2020 Los Angeles Fire Department Year In Review by United Firefighters of Los Angeles City by Blackman Public Affairs

2020 was an unforgettable year for the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD). On behalf of the approximately 3,400 members of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, IAFF Local 112 (UFLAC), I am honored to present the eighth annual LAFD Year in Review. This publication tells the story of our rank and file Firefighters in images taken throughout this incredible year as UFLAC members responded to more than 444,000 emergency calls for service in the City of Los Angeles. It’s impossible to talk about 2020 without mentioning COVID-19. In Los Angeles County there were nearly 800,000 documented cases and more than 10,500 fatalities. In addition to our typical emergency calls, last year our Firefighters and Paramedics responded to thousands of coronavirus-related calls for service. In times of crisis, our Firefighters and Paramedics do what we always do, respond to the challenge and find a way to make it work. While many others were subject to mandatory stay-at-home orders, LAFD members showed up every day and worked extra shifts in order to cover for our nearly 1,000 brothers and sisters who were exposed to the virus or became ill. We established and staffed COVID-19 testing sites throughout the city, processing as many as 15,000 patients per day. At the end of the year, as First Responders, our members began receiving the coronavirus vaccine and assisting in the distribution. COVID-19 certainly placed incredible demands on all frontline workers and especially took a toll on our Firefighters, which is why UFLAC, in partnership with the LAFD, was proud to announce the Grand Opening of the Center for Health and Wellness. This facility offers a wide variety of behavioral health resources to ensure the well-being of our LAFD Firefighters and their families. This book is dedicated in honor of Jose Perez and George Roque, the two LAFD Firefighters that we lost to the coronavirus. May their families take comfort in knowing that they saved thousands of lives in the decades of service that they gave to the people of Los Angeles and their memories will live on at UFLAC. Thank you for your continued support. In Appreciation,

Captain II Freddy Escobar President United Firefighters of Los Angeles City International Association of Fire Fighters Local 112 Garet Jatsek

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Dakota Clark

OVERVIEW The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is an all-risk fire and rescue agency that serves over four million people in the second largest city in the nation. The mission of the LAFD is to preserve life and property, promote public safety, and foster economic growth through a commitment to prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery as an emergency service provider. The First Responders of the LAFD call 106 Fire Stations spread across their 469 square-mile jurisdiction home. These neighborhood fire stations are staffed by 3,379 sworn rank and file Firefighters on three rotating shifts who respond to an average of more than 1,213 emergency calls for service on a daily basis.

LOS ANGELES CITY POPULATION 4,010,684

4,100,000 3,900,000 3,700,000 3,500,000 3,300,000

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

CALLS FOR SERVICE 500,000

444,111

400,000

300,000

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

STAFFING LEVELS 3,600 3,500

3,379

3,400 3,300 3,200 3,100

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

INCIDENT BREAKDOWN ALS

BLS

Fire

Other

208,841

157,395

29,525

48,166

EMERGENCY CALLS Total EMS

Total Non-EMS

366,420

77,691

DAILY AVERAGES Calls For Service

EMS

Non-EMS

1,213

1,001

212

Garet Jatsek

COVID-19: RESPON There were nearly 800,000 documented cases of the coronavirus In Los Angeles County in 2020 and more than 10,500 fatalities. The first known case of the coronavirus in Los Angeles came in late January with a 38-year old native of Wuhan, China who had been traveling through LAX. His diagnosis was just the fourth confirmed case of the coronavirus in the U.S. After feeling severely ill and showing signs of this newly emerging virus, Centers for Disease Control officials called LAFD Paramedics in special protective gear to transfer the patient and his family to Cedars-Sinai hospital. In April, Mayor Garcetti announced that Los Angeles would be the first large American city to offer free COVID-19 testing to all individuals. Shortly thereafter, the LAFD, in partnership with CORE, led the effort to administer the City’s public testing program at four different locations, processing up to 15,000 patients each day. This collaborative testing partnership soon became the model for dozens of other cities to follow. Juan Guerra Juan Guerra

NSE & RECOVERY In the early days of the pandemic when a great deal was still unknown about the virus, workers, students, and families were asked to follow stay-at-home orders. As essential frontline workers, LAFD Firefighters and Paramedics did not have this option as they not only needed to continue coming in to work every day, most LAFD members worked multiple extra shifts in order to cover for the First Responders who became ill with the coronavirus. Nearly 1,000 LAFD Firefighters contracted COVID-19 in 2020 and dozens required hospital care. Tragically, two LAFD Firefighters lost their lives to job-related coronavirus.

In December, UFLAC President Freddy Escobar and LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas helped to set an example for other First Responders by receiving their first dose of the Moderna vaccine. Although it is certain that the coronavirus will continue to have a major impact on all of our lives for most (if not all) of 2021, the arrival of these highly effective vaccines has given medical experts hope that the worst days of this global pandemic are behind us.

COVID-19: IN JOSE PEREZ

Firefighter III/Paramedic Jose M. Perez passed away on July 25, 2020 due to COVID-19 complications. He began his service with the LAFD on December 8, 2003. During his 16-year career, he was assigned to Fire Stations 39, 52, 65, 33, and at Fire Station 21 for the last four years. FF/PM Perez leaves behind a wife and three children.

REMEMBRANCE GEORGE ROQUE

Fire Captain I George Roque, 57, passed away on January 1, 2021 from complications of COVID-19. Brother Roque proudly served the Los Angeles Fire Department for 22 years, rising to the rank of Captain I, and was last assigned to Station 97 in the Laurel Canyon/Mulholland area. He is survived by his wife and four children.

LAFD RECRUIT ACADEMY In 2020, the LAFD graduated two Recruit Classes from Drill Tower 81 located in Panorama City, adding a total of 99 new Firefighters to the ranks. In early April, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the LAFD accelerated the timeline of Recruit Class 2019-1 in order to boost the number of Firefighters available to work in the field. The decision to fast-track the class timeline by approximately four weeks was made to prepare for a possible surge in critically ill COVID-19 patients as well as to proactively augment staffing should there be a significant increase in LAFD members who may be affected by the virus. A modified graduation ceremony was held for the 49 new Firefighters (44 men and five women), who received their badges and began working at their first assignments on Sunday, April 12th. On May 26th, Recruit Training Academy Class 2019-2 began their rigorous 22-week training curriculum, assembling before dawn each day at the LAFD Valley Recruit Training Academy facility. At the Drill Tower, the recruits learned the many duties and responsibilities of being a Firefighter for the City of Los Angeles, including the safe and proper methods of handling specialized equipment and apparatus in various Truck, Engine and Emergency Medical Service operations. The 45 men and five women of Recruit Class 2019-2 celebrated their graduation with a formal ceremony on October 21st. These graduates enter a year-long period of assessment as probationary Firefighters as they work alongside tenured members of the Department. UFLAC welcomes our newest Firefighters into our ranks!

Photos by Gary Apodaca

TRAINING GRADUATIONS

CENTER FOR HEALTH GRAND On September 28th, UFLAC Labor Leaders, LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas, and IAFF 10th District Vice President Frank Lima were joined by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and City Council President Nury Martinez to formally open the Center for Health and Wellness. The new facility, located at the site of former LAFD Fire Station 7 in Arleta, is committed to ensuring the well-being of LAFD Firefighters and their families. Annually, more Firefighters die nationwide due to suicide than from Line of Duty Deaths and the Center began operations in September, which is recognized as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The robust Behavioral Health Program incorporates mental health professionals, including a certified Addictions/Alcoholism Specialist and a Marriage and Family Therapy Counselor.

AND WELLNESS OPENING

RV FIRE DAMAGES BUSINESSES January 5 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 10:26PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 1400 block of West Slauson Avenue. An RV fire spread into commercial buildings requiring 64 Firefighters to extinguish the non-injury blaze in 42 minutes.

Justin Johnson

CONVERTED GARAGE FIRE January 6 VERMONT SQUARE - At 10:58AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 5000 block of South Wilton Place. 28 Firefighters extinguished the fire in 18 minutes. Justin Johnson

AIR AMBULANCE HURRIES PATIENT TO SPECIALIST January 10 GRANADA HILLS - A LAFD Air Ambulance landed at Granada Hills High School in order to transport a patient to the specialized medical care they needed over 20 miles away. The patient was brought to the High School by LAFD ground ambulance and care was transferred to Fire 1 Firefighter/Paramedics for transport.

Greg Doyle

FREEWAY RAMP AUTO FIRE January 12 PALMS - LAFD Engine 58 responded to an auto fire on a freeway ramp. Due to the volatility of vehicle fires, Firefighters position their apparatus to protect the scene from traffic, while being far enough away from the flames for safe pumping. Many modern cars are made with magnesium components which can react violently to water application, so full protective gear is required.

