Port of Long Beach
The Port of Long Beach is one of America’s premier seaports. Trade valued at more than $180 billion moves through Long Beach annually, making it the second busiest seaport in the United States. The port connects 217 seaports worldwide and contains 10 piers, 80 berths, 22 shipping terminals (equipped with 66 post-Panamax gantry cranes) and one of the deepest dredged main channels in the U.S. at 76 feet.
In addition to the shipping terminals, the port also contains several sizeable marina complexes in Rainbow Harbor, Naples and Alamitos Bay.
Fire Protection Services
The Long Beach Fire Department is responsible for protecting these installations via the Long Beach Fireboats. Historically speaking, these fireboats were designed with the following mission in mind:
• Firefighting
• Search and rescue
• Oil spill containment and cleanup
Following September 11th, 2001, many of these design parameters changed. The Port of Long Beach and the Long Beach Fire Department recently established a “Statement of Requirements” for the new vessels. These include:
• Firefighting of ships, boats and near shore structures
• On-shore support, including shore-side supply of water
• Water Rescue including vessel dewatering, towing and dive support
• Medivac services and EMS / paramedic support
• Harbor security patrol, including detection of hazardous agents
• Disaster response, including a Command Information Center
• Operation in contaminated (CBRN) areas, including vessel self-protection and decontamination facilities for personnel