September 01, 2005
September Losses
On September 27, 1980, after waiting more than 90 minutes, a guard at the Naval and Marine Reserve Center near Dodger Stadium determined that smoke coming from vents in the building must be fire, not generators being tested, as he initially assumed. As first-in firefighters arrived, nobody told them the building had been burning for more than an hour and a half.
Truck companies, including Truck 1 laddered the roof and began to cut holes to vent the fire. Firefighter Frank Hotchkin, a member of the department for three years, went to get a pike pole - and wasn't seen again. It was determined that the weakened roof collapsed under him and he fell into the fire and was killed. Today, the Naval and Marine Reserve Center is an LAFD Training Facility - and it is named after the firefighter who gave his life doing what he was trained to do; to protect the citizens of Los Angeles and their property. You can read more about Frank in the Historical Society website.
The following represents firefighters who lost their lives during the month of September:
Captain Elwood H. Henry
Engine Company 10
Died September 14, 1930
Captain Lawrence W. Krumsiek
Engine Company 2
Died September 8, 1935
Firefighter George A. Damrom
Truck Company 2
Died September 12, 1935
Firefighter Benjamin O. "Tex" Gause
Aide to Battalion 10
Died September 9, 1940
Firefighter Donald J. Romps
Truck Company 30
Died September 11, 1970
Firefighter Frank Hotchkin
Truck Company 1
Died September 27, 1980
In addition to these brave individuals, a number of firefighters died in September months past due to non-incident related causes and we remember them here: Clifford T. Atkins, Toney Arguello, Newton H. Scarbrough, Carl F. Toneck, George W. Brown, Robert J. Rainey, Eddie B. Eade, Richard J. Philips, William L. Wiesinger, Robert K. Lovell, Clark L. Hodgson, Purdie R. Kenyon, Jess Amato, Robert Amato, Walter K. Hoffman, Peter J. McHugh, Kelly R. Hoss, Robert E. Aker.
Several Los Angeles firefighters also lost their lives while on Military Leave during the month of September. These include: Fred C. Hawtrey (WW I) and Ronald R. King(Viet Nam).
Remember to attend the first annual Firefighter Festival in Hollywood on October 1st, 2005 at old Fire Station 27, beginning at 10AM. A parade, food, music and other entertainment will help the community celebrate the spirit of the department that protects you on a daily basis.
To learn more about these individuals, their lives and the last alarm they responded to, you may purchase a copy of The Los Angeles Fire Department Memorial Book. It is available at the bookstore at the museum and a portion of the proceeds will be used to complete construction of the LAFD Memorial.
Posted by dbarrett at September 1, 2005 12:02 AM