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s
Saturday, March 16, 2019 | California City
g Come join the Fire Department family for a weekend of fun and camaraderie.
et
1 The "Hook and Ladder Enduro" is a fun
family event held near California City.
This event will be on a marked course approximately
25 miles long. It will be a “blind bogey” type of
event - each class will have an unknown time to try to
match. The closest to the “blind bogey” time will
win. Trophies for 1st through 3rd place in each class.

- It is open to all ages and experience levels. - No previous experience necessary.

- Open to any type of off-road vehicle / motorcycle. - Trophies, Prizes and Finisher Pins.

CONTACTS:
Bruce Galien – LAFD Retired – (661) 645-7448 Luvbaja2@aol.com
Craig White – Fire Comms – (661) 305-3102 banzaibros@msn.com

FACEBOOK/Hook and Ladder Enduro

 On the cover: Structure Fire - South LA - By Brandon Buckley

Photo Inset: LAFD Training in Hollywood

2 • March 2019
 VOL. XCV MARCH 2019 NO. 07

• FEATURES •
Buzzard Bait
Whether on two wheels or four, perfect conditions made for a ride
not soon forgotten • .........................................................................06

Hose Pull
Achieving Optimal Firefighter Fitness • .........................................10

2018 Fire Marshall Award

Learn about three individuals that make fire prevention their top
priority • ..................................................................................................11

LA RAMS
LAFRA and the LAFD show their team spirit • .............................36

• CONTENTS •
President’s Message • ............................................................................05
Battalion News • ....................................................................................13
LAFD Babies—The Wives of the LAFD Represent • …………………….40
The Retired Guy—Point Fermin Rescue • …………..……..…..…..…….42
Department in Action • ...........................................................................44
Retirement Dinners • ............................................................................46
Battalion 15 Retires—B/C Stephen Ruda & FF/EIT Ron Matthews • ......47
Memorials • ...........................................................................................48
Station Fridge • ......................................................................................49
Mailbox • ...............................................................................................50
LAFD History
The DC-10 Crash at LAX • .............................................................53
Minutes of the Board of Trustees • .....................................................56
Classifieds • ...........................................................................................58
Tailboard
Fire Station 68 • ....................................................................................61

Notice: Production of The Firemen’s Grapevine magazine is very expensive, and while your dues
serve to underwrite a portion of the magazine’s costs, the bulk of funding comes from advertisers.
Many businesses advertise in the Grapevine. This does not mean that LAFRA endorses these
advertisers. Use of a Grapevine advertiser is at the risk of the member. If you are interested in any
of the advertisements, we urge you to use any and all means at your disposal to investigate them.

COPYRIGHT © 2019
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association.
No material may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

March 2019 • 3
 FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE
owned and published by the
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street, Los angeles CA 90041

EDITORIAL STAFF
Dave Wagner • Managing Editor..........................................editor@lafra.org
John Hicks • Associate Editor..............................................jhicks@lafra.org
Eric Santiago • Creative Editor...............................................eric@lafra.org
Display Advertising.................................................(323) 259-5200 ext. 231

PSO’s
Amy Bastman, Margaret Stewart, Brian Humphrey

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Art Sorrentino, Matt Mickey, Frank Borden, Jim Stiglich, Steve Ruda

PHOTOGRAPHERS
David Blaire, Greg Doyle, Harry Garvin,
Steve Gentry, Juan Guerra, Brian Haimer, Ryan Ling, Rick McClure,
Mike Meadows, Lloyd Payne, Jeff Zimmerman, Yvonne Griffin

LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Robert Steinbacher................................................President
Jeff Cawdrey ..................................................Vice-President
Vacant ...........................................Community Affairs Liaison
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Chris Stine Gene Bednarchik Rich Moody
Craig White Henry Gasbarri Rick Godinez
Danny Wu Jim Duffy Steve Berkery
David Peters Joe Vigil Steven Domanski
Doak Smith John Jacobsen Tim Freeman Jr.
Frank Aguirre Kenny Breskin Tim Larson
Gayle Sonoda Mike Sailhamer Tyler Tomich

CHAPLAINS
To contact a chaplain, please call Senior Chaplain Rick Godinez at (213)
797-2404 or the MFC Floor Captain at (213) 576-8920
Greg W. Gibson...................Chaplain Hershy Z. Ten.......................Chaplain
Danny Leon..........................Chaplain Roger Fowble.....................Chaplain
George A. Negrete...............Chaplain Mark R. Woolf.....................Chaplain
Aquil F. Basheer..................Chaplain Jesus Pasos.........................Chaplain
Tim Werle............................Chaplain

TELEPHONES
Fire-Relief ...............................................................(323) 259-5200
Relief Association Toll Free Number .........................(800) 244-3439
Relief Medical Plan ................................................. (866) 995-2372
Fax Number ..............................................................(323) 259-5290

LAFRA MANAGEMENT
Todd Layfer • Executive Director..............................(323) 259-5243
Victoria Johnson • Human Resources Director..........(323) 259-5247
Liberty Unciano • Controller/Treasurer..................(323) 259-5225
Bob Dillon • Operations Manager.............................(323) 259-5233
Marlene Casillas • Development & Marketing Director(323) 259-5217
Ana Salazar • Member Services Coordinator............(323) 259-5223

HealthSCOPE Benefits
Claims & Benefit Information...................................(866) 99-LAFRA
THE FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE (USPS 191-060) is published monthly by the Los Angeles Firemen’s
Relief Association, 7470 N Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Cal­i­for­nia 90041. Annual $48 Subscription
included with Association mem­ber­ship; Non-members: $48. Single issues $4 postpaid. Back issues $7
postpaid. Pe­ri­od­i­cals post­age paid at Los Angeles, CA and at additional mailing office. POST­MAS­TER: Send
ad­dress changes to: THE FIREMEN’S GRAPE­VINE Magazine, P.O. BOX 41903, Los An­ge­les, CA 90041.

Printed by Collective Color, Los Angeles CA. For Clas­si­fied and Display Ad­ver­tis­ing rates please call (323)
259-5200, ext. 231 or 232. All editorial matter must be received by the Editor eight weeks prior to the month of
pub­li­ca­tion. The opin­ions ex­pressed here­in are those of the writ­ers and do not nec­es­sar­i­ly reflect the official
views of the Los An­ge­les City Fire De­part­ment or the Los An­ge­les Firemen’s Relief Association.

4 • March 2019
 Last Spring, I wrote that you should have received or will
be receiving your “Member Summary Report” in the mail. Well,
guess what. It’s that time again. Please take the time to review
the Member’s RAP sheet. It is a very important document that is
generated from our internal FRITZ system. Please take the time
to verify that we have the correct information on you and your
family members. You can email, fax or snail mail your correc-
tions back to us.
Okay, this next one is not targeted at any one member, but
it is time for our members to read the fine print (oh, and my last
few messages) when it comes to the benefits you receive through
the Relief Association. Your ex-spouse is not covered - and I re-
peat, not covered - day one your divorce decree is final. Regard-
less of what he or she says, what the many kitchen table attorneys
at the station advise you, or anybody else says beside the Relief
Association staff. If you get divorced, you MUST notify us of the
date it happens! Please have the divorce paperwork ready to pres-
ent when you notify us. If your spouse uses the Medical Plan after
your date of divorce, YOU THE MEMBER, are responsible for
the claims paid on the ex-spouse behalf, whether you approved it
or not.
Also, your newborns need to be placed on the Medical
Plan within 60 days. I understand you might not have their SS#
but we need to be notified or your new bundle of joy might be
waiting until open enrollment for their medical coverage.
Speaking of approval, I seem to get a lot of questions on
why So and So, be it a particular group or a single individual, was
not mentioned in the Grapevine and You Know Who was. The
answer is simple—You Know Who made the effort to send the
required information, or notified our staff of an important event
they would like to see covered. So and So didn’t contact anyone
or didn’t reply to our staff’s request for access. Our Grapevine
staff is constantly on the look out for material to share in the
magazine (FOR EVERYONE), but they can’t print it if they don’t
know about it. Whether it’s photos from a retirement celebration,
or a particular subject you would like to see in an article - let
them know. They are also looking for members with subject mat-
ter expertise to step up and supply articles to educate our new
firefighters. It was done for you, so now it’s time to pay it for-
ward and contribute. Contact Dave Wagner Editor@LAFRA.org
or John Hicks Jhicks@LAFRA.org with any questions you may
have concerning YOUR magazine.
February and March are seeing a great number of retire-
ments. Planning for retirement is hard enough without worrying
about one of the best things about it—The Retirement Dinner. If
you are actively turning to the happy side of retirement, please
review the checklist provided in February’s edition of the Grape-
vine (Page 44). It is filled with pertinent information that can
make or break a retirement dinner. There is a lot to remember
when you retire and you only get one shot at it—so retire right—
the first time, by taking a few minutes and review the gathered
information.
One big item in retirement is the medical subsidy that pays
for your family’s membership in the LAFRA Medical Plan. Think
of it as being transferred from the “Active” Dept to the “Retired”
Dept. Your medical subsidy will no longer come from the Fire
Dept (or the Active Dept), it will come from the Pension Dept
(or the Retired Dept). Your paperwork needs to follow you, but
you are responsible for initiating the changes to get it from one
dept to the other. The Fire Dept knows you are gone and won’t be
paying your medical subsidy anymore. The Pension Dept knows
they have a medical subsidy for you, but doesn’t know to send it
to LAFRA to cover your Medical Plan membership until you tell
them. And this all takes time. That’s why you need to sign and
return the payroll deduction card 30 to 60 days before you retire.
We won’t cancel your medical insurance, but YOU WILL MAKE
THE PAYMENTS OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET if you don’t
return that payroll deduction card in time. Take a look at your last
paycheck to see how much that will cost you!
SAVE THE DATES
• Hook and Ladder—March 16th.
California City - Bruce Galien (661) 645-7448
• LA Marathon 5K—March 23rd.
DTLA - Marlene Casillas (323) 259-5217
• LA Marathon—March 24th.
DTLA - Marlene Casillas (323) 259-5217
• St Baldrick’s—March 30th
Fire Station 89 - Danny Wu, FS 103 C
• Lane Kemper Softball Classic—April 30th
Balboa Recreation Center - Keith Bandy FS 64 C
• Pechanga Reunion—May 13-17th
Pechanga RV Park - Tim Larson, LAFRA trustee
• Hope for Firefighters—June 6th
DTLA - Juliet Brandolino (323) 259-5215
As usual—Be safe and be kind to each other.
Robert D. “Steintalker” Steinbacher
president@lafra.org
323.259.5200
March 2019 • 5
M
artin Luther King
holiday weekend
found a couple
of hundred of LAFD fam-
ily and friends in Ocotillo
Wells for the 22nd Annual
Buzzard Bait Family Fun
Ride. The year 22 has sig-
nificance due to the fact it
was the second year in a
row we had two days of ab-
6 • March 2019
solutely outstanding weather
for the event. It had rained
previously, there was virtu-
ally no dust, and the course,
set up by Mike and Doug,
could only be described as
“loamy.” If you look up that
word in the “Dirt Bike Rid-
ers Handbook” it describes
“loamy” as the best possible
conditions that dirt can be in
for a motorcycle rider. It goes
on to use words like trac-
tion plus, railing the corners,
full lock slides, wheelies
and nirvana to describe the
riding experience. But why
am I talking about this? No-
body rides a dirtbike any-
more it seems. Everyone has
one of those new four-wheel,
four-seat, go fast, RZR’s and
Can Am’s.
March 2019 • 7
 Case in point is Ron Tomacruz
and the brand new RZR he brought out.
He was so proud, he came to base camp
the first night to show it off. He pulled
up next to the fire with his family for a
“show and tell” of this new machine. He
got out and started pushing buttons on his
PHONE! The motor turned off, the stereo
came alive, lights started flashing and the
ground lit up in an iridescent blue! WOW!
All controlled with his PHONE! Fast for-
ward to the next day at Mile THREE on the
course. Along comes this 1963 VW Baja
Bug that was purchased at a garage sale for
$1000 two days prior. And what does he
find? Ron Tomacruz and family stranded
in the ”PHONE CONTROLLED” RZR,
with mechanical issues. He is dead in the
water with no tools and no idea of what is
wrong. He was confused by the fact that
there wasn’t an App for that on his phone.
Fortunately for him there was an old timer,
with tools, and an old VW that ran, to pull
him back to camp.
The theme that Doug came up with
this year was lost pirates’ treasure. Along
the course we found sites that contained
shipwrecks, buried treasure, gold dou-
bloons, precious gems and other booty. At
8 • March 2019
each site you would take a raffle ticket for
the raffle later in the day. You could also
dig for precious stones to be turned in for
additional raffle tickets.
The raffle was held in the afternoon
and many great items were raffled off or
sold at the silent auction. Condos in Col-
orado and Mammoth were on the block,
along with a beautiful quilt made of fire
dept. t-shirts donated by the Munoa fam-
ily. Awards were given to the youngest (5
years old) and oldest (71 years old) riders
this year.
Speaking of awards, Bob Stein-
backer and Tim Larson received very nice
plaques acknowledging their contributions
to the Relief Association. Well deserved,
thank you both for what you do for us.
We also need to thank Mike and
Sonja Reitmayer, and Doug and Rene We-
ber for doing this for 22 years. Also to
Don Paone for building the props this year.
Thanks go out to Capt. Allison Reitmayer,
USMC, for her assistance this year. Sem-
per Fi and thank you for your service. This
event could not be possible without all the
help and support of all the volunteers and
participants. Thanks again for making this
another great family fun ride.
March 2019 • 9
F
irefighter’s fitness goals are per-
formance based. This is because if
you cannot safely and effectively
perform the physical duties your duties,
then you cannot safely and effectively do
your job. Fire chief and firefighter sports
performance instructor Monte Egherman
says to ask yourself, “Is my training help-
ing me gain the strength, power, and en-
durance I need to execute my duties on the
fireground in my turnouts?” If the answer
is no, then your training is not achieving
your goals. To help to achieve optimal fire-
fighter fitness, Monte Egherman created a
full-body, functional exercise called the
First-Alarm Hose Pull.
Fireground-Specific Training
Athletic coaches know that the best
way to train an athlete is to train specific
to their sport. Firefighters are occupa-
tional athletes, or what Chief Egherman
likes to call “Public Safety Athletes.” Just
as sports athletes train for the demands of
their sport, firefighters need to train for the
demands of their profession. So playing
basketball or ultimate Frisbee with your
friends as a training modality may physi-
cally help you on some level, but won’t
necessarily make you a better firefighter.
Specificity training is perform-
ing actual skills as a training modal-
ity. Egherman calls this type of training
“fireground-specific” training. Authors of
10 • March 2019
Firefighter Functional Fitness, Dan Ker-
rigan and Jim Moss, said that “in order
to properly prepare yourself for the tasks
you perform on the fireground, you must
replicate those movements and the fire-
ground intensity during physical training.”
There is no better training than replicat-
ing movements performed in the field, and
that is exactly what the First-Alarm Hose
Pull does. This doesn’t mean you should
stop playing sports with your friends, but
incorporating fireground-specific training
is key to making you fit for duty.
“As sports athletes train for the
demands of their sport, fire-
fighters need to train for the
demands of their profession”
First-Alarm Hose Pull
Everything you need to perform
the First-Alarm Hose Pull can be found at
your fire station. You will need 150 feet of
2 ½ inch hose, your PPE, and SCBA. To
set up the exercise, you will need an open
field large enough to allow you to run out
the full 150 feet of hose. Connect the three
lengths of hose together and flake it out
in an accordion style. Then don your PPE
and SCBA.
Once you’ve set up the exercise, complete
the following tasks:
1. Stand in front of the hose and run out
the full 150 feet.
2. When you finish, turn and face the
direction you came from.
3. Bear crawl to the first coupling.
4. Stand up and perform lunges to the
second coupling.
5. Take two steps and perform a squat.
6. Repeat the two-step-squat sequence
until you reach the end of the hose.
7. Turn and face the hose.
8. Grab the hose and bring in the full
150 feet hand-over-hand.
Once you master the First-Alarm
Hose Pull, you can expand the hose to 200
feet, where you will perform all the same
steps and just walk the last 50 feet. From
200 feet you can advance to the 300 feet
hose pull. You set up the 300 feet hose pull
the same as the First-Alarm Hose Pull and
complete steps one and two. Then you will
bear crawl 100 feet, lunge 50 feet, perform
the step-squat sequence 50 feet, and walk
75 feet. Then you will shoulder the hose
and drag it until you are 25 feet past the
final coupling. Go to the last coupling and
bring it to the end, and then bring in 25
feet of the next section and coupling. This
should leave 200 feet of hose in front of
you to bring in hand-over-hand moving
one foot forward when you get to a cou-
pling. You should finish with 100 feet of
hose pulled back and 200 feet of hose in
four piles. Only attempt these variations
when physically ready. It is a process to get
the level of wearing full gear and expand-
ing the hose.
Being fit for duty is the foundation 3 Tips for Peak Performance
of being a successful firefighter and is de-
pendent on your fireground-specific train- Tip #1: Part of functional training it being
ing. Performing the First-Alarm Hose Pull able to track your progress. You can track you
prepares you for the demands of the fire- progress in the First-Alarm Hose Pull by mea-
ground, making you a better firefighter. suring how long you can wear your PPE and
SCBA and how much hose you can pull.]

