March 01, 2007

A Tour of Los Angeles Fire Stations

Do you remember the first fire station that you visited? Do you remember how old you were?

Each fire station in the city carries a remarkable history, and some of the buildings that housed our firefighters have a second life, such as Old Fire Station 28 in downtown Los Angeles. Built at a cost of $60,000, It opened in 1913 and and served the downtown area until 1969. The building was at risk for more than a decade. In 1983, a five-year program to restore the building began, and today, it houses a very hip restaurant - if you're ever in downtown Los Angeles and you get hungry, you've got to check out Engine Company 28.

Fire Station 28 during restoration

The history of fire stations in Los Angeles is interesting not only for anyone interested in the LAFD, but in architecture, local neighborhoods, and general L.A. history. Fire stations were originally filled with apparatus and horses, and as mechanized engines came online, the style of construction changed. It also changed with the times and there are some remarkable buildings in L.A. that were once fire stations. For that matter, there are a few that still are.

Today, the Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society operates two museums, both old fire stations. Old Station 27, in Hollywood, is one of the most widely recognized fire stations in the country and has been used in numerous films, television series, and training programs. Old Station 36 in San Pedro is in a historic building near the waterfront. Next to Old 27s, a new active Fire Station 27 responds to more than a dozen calls a day. In the Harbor area, a brand new Fire Station 36 is due to open in the very near future.

Larry Schnieder, a Captain at Fire Station 50, has assembled a remarkable listing of nearly all L.A. city fire stations. It's a tour worth taking and you can do so by clicking here!

Posted by dbarrett at 02:39 AM | Comments ( 0 )

January 29, 2007

A Bit of Video History

The Los Angeles Fire Department has a photo/video unit and in days past, had a "film unit" to record major incidents, press events, and training for department use. On occasion, either working internally or with outside production companies, promotional or documentary videos would be produced.

In the time period of the late 1940s through the late 1950s, a documentary film, titled, Your Fire Department, was produced. There is little available information on this film, but it is a wonderful overview of the LAFD during this time period. The Historical Society is doing some research regarding this film - and welcomes any input or commentary about it.

This film in interesting for a number of reasons, including the use of color in an era when black and white was most commonly used. Fire Station 27 (now the home of the LAFD museum in Hollywood), is featured in multiple places and apparatus no longer housed there are shown (utility company, salvage company, etc.). The Gorter Water Tower, now on display in the Hollywood museum is shown in action, as are a variety of interesting apparatus that if found today, would be extremely valuable. LAFD Fire Boats are painted in wartime gull-gray, another interesting hint regarding the time of production. Active Firefighters will get a kick out of the techniques used "back in the day" and it's clear that times have changed!

Watch YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT now. (google video)

There have been many films highlighting the LAFD during its history. Terry Sanders produced "The Story of a Fireman" in 1962 and today, a new documentary on the history of the department is in production, with the support of the Historical Society.

The video posted on Google appears to have been uploaded from Europe, and attempts to contact the publisher have not been met with a response. If you have information regarding Your Fire Department, we'd love to hear from you.

Special thanks to Staff Assistant Tim Werle for discovering this video.

Posted by dbarrett at 04:29 PM | Comments ( 0 )

December 17, 2006

Sansinena Goes Down in History

It was about 7:30 in the evening on December 17th, 1970 and everyone at the Los Angeles Fireman's Relief Christmas party was having a great time. The party was being held on board the Princess Louise and it was a typical December evening in Los Angeles, clear and not too cold. There was dancing and laughter and the ship was alive with the celebrations of the season.

Suddenly, the Princess Louise shuddered and windows throughout the ship literally exploded, showering party-goers with fragments of glass. The music stopped and everyone looked about, startled and anxious.

Simultaneously, firefighters on board Wagon 48 were nearing their quarters following a run when they felt the concussion and witnessed a rapidly expanding orange flash and billowing mushroom cloud. Acting Fire Captain James Frances picked up the telephone handset and called OCD, saying, "We've had a helluva explosion in the harbor!" Several blocks away, Firestation 48's upstairs windows blew out and Acting Battalion 6 Chief Leo Christensen ran outside with other firefighters to see what had happened. Seeing the growing column of smoke, the entire task force responded without waiting for an alarm. It appeared something terrible had happened in the harbor.

The previous day, a 36-compartment tanker, the S.S. Sansinena, had arrived at the Union Oil Company's bulk terminal at Berth 46, near the southern tip of the harbor. The mostly Italian crew had spent the majority of the day on the 17th loading fuel and ballast in preparation for an 11PM departure. The Sansinena was 810-feet long and 70,620 deadweight tons - the largest vessel of its kind when it was constructed in 1958.

