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February 15, 2006

Memorial Construction Update

Construction on the Los Angeles Fire Department Fallen Firefighter Memorial continues. Steel has been laid on the plaza in front of old Fire Station 27 in preparation for concrete pouring that will take place during the coming week. Even without the concrete in place, it's exciting to see the clean, elegant space beginning to take shape.

Here is another view of the plaza, prior to concrete being poured. It will take several days to completely cover the plaza.

In addition to the concrete phase, designer Yoshikawa (with some help) installed the tempered glass with the beautiful etched badge into the arched section of the monument.

A further update will be made available in the coming week. For information on the memorial, or to donate in support of completion, please contact Director of Operations Frank W. Borden, LAFD A.C. DIV 1 RET. at (323) 464-2727.

Posted by dbarrett at 01:37 AM | Comments ( 0 )

February 14, 2006

2006 Pancake Breakfast Announced

Join the Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society, the William Rolland Firefighter Educational Institute and the LAFD for our annual pancake breakfast. This year's event will take place beginning at 8:00AM on May 13, 2006 at old Fire Station 27 in Hollywood. This is also Fire Service Day, so be prepared to enjoy displays and demonstrations from the crew on duty at Fire Station 27.

Posted by dbarrett at 08:57 PM | Comments ( 2 )

February 10, 2006

All in a Week's Work

January of 1956 was one of new beginnings for the Los Angeles Fire Department. William L. Miller was named as the new Chief Engineer of the department. Often, a fire chief faces unusual and new challenges early on in their new position. It seems to be one of those "mysteries" that goes along with the job - and Miller's first two weeks were no different.

On January 22, 1956, shortly after dark, Battalion Commander Fred J. Newjahr received a call on his direct Battalion 7 phone. There were reports of a train derailment in the 2600 block of East Washington Boulevard. As the apparatus of Fire Station 17 rolled out of quarters, a series of events began to unfold that would be a first for the city of Los Angeles and for the department.

Ten minutes before the Chief's phone rang, Santa Fe Train 82 departed Union Station en route to San Diego. The route snakes through various rail yards and commercial districts before reaching the coast and the smooth, gorgeous ride on the "Surf Line." The yards aren't meant for high-speed travel. Engineer Frank Parrish eased the innovative RDC railcars (two self-powered rail cars, coupled together due to the heavy demand) onto the Santa Fe Main Line just east of the station, and then, according to Parrish, he blacked out. Within a few minutes, Train 82 was going nearly 70 miles per hour and within a minute or so of that, the two cars were sliding on their sides, having flipped off the rails in the tight radius turns found within the yards. They came to rest at a place known as "Redondo Junction" off of Santa Fe Avenue and Washington Blvd.

Once on scene, Chief Newjahr realized he had a major extraction and physical rescue on his hands. Within minutes, a wide range of apparatus were en route in support of Fire Station 17, including Utility 3, Squad 23 (Green Hornets), Emergency 10 (A heavy duty utility wrecker), Truck 30, Utility 27, and Emergency 27.

Utility 3 set up floodlights and firefighters laddered the overturned cars and using forcible entry tools, began to make their way into the RDC cars, searching for injured or dead passengers. The scene was dramatic, with bright lights casting sharp shadows and firefighters silouetted on top of the wrecked cars. At least ten bodies lay along the tracks.

The news of the accident spread quickly, and as second assignment units arrived on scene, so too did the media. Channel 11 (KTLA) set up cameras and with the bright glare of the floodlights, an opportunity presented itself - and for the first time ever, a major emergency in the City of Los Angeles was telecast live on local television stations.

An investigation revealed that the engineer of Train 82, well experienced with traditional engines and passenger cars, was on his second ever trip in an RDC car. The Santa Fe RDC cars were quite fast when compared to a multi-unit train. They were also known to be weak on brakes and grade crossing accidents were common. As a result of the accident, Santa Fe moved its RDC fleet east and ran them between Newton and Dodge City.

No charges were filed, but engineer Parrish retired and the fireman was dismissed. KTLA began monitoring fire frequencies and equipped a van with remote production gear, now knowing they could transmit live from a major emergency.

Chief Engineer Miller arrived at his office on the morning of the 23rd of January knowing a full investigation into the Santa Fe accident would be required. 30 people died and 150 were injured. It was the worst train accident in the history of the city. And it was covered live, on local television.

Within three days, the department was faced with another major emergency in the Terminal Island area, when auto parts storage bins ignited after heavy rains. Within weeks, Miller would be fighting to save the department's Class 1 rating (he would succeed), and as a component of that, initiate Fire Service Day. Miller seemed unflustered by these events, according to those who worked with him. For the Chief, it was part of the job. All in a week's work. Only in Los Angeles.

Posted by dbarrett at 11:19 PM | Comments ( 1 )

February 01, 2006

February Losses

In the early days of the Los Angeles Fire Department, accidents were as likely to cause injury or death as fire. Apparatus were pulled by horses, steam was present, the first cars on the roads were not equipped with seat belts, and there were far fewer safety devices.

Fire apparatus were often involved in accidents in the early days. Fireman Harry J. Custer of Truck 5 died on February 12, 1922 as a result of an collision in which his Aerial Ladder Truck was struck by a Long Beach Pacific Electric car. The company was en route to a reported fire. Fireman Custer died at the scene, and of some interest, his wife Clara arrived and was with him when he passed on.

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

Captain Clinton Johnson
Engine Company 8
Died February 12, 1905

Engineer Harry E. Buckingham
Engine Company 20
Died February 9, 1909

Fireman Harry J. Custer
Truck Company 5
Died February 12, 1922

Captain Clifford L. Collord, Jr.

Engine Company 32
Died February 7, 1968

Firefighter Paul R. Widrig, Jr.
Engine Company 33
Died February 23, 1972

Firefighter Theodore A. Currie
Engine Company 33
Died February 23, 1972

In addition to those members listed above, a number of firefighters died in February months past due to non-incident related causes and we remember them here: Cecil B. West, Eduardo Valenzuela, Harry M. Rice, James Von Eschen, Wilford L. Chambers, Roy G. Schubert, William M. Enlow, Jr., Raymond A Heaton, Stephen T. Barnes, Harry, J. Reeder, Luis P. Lopez, James C. Allnutt, K. Dean, Stockton, Henry L. Pala, David R. Brouillette, Richard M. Sturdy, Donald S. McIntyre, Thomas W. Lally, John C. Walters.

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 01:15 AM | Comments ( 0 )