July 12, 2014 (La Mesa)—A 9-month-old baby and a 4-year old child were left unattended inside a locked car at Grossmont Center on Friday afternoon amid sweltering heat.  Bystanders called 911 and were able to get the 4-year-old to unlock the door by the time Heartland Fire & Rescue crew arrived. The mother said she had been gone only five minutes; paramedics evaluated the children and released them  to their father.

Use of dangerous product persist despite statewide ban resulting from ECM investigation

By Miriam Raftery

June 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- With tinder-dry conditions during the drought, Fire Chief Rick Sitta at Heartland Fire & Rescue is warning residents about the dangers of sky lanterns.  “These fire lanterns pose a serious threat to our county,” the Chief says.

March 4, 2014 (El Cajon)--At approximately 2:15 p.m. Monday afternoon, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews from El Cajon and La Mesa responded to reports of a structure fire in the one-thousand block of Leslie Road in El Cajon.  As fire crews arrived on scene they found heavy smoke coming from a lower unit of the apartment structure at 1016 Leslie Road. Firefighters were able to stop the fire in approximately twenty minutes.

July 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – At 12:43 a.m. on July 25, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in the City of El Cajon responded to reports of a structure fire in the 1-thousand block of Broadway in El Cajon.  Upon arrival firefighters found smoke and flames coming from the Classic Tattoo business located at 1024 Broadway.  Quick action by fire crews had the fire knocked down in less than 25 minutes.  Two adjoining businesses of the one story structure sustained smoke and water damage.  Heartland crews were assisted by fire units from Cal Fire and Santee fire departments.

October 6, 2012 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Safety and Career Expo will take place October 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 6, 100 East Lexington Ave., El Cajon.  This year’s event will honor the city’s centennial.  Heartland Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Sitta will host the noon welcome ceremony that includes a tribute to responders and a tribute to the City of El Cajon’s Centennial.

July 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Fletcher Hills Library is holding its annual Ice Cream Social on July 25 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 576 Garfield Avenue, El Cajon.  The Friends of Fletcher Hills Library will be serving up the ice cream.  Firefighters with Heartland Fire and Rescue in El Cajon will be stopping by as well.

For more information call 619-466-1132.

March 27, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- At 9:11 a.m., Tuesday morning, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews from Lemon Grove, La Mesa, and El Cajon were dispatched to reports of a residential structure fire in the 1500 block of Skyline Drive.  A 911 call reported  a room on fire.  Fire crews arrived within 6 minutes to discover dark smoke coming from the front door and side bedroom window of a single story, single family residence. 

Photos by Monica Zech

January 4, 2012 (El Cajon) – A homeowner escaped her burning mobile home this morning, but her chihuahua dog, Mojo, was found unconscious and near death. Thanks to dedicated efforts  by local firefighters, however, Mojo's live has been saved. 

September 29, 2011 (El Cajon)—An ambulance burst into flames after oxygen tanks on board exploded late this afternoon at Westfield Parkway Plaza mall in El Cajon, according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the city of El Cajon.

July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units.

May 25, 2011 (La Mesa)-- Firefighters from Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a fire last night at 9:56 p.m. in the 5700 Block of Baltimore Drive. Upon arrival, the second floor condo was well involved in fire and the fire was extending to the third floor. 

May 2, 2011 (East County) -- During the week of April 23, 2011, all personnel from Heartland Fire and Rescue serving the cities of El Cajon, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove attended vehicle extrication training. C&D Towing made the training possible by providing twenty vehicles to practice the vehicle extrication and rescue techniques. The training was especially valuable because newer cars continue to change.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – A fire at a home located at 154 N. Westwind Drive in El Cajon last night caused $75,000 to $100,000 in damage, displacing three men and causing minor injury to one.

“Upon investigation, it was found that the tenants of the home had been using propane gas inside the home for lighting and heat since the electrical power had been turned off to the house,” a press release from Heartland Fire & Rescue stated. “One of the tenants, while attempting to transfer propane to smaller containers, accidentally set off the blaze.”

July 12, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Shortly after 7:00 this morning, Heartland Fire Dispatch received calls of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Mollison Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived on scene, they found the attached garage of the home fully involved in flames and spreading into the home.