At 7:33PM, an unknown ignition source created an explosion that acted like a surgeon's knife, lifting the center section of the ship - a section more than 500 feet long - into the air, leaving the bow and aft sections in the water. The midship section lifted off like a Saturn rocket and made it more than 700 feet into the air. As gravity took over, the center section of the Sansinena came crashing down on top of a guard shack 200 yards from where the ship was berthed. Most investigators believe that security guard Howard Dennis was in the shack. He was certainly killed and his body never found.

On the Princess Louise, it turned out that not one guest had been injured. They turned out to watch the glow in the sky from the explosion and fire. It was a night they would never forget.

OCD dispatched Task Force 38, Engine 53, Engine 101 and all five fireboats. Within the first 18 minutes of the incident, an additional nine task forces, nine rescue-ambulances, two helicopters, three triples, Light Water 100 and Crash 90 were added to the assignment. Chief Engineer Long was flown by helicopter to the harbor to take command and direct the crews.

When first-in Task Force 48 arrived on scene, it was still unclear to them what had happened. There was oil and flame extending along the Union Oil yard and the midship section of the Sansinena was not easily recognized. You wouldn't expect to see the middle of a ship sitting on a dock and this one was nearly concealed by flames and smoke. BC Christenson notified OCD of, "fire on a 900-foot front."

As Boat 5, berthed about a half mile from the explosion drew in close to the oil and fire covered water and stern of the ship, debris were still falling from the sky. The bow and stern were separated by more than 500 feet of open water, much of it covered with burning oil. Both sections of the ship were more than 60 feet from the concrete pier.

The three-man crew on board Fireboat 5 could hear screams and calls for help. Despite the threat of additional explosions, Fireboat Mate Walter Ball, and firefighters John Kemperman and Forrest Taylor worked Fireboat 5 into the area beneath the stern of the doomed ship and rescued four sailors from the water and 14 who slid down ropes and jumped into the fireboat. Once the crewmen were on board, Ball swung the fireboat around and sped for Berth 55 where Engine 101 had set up a command post for medical assessment. The engine company, along with RA staff were triaging victims before transporting them to local hospitals.

Land companies were forced to lay extremely long hose lays into the fire. Next to the Union Oil facility, the San Pedro Boat Works contained more than $1.5 million in small craft moorings. It was the most at-risk exposure. For three hours, firefighters battled the flames before bringing the major emergency fire under control. The pleasure craft at the Boat Works were saved.

As the sun came up on the morning of December 18, the toll was known. There were nine dead, plus 46 injured. Damage extended out in a six-mile radius from the explosion. The scene was almost unimaginable: two bits of ship sticking up from the shallow harbor and a smoking ruin on the dock adjacent.

The Coast Guard investigation indicated that the monetary loss exceeded $21 million. It also severely criticized the procedures used on board the Sansinena. Within a very short period of time, the Los Angeles Fire Department began a formal policy of inspecting every incoming tanker prior to offloading or onloading ballast or cargo. It was the first department in the United States to do so. Firefighters Kemperman, Ball, and Taylor were awarded Medals of Valor for saving the 18 crewmen on the ship.

Posted by dbarrett at 12:46 AM | Comments ( 5 )

December 09, 2006

Remembering the Chief

“He was the best Chief in the department’s history,” an L.A. Firefighter said, shaking his head as he stared into his cup of coffee. I was sitting in the office at an L.A. fire station and we were talking about the importance of learning from the past - about applying things we’ve learned to new situations and how often people fail in that regard. “The L.A. Times said he (the Chief) was an innovator one week, then talked about all of the problems when he resigned,” another firefighter said.

A Difficult City to Protect
The City of Los Angeles is one of the most difficult environments to protect from a fire and emergency services point of view. The combination of a huge harbor, airport, high rise buildings, brush, traffic, and congested living areas, not to mention the overall sprawl of the place are unique. The L.A. Fire Department has always had to deal with rapid growth, and being the chief of the department is not a job most people would aspire to. “It’s not a job for anyone who doesn’t have thick skin,” my firefighter friend at the table said.

Media Coverage
There have been plenty of newspaper accounts about the Chief and his time in office, one reporting, “In a decade under him the department has multiplied in personnel and equipment and grown in effectiveness as a fire-fighting and fire-prevention force, until it takes rank with the best in the land. The chief never has been satisfied with merely putting out fires when they have started; he has worked even harder to drill his force in the art of preventing fires, and teaching that art to citizens.”