Justin Johnson

HOUSE FIRE January 17 CANOGA PARK - A vacant home located at 21055 Ingomar Street was on fire with flames shooting through the front of the structure. Firefighters laddered the home, ascended to the roof and ventilated the fire as hose lines were deployed and water was applied. 26 Firefighters extinguished the flames in 13 minutes. Jacob Salzman Ryan Winner

Ryan Winner

COMMERCIAL FIRE January 18

Ryan Winner

DOWNTOWN - LAFD responded to a one-story commercial building fire at 1620 South Los Angeles Street around 2:44AM. Interior Fire Companies searched for the seat of the fire in very low visibility conditions while navigating through excessive storage of textiles. Firefighters cut holes in the roof to ventilate the structure letting some of the thick smoke out and improving conditions for Crews within the structure. Ultimately, 55 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 49 minutes.

GARAGE FIRE January 21 PACOIMA - Firefighters found an outside fire extending into an attached garage and damaging cars parked in the driveway. 26 Firefighters extinguished the flames in 20 minutes preventing the fire from spreading into the rest of the home.

Rick McClure Gavin Kaufman

Gavin Kaufman

WOMAN TRAPPED IN HOUSE FIRE January 23 WOODLAND HILLS - A relentless fire attack and well-coordinated search by Firefighters led to the rescue of a woman trapped in a fast-moving house fire in the 23500 block of Burbank Boulevard. The woman, whose pulse was restored by a team of veteran Paramedics, was admitted to an area hospital in grave condition.

CAR PLUNGES INTO WASH January 24 MISSION HILLS - At 11:39AM, Firefighters responded to a traffic collision in the 14700 block of West San Fernando Mission Boulevard. An adult female patient with minor injuries was safely extricated from a vehicle that was located on its side in the wash.

LAFD

Yvonne Griffin

Mike Meadows

FLAMES CONSUME BUILDING January 29 FASHION DISTRICT - It took the well-coordinated effort of 135 Firefighters 73 minutes to fully extinguish heavy fire found through the roof of a vacant, one-story commercial building at 1405 East 15th Street. The pre-dawn fire was extinguished without injury.

Harry Garvin

LAFD

13 INJURED IN HIGH-RISE APARTMENT FIRE January 29 WEST LOS ANGELES - Firefighters responded to a 25-story apartment building fire located at 11740 Wilshire Boulevard around 8:37AM. Crews located the fire that had ignited on the sixth floor of the building amid heavy smoke and flames, meanwhile Fire Ops hoisted approximately 15 people by helicopter from the roof. Over 100 Firefighters tackled the blaze and achieved a knockdown in approximately one hour and 19 minutes. The high-rise consisted of 240 units and 339 residents, all of whom were temporarily displaced and assisted by the Red Cross. In total, thirteen people were injured, including two Firefighters and two civilians in critical condition.

Yvonne Griffin

Branden Silverman

DEADLY FIRE AT HOTEL February 7 VENICE - Firefighters arrived at 8686 West Venice Boulevard at 2:04AM where they encountered a fire ravaging both floors of a two-story hotel. 105 Firefighters confined the fire to the structure of origin, extinguishing the flames in just 39 minutes. Firefighters assisted residents with a buildingwide evacuation where approximately 30 guests were staying. One patient succumbed to their injuries on scene, five were transported to local hospitals, including one Firefighter, another individual declined transport, and one person was transported via private auto. Volunteers from the American Red Cross assisted at least 30 displaced hotel clients.

Yvonne Griffin

OVERTURNED VEHICLE RESCUE February 11

Mike Meadows

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Firefighters worked swiftly to assist three patients, including at least two individuals who were trapped in an overturned vehicle following a traffic collision in the 6200 block of Tujunga Avenue.

Mike Meadows

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL INJURY FIRE February 11

Cody Weireter

WESTLAKE DISTRICT - Firefighters received the first of several 9-1-1 calls at 6:31PM, reporting a structure fire at 1435 West 2nd Street. Crews arrived quickly to find fire on the first and second floors of an L-shaped, two-story residential five-plex. A wellcoordinated interior fire attack by 42 fire personnel confined the bulk of flames to the upper floor and attic, but not before the structure had sustained serious fire damage. In the aftermath of the fierce 33-minute firefight, one Firefighter sustained a moderate injury when a portion of the century-old structure gave way and toppled him from the roof. The Firefighter was taken to an area hospital in fair condition for treatment. Additionally, one adult male resident sustained a minor injury when he leaped from the second floor to escape the fast-moving flames.

TWO-STORY HOUSE FIRE February 16 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters fully extinguished a suspicious non-injury fire in a vacant, two-story home in the 400 block of West 91st Place in less than 12 minutes. Raphael Richardson

Raphael Richardson

CREWS RESCUE WOMAN WHO FELL 40 FEET February 20 SYLMAR - A 46-year-old woman fell approximately 40 vertical feet to a dry portion of the wash, surviving the fall and lying on the ground conscious and awake. Firefighters connected a litter basket to the fire truck's aerial ladder to bring the patient back up and out of the wash. The woman was transported in serious condition to a local trauma center. Rick McClure

Rick McClure

CAR BURSTS INTO RESTAURANT FOLLOWING COLLISION February 21 TARZANA - A three-vehicle collision in the 18500 block of Ventura Boulevard sent a sedan through the front of a restaurant that had yet to open for business that morning. Thankfully, the driver of the car sustained only minor injuries. Mike Meadows

Mike Meadows

Raphael Richardson

MAN RESCUED FROM BURNING BUILDING February 23 SAN PEDRO - Firefighters made quick use of a ladder to rescue a man from the window of a burning second-floor apartment in the 1500 block of South Palos Verdes Street. Despite the man subsequently becoming agitated and interfering with firefighting efforts, he was closely evaluated by Paramedics for unspecified minor injuries before being placed into custody by Los Angeles Police Officers. The fire was extinguished in just 18 minutes. Raphael Richardson

BIG RIG SHEARS HYDRANT February 24 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters swiftly controlled a geyser after a big rig tractor-trailer sheared a fire hydrant in the 11000 block of Stanford Street.

Steve Gentry Raphael Richardson

VEHICLE FIRE February 28 SAN PEDRO - The LAFD and LACoFD responded jointly to a vehicle fire in the 1100 block of West 7th Street. The fire was quickly extinguished without injury.

Raphael Richardson

FIERY EXPLOSION SENDS THREE TO HOSPITAL February 29 DOWNTOWN - An explosion with fire at a one-story industrial building in the 700 Block of Kohler Street injured three individuals, two critically. 140 Firefighters responded to the scene and battled intense flames which they brought under control in just over one hour. Mike Meadows

Mike Meadows

Kelly Seidel

FIRE DAMAGES RESTAURANT February 29 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - An early morning blaze involving the upstairs portion of a restaurant at 10405 Burbank Boulevard required 36 LAFD Firefighters to battle the flames with the assistance of the Burbank Fire Department. The teamwork brought the fire under control without injury in just 22 minutes.

BUSINESS FIRE NEAR BURBANK AIRPORT JOINS ALLIED AGENCIES March 1 SUN VALLEY - Firefighters encountered heavy fire conditions upon arrival at a one-story commercial building at 7524 Clybourn Avenue. The fire was located at the City of Los Angeles border with Burbank Airport and approximately 90 LAFD personnel joined in automatic aid with the Burbank Airport and the City of Burbank Emergency Responders. The fire was fully extinguished in approximately 30 minutes.

Jacob Salzman

Mike Meadows

BIG RIG FIRE March 5 210 FREEWAY - At 4:02AM, Firefighters responded to a tractor fire on the eastbound 210 Freeway near the 118 Freeway.

Greg Doyle

Mike Meadows

INJURED HORSE RIDER RESCUED March 7 Zak Holman

GRANADA HILLS - At 8:31AM, Firefighters located a female patient in serious condition after falling off a horse in the 18000 block of Rinaldi Street. Emergency responders rescued her using a litter basket and then transported her via air ambulance to the hospital.

Rick McClure

Rick McClure Rick McClure

RUBBISH FIRE PREVENTED FROM DAMAGING BUILDING March 8 DOWNTOWN - At 12:49PM, Firefighters responded to a rubbish fire in the 14800 block of South Mateo Street. Crews fully extinguished the large outside fire with no injuries reported.

BLAZE DESTROYS HOME March 13 STUDIO CITY - At 3:40AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 3700 block of Eureka Drive. Firefighters found a large, one-story home well involved in flames exposing two additional residences. 52 Firefighters extinguished the flames in one hour and 18 minutes. One adjacent home suffered minor exterior damage. Two Firefighters were transported to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Photos by Zak Holman

CITYWIDE RESPONSE TIMES EMS Turnout Time

…51 seconds EMS Travel Time

… 4 minutes and 39 seconds Non-EMS Turnout Time

…52 seconds Non-EMS Travel Time

… 4 minutes and 31 seconds Call Processing Time

… 1 minute and 4 seconds Non-EMS Operational Response Time

…6 minutes and 21 seconds EMS Operational Response Time

…6 minutes and 45 seconds Structure Fire Operational Response Time

…5 minutes and 3 seconds Critical ALS Operational Response Time

…5 minutes and 45 seconds

LAFD INCIDENT CLOCK An emergency medical service call every

…1 minute and 20 seconds A structure fire every

…2 hours,18 minutes and 36 seconds An automatic fire alarm every

…15 minutes and 48 seconds A rescue every

…59 minutes and 40 seconds Garet Jatsek

FIRE DAMAGES RESTAURANT March 28 KOREATOWN - At 11:45PM, Firefighters arrived at 233 S. Vermont Avenue to find flames erupting through the roof of the two-story building. The restaurant, which was located on the second floor, suffered extensive damage with the roof partially collapsing. Crews were able to extinguish the blaze in one hour and 16 minutes. Brandon North

Yvonne Griffin

Yvonne Griffin Justin Johnson

Brandon North

QUICK KNOCKDOWN ON COMMERCIAL FIRE March 28 FLORENCE - At 10:09PM, Firefighters responded to the 100 block of East 84th Place to find a small, one-story commercial building with fire showing. They achieved a quick knockdown, preventing the fire from spreading.