Tip #2: If you are performing this exercise

alone, take a step at each coupling to create
three piles of hose behind you. This will make
it easier to deploy on the next run. If you are
performing this with your crew, then they can
form the accordion fold behind you.

Tip #3: For your first time performing this ex-

ercise, it is suggested you only wear your PPE
and SCBA for the first pull. As your strength and
endurance increase you may wear your gear
longer. You may also substitute the PPE for a
50-pound weight vest.]

Sources: Firerescuemagazine.com,
iffmag.mdmpublishing.com

March 2019 • 11
Paid Advertisement

Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association Medical Plan may cover this examination.
12 • March 2019 Contact your plan provider to verify.
O
n November 7, 2018, three outstanding Fire Prevention Bureau
(FPB) employees were recipients of the Annual Fire Marshal’s
Awards. Each year, one civilian employee, one Inspector, and
one supervisor are nominated by their peers. The Fire Marshal and As-
sistant Fire Marshal select the winner in each category.
Inspector I Ruthie Bernal received the “Michael P. Reddy
Award” for her outstanding contributions to the efficiency and success
of the Brush Clearance Unit, which is responsible for brush clearance
in more than 150,000 parcels each year. Inspector Bernal is a 28-year
veteran of the LAFD who has been in the Brush Unit for 18 years. She
is married to retired Engineer Phil Bernal, and has two sons, Nate (19
years old) and Justin (18 years old).
Fire Protection Engineering Associate II Dominique Medina
received the award for the outstanding civilian employee in 2018. She
began her career with the LAFD in January 2015, and has distinguished
herself with outstanding customer service and professionalism. She is
the Primary Case Management LAFD representative working with Los
Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and she has been the plan
checker for several major projects, namely the Anita May Rosenstein
Campus, the LAX LAMP project, and the MacArthur Park Plaza Hotel.
Captain I Scott Miller received the award for the outstanding supervisor
in 2018. The award is being renamed in his honor after his retirement.
He is a 38-year veteran of the LAFD, affectionately known as “Captain
Silver Fox” with 25 years in the FPB. He served three years in the Public
Assemblage Unit, five years in the Valley Industrial Unit, five years in
the High-Rise Unit and 12 years in the Valley Public Safety Unit. His
contributions to the LAFD cannot be easily summarized, but a commit-
tee of five was formed just to replace him on the Fire Code Committee,
and that is just one of his projects!
All nominees for the awards received certificates acknowledging
their contributions. Civilians Christene Mendoza, Debbie Moreno, Re-
nee Ramirez Rosemarie Barraza, Sandra Guerrero, Inspectors Lindsay
Pellegrini and Michael Webb, along with Captains Marshall Rodgers
and Ryon Jones were nominated in their respective categories.
The Fire Marshal’s Award recipient’s pictures are prominently
displayed in the lobby of each FPB Office for a year, and they each
received personalized plaques.

Paid Advertisement:

March 2019 • 13
14 • March 2019
 It is said that all good things must come to an end. We, here at the Los
Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association believe differently. Although the LA Rams
were defeated by the New England Patriots, in what was a hard-fought defensive
battle by both teams, we know the LA Rams will be back next year—stronger,
faster, and better than ever. As with our Dodgers, the LAFD and LAFRA would
like to extend our thanks to the Rams for their commitment of excellence by
showing a little LAFD fan appreciation. To all those within the Rams’ organiza-
tion, we send a huge thank you for letting us be a part of your winning season,
and we’re already looking forward to joining you next year to cheer you on to
another victorious season on the gridiron. Together—WE ARE LOS ANGELES!
March 2019 • 15
 Paid Advertisement

16 • March 2019
 2/1/19. LAFD companies on scene of a physical
rescue on the WB 10 fwy. Photo by Kyle Andrusenki

Chief Cooper’s Station 3 dinner

Deputy Chief Fligiel congratulates Alfredo Larios E 25 starting the year off right training as if their
on his promotion to Engineer at FS 2-C lives depended on it. Photo by Adam Van Gerpen

March 2019 • 17
 Is Your Station This Year’s Champion?

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

7AM to approximately 4PM - “A” SHIFT
ONLY 32 TEAMS CAN PLAY, FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED!
SEPULVEDA BASIN SPORTS COMPLEX
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SIGN UP AT: lafra.org/softballsignup

Team registration Deadline is April 19, 2019

HOODIES $30
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VISIT: lafra.org/softballsignup
ORDER YOURS TODAY!!

Keith Bandy, FS 64A (714) 745-7078 Steve Romas, FS 73B (818) 800-0486
18 • March 2019
 On 01/23/2019, LAFD responded with Glendale Fire
to a recycling yard fire. Photo by Brandon Buckley

Congrats go out to Engineer Holguin retiring

after 35 years of service. Photo by LAFD Central

On 1/31/19 Firefighters conducted a litter basket

operation to safely extract an adult male from the
river. Photo by Matt Hartman, Shorealone Films

Brian Russell promoted to Captain II

at FS 50 -B. Photo by LAFD

March 2019 • 19
20 • March 2019
Mark McCracken promoted to Cap- Danny Lopez promoted to Engineer
tain II at FS 50-C. Photo by LAFD at FS 1-B. Photo by LAFD

Station 80 watches over a C5 military transport at

LAX. Photo by LAFD West Bureau and Kevin Johnson

Nearly retired Captain II Jack Fry walks kids through

a school visit. Photo by Danny Gonzalez

March 2019 • 21
 THURSDAY, JUNE 6, 2019 / B SHIFT 11:30 AM TO 2:30 PM

Benefiting your

Delicious food, fun & prizes

BRING YOUR FAMILY
& FRIENDS The official charity of the
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association

For more information visit givetoahero.org/hope

CONTACT: Juliet Brandolino (323) 259-5215 jbrandolino@lafra.org

22 • March 2019
 1/31/19, LAFD Swift Water Team responded to the LA River on
a man in distress. Photo by Matt Hartman, Shorealone Films

2/1/19. FF Brian Cooney and FF Mark Zizi celebrate

their birthdays at the station. Photo by FS 82

Big sis and Dad (Kyle Halstead FS 82-A) give mom a

break and take care of baby Titus (born 7/25/18)

The family of Melanie and Jason Jasgur (FS 27-B) continues

to grow with the addition of Josie “JoJo” Piper on 12/23/18

March 2019 • 23
 Each year your Relief Association awards
college scholarships to member dependents.

These include:
• The Leo K. Najarian Memorial Scholarship of $10,000
• The Bill Goss Scholarship of $8,000
• Three Relief Scholarship awards of $7,500
• Dennis Mendenhall Memorial Scholarship of $10,000

>>> Online application available at lafra.org/scholarships <<<

APPLICATION DEADLINE EVALUATION & TESTING

Friday, March 29, 2019 Saturday, April 13, 2019

scholarship@lafra.org

24 • March 2019
 1/19/19. LAFD companies responded to an auto into a structure At 3:32AM on 1/22/19, the LAFD responded to a traffic collision in
at a Wilmington apartment building. Photo by Tim Werle the 1600 block of N Alameda St. in Wilmington. Photo by Tim Werle

<

Another Encino resident saved by 83-A. FF Ralston on E-83 readying her-

Photo by David Blaire self for battle against an auto fire.