Power of Politcs
Yet, politics in Los Angeles is a powerful animal. The city commands tremendous attention and has for more than 100 years. City leaders have often gone on to other powerful positions in business or politics and the media in L.A. has been unrelenting in its competitive reporting and editorial.

“So, it was no surprise that politics played a role in the chief resigning?” I asked my firefighter friends. “Of course not,” they both replied. I found it compelling that the job involves so much more than firefighting and the prevention of fire. “Even after serving the city for 30 plus years, at the end, a single incident created enough of a political and media scandal that he had no choice, did he?” I said. We all sat there for a moment, letting that reality sink in.

The Chief's Own Words
I thought back to a printed quote from the Chief that I’d read some time back and I looked it up in my laptop computer (as I’m producing a documentary on the department, there’s a reason to keep such things). I smiled a bit when reading it: "The whole system starts with the California State Constitution and then comes down to our own Los Angeles City Charter. Next comes the mayor, who has jurisdiction over the entire department. Under him is the fire commission, composed of members appointed by the mayor and composed of (individuals) whose duty it is to supervise the department activities.

"Next in the line is the chief engineer, or fire chief, the position I occupy. My duties are administrative as I serve as a sort of general manager for the entire department.” The Chief’s words were powerful. Department policy is managed by the Chief, but is implemented and determined by a greater circle of authority. And making changes isn’t always an easy task, although this Chief made more changes and got more programs through the political process than perhaps any other.

And then, there are the Chief’s own words, which echo through the streets, the corridors of every important building and even City Hall. “There is nothing especially heroic about fighting fires,” he said. “Of course, it is not a game for a fellow who holds back when danger lurks. If you don't go into a blazing building, even needlessly, the public is critical, and, sometimes, if you do go in, you're a damn fool.

“Both my (firefighters) and myself consider traffic hazards in getting to fires greater than those that develop at the conflagration. You have no idea of the sinking feeling you get when being driven down a street at 60 miles an hour and some motorist ignores the law and drives out in front of you.

“I've been around gasoline-filled railroad tank cars that were about to burst from heat--just to mention one form of danger.Well, it is the department's duty to do something--and quickly. We don't get paid for running away, letting the explosion occur, and possibly kill 200 or 300 people. Men who fail to realize this responsibility as a part of their job don't last long in the department.

“It is my sincere hope that my successor will be a man of great capabilities, and one in whom the public and department personnel have the utmost confidence.”

I read the words aloud and another firefighter stopped and asked, “Chief Bamattre said that?” I smiled and said, “Did you think we were talking about Chief Bamattre? Not at all,” and we all laughed. “We’ve been talking about Chief Ralph J. Scott, who retired on April 1st, 1940.”

History does have a way of repeating itself.

ED NOTE: This article is not intended to create an impression (positive or negative) about current command structure or positions. It is a real-world account of a dialog and the history of a past Chief Engineer of the LAFD. The message that we might take from this article is that history will repeat itself, if we do not take steps to learn from and remember the past.

Posted by dbarrett at 10:50 AM | Comments ( 11 )

December 02, 2006

December Valor

Every morning, at approximately 5AM, the smell of coffee starts to fill the apparatus floors and kitchens in 103 fire stations across Los Angeles and in the basement of City Hall East (OCD - fire dispatch and Public Service). The quiet voices of firefighters and sounds of doors closing, showers, and other morning activity can be heard.

Unlike any other profession, these are the sounds of the daily shift changes at the Los Angeles Fire Department. Every morning, one of three platoons of firefighters arrive at work, to relieve those who have been on duty for the previous 24 hours. It is a routine that does not change, no matter the day, the time of year, or the weather.

Firefighters, unlike nearly any other profession, live together 24 hours at a time. It is an aspect of the job that makes it unique and unless you’ve spent a few shifts working and living with firefighters, it’s not easy to understand the bond and trust that exists between these individuals.

Firefighters must trust each other in life threatening situations

As company commanders arrive, they are briefed by their counterparts, and journals are reviewed. Emergency runs are written in red ink and in the case of important incidents that occurred for the outgoing shift, updates are provided to the incoming crews. By 6:00AM, the majority of the shift change is complete. By 8:00AM, the crews are assembled for their daily “lineup” to learn of their assignments and objectives for the coming 24 hours.

