LAFD Recognizes Firefighters that Saved Captain's Life

On Tuesday, August 20, 2013, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) recognized members who were working at Fire Station 61 on April 3, 2011, and were instrumental in resuscitating Fire Captain II Andy Raya. Based on their quick thinking and outstanding training, he is alive today.

Captain Raya, Fire Station 61, “A” Platoon while returning to quarters on Truck 61, became unresponsive and subsequently suffered a cardiac arrest. His crew immediately identified he was in need of assistance and quickly removed him from the cab and began resuscitative measures including CPR and electric shocks.

Captain Raya regained a pulse and spontaneous respirations. He regained consciousness and although in critical condition was able to talk to his rescuers while in route to the hospital. The quick and professional response that Captain Raya’s crew provided to him on that day proved to be instrumental as to why he is alive today. 

Doctors at Cedars Sinai Medical Center stated that without quick intervention and treatment, Captain Raya’s favorable prognosis could have been very different.

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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Fire in Fairfax District Condominium Displaces Six

On Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 7:39 PM, 12 Companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, 5 LAFD Rescue Ambulances, 1 Urban Search and Rescue Unit, 1 Rehab Unit, 1 Hazardous Materials Team, 3 EMS Battalion Captains, 4 Battalion Chief Officer Command Teams and 1 Division Chief Officer Command Team, a total of 91 Los Angeles Fire Department personnel under the direction of Battalion Chief Jerome Boyd, responded to a Greater Alarm Structure Fire at 525 North Sycamore Avenue in the Fairfax District of Los Angeles.

Firefighters arrived quickly to find no immediate evidence of fire at the front of a three-story condominium complex built over parking.

Swiftly entering enclosed hallways on the second floor of the converted apartment building that were charged with thick smoke, firefighters fought their way to the seat of the fire in a second-floor unit to the rear, where they commenced a tenacious attack on the flames.

Eyewitness cell phone video
Firefighters confined the bulk of fire to the second-floor condominium of fire origin and the unit directly above. They extinguished the blaze in just 33 minutes.

No injuries were reported.

Six persons were displaced by the flames, including four men, one woman, an infant and three pet animals. They were provided placement and human needs assistance by volunteers from the American Red Cross.

A preliminary fire loss has been estimated at $100,000 ($80,000 structure & $20,000 contents). The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.


Submitted by Brian Humphrey, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department

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