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CLUB MEMBER SPECIAL ENROLLMENT

Short Term Disability


Special Enrollment
Starts Oct. 1, 2013
No Medical Exams to Complete
Guaranteed Coverage of Short
Term Disability Insurance
Available to all active City
Employees*
LET US KNOW WHERE TO SEND
YOUR ENROLLMENT FORM
CALL US - (213) 225-1792
City Employees Club
311 S. Spring St. Ste 1300
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Arlene Herrero
(213) 225-1792
aherrero@cityemployeesclub.com
Special
Enrollment
Offer Ends
DEC 31, 2013
Should you get injured from a covered injury or illness outside
of work, your short term disability insurance will pay you a
cash payment to spend on day-to-day expenses like housing,
food, car payments, and even additional medical costs not
covered by your health insurance. You wont have to worry
about using your savings or incurring additional debt.
No medical exams to complete
Benefts of Short Term Disability Insurance Why You Need a Short Term Disability Plan
Not a Club Member, but want to enroll?
Covers of-the-job injuries and illness
Cover you up to 60% of your monthly income
If you leave or retre from the City, you can take
your coverage with you.
Guaranteed renewable to age 70
12 month beneft afer 14 day eliminaton period
Receive a cash beneft paid directly to you
*Enrollee must be an actively working City Employee and a City
Employees Club Member in good standing as of September 9, 2013.
Joining the Club is easy and benefcial. For more information, please
contact us and well be glad to help you get started.

www.ai-mgmt.com | Tel. 562.433.1400 | kurt@ai-mgmt.com


5941 Naples Plaza, Long Beach, CA 90803 Fax 562.683.2683
DROP...MAYBE NOT?
Te DROP is a voluntary program within the Los
Angeles Fire & Police Pensions (LAFPP) system that
ofcially began on May 1, 2002. Per LAFPPs 2012
annual report there are 1,193 sworn members in the
DROP, versus 1,314 during 2011. Many LAFPP par-
ticipants have described the DROP as a no brainer
and an almost free way to bolster their retirement
assets. But, lets examine the DROP just a bit further
with some simple math. Tis information is intended
to draw attention to the importance of DROP and
some associated issues to consider.
If you were to retire with 25 Years of Service (YOS)
your pension percentage is 65% of your Final Average
Salary (FAS), which we will call early retirement. If
you were to retire at 30 YOS, your service pension per-
centage is 81% of your FAS, or late retirement for pur-
poses of this illustration. Immediately we should note
that the diference in waiting 5 years to either retire
or enter DROP adds 16% to your pension percentage.
Tis diference may not seem that signifcant but lets
compare these two scenarios over a long period.
For sake of this illustration we have assumed an
average retirement span of 25 years and the current
average salary among our 13,432 active fre & police
members is $100,173 (average salary is used by the
citys actuary Segal, for projection purposes). Using
the early retirement scenario of 65% x $100,173 FAS
= $65,112 in retirement, versus retiring later at 81%
x $100,173 gives us $81,140. Annually, your pension
would be $16,028 more if you waited 5 years and
didnt enter the DROP. Multiplying $16,028 by an
assumed 25 year retirement span gives us a gross
higher payout over a pensioners lifespan of $400,700
(NOTE: this doesnt take into account COLA, which
would make this number even higher).
To compare apples to apples, if you retired with 25
YOS and participate in the DROP for fve years,
using the numbers above you would end up with
approximately $369,000 in your DROP account and
accordingly with a lower annual pension as illus-
trated above. Notice how similar these amounts are,
$400,700 versus $369,000? Basically your DROP
balance is a present value payout of accruing 16%
less on your pension while you are retired. To fur-
ther cloud this issue is the fact that the early versus
late retirement pension amounts will continue to
grow farther apart over the years due to the citys
COLA factor that, when compounded becomes
quite signifcant.

So, what does this all mean? As in life, there is no
free lunch! Tis should illustrate how important it
is to properly budget for retirement, including if and
when you should enter DROP.
WHAT WE DO
We are investment counselors and
wealth managers. As a Registered
Investment Advisor, we utilize
Charles Schwabs Self Directed
Brokerage Option through the citys
Deferred Compensation Plan. Tis
allows our clients to keep their funds
within the citys Deferred Compen-
sation Plan while having an inde-
pendent advisor oversee their assets.
KURT STABEL, FOUNDER,
ACTIVE LAFD MEMBER
Kurt is the past elected police &
fre representative for the citys
Deferred Comp plan and has
unique experience to help you
utilize the plan. He has previ-
ously managed over $600 mil-
lion in client assets for another
investment advisor, and is a USC
business/fnance graduate.
OUR GOAL
To be your Deferred Comp and
DROP fnancial advisor. We
strive to grow our clients assets
by efectively reducing over-
all risk through strategic asset
allocation and a disciplined
investment process that is always
tailored to each clients risk pro-
fle and investment objectives.
P
a
i
d

A
d
v
e
r
t
i
s
e
m
e
n
t
:
CLUB MEMBER SPECIAL ENROLLMENT
Short Term Disability
Special Enrollment
Starts Oct. 1, 2013
No Medical Exams to Complete
Guaranteed Coverage of Short
Term Disability Insurance
Available to all active City
Employees*
LET US KNOW WHERE TO SEND
YOUR ENROLLMENT FORM
CALL US - (213) 225-1792
City Employees Club
311 S. Spring St. Ste 1300
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Arlene Herrero
(213) 225-1792
aherrero@cityemployeesclub.com
Special
Enrollment
Offer Ends
DEC 31, 2013
Should you get injured from a covered injury or illness outside
of work, your short term disability insurance will pay you a
cash payment to spend on day-to-day expenses like housing,
food, car payments, and even additional medical costs not
covered by your health insurance. You wont have to worry
about using your savings or incurring additional debt.
No medical exams to complete
Benefts of Short Term Disability Insurance Why You Need a Short Term Disability Plan
Not a Club Member, but want to enroll?
Covers of-the-job injuries and illness
Cover you up to 60% of your monthly income
If you leave or retre from the City, you can take
your coverage with you.
Guaranteed renewable to age 70
12 month beneft afer 14 day eliminaton period
Receive a cash beneft paid directly to you
*Enrollee must be an actively working City Employee and a City
Employees Club Member in good standing as of September 9, 2013.
Joining the Club is easy and benefcial. For more information, please
contact us and well be glad to help you get started.

2 December 2013
CALL TODAY
For a FREE Consultation!
800.573.4829


AL Hewitt, CFP, ChFC, EA
Certifed Financial Planner
Our Mission Statement:
To construct a comprehensive financial plan that will
make a significant difference in our clients lives.
To help our clients achieve a better return on life.
To form a long-term relationship with our clients.
To receive NO commissions and eliminate conflicts
of interest in the financial planning process.

Offices in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties


Download a Copy of The DROP Book at
www.DROPBOOK.com
1120 West Avenue M-4, Palmdale
400 Camarillo Ranch Rd, Camarillo
www.ALHEWITT.com
Paid Advertisement:
December 2013 3
ABOVE AND BEYOND
The frst installment of stories of members who have risen to
the challenge when faced with exceptional dangers. This month,
the account of Firefghters David Mack and Casey Glynn at a
structure fre in South LA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL CEREMONY
The annual LAFD Fallen Firefghters Memorial ceremony was at-
tended by active and retired members in order to honor our fallen
members and their families. There was also a special tribute
to the Granite Mountain Hotshots. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
CAR SHOW
This years event included some beautifully restored fre
apparatus along with cars ranging from turn of the century
models to ones made yesterday. They came in all shapes,
colors and sizes, stock or highly modifed, more than 100
entries - just check out the photos! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Presidents Message ................................................................................06
Battalion News ..........................................................................................08
Retired Guys
DO YOU REMEMBER? .................................................................................25
Department in Action ................................................................................26
Station Fridge ...........................................................................................34
Handball and CPR
US OPEN OF HANDBALL COVERAGE ..............................................................37
My Safe LA
THE GREAT SHAKEOUT AND MORE ...............................................................38
Retirement Dinner Announcement ............................................................40
Badge Fights
LAFD GRAPPLING TEAM VS HUNTINGTON BEACH PD .......................................41
Metro Fire Academy
GRADUATION EXERCISES AT FHMTC ...........................................................42
Mailbox .....................................................................................................44
Chaplains Corner
A LIVING HOPE - THE BEST GIFT OF ALL ........................................................46
Memorials .................................................................................................47
Scott Combat Challenge
THREE LAFD MEMBERS TAKE THE PLUNGE .....................................................48
Dollars & Sense
LETTER TO CONNOR ..................................................................................49
LAFD History
A HUMOROUS LOOK AT THE LAFD FROM 1781 TO 1958 .................................51
Minutes of the Board of Trustees ..............................................................54
Classifeds ................................................................................................58
Tailboard ...................................................................................................61
FEATURES
CONTENTS
COPYRIGHT 2013
Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association.
No material may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.
Notice: Production of The Firemens Grapevine magazine is very expensive, and while your dues
serve to underwrite a portion of the magazines costs, the bulk of funding comes from advertisers.
Many businesses advertise in the Grapevine. This does not mean that LAFRA endorses these
advertisers. Use of a Grapevine advertiser is at the risk of the member. If you are interested in any
of the advertisements, we urge you to use any and all means at your disposal to investigate them.
26
On the cover:
Historic Church Fire - South Los Angeles
Photo by:
Mike Meadows
VOL. XC DECEMBER 2013 NO. 05
4 December 2013
FIREMENS GRAPEVINE
owned and published by the
Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association
815 COLORADO BLVD, 4TH FLOOR, LOS ANGELES CA 90041
EDITORIAL STAFF
Dave Wagner Editor..........................................................editor@lafra.org
Juan-Carlos Snchez Project Coordinator................jcsanchez@lafra.org
Eric Santiago Creative Editor.....................................esantiago@lafra.org
David Vienna Web/Social Media Editor...........................dvienna@lafra.org
Display Advertising....................................(323) 259-5200 ext. 231, 232, 260
PSOs
MATT SPENCE, BRIAN HUMPHREY, ERIK SCOTT
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
MIKE MASTRO, FRANK BORDEN, MARC ECKSTEIN M.D.,
JOHN MITTENDORF, MICHAEL STEFANO, MONTE EGHERMAN, JODY HOUSER
PHOTOGRAPHERS
DaviD Blaire, Doc DeMulle, Keith culloM, roB curtis, harry Garvin,
JUAN GUERRA, BRIAN HAIMER, GAVIN KAUFMAN, RYAN LING, RICK MCCLURE,
MIKE MEADOWS, LLOYD PAYNE, JEFF ZIMMERMAN, YVONNE GRIFFIN, LAURA LICHTER.
LOS ANGELES FIREMENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION
JOHN JACOBSEN .........................................................PRESIDENT
JUAN ALBARRAN .................................................VICE-PRESIDENT
ANDREW KULJIS ........................................................SECRETARY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
BARRY HEDBERG
CHRIS HART
CHRIS STINE
CRAIG WHITE
DAVID LOWE
DAVID ORTIZ
DAVID PETERS
DOAK SMITH
FRANK HERNANDEZ
GENE BEDNARCHIK
JAMES E. COBURN
JEFF CAWDREY
MARK AKAHOSHI
MIKE OVERHOLSER
RICK GODINEZ
ROBERT STEINBACHER
STEVE BERKERY
STEVE RUDA
STEVE TUFTS
STEVEN DOMANSKI
TIM LARSON
CHAPLAINS
GREG W. GIBSON...............SR. CHAPLAIN
DANNY LEON...........................CHAPLAIN
GEORGE A. NEGRETE...............CHAPLAIN
AQUIL F. BASHEER...................CHAPLAIN
TIM WERLE.............................CHAPLAIN
ROGER FOWBLE......................CHAPLAIN
HERSHY Z. TEN........................CHAPLAIN
RICK A. GODINEZ.....................CHAPLAIN
MARK R. WOOLF......................CHAPLAIN
JESUS PASOS..........................CHAPLAIN
CRAIG POULSON......................CHAPLAIN
TELEPHONES
FIRE-RELIEF ................................................................(323) 259-5200
RELIEF ASSOCIATION TOLL FREE NUMBER ...........................(800) 244-3439
RELIEF MEDICAL PLAN ..........................(866) 99LAFRA - (866) 995-2372
FAX NUMBER ................................................................(323) 259-5290
DAVID NED SMITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR............................(323) 259-5201
MARLENE CASILLAS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING DIRECTOR(323) 259-5217
BECKY VALVERDE HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATOR.......(323) 259-5247
TODD LAYFER CONTROLLER/TREASURER.........................(323) 259-5243
BOB DILLON OPERATIONS MANAGER................................(323) 259-5233
ANA SALAZAR MEMBER SERVICES COORDINATOR...............(323) 259-5223
LAFRA MANAGEMENT
HealthSCOPE Benefts
WAYNE SHERMAN MEDICAL CLAIMS MANAGER...................(323) 259-5211
THE FIREMENS GRAPEVINE (USPS 191-060) is published monthly by the Los Angeles Firemens
Relief Association, 815 Colorado Blvd. 4th Floor, Los Angeles, Cal i for nia 90041. Annual $24 Subscription
included with Association mem ber ship; Non-members: $36. Single issues $3 postpaid. Back issues $6
postpaid. Pe ri od i cals post age paid at Los Angeles, CA and at additional mailing offce. POST MAS TER: Send
ad dress changes to: THE FIREMENS GRAPE VINE Magazine, P.O. BOX 41903, Los An ge les, CA 90041.
Printed by Collective Color, Los Angeles CA. For Clas si fed and Display Ad ver tis ing rates please call (323)
259-5200, ext. 231, 232 or 260. All editorial matter must be received by the Editor eight weeks prior to the
month of pub li ca tion. The opin ions ex pressed here in are those of the writ ers and do not nec es sar i ly refect
the offcial views of the Los An ge les City Fire De part ment or the Los An ge les Firemens Relief Association.
Paid Advertisements:
December 2013 5
F
irefighters David Mack and Casey Glynn
found themselves working together on
Rescue 866 on April 3, 2008. In the early
morning hours of the 4th, they were dispatched
as part of the first alarm assignment to a report-
ed structure fire at 1258 W 55th Street. When
they arrived on scene, they found fire showing
from the living room of a single family dwell-
ing. After their size-up, they were informed by
OCD that an occupant was on the phone with
the dispatcher, stating she was trapped by the
flames in a bedroom closet.