CLIFF RESCUE March 30 SAN PEDRO - At 2:13PM, Firefighters responded to the 4100 block of South Gaffey Street for reports of a woman injured in a fall from a cliff. Firefighters found an adult female with non-lifethreatening traumatic injuries and brought her to safety using a hoist operation. Raphael Richardson

Raphael Richardson

GREATER ALARM FIRE April 3 DOWNTOWN - At 12:05PM, Firefighters responded to a reported structure fire in the 900 block of Maple Avenue. 60 Firefighters extinguished the flames in 37 minutes. Vertical ventilation was not conducted due to rooftop parking. Companies performed forcible entry to the fire unit and adjacent units, all containing textiles, advancing hose lines to the rear and preventing fire from spreading.

Mike Meadows

GARAGE FIRE HALTED April 8 MANCHESTER SQUARE - It took 28 Firefighters just 13 minutes to extinguish a blaze after a converted garage located at 1911 West 85th Street erupted in flames.

Justin Johnson

Gary Apodaca

HOUSE FIRE STOPPED QUICKLY April 9 HOLLYWOOD - At 1:27PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 5700 block of Melrose Avenue. 75 Firefighters took 19 minutes to extinguish an exterior fire that extended to the walls and a portion of the second floor and attic of a 1,832 square-foot craftsman-style home that was being used as commercial and office space.

Gary Apodaca

James Hedlund-Kaiser

LAFD BATTLES GREATER ALARM COMMERCIAL FIRE April 11

James Hedlund-Kaiser

SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 11632 South Main Street. The first arriving companies discovered heavy pressurized smoke and fire showing from the rear of a 70’ x 40’ vacant, one-story commercial building. Mounting an aggressive fire attack with a primary search of the structure, Crews were pushed back by deteriorating conditions, including a partial roof collapse, leading to a well-coordinated transition to defensive operations. 98 Firefighters fully extinguished the fire within 52 minutes.

James Hedlund-Kaiser

MAN PERISHES IN GARAGE FIRE April 13 SUNLAND - At 2:04PM, Firefighters responded to a call initially reported as an electrocution in the 8700 block of Wyngate Street. While units were en route to the call, the incident was upgraded to a structure fire response. The first arriving companies found a detached garage with heavy fire showing and initiated an aggressive offensive attack, quickly extinguishing the flames. While conducting a primary search of the interior, they located an adult male beyond medical help and a teenage male was transported in fair condition.

STRUCTURE FIRE CIVILIAN FATALITIES

Jacob Salzman

PERSON FOUND DEAD INSIDE BURNING BUILDING April 11 BOYLE HEIGHTS - Following a fierce firefight, a person was found dead within an abandoned building in the 2500 block of East Whittier Boulevard.

Adam VanGerpen

LAFD

Chris Eckenrode Chris Eckenrode

Mike Meadows

LAFD Chris Eckenrode

Chris Eckenrode

EARLY MORNING BLAZE DESTROYS BUSINESS April 16 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - At 1:01AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 12000 block of Victory Boulevard. The first arriving companies found a large, one-story commercial building with fire showing. An immediate offensive operation ensued, and Firefighters worked to make entry into the building while the truck company headed to the roof for vertical ventilation. Approximately 10 minutes into the incident, the concern for the structural integrity of the building caused Crews to transition to defensive mode. Ladder pipes and hand lines poured large amounts of water into the fire from the exterior. While the bulk of the fire was extinguished approximately one hour into the incident, difficult to reach pockets of fire remained and continued to flare up. Nearly 100 Firefighters battled through the night to address the remaining hot spots.

FIRE LOSS IN $ Property Loss

$125,291,982 Content Loss

$86,634,443 Total Loss

$211,926,425

Mike Meadows

FIRE AT ENCAMPMENT DAMAGES NEARBY BUILDING April 19

Brandon Buckley

SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Despite a quick response from Firefighters, an outside fire involving a homeless encampment extended into and damaged a one-story commercial building in the 400 block of East Lanzit Avenue. Firefighters extinguished the flames in less than 30 minutes and no injuries were reported. Brandon Buckley Brandon Buckley

Brandon Buckley

Rick McClure

WOMAN DIES AT SCENE OF HOUSE FIRE April 21 TUJUNGA - Los Angeles City and County Firefighters performed rescue and joint resuscitation efforts on a woman who was found lifeless in a burning home in the 10700 block of Las Lunitas Avenue. Sadly, the woman was beyond medical help and determined dead at the scene.

MULTIPLE AUTOS BURN INTO BUILDINGS April 23 ARLINGTON HEIGHTS - At 4:48AM, Firefighters responded to an auto fire in the 1300 block of South 2nd Avenue. Firefighters arrived on scene to find at least nine autos and three garage carports burning, spreading flames to two other buildings. It took 71 Firefighters 53 minutes to extinguish the flames across the multiple garages, autos and both residences. Zak Holman Zak Holman

Zak Holman

LAFD FREES MAN TRAPPED IN COLLISION April 26

Mike Meadows

PACOIMA - A multi-vehicle crash in the 12500 block of Branford Street sent two people to the hospital. Firefighters provided vital medical care while skillfully using hydraulic cutting and prying tools to quickly free the trapped driver of a pickup truck who sustained serious injury. Mike Meadows

FIRE SWEEPS THROUGH DETACHED GARAGE April 26

Justin Johnson

VERMONT SQUARE - 37 Firefighters extinguished a non-injury blaze in less than 15 minutes. The fire damaged a carport and destroyed a detached garage in the 1000 block of East 46th Street. Justin Johnson

INJURED TEEN RESCUED FROM MOUNTAIN RAVINE April 28

Mike Meadows

CHATSWORTH - Firefighters responded by ground and air to rescue a teenager trapped at the base of a steep ravine at the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. The boy had injured his ankle while hiking at a location covered with dense brush more that 100 yards from Santa Susana Pass Road, precluding a helicopter rescue. Firefighters and Urban Search and Rescue personnel deployed a two-line rope system and utilized a litter basket stretcher to bring the boy and his uninjured dog to safety. The teen was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

CREWS DOUSE FIRE AT STORAGE FACILITY May 1 SUN VALLEY - It took the well-coordinated teamwork of 57 Firefighters just a half hour to fully extinguish a fast-moving fire that swept through recesses and dense storage, causing smoke and fire damage to more than a dozen rental storage units in the 7800 block of San Fernando Road.

Mike Meadows

ATTIC FIRE May 2 VERMONT SQUARE - At 4:16PM, Fire Crews responded to the 1800 block of West 48th Street for a reported structure fire. 33 Firefighters were able to knock down the attic fire in 16 minutes. Justin Johnson

Justin Johnson

Jacob Salzman

FIRE DAMAGE DISPLACES FAMILY May 3 NORTHRIDGE - Despite a quick response by Firefighters that prevented injury, damage from a fast-moving garage fire displaced a family from their home located in the 19100 block of Harnett Street.

MIDNIGHT BLAZE May 5 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 10:55PM, Firefighters responded to the 1700 block of East 57th Street for a reported structure fire. The first arriving Companies found a large pallet yard with heavy fire showing. Additional resources were quickly requested as Crews moved into defensive mode, conducting a fire attack against several outbuildings in the compound while simultaneously establishing master streams to drown out the pallet fire. Downed, high-voltage power lines created an additional safety hazard for Crews to work around. 116 LAFD Firefighters, assisted by several Companies from LACoFD, declared a knockdown of the fire in one hour and four minutes with no injuries reported.

Photos by Steve Gentry

LAFD BATTLES GREATER ALARM RESIDENTIAL FIRE May 9 TARZANA - At 4:11PM, Firefighters responded to a large fire in the garage of a 3,051 square-foot single-family home built in 1955. Flames from the garage spread into the living space and attic requiring Crews to coordinate an interior fire attack with vertical ventilation. After extensive efforts to access all portions and divisions of the attic, the fire was eliminated one hour and 17 minutes after the alarm. One occupant who was home at the time safely escaped. Rick McClure

CREWS BATTLE GREATER ALARM COMMERCIAL FIRE May 9

Rick McClure

TARZANA - Less than four hours after a Greater Alarm residential fire in Tarzana, another Greater Alarm fire broke out in a commercial structure. LAFD battled the blaze in a onestory commercial building. After performing forcible entry to gain access, Crews deployed hose lines into the structure, as truck companies ascended ladders to the roof. It took 59 Firefighters 32 minutes to extinguish the flames. One Firefighter sustained a non-lifethreatening injury. Justin Johnson

POWER POLE RESCUE May 12 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 9:43PM, Firefighters responded to reports of a person atop a power pole in the 1800 block of Slauson Avenue. Fire personnel located a male patient experiencing a behavioral emergency and deployed the air rescue cushion. Using the aerial ladder, a Firefighter was able to reach the patient and safely bring him to the ground.

