AGENDA TITLE:
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Certificates of Recognition for Fire, Police, Public Works, and Electric Utility Staff for Their Outstanding Response During the September 1, 2024 Fires (CLK)
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MEETING DATE:
September 18, 2024
PREPARED BY:
Maria Ditmore, Deputy City Clerk
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Mayor Craig will present certificates of recognition to Fire, Police, Public Works, and Electric Utility staff for their outstanding response during the September 1, 2024 fires.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Lodi Fire Department responded to a fire along the 700 block of N. Sacramento Street in the early morning hours of September 1, 2024. Upon arrival, crews found a commercial building fully involved by fire. The fire grew to a second alarm, which brought in resources from Woodbridge Fire District, Waterloo Morada Fire Department, Mokelumne Fire Department, and Stockton Fire Department. Jay Barajas, Operations Manager at San Joaquin Sulphur Company, received a call from Alamo Alarm Company that an alarm had gone off and that there was a report of smoke coming from a building. Jay rushed to the scene and found a fire crew already fighting the blaze. When concerns were raised that the flames would reach an adjacent building where sulfur was being stored, Jay sprang into action and began using a forklift to remove the dangerous chemical from the immediate area.
On September 1, 2024, at approximately 1:38 p.m., Lodi Fire and Police Departments were dispatched to a report of an outdoor fire at Pacific Coast Producers, located at S. Stockton and Mission Streets. Upon arrival, Fire personnel reported a working fire with multiple pallets and plastic agricultural bins on fire. The fire immediately went to a second alarm, then fourth alarm, due to multiple structures threatened and heavy fire conditions. The Lodi Fire Department, Stockton Fire Department, Cosumnes Fire Department, Waterloo Morada Fire Department, and Woodbridge Fire District were able to keep the fire contained to the pallets and agricultural bins without burning down any adjacent structures. Crews spent hours and thousands of gallons of water before the fire was extinguished.
The Public Works Department’s Streets and Water Divisions assisted in the fire efforts by monitoring water pressures from the water plant and operating a backhoe to move pallets and bails of packing paper on scene, assisting Lodi Fire in extinguishing hot spots.
Electric Utility staff worked in the dispatch operations room and coordinated field operations with EU staff to de-energize powerlines. Moments after the powerlines were de-energized, a burning crossarm broke and was hanging by the wires over the heads of Fire personnel. This action by EU staff minimized the electrical hazards to all emergency responders on site. EU staff remained on site to monitor personnel safety around the remaining electrical lines in the immediate area and to assist as needed. EU dispatch answered phone calls from concerned citizens and provided updates on field activities and power restoration.
The Lodi Police Department’s Investigations Unit immediately followed up on leads and contacted a subject shortly after the incident. Based on information learned at the scene, that subject was taken into custody.
STRATEGIC VISION:
Not applicable.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Not applicable.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.
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Nancy Sarieh
Public Information Officer
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Olivia Nashed
City Clerk