Fire Tears Through Two-Story LSPD Captain's Home

On Saturday, February 26, 2011 at 10:05 PM, 3 LSFD Engines and 1 LSFD Rescue Ambulances responded to a Structure Fire with entrapment at the corner of Mall Street and Marina Road, under the direction of EMS Bureau Chief Brett Carnahan.

The first fire company arrived quickly to find LSPD Captain Benjamin Hartley's duplex apartment showing heavy smoke and fire from the second story windows. Using one of the engine's powerful deluge guns, or water canons, firefighters immediately began to suppress the flames that were licking at the exterior walls.

Minutes into the LSFD's effort, firefighters learnt that two-to-three people were still inside the house and quickly assembled a Fire Attack team. The team made forced entry through the property's front door, advancing to aggressively tackle the bulk of the fire on the eastern side. During the firefighters' well-coordinated offensive, members of the LSPD S.W.A.T team entered to free two persons from the living room.

Although the fire was stubborn and spreading quickly, it was successfully quelled, or knocked down, in approximately 35 minutes. The two persons found trapped inside were treated for smoke inhalation and minor burn injuries by the LSFD EMTs and Paramedics on-scene.

Although it is unclear to the Los Santos Fire Department as to how the fire broke out, police officials and many witnesses are speculating that it was arson. The dollar loss is still being tabulated.

No LSFD or LSPD personell were injured.

Submitted by Brett Carnahan, Community Liaison Officer
Los Santos Fire Department

Man Threatens to Suicide by Grenade at Idlewood Pizza Stack

On Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 11:50 PM, 2 LSFD Engines, 1 LSFD Rescue Ambulance, 1 Battalion Chief and a Rapid Intervention Unit responded to a bomb threat at Idlewood Pizza Stack, under the direction of the Los Santos Police Department's elite S.W.A.T team.

Firefighters arrived to find members of the LSPD and Sheriff's Department attempting negotiations with a man allegedly holding a grenade out before himself, threatening to pull the pin.

This was now Samuel Bertone's second appearance in Idlewood, having already caused distress by threatening to leap from the pizzeria's roof just minutes before.

Despite the officers' best efforts to persuade Bertone to give himself up, he was evidently growing more aggravated by the minute. But members of the Special Weapons and Tactis team saw their opportunity to intervene when the grenade was accidentally let out of his hand and down to the carpark below. He was promptly taken into custody, the grenade secured.

No civilians or LSFD personell were injured in the 25 minute stand-off.

Submitted by Brett Carnahan, Community Liaison Officer
Los Santos Fire Department

LSFD Firefighter Injured in Ryder Block Shootout

On Monday, February 7, 2011 at 18:45 PM, several Rescue Ambulances were dispatched to Ryder Block, in Willowfield, responding to reports of shots being fired.

Whilst making his way through gang-ridden Willowfield, Engineer/Paramedic Arthur Quin was fired upon with an MP5 sub-machine gun. He left his ambulance unscathed and requested for immediate assistance, to which members of the Los Santos Police Department responded.

Regardless of the fact that his ambulance was riddled with bullets and inoperative, Quin remained on-scene to see to a young child that had suffered a gunshot wound to his back. His shooter was no-where to be seen.

Just minutes after the LSPD's departure (leaving on the assumption that the situation had de-escalated) Quin was subjected to more close-range gunfire, this time sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to his chest. Firefighters and sheriff's deputies battled to keep him alive, in which they were successful.

Quin and 2 other people were taken to All Saint's General Hospital in critical condition, where they later underwent emergency treatment. 5 others lost their lives.

It is currently unknown to the Los Santos Fire Department as to why Quin was fired at, but police officials have speculated that the shootout itself was part of an ongoing gang altercation. We wish Arthur Quin and anyone else injured in the vicious attack a speedy recovery.

Submitted by Brett Carnahan, Community Liaison Officer
Los Santos Fire Department

LSFD Welcomes New Recruits

Saturday 5th February 2011 saw the completion of the Los Santos Fire Department's first non-internal training session, in which seven new recruits were sworn in and formally welcomed (with there being eight in attendance).

Candidates were met with Fire Chief Jason Scotts and his assisting academy instructors in Tierra Robada, whom lectured them on basic firefighting principles and duties, before advancing to simulations requiring physical application. These simulations included exterior and interior firefighting, and road traffic collisions (RTCs).

It is with great pleasure that the LSFD welcomes its new Probationary Firefighters, and we wish them the best of luck with the duties and responsibilities now vested in them. These new recruits are more than just recruits - they are your new heroes; Los Santos' new heroes; the city's finest. Congratulations to those that have made it this far, and good luck to those considering joining!

Submitted by Brett Carnahan, Community Liaison Officer
Los Santos Fire Department

Firefighters Battle City Hall Blaze

On Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at 7:55 PM, 3 LSFD Engines, 2 LSFD Rescue Ambulances, 2 Battalion Chiefs and the EMS Bureau Chief responded to a Structure Fire at City Hall in Pershing Square, under the direction of Fire Chief Jason Scotts.

Responding to a fire alarm sounded by Head of Government Security Shannon Dunham, firefighters arrived quickly to find the 500,000 sq ft building showing smoke from a second floor window. Most of the employees that had been working in the affected area were already evacuated.

Firefighters made entry and accessed the second floor by the building's main stairway, locating an office that was partially involved in flames. Despite the room's smoky conditions, the fire itself was very complacent and was spreading discreetly. The bulk of the blaze was successfully extinguished in approximately 20 minutes, to which floor ventilation ensued.

It is believed that the cause of the fire was a faulty office printer, of which induced electrical sparking. The dollar loss is still being tabulated. The building was re-opened after a brief assessment concluded that it was structurally unaffected.

No civilians or LSFD personell were injured.

Submitted by Brett Carnahan, Community Liaison Officer
Los Santos Fire Department