Rick McClure

TWO CRITICALLY INJURED May 12 TUJUNGA - At 5:41PM, Firefighters responded to a vehicle down a hillside in the 11000 block of Plainview Avenue. Crews located the vehicle and had to find an access point to reach it with the necessary tools and equipment. An extended duration extrication was required to safely remove two adult patients in critical condition. One patient was transported by air ambulance and one by ground.

MAN INJURED, EIGHT OTHERS DISPLACED May 13

Mike Meadows

GREATER ALARM FIRE May 15

PACOIMA - One resident sustained serious burn injuries and eight other residents were rendered homeless, but thankfully uninjured, when flames erupted at a one-story home in the 12800 block of Mineola Street. 45 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in just 23 minutes.

Rick McClure

KOREATOWN - At 12:08AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of Vermont Avenue. Crews arrived to find a two-story, mixed-use commercial strip mall with heavy fire showing from the second story on one end of the mall. A defensive operation ensued and 71 Firefighters fully extinguished the fire in 45 minutes. The facade of the building collapsed due to loss of structural integrity from a previous burn.

LAFD

Rick McClure

BOYD STREET Chris Conkle

MASSIVE EXPLOSION INJURES 12 FIREFIGHTERS May 16

DOWNTOWN - At 6:26PM, the LAFD responded to a reported structure fire at 327 E. Boyd Street. The first Companies arrived on scene within four minutes to find a one-story commercial building with smoke showing. The businesses were not open at the time and Firefighters had to force entry with power saws to make access. They immediately initiated an aggressive interior fire attack with hose lines, and a Truck Company was sent to the roof to perform vertical ventilation. As firefighting operations continued, Crews encountered increased pressurized smoke and heard a rumbling high-pitched sound. Firefighters identified the changing conditions and immediately started exiting the building and the roof as the situation rapidly deteriorated. Shortly thereafter, a significant explosion created a massive fireball that enveloped the Firefighters descending from the roof via an aerial ladder. The searing heat melted helmets, burned through protective coats and hoods, and blistered and charred nearby fire apparatus. A MAYDAY was immediately broadcast over the radio and treatment began on the 11 Firefighters that had been caught in the inferno. All of the injured were working at Fire Station 9 on Skid Row, one of the nation’s busiest. Dozens of additional fire and ambulance resources were dispatched to the scene to assist with medical treatment and fire suppression as the blaze continued to spread. All 11 Firefighters were rapidly transported to LAC+USC Medical Center for treatment. A twelfth Firefighter was later treated and released at the hospital for a minor extremity injury. The 11 burned Firefighters were admitted to the hospital with injuries of varying severity. At the peak of the incident, more than 230 LAFD Firefighters were on scene and the Major Emergency blaze was declared extinguished at 8:08PM, one hour and 42 minutes after it was reported. Captain Victor Aguirre, the last remaining LAFD member to be hospitalized from the Boyd Street Fire, was released on July 21st after 65 days of care in an intensive burn unit.

Adam VanGerpen

FIRE

Mike Meadows

Rick McClure

APARTMENT FIRE RESULTS IN PARTIAL COLLAPSE May 16 HISTORIC SOUTH CENTRAL - Over 100 Firefighters battled a structure fire that was reported at 3:03AM in the 4000 block of South Main Street. A well-established basement fire spread throughout an apartment building and burned for many hours, causing the structure to collapse and residents to be displaced. The blaze appeared to have started in a densely packed basement used for storage, which spread to the rest of the building. Access was very limited due to excessive storage, but Firefighters battled through low visibility and extremely hot conditions for as long as they could. All residents were evacuated and only one person needed additional medical care at the hospital for smoke inhalation. Firefighters stood by for at least two days to continue monitoring the fire and extinguish hot spots as the debris was removed. The Red Cross was notified to assist residents with interim housing and LAFD CERT teams set up on scene to support Firefighters during this extended operation.

Brandon Buckley Yvonne Griffin

Mike Meadows

FIREFIGHTERS FREE DRIVER FROM COLLISION May 16 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Firefighters skillfully used hydraulic cutting and prying tools to quickly extricate a seriously injured man from the wreckage of his vehicle in the 11400 block of Magnolia Boulevard.

Mike Meadows

VEHICLES OVER THE SIDE May 17 TUJUNGA - At 12:31AM, Firefighters responded to assist LACoFD with two vehicles down a hillside. LAFD Firefighters and an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force helped safely extricate a patient. Rick McClure

Justin Johnson

LAFD QUICKLY QUENCHES SHED FIRE May 17 VERMONT SQUARE - Firefighters quickly extinguished a burning shed located to the rear of a former motel in the 1700 block of West 65th Street.

BLAZE DESTROYS BUSINESS June 8 DOWNTOWN - At 3:21PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 800 block of South Kohler Street where heavy flames were showing from a large commercial building. The produce market was open for business and all occupants were self-evacuating as fire poured through the roof and made its way through the structure. Crews deployed master streams and large hand lines to hit the flames from the exterior, but high winds made the attack challenging. Multiple companies lined up along the alley deploying water on the flames while also successfully defending the adjacent structure from harm. 112 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in one hour and 41 minutes with no injuries reported.

Harry Garvin

CIVIL UNREST A state of emergency was declared in Los Angeles on Saturday, May 30th following three days of protests over the death of George Floyd and calls for social justice. Members of the California National Guard were deployed to help keep order after a massive demonstration in Downtown on Friday night led to hundreds of arrests. LAFD Firefighters responded to more than 1,500 calls for service on Saturday alone and 123 structure fires over the course of seven nights, including 41 in a single night.

Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo

Rick McClure

OnScene.TV

Rick McClure Adam VanGerpen

Rick McClure

Adam VanGerpen

MAJOR EMERGENCY FIRE June 10 DOWNTOWN - At midnight, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 1900 block of Staunton Avenue as it developed into a major emergency fire. 70 minutes after receiving the call, 59 LAFD personnel fully extinguished flames in the approximately 100' x 250' one-story concrete building. Brandon Buckley

Brandon Buckley Chris Eckenrode

Chris Eckenrode

Brandon Buckley

Rick McClure

HOIST RESCUE AT STONEY POINT June 14 CHATSWORTH - Firefighters found one adult male who fell approximately 50 feet near Stoney Point Park. With the assistance of Air Ops, Crews performed a hoist rescue operation and transported the patient in critical condition by air ambulance to the nearest trauma center. Shane Salzman

STRUCTURE FIRE June 16

Raphael Richardson

SAN PEDRO - At 9:36PM, Firefighters responded to the 1600 block of W Ofarrell Street for a reported structure fire. 30 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 26 minutes.

Rick McClure

USAR TEAM REINFORCES HOME June 18 SYLMAR - Firefighters responded to 14181 Oro Grande Street for a vehicle that collided with two trees and a house before coming to rest in the yard. When Firefighters arrived, the driver was no longer on scene. USAR 88 was called to help stabilize the structure.

Rick McClure

Shane Salzman

PHYSICAL RESCUE June 19 SAN PEDRO - At 7:24PM, Firefighters responded to a traffic collision with entrapment in the 3100 block of Alma Street. First Responders extricated one patient in critical condition and transported an additional patient with non-life-threatening injuries. Raphael Richardson

Raphael Richardson

Mike Meadows

LAFD QUICKLY STOPS BRUSH FIRE June 20 SHADOW HILLS - 84 Firefighters responded to a brush fire that burned approximately five acres. This fire was in the former burn footprint of the 2017 La Tuna Fire which burned 7,194 acres. Firefighters extinguished the fire within 37 minutes and no structures were damaged.

Rick McClure

TRAFFIC COLLISION CAUSES FUEL SPILL June 24 WINNETKA - The LAFD responded to Nordhoff Street and Oakdale Avenue for a traffic collision between an auto, a bus, and a semi-truck at 3:04PM. Three ambulances transported patients to local hospitals and Hazmat Specialists responded for a diesel fuel leak.

Jacob Salzman

HIKER RESCUE June 28 WEST HILLS - At 2:00PM, Firefighters responded to reports of a hiker in distress in the 24700 block of Victory Boulevard. An adult female patient was brought to safety by a LAFD Air Ops hoist operation and transported to the hospital with a medical ailment. Leo Kaufman

FIRE BURNS GRASS NEAR HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT June 29 VALLEY GLEN - Firefighters extinguished a grass fire that started close to a homeless encampment near the Victory Boulevard exit of the southbound 170 Freeway. Mike Meadows

Yvonne Griffin

TWO INJURED IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDING FIRES July 3 KOREATOWN - Two people, including one Firefighter, were injured in a blaze that ignited at 926 S. Harvard Boulevard around 3:10PM. The fire burned several residential structures at different addresses and the Firefighter was hurt during a partial collapse of a roof of one of the burning buildings. He was listed in fair condition after being taken to the hospital. A second man was evaluated by Paramedics but refused transport. 78 Firefighters extinguished the flames in about 54 minutes.

