LAFD Mourns the Passing of Captain II Jeffrey K. Johnson

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) will say goodbye to Captain II Jeffrey K. Johnson, who passed away while off-duty on Monday, July 29, 2013. Captain Johnson was an active member of the LAFD and was assigned to Fire Station 29, “B” Platoon, serving the communities within the Wilshire district.

Captain Johnson joined the LAFD on March 1, 1981. He served the Los Angeles community for just over 32 years. He will be missed by the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Members of the LAFD who had the privilege of working with Captain Johnson have described him as being a quiet, conscientious and talented leader who cared for the people in the community he so proudly served as well as his firefighter family.  

Memorial and funeral services will be held on Friday, August 9, 2013 where the LAFD will say its final farewell to Captain Jeffrey K. Johnson. The public is invited to join, as we together mourn his passing.

DATE: Friday, August 9, 2013

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Divine Savior Catholic Church

610 Cypress Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90065

A reception will be held for all family and friends following the memorial service at the Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center, 1700 Stadium Way, Los Angeles, CA, 90012.

In lieu of flowers a donation is welcome: Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen's Fund
815 Colorado Blvd, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90041

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Fire Station 29 Celebrates Its Centennial with a Pancake Breakfast

We are proud to say that tomorrow, Tuesday April 16, 2013, Los Angeles Fire Department Fire Station 29, proudly serving Wilshire Center and Hancock Park areas, will turn 100 years-old. Join LAFD Fire Chief Brian Cummings, Board of Fire Commissioners, Councilmember Tom LaBonge and local firefighters, in celebrating the Centennial of the 1913 formation of Engine Company 29, and the opening of the original Western Avenue station at the "new" firehouse located at 4029 Wilshire Boulevard.

Members of the public are encouraged to visit. The event will be marked with a good, old-fashioned firefighters' pancake breakfast and provide a great chance for all to talk about the "ol days" with 29's alumni along with those presently assigned. Fire Station 29 is known for perennially producing some of the LAFD's finest. Congratulations 29's!

April 16, 2013

8:00 AM to 10:00 AM

4029 Wilshire Blvd,

Los Angeles, CA 90010

 

 

The history of the Los Angeles Fire Department is one of the most unique and inspiring in U.S. fire service history. An all-volunteer department for nearly two decades in the mid 19th Century, the department became an official agency of the City of Los Angeles on February 1, 1886. We encourage you to learn more about your LAFD by visiting your neighborhood station.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Battle Massive Koreatown Blaze

KOREATOWN - Over 148 Los Angeles Firefighters battled an unrelenting fire in a large three story, six unit, apartment building, where one firefighter was injured.

On April 15, 2013, just after 2:00 AM, firefighters arrived at 3390 West San Marino Street, to find fire coming from the attic of a three story U-shaped apartment building. An aggressive fire attack was made on this 100’ by 300’, 81 year old structure. Initial concerns of occupants at this early morning blaze were put at ease when it was confirmed to be a vacant building under renovation. A thorough search continued during the fire fight to ensure there were also no transients inside. This massive structure proved challenging with the attic fully involved in fire, compromised stairwells, and debris that spread fire throughout all floors.

Firefighters aggressively fought this blaze from the interior while additional companies provided vertical ventilation on the roof. After nearly an hour of intense flames, the remaining uncut sections of roof began to sag. Firefighters were immediately evacuated from the compromised roof, without incident.

LAFD fire companies, under the command of Assistant Chief Ralph Terrazas, had the bulk of the fire extinguished in 90 minutes. Companies remained on scene for several hours to perform a complete overhaul.

The Department of Building and Safety, "Red Tagged" the structure, deeming it unsafe for entry. The dollar loss is still being tabulated. The cause of this early morning fire remains under active investigation by the LAFD Arson Counter Terrorism Section, who is considering it suspicious in nature. The injured firefighter sustained minor, non life threatening injuries.

Assistant Chief Robert Franco commends firefighters on confining the flames to the building of origin. Noting their aggressive fire attack prevented damage to an adjacent school that was able to conduct classes today. "Firefighters did a good job, it was an intense fire fight", Franco said.