Many fire stations are busy places. In fact, Los Angeles has the busiest fire station in the country - Task Force 9 on Skid Row in downtown L.A, which responds to more than 900 runs a month or on average, 29 per day. The city overall responds to more than 1,000 calls per day, including fires, rescues, and emergency medical services.

The early morning hours are often the only time a firefighter can rest. The city is typically calmer then, and runs are more infrequent and are often EMS-related. To allow firefighters their sleep, paramedics are awakened by a “fire phone” that rings near their beds, rather than the typical long ring and “lights on” that activates most fire companies.

And so it was, in the early morning hours of December 4th, 1984. The city was fairly quiet. Around 4:45AM, L.A. Airport Police Officers Joe Ransfer and Robert Lopez were on patrol around the LAX area. The night was coming to its conclusion and the sky was less than an hour from the light of day. As they drove down South Aviation Boulevard, they noticed an orange glow of light. Looking to the east side of the street, they were surprised to see flames reaching for the early morning sky, piercing through the roof of a well known area restaurant, the Proud Bird. The two officers radioed in their report of fire in at 4:53AM.

Less than one minute later, OCD issued a structure fire assignment. The long ring came in at Task Forces 95 and 5, Engine 80 and Battalion 4. As Battalion Chief Kenneth Brass arrived on scene, it was clear the 130 foot by 175 foot ballroom was heavily involved with fire. The Chief’s size-up of the fire scene resulted in additional assignment of 23 fire companies and chief officers, including Assistant Chief Dave Parsons and Deputy Chief Don Anthony.

Unknown to firefighters at the time, the Proud Bird fire had been intentionally set to cover up a burglary. The fire had been active for several hours before it was detected. Worse, the Proud Bird was positioned directly under the flight path for LAX, and extensive work had been done to reduce noise in the restaurant, resulting in a labyrinth of difficult spaces to access and creating a dangerous fuel-rich environment for fire.

Flames shoot from the Proud Bird Restaurant

Fire companies executed an aggressive assault on the fire, with Truck companies working to open the structure, both via doorways and the roof, although roof ventilation was extremely difficult, due to the sound-proofing construction in place. As a result, the heat within the Proud Bird was intense and continued to increase.

Around 5:30AM, Engine 54 was working to advance a hose line into the ballroom. Captain Jim DiGrado and his crew, Walter Barnett and Benjamin Pinel were advancing their inch and a half line, while another Captain, Charles Mackie cleared furniture. The heat made it difficult to breath, even with SCBAs and the smoke that was unable to vent billowing down to the ground, obscuring visibility.

Suddenly, a flash-over fire-balled across the ceiling of the ballroom. The fire attack companies retreated from the building. Even in those few seconds, they became sickened by smoke and heat and once outside, paused to evaluate their situation. It was only then that they realized one of their members, Benjamin Pinel, was not with them. Pinel was still in the violently burning building.

A number of firefighters began an urgent search and rescue mission to find Pinel, among them, Johnny Garcia of Truck 64. Garcia followed the hose line that lay on the ground. It was hot and he couldn’t see more than a few feet. He was crawling on the floor to stay under the smoke and high temperature - and in the distance, he could hear the warning ringing of a firefighter’s PAL device, but couldn’t tell exactly where it was coming from.

When he was about three quarters of the way towards the hose line nozzle, Garcia realized he was alone. The other firefighters who had entered the building with him were nowhere to be seen. Following the hose line, he backed out of the building. His air was nearly gone and he didn’t know why the other firefighters had retreated, so his training compelled him to get out and evaluate himself.

Once he realized he was okay, he asked for another air bottle, and had to wait while the one on his back was hosed off, as it was too hot to touch, even with gloves. With a new bottle, Garcia again entered the building to find his fellow firefighter. This time, he made it to the nozzle and tried to listen for Pinel’s PAL device. Although he could hear the saws on the roof and the other activities of fire fighting, there was no sound from Pinel.

Garcia repeated this process three times. He nearly passed out twice. He got caught on furniture and was nearly trapped. And again, he was forced to retreat for fresh air. On his fourth attempt, Garcia began to lose his orientation. His head was heavy and his vision blurred. He began to feel confused and again following his training, tried to crawl to the exit - but this time, he came to being pulled from the building by other firefighters. Worn out, Garcia sat on the curb with oxygen, dismayed that Pinel had not been found.