Even with no other companies on
scene, Mack and Glynn went to work. Fire-
fghter Glynn attempted forcible entry on a
door in the rear while, despite heavy fre and
smoke, Mack forced entry on the front door. He
grabbed a garden hose from the front yard and
began to extinguish the fre in the living room.
He was able to knock down a portion of the
fames, enabling him to enter the structure and
commence a search for the trapped woman.
MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD
Awarded to a sworn member who has demon-
strated bravery at great personal risk to his or
her own life, beyond a doubt and clearly above
the call of duty, whether on or off duty.
MEDAL OF MERIT AWARD
Awarded to a sworn member. Distinguished by
performing an act where if not taken, would
have resulted in serious injury or present im-
minent danger to life. The member must have
demonstrated a conspicuous act of bravery with
calculated personal risk to his or her own life.
Crawling through the fre room,
Mack found a bedroom and searched the en-
tire room, including the closet. Finding no one,
he continued down the narrow hallway and lo-
cated another bedroom at the rear of the house.
Searching this room, he opened the closet door
and found the trapped occupant who had lost
consciousness. Mack removed his mask and
provided air to the downed victim. He lifted
and carried her out of the house to safety with
the assistance of Firefghter Glynn who had
gained entry from the rear of the house. Engine
46 was arriving on scene as they exited the
structure and immediately initiated frst care
for the victim. The rescued occupant was trans-
ported to the hospital and survived this near-
tragic incident.
Adapted from the account of
Albert Luna, Captain II
FF David Mack
FF Casey Glynn
6 December 2013
By John Jacobsen
S
erving as President for these last three
years has been an experience I will never
forget. Both the challenges and gratifi-
cation received from working for the LAFRA
membership have been unparalleled. It is my
hope that, looking back upon my tenure, I can
unequivocally say that we brought the Relief
Association to its next level of greatness in pro-
viding for our members.
I must say Thank You to the
Board of Trustees, LAFRA Staff and the
Relief Membership for all of your com-
bined efforts and support, as none of our
achievements would have been possible
without your collective hard work and in-
volvement.
The Relief Association is well
over 100 years old and has not just sur-
vived, but has thrived. It continues as an
organization that has no true equal. It has
been an honor and a privilege to have
served our membership and I will take
these memories with me forever.
I am reminded of the words that
were told to me many times over, Always
try to leave something better than you
found it. I hope most would agree that we
did.
Merry Christmas and Happy
New Year to all.
Sincerely,
John Jacobsen, President
Dear John...
One of the many responsibilities of the LAFRA president is to write the Presidents Message that appears in the Grapevine each month.
Jake has faithfully fulflled this duty for the last 35 months.
For this issue, his last in offce, we are trying something a little different. Instead of a message from the president, below you will fnd
messages to the president from LAFRA trustees and staff.
If any of you, our Grapevine readers and LAFRA members, would also like to send John a farewell message, forward your comments to
editor@lafra.org and we will publish them in a future issue.
For the past three years I have had the privilege of serving as a trustee under John Jacobsen - a man whose priority is our disabled, our widows and meeting
the needs of our members. He has kept those as priorities, while constantly dealing with challenges to our health subsidies and an ever changing national health
program. Good job John -Tim Larson, Trustee
John, its been a pleasure working with you. I hope youve enjoyed your time here at LAFRA as much as weve enjoyed having you as our president. You will
be missed, but never forgotten. - Ana Salazar, Member Services Coordinator
My feelings for John Jacobsen run pretty deep. If he were my son I would be very proud of him I know his family is. John is a great communi-
cator he receives information, researches it and knows the subject before he tries to explain it to the rest of us. I trust John to keep abreast
of what is good for our membership and to pass it along accordingly. I fnd him very easy to approach and he has always been supportive of
what I do here. I am sure that he will go on and distinguish himself in the fre service and I wish him all the future success that he deserves.
Andy Kuljis, Secretary
Being the president of LAFRA is a lot like being the House Dues guy . . . when the shelves are stocked and the bills are paid, no-
body seems to notice. You may even encounter some guy in the kitchen asking, Whos the house dues guy here? You guys have
everything! Thats what I encountered these last years with John. I am not saying John has run a stealth operation . . . Im saying
he has run an operation that has been as smooth as anyone could ask for. But it wasnt easy. I dont think anyone, except family,
friends and Trustees know the time, effort and dedication that goes into being the president here. Thank you Jake, you have done
us well. I appreciate the time you took away to help our Association be as strong as ever. Gene Bednarchik, Trustee
John, congrats on fnishing up three years as president. You led the way guiding our Medical Plan under an environment of uncertain regulations
and also recovering large amounts of money on IOD claims. You also were heavily engaged with pension issues and the purchase of a building for
LAFRAs future headquarters. Your legacy is making well though-out decisions and providing leadership in challenging times with a constant focus
on making LAFRA stronger for the beneft of the membership. Todd Layfer, Controller/Treasurer
December 2013 7
John, I want to personally thank you for your leadership and dedication to provide the very best for our members. You have done a
great job as president and I wish you all the best in your next assignment. - Rick Godinez, Trustee
Dear John - Thank you for all the hard work and long hours that you put into this association as our president. This organization is
a better one because of you. I wish you and your family all the best. - Frank Hernandez, Trustee
Jake: It has been a real pleasure to work with you daily for the last three years. Your excellent attention to detail and your dedi-
cation to striving for continuous improvement in LAFRAs service to members are inspiring. In addition, your ability to remain
calm and listen carefully is a model for us all to follow! Best wishes - David Ned Smith, Executive Director
Thank you John, your three/five-year commitment as vice president and president is above and beyond. Your commitment to LAFRA, its member-
ship and its future are above reproach. You were always there for the Trustees, the membership and the employees. I personally thank you very
much for your dedication and commitment to LAFRA. Have fun back in the field. - David L. Lowe, Trustee
John: I would like to express my admiration of your leadership of this Board, your attention to detail, and your selfess commitment to this organiza-
tion. Your excellent care of LAFRA over the last three years is something you should look back on with great pride. -Dave Peters, Trustee
Johns dedication to the role of president has been evident in many ways. He is always on top of the issues and is quick to respond to the members
concerns. He has been a positive representative of LAFRA and he is exceptionally skilled at building trust and at developing solid working relationships be-
tween the association and vendors. This has been especially evident with HealthSCOPE Benefts during this ever changing time in the health insurance in-
dustry. On behalf of the entire HSB team, we thank John for all he has done, we wish him well in his future endeavors. The HealthSCOPE Benefts team.
Professional. Forward-thinking. Fair. Dedicated. Conscientious. Open to new ideas. Leader by example. John Jacobsen. Thanks for three enjoy-
able and productive years. - The Development & Marketing Team
John, it has been a true pleasure to have worked with you at LAFRA the last three years. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication to the membership.
The Relief is a better organization today than it was when you started as president. We have come so far these last three years and much of it has to do with
your strong leadership. You will be missed here at LAFRA but congrats on going back to the field. -Chris Stine, Trustee
John, just a little note to thank you for always being there to give me insight and for the members when they had special requests. You always made
it happen for them and made their experience with the Relief Association so complete. I always had members calling me to thank you and let you
know how much your help meant to them! Liz Perez, Administrative Assistant
It has been my privilege and honor to serve as a LAFRA Trustee during the tenure of President Jacobsen. Hes a gentleman and a professional that our staff,
our business associates and volunteers enjoy interacting with. He treats everyone . . . including those who disagree with him . . . with dignity and respect. Ive
learned much from his example. Thank YOU Jake. - David Ortiz, Trustee
John, you have been a rock and true inspiration for the last three years. You have set the bar very high for those who will follow
you into the office of the president of LAFRA. Your dedication to and patience with the board and staff, while staying focused
on the daily activities of the organization, has been incredible. - Bob Steinbacher, Trustee
Ive seen them come and Ive seen them go. I wanted to say thanks to you and your family for being such a great asset to our organization and its membership.
If the members only knew the time and effort you put in on their behalf, they wouldnt believe it. Thanks Jake. Chris Hart, Trustee
John has served LAFRA as a Trustee, Vice President and now President - over 15 years of volunteerism. His time away from his family to serve our fre family is a task that can
never be repaid. He has set the example as a quiet, exceptional leader, who wants nothing more than to take care of frefghters, both active and retired. I have worked with John
on several frefghter funerals over the years and was very impressed with his leadership during those challenging and emotional events. Awesome. Now it is time for John to
get back to the tailboard. Any station in the city will be lucky to have such a confdent, strong, lead-by-example commander to take care of them. Enjoy your new assignment.
- Steve Berkery, Trustee
8 December 2013
Congratulations to the No Class winners
Captain Ventura and A/O Wilkinson, and the
Lil Class winners Scott Brennan and Daniel
Gutierrez for their outstanding performances
at this years Skid Row Handball tournament.
We would like to thank LAFRA for their
continued support of the handball tournament
and making our 31st tournament a success. We
also appreciate the City Employees Club for
their sponsorship. And special recognition to
Firefghter Mark Tostado for all his hard work
in putting the tournament together. Thanks
again, see you all next year!
Ventura & Wilkinson Brennan & Gutierrez
FF Cory Jackson, otherwise known as
the bird man, comes through again, with
a little help from FF Eric Roberts, to the
rescue of a pigeon stuck in a local super-
market sign in October.
Battalion 2 frefghters rehab after a structure fre at 6208 Arroyo Glen St. on 10/22/13.
Photo by Yvonne Griffn
December 2013 9
The guys from 95s add a little spice at LAFCUs Chili Cook-off.
Photo by David Blaire
On 10/26/13, members from 76s (along with Engine 18) treated
and transported an injured LAPD motor offcer after he collided
with a vehicle on Forest Lawn Dr. Photo by Rick McClure, EPN
10 December 2013
Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association Medical Plan may
cover this examination. Contact your plan provider to verify.
Paid Advertisement:
December 2013 11
Boat 5 rescued six fshermen whose 20 vessel
capsized outside the breakwater in September.
On September 9, 2013, members from TF 85,
USAR 85, E 49, E 112, Boat 3, Boat 2 and Batt 6
were utilize to extricate a man who passed away
in the V-berth of his 40 cabin cruiser.
Fire Station 49 members raise a fag for
Joseph Michell, a mate who retired in
1978 from Boat 1 and passed away this
October.
12 December 2013
TF 37 members rehabbing after the Westwood high rise fre
Photo by Jeffrey Geller
The C shift from Fire Station 88 had a beach camping trip on
August 11- 14th at the Point Mugu RV Park. There was beach
volleyball, campfre stories, paddle boarding, kayaking, fshing,
surfng, smores and more. Ashley Porter (wife of Brett Porter)
reports We all had such a wonderful time and made memories
that will last a lifetime. Thanks for sharing Ashley!
December 2013 13
Task Force 88 handled a small brush
fre in the Sepulveda basin on 10/16/13.
Photos by Steve Gentry
On October 13, 2013 past and present members of Fire Sta-
tion 109 gathered for their frst ever reunion. The event was
spearheaded by Gib Martin.
Photos by Beaver Valenzuela, Jim O Connell and
Lynn De Los Cobos
14 December 2013
Boat 2 . . . er . . . Water Tender 88
handled another small brush fre in
the Basin on October 12, 2013.
Photo Jeff Zimmerman, EPN
On 10/10/13, companies knocked down a blaze
in a West Adams one story commercial build-
ing, just recently renovated. Firefghters were
able to exit the building as the roof collapsed
just nine minutes into the frefght.
Photos by Rick McClure, EPN
December 2013 15
The crew from Truck 11 awaits an
assignment at the Barrington Fire.
Photo by Jeff Zimmerman, EPN
It was a family affair for 29s K-Town
Krusaders at LAFCUs Chili Cook-off.
Photo by David Blaire
16 December 2013
On 10/20/13 Engine 91 responded to
a vehicle fre at 13955 Balboa Blvd.
Photo by Rick McClure
A driver sustained minor injuries when two cars
collided on the 118 freeway at Hayvenhurst.
Photos Jeff Zimmerman, EPN
December 2013 17
77s won the Most Spirited Team
award at LAFCUs Chili Cook-off.
Photo by David Blaire
Greetings from the Battalion that
never sleeps!
Welcome to another month! By the
time this arrives in your mailbox, we will only
have one month left in this year and I cant
believe how quickly it has passed! I truly hope
everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving and
were able to enjoy some delicious food along
with good company of family and friends.
Now I cant wait for some stories!
Congratulations are in order to
Right Sided Weakness who competed at the
8th Annual Firemans Volleyball Tournament
in Hermosa Beach. The team was made-up of
current and former Battalion 13 members and
lead by Greg Felix over at 66s. They managed
to go undefeated and knocked off a team from
Burbank Fire who had won it the last three
years! Nice work guys!
And how could we forget
Movember? The time of year when you get to
grow facial hair in the name of mens health.
Some people wear ribbons or pins to show a
cause, some donate money, and some attempt
a mustache. Its really quite a treat to run with
other companies throughout the Battalion and
see the farming cycle of these upper lip sweat-
ers. Some guys really have a bountiful harvest
grow below their nose and some guys well .
. . looks like another small crop is more of
a proper description. Congrats to everyone
that participated, and now its time to try and
convince your wife, girlfriend, co-workers,
etc that for some reason you should keep it.
Remember, Annual is coming up again soon . .
. in two short years!
Moving on to our frst story.
Recently, one of the Captain 2s at FS 64 - de-
cided that his crew needed to go out and really
buckle down and get ahead on some Fire Pre-
vention inspections. So much that he has the
Fire Prevention Coordinator pull the proper
inspections and tells the crew how important
it is to get these done! Oddly enough in this
same time frame another issue was addressed
. . . weekend drill days. Well, changes in plans
lead him to slightly shift the days operations
and he tells the guys that theyre defnitely
going to do the inspections next shift - a
Saturday. In his mind all is well until one of
the guys asks, Hey, Capt, arent you off next
shift? Nice! Apparently both Fire Prevention
and weekend drilling were so important that
neither of them were going to get done under
his watch! Oh well . . . proper Fire Prevention
and company drilling hasnt proved very ef-
fective in many of our fres lately . . . oh wait!
