Divers of the LAFD Display Newly Donated Gear in a Dramatic Drill
A fire rages at the Port of Los Angeles, threatening to shut down nearly half of the trade capabilities for the West Coast. With 10 million containers and hundreds of thousands of people at risk, this blaze requires an immediate and calculated response. That’s where the firefighters of Station 49 leap into action. Equipped with state-of-the-art tools and specially designed boats, they are the first line of defense to protect the harbor from an uncontrolled inferno.
The Fire Boats charge ahead
In this instance, the fire raging is notional and the danger only exists in imagination. This is a standard drill run by the LAFD Dive Team to prepare for possible fires, ruptures, and explosions at the Port of Los Angeles. Divers train daily for various incidents, including water and cliff rescues, emergency medical calls, wharf fires, boat fires, stranded or sunken vessels, fuel spills, and tanker inspections.
What made this drill special was the new equipment. Firefighters of FS 49 have made do with older worn items for too long. These dry suits, facemasks, and communication systems see daily use, and even minor breaks can leave a team member, or an entire boat, stuck in drydock until repairs are complete. Now, thanks to a generous $25,000 donation and the support of the LAFD Foundation, new equipment is in the hands of the trained divers and boat operators.
The firefighters of FS 49 were especially grateful as this equipment not only refitted the current team of divers but enabled three new members to join the team. Without that gear, new members can’t train to standard, meaning the existing dive team lacked flexibility and redundancies (in the event of injuries, transfers, or retirement). Now, these new members are ready to step into the flippers of their predecessors and keep the port safe.
Diving Equipment Sees a Lot of Use
Once in the water, the team deploys a “wall of water” that halts a fire in its tracks. These divers operate in the pitch black, their vision obscured by smoke and debris as they drag hoses and floating pontoons into position underneath the burning wharf.
Aside from a selection of specific equipment, these divers are held to a high standard of fitness to be able to perform their duties under the most harrowing of conditions. Standards include a 1,000-yard open swim, conditioning exercises, and an evaluation of skills and understanding consisting of equipment management, diving, and maintenance.
Even during the relative calm of a drill, the speed in which these divers operate is something to behold. As Boat 3 pulled into position, the team checked and rechecked each other’s gear, always focused on the safety of their crew. When the order came, they dropped into the icy water and immediately went to task, moving with the precision and coordination of a well-trained team.
Once the equipment is in position, the divers activate powerful jets that create a blinding white spray of water. A fire on the isolated wharfs can spread with wild abandon unless properly contained, and these impenetrable sheets of the Pacific help save unaffected areas and buy time for supporting engines and apparatuses to arrive on scene.
With the training even complete, the divers returned to Boat 3, recovered their equipment, and returned to FS 49 to debrief and prepare for the next call.
Your Donations Make All the Difference
The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation provides support to the city’s 106 fire stations and 3400+ firefighters. Each year, the Foundation provides support to fire stations, purchases necessary equipment and tools, and funds programs to support firefighter’s physical and mental health. Every dollar donated is not only appreciated, but necessary.
If you would like to support the brave men and women of the LAFD, please donate to the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation. Your support will make a difference!