ILLEGAL FIREWORKS SPARK HIGH CALL VOLUME July 4 On average, Firefighters respond to over 1,200 emergency incident calls on a daily basis; but in the 24 hours surrounding July 4th, the LAFD ran over 1,700 calls for service, including hundreds of reports of tree, brush, rubbish, grass, and structure fires. Many of these responses were due to the illegal use of fireworks.

Rick McClure

Rick McClure Rick McClure

Leo Kaufman

Austin Gebhardt

Austin Gebhardt Austin Gebhardt

ONE BUILDING SAVED AND ONE DESTROYED BY FIRE July 4 NORTHRIDGE - At 9:20PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 8600 block of Wilbur Avenue. A two-story apartment building with heavy fire showing on the second floor required Crews to immediately initiate simultaneous evacuation and fire attack operations. Burning palm trees released embers that flew into a second building and started a fire on the roof. 81 Firefighters battled the flames for 43 minutes before declaring a knockdown. Firefighter/Paramedics evaluated five patients and transported three for smoke-related respiratory difficulties. Approximately 50 residents were displaced, and the Red Cross responded to provide assistance. LAFD Arson and Counter-Terrorism Section determined the cause of the fire was due to the use of illegal fireworks igniting the tree fire which extended into the structure.

ARSON STATS Total Investigations Total Arrests Total Responses Cases Cleared by Arrest

806 1,039 170 20.02% Cody Weireter

BRUSH FIRE HELD TO THREE ACRES July 6 LA TUNA CANYON - At 3:10PM, Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the 8300 block of La Tuna Canyon Road. Thanks to the well-coordinated effort of the LAFD, LACoFD, Angeles National Forest, Glendale Fire Department, and Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority personnel, the fire was held to an estimated three acres in rugged terrain, with no civilian injury, no structures damaged, and no need for evacuation. Two LAFD personnel suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the fire attack. One returned to duty after on-scene treatment, while the other was transported to an area hospital for further evaluation.

Mike Meadows

Rick McClure

EXCESSIVE STORAGE FIRE KILLS OCCUPANT July 7 RESEDA - At 6:53PM, Firefighters responded to the 7700 block of Aura Avenue for a structure fire. Firefighters encountered excessive storage conditions inside the building which delayed access. A 65-year-old male was found in grave condition and Paramedics provided rapid transport with advanced lifesaving measures, but sadly the man was pronounced dead at the hospital. 36 Firefighters battled the blaze and extinguished the fire in 14 minutes.

FIRE STOPPED AT THREE ACRES July 7 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the 15000 block of Mission Hills Road. Crews held the fire to three acres and defended an exposed home from any damage. LAFD Crew 3 and the LACoFD assisted in establishing a containment line around the perimeter of the fire. Mike Meadows

Mike Meadows

FIRE CONSUMES BRUSH ALONGSIDE FREEWAY July 9 SUN VALLEY - Firefighters battled a stubborn vegetation fire alongside the southbound Golden State (I-5) Freeway near the Tuxford Street on-ramp. The fire, which consumed an acre of grass, was near a homeless encampment and fortunately, no injuries were reported.

BIG RIG FIRE July 9 I-5 - At 1:25AM, Firefighters responded to an auto fire on the Golden State Freeway at Penrose Street and quickly handled a noninjury fire with the cab of a big rig fully involved in flames.

Zak Holman

SHEARED HYDRANT July 11 CANOGA PARK - At 5:35PM, Firefighters responded to the 7800 block of Deering Avenue where an apparent hit-and-run collision caused a sheared hydrant and required Firefighters to shut off the valve.

Shane Salzman

APARTMENT BUILDING FIRE STOPPED July 12 PANORAMA CITY - At 2:26AM, Fire Crews responded to a structure fire in the 9800 block of Vesper Avenue where they found a two-story apartment building with flames showing from at least one unit. 90 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 37 minutes with the fire primarily contained to the unit of origin, but with some extension to two additional units.

FIRE THREATENS COMMERCIAL BUILDING July 13

Rick McClure

Justin Johnson

LEIMERT PARK - At 1:27AM, Firefighters responded to a rubbish fire in the 2300 block of Vernon Avenue and arrived to find a large outside fire threatening a commercial building. The blaze was extinguished without any damage to the structure or injuries reported.

Brandon Buckley

CRAFTSMAN HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE July 14 PICO-UNION - At 2:08AM, Firefighters arrived to find a large, two-story vacant home with heavy fire showing in the 1200 block of Arapahoe Street. At one point, the operation shifted from offensive to defensive due to the difficulty accessing the fire on the second floor, but 94 Firefighters were able to extinguish this Greater Alarm blaze in 38 minutes.

Rick McClure

COMMERCIAL FIRE PROVES STUBBORN July 14

Rick McClure

BOYLE HEIGHTS - At 12:37AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 2200 block of 1st Street and found a one-story row of commercial units with fire showing. 100 Firefighters battled and extinguished the stubborn fire in two hours and 10 minutes. This was an extended operation due to the difficulty accessing all areas of the fire because of a roof collapse.

Brandon Buckley Rick McClure

Chris Conkle

CREWS EXTRICATE PATIENT FROM AUTO ROLLOVER July 17 GRAMERCY PARK - At 12:52PM, Firefighters responded to one overturned vehicle with two patients, one being trapped. Using hydraulic rescue tools, the victim was extricated, and Firefighter/Paramedics treated and transported both individuals.

Mike Meadows

FIRE STOPPED AT 70 ACRES July 18 SEPULVEDA BASIN - A fire that broke out at 3:06PM burned through light and heavy brush, but a coordinated attack between LAFD, LACoFD Air Ops, and Park Rangers contained the fire in one hour and 19 minutes. The fire burned a total area of 70 acres with no structures damaged or injuries reported.

LAFD RESPONDS TO A THIRD BRUSH FIRE IN LESS THAN TWO HOURS July 18 LAKE VIEW TERRACE - At 4:26PM, Firefighters with help from Angeles National Forest and LACoFD, responded to the intersection of Osborne Street and Foothill Boulevard and were able to extinguish the blaze in one hour and 19 minutes. Their efforts limited the fire to three acres.

Justin Johnson

Austin Gebhardt

Mike Meadows

LAFD RESPONDS TO A FIFTH AFTERNOON BRUSH FIRE July 18 LAKE VIEW TERRACE - At 5:49PM, Firefighters again responded to the intersection of Osborne Street and Foothill Boulevard and with help from LACoFD Air Ops Crews, extinguished the blaze in 45 minutes, keeping the impact to just half an acre. Mike Meadows

Rick McClure

GREATER ALARM STRUCTURE FIRE July 20 PANORAMA CITY - In the early morning hours, it took 60 Firefighters one hour and 42 minutes to extinguish the flames at one-story commercial building in the 14500 block of Arminta Street.

Rick McClure

STUBBORN COMMERCIAL FIRE July 24 PICO-ROBERTSON - At 11:32AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 9041 Pico Boulevard and found a 100’ x 50’ commercial building with heavy smoke showing. Crews launched an offensive attack for 28 minutes, but conditions continued to deteriorate, so personnel moved to a defensive mode. With master streams applying large amounts of water into the structure, Firefighters gained the upper hand. 115 Firefighters extinguished this Greater Alarm fire in two hours and 13 minutes. One Firefighter was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening heat-related illness. Mike Meadows

Mike Meadows

Steve Gentry

AUTO FIRE July 24 HYDE PARK - At 12:34PM, Firefighters quickly extinguished a single-vehicle fire in the 5700 block of Crenshaw Boulevard. Justin Johnson

Austin Gebhardt

LAFD TAMES WILDFIRE July 26 GRIFFITH PARK - Firefighters responded swiftly by ground and air to quickly extinguish a half-acre wildfire south of the Griffith Observatory.

Rick McClure

BATTLING HIGH HEAT AT FIRE July 31 TUJUNGA - At 1:09PM, Firefighters responded to a brush fire in the 8100 block of Ellenbogen Street. The first arriving company reported approximately two acres burning at moderate speed. Fire attack was immediately initiated while water dropping helicopters provided an aerial attack. LAFD established a Unified Command with Angeles National Forest and the LACoFD, and within two hours the fire was 40% contained and all forward progress was halted. The fire was held at 20 acres and destroyed one shed. One LAFD Firefighter was treated for a lower leg injury.

Mike Meadows

EQUESTRIAN ACCIDENT LEAVES ONE MAN INJURED August 2 SHADOW HILLS - At 9:24AM, Firefighters responded to the Tujunga Wash where an adult male sustained a head injury while horseback riding. Crews used the aerial ladder of the fire truck to lower the litter basket and lift the patient out of the wash. Firefighter/Paramedics assessed and transported the patient to a local hospital in serious condition.

FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY EXTINGUISH GARAGE FIRE August 2 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Firefighters responded to a well involved garage fire at 6146 Hazelhurst Place and were able to extinguish the flames in 15 minutes. No injuries were reported, and the fire was contained before causing any damage to nearby structures.

Mike Meadows

CREWS FREE MAN TRAPPED IN COLLISION August 5 WILMINGTON - Firefighters arrived at the 1000 block of East Lomita Boulevard to find a man with moderate injuries trapped in the wreckage of a sedan pinned beneath a parked flatbed trailer. Crews skillfully used hydraulic prying and cutting tools to free the man who was transported to an area hospital in fair condition.

Raphael Richardson

Mike Meadows

WILDFIRE EAST OF CAHUENGA PASS HELD TO TWO ACRES August 5 HOLLYWOOD HILLS - Firefighters responded by ground and air with allied agencies to swiftly control a less than two-acre wildfire in steep terrain east of the Ford Theatre. One LAFD Firefighter suffered illness at the peak of the firefight and was taken to an area hospital in fair condition. Mike Meadows

ALLIED AGENCIES BATTLE WILDFIRE August 11 SANTA SUSANA PASS - LAFD Firefighters joined the Ventura and LA County Fire Departments in a swift air and ground battle in steep terrain to extinguish the 20-acre Peak Fire, northwest of the Ronald Reagan Freeway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. No structures were damaged, but one LAFD and one VCFD Firefighter did require medical treatment for heat exhaustion.

LAFD BATTLES GREATER ALARM FIRE IN NEAR TRIPLE-DIGIT HEAT August 14 SUN VALLEY - Despite downed high voltage power lines and near triple-digit heat, Firefighters fully extinguished a non-injury fire in a one-story metal clad building at 11679 Sheldon Street that contained upholstered furnishings in approximately one hour.

Mike Meadows

Austin Gebhardt

USAR CLIFF RESCUE August 16 SAN PEDRO - At 12:27AM, two people went over the side of a cliff, clinging to the side. Firefighters and USAR Specialists rescued both patients from their precarious location and transported them to a local hospital. Raphael Richardson

Raphael Richardson

Mike Meadows

FIRE DAMAGES HOME August 21 VAN NUYS - At 3:09PM, Firefighters responded to the 7100 block of Mammoth Avenue where they found a single-story dwelling with heavy fire showing. 83 Firefighters extinguished the fire in 46 minutes with no injuries reported. The fire extended into the attic, but was prevented from spreading to a neighboring residence.

Mike Meadows

FIRE ERUPTS AT HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT August 22 NORTH HILLS - Firefighters made quick work by ground and air of a homeless encampment fire that erupted in the railroad right-of-way north of Van Nuys Airport near the intersection of Roscoe Place and De Celis Place. No structures were threatened and no injuries were reported.

Greg Doyle

FIRE CREWS BATTLE EARLY MORNING COMMERCIAL BLAZE August 27 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters were called to the 2600 block of South Broadway Street at 1:27AM for a large metal commercial building that was consumed by flames. It took 97 Firefighters 91 minutes to extinguish the blaze in the structure which seemed to be used mainly for storage purposes. Zak Holman

Zak Holman

LAFD BATTLES FIRE AT THREE-STORY COMMERCIAL BUILDING August 27 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - 63 Firefighters responded to a three-story commercial building on fire in the 12100 block of Victory Boulevard and were able to extinguish the flames in 29 minutes.

Zak Holman

Rick McClure

HIT AND RUN DRIVER TOPPLES HYDRANT August 28

Justin Johnson

HYDE PARK - Firefighters from Fire Station 94 preceded utility officials to stem the flow of water from a fire hydrant sheared by a hit-and-run driver in the 5100 block of South 5th Avenue. Justin Johnson

THREE AGENCIES QUICKLY TACKLE BRUSH FIRE August 29 EAGLE ROCK - A swift unified effort by the Los Angeles City, Glendale, and Pasadena Fire Departments working near their shared border held a non-injury wildfire southeast of the Glendale (SR-2) Freeway and Ventura (SR-134) Freeway interchange to less than one acre of brush.

LAFD DOUSES FLAMES IN A MANUFACTURED HOME September 2 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters responded to the 200 block of West 74th Street at 1:12AM where they initially thought a detached garage behind a single-family home was on fire. After bringing ladders and hose lines to the back, they noticed that the residential living space was actually on fire. They quickly initiated a coordinated interior attack with ventilation and 34 Firefighters extinguished the flames in 20 minutes.

Austin Gebhardt

Chris Eckenrode

BRUSH FIRE HALTED September 3 ENCINO - At 2:08PM, a brush fire was reported in the 4100 block of North Adlon Place. 64 Firefighters held the fire to approximately one acre, extinguishing the flames in 40 minutes. Crews protected all nearby structures, which sustained no damage. Greg Doyle

Greg Doyle

Rick McClure

Greg Doyle

LAFD PROTECTS NEIGHBORHOOD FROM FIRE September 5 PORTER RANCH - A fire that was sparked near the 118 Freeway east of Tampa Avenue burned uphill toward homes in a neighborhood which led to an aggressive fire attack by ground and air. 135 Firefighters extinguished the four-acre brush fire in 64 minutes. One Firefighter sustained a minor injury and was treated on scene.

Rick McClure

Greg Doyle

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE FLAMES AND HEAT WAVE IN BRUSH FIRE September 6 SEPULVEDA BASIN - Over 100 Firefighters battled through intensely hot weather to extinguish a fire that ultimately consumed 20 acres. With the help of LA County Hand Crews, LAFD CERT volunteers, and a sky crane, Firefighters declared 100% containment after three hours and 17 minutes battling by ground and air. Two Firefighters and one civilian sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the fire.

Mike Meadows Greg Doyle

Greg Doyle Mike Meadows

Mike Meadows

LATE NIGHT COLLISION September 13 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 12:01AM, Firefighters responded to the 10300 block of Central Avenue to a traffic collision with trapped victims. One patient was stuck in a vehicle, but Fire personnel quickly popped the door to provide access. One patient was transported to the hospital. Raphael Richardson

FIREFIGHTERS DOUSE FLAMES IN COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE September 15 PICO-UNION - At 3:30AM, 112 Firefighters made an offensive attack on a one-story commercial building with heavy smoke showing. Crews extinguished the fire in 46 minutes and no injuries were reported. Raphael Richardson

Raphael Richardson Raphael Richardson

USAR RETRIEVES VICTIM September 15 SAN PEDRO - Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 85 set up a litter basket and two-line rope system, using the aerial ladder as a high point, to retrieve a victim who was tragically killed when they went over the side of the cliff.

LAFD

Justin Johnson

GREATER ALARM COMMERCIAL FIRE September 16 HARVARD PARK - At 5:22AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 1700 block of W Florence Avenue and arrived to find heavy fire showing through the roof of a dry cleaning plant. 90 LAFD Firefighters extinguished the blaze in one hour and 35 minutes using ladder pipes and large hand lines from the exterior.

FIRE CONSUMES ABANDONED BUSINESS September 23 NORTH HILLS - It took 42 Firefighters just 36 minutes to extinguish a fully involved vacant, one-story commercial building in the 15700 block of Roscoe Boulevard.

Rick McClure

Justin Johnson

POINT FERMIN RESCUE September 25 SAN PEDRO - Firefighters responded by land, air, and sea to rescue a man critically injured in a fall down the steep and rocky cliffs at Point Fermin on the Pacific shoreline. The man was hoisted aboard a hovering LAFD Rescue Helicopter and provided in-flight care during direct transport to a nearby trauma center.

Raphael Richardson

HORSE RESCUED FROM STORM DRAIN September 26

Austin Gebhardt

SYLMAR - Fire Crews responded to a horse trapped in a curbside storm drain in the 14100 block of Olive View Drive. Approaching the scene quietly so as not to startle the animal, Firefighters worked closely with the uninjured equestrienne to comfort the horse, as a pneumatic lifting bag and hydraulic prying tool were used to skillfully deform steel and concrete to free the horse’s entrapped leg. The animal was soon standing under the watchful eye of its owner, as well as the City's Department of Animal Services, awaiting the arrival of a private veterinarian to examine the steed.

Chris Conkle

FIRE DISPLACES SEVEN September 27 EL SERENO - It took 109 Firefighters approximately 51 minutes to extinguish stubborn flames that raced through a pair of nearly conjoined residential structures in the 2400 block of Endicott Street. The blaze displaced seven residents, but thankfully caused no injury.

HAND CREWS QUICKLY TAME VEGETATION FIRE September 29 HANSEN DAM - LAFD Hand Crews joined first arriving Firefighters in quickly taming a small non-injury vegetation fire in the thick underbrush of the Hansen Dam Recreation Area.

