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June 4, 2021
Here’s the latest news impacting Los Angeles Firefighters…

Feature
Our deepest condolences to our brothers and sisters of Los Angeles County Firefighters, IAFF Local 1014 for the tragic events of this week. The LACoFD Peer Support Team has been activated for their members in need and as always, our UFLAC/LAFD Behavioral Health Professionals and Peer Support Team is standing by for our members.
'Very tragic and sad': Los Angeles County firefighter kills 1, injures 1 in fire station shooting in Agua Dulce
An off-duty firefighter opened fire at a Los Angeles County fire station Tuesday, killing one and injuring another before setting fire to his home less than 10 miles away, authorities said. Sheriff's deputies responded to a 911 call shortly after 11:15 a.m. at Fire Station 81 in Agua Dulce, about 45 miles north of Los Angeles, and "discovered there had been a shooting at the station itself," Los Angeles Sheriff Alex Villanueva said at an afternoon news conference. One victim, a 44-year-old fire engineer, died at the scene. Another firefighter, 54, was transported to a local hospital, officials said. The gunman then barricaded himself inside his home and set it on fire, station Fire Chief Daryl Osby said. The suspect was later identified from witness statements as a fire engineer who worked at the station, Sheriff's Lt. Brandon Dean said.

Photo by Gary Apodaca
LAFD Welcomes Graduates of Recruit Training Academy Class 20-1
The Los Angeles City Fire Department's Recruit Training Academy Class 20-1 celebrated their class graduation with a virtual ceremony on May 20, 2021, as they became proud probationary members of the LAFD. These 28 men and 3 women successfully completed a rigorous 21-week training curriculum. Assembling before dawn each day at the 4.6 acre LAFD Valley Recruit Training Academy facility in the central San Fernando Valley, they learned the many duties and responsibilities of being a Firefighter for the City of Los Angeles, including the safe and proper methods of handling a broad variety of specialized equipment and apparatus in multi-faceted Truck, Engine and Emergency Medical Service operations. These men and women trained as if their life - and yours - depended on it, because it does! We salute these 31 newest members of our fire service family. You can join them in making the Los Angeles Fire Department your life's work by visiting: joinlafd.org.

Presenting 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.

Fire Watch
Brush fire erupts above Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades
A brush fire erupted on a hill in Pacific Palisades Monday evening, prompting a response from firefighters. Thick white smoke billowed over the area as crews deployed a helicopter to drop water over the blaze. Firefighters responded to the area of 15820 Pacific Coast Highway around 6 p.m. as flames burned in medium to heavy brush. About an hour later, crews established a perimeter around the 2-acre fire, and appeared to have gotten the upper hand on the blaze.

Man Hospitalized After Lake Balboa Fire
A fire broke out on the second floor of an apartment complex Thursday afternoon, sending one man to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation. The fire took place at 6626 N Hayvenhurst Ave., just north of the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area. The Los Angeles Fire Department sent 75 firefighters to battle the blaze, which was extinguished 22 minutes after arrival. Brian Humphrey of the LAFD said the fire originated in one second floor unit, but that smoke quickly spread through the hallways and forced some to briefly evacuate. One man was taken to the hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Elderly Man, Woman Injured in Highland Park Triplex Fire
A 95-year-old man and a 53-year-old woman were injured Saturday in a Highland Park fire that burned one unit of a single-story triplex. Firefighters dispatched at 11:15 a.m. to the circa-1955 triplex at 5911 E. Meridian St. had the blaze out within 13 minutes of their arrival, said Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Paramedics transported both people, in fair condition, to an area hospital, Prange said.

LAFD Knocks Down House Fire in West Hills, One Injured
Firefighters knocked down a house fire in West Hills that left one person hurt. The fire inside a 1,675-square-foot one-story home at 6531 N. Kentland Ave. was reported at 8:22 p.m., Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey said. One person suffered unspecified injuries and was likely to be transported to a hospital for treatment, Humphrey said. There was no immediate word on the age or gender of the victim. The department dispatched 26 firefighters to the scene and extinguished the flames in 21 minutes, Humphrey said.