A few minutes later, Garcia watched as Pinel was brought from the building and placed on a gurney, while firefighters performed CPR. The Rescue Ambulance took off for Centinela Hospital, where Pinel was pronounced dead at 6:30AM. Pinel had been found approximately 75 feet from the end of the nozzle, apparently disoriented when the flash-over occurred. For all members of the LAFD, his sacrifice 22 years ago this December 4th, has never been forgotten.

Mike (left) and Benjamin (right) Pinel at Ben's Tower Graduation

Garcia’s training no doubt saved his life. He was awarded the Medal of Value for his attempts to rescue Pinel. The physically demanding process of making your way through the tower as a rookie is intended to ensure that anyone who pins on the badge and takes the oath can uphold that oath, not just at graduation, but for years, perhaps decades to follow. The LAFD trains continually, and there is little time for recreation. When an opportunity does present itself, the activities are competitive and peer-bonding - as trust and teamwork are critical to the job.

Each firefighter in every station must rely on their fellow firefighters, regardless of background, race, or sex, to be there for not only the community, but for themselves in times of need. The everyday events in managing emergencies can become routine, but the life-threatening and sudden events that take place in a major emergency require complete trust in those about you. Every firefighter must be ready to give up their life to save another - and at the same time, be prepared to assist another firefighter who is down.

The Proud Bird fire is an important example of firefighters doing whatever it takes to save lives and property. The loss of Benjamin Pinel was a a tragedy not only for his family and the department, but for the city as a whole. At the same time, the lessons learned from this fire, and from every major emergency, are what make the LAFD so unique in terms of operations and life safety.

Today, you can see firefighter Pinel’s name on the memorial wall at the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood. Firefighter Garcia is still on the job and there are retired and active department members at the museum, just next to the memorial, who can explain more about how this department works to protect every citizen and every building, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. And every firefighter knows that each day, as he or she arrives for work around 5:30AM, that this could be their Proud Bird day.

Posted by dbarrett at 01:55 AM | Comments ( 15 )

November 01, 2006

LA Times Tells Kids about "FIRE!"

For the past few days, the Los Angeles Times has been running a wonderful story on the history of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Written by Nancy Smiler Levinson, the multi-part story covers the early days, horse-drawn apparatus, and the conversion to motorized equipment.

It is a fun, engaging story and we highly recommend this to all families and kids, no matter where you live. Of course, we're excited to see a story on the LAFD featured, so thanks, Nancy! Note that additional episodes will be published in the Kids section of the Times website. To visit the story, you can go to latimes/features/kids to see more. And don't forget that Kids Love Fire Engines, the exciting DVD on LAFD Fire Apparatus is now available online and in the museum store. It's the perfect gift for a birthday or the holidays. Net profits go to the LAFD Museum and Fallen Firefighter memorial.

Posted by dbarrett at 01:38 AM | Comments ( 0 )

October 21, 2006

Harbor Disaster Remembered

The history of firefighting in the Los Angeles Harbor is often overlooked, as high-rise, brush, and celebrity fires battle for the local media spotlight. Yet, thanks to Los Angeles firefighters in the harbor area, our community has been spared from serious incidents, with only a few exceptions. Even when potentially major events began to unfold, LA Firefighters, Fire Boats, and accompanying land companies worked collaboratively to reduce the danger and save lives.

On October 21, 1944, World War II was still raging on multiple fronts. Major battles in the Pacific and in Europe held the attention of the public. Our ports, major aveneus for resupply for troops overseas, were also seen as targets for opportunistic spies or enemy infiltrators.

Yet, it was the ordinary activities that resulted in the most significant events. On that fateful October day, an oil tanker, doing what all oil tankers do in port, suddenly sent shockwaves throughout the San Pedro community. Noted retired LAFD Chief Bill Goss tells the story of Berth 233 and the tanker S.S. Fredicksburg.

CLICK HERE to read the story (Thanks to LAFD FF/spokesperson Brian Humphrey for posting this story).

Posted by dbarrett at 02:30 AM | Comments ( 0 )

September 03, 2006

Exclusive LAFD Fire Footage

People who visit the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum & Memorial often ask, "what is it like to respond to a fire?" Now, anyone interested in what fighting fire looks like up close and personal can get a look via our exclusive video footage. Shot in preparation for release of one of our educational DVDs, this footage shows you the entire timeframe of a fire incident.

We've created a mini-site so you may read about the fire, view the exclusive fire video - and as a special bonus, watch two photo slideshows. To get in on the action, CLICK HERE.

