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, May 13 through Monday, May 19. Days not listed had no reports of significant incidents in this area.
MONDAY, MAY 19
Battalion 2: Engines 21, 33, Brush 1, 12, 15, Grass 23, Water Tender 23, and BC 2 spent most of the day mopping up the Mariposa Fire from the previous night. Stanislaus Air 101 mapped the fire at 12.25 acres.
Battalion 5: Crews completed weekly apparatus and equipment checks and weekly station maintenance.
Battalion 5 managed resources during the numerous incidents throughout the day.
1:01 p.m. – Water Rescue 28, Water Rescue 29, Engine 27 and Battalion 5 to Horseshoe Bar Rec area for a kayaker in distress. Crews launched their boats and began their search. With the help of SR911 dispatchers and local residents, the kayaker was found uninjured and brought to shore. Army Corp Park Rangers assisted the patient back to his vehicle.
4:54 p.m. – Engines 27, 28, 29, 7, 9, 4, Quint 22, Medic 1, Battalions 1 and 5 to Ash Avenue in Oakdale for a working commercial structure fire. First arriving units found a one-story home converted into a business with smoke showing from the attic space. Firefighters launched an aggressive interior attack, stopping the fires spread. Companies performed salvage operations to save computers and supplies. The FIU was on scene conducting a cause and origin investigation.
SUNDAY, MAY 18
Battalion 2: 9:06 a.m. – Brush 24, Grass 23, Grass 29, Water Tender 23 and BC2 responded to La Grange for a vegetation fire with Cal Fire TCU. Access was difficult through TID back country off old La Grange Road. The fire was reported by aircraft at 20 acres by the time we made access. It was in a steep drainage that required hose lays. The fire was contained at 35 acres and crews remained on scene into the late afternoon. The cause was a bird in power lines.
9:34 p.m. – Engine 24, Engine 23, Engine 21, Engine 9, Engine 28, Quint 22, BC5, FIU, and BC2 responded to a working structure fire on Yosemite in Waterford. Engine 24 arrived to find a house with fire throughout the Charlie side. The fire was contained in the back half of the house and the fire cause was likely electrical per the FIU. Firefighters removed several dogs and treated them for smoke inhalation. All occupants had safely exited the house. Red Cross was requested for the family.
9:42 p.m. – Quint 18 was dispatched to the area of Finch and Mariposa for a reported vegetation fire. Due to the high winds, BC3, Brush 1 and Brush 15 were added to the response. Quint 18 and BC3 arrived to find three acres in the grass with a rapid rate of spread. A total of 11 Engines, one Water Tender, one Bulldozer, and three Chief officers were used to stop the forward spread of the fire. The fire was contained at 22.5 acres and was monitored through the night.
Battalion 5: 1:57 p.m. – Engine 27, Water Rescue 28, Water Rescue 29, and Battalion 5 were dispatched to a rescue where two female rafters had capsized on the Stanislaus River near Honolulu Bar Rec Area in Oakdale. Boat 29 located the rafters clinging onto tree branches in the river. Boat 29 extricated them from the trees and drove them by boat to the shore where they were reunited with family members. They were uninjured and did not require any medical attention.
SATURDAY, MAY 17
Battalion 2: Crews conducted Saturday training across the battalion.
Water Rescue 26 and 24 took advantage of the higher flows to get some training in on the Stanislaus River in the Knights Ferry area.
Battalion 5: Crews completed station maintenance and cleaning, conducted company level training and finished Target Solutions assignments.
Engine 3 attended the Relay For Life event at Johansen High School.
5:15 p.m. – Engine 29, Water Rescue 28 and BC5 were dispatched to Woodward Reservoir to search for two females that went missing while paddleboarding. They were located by Boat 28 and Engine 29 with the assistance of Air 101 from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. The two had been blown way out to the eastern area of the reservoir by the strong winds. Both women were uninjured and were returned to their campsite safe.