Actually its saved some LAFD lives very
recently at a few high profle fres! . . . just
what I heard.
Continuing . . . Weve always been
taught about the importance of listening to the
radio. By doing so you can pick out great ra-
dio transmissions and some not so great ones,
and learn what to-do or not-to-do from them . .
. i.e. K as in Cat. Were taught to think about
what you want to say before you speak, be
concise, and get your point across. Were also
taught about identifying yourself so Metro
and any incoming companies know who to
address. When we respond to an incident in
our 1st-in or greater alarm areas, were used
to hearing familiar voices or at least familiar
companies. Well, apparently at some recent
fres in FS 64s 1st-in the company identi-
fed themselves as both Light Force and Task
Force 60, and also Light Force . . . (dead air
time) and Engine errr Task Force . . . (dead air
time). Now this is defnitely different sound-
ing to the untrained ear, but in the future, if
you hear anything regarding a size-up in the
Battalion 13 and its a unit without a Station
# designator or a Station # that is in the North
Division, it should be safe to assume that it
is Light Force or Task Force 64. Sounds to
18 December 2013
Paid Advertisement
December 2013 19
Paid Advertisement:
me that maybe they shouldve stressed the
new Communication Plan a bit more prior to
promotions or PGAs . . . Just sayin
Congratulations on a decision made
by one of our B/Cs . . . wait. What!?!?! It
wasnt a good decision that had the members
of the Battalion in mind based off common
sense and simple Mathematics . . . hmmmmm.
Along with adding another Paramedic Rescue
at FS 46 and 66 comes a bit of shifting of
personnel. At FS 66, they had a whole unoc-
cupied side when Division 2 was consolidated
to South Division and placed at FS 3, so that
was a no brainer. Im sure there was some
minor fexing and shifting, but at least theres
room. The problem arose when RA 246
moved in. Its a station that is already maxed
out on room before and now adding two more
people to the mix is overload. RA 846 has to
park outside while the new members assigned
to RA 246 have to use lockers located in the
EMS Captains offce/dormitory. An obvious
solution was to put EMS 13 back over at FS
65, where he was previously housed, but B/
C13, wanted to have a 90 day trial period.
Good thing it didnt affect him in his liv-
ing quarters. So lets see . . . FS46: a station
built to house an engine and up to three light
vehicles along with 10 people. As of right
now, theres an engine, three RAs, along with
a Reserve RA and EMS which adds up to = 11
people assigned to a station that has room for
10 . . . OK, FS65: Built to house a Task Force
and three light vehicles along with 16 people.
Right now theres an engine, two RAs, a few
half-fnished personal cars, a boat, a trailer,
another trailer, other random assorted projects,
and eight people. Simple math and common
sense should tell you where the obvious choice
to staff EMS should be, even without a 90 day
Trial Period.
Our fnal story goes to Squad 21. At
a recent fre in FS 66s district, along with the
normal assignment, Squad 21 was attached. It
was a one story commercial with smoke show-
ing and the frst arriving companies asked for
two more Task Forces. When Squad 21 fnally
made their way across four districts to the fre,
the 1st alarm was getting a handle on the fre
and ready to call a knockdown. The Squad
checked in and asked for an assignment,
and the IC told them to Stand By. Other
companies from the 2nd Alarm were arriving
on-scene around the same time and also asked
for assignments, and were also told to Stand
By. A few minutes later, after the true Knock
Down was called B/C 13 called for all of the
offcers to meet at the command post. Squad
21 captain grumpily walked over with a nasty
look on his face, or maybe it was his smile,
and before anybody can say anything, he tells
the IC in front of everybody, SQ 21 will pull
hose, throw ladders, do forcible entry, but they
will never again Stand By . . . hmmmmm
. . . seems to me like he just volunteered the
Squad to be the brand new Command Post
Company. Dont worry Capt. Main, apparent-
ly its only a 45 minute video and youre certi-
fed and you never again have to worry about
being told to Stand By. Im sure the current
Command Post companies, along with B/C 13
and his EIT, will welcome your enthusiasm to
carry their burden for them . . . Just the story I
heard.
OK, thats all Ive got! Keep taking
care of one another. Stay safe and remember
that 2+2 makes sense, play nice, know your
audience, get a cool nickname, fgure out
which formula to use before the media gets a
hold of it, you get out what you put in, FI-1,
read the label, if youre tired sleep in, when
in need of a driver call an already overworked
800 to do your job, watch out for irony, dont
fumble tradition, take 1st relief so you can go
back to sleep, and never Stand By! Keep
sending your stories to wattsfre@gmail.com
Right Sided Weakness at the Firemans
Volleyball tournament in Hermosa Beach.
20 December 2013
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Battalion 13 frefghters tackle a structure
fre on 42nd St on 10/6/13. Photos by
Yvonne Griffn & Rick McClure - EPN
Task Force 66 overhauls a garage fre on
West Blvd. Photo by Yvonne Griffn.
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Jewelers Association. Present this ad and recieve a free gift.
December 2013 21
Companies worked a vehicle vs. Metro bus at Saticoy and
Laurel Canyon on October 14, 2013. Nine of the injured were
transported. Photos by Jeff Zimmerman, EPN
A two car accident at Oxnard St and Fulton Ave in 102s district
resulted in injuries to a mother and her two children on 10/13/13.
Photos by Mike Meadows
22 December 2013
Engine 8 and RA 107 handled a downed
motorcyclist in the 17800 block of Rinaldi.
Photos by Greg Doyle
87s took the 3rd place trophy at LAFCUs
Chili Cook-off. Photo by David Blaire
FS 87-A members stopped for
a pic after live fre training.
Photo by Adam Van Gerpen
December 2013 23
Retiring members Engineer Steve Domanski (33 years) and A/O Bobby Garcia (35 years)
treated their co-workers and friends to breakfast on their last shift at the frehouse.
Photos by Adam Van Gerpen, The Los Angeles Firefghter
Light Force 92, along with the RA and the 800, visited Fire-
fghter Alfred Kuzichev in the burn ward at West Hills Hos-
pital. Al sustained the injuries at the Wilshire high rise fre.
24 December 2013
Send your stories and photos directly to you Battalion News writer
or to the editor at editor@lafra.org
Engine 43 and Culver City Truck 2 handled
this structure fre at 3717 Selby Ave.
Photo by Brian Haimer
FS 61 members helped ease John Durso into re-
tirement by renting the billboard across from the
frehouse to celebrate his 33 years of service.
December 2013 25
D
o you remember when a few old sta-
tions had a gas pump in the oil room?
They were the old hand cranked type.
Our station used to fuel up on the apparatus
floor. We had a twenty foot hose to make it
from the oil room to the rig. One day a gold
badge from downtown saw us fueling up just
by chance as he drove by. It hit the fan. They
had to widen the gate to get the rig in the rear
yard, install a new pump, dig up part of the rear
yard, add electric lines and install a new elec-
tric panel. It was fun to watch.
Remember when you used to change
your private cars oil at the station and dump it
in the used oil drum? No one cared. The city
got a few cents per gallon for the old stuff. Ive
heard that the stations now have to account
for every drop. Years ago some city painters
were seen dumping used paint thinner in the oil
drum. The oil pick-up guy really had a ft and
turned them in.
Do you remember returning a relief
rig right at dinner time? For some unknown
reason this was the only time it could be done. I
once had to return a very old Pirsch from West
LA to the north end of the Valley. Going down
old Sepulveda Pass I laid a smoke screen that
nobody would pass. I had to stop and add oil.
You always carried extra oil for these old dogs.
The lad who was to pick me up got lost. He had
never been out of San Pedro before he got on
the department. A peanut butter sandwich was
my supper that day, many hours late. Thats the
way it was.
Do you remember foor watch? The
doors were always open from 8 to 5 - no mat-
ter what the weather was. Ive froze my tail off
many times sitting on the bench watching for
nothing. Yes, you could sit down. Some old
chiefs would drive by just to check. What a
bummer.
Do you remember when the cook left
the station alone to go shopping? He took the
plug buggy or his own car. Some markets gave
fremen a big discount. One time our cook left
before 0800 and was gone til after 1100. The
Captain was a little upset. The cook went from
downtown all the way to San Pedro for fresh
fsh. It was a superb meal after all the smoke
cleared.
Do you remember Drill Tower 40?
Many Im sure have a lot of happy or weird
memories of that place. If you used the Vincent
Thomas Bridge you had to have a ticket. If you
forgot you went around to the Heim Bridge.
Believe it or not you had to order the tickets on
a F-45. Do they still use that form? How many
times did you go from downtown to Terminal
Island? It was a long drive, short drill, and a
long drive back. Once we went to the tower, on
a very cold and nasty day, and just got there and
OCD returned us red light and siren - big fre in
Highland Park. Back in quarters, the fre is out,
no big deal, except lots of mileage and a lot of
very cold and P.O.d people.
Remember when you worked at cer-
tain stations? You got in on a lot of different
assignments. At old 3s you could be on Truck
3, Engine 3, Engine 203, Snorkle 3, Squad 3, or
be assigned to Light Wagon 3 if it was called
out. Light Wagon 3 was a very strange vehicle.
It had no suspension, very bad brakes, and the
steering was very iffy. I kind of liked it. One
shift I was acting captain on Engine 203 for a
couple of hours, drove Squad 3 on a couple
of runs, and was assigned to Light Wagon 3 if
called out. It got a run at 4 am. A very interest-
ing shift.
Remember when we used to wear
the old blue dungarees? When you bought new
ones you had to wash them several times or you
had blue arm pits or blue underwear. Washing
then in salt water really helped set the dye.
Remember when you had to teach a
lot of the rookies how to drive most of the ap-
paratus? Many didnt know how to use a clutch
or shift gears.
Do you remember when we use to
watch the department training flms in the sta-
tion? Many were narrated by John Milton Ken-
nedy who became famous later on. One time
the projector bulb took a dive. We tried to fnd
a replacement. No one had one due to the age
of the projector. We had to return it the next
day. Had to watch it - no matter what. Thats
what the captain said. I had an old projector at
home so the captain let me go get it. 25 miles
to home, 25 miles back. I used the plug buggy.
Those were the days. Try that today!
North OC/South SD breakfast club visits FS 80
L-R Andy Kuljis, Ben Costantino, Paul Pfaff, Bob Borgman and Ed Diaz
26 December 2013
HIGH RISE FIRE
BRENTWOOD
Photos by Mike Meadows, Steve Gentry, Brian
Haimer, Jefferey Geller, Rick McClure EPN and
Jeff Zimmerman - EPN
A fre in a 25 story high-rise apartment sent eight persons to the hospital on October 18, 2013, including three Los Angeles frefghters. One pet dog
perished in the fames.
Companies were summoned to 11740 Wilshire Boulevard and found heavy smoke showing from a two-bedroom unit on the 11th foor of Building
A at the Barrington Plaza apartments. As LAFD helicopters circled overhead, a well-coordinated attack on the fre by 214 LAFD personnel took less than 45
minutes to confne the fames to the unit of fre origin in the central section of the building.
December 2013 27
During more than 55 hours of continuous duty at the scene, rotating
teams of LAFD members - numbering 347 in all, addressed safety, pet evacuation,
tenant access for critical needs and wellness among the buildings estimated 700
residents, including nearly 150 unable to immediately return to their units on the
ninth, 10th and 11th foors.
28 December 2013
STRUCTURE FIRE
NORTH HOLLYWOOD
Photos by Rick McClure, EPN &
Bernie Deyo
December 2013 29
One man was killed and his wife was hospitalized for smoke inhalation after
a fre consumed their three bedroom home in the 6900 block of Agnes Ave.
on October 16, 2013. Forty-four frefghters took 15 minutes to control the
intense blaze. The cause was listed as smoking.
30 December 2013
BRUSH FIRE
NEWHALL PASS
Photos by Jeff Zimmerman EPN, Rick McClure EPN,
and Mike Meadows
On October 4, 2013, a brush fre erupted along the Old Road in the Newhall
Pass. Firefghters and aircraft from the LAFD, LA County FD and the Nat.
Forest Service fought the fre in heavy winds and had the bulk of the fames
knocked down in just over an hour.
December 2013 31
32 December 2013
HISTORIC CHURCH FIRE
SOUTH LOS ANGELES
Photos by Mike Meadows and Brian Haimer
Firefghters were summoned to 1001 E 27th Street on October 8, 2013, where they found a large two-story church with fre blowing out of the attic.
Firefghters assumed an immediate aggressive attack with hose-lines inside the dark, hot interior and up to the second foor. Within ffteen minutes portions of
the attic and second foor suddenly fell. A frefghter on the second story rode the foor down as it dropped to the frst story. He was trapped in heavy burning
debris and had to utilize his emergency air canister to breathe.
December 2013 33
More than 150 frefghters fully extinguished the fames in three hours
and 45 minutes. Over the next several hours, frefghters carefully salvaged items
from the sanctuary and supported the investigation which is ultimately being
handled by the multiagency House of Worship Arson Task Force
The church, built in the mid-1890s, is along a street that was listed
on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. It was part of a lot history,
especially during the early years of the century, when they had the Prohibition
movements. The Womens (Christian) Temperance Union had meetings here ev-
ery day, Pastor Lawrence Magee said.
34 December 2013
December 2013 35
W
ell, you know what
they say - some
things get better
with age. I can think of just a
few: fine wine, avocados and
oh yes . . . classic cars!
This years L.A.F.D. car show went
off on a beautiful October Sunday in West
Hills. The entrys started arriving around 7:00
am and we were loaded with bright and shiny
sheet metal by nine. On hand this year were
some beautifully restored fre apparatus from
around the Los Angeles area along with cars
ranging from turn of the century models to ones
made yesterday! They came in all shapes, col-
ors and sizes, stock or highly modifed, more
than 100 entries - just check out the photos.
We had Horsepower for an Hour
handling the DJ duties and keeping things live-
ly. Light Force 105 was on hand and provided
demonstrations for the larger then normal
crowd. The guys from Fire Station 87 were our
chefs for the day, providing Tri Tip sandwiches
and hot dogs by the dozen. Firefghters Quest
for Burn Survivors volunteers were running the
raffe and giving away all the loot. Pinewood
derby cars were racing for their trophies.