Austin Gebhardt

GREATER ALARM FIRE October 11

Robert Navarro

BOYLE HEIGHTS - At 9:15PM, Firefighters were called to a structure fire in the 400 block of Soto Street. They arrived to find a three-story, vacant center-hall building (a former hospital) with heavy fire showing. 85 Firefighters extinguished the large blaze in 63 minutes.

Robert Navarro

MAJOR EMERGENCY BLAZE October 13 DOWNTOWN - At 4:43AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 801 Crocker Street where they found a one-story commercial building with fire showing. An immediate offensive operation began with Crews going to the roof for vertical ventilation. Their aggressive attack made good progress against the blaze, extinguishing it in approximately 40 minutes. However, the 8,794 square-foot building contained a volatile fire load created by stacks of rolled fabric and the fire extended into the adjoining building. Over 120 Firefighters were on scene, spread throughout two separate buildings. A fierce battle ensued over the next three and a half hours before declaring a knockdown. Ultimately, eight businesses housed within the three buildings sustained heavy smoke, fire and water damage. There were no civilian injuries, but one Firefighter was transported to the hospital for a non-life-threatening heat-related illness. This incident also marked the United States debut of the RS3 robotic firefighting vehicle.

Gary Apodaca David Ortiz

David Ortiz

BRUSH FIRE CONTAINED October 14 CHATSWORTH - At 1:47PM, the first Fire Companies found approximately one and a half acres of grass burning under light winds in the 22600 block of W Lassen Street. Both Ventura and LA County Fire also responded and 93 minutes later, the fire was extinguished and held to eight acres.

Jacob Salzman

VEGETATION FIRE HELD TO THREE ACRES October 14 MISSION HILLS - Fire Crews responded by land and air to make quick work of a brush fire near the 11800 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard. The non-injury blaze involving three acres of grass, brush, and trees adjacent to the northbound Golden State Freeway was contained in less than 40 minutes.

Mike Meadows

LAFD HOLDS WILDFIRE TO SEVEN ACRES October 16

TREE TOPPLES WIRES SPARKING BLAZE October 16

SEPULVEDA BASIN - Firefighters responded by ground and air to a brush fire that had already spanned the north and south sides of the 15700 block of Burbank Boulevard. Despite tripledigit heat and light winds, the non-injury blaze was contained to just seven acres of vegetation and extinguished in one hour.

SUN VALLEY - A falling tree toppled high voltage electric lines in the 7800 block of North San Fernando Road, starting a non-injury roof fire at a nearby storage facility that was quickly extinguished by Firefighters.

Rick McClure

TRAFFIC COLLISION SENDS PATIENTS TO HOSPITAL October 18 PACOIMA - Firefighters responded to a traffic collision with entrapment at 3:20AM at the intersection of San Fernando Road and Van Nuys Boulevard. Crews used hydraulic rescue tools to free one patient from the vehicle and Firefighter/Paramedics assessed and transported two patients to an area trauma center.

Brandon Buckley

Chris Eckenrode

STRUCTURE FIRE October 19 SAN PEDRO - At 9:25PM, 30 Firefighters handled a structure fire in the 2200 block of Gaffey Street which destroyed a secondary house to the rear of the property. Crews extinguished the fire in 31 minutes while protecting nearby homes on either side. Raphael Richardson

COLLISION CRITICALLY INJURES TWO October 30 HARBOR CITY - At 12:49AM, Fire Crews responded to a traffic collision in the 1700 block of Pacific Coast Highway. Firefighters arrived to find a car on its side with three patients trapped. After safely extricating all patients, two were transported in critical condition and one with non-life-threatening injuries. Raphael Richardson

Mike Meadows

RUBBISH FIRE October 30 LAKE VIEW TERRACE - At 1:34PM, Firefighters responded to a reported rubbish fire in the 11400 block of Foothill Boulevard. The first arriving Companies handled the blaze with no injuries reported.

Mike Meadows

GREATER ALARM FIRE October 30 DOWNTOWN - At 8:03PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 917 San Julian Street. The first arriving Companies saw heavy smoke coming from the back of a commercial building and located an outside fire which had quickly extended into the adjacent one-story commercial building. Crews forced entry into the 10,832 square-foot building, housing three businesses, and initiated an interior fire attack. Truck Companies positioned themselves on the roof of the building and conducted vertical ventilation. Over the next 90 minutes, Crews applied copious amounts of water from ladder pipes and large diameter hand lines to drown out the blaze. An official knockdown was declared two hours and nine minutes into the incident. Firefighters defended a second building exposed to the fire from any damage. One Firefighter was transported with a heat-related illness, but returned to full duty a short while later.

Rick McClure Rick McClure

Harry Garvin

FIRE CONSUMES CARPORT AND VEHICLES October 31 HYDE PARK - Firefighters prevented injury and serious damage to adjacent apartment buildings when a fast-moving fire of undetermined origin destroyed a carport and consumed several parked vehicles in the 3100 block of West 59th Street.

Justin Johnson

Brandon Buckley

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE FAMILY DOG November 4 SUN VALLEY - Firefighters arrived at 8739 North Remick Avenue around 12:16AM to find fire in one room and the attic, forcing the occupants out of the house before they could locate their beloved dog "Bonbon." Fortunately, Crews were able to rescue the family dog from the smoke and flames and extinguish the blaze in 19 minutes.

QUICK WORK PROTECTS COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES FROM FLAMES November 5 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 12100 Sylvan Street at 6:11AM where a wooden structure in between two commercial buildings was engulfed in flames. 34 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 19 minutes, sparing the nearby buildings.

Brandon Buckley

Mike Meadows

LAFD BATTLES GARAGE BLAZE November 7 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 3:53AM, Firefighters responded to a garage engulfed in flames at 6751 South 4th Avenue. 34 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 17 minutes without injury. Justin Johnson

Justin Johnson

HEAVY FIRE IN FOURPLEX November 8 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - At 7:37AM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 400 block of W 107th Street and found a two-story fourplex with heavy fire and smoke showing. 42 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 23 minutes with no injuries reported. Harry Garvin

Harry Garvin

LAFD BATTLES FLAMES IN VACANT OFFICE November 12 PALMS - At 11:20AM, 91 Firefighters battled a Greater Alarm two-story, commercial structure fire where Crews conducted an initial interior attack, but later retreated to an exterior position due to structural integrity concerns. At least five ladder pipes were flowing concurrently during the height of the fire and the majority of the flames were knocked down in the first 80 minutes. HAZMAT and USAR teams assisted with this operation with some Crews remaining on scene for an extended period of time to ensure no one was trapped under the rubble.

Garet Jatsek

Dakota Clark

Garet Jatsek

Garet Jatsek Garet Jatsek

Garet Jatsek Dakota Clark

Garet Jatsek

Dakota Clark

DEADLY PLANE CRASH November 12 PACOIMA - Firefighters arrived at the 10600 block of Sutter Avenue to find a small aircraft that made a high impact crash on a residential street close to Whiteman airport. The plane landed on two vehicles which burst into flames and a third vehicle sustained damage. The vegetation and belongings in front of a home caught on fire, but Firefighters were able to quickly put out the flames. Tragically, the solo occupant of the airplane was beyond medical help and perished at the scene. Harry Garvin

FIREFIGHTERS DOUSE FLAMES UNDER 170 FREEWAY November 13 VALLEY GLEN - At 7:42AM, Firefighters moved quickly to contain a fire in vegetation under the 170 Freeway at Victory Boulevard. Mike Meadows

Greg Doyle

AUTOS BURN November 15 SHADOW HILLS - At 1:54PM, Firefighters tackled a brush fire in the 8600 block of La Tuna Canyon Road where they also located multiple autos fully involved in fire. 60 Firefighters achieved a knockdown in 23 minutes. Greg Doyle

COLLISION GRAVELY INJURES ONE November 16 HARBOR CITY - At 7:33PM, Firefighters responded to a traffic collision with trapped victims in the 900 block of 253rd Street where they extricated and transported two adult patients, one in grave condition. Raphael Richardson

TWO INJURED, ONE TRAPPED IN CRASH November 18 LAKE BALBOA - Two men were injured, one seriously, following a two-vehicle collision in the 17300 block of Saticoy Street. Firefighters worked swiftly with hydraulic tools to free the trapped and more seriously injured of the two from his compact sedan.

Rick McClure

Raphael Richardson

AUTO YARD FIRE November 28 WILMINGTON - At 4:36AM, Crews responded to a structure fire in the 1900 block of East I Street. 26 Firefighters battled a deep-seated fire in a large auto parts yard and extinguished the non-injury blaze in 40 minutes.