March 2019 • 25
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Phone: (818) 906-6900•Fax: (661) 702-1701
www.theadsci.com

26 • March 2019
 January and February have been a
busy time around FS 114—for retirements
that is! On Jan, 30th, Captain Bobby Aragon
celebrated his last day on the job with friends,
co-workers and family. With his ever-present
smile on his face, Capt brought in a taco truck
to thicken everyone’s waist line a little bit
(more). Stories from the past were exchanged
while Capt. Aragon gave his family a tour of
his last place of assignment. You could see the
pride on his family’s face as he explained the
daily operations of the station. Farewell Capt.
Your smile, personality, and your knowledge
of the job will be solely missed. On Feb 7,
2019, FF/PM Al Naeole worked his last shift
on the LAFD. Stationed at FS 114 on the crash
apparatus, Naeole finishes his 35+ years with
the respect and admiration of his fellow fire-
fighters and friends. Over his career, Al was
always willing to help out a friend by working
for them anytime and anywhere. His Firefight-
ing and EMS knowledge was used across the
nation on deployments, and his willingness to
take on a station improvement project made
station life that much better for the lot of us.
Al and his wife are planning to move to Hawaii
soon. From all of us who have had the pleasure
of working with or around you, we wish you
smooth sailings to the islands and many long
years in retirement—MAHALO!

Photos by John Hicks

1/30/19. USAR 88 assist on a car into

a structure. Photo by Jacob Salzman

March 2019 • 27
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28 • March 2019
 It’s rare to have a picture day, on a weekend,
with no members detailed, at 88-C

1/16/19. Pilots Joel Smith & Dave Nordquist accept an award

for their actions during the Woolsey Fire. Photo by LAFD

The crew at FS 100 enjoy a picture and training 1/23/19. LAFD responded to the 900 blk of S. Kenmore
day together. Photo courtesy of FS 100 in Koreatown for a SF. Photo by Eric French

March 2019 • 29
 Run the Run, Walk, Roll or Stroll the

ON SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 2019 ON SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019

Brian Lee Mike Reddy Cecil Morris Kelly Wong

Brent Lovrien Peter Varnum Matt McKnight Darrayle Prosser

Sign up to walk or run in memory of an LAFD firefighter.

OTHER WAYS TO PARTICIPATE INCLUDE:
Benefitting
SPONSOR

VIRTUAL

A RUNNER BE A VIRTUAL RUNNER

& FUNDRAISE

for information and registration visit

givetoahero.org/marathon
All proceeds benefit the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemenʼs Fund, a 112-year-old non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to helping our LAFD families in times of crisis

30 • March 2019
Pete Jimenez promoted to Cap- Ruben Torres promoted to En-
tain I at FS 13. LAFD photo gineer at FS 13. Photo by LAFD

1/6/19. Despite the quick response by LAFD, a man died at the

scene and a woman was critically injured. Photo by Mike Meadows

March 2019 • 31
32 • March 2019
 A greater alarm apartment fire in 91’s first-in
occurred on 1/10/19. Photo by Mike Meadows

Metal clad garage with exposures in Sylmar

on 1/19/19. Photo by Brandon Buckley

0n 1/28/19, firefighters found a boat, detached from

trailer with a sheared hydrant. Photo by Brandon Buckley

March 2019 • 33
 Los Angeles Fire Department

r i t Scho l ar Award
M e Cash Grants Up to $30,000
($7,500 per year each year in college)

s
Who is Eligible?

An applicant must be a dependent child or step-child of an active For more information on this year’s awards, go to the departmen-
or fallen LAFD sworn employee and currently a high school senior tal website www.lafd.org/scholarship or contact June Andrade at
or college freshman who will be enrolled next fall as a full-time the LAFD Scholarship Fund by phone at (213) 435-6095 or by
student in an accredited four-year college or university. email at june.andrade@lacity.org.

The scholarships will be awarded on the basis of merit. The The application deadline is April 1, 2019
single most important factor is academic achievement, but Get an application today!
the all-civilian Selection Committee will also consider other
relevant criteria, including personal character and extracurricular Donations can now be accepted online at
accomplishments. www.lafd.org/scholarship/donate
Please share this link with family and friends.

FYI, there are two other scholarship opportunities for your consideration.
For more information, please access
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association www.lafra.org/scholarship
and Firefighters First Credit Union www.firefightersfirstcu.org

34 • March 2019
 On 1/12/19, the crew at 98-A pauses for a photo in between
their Greater Alarms this segment. Photo by David Blaire

men-
e at
r by

2/3/19. TF 75 handles a well involved

motorhome. Photo by Rick McClure

1/1/19. E 7 handles a felony hit and run involving

an auto vs motorcycle. Photo by Jacob Salzman

March 2019 • 35
 1/4/19. It took 26 minutes to fully extinguish a stub-
born one-story triplex in Hyde Park. Photo by J. Johnson

1/7/18. A man sustained injuries when his motorcycle E-18 takes buddy breathing to the
was struck by a vehicle in NoHo. Photo by Mike Meadows extreme. Photo by Suey Tiengerd

36 • March 2019
 1/26/19. LAFD handles a multi-vehicle collision
with one person trapped. Photo by Rick McClure

On 1/2/19, LAFD responded to a single vehicle

rollover in Northridge. Photo by Jacob Salzman

Congratulations to Tony Hernandez at FS

72 on his new daughter Mariluna, born
Feb 2, 2019, weighing 8lbs 10 ounces.
1/26/19. Batt 15 respond to a double fatality Engineer Frank Hernandez at FS 106 is
at Parthenia X Encino. Photo by Leo Kaufman the proud grandfather.

March 2019 • 37
 Crew 3 participating in the LAFD
E-68 on an early morning auto-fire. Youth Program Expo. LAFD Photo

1/23/19. The Wilshire Rotary Club honored

first responders with a luncheon and award.
Photo by CII Garcia

Future FF Jeremiah shows it’s never too

young to train. Photo by @lilfirefighter

1/23/19. A few lucky firefighters participate in a meet and

greet with the L.A. Dodgers. Photo compliments of Kady Kepner

38 • March 2019
 Kids from Ash Court and Deodar Place braved the cold and set up a hot
chocolate stand to raise money for the WODFF. Photo supplied by Vicki Karoff

Steve Canchola
• Wednesday, March 13, 2019 @ 12 PM • Tickets are available for $37.00
per person.
• DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
Downtown Los Angeles • Tables of ten are available for $350.00
120 South Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles CA 90012 • NO TICKETS WILL BE SOLD AT THE
DOOR (ONLY PICKED-UP)
• Please RSVP to (661) 433-4679
by March 4, 2019 • LIMITED SEATING

PLEASE MAKE YOUR CHECK OUT TO THE LOS ANGELES CITY FIREFIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
MAIL CHECK TO:
LAFFA, C/O GEORGE JAMES, 40755 Via Tranqilo, Palmdale CA 93551

March 2019 • 39
 Derek and Kaleigh Adair
1. FF/PM Adair—3 ½ seniority. Photo by Katie De La Rosa Photo
2. Daughter-Kinsleigh
3. Our dream for our daughter is to see her daddy at work and to
realize that giving back to the community and helping people
out, is what life is all about. Just be kind to one another.
4. Luckily, my husband and I decided I would quit my job
and stay at home with our little girl. My husband helps
me as much as he can when he’s home. One child is
easy by myself. Now let’s see later on down the road
when we have more kids! I Love being around other
fire wives because they totally get what it’s like when
your husband leaves for days on end. It’s like therapy
sometimes just talking to one another.

Jordan and Laura Gammon

1. My husband, FF/PM Gammon has 4 years seniority.
2. Son-Noah
3. My dream for Noah growing up
in the “Fire Life” is that he wit-
nesses and learns from his
father’s dedication, pride,
loyalty, and passion for his
career with the LAFD
and the humbleness
he shows
while helping
others during
their most vulnerable times in their lives. I also can’t wait
for him to feel the love and support that I feel every day
from the LAFD Fire Family.
4. I was blessed to be able to stay home during the first 7 months
of Noah’s life. I will be going to work as a Registered Nurse (RN)
in a few months. Both mine and Jordan’s mothers are retired, so we,
thankfully, never have to worry about child care. We are able to still do date
nights and spend alone time together, which I feel is very important in a marriage,
especially when being married to a firefighter. I would like to add that, as fire wives, life
can get lonely and tough at times, but we must remember that WE ARE NOT ALONE!

Meghan and Michael Paxton

1. FF/PM Paxton has 2 yrs. seniority
2. Daughter-Elizabeth
3. Our wish is for Elizabeth is to admire how hard her
father works. Michael spent many holidays at the fire-
house as his father was also a LAFD firefighter. So, in a
way, we are continuing this tradition in our own family.
4. We juggle daily life by having a routine and sched-
ule! We have a synced calendar on our phones so that
way I know when he’s picked up a shift and I can plan
ahead. I like to think of the last shift of the segment before a
4-day as our “Friday,” and I try to get as much housework done before
he comes home. My support system of other fire families is usually my mother-in-law because she was able to raise
five kids and be married to a firefighter! I will usually ask her how she went about managing a household while her husband was away. FB and Instagram,
it’s so nice to have a group of ladies who fully understand what day-to-day life is like as a person married to a firefighter.
40 • March 2019
 Matt and Maddie Cheaney
De La Rosa Photography 1. FF/PM Cheaney has Approximately 3 years seniority.
2. Son-Waylon
3. The hope I have for my child is that he understands the sacrifices
his dad makes to provide for us but also to help those in the com-
munity. I hope he appreciates how this lifestyle allows his dad to be
around a lot in ways other parents can’t be and that he gets to ex-
perience station life and the fire family when his dad isn’t home.
4. Both of our families are very close which is nice and came
in really handy, but it was my goal from the beginning to be
able to do it on my own since that is the reality of our lifestyle.
Matt went back to work when Waylon was 4 days old. I made
it through that shift by myself to prove to myself that I can
handle it. I definitely ask for help when I need it, but I think parenting alone is just part of our life.
After Waylon was born, I had to figure somethings out for myself, but I feel like this group is my
first experience with other people that “get it” and that I can go to for help or support.

Kory and Jamie Prichard

1. FF Prichard has 3 ½ years
seniority.
2. Daughter-Zeppelyn
3. I hope that Zeppelyn
will understand the
sacrifices that her
dad makes to pro-
vide for our family.
I also hope that she
realizes that he’s
not going to be
home all the time.
My husband will not only be Zeppelyn’s hero but other peoples
too.
4. At times, it can be hard to be a firefighter’s spouse. They are gone
24 hours or even longer, and then they come home, they are sometimes
extremely tired and want to relax and rest. At times it feels like I’m a single parent, because
they are gone for days at a time, but he is a good dad and helps when he can. I have a huge
support team with our fire families. A lot of my parent’s friends are firefighters, and I have
a lot of friends whose husbands are firefighters.

Steven Oransky and Cheyenne

Conaway
1. FF/PM Oransky has 3 ½ years seniority.
2. Son-Mateo
3. I want Mateo to know his dad followed his
dreams and worked extremely hard to be where
he is today. I also want Mateo to see the many sacri-
fices his dad makes for our family and his community
every day.
4. Working long hours can be hard and exhausting, but he
does this to provide for our family and give us a good life. Jug-
gling a new baby with Steven’s schedule is hard, but nothing I knew
I couldn’t handle. I’m lucky to have lots of help. Our families have been there for me/us so much. I’m also close to
some of the wives which helps a lot too because they understand exactly what you’re going through when you just miss your man. It’s really nice to have
that kind of support with a big group of women.
March 2019 • 41

