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December 3, 2021
Here’s the latest news impacting Los Angeles Firefighters…

Feature
Elderly woman found dead in Chatsworth mobile home fire
Firefighters found a woman’s body at the scene of a mobile home fire Tuesday evening in Chatsworth, prompting a search for the home’s other occupants and an investigation into the blaze. Units were called at 5:31 p.m. to 20652 W. Lassen St. and found flames coming from a mobile home, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Crews knocked down the fire in 26 minutes and found the home packed with items, which they described as “excessive storage conditions.” Firefighters found the body while searching through “at least four feet of debris,” the Fire Department said. The woman was declared dead at the scene.

Man dies after massive oak tree falls onto Encino home
A 60-year-old man was killed when a large tree fell into a two-story house in Encino, authorities said Monday. Three residents of the home escaped safely after the tree toppled onto the house at 5006 N. Odessa Avenue., located near Hayvenhurst Ave. and the 101 Freeway, at 11:14 p.m., said Los Angeles Fire Department Firefighter Nicholas Prange. Heavy rescue and urban search and rescue teams were summoned to the scene to free the fourth resident who was determined to have died, Prange said. Those teams continued to work to free the body for the coroner, he said. The Mayor's Crisis Response Team was responding to the incident at the house.

Massive blaze rips through commercial building south of downtown Los Angeles
More than 100 firefighters battled a greater-alarm blaze at a textile-filled commercial building in the Central-Alameda area of Los Angeles Thursday evening. The fire was reported at 7:48 p.m. in the 4800 block of South Alameda Street, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The roof collapsed over an 80,000-square-foot building that adjoined four different buildings, Stewart said. Thick plumes of smokes visible from miles out filled the sky as firefighters fought the flames with the help from aerial ladder trucks. A fire also erupted at the location on Tuesday, Stewart said. The cause of the Thanksgiving blaze was under investigation.

Photo by Austin Gebhardt
LAFD Welcomes New Firefighters
The newest Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighters marched in straight lines as command staff and family looked on. The 54 recruits completed the training academy and graduated Friday, Nov. 19, at Valley Recruit Training Academy 81 in Panorama City. It took 20-weeks of rigorous training to earn the coveted badge and the honor of being an LAFD firefighter. The academy class 2021-1 has given them skills for a career serving the public as first responders. The class consisted of 52 men and two women. The recruits will join the more than 3,000 active LAFD firefighters and begin their assignments as probationary firefighters on Sunday, Nov. 21. The Department has 106 fire stations located across its 469 square-mile jurisdiction. The top recruit of the class was female Carly Wopat. Probationary Firefighter Wopat has two other family members in the Fire Service in Southern California. For the first time, the son of a female LAFD member graduated from the Recruit Training Academy. Probationary Firefighter/Paramedic Alexander Greer is the son of active duty Firefighter/Paramedic Christi Greer, a 32-year member of the LAFD, who currently works at Fire Station 97 on Mulholland in Studio City. Fire Chief Ralph M. Terrazas welcomed the new firefighters and ordered them to abide by the departments core values:
–Service – Dedication to our Community
–Professionalism – Honoring the Firefighter Oath
–Integrity – Upholding moral and ethical conduct at all times
–Respect – Embracing diversity and recognizing individual worth
–Innovation – Taking creative risks to adapt and improve
–Trust – Reliance on the integrity, strength and ability of our members
Graduates threw their hats into the air after the ceremony, with recruits embracing each other and proud family members in the shadow of twin ladder trucks displaying a large American flag.

128 LA Fire Department Employees Are Being Sent Home For Defying City's Vaccination Mandate
Los Angeles Fire Department employees who are unvaccinated, haven’t applied for an exemption, and refuse regular testing are being taken off duty. So far, that’s at least 128 employees who are mostly firefighters. They can use banked vacation time, but they will not get a salary. LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas says continued refusal to comply could result in termination. But there are people to fill the openings, including fire academy graduates. In a memo to staff, Terrazas says some staffers are encouraging colleagues "to be insubordinate when they are notified of their off duty status."

