Today at 0652 hours LAFD companies were dispatched to Incident # 315, initial resources reported a overturned tractor trailer on the southbound 405 freeway just south of the Burbank blvd on-ramp, LF 88 was the first LAFD resource on scene commanded by Captain II Rich Diede, Captain Diede immediately recognized a tractor trailer truck overturned with a product of liquid propane and no other vehicles involved, however prior to overturning the truck struck the concrete center divider causing concrete material onto the northbound 405 as vehicles were hitting and becoming disabled, LF 88 began working with CHP to redirect vehicles off the southbound side and to notify CHP of the northbound issue as well. the driver of the tanker truck was located on the shoulder area alert x 4 and had self extricated prior to FD arrival. Driver was evaluated and transported with minor injuries to UCLA by RA 88.  Battalion 10 Chief Zipperman (SOD) along with Command 42 (Rose) self dispatch met at the top of the on ramp area to briefly discuss a plan, Battalion 10 established 405 IC which was corrected from initial company on-scene as Freeway IC,  405 IC  (BC 10) remained in-charge of the incident. 405 IC established Unified Command with CHP and Cal-Trans to ensure all decision stakeholders were all included, IC requested additional resources to ensure various groups were established for a primary and contingency plan. Our plan was to initially off-load the product before up-righting the tractor trailer. Evaluation was discussed with the potential of an explosion, evacuation of the residential communities to the east of the incident, 405 set the following in place to ensure a safe and efficient operation. Once all assisting agencies were on-scene an operations briefing was completed to ensure agreement with the plan that was in place, Two commercial heavy wreckers were place along with LAFD Heavy Rescue 3 working under Captain Diede as Heavy Rigging Group secured the tractor and tanker an in unison upright ed the overturned tanker. Once up righted safely Hazmat checked for any type of leak. A off loading truck sent by the propane company spotted adjacent ot the tanker and began the off loading process, the incident was then downgraded and most all LAFD resources were released while LF 88 remained on-scene until complete. The Incident was turned over to CHP and Cal-Trans. There were no FD or Civilian injuries other than the driver of the overturn tanker. This incident took approx 6 hours before the north and south bound sides of the 405 were re-opened. Strong consideration was given to closing both sides of a major highway in California, however due to the potential of a large catastrophic explosion and or release of the product it was the safest direction to take. 

Please contact me should you have any questions. 

 

Chief Zip

Fire Suppression Group     E88, E77, WT 77

Medical Group                    RA 39

Hazmat Group                    E 87 Squad 87, California Gas Transport (Propane Vendor)

Water Group/ Evacuation Group LF 90, E 39 Sepulveda x Alberts staging

Heavy Rigging Group        T 88, Heavy rescue 3 and Private Tow Vendor

JHAT                                  Captain Dunivan

CHP Perimeter                  

Cal Trans                           Runoff control and prevention on the freeway