Posted by dbarrett at 10:50 AM | Comments ( 0 )

August 13, 2006

Firefighters coming to DVD

The Los Angeles Museum & Memorial will be offering the public a series of DVD products, produced by Cameron and David Barrett and their team at R|com Creative LLC. Four titles will cover a wide range of topics and are a prelude to a full series documentary project, scheduled for 2008. The DVD series will be available this fall, with the initial title, Kids Love Fire Engines, being available in a few weeks - just in time for "back to school."

A LAFD Helicopter is featured in Kids Love Fire Engines

The video teams spend considerable time with various companies and attend training, practice, and live incidents throughout the city. Most material is shot using high definition (HD) cameras and on occasion, still shots are captured as well.

Each title in the series is designed to provide a backdrop into the world of the fire service, featuring the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department. In addition to Kids Love Fire Engines, DVD titles will include, Class 1 Fire Engines, Class 1 Firefighters, and The Ultimate Sacrifice.

Pump from Light Force 66 on scene at a major emergency fire

The apparatus DVD will cover the functions of a wide variety of apparatus, with in depth discussions of specific apparatus, including Engine, Truck, RA, Boat, and Helicopter. Other apparatus are covered as well including USAR, Chief's Sedan, and specialized vehicles.

Each DVD includes dramatic footage

This shot of a truck company, ladder pipe in action, shows the type of incident footage that is included. Actual fire footage, including en-route and on-scene is included in all DVDs, except for the children's release (to keep things fun and non-scary).

Class 1 Firefighters covers the job as never before seen, with details on how the job is performed, what it's like to live and work in a fire station, plus never before seen footage of firefighters reacting to emergency runs and handling dramatic fire situations.

Firefighting is about teamwork

The story is about the men and women to perform their jobs with courage and dedication. It doesn't glamorize their roles, but let's them tell their stories, using their own words and experiences.

The Ultimate Sacrifce will support the completion of the LAFD Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood. It tells the stories of firefighters who lost their lives protecting property and citizens of Los Angeles. With stories ranging from the earliest days of the department all the way through the recent past, this DVD shares the drama of rescues, important events, and individuals worth remembering.

Firefighter Foster's Funeral is included in The Ultimate Sacrifice

You can learn more about many of these topics by visiting the Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial in Hollywood, or by visiting the Harbor branch of the LAFD Museum across from Fisherman's Village in San Pedro. Additional details on the educational DVD series can be found via the website at firefighting videos.org.

Posted by dbarrett at 07:48 AM | Comments ( 0 )

April 29, 2006

Los Angeles Public Library Fire - 20 years on...

Twenty years ago today, the Los Angeles Public Library almost disappeared. A roaring major emergency fire created havoc and took hours to bring under control. First in companies did not immediately find the fire, as it was well hidden in the stacks on an upper floor. Due to the construction techniques used at the time it was built, a channel of air throughout the building allowed the fire to accelerate. Filled with books (paper) and other flammable materials, the library was a hive for fire.

Read firefighter Brian Humphrey's excellent account of the LA Public Library fire and when you get a chance, visit the library. It has been rebuilt and is safe, beautiful, and filled with remarkable books, magazines and history.

Posted by dbarrett at 04:48 PM | Comments ( 0 )

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 )

January 14, 2006

Tilson, Task Forces, Trauma: We Remember Watts

Forty years ago, the Watts community of Los Angeles erupted in violence and flames. It proved to be a dramatic and difficult assignment for the Los Angeles Fire Department, and before the city quieted down, a Los Angeles Firefighter was dead and a new system for fighting fires had been implemented - a system still in use today.

The violence was triggered by a simple and fairly common incident, the arrest of a local black citizen by California Highway Patrol officers. CHP officer Lee Minikus arrested 20-year old Marquette Fry for DUI on August 11, 1965. As the arrest was in progress, Fry's mother, coming from their home a few blocks away, began to verbally challenge the arrest. By the time Fry was booked, hundreds of angry Watts residents were in full riot mode, and the city's history was changed forever.

Watts Community Activist Tommy Jacuette expressed the mood in Watts in August of 1965, saying, "I knew the frustration, the hostility, and I knew the attitude of the police - and it was payback time, for the most part." As with most violent incidents, those not directly involved become the biggest victims.

When the riots began, Interim Chief Don Hibbard was vacationing. Deputy Chief Raymond M. Hill was acting Chief Engineer. It should be noted that the violence escalated over several days - and it was on August 13 that things got completely out of control. By 10PM on the 13th, dozens of fires were burning in LA.

