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November 17, 2005

November Can Be Cruel...

The first firefighter to die in the line of duty for the city of Los Angeles was Call Fireman Sam Haskins. Born a slave in Virginia, Haskins moved to California in 1880 and two years later, was appointed as "Call Fireman" (replacing ill or injured firemen) in 1882. Haskins died on November 19, 1895 of injuries suffered in a fall while responding to a fire. He was the first African American hired by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The death of Haskins began what has historically been one of the cruelest of months for the LAFD. Assistant Chief Charles Fuselehr died on November 25, 1906 also as a result of injuries incurred while responding to an alarm. Fireman Harry Powell of Engine 9 also died of accident-realted injuries during an emergency response (on scene) on November 19, 1922.

One of the more memorable and well covered line of duty deaths occurred during the "Gray Building Fire" on November 6, 1939. A well involved structure fire on Broadway brought not only spectators and firefighters, but the media as well. Charles Blake wrote a colorful and graphic account of the fire and the resulting death to Fireman Joe Kacl and the mortal injuries suffered by John "Red" Hough, who was working to rescue Kacl when the upper floors and a wall collapsed onto firemen. Photographers captured the moments just prior to the collapse (these can be seen in the LAFD Memorial Book, available at the LAFD Museum store).

Posted by dbarrett at 12:07 AM | Comments ( 0 )

November 05, 2005

Memorial Progress Report

Construction related to the LAFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial continues. A cement slab has been poured in front of the Museum. It will meet the pavers. A slab was also poured in front on the monument to extend it out, and our dedicated workers, Gary and Jeff are working on the forms for the fence.

This image shows the front of the museum and the new cement slab.

This image highlights construction of the new fence around the perimeter of the plaza.

This image is a new overview, showing the monuments, the wall and the plaza.

Posted by dbarrett at 02:03 AM | Comments ( 0 )

November 01, 2005

November Losses

The month of November has been traditionally an unusual month regarding loss of life within the Los Angeles Fire Department. From its earliest days to the recent past, a significant number of firefighters have died while serving their community.

One of the reasons we list the losses and work to remember these public servants is to build awareness so that future losses may be avoided. We cannot change the past, but we can learn from it.

The following represents firefighters who lost their lives during the month of November:

Call Fireman Sam Haskins
Engine Company 2
Died November 19, 1895

Assistant Chief Charles Fuselehr
Headquarters, downtown Los Angeles
Died November 15, 1902

Fireman Harry C. Powell
Engine Company 9
Died November 19 1922

Fireman Joseph W. Kacl
Engine Company 3
Died November 6, 1939

Fireman James C Slinkard
Engine Company 8
Died November 8, 1941

Fireman Hugh J. Travers
Salvage Company 28
Died November 23, 1947

Fireman Clyde Neff, Jr.
Engine Company 4
Died November 2, 1949

Fireman James L. Catlow
Engine Company 39
Died November 12, 1955

Fireman Robert C. Gladden
Engine Company 69
Died November 25, 1969

In addition to Fireman Lechert, a number of firefighters died in November months past due to non-incident related causes and we remember them here: Cliford T. Atkins, Reginald McCarbery, Steven M. Urbano, Carl E. Clapper, Warren W Worthington, Kenneth K. Pollard, John W. Almond, Earl L. Young, Jr., Marian J. Wilson, Barry F. Broughton, David L. Welch, Emmett J. Wilhite, David B. McDonald, Bennie B. Collins, Earl L. Dawkins, William C. Stace.

Fireman Harold Jonathan was on military leave, serving with the 355th Infantry Regiment of the 84th Division when he was killed in action on November 29, 1944 on the Western Front in Germany.

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 01:13 AM | Comments ( 1 )