Fire Department

With a fire extinguisher strapped to his back, Jeff Ponton gripped a pull-up bar one recent morning and lifted his 146-pound body while his classmates cheered him on. “Up!” yelled Burbank Fire Capt. Tray White, 13 times. “C'mon Pon, 13!” He finished the set, and hopped off. “Next guy, let's go!” White bellowed. Ponton is one of nine people training for a job as a firefighter with the Burbank Fire Department. PHOTOS: Burbank Fire Academy trains new recruits Short-staffed by about 10 firefighters because of back-to-back retirements the last two years, the department is eager to integrate the new class, said Burbank Fire Chief Tom Lenahan.

Jackson Bell Proposed budget cuts will slow response times for firefighters, but since times are tough, the city has little choice, a top union leader said. Lew Stone, president of the Burbank Fire Fighters Local 778, said the fire department's expected reduction of 2.9% -- or $557,000 -- in the fiscal year 2004-05 budget won't lead to any layoffs. But the number of firefighters per shift will drop from 37 to 36, meaning emergency response times could slow from 30 seconds to three minutes, Stone said.

To hear Burbank Fire Department Chief Tracy Pansini talk about it, being a firefighter is the greatest job in the world. And there's a pretty good chance he's right. A fundraiser for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center (BTAC) will honor Pansini and will recognize the Fire Department's community contributions, which go beyond fighting fires and saving lives. "The Fire Department is amazingly supportive of BTAC," said Barbara Howell, executive director of the aid center. "They do food drives during the year; they come in and volunteer; they do the Spark of Love program….

A two-alarm blaze reported at the closed Terminator 2: 3D ride at Universal Studios Hollywood has been mostly extinguished, park officials said. The fire was reported about 1:15 p.m. Several dozen firefighters responded to the fire to help protect other nearby structures. By 2:30 p.m., the Fire Department said that neither Universal City Walk nor any other attractions had been damaged by the blaze. The Terminator attraction, which is housed in a three-story building, is now closed.

Despite union agreements that "discourage overtime work," dozens of city employees clocked enough overtime hours last year to add tens of thousands of dollars to their salaries, records show. The top 10 overtime earners in the police, fire, and water and power departments, on average, boosted their salaries by more than 50% with overtime pay. The total tab last year came to $10.1 million, although that was down from 13.5 million in 2008. The city was also reimbursed for roughly $2 million for performing tasks above and beyond their regular duties - such as when authorities assist with filming sets, or when utility crews helped with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in New York.

The warm aroma of sausages and flapjacks greeted hungry crowds at the Burbank Police and Fire Department headquarters during Fire Service Day on Saturday. The Fire Department has put on the event for more than 20 years to acquaint the community with firefighters and what they do, Fire Capt. Steve Briggs said. A robust breakfast ? which the Burbank YMCA and International House of Pancakes helped sponsor ? certainly didn't hurt. "This is all to give people a better understanding of what the Fire Department and community is all about," Burbank Fire Chief Tracy Pancini said.

Lolita Harper CIVIC CENTER -- Brace yourselves. Children will get rocked and rolled this weekend as they visit the Burbank Fire Service Day and National Police Week Celebration. Burbank Fire Department officials will unveil their new fire safety trailer, which simulates an actual earthquake by using hydraulics and a sound system, Fire Inspector Kelly Chulick said. In addition to shaking things up, the trailer allows children to practice crawling through smoke and checking doors for heat.

Horse riders sing for donations BURBANK -- The local chapter of Equestrian Trails Inc., a national organization of horse riders, will present its annual Christmas Caroling Ride on residential streets in the equestrian areas bordering Glendale and Burbank. The ride is at 1 p.m. Sunday and the public is invited to come help decorate the horses and join the caroling. Trucks will also be available for transportation along the route. The group will meet at Allen Avenue and Riverside Drive, next to Bar S Stables.

Burbank firefighters were called to remove a toilet seat from a 2-year-old girl’s head just after 3 p.m. Friday. The girl’s parents brought the toddler to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center after her head became stuck in the child-sized toilet seat, said spokeswoman Patricia Aidem. According to Aidem, hospital personnel were unsuccessful at removing the seat from her head and called in the fire department. Firefighters used a close-quarters hacksaw to separate the seat from the child, Fire Capt.

Burbank on Thursday named a 25-year department veteran to the top post, replacing Ray Krakowski, who retired last month. Tom Lenahan, a former fire marshal who's been serving as the city's interim fire chief in recent months, was named to the permanent position Thursday in an announcement released by the city. In a statement, Lenahan said the city and fire department have "provided everything to me and my family and I look forward to giving back. "  In his 25 years with the department, Lenahan has served as a firefighter and paramedic, engineer, captain, battalion chief and fire marshal.