Quinn brothers
F
red Hare was one of the best pranksters
that the LAFD ever produced. Not horse-
play pranks but rather pranks that rattled
your mind. Most brought laughs but some re-
ally bothered the recipients. One of his most
famous was a suggestion sent through channels
from the “Longer Trek to Chicken Foot Lake
Committee.” It was perceived by some that
firefighter deaths brought an increase in pay
and benefits. The Committee recommended
sacrificing a firefighter per week strictly for
publicity purposes. Even the Chief Engineer
got a great laugh from it.
On the evening of December 31, 1979,
we were dispatched to Point Fermin to assist in
a rescue of two teenage boys and a firefighter
trapped on a cliff during a nighttime wind
storm. The youths had climbed up a small
ledge but the rising waves were beginning to
lap at their feet. Ground crews had lowered FF
Frank Vidovich from the top of the cliff but
were unable to get him or the youths back up.
I was flying Fire 1, the hoist equipped
Huey of that era. My crew from 90’s consisted
of Don Bayer - an excellent Navy trained hoist
operator, Glenn Prine - one of the finest helit-
ack guys that I ever operated with, the always
thinking Dale Dickson as the skid man and
Captain Fred Hare as the radio operator and
guillotine operator. The guillotine would cut
42 • March 2019
the rescue cable if it was necessary to save the
helicopter if things went wrong. Also respond-
ing were Pilot Larry Harris and Night Sun op-
erator Rich Purvis in a Jet Ranger light ship.
To complete this rescue, I had to place
a portion of the rotor blades over the top of the
cliff with about two feet of clearance. Also, the
hoist was mounted on the right side of the fuse-
lage and the helicopter’s tail was pointed into
a gusty 25 knot quartering wind. Glen Prine,
on his own initiative, opened the left door and
hung out of the helicopter while hanging on to
a seat belt to counter balance the added weight
of the victims as they were hoisted up. It was a
tight rescue and somewhat risky, but two young
men’s lives depended on it.
Returning to quarters, Captain Hare
said to me “That was a superb helicopter res-
cue. I’m going to make you famous.” I thought
that it was another Fred Hare prank. Before
it was over, all the crew members received
LAFD Special Commendations, while Frank
Vidovich and I received the Medal of Valor.
That led to speaking engagements at public
service organizations such as Rotary clubs
and Chambers of Commerce. This honed my
public speaking abilities which led to commu-
nity service posts at home, including planning
commissioner, city council member and grand
juror. When I retired from the fire department,
I lectured and consulted internationally on he-
licopter firefighting and rescues.
One of our awards was from Assembly-
man Gerald Felando, whose district included
Point Fermin, presented at a luncheon at FS 40.
By this time Captain Hare had retired but had
sent one of his classic letters with his version
of the events of the Point Fermin rescue. As-
semblyman Felando read it to those gathered
that day:
“I’m sorry that I could not attend the
luncheon. Please convey my apologies. Now
that I am over 400 miles away and safe from
retaliation, I have decided to ease my con-
science and tell what really happened that
night at Point Fermin.
First, let me say, that contrary to the
reports, we were not dispatched to the res-
cue. The truth is we were returning from an
afternoon of swimming and skin diving for
lobsters on Catalina and stumbled right into
the middle of the rescue operation. To cover
our tracks, Pilot Quinn told the incident com-
mander that we had been dispatched.
The incident commander asked Quinn
to see if we could make the rescue. I told Quinn
“The chief must be nuts.” It’s too windy, too
dark, and this team has never made a success-
ful rescue, not even in practice. Quinn begged
me to let him make the rescue. He said that
he had a bet with his brother (Captain Tim
Quinn) for $50 to see who would get the first
Medal of Valor.
Meanwhile, we saw a fireman on top
of the cliff struggling with three other firemen.
(Later, I found out it was Vidovich). Two fire-
men were holding him down while the other
one was putting the rescue harness on him.
We saw him break away and run but the three
caught him, put the harness on him and pushed
him over the cliff. They must have threatened
him because you should have seen how fast he
descended that cliff.
We landed to discuss whether or not to
perform the rescue. I stood firm. “No way are
we going to attempt this rescue”. But they were
too much for me. They overpowered me and
lashed me to the front seat of the helicopter.
As Quinn took off, his eyes were glassed over.
He kept muttering “I’m going to get a medal;
I’m going to get a medal.” I knew the end was
near.
The hoist cable was lowered and Vi-
dovich attached it to one of the victims. As we
started to hoist the victim up, I tried to get one
of my hands free to throw the switch and cut
the cable to end this madness, but I was bound
too tight. When the first victim was hoisted up,
Dickson said to him “If you want to stay up
here, it will cost you $5.00.” The victim gladly
paid and was brought inside. The second res-
cue went the same except Bayer demanded
$10.00. The victim refused so Bayer started
to lower him back down to the pounding surf.
The victim pleaded and agreed to pay. He was
brought aboard. Quinn looked over to me and
asked “Is it possible to get two medals, one for
each victim”?
By now they were hoisting Vidovich up
to the helicopter, but his harness straps were
too long. With the cable all the way up, he was
still below the skids. I told the crew to get him
inside but they refused, saying “We know Vi-
dovich, he doesn’t have $5.00”. Quinn said
“We can’t leave him out there. They might take
one of my medals away.” Prine got Vidovich to
sign an IOU for $4.95 (fireman’s discount) and
brought him in.
The rest is history: Quinn got his med-
al and won the $50.00 bet. Dickson, Bayer
and Prine received Special Commendation
and $6.65 each. Vidovich received his medal,
which is being held by Prine until he pays his
IOU. So, you see. if it had not been for us al-
most getting caught lobster fishing, the greed
of Quinn, Dickson, Prine and Bayer, and Vi-
dovich not being as tough as three truckmen,
those two victims would probably still be
there.
Thank You – I know I’ll be able to sleep
now.”
Fred Hare
About a quarter of the way through,
a stunned Felando stopped reading the let-
ter, looked at me and asked “Is this true?” I
shrugged my shoulders and smiled. The As-
semblyman realized he had been had and
joined the rest of the gathered officials in the
laughter.
Fred and his wife Nancy now live in
Roseville, California. Only he knows the full
amount and effects of his pranks.
Thanks to Don Bayer whose help made
this story possible. P.Q.

What Is The...
Extinguisher Fund?
The brain child of Ted Bailie, retired from the LAFD and LAFRA, your station’s Ex-
tinguisher Fund is a simple way to collect donations for the Widows, Orphans and
Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Ted saw the accumulation of change that the cook dumped
into the mess fund box each shift and had a better idea. If this change was instead
collected for the WODFF he figured it could really add up. With an average of 50 cents
per day per station, in a year there would be . . . well, you can do the math!
So take your turn in the cooking rotation and remember to drop all your change into
your station’s extinguisher. There should be one in every firehouse. And any loose
change in your pockets, any that you find in the TV chairs, or hoarded in the “ashtray”
of your vehicle can be thrown in for good measure.
The Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund is the heart of the Relief Associa-
tion. This fund provides assistance to our firefighters and families who are faced with
personal difficulties and tragedies. Donations are the sole means of support for this
Fund.
Firefighters risk their lives to protect the community on a daily basis. Thus, they and
their families can be comforted in knowing that the “Fire Department Family,” sup-
ported by the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund, is there for them in times
of need.

March 2019 • 43
STRUCTURE FIRE
North Hollywood
Photos by Kelly Seidel and Mike Meadows

On January 8, 2019, your Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a

North Hollywood auto facility fire at the 6800 block of North Lankershim
Boulevard. It took 42 LAFD Firefighters just 35 minutes to confine the fire
to the “Houston’s Motor Sports” (aka HMS Performance) facility.

44 • March 2019
 RECYCLING YARD
Van Nuys
Photo by Mike Meadows and Greg Doyle

VAN NUYS - A fast moving fire involving outside storage at an industrial recycling
yard quickly spread to several unoccupied school buses stored at a private bus
company in the 14700 block of Raymer Street. It took 53 Los Angeles Firefighters
more than an hour to squelch the stubborn non-injury fire on January 6, 2019.

March 2019 • 45
 ROSS TORSTENBO, Captain I, FS 17-B CHUCK RUDDELL, Captain II, FS 89-C
WEDENSDAY, MARCH 6, 2019 FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2019
Brookside @ the Rose Bowl The Odyssey Restaurant
1133 Rosemont Ave, Pasadena CA 15600 Odyssey Dr, Granada Hills, CA

Social Hour - 6:00 PM Dinner - 7:00 PM Social Hour - 5:30 PM Dinner - 6:00 PM

Buffet - $50 per person $55 per person

Call Fire Station 17 - (213) 485-6217 Call Fire Station 89 - (818) 756-8689
Spouses are cordially invited! Spouses are cordially invited!

STEPHEN RUDA, Battalion Chief, 15-C

ROBERT TAFOYA, Captain I, FS 25-C SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019 Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral
555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA
Fire Station 25
2927 E Whittier Blvd, Los Angeles CA
Retirement Mass - 11:30 AM
Reception - 12:30 PM Luncheon - 1:00 PM
Luncheon - 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
$60 per person
Call Robert Tafoya - (951) 237-4547
Call John Resendez - (818) 756-8623 or (805) 559-4894
email: roberto.tafoya@lacity.org
Katy Zamora - (213) 978-3649
Judy Hom - (213) 978-3855

MIKE RADEN, Engineer, FS 69-A JOHN E LEFEBER, Firefighter III, FS 112-A

SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 2019 SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
Fire Station 69
Fire Station 112
15045 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades CA
444 S Harbor Blvd, Berth 86, San Pedro, CA
0700 hrs -1100 hrs
Luncheon - 12:00 Noon
Last Day Breakfast
Buffet
No cost
Call Petra Lefeber at (310) 517-9564
All are invited
RSVP by April 19, 2019
Retirement Dinner Jun 8, 2019 - details TBA

DARNELL WADE, Captain II, PSD GREG PASCOLLA, Engineer, FS 80-B

SATURDAY, MAY 11, 2019 FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2019
City Club Los Angeles
The Odyssey Restaurant
555 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA
15600 Odyssey Dr, Granada Hills, CA
Social Hour - 5:30 PM Dinner - 6:30 PM
Social Hour - 5:30 PM Dinner - 6:30 PM
$65 per person
$50 per person
Call Levisa Wade - (213) 709-6817
Call Pam Pascolla - (661) 255-6935
Mail checks to: Levisa Wade
or (661) 433-8889
9612 S 4th Ave, Inglewood CA 90305
Spouses are cordially invited
RSVP by April 30, 2019

46 • March 2019
O
n January 29, 2019, one of the largest groups ever witnessed
at a retirement breakfast arrived at Fire Station 87 to say their
farewells and congratulations to two of LAFD finest— B/C Ste-
phen Ruda and FF/EIT Ron Matthews. The two finished their careers
working together in Battalion 15, and as it should be, held a joint break-
fast to celebrate their retirements. Faces not seen for years showed up
to say their goodbyes. It was like a who’s who of the LAFD. Whether
they came by car, bike, or apparatus, a good time was had by all in at-
tendance. Steve and Ron, your smiling faces around the battalion were
always a welcome sight to see. All of us who know you both are aware
that the department lost a great team and a valuable asset to the battalion
and the department at large. We wish you both the best, and thank you
for the common-sense approach that you both brought to the position of
Battalion 15 and the LAFD.

March 2019 • 47
 MEMBERS
Donald W. Wallace, Captain II.
Appointed August 29, 1964.
Retired on a service pension February 10, 1991 from FS 105-B.
Passed away January 29, 2019.

F E Harris, Firefighter II.

Appointed June 16, 1955.
Retired on a service pension June 1, 1980 from FS 49-B.
Passed away January 29, 2019.

Roy L. McQuown, Fireman.

Appointed August 27, 1946.
Retired on a service pension January 1, 1972 from FS 50-B.
Passed away January 30, 2019.

Stanley W. Dean, Firefighter II.

Appointed November 7, 1959.
Retired on a disability pension March 13, 1982 from FS 83-C.
Passed away January 31, 2019.

James R Laughlin, Firefighter III.

Appointed November 1, 1956.
Retired on a disability pension October 8, 1992 from FS 40-A.
Passed away February 2, 2019.

William E. Thost, Sr., Firefighter II.

Appointed June 21, 1954.
Retired on a service pension June 14, 1987 from FS 10-B.
Passed away February 3, 2019.

Michael Hurley, Captain I.

Appointed December 19, 1955.
Retired on a service pension December 13, 1981 from FS 69-C.
Passed away February 4, 2019.

FAMILY
Winifred A. Dean, spouse of Stanley W. Dean, passed away January 21, 2019.
Janet B. Garland, spouse of Richard B. Garland, passed away January 22, 2019.
Wilma G. Mulholland, spouse of Kenneth J. Mulholland, passed away January 28, 2019.
Margaret Cooper, spouse of Robert V. Cooper, passed away January 29, 2019.

