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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 February 1, 2006 01:15 AM