As firefighters worked to bring the flames under control, they came under fire themselves. Pump 65 came under gunfire while extinguishing an automobile fire. An Engine 65 firefighter was injured and the rig severely damaged by rocks, asphalt bits, and thrown crowbars and other hard objects. Police attempted to protect firefighters, but they were often pulled in too many directions.

Chief Hill set up a command post at Fire Station 64, which was close to the fires and in an area where multiple LAFD companies could be staged for proper assignment to the quickly spreading series of fires. Hill formed these companies into "task forces" - each task force made up of a truck company and a minimum of two engine companies, all under the direction of a Battalion Chief. Used for certain brush fires and in European firefighting, the task force concept was unusual in US Firefighting. Chief Hill felt the task force would offer firefighters greater projection and would aid in assigning a strong strike force to fires where you could, as Hill said, "move in fast, knock the fire down in a hurry, pick up your lines and make yourself available to another fire."

There were more fires than the city had ever seen at one time before. Assignments were made in the field and companies moved from fire to fire, without returning to staging areas or quarters. So many buildings on 103rd Street were aflame that a local newscaster dubbed it, "charcoal alley."

Late into the evening of August 14, the city was slowing beginning to calm down, as more than 13,000 armed National Guard troops were arriving, but the worst was yet to come... A fire at the huge Shop-Rite Market brought a number of companies - and upon arrival the initial sizeup included three buildings fully involved. Police were needed elsewhere and firefighters dodged bricks and rocks as they worked to bring the fire under control. As the fire companies began to pick up their lines and prepare to move on to the next assignment, the concrete wall and marquee of the Shop-Right Market collapsed, trapping firefighters Warren E. Tilson and Robert Laxogue.

In the midst of a riot, without police protection, and in the dead of night, a rapid rescue began - but was further complicated due to the nature of the material - concrete. Fearing further damage to the trapped firefighters if jackhammers were used, firefighters Malen W. Jacobs of Truck 28 and Frank J. Harrison of Truck 3 edged their way under the concrete and moved, an inch at a time, towards their comrades. Laxogue was rescued, suffering from broken ribs. Tilson was dead, killed by the collapsing wall. Jacobs and Harrison were awarded medals of Bravery. The National Guard, operating under orders of "shoot to kill," quelled the nightmare.

Today, the concept initiated in the riots by Chief Hill lives on. The task force concept has proven highly effective and has evolved, with both heavy task forces and light forces (a truck and a single engine under command of a task force commander) are used throughout the city, with great effect. Firefighter Tilson's name will be added to the new Fallen Firefighter Memorial when it is introduced later in 2005.

For Watts, the results are more mixed. Forty years later, many area residents still remember those hot August nights. One resident, Alice Harris, known to her friends as "sweet Alice" says not much has changed. "Everybody is tense - no jobs, zero tolerance in the housing projects and people are scared of the police," she says. For the LAFD, an ongoing commitment to Watts continues, with constant rescue ambulance support, new fire stations, and a dedication to the community, regardless of time, day, or temperature.

Posted by dbarrett at 11:32 PM | Comments ( 1 )

December 24, 2005

Frank's Place

The morning of September 27, 1980 was a typical early fall day in Los Angeles. A guard patrolling the Naval and Marine Reserve Center in the Alysian Park area of Los Angeles barely gave any thought to the smoke drifting from the vents of the large cement structure. "Must be steam from the generators being tested," he thought to himself, but noting the time was approximately 9:05AM.

As he patrolled again an hour later, the steam seemed more dense, but the thought of any other option apparently didn't enter his mind. Around 11:15AM, more than two hours later, not only was smoke pouring from the vents, but glowing red burning embers were as well. A call was placed to report a fire.

OCD dispatched Task Forces 3 and 4, Engine 6 and Battalion Chief Guy Smith to a report of smoke. First-in Engine 6 reported that smoke was rolling from the roof and the assignment was increased to include Task Force 1 and 11.

As firefighters began to battle the fire, nobody told them it had been burning for more than two hours. As a result, truck companies laddered the roof and began working with rotary and chain saws to vent the fire. Using their pike poles to test for weakness, the roof appeared sound to the Truck company members working above the fire. The roof was built using thick wood sheathing and they assumed they had time to make their cuts.