48 • March 2019
March 2019 • 49

Dear James Dolan,
Thank you and the Relief Association
for the beautiful plant I received. I can’t say
enough for all that you have done to help Bud
and myself. I was blessed the day I met Bud.
He asked me to marry him six months after
we met. It was love at first sight. We married
on 7/17/77. We couldn’t go wrong with those
numbers! That was the day I became part of the
family of LAFRA. What a blessing.
Sincerely,
Marianne Lawson
In Memory of Coleman Lawson—Fireman
“Bud,” as he was well known, was an-
other one of those great firemen with tons of
experience, common sense, and good character.
Around the station (70-A) or on the fireground,
Bud set a fine example of hard work, integrity,
and respect for young members to follow. He
was a great mentor to the many rookies that
came through.
Truly a pleasure to have worked with
such a good fireman. Rest in Peace Bud.
Raul Miranda
Thousand Oaks, CA
In Memory of Daniel S. Barnes Jr.—Engineer
As a rookie, my first house was Station
51, at that time located in Hollywood. Dan was
assigned there and he lived in Topanga Canyon
which we all thought was WAY OUT in the
Valley. We had a triple and a booster tank for
apparatus and Dan liked to go “Lot Burning”
on the booster tank with Public Works person-
nel. A new “story” would return each day about
the adventures of burning with Public Works.
Dan was fun to work with and took time to
50 • March 2019
regarding my entrance date a few weeks back
and just waiting for their call back. Seems
they’re inundated with numerous members en-
tering the DROP.
It’s really good to know the additional
information in preparation for my retirement
which can’t seem to get here fast enough. Un-
less I win the Lotto, I’ll only have five more
years to go, woohoo!!
Regards,
Rene Peralta, FS 97-B
Dear Editor:
work with the rookies on all three shifts. God
I met Terry Trail in 1987 when I was
speed my friend. May the Lord be with you.
just off probation as a firefighter at Fire Station
94. We both arrived at the assignment pretty
Bob Mac Millan
much the same time. He was a new Captain II
Lake Havasu City, AZ
and I was starting my 1st year with that new red
shield that read “LAFD FIREFIGHTER 94” on
the front of my helmet. I was nervous but Terry
In Memory of Wilber A. Sweeters—Captain
called me into the front office for a sit-down
According to the dates, Captain Sweet-
chat. He said a lot that day and the things that I
ers was on pension for 58 years and 11 months!
remember the most were quotes like “You will
My Hero! He was appointed five years before I
learn more about being a firefighter your first
was born and retired seven years before I start-
year off probation than most any other time!”
ed the Drill Tower in 1968. Wilber, you set a
And “You are only as good as the people you
record as far as I can determine! Last July 4th
work with and work around.” Those quotes
marked my 30th year retired. I would have to
turned out to be very true as I believe Terry had
live to 100 to match you. I seriously think you
related his own personal earlier experience on
are safe on that score!
the job.
Per the LA Times - Sometimes I wonder
Terry had many other quotes that those
what is “The Rest of the Story?”
who worked with him can remember - some
Wilber A. Sweeters: July 30, 1917 –
were stop and think moments and some were
December 30, 2018 Passed away at home sur-
stop and laugh moments.
rounded by family. Born in Anaheim, and grew
Terry was perfectionist and a true lead-
up on orange groves. Loyola High School’s
er of men and women. The shift stayed together
first boarder and a track star, and a graduate
for close to 12 years. We all became friends on
of Loyola University in journalism and phi-
and off duty. Not with just our platoon, but all
losophy. As a WWII Coast Guard officer and
three platoons.
navigator, hunted submarines in the North At-
Fire Station 94 during my time there had
lantic. Married Helen Boyce (deceased) from
great officers. Names that we all can recognize:
NYC (1946). Moved into family home he built
Trail, Graf, Brooks, McMaster, Benkovsky,
on Pacific Palisades bluffs (1950). Retired as
Pasos, Terrazzas, Aburthnott, Hockenberry and
LA City Fire Captain (1961) and as LA County
many others. Many members eventually pro-
Dep. Dist. Attorney (1982). Raised five chil-
moted to chief officers and one is currently the
dren along the way, Hank (deceased), Steve,
fire chief.
Jim, Julianne and Maryclaire, who will sorely
It’s an amazing life we all lead. “What
miss his gentle and joyful presence.
do we want to be when we grow up?” we all
ask. If we became firefighters, we likely an-
James Kinninger
swered that question. The best part is the
Wellington, NV
friends and relationships we meet and develop
along the way. Terry Trail was one of those spe-
cial relationships.
Thank you Dave & to the Grapevine for
Every member who has worked at Fire
the great information on my upcoming retire-
Station 94 during the tenure of a Trail, Brooks
ment! I actually did contact the LAFPP DROP

or Graf can always remember something they
have learned, admired or experienced in their
own way, and sure can relate to the phrase “the
unexpected last man standing.”
Michael Gerken
Granada Hills, CA
In Memory of Terry G. Trail
I met Terry in the mid-70’s when I was
assigned to FS 41 and he was promoted to en-
gineer. Terry thought it would be a great proba-
tionary project for him to strip, polish, and la-
bel all the brass on the rig. He asked me if I had
a problem with him taking on the project and
I said no problem. He wasn’t aware that the C
shift engineer, L.D. Fowler - also probationary
- had just finished doing an amazing job paint-
ing all the brass on the rig as a probationary
project to impress his Captain (and L.D. was
on vacation at the time, so he couldn’t present
his point of view on the subject) When L.D.
returned from vacation, however, he had plenty
to say about it. Terry realized he had been set
up, and he and I had a great laugh about it. L.D.
on the other hand never laughed about it and
reminded us of what the prank had cost him
in terms of time polishing brass whenever the
C shift had to stand inspection. Terry, Rest in
Peace my friend. You were a great relief and
I don’t care what L.D. said about your idea to
shine all the brass…
Mike Littleton
Thousand Oaks, CA
In Memory of Don E. Holloway—Inspector
Our infamous Uncle Don, aka “Doc
Holloway” will be missed. RIP “Unkie.” For
those of us growing up in the LA area in the
60’s, he was a movie star to us. He was a
regular on the Hobo Kelly cartoon show and
started the fire awareness and prevention por-
tion for kids. I bet there are some of his carica-
ture drawings still around LA. He was funny,
bright, and always happy. Extremely talented
in many genres, in retirement he was a DJ in
Kona, Hawaii, played in local bands, and loved
music. It’s a great loss to our families as he was
the last Holloway child of Darious and Nola.
God speed, Unkie, many loving arms to greet
you in heaven. Hug my momma for me.
Traci
SPECIAL BULLETIN
LAFRA Opioid Management Program
Every day, more than 115 people in the United States die
after overdosing on opioids. Fathers, sisters, mothers, sons, daugh-
ters - no one is exempt. Opioid overdose is the leading killer of
Americans under the age of 50, even surpassing auto accidents in
deaths.
The misuse of and addiction to opioids - including prescrip-
tion pain relievers, heroin, and synthetic opioids such as fentanyl
- is a serious national crisis that affects public health as well as
social and economic welfare. As a result, the CDC has revised its
guidelines for the use of opioid medications.
Due to this alarming national crisis, LAFRA is implementing
an opioid management program for our membership, effective
March 1, 2019. This disease management program is designed to
address the use of opioids in acute/short term use and work with
long term opioid patients to manage their pain effectively and
without addiction.
If you are prescribed an opioid medication, the following
limitations will apply:
Long-Acting Opioids (Morphine ER, Oxymorphone, OxyContin)
• Prior clinical review is required for all new prescriptions
• The total daily dose is limited to a Morphine Equivalent Dose
(MED) of 90mg
• For OxyContin use, you must try a 60-day trial of two other
long-acting opioids first
• The combined use of opioid medications and benzodiazepines
or carisoprodol is prohibited
Short-Acting Opioids (Hydrocodone, Oxycodone, Vicodin)
• First and second prescription fills are limited to 7 days
• Prior clinical review is required for a third fill and limited to
an additional 21 days
• Prior clinical review is required for long term use (greater
than 30 days)
• The total daily dose is limited to a Morphine Equivalent Dose
(MED) of 90mg
• The combined use of opioid medications and benzodiazepines
or carisoprodol is prohibited
These criteria do not apply to use in association with cancer
pain, palliative care, hospice care, or end of life care.
Note: this program does not apply to members that are
Medicare eligible and enrolled in the LAFRA Medicare Prescription
Drug Program.
Please look for communications regarding this new, safety
empowered program coming your way in the mail.
March 2019 • 51
 Donations to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund - February 2019
BUZZARD BAIT 2019
THE JN TRUST DATED 12/15/93 -
JOHN J, NICHOLSON TRUSTEE
ROBERT J. MUNOA from the
Buzzard Bait Event
DOLORES S. SCHNEIDER in memory of
Ed & Alvina Bakula
JAVIER ARRASCRUZ
UBS
THOMAS JEFFERS III
ASH COURT “THE HOOD”
BRIAN K. HISHINUMA from the
Buzzard Bait Event
DRILL TOWER NO. 81
MICHAEL LEE
DANIEL GRIGSBY
20TH CENTURY FOX TELEVISION
LISA D STEFANO from the Buzzard Bait Event
EDWARD RIVEROS JR from the
Buzzard Bait Event
KIRK P. BINGHAM from the
Retired Firefighters’ Breakfast
ROSA K. SINNOT from the Grigsby Party
WYNNEFIELD PRODUCTIONS INC
THE FIRE CONNECTION APPAREL &
NOVELTIES
DON R. FORREST
ROBERT M. DEAN from the Buzzard Bait Event
BRADLEY N. GROSSMAN from the
Buzzard Bait Event
MICHAEL G. MAC INNES from the
Buzzard Bait Event
ENRIQUE MERCADO from the
Buzzard Bait Event
MARK B. STAFFORD from the
Buzzard Bait Event
BARBARA J. COY from the Buzzard Bait Event
GEOFFREY D. LITE from the
Buzzard Bait Event
BRIAN BUEHLER from the Buzzard Bait Event
DALE J. SMITH from the Buzzard Bait Event
MARTIN A. SVORINICH from the
Buzzard Bait Event
CRAIG L. WHITE
RAY LA FONTAINE from the Buzzard Bait Event
52 • March 2019
ROBERT HARTER JR. from the Grigsby Party
HARLEY J. GUNDERSON III from the
Grigsby Party
RUTA FINESTONE from the Grigsby Party
MICHAEL MCROSKEY from the Grigsby Party
EDWARD E. DURKIN JR. from the
Grigsby Party
LARRY WEBER from the Grigsby Party
JOHN W. POTTER in memory of Tyre Wood &
John Peterson
DARYL E. TISINGER in memory of
Mike Mercado
FUMIKO HUMBERD JR.
WINTERS FINANCIAL GROUP INC.
JERRY E. TIBBETTS in memory of Terry Trail
BRUCE E. GALIEN from the Buzzard Bait Event
DALE M. ROBINSON from the
Buzzard Bait Event
DAWN M. PERFECT from the
Buzzard Bait Event
CHRISTINE M. BRUMBAUGH in memory of
Mike Brumbaugh
WAYNE C. HELMER in memory of
Bruce Blackwell
MARIANNE A. LAWSON in memory of
Coleman Bud Lason
KATHLEEN STEELE in memory of Terry Trail
BRUCE R. DODD in memory of
Wilber A. Sweeters
WILLIAM B. LEVENGOOD from the
Buzzard Bait Event
FIRE STATION #70 from the
Fire Extinguisher Fund
GARY T. SHELFORD from the
Simi Valley Klatch
MARK B. STAFFORD from the
Buzzard Bait Event
JOANNA CABRINI ARCE from the
Grigsby Party
CHRISTINA MCKILLIP in memory of Tony,
Antoinette & Tony Jr. Didomenico
JEREMY UMLAND from the Grigsby Party
DANIEL F. DIDDEN from the Grigsby Party
ANNE S. TOELLER from the Grigsby Party
DIANA G. ALLAN
ELLEN K. LEDERMAN
VANN M. LLOYD in memory of Terry Trail
SANDRA DELANEY in memory of
Coleman “Bud” Lawson
WILLIAM C. JOHNSON in memory of
Terry Trail
JOHN J. ROCHE in memory of Terry Trail
LUCILLE B. BENT in memory of Henry I. Bent
ALFREDO A. ROCHA from the
Buzzard Bait Event
ALICIA P. AMES from the Grigsby Party
KENNETH H. GUNDERMAN in memory of
John White
ARCHER P. MORGAN in memory of Terry Trail
KAREN MOFFETT in memory of Terry Trail
ROBERT A. FOGELMAN
DEBORAH (KOSTER) BOLOGNA in memory
of Wilber “Jess” Sweeters
STEVEN AND DELLA BORDEN
CHARLES BROUGHTON in tribute to
Leonard Thompson
KRISTIN ECKLUND in tribute to First
Responders during the Northridge Earthquake
BRUCE GALIEN in memory of Gerald McHale
MICHAEL GERKEN in memory of Terry Trail
BOB GOCKE in memory of Glenn Allen
VERNATA IONATA in memory of Lloyd Dubowy
TINA LAZCANO in memory of Elsworth Almany
RONALD LEYDECKER in memory of
“Bud” Lawson & John White
ALICE MASTERS in memory of Donna Quinn
JENNIFER MEYERS in tribute to Firetruck 57
PAM OLSON in memory of Daniel Barnes Jr.
JAIME ORTIZ
JOAN PARKER in memory of
Barbara “Bobbi” Clark
WILLIAM RILEY in memory of Donna Quinn
SUSAN SHERWIN-ALBERT in memory of
Jess Sweeters
DENNY & DONNA STRONG in memory of
Charles “Bud” Debenham
DENNY & DONNA STRONG in memory of
Deane Wickstrom
JOE & ELVIRA WILKINSON FAMILY in
memory of Esther Wilkinson
THOMAS ZWICKI in memory of John White