Photo by Justin Johnson
Fire Damages Bungalow Apartments in Harvard Park Area, Extinguished
Firefighters extinguished a fire in the common attic of a row of vacant bungalow apartments in the Harvard Park area of South Los Angeles this morning in just 24 minutes. Crews responded at 11:42 p.m. Wednesday to the 1700 block of 64th Street, near Gage Avenue, and found fire showing from multiple units, according to Nicholas Prange of the Los Angeles Fire Department. A total of 38 firefighters extinguished the flames and a knock down was called at 12:06 a.m., he said.

Northridge marijuana grow operation discovered in wake of fire
Firefighters extinguished a fire inside an attached garage Tuesday evening, keeping the flames from burning the home, and then discovered what appeared to be a marijuana grow operation, authorities said. The fire was reported at 6:57 p.m. Tuesday at 17351 Nordhoff St., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. In the rubble of the garage, a generator and a large fuel tank were discovered, leading firefighters to believe the residents of the three-bedroom home were involved in the cannabis operation, Humphrey said. The legality of the cannabis operation is under investigation by Los Angeles police.

Crews battle small brush fires sending smoke across 110 Fwy in Elysian Park
Multiple small brush fires were burning in Elysian Park Friday, shrouding the Arroyo Seco Parkway in smoke, firefighters said. The first blaze was reported at about 4:30 p.m. on Radio Hill, and the other shortly before 5 p.m. in the area of the northbound 110 Freeway and Stadium Way, according to alerts from the Los Angeles Fire Department. Each was initially estimated to cover less than an acre, and there were no immediate threats to residences or evacuations ordered. The Stadium Way fire had only burned an acre when it was extinguished around 5:30 p.m., firefighters said. The fire on Radio Hill, being dubbed the Broadway Fire, could potentially threaten critical communications infrastructure, LAFD said.

Fire Breaks Out at Sunset Boulevard Building
Firefighters battling a building fire in Hollywood at a two-story apartment complex behind a commercial building. The blaze was reported at 3:36 p.m. at 5947 W Sunset Blvd, near Gower Street and the 101 freeway. Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department said 41 firefighters extinguished the fire in about 28 minutes. No injuries were reported, and the amount of damage was to be determined.

Pacoima Automotive Shop Fire
LAFD battled a fire in a Pacoima automotive shop, where both the structure and several vehicles were caught in the blaze.

Fire Damages Vacant, Two-Story Home in Koreatown
Fire Sunday damaged a vacant two-story home in the Koreatown community of Los Angeles, which was also the site of a previous burn. Firefighters dispatched at 5:10 a.m. to 898 S. Crenshaw Blvd. had the blaze out within 28 minutes of their arrival, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. No injuries were reported and a cause of the fire was under investigation.

Photo by Rick McClure
Sun Valley Auto Fire
At 9:50PM on May 25, 2021 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported auto fire in the 11400 block of W Tuxford St in Sun Valley. Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire with no injuries reported.

Fire damages vacant home on York Boulevard
Fire this morning damaged a single-story, vacant and boarded-up home on York Boulevard. Firefighters dispatched at 10:23 a.m. to 5625 E. York Blvd. had the blaze out within 20 minutes of their arrival, said Brian Humphrey of the Los Angeles Fire Department. "Firefighters prevented damage to an adjacent one-story commercial building," Humphrey said. No injuries were reported and a cause was under investigation. On Saturday, two persons were injured in an apartment fire several blocks away on Meridian Street.

First Responder News
Photo by Rick McClure
One killed, at least 2 injured after multi-vehicle crash in Reseda
A man died and at least two other people were injured Sunday night in a fiery multi-vehicle crash in Reseda. It was reported at 8:06 p.m. at 7636 N. Corbin Ave., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart. A man, estimated at 25 to 30 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to a desk officer at the Los Angeles Police Department’s Operations Center. Officers at the scene had not yet determined whether street racing was the cause of the crash, the desk officer said, but a witness told Fox11 that two racing vehicles had caused the crash.

