June 2016

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Official monthly publication of the Los Angeles Fire Department, owned and operated by the Los Angeles Firemen's Relief Association including the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen's Fund.

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[email protected]

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MAIL TO: Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund
ATTN: Juliet Brandolino - PO Box 41903 - Los Angeles CA 90041
( 3 2 3 ) 2 5 9 -5 2 1 5



On the cover: Major Emergency - Sunland

Inset photo by: Rick McClure
Major Emergency - Sunland
COPYRIGHT © 2016

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

2 • June 2016



Photo by: Greg Doyle

32

VOL. XCII

JUNE 2016

NO. 10

• FEATURES •
Health and Wellness Fair

The more than 12,000 family members and firefighters
covered by the LAFRA Medical Plan were invited in to
improve their health literacy and make positive changes
to their lifestyles, habits and medical care • ..............................06

Medal of Valor

FF/PM Daniel Apodaca was enjoying his favorite fishing
spot when a sudden storm required him to employ his
life-saving skills. His heroic actions saved the lives of three
men in peril • .............................................................................09

LAFD Fire Hogs

As the LAFD Fire Hogs Motorcycle Club celebrates its
25th anniversary, it’s apparent that the transition from
informal group to structured organization has benefitted
its members and the WODFF • .................................................10

• CONTENTS •
President’s Message • ..........................................................................05
Battalion News • ...................................................................................13
The Retired Guys • ...............................................................................31
Department in Action
Sun Valley Scrap Yard • .................................................................32
LAXAirEx 2016 • ............................................................................34
North Hills Structure Fire • ..........................................................35
Station Fridge • ......................................................................................36
Retirement Dinner Announcements • ...................................................37
Mailbox • ...............................................................................................40
Memorials • ...........................................................................................43
Retirement Celebrations
Steve Schrobsdorf • .......................................................................45
Gib Martin and Chuck Bucher • ........................................................46
Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon • ........................................................49
Dollars and Sense
A message from the chair • .............................................................51
LAFD History
Squad 23 - The Green Hornets • .................................................52
Minutes of the Board of Trustees • .....................................................55
Classifieds • ...........................................................................................57
Tailboard • ...........................................................................................60
Notice: Production of The Firemen’s Grapevine magazine is very expensive, and while your dues
serve to underwrite a portion of the magazine’s costs, the bulk of funding comes from advertisers.
Many businesses advertise in the Grapevine. This does not mean that LAFRA endorses these
advertisers. Use of a Grapevine advertiser is at the risk of the member. If you are interested in any
of the advertisements, we urge you to use any and all means at your disposal to investigate them.

June 2016 • 3

FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE
owned and published by the

Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street, Los angeles CA 90041

EDITORIAL STAFF
Dave Wagner • Editor..........................................................editor@lafra.org
Eric Santiago • Creative [email protected]
DisplayAdvertising....................................(323) 259-5200 ext. 231, 232, 260

PSO’s

Margaret Stewart, Brian Humphrey, Erik Scott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mike Mastro, Frank Borden, Michael Stefano, Monte Egherman, Steve Ruda

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ryan Babroff, David Blaire, Doc DeMulle’, Greg Doyle, Harry Garvin,
Steve Gentry, Juan Guerra, Brian Haimer, Gavin Kaufman, Ryan Ling, Rick McClure,
Mike Meadows, Lloyd Payne, Jeff Zimmerman, Yvonne Griffin, Laura Lichter.

LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Robert Steinbacher................................................President
Jeff Cawdrey ..................................................Vice-President
Andrew Kuljis ........................................................Secretary
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chris Hart
Chris Stine
Craig White
David Ortiz
David Peters
Doak Smith
Frank Aguirre

Gene Bednarchik
Joe Vigil
John Jacobsen
Juan Albarran
Mark Akahoshi
Mike Sailhamer
Rick Godinez

Steve Berkery
Steve Ruda
Steven Domanski
Tim Freeman Jr.
Tim Larson
Tyler Tomich

SUPERVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Barry Hedberg
Dave Lowe