LAFD HISTORY – The DC 10 Crash at LAX, March 1, 1978
Commercial aircraft crashes are rare,
but with some recent incidents my memory
went back to the Continental DC 10 crash at
LAX. It’s been 41 years and the outstanding
LAFD response saved many lives. I visited
Captain Bob Engle some years ago who re-
membered the incident very well. This is one
of those incidents where our LAX firefighters
actually saved almost 200 people on that air-
plane because of their rapid response and fire-
fighting and rescue operations.
It was Wednesday morning, March 1,
1978. At Fire Station 80, Captain Bob Engle
was giving a drill on rescuing passengers from
a burning airplane. Captain Engle was an ex-
pert in crash rescue firefighting with more
than 20 years of experience at LAX. Two
miles north of 80’s was a satellite crash sta-
tion known as 80’s north or “the little house
on the prairie.” On duty were Firefighters Jim
McJannet and Tommy Kaiser with CB1, a 1968
Walter crash rig carrying 3000 gallons of wa-
ter and 500 gallons of light water foam concen-
trate. McJannet was looking out of the station
window watching a Continental DC 10 aircraft
with 198 people on board and 81,000 gallons
of Jet-A fuel taxi to the end of the runway for
a take off to Honolulu. At 0923 the jet started
down the runway and at 179 miles per hour the
two front tires on the left main landing gear
blew apart as it passed by 80’s north.
McJannet notified 80’s and OCD, re-
questing five more task forces and joined Kai-
ser in the rig which began rapidly accelerating
toward the thick black smoke from the plane
which had overshot the end of the runway. All
of 80’s responded with Captain Engle in the
Rapid Intervention Vehicle followed by two
more Crash rigs and Engine 80. The plane was
resting on its left wing with thousands of gal-
lons of jet fuel burning around the plane. The
fuselage was intact as the passengers rushed to
the four exit doors on each side of the plane. The
crew yelled at the passengers to not open the
left side doors because the fire was most severe
there. Never-the-less the doors were opened
and all the escape chutes were deployed. An el-
derly couple exited onto the right wing but fell
to the ground and were killed. Many of the pas-
Submitted by Frank Borden • Director of Operations, LAFDHS
sengers sliding down the chutes were injured
when they reached the ground. CB 1 arrived
quickly from the tail of the aircraft and when
they were within 150 feet started the foam ap-
plication onto the ground fire on the right side.
As they approached the middle of the aircraft
Kaiser and McJannet were startled by the sight
of 8 to 12 people all on fire trying to beat out
the flames with their hands. McJannet opened
up the turret and sprayed it over the burning
passengers which instantly doused the flames.
McJannet then cleared an evacuation route for
the passengers by sweeping the foam turret
under the plane. By that time all of 80’s crash
rigs arrived and began a full foam operation
on the fire. It took all they had to knock the
fire down while the crew from Engine 80 under
Captain Gerry Halstead entered the foam blan-
ket to begin making rescues. Hand lines were
then brought in for final extinguishment. No
passengers or crew were found on board. As
other fire companies and ambulances arrived
from the surrounding area they were deployed
into a large rescue and EMS operation involv-
ing multiple engine and truck companies and
eleven rescue ambulances. Of the 198 passen-
gers and crew only two were killed and more
than 43 were transported to hospitals.
Many letters of appreciation were re-
ceived by Captain Engle and the LAFD in-
cluding one from Mayor Bradley, the Airline
Pilots’ Association and Continental Airlines.
One very touching letter was written on March
11, 1978 by two survivors Mr. & Mrs. Al
Smithson:
Dear Captain Engle: How does one be-
gin to express gratitude for life? There are no
words strong enough to convey our thanks for
the miracle of just being here. On March 1st
my husband and I boarded the ill-fated Conti-
nental plane bound for Hawaii. Minutes later
the windows were filled with flame – it seemed
inevitable the plane would explode. From then
on, our lives were in the capable and coura-
geous hands of your men. My husband suf-
fered no injuries and though I have a fractured
back and ribs I feel more than fortunate to be
writing this letter. We understand several of
the firemen were burned. This distresses us
and it is our sincere hope their return to good
health will be rapid. We would greatly appre-
ciate your expressing our deepest thanks to all
men involved. If there is some way we could be
of service, please let us know.
Most Sincerely,
-Mr. and Mrs. Al Smithson
This incident was a testimonial to the
outstanding work done by our airport firefight-
80’s North - the “Little House on the Prairie”
manned by two firefighters with a crash rig.
March 2019 • 53
ers. CB1 was at the crash site and using foam
within 90 secondsof the first alarm. The fire
was controlled one minute after that and total
extinguishment was accomplished six minutes
after the crash. All of the injured victims were
transported to hospitals in less than one hour
after being treated by paramedics on the field.
Retired Engineer Tom G. Harrison
donated an awesome plaque commemorating
the incident. The inscription reads “Plaque do-
nated by Engineer Tom G. Harrison. Thanks
to Capt. Robert Engle of Crash 80 who was in
charge of the incident for the photos.” This un-
usual plaque has a window cut from the fuse-
lage of the DC 10 as the centerpiece. You need
to come and see this outstanding work of art at
the Hollywood Museum.
The DC 10 as Crash rigs arrive using foam
to clear the fire from the fuselage.
DC-10 crash kills 2 at LAX – Article in the
Culver City Tribune, March 3, 1978 (edited
for this Grapevine Article)
By Karen Davis
Staff Writer
A Continental DC-10 on its way to Ho-
nolulu with 197 passengers and crew crashed
on takeoff Wednesday killing two passengers
and injuring at least 40 others, five of those
critically. These were the first fatalities at the
LAX proper in its 50-year history. Two tires
blew out collapsing the landing gear and caus-
ing the plane to skid off the runway, tip over,
break the right wing and catch on fire. The en-
tire left side of the plane was burned.
An earlier report from the FAA said
there had been voice communication with the
pilot, Captain Gene Hershey, who decided to
abort the takeoff. Hershey was on his final
flight before retiring after 37 accident-free
years. “He did a beautiful job,” said one LAX
official of Hershey.”He has nothing to be
ashamed of. He saved a lot of lives.” She added
that the runway was torn up, and it appeared
that Hershey had taken exceptional measures
to turn the craft around, miss a car rental agen-
cy and outer runway markers--just a few hun-
dred feet from busy Sepulveda Blvd.
The two victims, an unidentified man
54 • March 2019
The plaque donated by Engineer Tom Har-
rison that tells to story of the DC 10 crash.
and woman, were found dead at the bottom
of the front right wing exit chute, which had
caught on fire. Preliminary reports indicate
they died while attempting to evacuate the
craft. A fire official said flames spread from
the left side to the right side of the fuselage,
engulfing the slides.
The first fire unit to arrive at the scene
was Crash 80, stationed at LAX. “As we left
the station we could see a large column of
smoke from the north runway. Flames were
The fire is out with the crash
rigs surrounding the aircraft.
visible and I requested additional units,” said
Captain Robert E. Engle. When the first unit
arrived, the left side of the craft was engulfed
in flame. No flames reached the cabin of the
giant jet, according to a fire department repre-
sentative. Twenty-five fire rigs with 75 firemen
under the command of Division Chief Willis
Nelson responded to the scene.
Captain Robert Engle, LAFD Retired,
WWII US Marine Corps Veteran
I have known Bob Engle for many
years and visited him awhile back to learn
more about his life history. Bob lives in West-
chester near LAX. In fact, he used to walk to
work back in the day. As a young boy in Min-
nesota, he trained as a boxer and at 16 years of
age was fighting in the ring at carnivals and
fairs. In 1942, early in WWII, he enlisted in
the Marine Corps. He went to Perris Island for
training then to Camp Pendleton for special-
ized training before being sent to the War in
the Pacific. He was part of the aviation crew
assigned to the Marine Corsair fighter planes
and served on Guadalcanal and Okinawa as the
battles raged on. He left the Corps as a Techni-
cal Sergeant.
In 1946 he joined the LAFD serving
more than 30 years. Bob spent 20 years at 80’s
as a Captain becoming an expert on aircraft
firefighting and rescue. Bob put together an
extensive notebook of information about the
DC 10 crash including a complete lesson plan
for future training on aircraft firefighting and
rescue operations. For the past many years Bob
has been very involved with the LAFD SER-
TOMA (Service to Mankind) Organization as
a volunteer. He has helped countless numbers
of people through his involvement.
At 97 years “young” he doesn’t get
around like he used to. He loved working on
the LAFD and has many stories to tell. Bob is a
true hero in many different ways and loved and
appreciated by his family and friends.
 on the ground. Remember it wasn’t until the
1960’s when the department started providing
chain saws for roof ventilation and cutting. Our
axes with a blade and pick end is still a great
tool.

The left side of the plane shows the extensive

A new axe display at the Harbor Fire Museum
burn damage to the fuselage.
by retired engineer Mark Howell.

What’s New at the

Harbor Fire Museum

Mark Howell
has made a new axe
display for our Harbor
Museum. Many of the
axes include a variety of 3rd and Spring St. Notice the fireman bending
scabbards. forward on the roll of paper. He has his axe
The “Truckmen” on turned around toward his side. Circa 1925.
of the LAFD have car-
ried their axes fastened
to their waist going back
to the 1920’s. I always
Captain II Bob Engle in the middle of the photo thought it was like a
with a coffee cup and the members of FS 80. badge of honor to carry
an axe. I had the great
experience of being as-
Update on the Status of Old Fireboat2, “The signed to Truck 92 as a Fireman and Truck
Ralph J. Scott” 94 as a Captain. Years ago our truck company Truck Company 33 “C” with Capt Larry Schneider
Captains would try to select the biggest and on the right with his crew. Larry promoted to B/C
Our president, Jim Finn, and I went to strongest firemen for their crew. If the truck- and retired after 50 years of service. He has since
meet with a Port of LA official to determine man was short, he would get the short handle passed away but donated some of the axes in our
the future status of Old Fireboat 2. Most of you axe because the longest handle axe would drag display. His memory lives on.
know that Historical Society volunteers have
been restoring it for many years with more
than 25,000 volunteer hours on the project.
March 2019
We have been using donations for supplies and
equipment needed. We believe the Boat will be
finished and ready to move from a “shipyard”
environment to a museum toward the end of
this year. We want to open it up to visitors in
2020.
We found out that the museum struc-
ture that was planned for the boat was dropped
by the Port due to budget constraints. We had
expected this. What we did discuss is upgrad-
ing our current location and in the future look-
ing at possibly moving the Boat to the new
Ports O’Call (San Pedro Public Market) since
the Battleship Iowa plans to move there some-
time in the future.
The LAFDHS will assist in forming a
team of people to seek funding to upgrade our
current site in the tent so that visitors will have
a great experience learning about the colorful
78 years of service history of this National His-
toric Landmark.