Fire Watch
Fire In Large Commercial Building In Boyle Heights
Fire in Large Commercial Building in Boyle Heights
A 50-foot-by-100-foot commercial building caught ablaze in Boyle Heights on Sunday night. Crews have made good progress on both structures. There have been no reported injuries. Flames could be seen emerging from the roof at the back of the structure. One building and two vehicles are exposed. The Los Angeles Fire Department deployed 89 firefighters to work on the blaze. The fire first started in an auto repair shop and then extended into an adjacent commercial building. There was also a fire outside in a nearby alley at the rear of the buildings.

Woman Critically Injured in South Los Angeles Fire
A 58-year-old woman was hospitalized in critical condition today with burns suffered during a fire in South Los Angeles. A 911 call was received at 11:31 p.m. Monday about a fire at 145 W. 99th St., near Main Street, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire had been extinguished by the sprinklers at the two-story, group care home-type facility by the time firefighters arrived, Stewart said. Firefighters found the woman and took her to a hospital, Stewart said. The cause of the fire was smoking in bed, according to the initial investigation, Stewart said.

Photo by Chris Conkle
Historic South-Central strip mall fire knocked down
It took firefighters less than half an hour to extinguish a fire in a strip mall in Historic South-Central Wednesday night, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The fire in the 150-foot-by-200-foot strip mall at 128 E. Washington Blvd. began shortly before 5:30 p.m., the LAFD said in the initial alert. Known as the Los Angeles Fire for the cross street at Washington Boulevard, the fire reached greater alarm status at 5:42 p.m., the LAFD announced in an update. Ultimately, 116 LAFD firefighters knocked down the fire in 26 minutes, though “smoldering fire remains in the parts of the building that experienced structural collapse,” the LAFD added.

Blaze Strikes Downtown Textile Building
Flames engulfed a commercial building housing a textile business in downtown Los Angeles Friday morning, hours after another inferno attacked a South Los Angeles building with textiles inside. The latest blaze was reported at 3:26 a.m. at 1530 E. 16th St. and had been extinguished as of 5:09 a.m., said the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart. Firefighters took up defensive positions outside the burning building to protect two attached structures separated by a division wall, Stewart says. The 115 firefighters put out the flames one hour and 43 minutes after they began, she said.

Firefighters Extinguish Fire in Building with Textiles
Firefighters battled flames at a commercial building where textiles were stored for over an hour before knocking it down Saturday. Fire crews were called at 4:18 a.m. to 520 E. 9th St. where they found a two-story structure with smoke showing, said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange. The building’s sprinkler system had activated and that allowed firefighters to get control of the flames, which had made their way to the building’s mezzanine where textiles were stored, Prange said. The blaze was extinguished in 61 minutes by 92 firefighters and no injuries were reported.

Fire Damages Attic, At Least One Unit in Two-Story Apartment Building
Fire Saturday damaged an attic and at least one unit at a two-story, garden-style apartment building in South Los Angeles. The 51 firefighters dispatched at 12:05 p.m. to 710 W. 82nd St. had the blaze out within 16 minutes of their arrival, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Outdoor Fire Damages Structures in South Los Angeles
An outdoor fire spread to residential structures in the Hyde Park area of Los Angeles Saturday evening. The fire was reported just before 9 p.m. at 740 E. 108th St., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange. “Several residential structures” were damaged, Prange said. The 34 firefighters had the flames out at 9:25 p.m., he said.

Firefighters Battle Hollywood Structure Fire
The Los Angeles Fire Department was dispatched to 1330 N Orange Dr at 5:14 p.m. on November 22 to battle a blaze at a four-story apartment building. The LAFD arrived at the location and discovered the fire in one unit on the third level. According to the dispatch report, two dogs were evacuated by fire officials. Both animals were assessed and treated for smoke inhalation. A total of 36 firefighters doused the fire in 27 minutes most residents waited outside the building for safety (per a voluntary evacuation order by the LAFD), during the incident, noted resident Alek Friedman in an email to Canyon News.

Brush fires temporarily prompt closure of eastbound 134 Freeway in Eagle Rock area
The eastbound lanes of the 134 Freeway in the Eagle Rock area were temporarily closed after at least four separate brush fires sparked near the 134 and 2 freeways late Tuesday morning, authorities said. The fires were reported just before 11:10 a.m. and the four areas of the fire were burning an estimated 150 yards apart near the Glendale and City of Los Angeles border, the California Highway Patrol said. Officials said the fires were quickly knocked down by multiple agencies.