Dennis Mendenhall
Jim Coburn

Tom Stires

CHAPLAINS

To contact a chaplain, please call Senior Chaplain Rick Godinez at (213)
797-2404 or the MFC Floor Captain at (213) 576-8920
Greg W. Gibson...................Chaplain
Danny Leon..........................Chaplain
George A. Negrete...............Chaplain
Aquil F. Basheer..................Chaplain
Tim Werle............................Chaplain

Hershy Z. Ten.......................Chaplain
Roger Fowble.....................Chaplain
Mark R. Woolf.....................Chaplain
Jesus Pasos.........................Chaplain
Craig Poulson.....................Chaplain

TELEPHONES
Fire-Relief ...............................................................(323) 259-5200
Relief Association Toll Free Number .........................(800) 244-3439
Relief Medical Plan ................................................. (866) 995-2372
Fax Number ..............................................................(323) 259-5290
LAFRA MANAGEMENT
Todd Layfer • Executive Director..............................(323) 259-5243
Becky Valverde • Human Resources Administrator.....(323) 259-5247
Liberty Unciano • Controller/Treasurer...................(323) 259-5225
Bob Dillon • Operations Manager..............................(323) 259-5233
Marlene Casillas • Development & Marketing Director(323) 259-5217
Ana Salazar • Member Services Coordinator.............(323) 259-5223
HealthSCOPE Benefits

Claims & Benefit Information...................................(866) 99-LAFRA
THE FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE (USPS 191-060) is published monthly by the Los Angeles Firemen’s
Relief Association, 7470 N Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Cal­i­for­nia 90041. Annual $24 Subscription
included with Association mem­ber­ship; Non-members: $36. Single issues $3 postpaid. Back issues $6
postpaid. Pe­ri­od­i­cals post­age paid at Los Angeles, CA and at additional mailing office. POST­MAS­TER: Send
ad­dress changes to: THE FIREMEN’S GRAPE­VINE Magazine, P.O. BOX 41903, Los An­ge­les, CA 90041.
Printed by Collective Color, Los Angeles CA. For Clas­si­fied and Display Ad­ver­tis­ing rates please call (323)
259-5200, ext. 231, 232 or 260. All editorial matter must be received by the Editor eight weeks prior to the
month of pub­li­ca­tion. The opin­ions ex­pressed here­in are those of the writ­ers and do not nec­es­sar­i­ly reflect
the official views of the Los An­ge­les City Fire De­part­ment or the Los An­ge­les Firemen’s Relief Association.

4 • June 2016

Welcome the Strawberry Moon!

A lot of Thank You’s for this month. Thank you to Dave
Wagner and his crew for the wonderful health fair that was put on
April 20 and 21st. It was a very successful event. We are hoping
next year it will even be bigger. And thank you to all the members
who started new contributions or increased their contributions to
monthly payroll deductions to the Widows Orphans & Disabled
Firemen’s Fund – it only with your generosity that we can make a
difference in so many lives. Thank you also to Keith Bandy, Bill
Bringas, Valerie Lawrence Juliet Brandolino, Mark Curry and
many, many others for another successful Lane Kemper Classic
Softball Tournament held May 11th. Congratulations go out to
Fire City - “the Tray Tray” - for winning another Bats and Beer
tournament. And a special thanks to Rick Denning for his fantastic speech about stepping up and volunteering for something and
giving back.

Speaking of giving back, PLEASE go out and get your
living trust and will done now – it is never too soon to make sure
your family will be taken care of take care of even if you are not
around. By the way, June is “Get Your Personal House in Order”
month . . . not really but it sounds good!

Thank you to Juan Albarran, Steve Domanski, Doak
Smith, and Tim Larson for another successful Pechanga Reunion
held May 23-27. It was another wonderful event where we can
reunite with old friends. The stories seem to get bigger and better
every year.

Please remember this month we have our signature event
“Hope for Firefighters” on June 2 in Downtown LA. We close
down Hope Street and hold one of the city’s biggest and best
culinary events. Also on June 25 is the Fire Hogs Fallen Hero
Breath ride. It starts at the Museum at Old 27’s and concludes at
the Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas. Even if you don’t ride you
can come out and join the fun. Thanks in advance for supporting
these organizations that support your WODFF.