March 2019 • 55
 LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
January 9, 2019
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the
Meeting of the Board of Trustees of the
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
to order at 11:17 a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT: 2) Tim Larson administered the Oath of
Bob Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Kenneth Breskin
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Henry Gasbarri
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee Richard Moody
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Gayle Sonoda
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Danny Wu
Trustee Juan Albarran - Pension
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
Todd Layfer - Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT: members leaving DROP during the year.
Trustee Jim Duffy
Trustee Chris Stine
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Gene
Bednarchik led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion
to ratify and approve the Board Meeting
Minutes of December 5, 2018. Chris Stine
so moved. Joe Vigil seconded. There was
no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the Board
56 • March 2019
Meeting Minutes of December 5, 2018.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher asked all Trustees to
complete and sign their Annual Business
Associate Agreements and turn them in to
Irma.
Office to the Group 1 Trustees and newly
elected Trustee Juan Albarran.
3) Bob Steinbacher asked Trustees to
review their committee assignments and
to let him know if they wanted to make
any changes for the year.
4) Craig White introduced his neighbors
who led the effort to hold several
neighborhood block party fundraisers. He
indicated that they raised $822 and have
donated to the WODFF. He thanked all of
his neighbors for their efforts and support
for the WODFF.
5) Bob Steinbacher provided an update
on the Pension Dept. issue regarding
Medicare and non-Medicare members and
UFLAC plans.
6) Bob Steinbacher informed that there
will be two Drill Towers classes in 2019.
He indicated that there is about 142
EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board entered into Executive Session
at 11:54 am.
The Board adjourned from Executive
session at 12:19 p.m.
Updates were provided on members and
personnel matters. No actions were taken.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the 2019
Conference list and asked that Trustees
let him know which conference they are
interested in attending.
2) Jeff Cawdrey indicated that they are
setting tentative dates in March for the
Policy & Bylaws review meeting.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
1) Todd Layfer informed the Board that
the IRS Mileage rate has increased to
$ .58 cents per mile effective January 1,
2019. He indicated that Irma will update
the Trustee Expense form and send to
everyone by email.
2) Todd Layfer informed that the Audit
planning meeting with the Harrington
Group and Audit Committee will be held
on January 29th.
3) Todd Layfer indicated that he is
currently preparing the 2019 Budget and
indicated that he will present it at the next
committee meeting. He indicated that
he will present the budget at the Board
meeting in March for approval.
4) Todd Layfer informed the Board that
Jasmine Berganza has terminated her
employment with LAFRA and has decided
to take another position with another
organization. He indicated that they are in
discussions with Marlene to find out what
her needs are in order to staff that position.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT
Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that
the Annual Investment Committee Offsite
meeting will be held February 25th at
Beacon Pointe in Newport Beach.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
REPORT
Tyler Tomich presented the following
motions.
The committee recommends and I so
move to pay the usual and customary bills
in the amount of $987,760.78. There was
no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and
customary bills in the amount of
$987,760.78.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Stine presented the following
motion.
The committee recommends and I so move
to approve all the medical bills totaling
$1,539,785.73. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to approve all the medical
bills totaling $1,539,785.73.
Chris Stine indicated that the Medical
Plan renewal meeting is scheduled for
February 6th.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Mike Sailhamer presented the following
motion.
The committee recommends and I so
move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount
of $37,228.29
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount
of $5,500
The Life & Accident Death Withdrawal in
the amount of $8,766
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in the
amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount
of $45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief
benefits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of
members who recently passed and asked
for a moment of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
James R. Norman
James R. Klatt
Coleman R. Lawson
Lloyd G. Dubowy
Wilber A. Sweeters
Daniel S. Barnes
Chester B. Port
William E. Saylor
Richard J. Wiskosky
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Mike Sailhamer presented the following
motions.
The committee recommends and I so move
to accept the donations in the amount of
$30,284.07 to the Widows, Orphans &
Disabled Firemen’s Fund. There was no
discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in
the amount of $30,284.07 to the Widows,
Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
The committee recommends and I so
move to approve the financial assistance
applications for surviving spouses, active
and retired members. There was no
discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the financial
assistance applications for surviving
spouses, active and retired members.
ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT
The committee recommends and I so
move to advance funds for both active and
retired members. There was no discussion
or objections.
Motion carried to advance funds for
both active and retired members.
CORPORATE SECRETARY REPORT
Tim Larson provided a report on the
membership statistics.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that the application
period for the Scholarship Program will be
from March 1st through March 29th. He
stated that the Exam date will be Saturday,
April 13th.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
REPORT
Rick Godinez indicated that he has been
working with Diane at CodeSpoke to sign
up the WODFF with the PayPal Giving
Fund and reported that we received $8,288
in donations so far. He also reported that
they have been receiving online donations
from programs through Ralphs, Amazon
Smile and the L.A. Marathon.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Buzzard Bait Ride – January 18 – 20
2) Hook & Ladder – March 16th
3) L.A. Marathon – March 23rd
4) St. Baldrick’s – March 30th
5) LAPD/LAFD Car Show – June 1st
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Vince Manzo – Tuesday, January 29th
C @ FS21 Breakfast 7:00 am (Jacobsen)
2) Stephen Ruda & Ronald Mathews–
Tuesday, January 29th C @ FS 87
Breakfast (Steinbacher)
3) Jack Fry – Saturday, February 9th B
@ Torrance Redondo Beach Marriott
(Godinez)
4) Scott Miller – Wednesday, February
13th B @ San Antonio Winery (Sonoda)
5) Julio Maldonado – Thursday, February
28th A @ The Oaks Club Valencia
(Bednarchik)
6) Ross Torstenbo – Wednesday, March
6th C @ Brookside Golf Club (Godinez)
7) Chuck Ruddell – Friday, March 8th B
@ The Odyssey Restaurant (Aguirre)
8) Darnell Wade – Saturday, May 11th A
@ City Club Los Angeles (Sonoda)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion
to adjourn. Chris Stine so moved. Tyler
Tomich seconded. There was no discussion
and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board
of Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:20
p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President
March 2019 • 57
 CLASSIFIEDS
For advertising information, please contact:
Eric Santiago - (323) 259-5231 - eric@lafra.org
MERCHANDISE
FOR SALE
2000 HARLEY DAVIDSON
ROAD KING Fire Bike, not one
scratch, 15,000 miles, Stage
one kit, Custom fearing with
stereo sounds awesome, new
rubber, second owner always
serviced by Old Road Harley
Santa Clarita, must see and ride
to believe. Can send pictures to
your phone. $9000.00 obo, no
pay pal nonsense.
John (661) 313-5409
2002 PORSCHE BOXSTER
CONVERTIBLE, black with tan
interior, 2.7L H6 SFI, rear wheel
drive, auto transmission with
paddles. Low Mileage 125K,
Bose sound system, multi
CD player in truck,Garaged &
covered weekend car. Great
condition $8000.00
Bob (661) 803-4230
2007 WINNEBAGO/ITASCA
MH 34H. 350 Caterpillar, MH
Allison 3000 6 speed on a
Freightliner chassis. One owner,
non-smoker, 77,500 miles,
transferrable extended war-
ranty. Full body paint, always
covered. New cover included.
Many extras, 2, 130 watt solar
panels, 2 TV’s, Direct TV auto
satellite locator. All service
records along with oil sample
records every year since new.
$78,500 OBO. Located in La
Habra, CA. Must sell do to
medical reasons. Roy Francis
(562) 505-1413 email:
royfrancis73@yahoo.com
2012 KAWASAKI NINJA 650.
Red, 1960 miles. $5500. Chris-
tian (310) 548-3671.
REAL ESTATE
FOR RENT
MANHATTAN BEACH HOME
Fully furnished, 3BR 2BA walk
to the beach. Large front and
backyards, laundry, fireplace,
58 • March 2019
utilities paid including internet
& cable. Available for monthly
rental 30 days or more begin-
ning 7/1/19. Month to month.
Call for more details. Casey
Glynn 310-908-5507 or 310-
701-8659
caseyglynn@hotmail.com
REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
UNIQUE 20 ACRE PROPERTY
suited for private estate between
Los Angeles and San Diego on
the Reagan Ranch properties.
Twenty minutes from Tem-
ecula Wine Country, you will find
privacy and beauty. Located in
Tenaja Valley, enjoy miles of hik-
ing and equestrian trails, groves
of oak trees and seasonal
running streams. On a water
table, so well-ready. Excellent
retirement property with multiple
options.Contact LAFD Engineer
Chad Logan (562)537-9644
BEAUTIFUL 3200+ S.F. HOME
on 2-1/2 S. Whidbey Island WA
acres. (360)341-2234. MLS#
1346788
SERVICES
ARE YOU LOOKING TO
BUY, SELL, INVEST IN A
HOME?  Call me, Diana Fuen-
tes, Realtor® and wife to Fire
Captain 56A at 661.373.6569,
dianafuentesrealtor.com,
diana@nchal.com. I also
specialize in Probate Sales.  A
generous donation, at close of
escrow to Adopt-A-Station.
Cal-BRE License 01794244.
BUSY BEAVER TREE AND
LANDSCAPE. Tree trimming
and removal, stumpgrinding, and
firewood sales. Mixed firewood,
eucalyptus and oak. Delivery
available or pick up. Licensed
and insured. Dwayne Kastor, FS
63-B - (818) 535-6368.
CALI+HI PHOTOGRAPHY
Weddings, Family, Maternity,
Newborns Lifestyle + Portrait
Photography
CALIHIPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Contact:
calihi@calihiphotography.com
Follow on Instagram:
@ calihi_photography
LAFD FIRE FAMILY
CRAIG SANFORD HEATING &
AIR - Free estimates, residen-
tial, commercial. Great rates for
LAFD and LAPD. Toll free (877)
891-1414, (661) 298-3070, FAX
(661) 298-3069. State License
No. 527114
DEFERRED COMPENSATION
MANAGEMENT: Introducing
My Deferred Compensation
Manager® AL HEWITT, INC., a
FEE-ONLY Financial Planning
and Investment Management
Firm, offers Comprehensive
Deferred Compensation Man-
agement using Elite Institutional
Money Managers. Personalized
portfolio selection and ongoing
management of your deferred
compensation assets. Invest-
ment Management of other
retirement and non-retirement
assets is also available. We
charge a fixed flat advisory
fee to manage your deferred
compensation plan. We do NOT
charge a percentage of assets
under management. (800) 573-
4829. www.ALHEWITT.com
EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT
SOLUTIONS, (ERS INC.)
We are a professional planning
organization that specializes in
“tax-free” and secure retirement
plan strategies which allow the
public to benefit from competent
and ethical financial planning.
We have offices in Palos Verdes
and Simi Valley, California. Call
Todd Ford (424) 772-6050 or fax
(424) 242-0002 or email:
todd@toddcford.com
FIRE FAMILY ESTATE SALES
– Call us when a loved one
passes, moves to a nursing facil-
ity or downsizes. Our profession-
al staff can handle every aspect
of estate liquidation. We have
worked with many fire families
and are here to help. Rebecca
Martin, (818) 216-3637
www.firefamilyestatesales.