Photo by Ismael Miranda
Fire Crews Contain 2-Acre Brusher in Sylmar
The Los Angeles Fire Department was able to contain an approximately two-acre brush fire at 16010 W. Roxford St. in Sylmar on Thursday. The blaze, according to authorities, was burning at a moderate rate of speed with winds out of the north at 10-15 miles per hour.

First Responder News
Multiple injuries, including 2 children, in 6-vehicle collision in Granada Hills
The California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles County and city fire departments are responding to a six-vehicle collision that injured multiple people in Granada Hills on Wednesday evening. Authorities learned of the crash on the southbound 5 Freeway, just south of Roxford Street, at about 5:23 p.m., according to Officer Figueroa of the CHP. At least five people were hurt, including two children, and “one or more may have been ejected in the collision,” the LAFD added in an alert.

1 killed in 2-car crash in Granada Hills
One person was killed in a violent two-car crash in Granada Hills on Monday evening, officials said. The collision happened around 5:16 p.m. at 13470 N. Sepulveda Blvd. the Los Angeles Fire Department reported. One person, who was suffering from non-life threatening injures, was extricated from one vehicle. Another person was pronounced dead at the scene, LAFD reported.

Pedestrian killed in Harvard Heights hit-and-run; LAPD asks for public's help in finding driver
The Los Angeles Police Department asked the public's help in locating the vehicle and motorist responsible for the hit-and-run death of a 23-year-old man in the Harvard Heights area. The collision was reported at about 7:35 p.m. Friday in 2100 block of Venice Boulevard, near Normandie Avenue, according to Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The pedestrian was crossing southbound Harvard Boulevard, at the intersection with Venice Boulevard in a marked crosswalk, when he was struck by a dark-colored, 2014-19 BMW sedan going eastbound on Venice, the LAPD said. The Los Angeles resident was pronounced dead at the scene.

Photo by Jacob Salzman
3 injured in Chatsworth auto-vs-motorcycle crash
A crash involving a motorcycle and another vehicle Monday in the Chatsworth area left three people injured. Paramedics were sent to the 21400 block of Lassen Street about 11:50 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. One person was taken to a hospital in grave condition, the LAFD reported.

Photo by Rick McClure
Chatsworth Hoist Rescue
At 4:06PM on November 28, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to reports of a stuck hiker in the 10900 block of N Topanga Canyon in Chatsworth. LAFD Air Operations conducted a hoist operation for an uninjured 10-year-old female, who was stranded in a rocky climbing area. She was secured, hoisted and delivered to a nearby ground-level location.

Man Rescued in Bel Air After Being Struck by A Rock
The Los Angeles Fire Department rescued a man by helicopter after he was struck by a rock on a steep hillside, causing non-life threatening leg injuries, LAFD said. The man was performing brush clearance 200 feet down a hillside on Bel Air Road when a rock hit him from behind, LAFD said. It is unknown whether the man was contracted for the brush clearing. The incident occurred around 8:28 a.m. Helicopters are bringing the man to a hospital, the department said.

Photo by Brandon Taylor
Firefighters Rescue Teenage Mountain Biker in Chatsworth
The Los Angeles Fire Department sent out a rescue helicopter for a teenage boy injured while mountain biking in Chatsworth, the department said. A teenage boy fractured his arm while mountain biking around 8700 North Valley Circle Boulevard on a remote trail in the Simi Hills, the department said. The incident was reported at 4:47 p.m. Firefighters are rescuing the teenager via helicopter to transport him to a hospital.

Hiker, 69, Rescued from Remote Area of Pacific Palisades
A 69-year-old man was airlifted to a hospital today after he became ill hiking in Pacific Palisades. The incident was reported at 3:55 p.m. near 19601 Mulholland Drive, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Nicholas Prange. The man was found in fair condition in the remote location and he requested medical assistance, Prange said. An LAFD helicopter hoisted him to safety and took him to a hospital, Prange said.