In lighter news, the LAFPP has approved a 6.75% increase
to the maximum non-Medicare retiree health subsidy for July 1,
2016. In addition, they also approved an additional 0.25% retro-

active increase, effective back to July 1, 2015. I am informed that
non-Medicare retirees will continue to receive the $1,435.13 for
May’s payroll. Retro payments will be included on checks for the
affected members starting this summer. I should have a more accurate timeline as we get closer to July 1.

You don’t need to be reminded of what a dangerous job
we have. Close calls at an incident, injury from routine duties
and illness as a result of working environments materialize on a
consistent basis. Almost daily there is notification of one of our
members being injured or who has fallen ill. I am not telling you
anything of which you aren’t already aware - the natural inherent
danger that firefighters are subject to should be ever present in our
minds. But complacency can sometimes even get to the best of
us, whether it’s on the taking care of business side or taking care
of your personal health side. Please do not wait too long to get
checked out for “something just doesn’t feel right.” Maybe it’s
nothing – but all too often it’s not. We all have the ability to see
a professional healthcare provider, so ask yourself “What’s the
hold-up?”
Here are a few of our upcoming events for your calendar:
• June 2nd - Hope for Firefighters
• June 25th – Fire Hogs Fallen Hero Memorial Ride
• September 15 to 18 - Colorado Springs Memorial
• September 19 – LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament
• November 5 – LAFRA Open House
• December 17 – LAFRA Holiday Party
Be safe and be kind to each other.

Robert D “Steintalker” Steinbacher
[email protected]
(323) 259-5200

June 2016 • 5

W

hen Pam showed up on the first
day of the LAFRA health fair, she
made a bee-line for the Express
Scripts table. Married to a firefighter and a
Medical Plan member for more than a decade,
she was having a problem with her prescription benefit and wanted answers. “This was really great,” Pam said later. “I was able to meet
face-to-face with the Express Scripts rep and
finally get this problem worked out. I had been
working on this over the phone for months.”

6 • June 2016


On April 20 and 21, the Relief Association gathered all of its
Medical Plan vendors under one roof for the first ever LAFRA Health
and Wellness fair. The more than 12,000 family members and firefighters covered by the plan were invited in for one-on-one consultations and
much more. Members received benefit updates, coverage information,
and like Pam, were able to discuss personal issues and problems directly
with vendors.

Center for Heart and Health provided health screenings and information on their comprehensive annual physical that is covered by the
plan. Medical Imaging of SoCal explained their array of state-of-theart body scans and the enhanced benefit that plan members can utilize
after July 1st. The VSP rep let members know that there will also be an
enhanced vision care benefit come July. Dozens of members signed up
with Anthem’s Live Health Online program so that they can make virtual
doctor visits from their devices and laptops.

Ron and Darlene Curtis, retirees on Medicare were impressed
with multitude of vendors. “The health fair was really informative,”
said Ron, “and the breakfast was great. Whenever I have a health insurance problem, LAFRA always helps me straighten everything out even
though I am on Medicare.”

Many members used the health fair to improve their “health literacy.” Health literacy is learning about yourself and your choices, rather
than having someone tell you what you should do. It means asking about
exams, medications and treatments which you do not understand. You
should also be asking “why” and “how” you can make changes and improvements in your lifestyle, habits or care that you are receiving.

“I know active firefighters have to really stay on the ball,”

Health Fair Vendors
and Exhibitors
-----Anthem BlueCross
Live Health Online
CVS Pharmacy
Unum - Long Term Care
Center for Heart and Health
Grossman Burn Center
VSP - Vision Care
N101 – Nutrition Supplements
Center for Health Care Rights – Medicare
Khanna Vision
Avery Centre – Trauma Therapy Program
Medical Imaging of SoCal – Body Scans
HealthSCOPE (LAFRA Medical Plan)
LAFRA Member Services
Express Scripts – Prescription Coverage
remarked Matt Mickey, who provided personal training advice and tips
to fair attendees. “I met a lot of guys (at the fair) who are eating clean
and training regularly – and it shows. And the vast majority of the retirees that I spoke with are still very active. There was one couple in their
90’s that had been skiing up until a few years ago. They are still in great
shape.”