All in all things went off without a
hitch and we were just about ready to start giv-
ing away the trophies when it sounded like an
F18 Hornet was taxing up the driveway. A clos-
er look revealed that it was the one and only Jay
Leno stopping by for a visit in his latest ride,
a turbine powered Cadillac. Jay got out and
took about a thousand pictures with everyone
in attendance, drove the 1921 steamer pumper
around the show and chatted with the Horse
Power for an Hour guys at the DJ tent.
After that, we made the day for all
the trophy winners by presenting them with
their hard earned awards! The Best of Show
winner again took home a fre axe trophy cour-
tesy of Jason Knight.
A big THANK YOU goes out to all
the helpers - without you guys and gals we
could not even put the show on.
36 December 2013
$38.75 per Shield
Plus UPS
Paid Advertisements:
December 2013 37
O
n Saturday, October 26, 2013, LAFD Handball represented our
Department and profession in a way that we should all be proud
of. Several LAFD members were participating in the Simple
Green U.S. Open of Handball, which is a tournament with 300 entries
from as far away as Ireland and Australia featuring more than $150,000
in prize money. Roy Harvey (92-B) and Chris Yokoyama 92-B) were
competing against Sergio Guzman (73-B) and civilian Steve Carbajal in
a preliminary match of the A Doubles.
There were several off duty LAFD members watching the
match, when someone came to the court looking for a paramedic. One of
the players on another court suffered a heart attack and was pulseless and
non-breathing when we entered the court. Chad Rolish (92-B), Alex Gar-
cia (66-B), Richard Ramirez (27-B), and Salvador Castillon (26-B) im-
mediately started CPR, while someone located the Automatic External
Defbrillator that was kept at the sports club. With Guzman, Yokoyama
and Harvey helping out where needed, the well-oiled team of LAFD
members delivered three shocks with the AED and provided effective
CPR until relieved by the Fountain Valley Fire Department.
Approximately 30 minutes after the incident, when play had
resumed the Firefghters from Fountain Valley returned to Los Cabal-
leros and reported that the patient was awake and holding a conversation
in the ambulance by the time they reached the Hospital. Thirty to forty
people observed the incident, and they were amazed and impressed with
the professionalism displayed by our members. Always remember that
we are looked at as role models, and people that we know rarely see us in
action. This incident reinforced the positive image in the handball com-
munity.
Our success continued on the court, with John Libby Jr. (3-
B) winning the 45 Singles Division. David Diaz (26-A) won the B
Singles Division. Andrew Gutierrez (FPB) won the 60 Singles Divi-
sion, while Chris Yokoyama (92-B) and Roy Harvey (92-B) won the A
Doubles Division. Retired members John Murray and Bobby Raya faced
each other both with civilian partners for 3rd Place in the 60 Doubles
Division, with Murray and his partner winning.
Upcoming events are the Turkey Burner one-day tourna-
ment on November 30th at Los Cab, and the LAFD Fall Singles Tourna-
ment fnals at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on December 12, 2013. All
active and retired members are invited.
David Diaz B Singles Champion
Bobby Raya and John Murray
(in middle)
Roy Harvey, Naty Alvarado Sr., Chris
Yokoyama A Doubles Champions
Bobby Raya, Chris Yokoyama, Roy
Harvey, John Libby, Andy Gutierrez
38 December 2013
T
he fire and life safety education partner
of the Los Angeles Fire Department
has been busy! Thanks to some terrific
collaboration with firefighters in the field, our
education and awareness programs continue to
make a difference for students and older adults.
Check out some of our ongoing activities and
accomplishments:
THE GREAT SHAKEOUT 2013
Every year, MySafe:LA designs a
drill around the Great Shakeout that brings
frefghters and students together for a realis-
tic MCI training exercise. The drill took place
on October 17th in 20s district. This year, our
drill was the center of attention for a number
of agencies, including CalOES, USGS, Red
Cross, LAUSD, SCEC, and Council Members
OFarrell and LaBonge. By 0400, our media
center was crawling with satellite trucks and
reporters.
Coordinating with ESB and with
help from Metro Fire and PIO Captain Jaime
Moore, MySafe:LA conceived a drill that
would include an earthquake preparedness
assembly, followed by an MCI requiring fre-
fghters to respond.
The assembly was a huge hit, fea-
turing Seismologist Dr. Lucy Jones from the
USGS and frefghter (and MySafe:LA direc-
tor) Margaret Stewart and her dog Bo. After the
assembly, the students went back to their class-
rooms for the annual Drop, Cover and Hold-
On exercise that began at precisely 10:17
A.M. followed by a large-scale evacuation
of the school.
During the evacuation, faculty de-
termined 20 students and teachers were miss-
ing. These students and teachers had been
moulaged to simulate quake-related injuries,
and they were trapped throughout the campus.
On arrival, Truck 20 Deuce Tom Kitihata put
his crew to work and asked for additional re-
sources. Battalion 11 arrived and IC Captain II
Zipperman (from ESB) ran the operation using
the MySafe:LA EAP. Check out the video on
the MySafe:LA website.
Media coverage of the drill was huge,
and TV, radio and print were saturated with im-
ages of LA frefghters at work. Our thanks to
Chief Rueda, who attended the event, as well as
Chief Ruda for his commitment to making the
drill run well - and to Capts Zipperman, Men-
doza, Ott, Moore and Kithata. Great job to all
members who participated!
Some valuable takeaways from this
drill include:
LAUSD wants the principal to stay
with students, but the initial on-scene com-
mander may expect the principal to come out
and fnd the IC.
First on-scene IC must ensure the
best possible intel from all on-site sources.
After a major quake, Metro wont
have the resources you want. Train for degrad-
ed mode.
Heres an update on our ongoing programs.
THE JUNIOR FIRE INSPECTOR
PROGRAM:
In the spring of this year, we com-
pleted our frst phase of the Junior Fire Inspec-
tor (JFI) program. Conducted in at-risk neigh-
borhoods, and supported by a FEMA grant, the
Junior Fire Inspector Program targets schools
via LAFD Battalions, with Batt 11, Batt 12, and
Batt 13 our areas of focus for phase-one.
The JFI program involves multiple
trips to each school, teaching students how to
inspect their homes, how to get working smoke
alarms in place, and how to spread the word
on fre safety. We provide FREE smoke alarms
and batteries, as well as inspection forms, es-
cape plans and videos. Students who complete
their home fre inspection and return completed
forms earn their own Junior Fire Inspector ID
card. This fall, we are in phase-2 of the JFI Pro-
gram. We want to shout out a special thanks to
Captain II Chuck Ruddell and his crew from
89s for his invaluable help in shooting our JFI
video.
THE OLDER ADULT FIRE SAFETY
PROGRAM:
The older adult program is aimed at
helping older adults to know what to do in
the event of a fre or other life safety emergen-
cy. Fire is the primary issue - and as with the
Jr. Inspector program, we offer FREE smoke
alarms and batteries. The Older Adult fre es-
cape plans we are developing are unique to old-
er adults. And our new FireSmart:LA brochure
is different as well, with larger type and more
check lists. Well have all of our program ma-
terials in place by the frst of the year, and will
conduct multiple visits in January thru April of
2014 - months in which older adults seem to be
most at-risk.
Were working on this program in
specifc neighborhoods, not limited by bat-
talions for now, but potentially in the future.
Thanks to B/C Greg Gibson for connecting us
with safety expert Meri-K Appy, who is now
part of our team for this program. Weve also
December 2013 39
A portion of fre-related
jewelry profts donated to
the Widows, Or phans and
Disabled Firemens Fund.
Paid Advertisement:
secured an Older Adult Fire Safety spokes-
man in actor Jack McGee, a former FDNY
frefghter, who has starred in Backdraft and
the popular TV Series Rescue Me. He joins
basketball and Olympics star Pau Gasol as a
MySafe:LA and LAFD ambassador.
THE 4TH AND 5TH GRADE FIRE
SAFETY PROGRAM:
This is the traditional Fire Safety
Program that weve produced for years - and
on which weve enjoyed excellent collabora-
tion with LAFD members. Our trained and
uniformed fre educators talk with the students
about fre safety. The presentation includes lots
of visuals - flms, demonstrations, interactive
handouts, etc. But the real highlight for the
kids is the arrival of the frst-in fre company to
demonstrate their tools, turnouts and apparatus.
During one busy stretch this summer, we had
three appearances in a row featuring Captain
Rick Godinez, who just happened to be work-
ing a 72-hour shift. He and his crew did yeo-
man duty for the kids each time, and we cant
thank him (and them) enough.
OTHER PROGRAMS:
MySafe:LA also supports several
other key initiatives:
Earthquake preparedness and sur-
vival - via our QuakeSmart:LA program
Water safety and drowning preven-
tion - via our WaterSmart:LA program
Pet safety and frst responder K9
EMS training - via our 3Barks program
We have a web video series on K9/
pet safety called Before the Barks; and were
about to launch a new fre education web series
on the LAFD called Smoke Eaters.
Volunteer!
Wed love to have you join our cadre
of LAFD members who volunteer, typically
one or two days every other month. If youre
interested, or just to learn more, please visit our
website at www.mysafela.org.
40 December 2013
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LIVING TRUSTS
JOHN DURSO, Captain II, FS 61-B
SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014
Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive, Granada Hills CA
Social Hour: 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM
Menu: Buffet Style Dinner
$50 includes tax, tip and gift
Call FS 61 - (213) 485-6261
SPECIAL PRICING
TO ALL FIREFIGHTERS
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December 2013 41
O
n August 17th, 2013, the LAFD Grap-
pling Team once again competed in a
Badgefights Charity event. This time
it was against a tough and ready Huntington
Beach Police Department team.
The event took place in Anaheim at
the Phoenix Club in front of more than 1,000
screaming fans that came to support their fa-
vorite team. The National Anthem and Amaz-
ing Grace were performed by Alexis Hall, ac-
companied by Lauren Womack on the guitar.
After a moment of silence given for those that
have gone before us, a Warrior Ethos speech
was delivered by Roy Burns (Retired USMC,
LA County Sheriff Dept) getting the crowd
ready for the nights exciting match ups.
The rules are easy - two warriors en-
ter the cage and battle for points or a submis-
sion to stop the match. Just two rounds, three
minutes each. At the weigh-ins earlier in the af-
ternoon, all competitors are given the specifc
rules as to which moves and holds are legal or
not. The idea is to raise money for charities of
fallen Police, Fire and Military Families, com-
pete fairly and go back to work the next day.
The frst match of LAFD vs HBPD
had Benjamin Sample submitting his opponent
in the second round. LAFDs Ellery Beltran de-
feated his opponent in the next match up. Next
Joe Mendoza and Terry Tuzzolino, both from
LAFD, had intense matches but were unfortu-
nately defeated.
The Main Event (and deciding
match) was Michael Caro (LAFD) vs Mark
Wershing (HBPD). Both grapplers had agreed
on a catch weight of 205 lbs. At the weigh-in,
the HBPD grappler was 215 lbs! Caro was a
feisty 195 lbs. Caro was given a few points be-
fore the match started as a penalty for the op-
ponent coming in over weight. During the sec-
ond round the HBPD grappler was injured and
unable to continue. Going to the score cards for
the decision, Caro was declared the winner as
he had scored more points by a takedown and
near submission in the frst round. That win
gave the LAFD team the victory over the Hun-
tington Beach cops. There are already rumors
of a rematch . . .
The next match up had Santa Ana
PD vs Orange County Fire Authority. All were
great battles with the ultimate victors being the
charities. That evening OCFA was victorious
over SAPD.
Badge Fights is a charity grappling
league with more than 65 teams from across the
country. If you are interested in forming a team
or having an event for your charity contact:
Michael Caro at michaeldcaro@gmail.com
Check out Badgefghts.com for up-
coming events.
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42 December 2013
Metro Fire Academy
O
n Saturday, October 26, 2013, cadets
of the LA Metro Fire Academy held
their graduation exercises at the Frank
Hotchkin Memorial Training Center. The acad-
emy is a program designed for High School
students that develops leaders, teaches disci-
pline, and inspires community engagement.
Paid Advertisement:
December 2013 43
T
he annual LAFD Fallen Firefighters
Memorial event hosted by the LAFD
Historical Society was held at the Fallen
Firefighters Memorial in Hollywood in Octo-
ber. The program was well attended by more
than 200 active and retired members and their
families. Also in attendance were the families
of many of our fallen members.
Mayor Garcetti, Councilman Tom
LaBonge and Fire Chief Cummings were
joined by several speakers including a special
addition to the program from the Prescott Ari-
zona Fire Department. Battalion Chief Ralph
Lucas thanked the LAFD Historical Society
for paying a special tribute to the 19 frefght-
ers who died in a wildland fre. The Historical
Society had several memorial pavers engraved
with their names in the Memorial Plaza. An
emotional speech was given by Emily Pizinger,
remembering her father who died while on ac-
tive duty in a diving accident.
A special part of the program was the
donation of a huge LAFD badge made in honor
of Firefghter Glenn Allen who died from in-
juries at a house fre in the Hollywood Hills.
Artist Tim Lampros made the beautiful badge
which is now on display in the museum.
44 December 2013
a copy of the article and will include it in our
written instructions for our memorial service
since this will assist our daughter and son when
handling the arrangements. Your article will
provide details which we had not considered or
included.
Upon showing the article to my wife,
Barbara, she said that she recognized your last
name from her time at San Pedro High School.
Barbaras maiden name was Jerkovich and she
graduated in 1945. I graduated from Banning
High in Wilmington in 1943. We will be
married for 66 years this November. This truly
shows what a small world that we do live in.
Sincerely,
James F. Person, LAFD retired
To the LAFRA Board of Trustees
While (my husband) Darrell was an active
member of the LAFD and after he retired, he
would tell me, When time comes and I die,
call the Relief Association. They will take care
of you. I had no idea how right he was.
Starting with the very frst gentleman my
son spoke with, he was so kind and sensitive to
our loss. He very carefully explained the help
you had in place for us if we wished to take
advantage of it.
Even your older, long retired members are
treated and remembered with such dignity. My
husband was a member of the LAFD and bells
rang ten times throughout the city in honor of
him. Thank you for that.