Curious about how fires were fought 100 years ago, when the Burbank Fire Department was founded?  Head out to the department's family-friendly Fire Service Day on Saturday and find out. The event will be chock-full of activities and demonstrations - both vintage and contemporary - as the department celebrates its centennial year.  The firefighters' mascot, Lil' Squirt, will host a vehicle extrication, kid's obstacle course and CPR demonstrations....

Despite union agreements that "discourage overtime work," dozens of city employees clocked enough overtime hours last year to add tens of thousands of dollars to their salaries, records show. The top 10 overtime earners in the police, fire, and water and power departments, on average, boosted their salaries by more than 50% with overtime pay. The total tab last year came to $10.1 million, although that was down from 13.5 million in 2008. The city was also reimbursed for roughly $2 million for performing tasks above and beyond their regular duties - such as when authorities assist with filming sets, or when utility crews helped with Hurricane Sandy relief efforts in New York.

The March 23 edition of the Burbank Leader included a letter to the editor asking why water was being released from a fire hydrant . Burbank Water and Power (BWP) is well into the replacement of an obsolete and leaky reservoir near the intersection of Sunset Canyon and Magnolia Boulevard. With a greater storage capacity and a zero leak rate, the new reservoir will improve the reliability of Burbank's water storage and distribution system for many years to come. BWP installed a temporary fire hydrant on Bel Aire Drive near its intersection with Magnolia to divert water away from the excavation where the reservoir contractor would be working to make connections to the water system.

With a fire extinguisher strapped to his back, Jeff Ponton gripped a pull-up bar one recent morning and lifted his 146-pound body while his classmates cheered him on. “Up!” yelled Burbank Fire Capt. Tray White, 13 times. “C'mon Pon, 13!” He finished the set, and hopped off. “Next guy, let's go!” White bellowed. Ponton is one of nine people training for a job as a firefighter with the Burbank Fire Department. PHOTOS: Burbank Fire Academy trains new recruits Short-staffed by about 10 firefighters because of back-to-back retirements the last two years, the department is eager to integrate the new class, said Burbank Fire Chief Tom Lenahan.

Burbank on Thursday named a 25-year department veteran to the top post, replacing Ray Krakowski, who retired last month. Tom Lenahan, a former fire marshal who's been serving as the city's interim fire chief in recent months, was named to the permanent position Thursday in an announcement released by the city. In a statement, Lenahan said the city and fire department have "provided everything to me and my family and I look forward to giving back. "  In his 25 years with the department, Lenahan has served as a firefighter and paramedic, engineer, captain, battalion chief and fire marshal.

A two-alarm blaze reported at the closed Terminator 2: 3D ride at Universal Studios Hollywood has been mostly extinguished, park officials said. The fire was reported about 1:15 p.m. Several dozen firefighters responded to the fire to help protect other nearby structures. By 2:30 p.m., the Fire Department said that neither Universal City Walk nor any other attractions had been damaged by the blaze. The Terminator attraction, which is housed in a three-story building, is now closed.

A new multimillion-dollar communications system that would link fire and police departments throughout Los Angeles County got some good news last week after a long series of setbacks that has forced stakeholders to relinquish millions in federal funding. Legislation that gives the project limited exemption from environmental review passed both houses of the Legislature in a whirlwind effort to get the measure onto Gov. Jerry Brown's desk. “We received [a] significant stride forward in Sacramento,” Patrick Mallon, executive director of the authority for the Los Angeles Regional Interoperable Communications System, said at a meeting this week in downtown L.A. “We have great confidence that Gov. Brown will sign the legislation.” If Brown signs AB 1486, it will take effect immediately because it's considered emergency legislation, Mallon said.

With the August deadline for homeowners to change out their wood shake roofs looming, local Realtors concerned about a distressed housing market are expected to push the Burbank City Council on Tuesday to postpone the requirement. Fears that the requirement would be too much of burden for struggling homeowners are in conflict with recommendations from fire officials, who say wood shake roofs dangerous fire hazards. An ordinance passed in 1992 says wood shake roofs and roof-overs - roofs with fire-resistant materials covering wood shake - must be replaced by August 2012.

Burbank firefighters were called to remove a toilet seat from a 2-year-old girl’s head just after 3 p.m. Friday. The girl’s parents brought the toddler to Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center after her head became stuck in the child-sized toilet seat, said spokeswoman Patricia Aidem. According to Aidem, hospital personnel were unsuccessful at removing the seat from her head and called in the fire department. Firefighters used a close-quarters hacksaw to separate the seat from the child, Fire Capt.

A proposal to close firefighting operations out of a West Burbank station for nine months will allow the fire department to meet its 5% spending cut, but Chief Ray Krakowski warned that emergency response times will be affected citywide. Under the plan, crews housed at Station 14 at 2305 W. Burbank Blvd. would be split among other stations, saving the department more than $650,000, according to Krakowski, who said the shut down could happen as early as July. Krakowski presented the scenario to the City Council as a cost-saving measure to contribute to the target 5% budget cut called for among all city departments.