Most visited at the fair was LAFRA’s own HealthSCOPE table.
Members were finally able to put faces to the helpful voices that have
been assisting them with their medical coverages and benefits. Wayne
Sherman, Denise Schelgel and company are a big part of what makes the
LAFRA Medical Plan the very best available.

According to LAFRA Executive Director Todd Layfer, “The
Medical Plan is here to serve the firefighters and their families. The plan
is run by firefighters for firefighters so we’re always willing to make
changes based on the feedback from our members. Third party insurers
won’t do that.”

In addition to the free massages and breakfast bar, members were
treated to an array of health related prizes in the hourly raffle. Dan Mattera was the lucky winner of a Garmin VivoActive Sport Watch in the
RSVP raffle. He said, “The Relief Association does so much for me already and the Medical Plan is second to none. To win this raffle prize
now too is just incredible.”

If you are not currently utilizing the LAFRA Medical Plan, do
yourself a favor and contact a Relief Trustee to find out exactly what you
are missing. Or visit lafra.org for more information. You’ll want to be
ready for the next open enrollment period when you can sign-up for the
best Medical Plan offered to LAFD members and their families.

June 2016 • 7

8 • June 2016

O


Fighting whipping wind and high
swells — and accidentally running over the
victim with his boat during the process — Apodaca made repeated attempts before he successfully brought the first man onboard. After
several more tries, he was able to rescue the
second man and get him aboard as well. The
remaining man seemed to be moving in and
out of consciousness and could not follow directions. When Apodaca was finally able to
drag him onto the boat, he was lethargic and
hypothermic, but still breathing. With all three
men on board, at their urging, Apodaca also retrieved their tackle bag, backpack, and a pair
of boots. None of the men had been wearing
lifejackets.


Firefighter/Paramedic Apodaca has
been saving lives for 22 years, but never felt
the way he did that day — a mix of emotion,
gratitude, and disbelief at what he had just gone
through.

The Medal of Valor, the LAFD’s highest honor, is awarded to a sworn member who
has demonstrated bravery at great personal
risk to his or her own life, beyond a doubt and
clearly above the call of duty, whether on or off
duty. Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Apodaca
was awarded the Medal of Valor for his heroic actions that saved three lives on Diamond
Valley Lake.

n April 30, 2014, Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Apodaca was enjoying his
favorite fishing spot at Diamond Valley Lake in Hemet. As the morning progressed,
the wind picked up, making the lake rough. The
swells grew, and it became more difficult to
control the boat’s orientation. Apodaca found
a protected cove and had just caught his first
fish of the day when a Lake Patrol approached,
alerting him that the lake was being closed for
the day.

Due to the wind and swells, Apodaca
put on his flotation device, just in case he were
to be thrown overboard. On the two-mile trip
back to the dock, Apodaca was moving slowly,
watching the lake for hazards, when suddenly
he saw a man in the water, arms extended and
waving.

In Apodaca’s words: “There were three
men in the water, two of them clinging to a
capsized aluminum boat I recognized as one
of the rental boats. Another was treading water
about 30 feet away from the others. The gravity
of the situation hit me when the man who was
separated from the others cried out in genuine
desperation, ‘I’m drowning! Help me! Don’t
let me drown! My legs are cramped up. Help
me!’”

June 2016 • 9

25 Years and Still Ridin’

T

he history of the LAFD Fire Hogs Motorcycle Club dates back to the mid
1980’s. The idea was somewhat new,
since at the time most firemen in L.A. did
not own American motorcycles as the American street bike craze had not even begun. The
Harley-Davidson Company had recently been
bought by its workers (from AMF) who were
redesigning and building Harleys focusing on
quality versus quantity. Their efforts proved
successful, and in 1986 Harley-Davidson became a publicly traded company.