I got a call from Gene Bednarchik who said
that he would like to come to the memorial
service and present me with a fag that had
been fown over 63s, and say a few words
about Darrell. He told me that Darrell was his
captain when he was a rookie, and then again
when he made engineer. Our children and I
had talked many times during those frst few
days about Darrells 34 years of service, and
had wondered if there were rookies on the job
now that he had helped to train. Training new
frefghters was one of Darrells favorite parts
of being a captain. His talk about Darrell was
funny at times and it was very clear that he truly
knew and respected him as a fellow frefghter
and man. I cant thank Battalion Chief Gene
Bednarchik enough for sharing another side of
Dear President Jacobsen,
Hi, my name is Jean, and my dad, Wally
Dugan, was a frefghter with LA City for
34 years. I am writing to you to express my
familys appreciation of the great work being
done by the LA Firemens Relief Association.
Our Dad passed away a month ago. Soon
after, my brother David contacted the Relief
Association because my mom remembered
that they might be able to help with funeral
costs. David spoke to Andy Kuljis. He was so
relieved to learn that Andy was there to help
with anything we needed. He took care of
the paperwork details, contacted current and
retired frefghters to let them know about my
dads passing and his funeral details, organized
having a bagpipe player at the service, attended
the service with his wife, and presented my
mom with a fag that few over Station 69
where our dad served as a Captain II. We found
comfort in knowing that Andy had worked with
our father. We were pleased with the chance to
talk to other frefghters who had worked with
our dad and who attended the funeral because
they had learned about it from LAFRA.
We are proud of our dads service with
LAFD for so many years. We are grateful for
the service provided to our family by Andy and
the LAFRA after our dads passing. During our
time of pain and confusion, Andy made our
family feel greatly loved and taken care of. We
were treated as family.
Sincerely,
Jean Dugan
A huge Thank You to Dave Marino and Jim
Stiglich for the 13/16 on the 395!
Dave and Kevin Lowe
Andy:
Just a brief word to express my appreciation
for the informative article that you wrote for
the October issue of the Grapevine. Even
though my wife and I have prepared for our
eventual departure from Gods creation, this
rapidly deteriorating planet called earth, we
found the information well worth using. I made
Darrell that many of our friends didnt know.
His memories of my dear man were a real gift
to me, our children and grandchildren.
I am so happy that Darrell had a career that
brought him so much pride and gave him what
was most important to him, which was to serve
others.
Sincerely,
Jeannine Thomas
Relief Assn.
This check is in memory of my good friend
Jim Choner who worked with me at FS 63 and
also was my boat partner. As per his familys
wishes, we would like it to go to the Widows
and Orphans fund.
Most sincerely,
Phil and Amy MacBride
San Juan Capistrano, CA
To the editor,
I recently went to a reunion at Fire Station
109. It was the frst time I have gone back to a
fre station since I retired 28 years ago. To my
pleasure, I found a great group of frefghters
and their families having fun with food and
friends.
I realize that even with the problems that may
be occurring in the fre department, the LAFD
is still a great place to work for frefghters and
their families.
Nicholas Casson, LAFD retired, FS 109
Hi Andy,
Please accept this donation to the WODFF
in memory of Joseph O. Michell, a great harbor
guy. I knew him before we got on the job (off
of the same list he was in the 2nd class and I
December 2013 45
was in the 4th). So I guess that is 65 plus years.
Us WWII vets are having a hard time making it
out of our 80s but it has been a great run.
Sincerely,
Werner Wahlers, a Pedro guy always
Oxnard, CA
Hi Andy,
Please accept this donation to the Widows
and Orphans Fund in memory of Captain Bob
Orman. He was a true offcer and gentleman
and good friend. He was the skipper of that
there vessel referring to Old Boat 2. Well
all miss his great laugh and smile.
Sincerely,
Si and Sue Clarke
LAFRA:
Please accept this donation to the Widows,
Orphans and Disabled Firemens Fund in the
memory of Hans R. Wolf, known to his friends
as Bob. We became friends in the drill tower
in 1955 and shared many fond memories
since then. We are saddened by this loss of an
outstanding friend and freman.
Allan & Shirley Richardson
Oceanside, CA
Ask for your Getting Started Kit today by calling
Marlene Casillas, Relief Association Development & Marketing Director, at
(323) 259-5217 or email at MCasillas@LAFRA.org
Pick an estate planning professional
Make an appointment
Protect loved ones & hard earned assets
Avoid taxes and court battles
Create a legacy
PROTECT
YOUR FAMILY!
Send your letters
& comments
to the editor at:
editor@lafra.org
46 December 2013
Dear Joe,
Greetings to you. I awoke this morning with you on my mind. I hope that these
four verses will speak truth to your soul and provide you with a solid basis for
Hope.
Our God of Hope
Romans 15:13 New International Version
May the God of hope fll you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that
you may overfow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
study note; God of hope. God is the source of eternal hope, life, and salva-
tion, and He is the object of hope for every believer by the power of the Holy
Spirit. The believers hope comes through the Scripture which was written and
is applied to every believing heart by the Holy Spirit.
His Word of Hope
Romans 15:4 New International Version
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that
through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they
provide we might have hope.
study note; encouragement. sometimes translated as comfort. The word of
God not only informs believers how to endure, but it also encourages them in
the process (of enduring). hope. Without the clear and certain promises of the
Word of God, the believer has no basis for hope. *the implication is that by
having the clear and certain promises of God communicated through the scrip-
tures the believer has every basis for Hope!
A Living Hope
1 Peter 1:3-4 English Standard Version Born Again to a Living Hope
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great
mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrec-
tion of Jesus Christ from the dead,
study note; abundant mercy. The reason God provided a glorious salvation
for mankind is that He is merciful. Sinners need Gods mercy because they are
in a pitiful, desperate, wretched condition as sinners. (Eph 2:4, Titus 3:5) has
begotten us again. God gave the new birth as part of His provision in salva-
tion. When a sinner comes to Christ and puts his faith in Him, he is born anew
into Gods family and receives a new nature. a living hope. The living hope
is eternal life. In the Bible, hope is not uncertainty or wishful thinking, but a
confdent expectation of future blessing based on facts and promises. Living
indicates the undying and permanent character of this hope.
Joe, as always I am wanting to encourage and support you. The most
powerful way I can do that is through the Word of God - His word never fails.
Have you ever considered where your Hope lies?
Many years ago when I was fairly new on the job, I myself was at
wits end. I was exasperated. I had grown up in a religious home. I knew the
rules or thought that I did, but in the midst of great emotional trial I realized
(fnally) that I had no peace and that I couldnt rescue myself. Even the god that
I had been worshipping couldnt help me the one I had created was a fgment
of my own imagination. So I gave up, tapped out, threw in the towel . . . hit my
emergency traffc so to speak. Its the best thing that Ive ever done. In Christ
surrender is winning!
One evening I pulled out the bible that one of my sisters had given
me years prior as a Christmas gift. I read her words over and looked up the pas-
sages of scripture that she referenced and for the frst time it all made sense. By
Gods grace I knew for the frst time it was true. I read from Romans telling me
that there was none righteous, that all of us are like sheep gone astray, that no
one seeks after God, that I had a wicked heart. It was because I was born that
way that I sinned every day. I realized that I needed a Savior. I prayed giving
my life to God the best I could and He began to work out the details from then
on.
For the frst time in my life I had peace, peace with God. This peace
was an objective reality based on Gods promise. The same peace is available
to everyone who humbly surrenders and calls upon the name of the Lord.
Last verse,
Faith that Brings Peace and Joy
Romans 5:1-2 New Living Translation
Therefore, since we have been made right in Gods sight by faith, we have
peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because
of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where
we now stand, and we confdently and joyfully look forward to sharing Gods
glory.
I will stop here. I hope that this is okay. I so wish that we could sit
and chat so that I might be able to see how you are doing inside and what you
are thinking. As a chaplain and friend I care about your well being.
I am praying for you and your family.
God bless you.
Brother / Friend / Chaplain
George
1
the name has been changed to protect confdentiality
the study notes listed are from the MacArthur Study Bible
*
authors addition
H
ave you ever had someones name suddenly come to mind?
Have you ever reached out to that person only to hear the words,
Im so glad you called. Youre not going to believe what Ive
been going through? It might have been news from a doctor, a rela-
tive, an employer or even a spouse, but some where and for some reason
somethings gone wrong.
I recently woke up early only to fnd myself thinking of a
friend. I wasnt too surprised as I knew that he had some bad news days
before. Burdened - In a word I felt a weight of sadness and anxiety for he
and his family. Knowing that he was in the midst of a tough situation I
wasnt comfortable calling him. I didnt want to add to his circumstance
by bothering him, so I decided to write him a letter.
I sat down at my computer and I tried crafting a message of
Hope. Recently I had been the recipient of just such a letter. The message
I had received and the positive affect it had on me was still fresh in my
mind.
The following letter is what I wrote to my friend. Im sharing it
with you knowing that perhaps youre also currently in a diffcult situa-
tion. My Hope for you is that the words shared here will lift you up from
despair. We all need Hope. The kind of Hope we need is the kind that
provides a frm foundation for all time. There is a way, founded in truth,
that gives life and Hope to all whom believe.
December 2013 47
MEMBERS
MONTE M. VANCE, FIREFIGHTER III. APPOINTED FEBRUARY 20, 1971.
RETIRED ON A DISABILITY PENSION APRIL 16, 1992. PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 05, 2013.
JAMES L. CHONER, ENGINEER. APPOINTED APRIL 01, 1961.
RETIRED ON A SERVICE PENSION MAY 03, 1992. PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 13, 2013.
JOSEPH O. MICHELL, JR, FIREBOAT MATE. APPOINTED JANUARY 25, 1949.
RETIRED ON A SERVICE PENSION JUNE 01, 1978. PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 23, 2013.
RONALD J. VANCE, FIREMAN. APPOINTED SEPTEMBER 01, 1962.
RETIRED ON A DISABILITY PENSION DECEMBER 09, 1970. PASSED AWAY NOVEMBER 01, 2013.
FAMILY
ELIZABETH K. BEAVER, SURVIVING SPOUSE OF REX O. BEAVER, PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 04, 2013.
LILLIAN GOODWINE, SURVIVING SPOUSE OF LEO G. GOODWINE, PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 13, 2013.
ALTHA MIRTLE, SPOUSE OF BRYCE MIRTLE, PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 23, 2013.
SANDRA MARTIN, SURVIVING SPOUSE OF WILLIAM L. MARTIN, PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 24, 2013.
visit:
www.LAFRA.org
mail:
P.O. Box 41903
Los Angeles CA
90041
phone:
(800) 244-3439
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48 December 2013
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F
irefighters Lauren Baer (52-A), Craig Kuykendall (82-A) and Ru-
ben Lopez (MFC-C) participated in the 2013 Scott Firefighters
Challenge in Hermosa Beach on September 21, 2013. The Chal-
lenge (which appeared on ESPN for a dozen years) annually attracts
hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments at more than
25 locations. The competition seeks to encourage firefighter fitness and
demonstrate the professions rigors to the public. Wearing full bunker
gear and the Scott 5.5 Air-Pak breathing apparatus, pairs of competitors
race head-to-head as they simulate the physical demands of real-life fire-
fighting by performing a linked series of five tasks including climbing
the 5-story tower, hoisting, chopping, dragging hoses and rescuing a life-
sized, 175 lb. victim as they race against themselves, their opponent
and the clock.
Check out the Scott Combat Challenge at www.frefghter-
challenge.com
Craig Kuykendall Lauren Baer Ruben Lopez
December 2013 49
by Mike Mastro, President/CEO
Los Angeles Firemens Credit Union
Dear Member,
Serving the frefghter family has
been a privilege during my past 33 years of
service to LAFCUs members. The birth of my
frst grandchild, Connor, a couple of years ago
and the ensuing relationship I enjoy with him
reminds me of the gift of family as well as
the value of the heritage of LAFCU member-
ship and the contribution we as a fre family
make to one another. I especially feel gratitude
for the connection we have and the manner in
which you have embraced me and my family
by providing the privilege of serving as your
L.A. Firemens Credit Union CEO.
My relationship with my frst grand-
son has put me in a refective mood. One huge
refection is the signifcant contributions that
have been achieved by the team effort of ev-
eryone involved in our fre family (i.e., fre-
fghters, family members, board members and
staff). I am so inspired by our progress that I
wrote a letter to my grandson so that he can
know a bit of this wonderful frefghter credit
union heritage which his grandfather is blessed
to be a small part. When the letter was com-
pleted I was surprised with what all of us have
accomplished together over these past several
years. It was so encouraging that I decided to
share my letter to Connor with you. While I
know that we have an even more productive
future awaiting us, I invite you to look over
my shoulder as I write to Connor a recap of
our wonderful story. I hope you enjoy reading
it as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Thanks again for the distinct privilege of serv-
ing each one of you.
Mike Mastro
President/CEO
Dear Connor,
This year, I proudly celebrated my
33rd year of employment and membership at
Los Angeles Firemens Credit Union and the
Credit Union celebrated its 78th anniversary.
Although you are only 2 1/2 years old, I wanted
to drop you a note for your parents to read to
you when you become a bit older and let you
know how valuable and special your member-
ship in Los Angeles Firemens Credit Union is.
First and foremost, I cant tell you
how very honored I have been to be able to
serve the fnancial needs of men and women
who risk their lives daily in order to help others
in need. In fact, the life of your great grand-
father was saved several years ago due to the
quick and professional work of several of our
member frefghters.
I signed you up for membership the
day after you were born to ensure that we could
begin saving for your future education (I will
teach you about the miracle of compound in-
terest when you get older). You dont yet know
the difference between LAFCU, a not for proft,
member-owned fnancial co-operative and a
for proft bank. Although both provide similar
fnancial services, there are philosophical dif-
ferences that are enormous and make LAFCU
unique.
As a member, you have equal owner-
ship and one vote (unlike at banks which have
voting based on the number of shares that are
purchased through stock brokerages) in elect-
ing a volunteer, unpaid Board of Directors
whose members represent your interests in ev-
ery decision they make.
Since LAFCU has members and not
stock-holders (who are paid dividends and
wish to gain the highest profts and share price
possible) any earnings beyond capital accumu-
lated for safety and soundness are returned to
you in the form of higher savings rates, lower
loan rates and low fees. At LAFCU, you also
should know that the credit union has also paid
out millions of dollars in the form of interest re-
funds and Bonus Dividends. In 2012, they paid
back approximately 20% of its net income to
members like you. I have to admit, your grand-
mother (Nona) and I have been able to have
nicer vacations and pay off a few extra bills
because of that generosity of spirit and in-
tent by your Board of Directors to improve the
fnancial lives of its member/owners.
