we do with all of our coffee providers in the city.

🤝Thank you!

🎃𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣 👻 • A few safety tips to keep in mind while participating in todays festivities. Have fun but be safe!

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙒𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝 • Tonight through Monday night, Los Angeles County and Ventura County to expect Gusty Santa Ana winds up to 60mph along with Relative Humidity as low as 5%;This is Critical fire weather conditions.

Residents near Wildland/brush interfaces, such as our South Hills community, are encouraged to PREPARE NOW on what to do in the event of a wildfire.

⚠️Click the Wildfire preparedness link in our Instagram bio for details!

🔥🅵🆄🅽 🅵🅰🅲🆃🔥

A Fire Weather Watch or Red Flag Warning is issued when the combination of dry fuels and weather conditions support extreme fire danger. 🚩

𝙄𝙣 𝙈𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙢, 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝙊𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙯 • The City of West Covina Fire Department joined the City of West Covina Police Department in mourning the loss of one of their own, Police Officer Matthew Ortiz, who unexpectedly passed away on October 19, 2023. In a display of respect and solidarity, our on-duty personal raised the American flag as the procession for Officer Ortiz made its way to the Los Angeles County Coroners office.

Officer Ortiz, we thank you for your service to our country as a United States Marine and we thank you for your service to the City of West Covina as a Police Officer.

We extend our sincere condolences to the Ortiz family and friends… the West Covina Police department, the West Covina Fire Department, and the city of West Covina mourn with you and stand by you during this difficult time.

💐You’re in our thoughts and prayers 💐

🤝 Special thanks to the numerous Fire Departments who paid tribute in a display of salute and the extension of an American flag for Officer Ortiz during this procession.

𝙐𝙎𝘼𝙍 𝙍𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙚 • City of West Covina Fire Department participated in the quarterly Urban Search & Rescue (USAR) mobilization exercise as a participating member of California Regional USAR Task Force 2 (RTF-2). This exercise focus was on wide area search using the live streaming Search And Rescue Common Operating Platform (SARCOP) and confined space rescue.

🤝 Thank you to all the RTF-2 partner Fire Department agencies ofWest Covina, El Segundo, Compton, Downey, Santa Fe Springs, Montebello, and Torrance for your continued commitment to this vital specialized rescue resource that provides each respective agency the ability to increase rescue support and service capabilities when disaster strikes our communities.

🔥🅵🆄🅽 🅵🅰🅲🆃🔥

⛑ RTF-2 is one of ten statewide US&R resources in California.

⛑ A USAR ( Urban Search And Rescue ) Team is a specialized group of individuals with a responsibility to locate, extricate, and initiate medical care & building stabilization where victims may be trapped in an urban area due to a structural collapse, trench collapse, and rope rescue incidents created by natural disaster, terrorist, and accidents.

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙒𝙚𝙚𝙠 2023 • This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking

🔥🅵🅸🆁🅴 🆂🅰🅵🅴🆃🆈 🆃🅸🅿🔥
Clear the cooking area of combustible items and keep anything that can burn, such as dish towels, oven mitts, food packaging, and paper towels.

Questions? Please contact our Fire Prevention Bureau: (626)939-8824

Or visit or www.fpw.org for additional cooking safety tips.

#

𝙁𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙊𝙥𝙚𝙣 𝙃𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙚: • Saturday October 7th, 2023.

West Covina Fire Department opens its doors of Fire Station 2 and invites everyone to come inside for a BBQ and first hand look behind the scenes of the Fire Department where you will be able to explore our Fire Engines, tools, equipment, and much more from 10am - 2pm.

𝐒𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞!

𝙒𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙮𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 • last month, we deployed our Rapid Extraction Module Support (REMS) Team, Fireline Paramedic trainee, Medical Unit Leader, and a Medical Unit Leader trainee to the Klamath National Forest to assist with the medical and rescue needs of the Happy Camp Complex Wildfire; After a three week deployment period, all deployed personnel have returned safely.

The Happy Camp Complex fire is currently 75% contained has burned 21,386 acres.

🔥🅵🆄🅽 🅵🅰🅲🆃🔥
The REMS Team is a pre-staged rescue team comprised of members of our USAR Team who assigned to a wildland fire to provide firefighters a safe, effective, and efficient method of egress off the fireline in the event of injury or illness incurred during firefighting operations.

𝙒𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 • On this Anniversary of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attack, we reflect on the first responders, victims, and families whose lives were lost and were affected by these tragic events…We will always remember the sacrifices made and the tragic loss of life.

#911

𝙃𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙇𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙮 • Today we pay tribute to the contributions and achievements of workers. Today is your day to rest, relax, and enjoy the well-deserved break.

To all our Department personnel along with other first responders and front-line workers working on this holiday, we thank you….We Thank you for your dedication, service, and sacrifices in service to the Community of West Covina and all other communities.

𝘼𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙖𝙡 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙪𝙚 • This morning , Engine 5 responded to a residence where a six week old puppy had become stuck underneath a wall outside of the residence. After a short time, Engine 5 personnel were able to safely remove the puppy without injury and return her to the resident.

Great Job!