One of the first LAFD Harley riders of
this era was Joe Teijeira. At the time Joe was an
A/O in South L.A. Back then, “Shovelheads”
were the Harleys of choice. Joe rallied interested firemen to ride for good times and camaraderie. Early riders included Ted Kalnas, Randy
Laur, Ray Cuevas, Joe Avalos, Tony Varela,
Jay Freeman, Raul Miranda, Mark Khitikian,
Bobby Reyes, Julio Maldonado, Dane Jackson,
and a few others. This was the inception of the
LAFD Fire Hogs Motorcycle Club - a group of
Harley ridin’ L.A. City firemen.


There were no patches, logos, dues,
or club rules, and communication was “word
of mouth” by land lines. Camaraderie was
the goal for riders as BBQ’s and Poker Runs
became popular events. As the informal club
began to take shape, many fun rides were organized up and down the coast. Eventually
the Club was founded in March of 1991, and
a FIRE HOGS roster of members was formed.
Charity rides were started to benefit the Relief

10 • June 2016

Association’s Widows, Orphans, & Disabled
Firemen’s Fund.

Over the next ten years better bike design increased the popularity of Harleys. More
and more LAFD members began riding with
the Club. As the Club grew through the late
1990’s there were many ideas for the group.
Several logos for shirts and patches originated.
Newsletters and basic club guidelines were
presented. Unofficial motorcycle rides expanded in distance and size. All along, our charity
rides raised more funds for WODFF.

Until the beginning of the 21st century, the Fire Hogs remained an informal
group mainly arranged by word of mouth and
few emails. Though the thought to become a
structured organization was desired and being
formulated, it did not occur until the Spring of
2001.

On March 28, 2001, the LAFD Fire
Hogs became established as a formalized organization. A Fire Hogs meeting was held in
the LAFRA conference room. With leadership
from the core group of members, and the initiative of newer riders, a board of officers was
elected. By-laws were adopted, an official Club
patch logo was designed and the first “interim”
board members were elected. These were: president - John O’Connor, So V.P. – Joe Teijeira,
No V.P. – Mark Akahoshi/Raul Miranda, Treasurer – Mike Kammerer, Secretary – Al Angulo, Sgt at Arms – Pete Goff/Wayne Havron.

The original club “colors” patch design
was submitted by Chris Shaw. This three piece
patch set was worn unofficially, until revised to
the current two piece design now worn by all
members.

In 2001, the Fire Hogs organized and
led a delegation of LAFD members to NYC to
honor the FDNY shortly after 9/11. In 2002, as
a tribute to firefighters, Harley-Davidson introduced the red “Firefighter Special Edition”

model owned and proudly ridden by many
Fire Hog members. The Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride and the Hogs Breath BBQ were also
started at this time.

In 2012, the club began a transformation to become more active and organized with
a new board. The membership elected the following officers:









President……………….Jack Wise
Vice President………….Ted Kalnas
South Vice President…...Taylor Gaskins
North Vice President…...Raul Miranda
Treasurer…………….....Craig Yamashiro
Scribe…………………..Lewis Smith
Sgt. at Arms…………….Rudy Santiago
Sgt. at Arms…………….Pete Goff


A Club Charter was established and it
was agreed to establish a National Charter to
allow for the future expansion of Fire Hogs
chapters from other fire departments. New
leadership has inspired membership growth,
and increased participation in club activities.
The Fire Hogs meet quarterly, organize Club
rides, sponsor charity fundraising events, and
attend community functions. The FIRE HOGS
M/C is a Family (Neutral) Club, which claims
no territory and rides in respect of all other
clubs. They are a non-profit organization whose
goal is to promote a brotherhood amongst fellow firefighters and develop relationships with
the communities they serve.

In September of 2013, the first new Fire
Hogs Chapter Club was formed by LACoFD
members, led by president Al Bustillos.

In December of 2015, the LAFD Fire
Hogs raised and donated over $25,000 dollars
to Widows Orphans and Disabled Firemen’s
Fund. This year the Club celebrates 25 years
since it was founded in 1991. It must be noted
that in 2016 use of the club’s original bar and
shield style logos was discontinued. New logos are being developed as of this writing. The
Fire Hogs “Colors” patch sets will remain unchanged.