Photo by Rick McClure
Metrolink train collides with vehicle
On Friday, May 28, 2021, the Metrolink #212 train collided with a disabled vehicle on the tracks near the intersection of North San Fernando Rd and West Paxton Street at 11:10 AM. The vehicle was stationary and unoccupied at the time of the collision. Ten people from on the train were evaluated for complaints of pain, and seven were transported to local hospitals in fair-to-moderate condition.

Man jumps to his death at Hollywood & Highland center, hours after authorities arrive at scene
A man jumped to his death from a balcony at the Hollywood & Highland shopping and entertainment center on Friday morning, hours after Los Angeles firefighters and police officers arrived at the scene, authorities said. Video from AIR7 HD appeared to show first responders talking to the man as he sat along a ledge high above the front entrance of the Dolby Theatre, which faces Hollywood Boulevard. The busy street was closed to all traffic shortly after 10 a.m. as the tense situation unfolded.

Weird Water Tank Death in Sunland
Authorities were investigating the death of a person who was extricated Friday from beneath a water tank in Sunland, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Firefighters were sent to the 7900 block of West Glenties Lane about 1:15 p.m. and pronounced the person dead at the scene, the LAFD reported. Officers were sent to the location on a report that an object had fallen onto a male victim, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

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 drought hits extreme levels, wildfire threat grows
California’s drought, already rated “severe” to “extreme” for most of the state, is expected to worsen throughout the summer, combining with higher-than-average temperatures and dry vegetation to steadily increase the risk of wildfires, according to the interagency National Integrated Drought Information System That assessment comes in the wake of the state’s worst wildfire season on record, 2020, which saw five of California’s six largest recorded infernos and extended the trend of wildfire seasons here growing longer and more intense. There have been 2,436 wildfires in California so far this year, charring 14,717 acres, easily outpacing the 1,554 fires that burned 2,617 acres through May 18, 2020, according to Cal Fire.

In Remembrance
Remembering Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters
Engineer
Brian Hitchings
Deceased: 5/24/2021
Appointed: 4/30/1966
Assignment: FS 104
Retired: 6/18/1992

Firefighter III
Joanne Cameron
Deceased: 5/23/2021
Appointed: 12/18/1983
Assignment: Fire Safety Education Unit
Retired: 5/4/2002

Captain II
John E. Ruedy
Deceased: 5/22/2021
Appointed: 11/20/1989
Assignment: Disaster Response Section
Retired: Active

Captain
Thomas V. Rohrback
Deceased: 5/22/2021
Appointed: 11/7/1959
Assignment: FS 47
Retired: 1/31/1992

Fireman
David R. Hochenedel
Deceased: 5/18/2021
Appointed: 5/29/1951
Assignment: FS 63
Retired: 6/1/1980

Captain
Larry D. Simpson
Deceased: 5/14/2021
Appointed: 4/8/1961
Assignment: FS 96
Retired: 8/31/1986

Captain II
Mark A. Martinez
Deceased: 5/8/2021
Appointed: 12/14/1980
Assignment: FS 61
Retired: 1/30/2016

Engineer
Raymond R. Mayo, Jr.
Deceased: 5/7/2021
Appointed: 4/12/1981
Assignment: Metro Fire Dispatch
Retired: 10/31/2014

Captain
Arthur Stecher
Deceased: 5/1/2021
Appointed: 7/15/1947
Assignment: FS 100
Retired: 7/1/1977

Captain
Edward R. Villavicencio
Deceased: 4/30/2021
Appointed: 5/12/1962
Assignment: FS 98
Retired: 6/28/1993

Captain
Theodore C. Foor
Deceased: 4/18/2021
Appointed: 5/19/1958
Assignment: FS5
Retired: 12/13/1979

Captain II
Earl A. Seddon
Deceased: 4/17/2021
Appointed: 5/19/1958
Assignment: FS49
Retired: 10/19/1986

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.