Dispatched Units: E229 RA858 E29 T29 RA829 RA29 E13 E226 E26 T26 EM11 BC11 BC5 E52 E211 E11 T11 E6 E10 T10 E210 E261 T61 DC1 EM1 BC18 T27 E227 E3 UR3 RA3 UR88 BC1 E61 E215 E15 T15 T92 E292 AR1 BC9 BC13 T94 E294 RA13 RA52 AR1 EA1 RT59 E66 E233 T33 E34 RT59 SU2

(PHOTOS)

Submitted by Katherine Main, Spokesperson
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Los Angeles Firefighters Halt Flames in Wilshire Condominium Complex

GREATER WILSHIRE -  Los Angeles Firefighters quickly extinguished a fire on the roof and in the attic of a large condominium complex, before anyone was injured.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was summoned at 12:42 AM on January 30, 2013, to 4477 Wilshire Blvd where they found three-story condominium residences over parking with smoke showing.

LAFD crews, arriving in less than four minutes, commenced an aggressive fire attack with hose-lines while their colleagues performed vertical ventilation with chainsaws on the roof. Simultaneously a rapid search of the 33 year-old building ensued, ensuring all occupants were out of harms way.

A total of 90 firefighters, under the command of Battalion Chief J. Castro, extinguished the flames in 41 minutes.

The fire started in an elevator room on the roof and quickly spread through the attic. Three units on the third occupied floor suffered fire and water damage, and a several units below suffered water damage.  Once the flames were out, firefighters concentrated efforts on carefully removing residual water from affected units and protecting the occupants property.

No injuries were reported.

There did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances causing the Greater Alarm Structure Fire. Monetary loss is still being tabulated.

Dispatched Units: E229 E29 T29 RA29 RA829 E61 T61 E261 E27 EM11 BC5 BC11 E68 E226 T26 E227 T27 DC1 SQ21 BC18 E211 T11 E94 EM1 E3 T5 E205 UR5 UR88 BC1

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Four Injured in Los Angeles Koreatown Apartment Blaze

KOREATOWN - Four persons were injured - one critically, when an apartment fire erupted Monday evening in the Koreatown area of Los Angeles.

A series of frantic 9-1-1 calls beginning at 8:14PM on September 17, 2012 brought the Los Angeles Fire Department to 504 South Normandie Avenue in Koreatown, where they discovered smoke and soon intense flames, visible from the lowest floor of three apartment levels over parking.

Photo by @EMAMD on Twitter

With reports of one or more residents trapped on the fire floor, and deadly smoke and heat filling the center hallway style building, the first of 72 LAFD responders braved oppressive conditions to push back the flames, as their colleagues swiftly forced entry into six apartments near the fire in a methodical search under zero-visibility conditions for those reported missing.

Firefighters found and rescued an approximately 28 year-old man from an interior hallway near the well involved apartment. With full thickness burns to nearly 85% of his body, he was transported by LAFD Paramedics in critical condition to an area hospital.

Other Firefighters found and rescued an approximately 58 year-old woman from within the smoke-charged building. With significant smoke exposure, she was transported in serious condition to a nearby hospital by LAFD Paramedics.

The fire was confined to the apartment of fire origin and an adjacent interior hallway, with flames brought fully under control in just 21 minutes.

Fire Department ambulances were later used to transport an approximately 45 year-old man with a foot injury, and a fourteen year-old girl with minor respiratory distress, both in good condition, to area hospitals.

No other injuries were reported.

Monetary loss to the 24-unit building is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze remains under active investigation.

Dispatched Units: E29 T29 E229 RA29 RA829 E6 E52 E211 T11 EM11 BC11 BC705 E61 BC5 RA6 RA52 EM1 E226 T26 E13 E11 E261 T61 DC1 SQ21 EM13 BC18 T3 E203 RA3 RA803 T27 E227 UR27 UR88 BC1 UR3 RA13 RA811 AR1 AR11 AR10 AR23

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Firefighters Spared Injury When Floor Collapses During Hancock Park Blaze

HANCOCK PARK - A stubborn fire raced through a massive Hancock Park home on Wednesday evening, causing a floor to collapse - but sparing injury, before being tamed by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire was reported at 7:36 PM on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, bringing the swift response of 58 Los Angeles Firefighters to 644 South Muirfield Road, where they discovered smoke showing from an 8,829 square-foot two story home.