Fire Hogs events are posted on our website FireHogs.org. Members interested in joining the Fire Hogs can contact any of the board
members. We are also accepting applications
for new Fire Hog chapters from other agency
riders. Join us on Facebook @Fire Hogs M/C.
Like our Facebook page@ L.A.F.D.Fire Hogs

O

n April 2, 2016 the LAFD FIRE HOGS
MC had their first camaraderie ride
of the year. Fifty one Harley Riders
met at Chuy’s Restaurant in Santa Clarita for
a nice breakfast before hitting the highway to
Lockwood Valley. Our brothers from the LA
County Fire Hogs Chapter (LA County Fire
Department) joined us on a great day of riding. This ride was opened to anyone that rode
a motorcycle.

The ride started off with a leisurely ride
up the 5 Freeway to Frazier Park. It was an
awesome sight to see a row of bikes staggered
two by two on the highway. A quick stop to top
off the bikes with a little petro and we were on
the road again. After fueling up, it was time to
put the sun screen on and ride through the canyons and meadows of Lockwood Valley. This
part of the ride was very scenic of the cliffsides
and green trees.

Our second stop was Reyes Creek Bar
and Grill in Camp Scheideck in the Los Padres
National Forest. After a burger and soda pop

and a lot of stories, the Fire Hogs were back on
the road to Ojai. Most of the riders enjoyed this
part of the ride the most. The road consisted
of wide swooping turns and picturesque views.
It went from the mountain roads to the ocean
view. The ride ended at the Social Tap in Ventura Beach. It was a great way to end a perfect
ride. The riders got back on their hogs and rode
off Into the Wind.

Thanks to the LAFD Fire Hogs MC
for coordinating this ride and providing a good
relief for the stress and daily routine of work.
You can either work “another SOD day” or get
out in the wind and ride. I choose to ride with
friends. So don’t miss out on another opportunity to ride with the LAFD FIRE HOGS MC.
Some of our upcoming events are:
• LA County Fire Hogs Memorial Ride
on May 28, 2016.
• LAFD Fire Hogs Memorial Ride on
June 25, 2016. This fund raising event is open
to all - riders and non-riders alike. If you don’t
ride, meet us for the fund raising part of the

event at the Sagebrush Cantina. Be there at
1230 hrs to see all the riders come in and enjoy an afternoon of food, dancing and Winning Raffle Prizes. And just for this event, Jim
Como’s Full House Band is regrouping for a
reunion concert for your enjoyment. Tickets
are available on our website www.firehogs.org.

You don’t have to be a Fire Hog to be
part of these events, just come out and enjoy
the festivities for a good cause. Events are
posted on our Website www.firehogs.org.
Apply for an account to be emailed notifications of upcoming rides. If you wish to join or
just have questions, you can contact any Board
member from our website. As a National organization, we are also accepting applications for
new Fire Hog Chapters from other Fire agencies.
Members wishing more information on becoming a Fire Hog and information on upcoming
events go to our website at www.FireHogs.org Follow us on Facebook @ LAFD Fire Hogs
M/C.

June 2016 • 11

12 • June 2016

Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association Medical Plan may
cover this examination. Contact your plan provider to verify.
Paid Advertisement:

The members at FS 10 cooked a BBQ
feast for a WODFF donor on 4/6/16.
Easton Cole - born on 4/12/16 - with
big sister Emma, children of Andrew
(FS 9) and Nicole Gocke

Paul Thomas, son of Eric Mattson (FS
3-B) was born on 3/12/16, weighing
in at 7 lb, 15 oz and 21

June 2016 • 13

Paid Advertisement

14 • June 2016

On 4/4/16, Eng 4 attended
a community scouting event

With the integration of Battalion 7 into Battalion 2, some of us feel left out, especially since
stories don’t get passed on. So, here’s a doozy
from the Ghost of Battalion 7.

With historic record call volume and
understaffing that makes everyone work longer and harder, what does the Department do?
Why schedule Annual Inspection of course!
Not that that’s a bad thing, unless you’re 47’s.
Rumor has is that things got off to a bad start
when a dead rat was found in the parking lot
near the apparatus doors. Members swear it
wasn’t there around 0800, and inspection started at 0845. There was no rigor or lividity, so
the chief asked for a defib. No one was trained
in rat CPR, so the rat died.

