January 14, 2022
Here’s the latest news impacting Los Angeles Firefighters…
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Greater alarm fire guts vacant Sherman Oaks businesses
A greater alarm fire tore through five Sherman Oaks businesses late Wednesday into early Thursday, and it took Los Angeles firefighters an hour and 20 minutes to put out the flames. Firefighters responded about 10:48 p.m. Wednesday to the strip mall at 15033 Ventura Blvd., west of Kester Avenue, and found heavy smoke rising from the businesses, said spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. A total of 75 firefighters responded to the scene, and eventually fought the “deeply seated” fire in a defensive manner due to “questionable roof integrity,” Stewart said. There were also downed power lines to the north of the businesses.
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Plane hit by train after it crashes in Pacoima
A pilot was hospitalized after their plane crashed in Pacoima on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The crash, which occurred shortly after 2 p.m., involved a “small single engine airplane,” which was damaged when it landed on the Metrolink Antelope Valley line train tracks near Whiteman Airport, the LAFD said in a pair of alerts. The Associated Press identified the plane as a Cessna 172. After the pilot was removed from the plane by the Los Angeles Police Department, the aircraft was struck by an oncoming train, the LAPD Operations-Valley Bureau said on Twitter. The pilot was taken by the LAFD to a regional trauma center for treatment, the Fire Department added.
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LAFD Firefighters Engaged with Greater Alarm Fire in North Hollywood
Fire crews were engaged in a battle with a commercial structure fire in North Hollywood on Friday. The massive fire was located inside one of many unoccupied structures that sit in a row on Laurel Canyon Boulevard. 79 firefighters were on hand to fight the raging flames that tore through the roof of the one-story building, prompting Los Angeles Fire Department crews to go into defensive operation mode. At 10:50 p.m. the fire attained a Greater Alarm status. It was knocked down after 43 minutes, around 11:40 p.m.
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LA Fire and Police Departments at Staffing Levels ‘Needed to Keep Angelenos Safe,' Mayor Says
Los Angeles' police and fire departments remain at adequate staffing levels to keep residents safe, despite hundreds of personnel quarantining at home after testing positive for COVID-19, Mayor Eric Garcetti said at a news conference Thursday with the city's police and fire chiefs. The Los Angeles Police Department, which has about 9,500 sworn officers, currently has 505 officers at home quarantining after testing positive for the virus, Garcetti said. LAPD Chief Michel Moore said the average recovery time for LAPD employees to return to work is about three weeks. Only one of the employees off-duty with the virus is hospitalized, however, and that person is in ``extremely grave'' condition, Moore added. The Los Angeles Fire Department, with a total of nearly 3,800 employees, has 299 sworn and civilian personnel off-duty due the virus. A few weeks ago, only about 24 employees were off-duty due to COVID-19, LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas said. Throughout the pandemic, a total of 1,475 fire department personnel have tested positive for the virus, and the number of personnel off-duty right now is the highest level the department has seen.
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Hit-And-Run Kills Two People in Chatsworth
Two people are dead after a hit-and-run off the 9500 block of North Lurline Avenue in Chatsworth. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department, two bicyclists were struck by a red Toyota Tacoma at about 7:15 p.m. The two victims were pronounced dead when LAFD arrived at the scene. The Los Angeles Police Department found the vehicle involved with the hit-and-run nearby. The driver of the Toyota Tacoma was transported to the hospital and is now in police custody. The man police have in custody was found about a half-mile away. Authorities believe he was involved in other collisions nearby.
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Man In Critical Condition After Being Rescued from Burning Home by LAFD
A man was taken to a hospital in critical condition Thursday afternoon after he was rescued from a burning home in the Broadway Manchester area of Los Angeles. Los Angeles Fire Department units responded about 1:20 p.m. to the one-story home located at 233 W. 98th St. on reports of the fire, according to the department’s Brian Humphrey. During the initial firefighting efforts, LAFD units found the man and rescued him from inside the home, which contained “excessive personal storage.” The man was taken to a hospital in critical condition, though the nature of his injuries was not immediately known. It took 33 firefighters about half an hour to extinguished the flames, and knockdown was called just after 1:52 p.m, Humphrey said.
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Firefighters Contain Fire at Textile Company
Firefighters have contained a fire at a textile dyeing and finishing company Tuesday in Los Angeles. Fire crews responded at 2:26 a.m. to MatchMaster Inc., a two-story commercial building at 3700 S. Broadway St., said Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Stewart. The fire was classified as a ”structure fire with a hazmat component,” Stewart said. Firefighters fought the blaze with flames within the scrubber system – air pollution control devices that control gaseous emissions – that was being held in check by fire sprinklers.
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Fire Damages Detached Garage in Pacoima
Firefighters Friday knocked down a fire at a detached garage in Pacoima. The 26 firefighters dispatched at 8:06 a.m. to 13316 W. Corcoran St. had the blaze out within 19 minutes of their arrival, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. “Crews worked quickly to prevent the fire from extending into the abutted structure,” Stewart said. “No other buildings were damaged.”
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Firefighters Put Out Flames in Third Story Mid-Wilshire Apartment
It took 31 Los Angeles firefighters 16 minutes to put out flames in an apartment on the top floor of a three-story Mid-Wilshire apartment building Friday evening. The fire was reported at 10:10 p.m. at 5357 W. San Vicente Blvd., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart. The firefighters managed to contain the fire to the unit of origin, Stewart said.
