by Michael D. Robbins
Director, Public Safety Project, PublicSafetyProject.org
March 13, 2011
A helicopter doing heavy lifting crashed into Raytheon buliding E-1 (legacy Hughes Aircraft Co.) resulting in a fire and significant water and smoke damage. The pilot survived the crash, but the helicopter did not.
Photo from KABC TV 7.
El Segundo Fire Chief Kevin Smith stated in a press conference that 70 firefighters responded to the helicopter crash into Raytheon (legacy Hughes Aircraft Co.) buliding E-1 and the subsequent fire. Click on the thumbnail image for a larger photo.
Photo by Michael D. Robbins, El Segundo, PublicSafetyProject.org.
Copyright © 2011 by Michael D. Robbins.
The emergency response to the helicopter crash into Raytheon Building E-1 in El Segundo last Sunday proves two significant points. First, it proves El Segundo’s existing Fire Department mutual aid system works exceptionally well. El Segundo Fire Chief Kevin Smith answered questions during a press conference attended by ABC, KTLA, and FOX television news, and myself.
Chief Smith stated that 70 firefighters responded to this incident, including mutual aid from the L.A. County Fire Department and all South Bay fire departments, including Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, and Torrance (see photos at PublicSafetyProject.org).
Second, the quick and effective emergency response by 70 firefighters proves that Measure P, the firefighter union’s initiative, is absolutely unnecessary because we already have effective mutual aid. It shows how deceptive the firefighters’ claims are. It debunks their fundamental ballot argument claim that Measure P will “put 72 firefighters on call” (including out-of-town stations). Interestingly, Chief Smith signed the ballot argument for Measure P, along with the only (or one of two) firefighter union member who lives in El Segundo, and Councilman Don Brann, the most enthusiastic advocate of tax and fee increases on businesses and residents.
The other claims in their ballot argument are equally false. Measure P is a permanent takeover of our Fire Department by L.A. County that eliminates paramedic ambulances and local control, insulates the firefighters from accountability to any city official, and protects their wildly excessive and unsustainable $150,000 to $350,000 salaries, benefits, and pensions that caused El Segundo’s budget problems.
The photos below of the helicopter crash scene are from ABC news.
The other photos below were taken by Michael D. Robbins on March 13, 2011, and are copyright © 2011 by Michael D. Robbins. They show El Segundo Fire Chief Kevin Smith, fire vehicles from the Los Angeles County Fire Department and from other fire departments outside El Segundo that provided mutual aid, and the news helicopter above the helicopter crash site.
The helicopter crash occurred between Raytheon Co. (legacy Hughes Aircraft Co.) building E-1, which was struck by the helicopter, and building E-4, which is surrounded by building E-1. Raytheon security prevented access to the crash site, which is understandable, and the only view of the wreckage itself was from above by helicopter. There was one news helicopter overhead, which is shown in the photo below.
There was only one news helicopter overhead, and Raytheon’s security officers would not allow news reporters or photographers inside Raytheon’s perimeter security gates.
Photo by Michael D. Robbins, El Segundo, PublicSafetyProject.org.
Copyright © 2011 by Michael D. Robbins.
The south side of the east wing of Raytheon building E-1 suffered impact, fire, water, and smoke damage as a result of the March 13, 2011 helicopter crash into it while doing heavy lifting. The red, white, and blue painted object is part of the remains of the crashed helicopter.
The south side of the east wing of Raytheon building E-1 suffered impact, fire, water, and smoke damage as a result of the March 13, 2011 helicopter crash into it while doing heavy lifting. The red, white, and blue painted object is part of the remains of the crashed helicopter.
The south side of the east wing of Raytheon building E-1 suffered impact, fire, water, and smoke damage as a result of the March 13, 2011 helicopter crash into it while doing heavy lifting.
The south side of the east wing of Raytheon building E-1 suffered impact, fire, water, and smoke damage as a result of the March 13, 2011 helicopter crash into it while doing heavy lifting.
The remains of the helicopter lays on the ground after it crashed into Raytheon building E-1 in El Segundo.
The remains of the helicopter lays on the ground after it crashed into Raytheon building E-1 in El Segundo.
One of the helicopter wheels lays on the roof as debris from the helicopter crash into Raytheon building E-1.
NOTE: Photos of the mutual aid fire trucks and engines will be added in the near future.
El Segundo Police Officers' Association (ESPOA) Exposed