Long Beach
Fire Department

As we continue to prepare for the potential impacts associated with El Niño, the Long Beach Fire Department is working with multiple City departments to inform, educate, and prepare our residents.

Over the next few months, multiple storms are expected to bring periods of rain to the Long Beach area that have the potential to significantly impact our community.

Swiftwater Rescue Teams will continue to conduct patrols along the banks of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers as anticipated rain levels meet thresholds to activate these teams.

In addition, the Long Beach Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has been activated to provide additional support to our elderly and disabled residents that are in need of sandbags.

Every precaution is being taken to protect life and property as the Long Beach Fire Department continues to work with various City departments and agencies to make for a safer, prepared, and more resilient community.

If you have observed areas that have been prone to flooding during the recent storms over the last few days, please take advantage of the “blue sky” conditions between the storms to mitigate these conditions.

For the next few months, sand will be available at the City of Long Beach Public Works lot located at 1651 San Francisco Avenue off of Esther Street.

Sand and Sandbags are available at the following Fire Stations:‎

• Long Beach Fire Station 7 located at 2295 Elm Avenue
• Long Beach Fire Station 12 located at 1199 East Artesia Boulevard
• Long Beach Fire Station 13 located at 2475 Adriatic Avenue 
• Long Beach Fire Station 14 located at 5200 Eliot Street 

Sandbags are available at all Long Beach Fire Stations and at Long Beach Lifeguard Headquarters located at 2100 East Ocean Boulevard in the Junipero Parking Lot and at the 72nd Place Lifeguard Station. Please note that sandbags are limited to 10 bags per person per visit.

Sand and Sandbags are subject to availability. Sand will be replenished at the above locations on an as needed basis during normal business hours. Please understand that restocking occurs Monday through Friday from 8 AM through 5 PM unless an emergent event occurs.

To meet additional needs, the Long Beach Fire Department in partnership with Public Works, Long Beach CERT, and Long Beach Search and Rescue are excited to announce “SANDBAG SATURDAYS.”

Starting on January 16th, 2016 residents are encouraged to come and fill their own sandbags with the assistance of CERT and Search and Rescue personnel. Both sand and sandbags will be available FREE on site. There are three “Sandbag Saturday” events scheduled to date. They are as follows:

• January 16th from 8 AM -1 PM at Long Beach Fire Station 1 located at 100 Magnolia Avenue
• January 30th from 8 AM -1 PM at Long Beach Fire Station 11 located at 160 East Market Street
• February 13th from 8 AM - 1 PM at Long Beach Fire Station 5 located at 7575 East Wardlow Road

If there are specific questions regarding “Sandbag Saturdays” or if elderly and/or disabled residents are in need of additional assistance with sandbags, please contact the Long Beach CERT Hotline at (562) 570-2525.