Photo by Brandon Taylor
Man rescued after fall down cliff in Bell Canyon
A man, who apparently plummeted down a cliff in Bell Canyon, was hoisted up and taken to the hospital Monday evening. Authorities deployed a Ventura County helicopter to assist with the incident, which was first reported at 4:24 p.m. on Saddlebow Road, according to initial reports. The area lies near the border between Ventura and Los Angeles counties. The man's vehicle was stopped but teetering on the ledge when the man got out, lost his balance and fell 200 feet down the hillside, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Because of the steep terrain, rescuers could not assist on foot and instead deployed the helicopter.

Pacific Palisades Hiker Rescued
The Los Angeles Firefighters rescue unit was dispatched to 1544 North Lachman Lane at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, November 19 regarding a hiker that was reported missing for several days. When officials arrived on the scene they discovered an elderly adult male in a remote area in the hills of Pacific Palisades. LAFD Air Operations proceeded with a hoist maneuver to airlift the man and transport the patient to a nearby hospital for medical assessment.

State News
Tracking coronavirus vaccinations in California
Experts say about 85% of Americans will need to be vaccinated to bring the COVID-19 pandemic under control. This page tracks California’s progress toward that goal using data from state and federal authorities.

California Fire Map & Tracker
An interactive map of wildfires burning across the Bay Area and California.

In Remembrance
Remembering Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters
Fireman
Jerry L. Brittenham
Deceased: 11/19/2021
Appointed: 11/2/1963
Assignment: Arson Section
Retired: 2/10/1983

Apparatus Operator
Michael C. Surber
Deceased: 11/5/2021
Appointed: 1/6/1973
Assignment: FS 69
Retired: 2/15/2005

Firefighter II
Harold G. Lackey
Deceased: 11/12/2021
Appointed: 2/3/1958
Assignment: FS 2
Retired: 2/18/1985

Captain II
Richard A. Smith
Deceased: 11/5/2021
Appointed: 9/1/1962
Assignment: FS 26
Retired: 6/28/1995

Fire Inspector II
Thomas R. Smith
Deceased: 11/2/2021
Appointed: 6/12/1971
Assignment: FPB Construction Services
Retired: 6/16/2002

Captain
Gary D. Peck
Deceased: 10/31/2021
Appointed: 3/10/1962
Assignment: FS 102
Retired: 10/3/1991

Fireman
Fred E. Miller
Deceased: 10/26/2021
Appointed: 11/24/1962
Assignment: FS 88
Retired: 7/1/1972

Captain
George McConnell
Deceased: 10/15/2021
Appointed: 5/19/1958
Assignment: FS 24
Retired: 4/13/1986

Fireman
Pat M. Murphy
Deceased: 10/12/2021
Appointed: 6/16/1953
Assignment: FS 85
Retired: 3/26/1983

Captain
Albert C. Abel
Deceased: 10/11/2021
Appointed: 7/3/1951
Assignment: Tractor Unit
Retired: 1/16/1980

Engineer
David C. Bryan
Deceased: 10/9/2021
Appointed: 10/18/1969
Assignment: FS 74
Retired: 5/25/2000

Engineer
James B. Hall
Deceased: 10/9/2021
Appointed: 4/13/1968
Assignment: FS 59
Retired: 4/18/1993

UFLAC’s 2020 LAFD
Year In Review 
On behalf of the approximately 3,400 Firefighters of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC), we are proud to present the 2020 Los Angeles Fire Department Year in Review. UFLAC’s mission is to lead the way to protect and advocate for the health, safety, working conditions, wages and benefits of our members and their families. This book helps to tell the story of our dedicated First Responders who continued to protect lives and property in Los Angeles while risking their own safety during an extraordinary year.
In 2020, our Firefighters and Paramedics responded to more than 444,000 emergency calls for service throughout Los Angeles - an average of 1,213 calls per day. As an all-risk fire and rescue agency serving more than four million people, the LAFD is one of the busiest fire departments in the country and we are ready to answer any call that may come our way. UFLAC is honored to help showcase the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the men and women of the LAFD. Click HERE to view the publication.

About UFLAC: Since 1918, UFLAC has been the labor organization of the proud men and women that serve as firefighters and emergency medical responders protecting the City of Los Angeles. The members of the Los Angeles Fire Department rely on UFLAC to focus on the wellbeing and safety of those that protect the lives of others. For more information, visit www.uflac.org.