City hosts Emergency Preparedness Excercise

The City of Laredo will host an Emergency Preparedness Exercise sponsored by the Texas Engineering Extension (TEEX). The purpose of the exercise is to test regional first responder radio operations under emergency conditions. “The ability for different agencies and jurisdictions to communicate in an emergency is crucial in managing an emergency,” said Acting Assistant Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator, Steve Landin.

During the two-day event, the City’s Emergency Management Center (EOC) will be activated and staffed by City emergency management team staff as well as representatives from other local, state and federal agencies. Once the exercise is underway and the EOC


is activated, the participants will have the opportunity to test the skills and resources available to successfully complete the operation.

The region-wide exercise will include representatives from Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg ad Starr counties.

The event hub will be at the City’s EOC located at 5512 Thomas Avenue and will commence at 08:00 A.M. on April 15, 2008. It will conclude in Zapata, TX with an after exercise briefing at 2:00P.m.

Four Motorcycle accidents reported over the weekend

Fire Department reports four separate incidents involving motorcycle accidents vs passenger vehicles. Three of the motorcyclists required treatment and transport and one refused treatment and transport. Three of the accidents occured during daylight hours and in favorable weather conditions.

Man Shot in Western Division of City

Paramedic and emergency crewsresponded to a reported shooting at he 1700 blk of Burnside. A male subject of about 24 yo was shot at close range by an unknown gunman, according to bystanders. He was treated and transported by fire/medic crews from fire station no. 3 to a local hospital in serious condition.

Bomb Threats reported at International Bridges

An anonymous caller called in a bomb threat to two of the four international bridges in Laredo, TX. Fire crews responded to investigate as bridge traffic was halted due to closures on both bridges.
Crews inspected the bridges and found nothing suspicous. The bridges were openes after 45 minutes.

Grass fires continue to plague City

High winds and dry conditions persisit in the area causing several wildland fires to burn throughout Laredo and Webb County. Fire crews worked around the clock to extinguish the fires.

One fire damaged vehicles in a junkyard close to the riverbanks in the western part of the city. twenty vehicles and four motorcycles were destroyed.

Also, a powerplant close to th river was forced to shut down when wildland fires approached rapidly and threatened the facility.

High winds pummel area

High winds caused damage in several areas of the city on Tuesday. Roofs, light poles, trees were among some of the items that were damaged. In addition, the winds caused the rapid spread of brush fires in various parts of laredo and Webb County.

Fire crews worked diligently around the clock to battle the blazes until the flames were under control.

Grass fires plague the area

At least three large grass fires were reported in the area on Saturday. Consistent dry conditions and high winds contributed to the rapid sprad of the fires.

The first was reported at Artesia Wells, TX. Laredo Fire units were requested by state emergency management authorities to assist at a large wildland fire that consumed at least 1000 acres. Two fire trucks and a District Chief were dispatched to the scene.

A second wildland fire was reported at Las Lomas Subdivison and Highway 359. Several acres were consumed, threatening several rural homes. Crews fought the fires and made every attemot to save the many structures in the area. Three fire engines and a district Chief were on scene to fight the blaze.

Another brush fire was beleived to be the cause of fire damage to a mobile home in South Laredo. Eyewitness state that a grass fire started on the east side of the home that eventually made its way to the home, casusing to be partially burnt. Fire investigators were dispatched to the scene to investigate how the fire started.