Firefighter Frank Hotchkin, assigned to Truck 1 for just over a month, determined another pike pole would be useful for punching holes and went off to get one from the truck. "No one ordered him to do it," recalled Firefighter Gary Mellinger, who was on the roof with Frank. "He just elected himself."
Sometime shortly thereafter, as Frank moved across the roof, it weakened underneath him and suddenly gave way, dropping him into the inferno below, estimated at more than 1,500 degrees. Nobody saw him disappear. He was twenty four years old.
Those who worked with Frank knew him as reliable, fun, and with that certain special quality that defines certain people. "He was one of those rare individuals who could do any job," remembers Captain Russ Weck, Hotchkin's direct supervisor when he was stationed at Fire Station 88. "He just cared so much about people. That's what his death was about - he always wanted to do that little bit extra."
As for the fire, the building was saved and cause reported as an electrical malfunction. More than 40 companies participated in knocking the fire down.
In 1995, as the US Military continued its downsizing program, the Naval and Marine Reserve Center was shut down. The center was turned over to the Los Angeles Fire Department for use as a training and administrative facility. Formally, it is called the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center. But, ask anyone on the job and they'll tell you what to call it: It's "Frank's Place."

Posted by dbarrett at 11:30 PM | Comments ( 1 )

December 14, 2005

Proud of Pinel

December typically signals the arrival of winter over fall, with holiday decorations, office parties, and a general feeling of good cheer. Even in Los Angeles, the weather changes, even if only slightly, and the evenings are cooler; the days shorter.

It was cool and quiet on December 4, 1984 as Los Angeles Police Officers Joe Ransfer and Robert Lopez patrolled in their car the area surrounding Los Angeles International Airport. As they drove past the southern runways at about 4:50AM, they were stunned to see flames punching through the roof of The Proud Bird restaurant. A radio call was made and OCD issued a structure fire assignment at 4:54AM (TF 95, TF5, E80, BC4).

First in units realized they had a working fire and the initial "size-up" resulted in additional units being called. Within minutes 23 companies and Deputy Chief Don Anthony were either on scene or en route, including Engine 54.

The fire was stubborn, having actually been started by thieves just after midnight - it had a nearly five hour head-start and had pushed its way from the main floor of the restaurant into the huge 130 by 175 foot attic of the facility. The unique construction of the building also made the attack difficult. The roof contained a maze of construction beams, supports and other elements that diluted the traditional venting operations of firefighters on the roof.

As an interior attack continued, the crew of Engine 54, including Captain Jim N. DiGrado, Firefighters Walter T. Barnett and Benjamin Pinel were working an inch-and-a-half line through the ballroom. Engine 66 was engaged in a similar effort. Suddenly, without warning, a tremendous flashover occurred, pushing firefighters back due to the extreme heat and fire. Engine 66 and 54 retreated to the street, only to discover that Firefighter Pinel was missing.

Firefighters re-entered the building in search of Pinel, including Firefighter Johnny Garcia of Truck 64. Garcia followed the hoseline from 54s to the nozzle, but couldn't find Pinel. As he peered though the dark, murky smoke, he heard the low-air warning from Pinel's breathing apparatus, plus the personal alarm device (PAL) on Pinel's turnout coat.

Garcia was forced to abandon the building for a fresh air bottle, but immediately returned to continue his search. Now, only the tone from Pinel's PAL device could be heard, but Pinel himself was not to be found. As his air ran low, Garcia, now exhausted, exited the building for a third air bottle and a third attempt to find the missing firefighter.

As Garcia and others searched, the fire in the attic continued to escalate. Firefighting and search and rescue operations were ongoing and after awhile, Pinel was found, about 75 feet from the nozzle of his line. He had apparently attempted to exit in a wrong direction and became disoriented. He did not survive and heat and smoke in the ballroom.

Benjamin Pinel left a wife and six-month old daughter behind, and a brother who was also a firefighter, Michael, then stationed at Task Force 66. Garcia was awarded the medal of valor for his efforts. Arson investigators later arrested Jose Jesus Davilla related to the arson fire at the restaurant, but he was not convicted, due to a lack of hard evidence. He was deported to Mexico, having been in the US illegally.

Today, 21 years later. all Los Angeles firefighters remember Pinel, Garcia, and the Proud Bird. The name of Pinel is inscribed on the wall of the new Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood, just outside Old Fire Station 27. If you ask anyone who hears about this story, they're likely to tell you Pinel was a hero. If you ask a firefighter, they're more likely to say, "it's just another part of the job."

As the holidays approach, we all take time to contemplate the year past and the coming year ahead. If you have a moment, raise a glass to the firefighters who protect the city 365 days a year, no matter what the holiday or season. We're proud of their efforts and we hope to never forget their sacrifices.

Posted by dbarrett at 11:28 PM | Comments ( 0 )

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 )