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Firefighters Save Two-Thirds of Jefferson Park Building
What may have been an arson-caused fire damaged one unit of a three-unit commercial building in the Jefferson Park area of Los Angeles Saturday morning but firefighters saved the other two units. The fire was reported at 4:48 a.m. at 4367 W. Adams Blvd., according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Margaret Stewart. Fire was showing from the burning unit when firefighters arrived, Stewart said. The 31 firefighters put out the flames in 27 minutes, she said. While the flames did not spread beyond the single unit, the extent of smoke and water damage was not known. “LAPD has one male (age unknown) in custody as a potential arson suspect,” Stewart said. Paramedics were checking him to see if he had any injuries.
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Firefighters Knock Down House Fire in Vermont Knolls Area of LA
Firefighters extinguished a fire Saturday inside a vacant home in the Vermont Knolls area of Los Angeles. The fire at 1022 W. 84th St. was reported at 4:55 a.m., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. The department dispatched 29 firefighters to the scene, who extinguished the flames in about 24 minutes, Humphrey said.
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LAFD Extinguishes a House Fire in Sun Valley
Firefighters extinguished a house fire Sunday evening in Sun Valley. The blaze heavily damaged the home at 13305 W. Arminta St., said Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. The fire was reported at 8:38 p.m., Humphrey said. The department dispatched 46 firefighters to the scene. Flames were knocked down in about 30 minutes, he said. Four residents of the home managed to leave before the firefighters arrived, Humphrey said.
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Furnishings Catch Fire in Hollywood Hills Home
Firefighters attacked flames in contents of a three-story Hollywood hillside home Saturday evening. The fire was reported at 7:43 p.m. at 6881 W. Yeager Place, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Brian Humphrey. Smoke was showing from the second floor when firefighters arrived, Humphrey said. It took 16 minutes for firefighters to keep the flames from spreading to the structure, he said.
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LAFD Firefighters Knock Down Apartment Fire in Westlake
Firefighters with an assist from sprinklers inside the building knocked down a fire in one unit of an apartment building in Westlake. The fire inside the apartment at 440 S. Bonnie Brae St. was reported at 1:07 p.m., according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman Brian Humphrey. The department dispatched 20 firefighters to the scene and extinguished the flames in 11 minutes, Humphrey said.
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Fire Damages Attic at Two-Story Home in Canoga Park Area
Fire Sunday damaged an attic at a two-story home in the Canoga Park area, authorities said. Firefighters dispatched at 8:49 a.m. to 7423 N. Atherton Lane had the blaze out within 29 minutes of their arrival, said Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. “Crews prevented the fire from extending down into the second floor and conducted salvage operations to provide protection for the contents of the rooms,” Stewart said.
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1 dead after car smashes into San Pedro home
A deadly crash is under investigation in San Pedro Friday night. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a call of a car smashing into a home in the 600 block of West 26th Street at around 10 p.m. One person was pronounced dead at the scene, firefighters say. The person inside the car was identified as the one person killed in the crash, LAFD said. No one else was hurt in the horrific wreck. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
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Los Angeles, Rancho Cucamonga to get first electric fire trucks in North America
Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga will get the first electric fire trucks in all of North America, with L.A. intending to put its in Hollywood this year, and Rancho aiming to base its in a new fire station set to open in late 2023. “This will be the future of firefighting,” said Assistant Chief Wade White with the Los Angeles Fire Department. They will be produced by Austrian manufacturer Rosenbauer and be the first trucks to incorporate an all-electric drivetrain. Still, each will come with a small diesel engine, just in case.
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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.
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California Fire Map & Tracker
An interactive map of wildfires burning across the Bay Area and California.
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UFLAC Mourns the Loss of LACoFD Firefighter Jonathan Flagler
It is with great sadness that we join our brothers and sisters at the Los Angeles County Fire Department in mourning the passing of our brother, Firefighter Jonathan Flagler, who lost his life from injuries sustained while battling a home fire. Firefighter Flagler was a 21-year veteran of the fire service, serving 19 years with the Vernon Fire Department before transitioning to the LACoFD in October of 2020. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife and two sons. Please Click HERE for information on how to donate to the Jonathan Flagler Memorial Fund Account.
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Remembering Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters |
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Fireman
Leland D. Tisinger
Deceased: 1/8/2022
Appointed: 4/6/1961
Assignment: Rescue Maintenance
Retired: 10/21/1986
Firefighter III
James G. Mangers (Ret.)
Deceased: 1/2/2022
Appointed: 6/17/1973
Assignment: FS 75
Retired: 2/5/2003
Engineer
Duane E. Feltman
Deceased: 12/25/2021
Appointed: 1/28/1957
Assignment: FS 89
Retired: 7/3/1979
Engineer
Wilfred G. Jones
Deceased: 12/16/2021
Appointed: 2/9/1963
Assignment: FS 70
Retired: 6/30/1990
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Captain I
William R. James (Active)
Deceased: 12/11/2021
Appointed: 10/23/2000
Assignment: FS 85
Fire Inspector I
William L. Marion
Deceased: 12/11/2021
Appointed: 4/20/1963
Assignment: Tractor Company
Retired: 11/16/1979
Captain
Carl L. Long
Deceased: 12/7/2021
Appointed: 4/13/1968
Assignment: FS 26
Retired: 8/8/1995
Fireman
Jerry L. Brittenham
Deceased: 11/19/2021
Appointed: 11/2/1963
Assignment: Arson Section
Retired: 2/10/1983
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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