FRIDAY, MAY 16
MST hosted an Academy Graduation and Promotional Ceremony at the State Theater for Academy 25-01 and all recently promoted personnel.
10:40 p.m. – Brush 12, Brush 28, and BC1 responded to assist Escalon Fire with a vegetation fire on the north side of the Stanislaus River near McHenry Avenue. Crews assisted with multiple. spot fires burning in the river bottom.
Battalion 2: Companies completed daily apparatus and equipment checks.
9:54 a.m. – Engine 23, Water Tender 23, Engine 24, and Battalion 2 were dispatched to the 2500 block of Oakdale Waterford Highway for a report of a hay fire. Engine 24 arrived on scene and determined the smoke was from an approved agricultural burn and canceled the response.
Battalion 5: Crews performed daily apparatus checks and station maintenance, performed company level training in their respective FMA’s and completed Target Solutions assignments.
3:53 p.m. – Engine 7, Engine 26, and Battalion 5 responded to an injury vehicle accident on Claribel Road and Roselle. Engine 26 arrived on scene of a three-vehicle accident with one minor injury. Engine 26 assisted with patient care and the remainder of the response was cancelled.
7:37 p.m. – Engine 3, Engine 23, Brush 28, Brush 1, Grass 19, Engine and Water Tender 21, Engine and Water Tender 27, along with Battalion 5 responded to a report of a vegetation fire in the 3700 blk of Claus Road. Engine 23 arrived on scene to find a large pile of farm waste and grass on fire in the middle of a field. Crews quickly contained the fire to the original 300’ by 200’ area with no extension in to the field. Crews remained on scene mopping up the fire for roughly two hours.
THURSDAY, MAY 15
The Technical Rescue Team conducted trench rescue training at OID.
Battalion 2: Companies completed daily apparatus and equipment checks.
Engine 9, Engine 23, and Quint 22 toured the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant.
A new SR911 call taker rode along with Battalion 2 as part of her training.
Battalion 5: Crews performed daily apparatus checks and station maintenance, and performed company level training in their respective FMA’s.
Engine 27 and MST Executive Chiefs attended the Oak Valley Hospital meet and greet. The event showcased the Sound Physicians Company which contracts doctors to work at Oak Valley Hospital. In the summer Oak Valley will be opening their new ICU and Comprehensive Bariatric Center.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 14
Crews rotated through Station 22 for medical equipment training.
Members of the MFD Honor Guard participated in the first day of a three-day academy taught by a nationally recognized expert.
Battalion 2: Crews trained with their recruit firefighters as they wrap up their second week of job shadowing the crews.
Engine 26 met with a group of Boy Scouts at the Scout Hall in Riverbank.
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus, equipment, and station maintenance.
10:32 a.m. – Engine 27, Engine 28, Quint 22, and Battalion 5 to Gina Way for a potential structure fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a laundry room exhaust fan that was on fire that was now out. Crews secured the power, overhauled the area, and removed smoke from the residence. Residents should be reminded to call 911 immediately if they find a fire and not call the non-emergency line.
TUESDAY, MAY 13
Battalion 2: Engine 26 trained at SR911 with the fire dispatchers, and one firefighter attended the EMS Protocol test with the LEMSA.
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus, equipment, and station maintenance.
Engine 28, Engine 29 and Battalion 5 participated in a pre-season walk through of the Army Corps of Engineers facility in Knights Ferry. Crews identified access points, hazards and how their staff can assist during fire and emergency incidents.
Companies rotated through EMS training at Station 22. Crews learned how to use new equipment for the Lifepack heart monitor.
3:37 p.m. – Engine 27, Brush 28, Grass 29, Brush 24, Grass 26, Escalon Brush 1-1, Ripon Water Tender 2-1 and Battalion 2 to River Road for a vegetation fire. Crews arrived on scene to find a half-acre grass fire threatening multiple structures. Additional resources were requested as firefighters made an aggressive attack. Companies were able to contain the fire to 3.5 acres with no structures damaged.