Day 1 was apparatus day. The chief
said that everything was good except that
the pump area on the Brush Patrol needed
cleaning. At line-up, the chiefs acknowledged
the fact that the Truck was cut, so a loss of
18 members meant more work for the 18 left
behind. They didn’t acknowledge that with a
missing Truck, there was a lot of room on the
apparatus floor to keep a 400 engine and two
reserve RA’s.


Day 2 came and the house was inspected. Prior to this day, the chief had heard from
the previous chief that they were not happy
with the overall condition of house work done.
No one told 47’s. 47’s acknowledged that
they could have done better. But since they
had the Truck cut, and the added work taking
of care of extra apparatus, do you think they
got a break? Here’s some of the dings. There
was trash in the trash cans. The insides of the
trash cans were dirty. There was oil on the oil
drums. There was bread crumbs in the toaster.
There were water spots on the water fountain.
Instead of acknowledging the good work that
was done, like the stove was immaculate, they
nit-picked on almost everything else.

So, 47’s spent the rest of Day 2 till
midnight, doing a top-to-bottom cleaning of
the whole house. It was a great day for the
rookie to be off SK.

Day 3 came, and no one looked at the
house.

On E 263, the pump engineer
never rides alone

[email protected]

June 2016 • 15

The first house rookie standing Annual Inspection
at 62-A - the ONLY member from the A Platoon.
Good job JP, way to represent.

FS 80 stands Annual Inspection

80’s handles a fuel spill at LAX on 3/14/16. Photo by David Blaire

The curse of RA 62 . . . at least the guys didn’t crash this time!
16 • June 2016

It’s official - A/O Tamashiro, is now assigned
to Heavy Rescue 56. Ahhh . . . the good life!
And congratulations to our beloved former
A/O Albarran, who has set sail to 62’s as their
new skipper.

still waiting for El Nino

A/O Tamashiro is now on HR 56

Players from the LA Galaxy visited FS 112
on 5/4/16. Photo by Deborah Lew

Longtime supporters of Widows,
Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s
Fund, Don and Barbara Rickles,
were recognized at Fire Station 71
June 2016 • 17

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18 • June 2016

On 4/2/16, firefighters knocked
down a fire that scorched several
vehicles at 7660 Gloria Ave.
Photo by Juan Guerra

60 firefighters responded to a multi-casualty incident
on Haskell Ave on 4/17/16. Photo by Juan Guerra

E88 handled a crash and fire on Burbank Blvd
on 4/24/16. Photo by Rick McClure

Annual Inspection for FS 39

OVB Cadets work the recruitment table at 83’s chili cook-off
June 2016 • 19

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20 • June 2016

Companies handled a T/A and fire on La Tuna Cyn on
4/9/16. Photos by Doc DeMulle’, The Foothills Paper

Firefighters open the roof at 11815 Pierce St
on 4/27/16. Photos by Rick McClure
June 2016 • 21

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please contact:
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22 • June 2016

On 4/20/16 firefighters used the Jaws to extricate a victim
on the 5 Fwy at Osborne St. Photos by Rick McClure

LF 75 works an auto fire in San Fernando
on 4/30/16. Photos by Rick McClure
June 2016 • 23

98’s and 91’s extricated a victim on Foothill Bl
on 4/8/16. Photos by Rick McClure

Engine 77 battles a fully involved pick-up truck on
Lanark St on 4/16/16. Photos by Rick McClure
24 • June 2016

On 3/28/16, E 98 handled an auto behind
10150 Laurel Cyn Bl. Photos by Rick McClure

Firefighters overhaul a SFD at 4716 So. San Pedro
on 4/15/16. Photos by Yvonne Griffin

T/A at 54th & Crenshaw on 3/30/16.
Photos by Yvonne Griffin

64’s with four new rookies on 5/4/16 - #firstday
#firstcall #firstfire. Photos by Yvonne Griffin
June 2016 • 25

