« September 2005 | Main | November 2005 »

October 01, 2005

October Losses

Firefighters face death on a routine basis. Fire, smoke, heat, and accidents are all considered part of the job. On occasion, general health issues step in to claim the life of a firefighter as well.

As many firefighters know, there are also trends that, for whatever reason, seem to occur relative to the job. Some people may think it is the origin of superstitious beliefs, but more than likely, it's just nature at work. And October, for unknown reasons, is a month wherein death from non-fire related causes seems to take its toll. Most deaths due to heart attack and cancer took the lives of those listed below while off duty. In one case, a heart attack on a warm October day stepped in to cut short the career of a well-liked L.A. Fireman.

Andrew Lechert was on scene with Engine 73 at a grass fire in a vacant lot in the San Fernando Valley when he fell over while pulling a hose line. Attendants from Rescue 39 attempted to revive Lechert, but there was nothing to be done. He was born November 30, 1898 in Chicago, Illinois and appointed to the department on October 17, 1928.

We would like to remember all those who died during the month of October, including:

Fireman Andrew A. Lechert
Engine Company 73
Died October 26, 1949

In addition to firefighter Lechert listed above, a number of firefighters died in October months past due to non-incident related causes and we remember them here: Walthall O. Fitch, Erik Rasmussen, Joaquin L. Constantine, Chris A. Hansen, Walter Simpson, Charles E. Kramer, Leonard R. Askham, Dennis P. Hartigan, Howard T. Allen, Richard S. Stephens, Orville G. McLean, James L. Stewart, Donald G. Wardell, William C. Walker, James A. Hancock, Robert W. Jahelka, David E. Yost.

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. We also invite you to visit the Fallen Firefighter Memorial, now available to be viewed as it enters the final phases of construction - in front of Old Fire Station 27 in Hollywood, just south of Sunset Blvd. Old Fire Station 27 is also one of our two museums and may be visited on any Saturday from 10AM until 4PM. Additional information is available here within the website.

Posted by dbarrett at 12:10 AM | Comments ( 0 )