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. Note: Shifts are in 24-hour time periods, from 5 a.m. to 5 a.m.
Calls were logged during the time period of Tuesday, May 19 through Monday, May 25. Days not listed had no reports of significant incidents in this area.
MONDAY, MAY 25
Battalion 2: Battalion 2 companies participated in Memorial Day ceremonies at Lakewood Cemetery and City of Riverbank.
4:25 p.m. – Engine 11, WR2, WR26 and BC1 responded to a reported water rescue on the Stanislaus River. The Ripon Fire District and Stanislaus County A101 assisted with locating and removing three subjects from the river; negative injuries.
Battalion 5: 12:48 p.m. – Water Rescue 28, Water Rescue 26, Engine 27 and Battalion 5 responded to a water rescue on the Stanislaus River behind a residence on Hollenbeck Court for two teenagers that were dumped off their tube after hitting a tree in the water. The two were clinging to trees and the underbrush along the river. Boat 28 was able to grab them and bring them to shore.
4:28 p.m. – Water Rescue 28, Water Rescue 24, Engine 27 and Battalion 5 responded to a water rescue on the Stanislaus River near Liberini Road in Oakdale. A family was rafting when their raft flipped sending a female, three males and toddler into the river. Boat 28 launched and was able to rescue all of them. The toddler was transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
Battalion 5: 2:58 p.m. – Water Rescue 28, Engine 27, Water Rescue 26 and Battalion 5 were dispatched for a rescue where two people became stranded after falling off their paddleboards and clinging to brush along the Stanislaus River near River Road in Oakdale. Boat 28 was able to locate and rescue both people and take them back to the boat launch where one patient was evaluated by Oak Valley Ambulance and Engine 27. The patient was treated at the scene and refused to transport to the hospital.
SATURDAY, MAY 23
The Technical Rescue Team (Truck 1, Truck 5, Rescue 11 & Squad 32) performed their monthly training at Tower 17 focusing on trench rescue
Battalion 2: Crews trained on different skills across the battalion. Hose pulls and stabilization struts were some of the topics covered.
4:38 p.m. – Engine 7, Water Rescue 24, Water Rescue 26, and BC1 responded to a water rescue at Jacob Myers Park on the Stanislaus River. Boat 24 and Boat 26 located five people that had floated downstream and were stranded on the riverbank. Both boats were used to bring the individuals back to Jacob Myers Park, there was negative medical need.
Battalion 5: Water Rescue 26 and Water Rescue 29 conducted training in Knights Ferry for a new boat operator.
2:09 p.m. – Water Rescue 29, BC5, E28 and Water Rescue 26 responded to the 17000 block of Frymire Road for a water rescue along the Stanislaus River. WR29 was able to launch and bring one subject back to the shore. No injuries were reported.
4:21 p.m. – Water Rescue 29, Water Rescue 28, BC5, and E27 responded to the 10500 block of Rodden Road for a water rescue along the Stanislaus River. Stanislaus Sheriff Deputies also responded along with Air 101. Three subjects were located with one brought to shore by Deputies. Water Rescue 28 secured the other two subjects in the boat and returned them to Orange Blossom Rec. No injuries were reported.
6:14 p.m. – Engine 26, E7, Q22 and BC5 responded to a potential structure fire on the 3900 block of Colt Way in Riverbank. Crews arrived on scene and found a fence fire between two structures. A neighbor had noticed the fire and started applying water with a garden hose prior to our arrival. The fire was contained to the fence with minor damage to the residence.
FRIDAY, MAY 22
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus and equipment maintenance.
Engine 29 conducted water rescue orientation/training at Fire Station 26.
Battalion 5 monitored the vegetation fire from the previous shift on Woodward Lake Drive.
3:37 p.m. – Engine 28, Engine 29, Cal Fire Engine 4452 and BC5 responded to a reported motor vehicle accident at Highway 4 and Milton Road. Engine 28 arrived to find two vehicles involved with one overturned and began to check for injuries. Three patients were transported from the scene by ground ambulance to a local emergency room. CHP is investigating.
THURSDAY, MAY 21
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus and equipment checks.
Engine 28 trained on hose pulls and apparatus orientation.
Engine 29 trained on boat operations.
3:26 p.m. – Engine/Water Tender 27, Engine 28, OES 4618, Brush 24, Grass/WT 23, Engine 9, Escalon WT 1-1, Battalions 2 and 5 with Cal Fire resources responded to a vegetation fire on Woodward Lake Drive. Initially reported as a vegetation fire, additional calls indicated a structure was on fire. Additional units were dispatched. First arriving firefighters found 5-10 acres of vegetation in light flashy fuels with a moderate rate of spread with no structure fire. Crews engaged in mobile fire attack, as others cut handline. Cal Fire aircraft arrived and began water drops. The incident was mitigated totaling 49.5 acres with no structures damaged. Companies spent the next two hours on mop up. The cause of the fire was a handheld saw cutting pipe next to dry grass.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 20
Battalion 2: Companies completed detailed maintenance on Water Rescues and Water Tenders today.
Water Rescue 26, Medic 1, and BC2 had orientation training with SO Air 101 in preparation for the busy season on the rivers.
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus and equipment checks.
Engine 29 completed weekly apparatus checks and station maintenance at Station 30 in Valley Home.
Firefighter Zuk and Firefighter Sencion raised their flags, signifying their first day on shift at MFD.
TUESDAY, MAY 19
Chief Evans was officially sworn in as the new Chief of the Modesto Fire Department. Chief Evans brings over 30 years of dedicated service to the community, and we look forward to his leadership in his new role.
Battalion 2: Battalion 2 companies trained on forcible entry and hose management.
Battalion 5: Crews completed daily apparatus checks and equipment maintenance.
Crews performed station maintenance and cleaning.
8:30 p.m. – Engine 9, Engine 26, Quint 22, and BC5 responded to a natural gas leak inside a residence in the 6000 block of Claus Road. Engine 26 arrived on scene and found the cause to be a malfunctioning hot water heater. The responding balance was cancelled and PG&E responded to ensure the gas was secured.