Today, I am often pleased to hear
members say that they have ultimate trust in
Los Angeles Firemens Credit union to protect
their familys wealth and dont worry about
reading and signing often lengthy real estate
documents because they have deep trust in
their Credit Unions integrity and honesty.
Connor, you are too young to understand the
deeper meanings of trust and integrity but you
will come to understand that one of the most
important things in life is being able to know
that your best interests and well being are
looked after by those who care most about you
like your mom and dad, as well as your grand-
parents. You have your college account with
LAFCU (and although a small amount today,
with continued modest but regular deposits ),
you can be assured that because your credit
union leads with that spirit of integrity, those
dollars will grow and be there for you to help
you create a successful future. This concept of
trust and integrity at LAFCU was actually born
out of the culture of the frefghter community
where frefghters rely on each other in very
diffcult and dangerous situations, have each
others back and that saving a member of the
community is of the utmost importance. There
was no greater example of that than during the
deeply challenging events of September 11,
2001, (9/11) where over 300 frefghters per-
ished in their efforts to save others.
Connor, this Credit Union has stood
strong and assisted our members in good times
and bad, growing out of the darkest days of the
1930s depression as well as the better years
that followed. Many members have purchased
homes, cars and, yes, all the toys that our mem-
bers and their families build memories around.
The Credit Union has also assisted countless
members by extending loans and consolidat-
ing loans when personal fnancial challenges
arose.
I am also very proud as I know you
will be to know that your Credit Union put
in place a charitable foundation to assist Fire
Families in need. In fact, its name Fire Fam-
ily Foundation is perfect for the focus and
good works it does for our Fire Families who
need a helping hand. Due to these activities,
as well as the exclusive focus on frefghters,
LAFCUs members have developed ferce loy-
alty to this Credit Union.
I am so happy that you will continue
to enjoy the value of membership in a special
fnancial Institution where Its Yours is not
just a slogan, but a deep promise backed up
by commitment and execution. Connor, if you
become a frefghter instead of a lighting en-
trepreneur - due to your fascination with lights
and ceiling fans in particular - you would make
this grandfather very proud!
Papa
50 December 2013
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December 2013 51
LAFD HISTORY
A HUMOROUS LOOK AT THE LAFD FROM 1781 TO 1958
Submitted by Frank Borden Director of Operations, LAFDHS
T
he following humorous Quick His-
tory of the LAFD was written by a
talented LAFD member for the attend-
ees of the Annual International Association of
Fire Chiefs Conference held in Los Angeles
in 1958. I added the photos from our photo ar-
chives.
1781 -1870: Every visiting freman should
indulge in the pleasure of poking fun at the
host. This account might serve as ammunition
or as a source of enjoyment as you compare it
with your own history. Our ancients undoubt-
edly fought fre with the same zip and fervor as
yours. They left us no accurate records of their
frefghting endeavors. Probably the main dif-
ference between our past and yours is that we
fought fres with a Spanish accent. Our earliest
accounts mention three gallon leather buckets,
the zanjas (irrigation ditch), and the peon (the
vast majority of the citizenry). Structure fres
in those good old days were a rarity in these
parts. We wish we could lay claim to a supe-
rior fre department, adequate zoning, and a
terrifc building code and give it to you as an
answer. The real reason was simply our adobe
construction, tile roofs and wide open spaces.
1871 1885: As more and more Americanos
entered the area, we evolved into the glorious
era of a downtown business district, sprawling
wooden residential areas and the famous vol-
unteer fre companies. As in your cities, our
volunteer fremen were full of pride, socially
and politically prominent, and by their own
admission, the best fre eaters on earth. Our
Confdence and Vigilance engine compa-
nies polished, varnished and fought fre (and
each other) in the highest of fre department
traditions. We had six volunteer companies
and, as each had to be the best, the competi-
tion was terrifc. We had our plug guards like
some of you did. He was the companys fastest
runner and was equipped with a wooden barrel,
leather lungs and a stone like expression. He
would run ahead of the engines to the scene,
put his barrel over the closest fre plug and stoi-
cally survey the confusion until his company
arrived to perform feats of fre suppression that
encroached upon the miraculous.
1886 1900: Our city progressed and grew,
and by ordinance, created the Los Angeles Fire
Department. The tears and wails of the volun-
teer fremen were quenched with regular pay
and most of the 380 members were incorpo-
rated into the department. This was our orga-
nized introduction to the Rules and Regulations
(R&R), discipline, and fremanship effciency.
In an attempt to eliminate the oppressive traf-
fc problem, R&R #18 confned responses to
a trot and strictly prohibited racing. This
oppressive restriction caused one of our engi-
neers to design and build the hanging harness
for lightning like responses. We possessed the
modern touch because one of our rules stated
fatly that destruction of property by water
was ineffcient fremanship. Progress was
steady for in 89 we used the new Civil Service
personnel procurement system. This must have
been an improvement over the spoils system
because in that year one whole company was
discharged by the Commission then promptly
reorganized from a new list. By 91 our bud-
get had soared to $91,700 and in 93 the frst
fre chiefs burden (the annual report) was
published. In 98 we foated our frst Fire Bond
Issue for the tidy sum of $150,000. We were
defnitely on the way!
1901 1912: This is the period of Fire De-
partment renaissance, famous fremen, more
famous horses and studying for promotions.
We started our Relief and Pension fund and the
annual battle of the budget. We built a few
fre houses along classic lines and bought some
of the most beautiful fre equipment that has
ever been built. We started to really go mod-
ern with the purchase of a seven passenger
Locomobile for the Fire Commissioner. This
was followed by years of debate between pro-
ponents for and against the horse. We plunged
into the age of motorization with an additional
purchase of three pieces of motorized hose
wagons. Our Departments shops were soon
busily engaged in converting the heavier horse
drawn equipment into motorized apparatus. We
took progress in stride even to the extent of
getting along with the public citizen. To their
delight, our station houses began to conform
to the surrounding structures it was the be-
ginning of our bungalow type houses. Our city
retaliated with a Firemens Pension Commis-
sion and a comparatively fne attitude toward
us.
In the fall of 1883 the last of the volunteers were
christened Morris Vineyard Hose Co.No.3.
In 1911 the LAFD had 163 fre horses.
The last horse purchased was in 1915
and in 1921 all the remaining horses
were retired to Griffth Park. This is
Blackie, the last LAFD fre horse in
Griffth Park.
52 December 2013
Engine Company 7, located at 328 E.
24th St. opened in 1899 and closed in
1921. Land cost: $1,200, construction
cost: $4,660. It sure resembled a castle.
1915 -1919: The Chief Engineer was induced
to give up his horse and buggy for a Maxwell
Roadster. His comments are unrecorded but he
must have glowed with pride. We were then
able to rid ourselves of the horse and buggy
slavery of a 30 day month working period. Our
two platoon system didnt come easily as we
had to shut down 10 engine companies due to
fnancial pressures. Fortunately for us, effcien-
cy was markedly increased by this greatest hu-
manitarian movement experienced within the
fre department. The organization of our Fire
Prevention Bureau came next. With 50 select-
ed fre personnel the whole fre prevention ef-
fort was more effectively conducted and it be-
came a real source of pride. It even included an
educational program in the city school system.
We entered a statewide contest between cities
to determine who could produce the greatest
progress in Fire Prevention measures in a one-
year period. Even though we didnt win, we
made tremendous improvement. One forward
move was the formation of the Arson Squad. It
enabled us to achieve some fashing success in
our battle against the fre bug.
1922 1925: With all this progress in motion
it was inevitable that the last days of the horse
were upon us. It was a day of great emotions
for freman and citizen alike. The Bleeding
Hearts never had it so good! An offcial com-
mittee was duly appointed by the Mayor to
cope with the civic crisis. Their fnding was to
retire and pension all remaining fre horses
to Griffth Park (which was better than hay) for
the remainder of their noble lives. The Depart-
ments training program with its modern drill
tower, drill master, and all that it implies, was
greatly augmented by civilian sources. The
technical staffs of local business and public
services were marshaled to assist in the for-
malized training of fre department personnel.
While the training program progressed, we
took a long step toward handling the brush fre
menace that plagued our watershed area in the
city. The Mountain Patrol was organized, the
area was compartmented by fre roads and fre
breaks, and the frst move toward the door to
door inspections for public education and pro-
tection was commenced. We then opened up
the frst advanced fre school in the nation. It
was an off-duty affair with cutaways, working
models, and the latest of training aids. In less
than two years it had an enrollment of 1,247
and was operating without excessive confict to
normal department functions.
1926 1933: The Photography Bureau was
then brought into the fght against fre and
the fre bug and quickly proved itself of great
and lasting value. Our next venture was the
formation of a Public Relations Detail. Their
prime mission then, as now, was to sell desired
reforms to a generally disinterested public. It
was now high time to abandon the day shift,
night shift form of platoon duty and bring on
the alternating day type of working arrange-
ments. This and other reforms were made that
greatly improved the life of the Fireman. A
holdout system was devised by a city employee
and we burst forth with the frst automatic fre
alarm system with selector capabilities. Need-
less to say, this was loved and adored by fre-
men and next door neighbors alike.
1941 1950: The expected normal growth and
progress continued during the next few years
with the usual budgetary cramps and enlist-
ments into the Armed Forces. Our fringe ben-
efts included department furnished stoves and
ice boxes. Maybe it wasnt much of a gain at
the time, but now we have city fnanced hand-
ball courts and outlets for electric blankets. As
soon as the war was over we made rapid strides
toward the use of radios as a means to increase
our mobility and control. Training and equip-
ment were geared to rapid post-war expansion
and our growth and progress was probably
much like yours. Perhaps our most spectacular
moves were in the feld of Fire Prevention. We
instigated city-wide, house-to-house inspec-
tion movement at company level. This was in
conjunction with our comprehensive business,
industry, school and institutional program. Of
course there is no intention to let up, but this
closes the remaining fre prevention gap so far
as money and time permits. We have ample re-
cords to show the value of this program.
Present Age 1958: Because your memories
are good and records readily available, we will
make no further defnite claims. Our recent
efforts will probably parallel yours wherever
we have like needs. We have radar on our fre
boats, good crash wagons at the airports and
lots of water carrying apparatus for a fast, close
quarter attack on fres. We are especially active
in the felds of personnel management, admin-
istrative organization, public education and
mutual aid. Civil Defense, radiological effects
on our industry and community, planning for
the future, and other current topics receive their
fair share of attention. We havent mentioned
In 1914, four Christie fre
engines were purchased
at $4,500 each. They were
assigned to Engine 2, 11,
20, and 25.
A 1954 LAFD Cadillac Ambu-
lance stationed at Fire Station
27 and now on display at the
Hollywood Fire Museum in
Old FS 27. It is owned by Joe
Ortiz, a long time Board mem-
ber of the LAFDHS.
December 2013 53
C
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r

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e
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e
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0
1
3
our Rescue-Ambulance service, pension plan,
sports program, or the million and one other
items that comprise a segment of any modern
fre department. We fully intend to experiment
and progress to the fullest extent permitted a
large department. So in closing, we ask you an
obvious question - Have you ever seen a more
sincere effort at hiding the skeleton?
Franks Note: It would be great if someone
from the LAFD would assist me in continuing
this humorous timeline to 2014, i.e. 1959-1970,
1971-1980, 1981-1990, 1991-2000, 2001-
2014.
Engine 3 had one of the LAFDs 1937
American LaFrance Duplex pumps with
two engines able to produce 3,000 gpm.
This photo is from the 1950s when my
Dad was an Engineer at 3s on the duplex.
The duplex pumps ran with a large mani-
fold wagon. This concept was developed
by Fire Chief Ralph. J. Scott for the high
value areas of the city
LAFD Annual Fallen Firefghters Memorial
The annual LAFD Fallen Firefghters
Memorial event hosted by the LAFD Historical
Society was held at the Fallen Firefghters Me-
morial in Hollywood. The program was very
well attended by about 200 LAFD retired and
active members and family and the families of
many of our fallen members. Mayor Garcetti,
Councilman Tom LaBonge and Fire Chief
Cummings were joined by several speakers in-
cluding a special addition to the program from
the Prescott Arizona Fire Department. Battal-
ion Chief Ralph Lucas thanked the LAFD His-
torical Society for paying a special tribute to
the 19 frefghters who died in a wildland fre.
The Historical Society had several memorial
pavers engraved with their names in the Me-
morial Plaza. An emotional speech was made
by Emily Pizinger who remembered her father
who died while on active duty in a diving ac-
cident.
A special part of the program was the
donation of a huge LAFD badge made in honor
of Firefghter Glenn Allen who died from in-
juries at a house fre in the Hollywood Hills.
Artist Tim Lampros made the beautiful badge
which is now on display in the museum.
Old Fireboat 2s 88th Birthday
On October 20th Old Fireboat 2
the Ralph J. Scott was 88 years old. On the
26th the LAFDHS held a birthday party to cel-
ebrate this National Historic Landmark that is
now covered in a huge tent that the Port of LA
provided to protect the Boat from the environ-
ment. Fire Chief Cummings spoke about his
experience working on the boat for one day
as a rookie and Executive Director of the Port
Geraldine Knatz spoke about the boat and its
historic signifcance and made sure that every-
one knew that a permanent museum building
for the boat will be constructed in the future. It
was a great occasion for many of the active and
retired LAFD harbor frefghters to get together
and tell their many stories about the boat.
Mayor Garcetti at the podium speaking
to the crowd in the Memorial Plaza.
Photo by Mike Meadows.
This is one of those special times with
fve Fireboat Pilots together - active and
retired. Left to right Derek LeDuff - Fire-
boat 2, Bill Dahlquist (retired) - Fireboat 2,
Steve Mueller - Fireboat 4, Mike Corcoran
(retired) - Fireboat 2, Frank Baker (retired) -
Fireboat 2. Photo by Gordon Briggs
Whats New at the LAFDHS
Engineer Don Nash, FS 51-C and
LAFDHS Board member has been very busy
with our photo archiving project. He has set up
a great photo stream on fickr at http://www.
fickr.com/photos/lafdhs and has just set up a
Facebook page for the Historical Society at Los
Angeles Fire Department Historical Society.
In a few days it received more than 1,000 hits.