LAFD crews worked aggressively to protect personal property as their colleagues tackled stubborn flames within the 88 year-old residence, that was undergoing some manner of renovation. It was during the well orchestrated assault against elusive fire, that a sizeable portion of the second floor collapsed into the room below.

Despite the challenge, firefighters confined the flames to one room on the first floor, the space immediately above as well as a portion of the attic, attaining full extinguishment of the fire in just 75 minutes.

Assistant Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas stated that no firefighters were trapped and that there were no injuries.

Monetary loss from the flames is still being tabulated. The cause of the blaze has been declared accidental in nature, and remains under active investigation.

Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Is Having a BBQ Fundraiser for a Good Cause and You're Invited

Please join Los Angeles Firefighters in a barbecue fundraiser for the daughter of Department Member Firefighter Eric D. Shepherd from Fire Station 29, whom passed away on July 18, 2011. Sadly firefighter Shepherd left behind a beautiful young daughter, Sarai.

We welcome your family to stand alongside ours at a Memorial BBQ in Firefighter Shepherd’s honor, in order to raise funds for Sarai’s future education. The members of Fire station 29 would like to warmly invite the public as well as the media to participate in this worthy cause and celebrate the life of our fallen Brother, Eric “Shep” Shepherd.

DATE: Saturday, September 24, 2011

TIME: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

LOCATION: Fire Station 29 - 4029 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, 90010

Unable to attend but still want to show your support:

The Sarai Shepherd Educational Fund
Acct# 10000758996
c/o L.A. Firemen's Credit Union
815 Colorado Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90041

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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LAFD Mourns the Passing of a Fellow Firefighter

As you may have recently heard, the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department are mourning the off-duty passing of fellow Firefighter Eric Shepherd.

The LAFD would like to share some additional information about this very special man...

Eric Shepherd was born on July 12th, 1978 at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. Raised in Carson, California, Eric graduated from Long Beach Jordan High School in 1996. Later that year, Eric joined the United States Air Force and served as a firefighter in Kuwait and at home at Edwards Air Force Base. After four years of dedicated service to his country, Eric was honorably discharged as a Senior Airman.

In July of 2003, Eric joined the Los Angeles Fire Department. Following the drill tower and probationary assignments, Eric transferred to Fire Station 29 in Battalion 11, serving the Wilshire Center and Mid-City areas of Los Angeles. Widely recognized as a conscientious and talented firefighter, as well as a generous and genuine friend, Eric quickly earned the respect and admiration of his peers and the public he proudly served. He successfully tested for the rank of engineer and was looking forward to the added challenges and responsibilities of the promotion.

Eric died suddenly while off-duty on July 18th, 2011. He is survived by his father, Ronald and his stepmother Cindy, his mother Loretta, sister Rene, and the love of his life Cacherel Smaith, with whom he brought into this world and raised as the apple of his eye, his daughter Sarai.

He was a credit to his family and friends, his country, the fire service and his department. His warmth, laughter, and easy going demeanor will always be cherished. Eric will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

Firefighter Eric Shepherd was assigned to Fire Station 29 "C" Platoon.

All members of the community are welcome to join us in celebrating the life of Firefighter Eric Shepherd.

Public Memorial Services for LAFD Firefighter Eric Shepherd:

• Date: Friday, July 29, 2011
• Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Location: Crenshaw Christian Center - "Faith Dome", 7901 South Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA.
• Interment: Forest Lawn, Cypress, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, CA (immediately following Memorial Service)

 

*The Memorial Service will be streamed "live" on the "Faith Dome" (click this link) website on

Friday, July 29th from 9:30 am -12:30 pm.

*Members of the Fire Service and allied agencies that wish to have a formal presence, are asked to contact LAFD's Planning Section at (213) 978-3845.

*All flowers being delivered to the Crenshaw Christian Center "Faith Dome" for FF Shepherd's Memorial Service, must be delivered no later than 9:30 am on Friday, July 29, 2011.

*If you would like to make a donation, FF Eric Shepherd's Family respectfully asks that any donations be made to a fund that has been established for his young daughter, in her name:

        "Sarai Shepherd Educational Fund" (Account # 10000758996)
        Los Angeles Fireman's Credit Union
        815 Colorado Boulevard
        Los Angeles, CA 90041

We thank you for the outpouring of support in this time of sadness.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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