Raphael Richardson

VEGETATION FIRE DOUSED December 2

Rick McClure

SEPULVEDA BASIN - 36 Firefighters responded to the 15700 block of Burbank Boulevard at 12:24AM for a small vegetation fire and quickly snuffed out the flames in less than 30 minutes. Brandon Buckley

LAFD BATTLES COMMERCIAL BLAZE December 2

Harry Garvin

DOWNTOWN - Firefighters responded to the 500 block of E 9th Street at 5:30PM to find heavy fire in a large two-story commercial building. Crews covered items within businesses on the first floor to protect them from water, but the second floor took a majority of the fire damage, burning mostly business offices and textiles. After approximately 30 minutes, Firefighters were forced to exit the building and battle the fire with defensive tactics from the exterior. Master streams were deployed, including ladder pipes and large hand lines. Crews protected all nearby buildings from the flames and saved one feline, who was reunited with its owner. After almost two hours, over 100 Firefighters eliminated the flames set deep within the large commercial building. Harry Garvin

Harry Garvin

LAFD RESCUES MAN STRANDED IN CRANE ELEVATOR December 3 SAN PEDRO - Firefighters responded to 930 W Harry Bridges Boulevard at 5:13AM for a man who was stranded in the elevator of a container crane approximately 120 feet above the ground. First Responders used rope systems to safely retrieve the worker and bring him down unharmed.

HOIST OPERATION December 4

HOME DESTROYED December 5

WEST HILLS - At 12:41PM, Firefighters responded to the 7100 block of Valley Circle for a hikers in distress call. Air Operations located two adult male hikers stuck in a precarious spot and conducted a successful hoist operation.

WEST HILLS - At 7:48PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 23100 block of Baltar Street where 26 Fire personnel handled a well involved, single-family dwelling in 37 minutes. One adult male was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Mark McLean

MASSIVE COMMERCIAL BLAZE ERUPTS December 8 DOWNTOWN - More than 100 Firefighters responded to a massive blaze that erupted at a vacant commercial building located at 651 E. Washington Boulevard. A huge plume of smoke was visible for miles and multiple lanes of the 10 Freeway were shut down so that fire trucks could park in the roadway to help battle the fire just off the freeway. A knockdown was declared around 5:40PM, approximately 66 minutes after the flames first exploded.

Leo Kaufman

Kian Khorrami

Yvonne Griffin

FIREFIGHTERS DOUSE FLAMES IN ATTIC December 12 NORTH HILLS - 26 Firefighters responded to a structure fire in the 9800 block of Noble Avenue at 10:01AM and extinguished flames in the attic of a single-family home in 19 minutes. Companies protected belongings prior to applying water, while Firefighters above coordinated ventilation efforts with fire attack crews below to minimize damage.

Greg Doyle

BRUSH FIRE HELD TO THREE ACRES December 16 SEPULVEDA PASS - At 12:10PM, Firefighters responded to the NB 405 Freeway at The Getty Center for a reported brush fire. The first arriving Companies found two small grass fires along the freeway and one quickly jumped to the west side of Sepulveda, triggering the request of additional Fire Companies. While LAFD Air Operations conducted targeted water drops and engines used the wagon battery to hit the flames from the ground, Firefighters fought through heavy brush to reach the blaze. One hour and 16 minutes into the incident, 146 Firefighters achieved a knockdown. The fire was held to less than three acres with no structures damaged.

BLAZE DESTROYS BUSINESS December 16 CHATSWORTH - At 9:53PM, Firefighters responded to a structure fire at 20150 Sunburst Street where they found a one-story commercial building with fire through the roof. The 28,556 squarefoot building was well involved in fire forcing Truck Companies to put ladder pipes into operation. Firefighters also used large diameter hand lines to hit the target from all sides. Ultimately, over 120 Firefighters achieved a knockdown in one hour and 34 minutes. One Firefighter was transported to the hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening burn injuries.

Brandon Taylor

Shane Salzman

Rick McClure

FIRE DESTROYS VACANT CAR DEALERSHIP December 18 VAN NUYS - It took 115 Firefighters just 40 minutes using hand lines to extinguish a major emergency structure fire that consumed a vacant automobile dealership located at 15430 Roscoe Boulevard.

Brandon Buckley

GREATER ALARM FIRE DESTROYS THREE BUSINESSES December 18 VAN NUYS - 96 Firefighters protected several businesses when a fastmoving fire swept through four units in the central portion of a 25,907 square-foot building at 7955 Haskell Avenue. Rick McClure

Greg Doyle

Jacob Salzman

Greg Doyle

Rick McClure

Brandon Buckley

FIRE DESTROYS BUILDING December 21 NORTH HOLLYWOOD - At 9:07PM, Firefighters responded to the 5400 block of Tujunga Avenue and arrived to find a commercial building with heavy fire showing. The multi-pronged fight required additional resources and quickly grew to a Major Emergency status incident. Truck Companies raised aerial ladders to deploy ladder pipes while Engine Companies used wagon batteries and put large diameter hand lines into place. High voltage power lines combined with downed wires created an additional safety hazard. The fight continued for one hour and 56 minutes before the 111 Firefighters achieved a knockdown. Mike Meadows

EARLY MORNING APARTMENT FIRE December 22

Rick McClure

Brandon Buckley

CANOGA PARK - At 1:52AM, Firefighters responded to the 21300 block of W Roscoe Boulevard and arrived to find a two-story apartment building with heavy fire showing from one unit on the second floor. 78 Firefighters extinguished the blaze in 32 minutes with no injuries reported.

Rick McClure

BUNGALOW FIRE December 24 SOUTH LOS ANGELES - Firefighters responded to the 4000 block of Woodlawn Avenue at 10:32PM to find a one-story bungalow with smoke showing. The first arriving Fire Companies extinguished the fire in 15 minutes with no injuries reported.

PAIR RESCUED FROM LA RIVER December 28 ATWATER VILLAGE - Firefighters responded by ground and air to safely rescue a homeless man and woman trapped by rising stormwater in the Los Angeles River near Glendale Boulevard. Shawn Kaye

HEAVY FIRE IN HOME December 30

Korey Cuico

Rick McClure

SHERMAN OAKS - At 11:48PM, Firefighters responded to the 15000 block of Weddington Street for a structure fire and found heavy flames showing from a onestory, single-family dwelling with two additional homes exposed to the flames. 26 Firefighters safely extinguished the blaze in 32 minutes and defended the adjacent homes from damage.

BUSY NEW YEAR’S EVE FOR STATION 10 December 31 HISTORIC SOUTH CENTRAL - LAFD Station 10 responded to a traffic collision moments before midnight at the intersection of 22nd Street and Main Street, where a vehicle sheared a fire hydrant and damaged a light standard. Firefighters successfully prevented injury and private property damage by quickly stemming the rush of water from the toppled hydrant and securing the streetlight until utility repair crews arrived.

Justin Johnson

MUTUAL AID California endured its most destructive fire season on record with over 9,600 fires burning more than 4,000,000 acres. During late summer and early fall, LAFD Firefighters were deployed to massive wildfires throughout California and across the western United States. The August Complex Fire, labeled as the first "gigafire," scorched upwards of one million acres, crossed seven counties, and burned an area larger than the state of Rhode Island. Hundreds of LAFD personnel assisted neighboring agencies, while highly trained members assigned to California Urban Search and Rescue Regional Task Force 9 (CA-RTF-9) deployed to Northern California to perform the heartbreaking task of safely and respectfully recovering those who perished in the North Complex Fire that spanned Plumas, Butte and Yuba counties. LAFD K9 handlers and their human remains detection dogs, Veya and Charli, also assisted with this dolorous task. In September, two LAFD Strike Teams comprised of 10 Engines and 2 Battalion Chiefs were deployed to the well-established Bobcat Fire. The Bobcat Fire burned 115,796 acres in the central San Gabriel Mountains, in and around the Angeles National Forest, and was the second largest fire on record in Los Angeles County to date. During this time, LAFD personnel were also deployed to the Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest which burned 31,089 acres near Lake Hughes from August 12th – September 28th. LAFD

LAFD

Mike Meadows

LAFD

Rick McClure

Chris Eckenrode

LAFD

RECOGNITION PHOTO CONTRIBUTORS Gary Apodaca

Greg Doyle

Juan Guerra

Gavin Kaufman

Mark McLean

Raphael Richardson

Brandon Taylor

Brandon Buckley

Chris Eckenrode

James Hedlund-Kaiser

Leo Kaufman

Mike Meadows

Jacob Salzman

Mark J. Terrill

Dakota Clark

Austin Gebhardt

Zak Holman

Shawn Kaye

Robert Navarro

Shane Salzman

Cody Weireter

Chris Conkle

Steve Gentry

Garet Jatsek

Kian Khorrami

Brandon North

Kelly Seidel

Ryan Winner

Korey Cuico

Yvonne Griffin

Justin Johnson

Rick McClure

David Ortiz

Branden Silverman

OnScene.TV

Public Information Director Peter Sanders

FireStat Manager Drew Steinberg

Arson Forensic Photographer Harry Garvin

LAFD Public Service Officer Brian Humphrey

Public Service Officer Nicholas Prange

Public Service Officer Margaret Stewart

Public Information Officer Erik Scott

UNITED FIREFIGHTERS OF LOS ANGELES CITY EXECUTIVE BOARD President Freddy Escobar

1st Vice President Chuong Ho

2nd Vice President Adam VanGerpen

Secretary Adam Walker

Treasurer Domingo Albarran, Jr.

Director Steve Addleman

Director Shawn Connolly

Director Kent Koffler

Director Richard Ramirez

Director David Riles

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