com
GARAGE DOOR INSTALLA-
TION & SERVICE. Garage
doors and openers. Need to
replace your broken springs?
or does your door need repair,
even replaced? We do it all from
new product to repairing old.
Call (661) 860-4563 Grassroots
Garage Doors, Inc. Lic# 950020.
Son of 35 year veteran fireman.
IT’S TAX TIME AGAIN! Spe-
cializing in Firefighter and Para-
medic Returns, Electronic Filing
available, year round bookkeep-
ing and accounting, business
and partnership returns, payroll.
All computerized processing
with over 30 years experience.
Call early for an appointment
around your schedule. Robert
Sanchez LAFD-OCD retired
(818) 367-7017, cell (818) 216-
1040.
MACKENZIE TUCKER HOUSE
SITTING & PET SITTER. Short
or extended stays. For Reserva-
tions, call (661)703-7154
TuckerMackenzie@rocket
mail.com
WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS
- vinyl replacement windows
& Patio doors. I also carry
aluminum, wood and entry door
systems. Rick Brandelli, Capt.
LACoFD, FS 8-C (800) 667-
6676. www.GeeWindows.com
VACATION
RENTALS
BIG BEAR CABIN. 2 bedroom,
2 bath, 2 story. Sleeps 6-8.
About 6 miles from ski slopes
& lake. Fireplace/wood, cable,
full kitchen - furnished. $100
per night M - Th. $110 per night
F-Sun. Weekly available. Sheri
(909) 851-1094 or (760) 948-
2844.
BIG BEAR - Beautiful decked
2 story cabin. 2 bedroom, 1
bath. Sleeps six. Pets OK. Near
lake, slopes, shopping. Fire-
place/wood, cable/WiFi. Fully
furnished except linens. Winter
$120/$700. Summer $110/$600.
2 night minimum. Call Donna/
Beep (760)723-1475.
www.schaffercabin.com
BIG BEAR LAKE’S FINEST-
Deluxe lakeside townhouse,
2 bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 cable
TVs, HBO, DVD, WiFi, 2 wood
burning fireplaces, laundry room,
tennis court, indoor pool, sauna,
spa, boat dock. Fully equipped,
including all linens. Sleeps 6.
310-541-8311 or nmbigbear@
gmail.com
CATALINA BEACH COTTAGE
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, one block
to beach, view, fully equipped
housekeeping unit. Marci (818)
347-6783 or Clarence (310) 510-
2721.
CATALINA CONDO - HAM-
ILTON COVE. Ocean front, 1
bed, 1 1/2 bath, sleeps 4. Steps
to beach, pool, gym, putting
course, tennis and more. Newly
refurbished, fully equipped.
Includes golf cart, WiFi. Contact
Bart @ (310) 510-0190. Ham-
iltoncove.com. Ask for “LAFD
8-89” discount. Owner active
LAFD.
COEUR D’ALENE IDAHO
Lakeside Resort Town. 1909
Vintage Vacation Home walking
distance to lake and downtown
entertainment. Sleeps 12 with
5 Bed-2 Ba, 3000 sq ft Fully
Furnished including Hot Tub.
Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall
easily accessible from Spokane
Airport. www.vacasa.com/unit.
php?UnitID=11928
http://www.vacasa.com/unit.
php?UnitID=11928
LAFD Family Owned
JUNE LAKE CABIN - 2BR/2BA
cabin with Carson Peak
view. Close to fishing & ski-
ing. Furnished, wood deck,
equipped kitchen, wood burning
stove, tree swing, cable /DVD/
phone. Garage/ample parking.
$100/night plus cleaning fee.
Email for pictures. Jeff Easton
LAFD retired (805) 217-5602.
junebound@gmail.com
LAKE HAVASU BEAUTY FOR
RENT - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1600
sq.ft. Fully furnished with all
amenities- Laundry & BBQ.
13,000 sq.ft. lot. 3 car boat-deep
garage. 3 miles from launch
ramp. Close to downtown shops
& restaurants. View of the lake.
Quiet street in good neighbor-
hood. No pets. No smoking.
Snowbird rates. Call Mike (661)
510-6246
LAKE HAVASU LANDING-
WATERFRONT, steps to the
water. Boat mooring out front,
off-road desert behind house.
3 bed/3 bath, fully furnished w/
linens. Direct TV/DVR, BBQ,
Casino, Grocery/Meat Market,
Launch Ramp, Marina with Boat
House, Gated Community. No
pets/smoking. $350 Dan Cook
(310) 418-1577.
LAKE HAVASU HOME FOR
RENT- 3 BED/2 BATH, Fur-
nished Modern Home, Sleeps 9.
2 Car Garage, Covered Boat
Parking . Laundry, BBQ, TVs,
Cable. Quiet Cul-De-Sac Street.
3 miles to London Bridge,
located near Golf Course. Lake
View. No pets, No Smoking.
Summer/Winter/Snowbird/
Holiday Rates. Cleaning Fee in-
cluded. Call John (323)449-4473
LAKE HAVASU LANDING
RESORT. 3 bedroom, 2 bath,
waterfront house, boat, moor-
ing out front, fully furnished,
laundry, gas BBQ, launch ramp,
gated community, grocery
store, hardware store. No pets,
no smoking. Email Kathy at
scarkj@yahoo.com or call
(760) 858-4470
LARGE LAKE HAVASU HOME
FOR RENT – 5 bedroom, 3
bath, 2900 sqft home with ame-
nities & pool that easily sleeps
14+ people. Centrally located,
1 mile from the lake, close to
downtown shops and restau-
rants. Check out home at
https://www.vrbo.
com/4648549ha
Call Julie 818-268-7906 for spe-
cial firefighter family rates.
LAKE HAVASU LANDING RE-
SORT BEACHFRONT HOME
with boat mooring. Swim, ski
or fish from front yard. 4 bed/2
bath, fully furnished. DirectTV/
DVD/WiFi, pool table, laundry,
BBQ. Gated community with ca-
sino, groceries, marina, launch
ramp and off-road trails. No
pets, no smoking. $350 Bowen/
Garner email:
havasulanding27@gmail.com
LAKE NACIMIENTO. Oak
Shores gated community. 3
bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, large loft.
3minute drive to main marina in
Oak Shores. Large flat driveway.
Fully equipped kitchen, BBQ,
washer/dryer, TV/DVD. No
cable. No pets/smoking. $225/
night. $150 cleaning fee. 3 night
minimum. Call Ben (805) 444-
2264.
LAKE MOHAVE / BULLHEAD
CITY. 4 bedroom, 3 full bathroom,
2200 sq/ft Located in private
community w/ private marina and
launch ramp. Directly across from
the river, backs to large park with
grass. Fully equipped kitchen,
BBQ, Washer/Dryer, TV/DVD. No
cable. No pets, No Smoking. Call
Kevin (805) 279-2430
MAMMOTH - 1 bedroom Sum-
mit condo, sleeps 6. Convenient
underground garage parking. Ja-
cuzzis, gym (pool/tennis in sum-
mertime), shuttle right outside!
Across from Eagle Lodge, Win-
ter $110 per night, Summer $80
per night plus $65 cleaning fee
and 13% tax. All linens included.
Drew or Nancy Oliphant (661)
513-2000 or mammoth241@
aol.com
MAMMOTH CONDO - 2 bdrm,
2 bath, 2 TV’s, phone, garage,
pool, jacuzzi, fully furnished - ex-
ept linens. Near shuttle/chair 15.
Winter $125/night. Weekends
and Holidays $110 midweek.
Summer $95/night. $495/week.
No smoking. No pets. Jim John-
son (818) 992-7564, FS 80C.
MAMMOTH CONDO- SEA-
SONS FOUR RESORT.
Charming and cozy furnished
1 Bedroom sleeps 5. Updated
unit with amenities including
wifi, sauna, jacuzzi, phone,
rec room, 2 flat screens , DVD
players. W/D on site. Shuttle
stop. Walking distance to village.
$120/night + $80 Cleaning fee
Bobby@310-350-5552.
MAMMOTH CONDO Cozy 2
bedrooms, 2 bath. Fully fur-
nished, WIFI, 3 TV’s, pool, spa,
walk to shuttle, Old Mammoth
area. Winter $115, Summer
$90, plus cleaning fee $139 and
14% city tax. Includes linens. No
smoking. Call (310) 540-4648.
MAMMOTH CONDO NEXT TO
THE GONDOLA VILLAGE –
Fully furnished, three bedroom,
two bath with towels and linens,
internet cable TV, pool and
Jacuzzi. Walk to the gondola,
shops, restaurants and ski in on
the new comeback trail. Park-
ing at the front door. 2018/19
RATES: Winter: $275/night.
Summer $175/night. Holidays
$325/night. Cleaning is included.
Mike Whitehouse, Retired,
email: btkwhitey@yahoo.com or
Bruce Galien, Retired, 661-645-
7448, email: luvbaja2@aol.com
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2 bed-
room & large loft, 3 full baths,
sleeps 8. 5 minute walk to Can-
yon Lodge. Fully furnished, TVs,
VCR/DVD, pool, spa, rec room,
sauna, linens included. Winter
$175 weekdays, $195-week-
ends/holidays; summer $125,
plus cleaning. No smoking; no
pets. Craig Yoder (909) 948-
3659.
MAMMOTH CONDO AT MAM-
MOTH ESTATES, 4BR/3BA,
sleeps 10, fully furnished, 2
TVs, DVDs, WiFi, towels/linens,
fireplace. Full kitchen. Walk to
Gondola Village and shuttle.
Complex has pool, spa, sauna,
laundry. Winter $335/night, Sum-
mer $215/night, plus cleaning.
Includes city bed tax. No pets,
no smoking. Dory Jones (310)
918-0631 or Kelly Corcoran
(310) 619-5355
MAMMOTH CONDO. Updated
2 bedroom 1 bath old mammoth/
eagle lodge area. Sleeps 6. Fully
equipped kitchen, wifi, pool, spa,
laundry. Walk to restaurants,
bars, stores, park and trolly.
Winter $150 summer $130 plus
cleaning fee, holiday rates vary,
multiple night discounts. No
pets.Contact Will Nevins 26”B”
(714) 697-2587
MAMMOTH LAKES - One
bedroom, extremely charming
wildflower condo. Full amenities,
close to shuttle. Antiques, art,
satellite TV, fireplace. Sleeps 4.
Winter $110, Summer $85 plus
cleaning fees. Call Bill Clark
(818) 371-6722
Email: shakesong@aol.com
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Studio/loft, 2 bath, king bed,
sleeps 4. Full kitchen, TV, VCR,
DVD. Garage parking. Walk to
Canyon Lodge. Ski back trail.
2 night minimum. Winter $100/
nite, $125 Fri, Sat & Holidays.
Summer $60/nite. Plus $120
cleaning & linens. Jeff & Lisa
Moir (661) 254-5788.
March 2019 • 59
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Walk to Canyon Lodge. Studio
loft sleeps 4. Queen beds, full
kitchen, 2 baths, garage parking,
TV, VCR, DVD. Winter Sun-
Thurs $100.nite; Fri & Sat $115/
nite plus cleaning fee $100. Non
smoking complex. Joel Parker,
LAFD retired.
email: cat25sailor@gmail.com
or (213) 399-6534.
MAUI BEACH FRONT CONDO
ON NAPILI BAY - 50’ from
water. Studios and 1 bedroom.
Luxury furnishings + full kitchen.
All the amenities! Maui’s best
snorkeling/beach. All island
activities & Kapalua within 4 min-
utes. 5-day minimum, from $150
per night (regularly $310/night).
Call Sherrie or Bill for info/reser-
vations (805) 530-0007 or email:
pmimaui@aol.com or visit:
www.napilibaymaui.com
MAUI’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
BEACH - Napili Bay. Beautiful
furnished condo that sleeps 4.
Lanai/balcony, full kitchen, king
bed, flat screen TV’s/DVD, AC’s
free WiFi (internet), complimen-
tary maid service, complimen-
tary coffee every morning and
breakfast on Fridays. Special
firefighters’ discount - Best value
in West Maui! Nice pool & BBQ
area - Close to beach!
(800) 336-2185
www.napilivillage.com
Don Sprenger - retired LAFD
(949) 929-0989
NASHVILLE CONDO. Two bed-
room condo, sleeps 6, in Down-
town Nashville. Walking distance
to Broadway St, hockey and NFL
stadium. Contact Wayne, LAFD
@ (805) 796-7863 for availability
and price.
PALM SPRINGS- 3Bdr/3Ba
pool home with great back yard
to BBQ. Fully furnished w/WiFi,
Big screen cable TV and pool
Table. Pets Ok on gated proper-
ty. Close to Palm Springs Aerial
Tramway, Casino and Down-
town. Call property manager for
Barefoot Bungalow and ask for
seasonal pricing. Permit #3394
(760) 608-8400 / (844) 4MY-
PSVH
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Ro-
mantic Chalet Family getaway.
3 bed/2 bath plus loft. Sleeps
8–10. Cable TV, washer/dryer,
microwave, woodburning stove.
7 minutes to casinos and Heav-
enly. Located in Tahoe Paradise.
$115 per night plus cleaning.
Call Shawn or Rose Agnew at
(661) 250-9907 or (661) 476-
6288.
SUNSET RANCH PALM
DESERT. 163 acre ranch
private ski lake. Perfect for
Family vacations. Ranch house
accommodates large groups.
Amenities: pool, AC, billards,
TV, fishing, pet friendly. Nearby
golf, casinos, ATV riding. Also,
Premier lodging for Coachella
music festivals. *Seasonal duck
hunting club. See website for
rates and info:
sunsetranchoasis.com
or call Nick Davidson
(424) 237-4121
VACATION
VEHICLES
MOTORHOMES FOR RENT.
Several Class C’s & Class A’s for
rent. Serving family and friends
for over 15 years. LAFD, LASD,
IPD, OXPD, OXFIRE, LACO,
LACITY, LACITY SKI CLUB.
Visit us at www.so-calrv.com
or call 661-297-2398 as for Jeff.
Make money with your mo-
torhomes to offset your payment.
We sub-lease RV’s.
WANTED
LOOKING FOR A RETIRED
FIREFIGHTER OR INSPECTOR
with high rise experience and a
passion for training. Part time,
$300-$700/day. Mainly So-Cal
area with possiblity of travel to
SF, CO & AZ. Certificate of Fit-
ness preferred, but not required.
Contact Olga @ Sure-Path Solu-
tions to join our fun team! (951)
277-1761 or
olga@surepathsolutions.net

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DaveE@hondaofhollywood.com

60 • March 2019
 Fire Station 68

Engine Company No. 68 - 5213 West Pico Boulevard

1929 to 1987

Engine Company No. 68 - 5213 West Pico Boulevard - August 29, 1939
“A” Platoon: Fireman W. E. Wiseman, Fireman K. V. Winters, Fireman E. O. Fire Station No. 68 - 5023 West Washington Blvd
Barnett, Engineer K. McClatchey, Fireman L. H. Wade, Captain R. U. Hill 1987 to Present

Fire Station 68 present day crew. Circa 2019

From L-R—Engineer Jorge Recendez, FF/PM Matthew Mireles, Captain Adam Mandelbaum, FF/PM Jessica Jackson, FF Sylvester Smith, FF Jonathon Frasca
Photo by David Blaire

March 2019 • 61
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street
Los Angeles CA 90041-1725