The following is a listing of some of the local calls for service involving the Modesto Fire Department, which staffs Stations 27, 28, 29 and 30 in Oakdale, Knights Ferry and Valley Home as part of Battalion 5; and the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Department, covering the Riverbank area, as part of Battalion 2.
Calls were logged during the time period of Tuesday, Nov. 7 through Monday, Nov. 13. Days not listed had no reports of significant incidents in this area.
MONDAY, NOV. 13
MST companies participated in Battalion Drills (high-rise) at the Regional Fire Training Center.
Battalion 2: Crews trained in their first due FMA and attended Battalion drills.
9:28 a.m. – A potential structure fire response was dispatched to Railroad Avenue and Patterson Road in Riverbank. E26 arrived to find light smoke in the area. They located a small fire in the second story of a previously burned abandoned structure. The fire was contained to materials on the second floor with no extension to the structure.
Battalion 5: Crews attended Battalion drills at the RFTC.
Engine 28 and Truck 5 worked on TDA sign offs.
SUNDAY, NOV. 12
Battalion 2: 11:07 a.m. – Engine 23/W23 and BC2 responded with Hughson Fire District to the report of smoke from an attic. The resident was burning outside the structure, the fire spread up the wall and started to get into the attic when the occupant extinguished it with a garden hose. E23 made entry and confirmed the fire was out.
Battalion 5: Engine 29 performed leader line hose evolution at the Knights Ferry Elementary School.
3:04 p.m. – Engine 29, Engine 28 and BC5 responded to an injury accident on Highway 108 and Landcaster Road in Oakdale. Crews arrived on scene with a solo motorcyclist down in the roadway. Oak Valley Ambulance unit was on scene. Engine 29’s paramedic provided patient care as the patient was transported to a landing zone established by Engine 28 at the Army Corps grounds in Knights Ferry. PHI Med 41 arrived on scene and patient care transferred for air transport. CHP is investigating the accident; the report indicated the 65-year-old man had relatively minor injuries as a result of the crash.
SATURDAY, NOV. 11
Battalion 2: Crews spent the day on engine and station maintenance.
Battalion 5: Engine 27 participated in the Oakdale Veterans Day Parade.
E27, E28, E29 and BC5 participated in annual company drills in Oakdale.
FRIDAY, NOV. 10
MST companies attended quarterly EMS training at Station 22.
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus and equipment checks, along with station maintenance.
Crews trained on salvage, water containment and stokes basket lashing.
Crews rotated through quarterly EMS training. This quarter focused on policy review, advanced airways, and medication review.
THURSDAY, NOV. 9
Battalion 2: Q22, E18, SQ11 met at the RFTC and trained on 10-month test topics including two- and three-man ladder raises, victim removal and aerial waterway ops.
Battalion 5: Crews completed station maintenance and apparatus checks.
Station 27 had an MJC Fire Science student visit the station to gather information about the Modesto Fire Department for a class project.
BC5 conducted Battalion Chief training with a future BC candidate from SCFPD.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8
Battalion 2: 4:14 p.m. – FIU 3 reported a tractor on fire in the 300 block of Codoni. Q22, E9, E23/W23 were dispatched, Q22 was able to achieve knockdown, water supplemented by W23 was used to complete extinguishment. The tractor which had been used during the day had been parked for about an hour prior to the fire being noticed.
4:41 p.m. – E24, E21, T1 and BC2 responded to a chimney fire in the 13000 block of Yosemite Boulevard in Waterford. On arrival there was nothing showing however the flu pipe was showing over 900 degrees. After being on scene for a few minutes, sparks began coming out of the chimney as well as flame. There was a large amount of creosote that was beginning to burn. The fire was extinguished, and the homeowner was advised to have his chimney cleaned as well as inspected.
Battalion 5: Crews completed detailed apparatus checks and weekly small motor checks.
Companies worked on annual mandatory training assignments.
TUESDAY, NOV. 7
A badge pinning ceremony was held at the Modesto Fire Department administration building for Captain John Ewert, Captain Gary McAndrews and Captain Dustin Anderson.
Battalion 2: Training was completed at the company level.
Crews completed station and apparatus maintenance.
Battalion 5: Companies assisted Oakdale High School’s Fire Science class with a hands-on training.
Engine 29 trained on various fire ground functions.