Thanks Don!!
We will need to look into Mayor
Garcettis Volunteer Corps organization to as-
sist us at the Hollywood Fire Museum with a
variety of jobs including docents, maintenance,
archiving, inventory, public relations, market-
ing and many other tasks needed that we cannot
fulfll at the present time.
54 December 2013
CALL TO ORDER
President John Jacobsen called the meeting
of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles
Firemens Relief Association to order at 10:27
a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Jacobsen, President
Juan Albarran, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee James Coburn
Trustee Robert Steinbacher
Trustee Doak Smith
Trustee Steven Domanski
Trustee Jeff Cawdrey
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Tufts
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Barry Hedberg Pension
Trustee David Lowe Pension
David Ned Smith - Executive Director
Controller Todd Layfer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Michael Overholser (Excused)
Trustee Gene Bednarchik (Excused)
Trustee Chris Hart (Excused)
Trustee Rick Godinez (Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson Pension (Excused)
GUESTS:
David Wagner, Grapevine Editor
Lee Kebler, L.A. Retired Fire & Police
Bob Olsen, L.A. Retired Fired & Police
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Andy Kuljis led the invocation. David Lowe
led the fag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to ratify
and dispense with the reading of the minutes of
the Board of Trustees meeting held September
4, 2013. David Lowe so moved. Craig White
seconded. There was no further discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with
the reading of the minutes of the Board of
Trustees held September 4, 2013.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) John Jacobsen informed the Board that they
will present a plaque to Monica Garcia for
her ten years of service to the L.A. Firemens
Relief Assoc. He thanked her for her hard work
and dedication to the LAFRA members.
2) Jacobsen informed the Board that Executive
Director, David Smith has given his notice and
will be retiring from LAFRA in 60 days. He
indicated that David Smith has also agreed to
come back part-time to help with the transition
of the move and to fnd a replacement for his
position.
3) Jacobsen mentioned that Rick Godinez and
Steve Berkery attended the Colorado Springs
Memorial. Steve Berkery indicated that it was
a great opportunity to attend this event and
represent Dee Santos, with the help of Melanie
Allen. He stated that the whole event was
outstanding and indicated that it was truly an
honor to represent the LAFD.
4) Jacobsen referred to the Pension Dept.
meeting scheduled for tomorrow and indicated
that they will discuss recommendations for
members that live out of the country and how
it relates to Medicare and their subsidy. He
indicated that he will report back to the Board
after the meeting.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Juan Albarran stated that they have dates
set for the Pechanga LAFRA Reunion in May
2014. He indicated that it will be one week
before the last reunion.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
David Smith reported that they had sent out the
RFPs last week to fve architects. He stated that
they are due back by next week and indicated
that they will work with the project manager
to narrow them down to two or three for the
interviewing process.
INVESTMENT REPORT
Robert Steinbacher mentioned that he and
Jacobsen had visited Wedgewood in St. Louis
and indicated that they were satisfed with their
infrastructure and location. He reported that
we are currently going through the process of
closing the position with Cohen & Steers and
complete the reallocation to Wedgewood.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
1) David Smith reported on the Golf
Tournament and indicated that it was a success
and collected $125K in gross income. He stated
that after expenses, they are looking at $82K
net income.
2) David Smith mentioned that they had made
the employee medical plan open enrollment
somewhat more formal than previous periods.
He indicated that they used the same material
for employees that they send to the membership
and it was mailed to their homes.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
REPORT
Robert Steinbacher presented the following
motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to
pay the usual and customary bills in the amount
of $995,869.07. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary
bills in the amount of $995,869.07.
The committee recommends and I so move
to pay the professional fees in the amount
of $138,709.20. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to pay the professional fees in
the amount of $138,709.20.
The committee recommends and I so move
to donate up to $300 to the LAFD Leadership
Academy for their ceremony refreshments.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to donate up to $300 to
the LAFD Leadership Academy for their
ceremony refreshments.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Barry Hedberg presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to
accept the applications to the Medical Plan.
There was no discussion and no objections.
LOS ANGELES FIREMENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
October 2, 2013
December 2013 55
Motion carried to accept all applications to
the Medical Plan.
Jacobsen referred to the proposed Express
Scripts formulary change and stated that it will
exclude 48 brand name drugs that they will
no longer offer. He stated that the option for
LAFRA is to accept this change or opt out. He
stated that if we opt out, it will cost LAFRA
about $300K in rebates and if they opt in, it
will give LAFRA around $400K in addition
to the existing rebates. He indicated that the
committee has discussed and identifed that
there will be member disruption. He stated
that there will be about 600 people affected.
He indicated that some members should have
no issues of changing to alternative drugs and
others may have concerns. Barry Hedberg
indicated that this will affect all companies
contracting with Express Scripts and does not
only include LAFRA. Jacobsen also mentioned
that this formulary change will begin January
1, 2014 and stated that letters will be sent to
members and providers prior to this date.
The committee recommends and I so move to
opt into the Express Scripts formulary change
with the option to opt out if necessary. There
was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to opt in to the Express Scripts
Formulary change with the option to opt out
if necessary.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to
pay:
The Sick & Injury benefts in the amount of
$16,185.60,
The Estate Planning beneft in the amount of
$8,275,
The Life & Accident Death Benefts of $12,000,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals of $2,495,
The Relief Death Benefts in the amount of
$31,500.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief
benefts.
James Coburn read the names of members who
recently passed and asked for a moment of
silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Pasquale J. Buono
Larry D. Munden
Joseph L. Young
Frank S. Gorman
James E. Kemp
Ramon F. Haro
Thomas W. Johnson
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
James Coburn presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to
accept the donations in the amount of $4,293.26
to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens
Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the
amount of $4,293.26 to the Widows, Orphans
& Disabled Firemens Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve the fnancial assistance applications for
surviving spouses, active and retired members.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the fnancial
assistance applications for surviving spouses,
active and retired members.
EMERGENCY ADVANCEMENTS
James Coburn presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move
to approve the emergency advancement
applications for active and retired members.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the emergency
advancement applications for active and
retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEB REPORT
1) David Wagner asked if the Board had
selected a person or group to honor at this
years LAFRA Open House event.
Barry Hedberg motioned to nominate Lee
Kebler as the LAFRA Honoree for the Open
House event. Robert Steinbacher seconded.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to honor Lee Kebler at the
LAFRA Open House event.
2) David Wagner indicated that they need
Battalion News writers and asked Trustees
to ask around and let him know if anyone is
interested in writing.
SECRETARYS REPORT
Andy Kuljis reported that they have attended
many funerals lately. He also stated that he has
gotten a great response from the article he has
written in the Grapevine.
SETTING OF DATES
1) California Firefghters Memorial,
Sacramento October 5th
2) LAFD Fallen Firefghter Memorial
October 12th
3) LAFD Car Show October 13th
4) IFEBP Annual Conference
October 20th 23rd
5) LAFRA Open House December 7th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Dennis Waters October 25th
Odyssey Restaurant
2) David Yamahata October 26th
Japanese American National Museum
3) Joe Foley November 30th TBD
ADJOURNMENT
John Jacobsen entertained a motion to adjourn.
David Peters so moved. Craig White seconded.
There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of
Trustees meeting adjourned at 11:38 pm.
John Jacobsen, President
Monica Garcia was honored for her ten
years of service to LAFRA and its members
56 December 2013
Donations to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund
October 2013
WALMART
BUCKLES & CAPS PROCEEDS
FICKENWIRTH BENEFITS ADVISORS in memory of RAMON HARO
WAYNE H. SEDEN in memory of my brother CAPT. RICHARD D. SEDEN
CAROL A DOLL
DAVE & MARLENE MARTIN in memory of BOB ORMAN, our brother-in-law
FIRE STATION 43 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
JEANETTE T. CHUCK C/O REDWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL
MARCHING BAND BOARD in memory of Matthew McKnight
RICHARD F. RUSH in memory of CAPT. ROBERT ORMAN
FIRE STATION 114 in memory of ILSE KWASIGROCH
SILAS CLARKE III in memory of CAPTAIN ROBERT ORMAN
CHARLES L. MACKIE in memory of CHARLES CHARLY BREAZEAL
ANONYMOUS DONATION in memory of BOB ORMAN
HARRY M. MORCK in memory of WALLACE DUGAN, JOSEPH YOUNG, JR.,
EDWAD HOGLUND & EARL MAZZARI
JAMES D. REILLY in memory of HANS R. WOLF
JANICE ABDULIAN in memory of CHARLES BREAZEAL
TOM & CHARLENE PIEPER in memory of our friend CHUCK BREAZEAL
VIRGINIA TURLEY
JOE DE LA CRUZ in memory of ROBERT SMITHS 60TH BIRTHDAY
DONALD R. SPREEMAN in memory of JIM CHONER
PHIL & AMY J. MAC BRIDE in memory of JIM CHONER
DELBERT C. THOMPSON in memory of JOE MICHELL
VICTOR L. PATRON in gratitude to FIRE STATION NO. 6
FIRE STATION 114 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
FIRE STATION 88 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
FIRE STATION 15 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
FIRE STATION 114 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
DANIEL J. KEMP
ALLAN E. RICHARDSON in memory of HANS BOB R. WOLF
SALLY A. BASCOM in honor of CHARLES BREAZEAL
SUSAN E. REINWASSER in memory of CHARLES BREAZEAL
RALPH D. BASTIEN C/O BASTIEN FAMILY in honor of
CHARLES BREAZEAL
MR. & MRS. FRANK ORTIZ in memory of CHUCK BREAZEAL
JERRY L. ATTEBERY in honor of CHARLES BREAZEAL
TRUST (X3)
FIRE STATION 96 from the FIRE EXTINGUISHER FUND
UNITED WAY, INC. (X2)
MR. & MRS. PAUL F. VIROBIK in memory of EDWARD CASTLE
MRS. NORMA A. AGUIRRE in memory of CHUCK BREAZEAL
FRANCIS M. BROWN in memory of BOB ORMAN
AUVERNE DIEFFENBACH in memory of BOB ORMAN
RAMONA BECK in memory of CHARLES BREAZEAL
AT&T UNITED WAY EMPLOYEE GIVING CAMPAIGN
CONSTANCE MALLER in memory of CHARLES CHARLIE
FREDERICK BREAZEAL
BONNIE ROSS
TERENCE W. OCONNELL
KEVINE M. POORE
ALFRED B. RAINE
JOSEPH D. FLORES
TAMARA JENKINS
ROBERT R. KNIPSCHEER
THOMAS R. SMITH
RICHARD WAGONER
LILLIAN GOODWINE
JOHN J. PATCHETT
HOLLY HAMNER in memory of JOSEPH O. MICHELL
JOSEPH WILKINSON in memory of DIANA BOGUCKI
MELANIE ALLEN in memory of my husband GLENN ALLEN
NORA RAMOS in memory of WALLACE DUGAN
DON, ELLEN & RITA SMITH in memory of WALLY DUGAN
THERESA STACK in memory of WALLY DUGAN
PHYLLIS FORNERET in memory of JEFFREY JOHNSON
JERRY SCHNITKER in memory of ROBERT ORMAN
DEBRA COOK-LEWIS in memory of CHARLES BREAZEAL
EILEEN WELCH in memory of WALLY DUGAN
LESLIE, LARRY & KEVIN WELCH in memory of WALLY DUGAN
DIANE CHESTER in memory of EDWARD CASTLE
RONALD DUGAN in memory of my uncle WALLACE DUGAN
HEIDI MOSS in memory of FRANK ARGUELLO
ROBERT CLIFFORD in memory of DOMINGO ALBARRAN
HARRY & SUSIE MACGREGOR in memory of HANS ROBERT WOLF
JOHN SCHERREI in memory of DAVID HEREFORD
December 2013 57
We are privileged to have received gis from these individuals and families. Other dedicated
members preferred to remain anonymous. Each has chosen to leave their legacy with the Los Angeles
Firemens Relief Associaons Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund. We thank them for their
generosity and kindness.
Al bert A. Spohl er & Fami ly
Al i ce Kei l l or
Al vi n S. Weaver
Bernard Subkoski & Cel este Di cki nson
Cal l ahan Estate
Cl ai borne Estate
Don Cate
Ernest C. Bilsland
Eval yn Mae Phi l l i ps
Frank Leavi & the Leavi Fami l y
Gary & Mary Kl asse
Harol d & Isabel l a Schargi tz
James & Dorothy Loughran
Jerry & Ni na Sul l i van
Kurt Stabel
Leroy Estate
Marl ene Casi l l as
Mary Anne Pal mer
May C. Parks
Robert & Jean Board
Ruthford Chri stensen Crandal l
58 December 2013
MERCHANDISE
FOR SALE
PIERCE BROTHERS VAL-
LEY OAKS Memorial Park/
Westlake Village. Oak Knoll
Mausoleum Court 11 #101 &
102D. 2 single crypt spaces
side by side on the most
desirable level. $35,000 OBO.
(818) 426-6160.
PROJECT CARS. 1954
Mercury. 1957 Ford. 1939
Ford 2-door sedan. 1940 fords
- 2 and 4 door sedans. 1940
sedan delivery. 1961 T-Bird
convertible. 1941 Railway
Express van. Miscellaneous
parts. Contact Jim McPherson
LAFD retired. (805) 501-8102
or email jimmymac567@
charter.net
REAL ESTATE
FOR RENT
ATTENTION - ROOM FOR
RENT!!! 2000 sq.ft Single fam-
ily dwelling. Prefer single per-
son. Newhall / Santa Clarita
area 2mins from costco,10
mins from the SFV. Large
backyard w/pool and jacuzzi.
Washer / Dryer. $850 utilities
included. Interested contact
Ernie (818) 326-4054. LAFD
member. Min 6-month lease.
Credit check upon rental.
HORSE PROPERTY, LAKE
VIEW TERRACE - Near FS24.
3 bedroom, 2 bath, newly
remodeled kitchen with granite
countertops and stainless
steel appliances. Formal liv-
ing room, plus family room. 3
pipe corrals, arena, 2 barns,
trail access. Motor home and
horse trailer parking. Gardener
included. Available October.
$2800/month. Eng. Ames
(818) 257-4549.
REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
BEAUTIFUL BOISE IDAHO
HOUSE. 4000 Sq Ft., 4
bedroom, 3 bath, prime view
with Foothills Nature Reserve
(BLM) trails over back fence,
15 minutes from airport, 40
minutes from ski slopes, over-
look downtown. $569, 900 on-
line. MLS# 98505356. Contact
agent at (208) 870-8292.
BEAUTIFUL, SINGLE LEVEL
HOME available in Mill City,
Oregon. Single owner, retired
L.A. Fireman, now deceased.
Quiet neighborhood on dead
end street. Built among trees,
gorgeous meadow behind, un-
equaled view of the Cascades.
3 Bdrm, 2 1/2 baths. Natural
landscape with 150 yr. old
Maple in the side yard. Plenty
of room for RV, boat, trailer
etc. Contact Judy Quillin, 503
559-8643;
email: JudyQ@equitygroup.
com
MLS#640292
GOLF COURSE HOME
VIEWS of Lake Chelan from
nearly every window. 3.5
baths, 4 bedrooms, great bar,
gourmet kitchen with granite
counters and island open to
dining and living room with see
thru freplace into library. Mas-
ter bedroom with soaking tub
and freplace. (2) two car ga-
rages, 3700 square foot home
$490,000. (360) 303-1202.
SERVICES
ALTERNATIVE & TRA-
DITIONAL Termite & Pest
Control - ECOLA Ecological
Solutions. Smart choices,
simple solutions. Problem
solved. Call for FREE ter-
mite estimate or pest quotes
over the phone - escrow and
inspections excluded. Fireman
wife Sue Fries - Termite Lady.
(818) 652-7171.
termitelady@ecolatermite.com
COUNSELING SERVICES.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Susan Purrington special-
izes in anxiety, depression,
relational diffculties, eating
disorders, spiritual or per-
sonal growth, marital confict,
family of origin issues. Find
a supportive and confdential
place for healing and growth.
Located in Old Towne Orange.
Questions or consultation:
(949)648-7875
susanpurrington@gmail.com
CRAIG SANFORD HEAT-
ING & AIR - Free estimates,
residential, commercial. Great
rates for LAFD and LAPD.
Toll free (877) 891-1414,
(661) 298-3070, FAX (661)
298-3069. State License No.
527114
GARAGE DOOR INSTALLA-
TION & SERVICE. Garage
doors and openers. Need to
replace your broken springs?
or does your door need repair,
even replaced? We do it all
from new product to repair-
ing old. Call (661) 860-4563
Grassroots Garage Doors, Inc.
Lic# 950020. Son of 35 year
veteran freman.
MARRIAGE, FAMILY, IN-
DIVIDUAL COUNSELING.
Licensed therapist Cathy
Chambliss helps couples and
individuals work through con-
ficts in relationships, stress,
anxiety, affairs, communica-
tion issues, and divorce. All
counseling is confdential.
Insurance taken. Call Cathy at
(310) 303-9132. Offce located
in Hermosa Beach.
www.cathychamblissmft.
com
REBECCA MARTIN LAND-
SCAPE. Architectural land-
scape design and installation.
A full service design/build land-
scape frm that creates unique
custom exterior environments
that will increase the value
of your home and bring you
years of outdoor enjoyment.
Rebecca Martin, LAFD wife.
(818) 216-3637. Lic# 936577.
rebeccamartinlandscape@
gmail.com
TAKE ADVANTAGE while
rates are still low. Everbank
is a nationwide direct lender.
Refnance, purchase, primary
residence, investment prop-
erties. We offer all products,
conventional jumbo, FHA VA,
HARP, 20 year experienced
loan originator. References
available. Call today for a
quote. Scott Keller (949) 874-
2392 or
scott.keller@everbank.com
NMLS #212066
WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS
- vinyl replacement windows
& Patio doors. I also carry
aluminum, wood and entry
door systems. Rick Brandelli,
Capt. LACoFD, FS 8-C (800)
667-6676. www.GeeWin-
dows.com
VACATION
RENTALS
BIG BEAR CABIN - All sea-
son, restful views from decks.
Two story, sleeps 6, half mile
to lake, two plus miles to
slopes. Fireplace/Wood, cable
TV/DVD/VCR. Full kitchen,
completely furnished except
linens. Pets ok. $95/$105 (two
day minimum). $550/$600 a
week, Beep or Donna Schaffer
1+(760) 723-1475.
www.schaffercabin.com
BIG BEAR CABIN. 2 bed-
room, 2 bath, 2 story. Sleeps
8. Near ski slopes & lake.
Fireplace/wood, cable TV,
DVD,VCR, full kitchen. Com-
pletely furnished. $85/$95
per night. Minimum 2 nights.
Holidays extra. Weekly avail-
able. All Season. Sheri (909)
851-1094 cell or (760) 948-
2844 home.
BIG BEAR LAKES FINEST-
Deluxe lakeside townhouse,
2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 cable
TVs, HBO, DVD, WiFi, 2 wood
burning freplaces, laundry
room, tennis court, indoor
pool, sauna, spa, boat dock.
Fully equipped, including all
linens. Sleeps 6. 310-541-
8311 or email nmbigbear@
gmail.com
CATALINA BEACH COT-
TAGE - 3 bedrooms, 1 bath,
one block to beach, view, fully
equipped housekeeping unit.
Marci (818) 347-6783 or Clar-
ence (310) 510-2721.
CLASSIFIEDS
December 2013 59
JUNE LAKE CABIN -
2BR/2BA cabin with Carson
Peak view. Close to fshing &
skiing. Furnished, wood deck,
equipped kitchen, wood burn-
ing stove, tree swing, cable /
DVD/phone. Garage/ample
parking. $95/night plus clean-
ing fee. Email for pictures. Jeff
Easton 93-A (805) 217-5602.
junebound@gmail.com
LAKE HAVASU LANDING-
Waterfront, steps to the water.
Boat mooring out front, off-
road desert behind house. 3
bed/3 bath, fully furnished w/
linens. Direct TV/DVR, BBQ,
Casino, Grocery/Meat Market,
Launch Ramp, Marina with
Boat House, Gated Commu-
nity. No pets/smoking. $350
Dan Cook 310 418 1577.
LAKE HAVASU BEAUTY
FOR RENT - 3 bdrm, 2 bath,
1600 sq.ft. Fully furnished
with all amenities- Laundry &
BBQ. 13,000 sq.ft. lot. 3 car
boat-deep garage. 3 miles
from launch ramp. Close to
downtown shops & restau-
rants. View of the lake. Quiet
street in good neighborhood.
No pets. No smoking. Snow-
bird rates. Call Mike (661)
510-6246
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2
bedroom, 2 bath, sleeps 6.
Near Canyon Lodge. Newly
remodeled recreation room
with pool and spa. Laundy
facilities, condo has been
beautifully remodeled. Photos
available on website. Winter
- $300 per night, Summer -
$150 per night. $150 cleaning
fee. Call for holiday terms and
pricing. Joseph Angiuli (626)
497-5083.
MAMMOTH CONDO-CHAM-
ONIX. 2 bedroom & large loft,
3 full baths, sleeps 8. 5 minute
walk to Canyon Lodge. Fully
furnished, TVs, VCR/DVD,
pool, spa, rec room, sauna,
linens included. Winter $175
weekdays, $195-weekends/
holidays; summer $125, plus
cleaning. No smoking; no pets.
Craig Yoder (909) 948-3659.
MAMMOTH CONDO Cozy
2 bedrooms, 2 bath. Fully
furnished, WIFI, 3 TVs, pool,
spa, walk to shuttle, Old
Mammoth area. Winter $115,
Summer $90, plus maid $126.
Includes linens. No pets, no
smoking. Call (310) 540-4648.
MAMMOTH CONDO NEXT
TO THE GONDOLA VIL-
LAGE Fully furnished, three
bedroom, two bath with towels
and linens, newly remodeled
kitchen, internet and cable
TV, pool and Jacuzzi. Walk to
the gondola, shops, restau-
rants and ski in on the new
comeback trail. Parking at the
front door. Winter: $250/night.
Summer $150/night. Holidays
$300/night. Cleaning is in-
cluded. Call Mike Whitehouse,
Retired, 805-987-6122, email:
btkwhitey@yahoo.com or
Bruce Galien, Retired, 661-
645-7448, email: luvbaja2@
aol.com
MAMMOTH CONDO AT
MAMMOTH ESTATES,
4BR/3BA, sleeps 10, fully
furnished, 2 TVs, DVDs, WiFi,
towels/linens, freplace. Full
kitchen. Walk to Gondola
Village and shuttle. Complex
has pool, spa, sauna, laundry.
Winter $335/night, Summer
$215/night, plus cleaning.
Includes city bed tax. No pets,
no smoking. Dory Jones (310)
918-0631 or Kelly Corcoran
(310) 619-5355
MAMMOTH CONDO - 2 bdrm,
2 bath, 2 TVs, phone, garage,
pool, jacuzzi, fully furnished
- exept linens. Near shuttle/
chair 15. Winter $125/night.
Weekends and Holidays $110
midweek. Summer $95/night.
$495/week. No smoking. No
pets. Jim Johnson (818) 992-
7564, FS 80C.
MAMMOTH CONDO rental.
Large 2bed/2bath winterset
condo. Fully furnished, across
from Vons, on shuttle route,
easily sleeps 8. Hot tub,
heated pool, sauna, full size in
unit W/D HDTV/WiFi through-
out, woodburning freplace,
pets OK FIREFIGHTER
DISCOUNTS, rates from $150/
night
facebook.com/mammoth-
mtncondo@yahoo.com
Ryan @ (310) 717-8483
MAMMOTH CONDO - Sierra
Manors Sleeps 7. 3 bedroom
2 1/2 bath. Fully furnished ex-
cept linens. 2 TVs/VCR/DVD,
stereo/CD. Dishwasher, mi-
crowave, sauna, jacuzzi, pool.
No smoking/No Pets. Shuttle
at door. Winter $155/night,
Summer $100/night, Plus $80
cleaning fee and City Bed Tax.
Brian & Karen Salvage LAFD
Retired (805) 499-7752.
MAMMOTH LAKES - One
bedroom, extremely charming
wildfower condo. Full ameni-
ties, close to shuttle. Antiques,
art, satellite TV, freplace.
Sleeps 4. Winter $110, Sum-
mer $85 plus cleaning fees.
Call Bill Clark (818) 371-6722
Email: shakesong@aol.com
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Studio/loft, 2 bath, king bed,
sleeps 4. Full kitchen, TV,
VCR, DVD. Garage parking.
Walk to Canyon Lodge. Ski
back wall. 2 night minimum.
Winter $100/nite, $126 Fri, Sat
& Holidays. Summer $50/nite.
Plus $95 cleaning & linens.
Jeff & Lisa Moir. LAFD Air Ops
(661) 254-5788.
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Walk to Canyon Lodge. Studio
loft sleeps 4. Queen beds, full
kitchen, 2 baths, garage park-
ing, TV, VCR, DVD. Winter
Sun-Thurs $100.nite; Fri & Sat
$115/nite plus cleaning fee
$100. Non smoking complex.
Joel Parker, LAFD retired.
email: cat25sailor@juno.com
or (213) 399-6534.
MARIPOSA/GOLD COUN-
TRY. North entrance to
Yosemite. 2 bedrooms, 1 bath,
sleeps 6. Newly built. Com-
plete kitchen, washer & dryer,
wi-f, satellite TV. Seasonal
rates. www.thecottageonev-
ergreenlane.com
Call 888-977-1006
MAUI BEACH FRONT
CONDO ON NAPILI BAY -
50 from water. Studios and
1 bdrm. Luxury furnishings +
full kitchen. All the amenities!
Mauis best snorkeling/beach.
All island activities & Ka-
palua within 4 minutes. 5-day
minimum, from $150 per night
(regularly $310 night). Call
Sherrie or Bill for info/reserva-
tions (805) 530-0007 or email:
pmimaui@aol.com
or visit: www.napilibaymaui.
com
MAUI CONDO 1 AND 2 BED-
ROOMS. Centrally located on
beautiful Maalaea Bay. Excel-
lent swimming and snorkeling;
white sandy beach. Minutes
from golf, tennis, fshing, shop-
ping, airport and resort areas.
Marsha Smith or Jeanne
McJannet. Toll free (800) 367-
6084. www.maalaeabay.com
PALM DESERT-3 bed/2bath,
one level. New re-model, fully
furnished w/linens. Cable TV/
DVR, Private Patio, BBQ,
Laundry, Garage, Gated Com-
munity, 2(Pools, Jacuzzis,
Tennis Courts). Near College
of the Desert. $175 Dan Cook
310 418 1577.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Romantic Chalet Family
getaway. 3 bed/2 bath plus
loft. Sleeps 810. Cable TV,
washer/dryer, microwave,
woodburning stove. 7 minutes
to casinos and Heavenly.
Located in Tahoe Paradise.
$105 per night plus cleaning.
Call Shawn or Rose Agnew
at (661) 250-9907 or (661)
476-6288.
VACATION
VEHICLES
LUXURY RV FOR RENT. New
class A 40 motorhome. Sleeps
8, bunk beds, 4 slides, 4 TVs,
fully loaded. $270/day (with
active/retired frefghter/police
discount), includes cleaning
fee and unlimited miles. 3-day
minimum, tow dolly avail-
able. Get more, pay less. Call
Shawn, LAFD. (888) 540-
4835. www.ocdreamrv.com
60 December 2013
December 2013 61
The crew from old Fire Station 17 (on Santa Fe Street) poses with a portable monitor and their logo T-shirt. According to members who
worked there at the time, Sweat Hogs referred to the massive amount of supply hose the engine carried, not the Vinnie Barbarino hair-
cuts.
Wagon 17, a 1963 Crown manifold rig known as Big Bertha was paired with a 1964 Crown 2,000 gpm pumper. The wagon carried 2000
feet of 3 hose that could bring in supplies off of different water mains. S.W.E.A.T. H.O.G.S. stands for Special Water Emergency Attack
Team, Holocaust or Greater.
Top row, left to right: R. Laret, B. Gonzalez, R. Decker, C. Grahek, C. Cornwell, S. Trappeltti, J. Meyers
Bottom row: B. Rubino, J. Zabalza, R. Moore, E. Tapia
Photo by Engineer John Verdone
November Grapevine_11-2013.pdf 1 11/5/13 8:19 AM
Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association
815 Colorado Blvd FL 4
Los Angeles CA 90041-1745

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