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26 • June 2016

12445 MountainGate Drive - Los Angeles, CA

90049

9AM - 10:30AM REGISTRATION/PUTTING CONTEST - 11AM SHOTGUN START - RECEPTION & AWARDS DINNER FOLLOWING GOLF

A/O Steve Schaller celebrates his 10th anniversary with
dinner at 64’s on 5/2/16. Photos by Yvonne Griffin

E

GOLF

On 4/30/16 the “Workday” group helped 65’s with landscaping
and painted murals on the walls. Photos by Yvonne Griffin
June 2016 • 27

On 4/17/16, 89’s extinguished a shed fire
at 10912 Cantlay St. Photo by Rick McClure

Firefighters handled two acres of grass at Hatteras St
and Bellaire Ave. Photo by Mike Meadows

Companies found fire in the attic at 7215 Clybourn
Ave on 4/30/16. Photo by Rick McClure

E 89 cuts through the roof of a trash truck
on fire on 4/26/16. Photo by Mike Meadows

On 4/17/16, companies worked an MCI
on Haskell Ave. Photos by Mike Meadows
28 • June 2016

Kaiden James Landis was born on St. Patrick’s Day,
baby number 3 for Jenifer (FS 70-C) and Daryl Landis

Captain II Paul Nelson celebrated
his last shift at FS 73 on 4/11/16


Hello again from Battalion 18. I know
it’s been awhile and I think it has something to
do with how busy it’s been around here. 14%
increase in call volume, two assign hires per
month (with talks of a third), more vacancies
than we can handle with more on the way
coming in the next couple of months ( I hear
350 by July). I think we can all attest to the
fact that things are getting a little hectic.

I’d like to congratulate a few members
who promoted - Captain Bonafede from 61’s
to 9’s, Captain Rolish from 92’s to 102’s, Captain Rodgers from 92’s to 46’s, Captain Brown
from 92’s to 34’s, Engineer Phillips from 94’s
to 59’s, Inspector Quinn from 43’s to FPB and
Inspector Reddick from 94’s to FPB. Congratulations on all your hard work and we wish
you well in your new assignments.

Battalion 18 would also like to
congratulate and welcome members who
promoted in - Captain Riles from FPB to

68’s, Captain Macias from Battalion 4 to 58’s,
Captain Carlin from 39’s to 58’s, Engineer
Nevins from 26’s to 68’s, and Engineer Kama
from 11’s to 58’s. Phew!! Hope I didn’t miss
anybody!! Congratulations everyone on all
your hard work and dedication.

I have to say, with all the hard work
I see around the battalion and the amount of
good solid firefighters we have, I’m proud to
work here. But I am hearing stories about guys
getting burnt out and I see some stuff that is
making me shake my head. Not just here but
citywide. We are worked, and worked hard.
Everyone knows it and everyone feels it, but
there is no reason why we should give up and
just think about ourselves. All we have to keep
morale up right now is each other, and when
we start to slack off on holding ourselves and
others responsible for our obligations to duty
we’re only screwing over our buddy. The
department doesn’t feel it when you bang in
on your assign hire day. The Chief doesn’t get
hurt when you catch the Mulholland flu on
your way to a detail down south, and the Commission doesn’t notice when you don’t pitch in
with housework, but I do. And the guy riding

next to me, he does, and the guy on the rescue
who is waiting for relief so he can get home
to watch his kids so his wife can get to work,
he feels it too. We aren’t teaching the department a lesson by giving in and giving up. .
. “they” don’t care . . . but the person that is
constantly picking up other’s slack does. And
don’t forget the line of work we are in, that
same person might be the one that is called
upon to save your life someday. It’s time to
really start holding everyone accountable.
We are the best of the best, I see it every day.
I know how good everyone is at their jobs,
and at taking care of each other. A few days
straight of being on the 800 can wear on you
but stay strong, keep your head up and keep
that positive attitude we all expect out of each
other. Do the right thing, even when no one is
looking, and let’s all get out of this vacancy
slump intact. Take care of one another cause
that’s all we have.

I’d like to thank RA 861 for their hard
work, a 600 lb heavy lift in Culver City?? I
think Culver City needs to invest in a heavy
lift gurney of their own. Our 800’s are taxed as
it is.

And I hear a thank you needs to go
out to 61’s for a move up to 58’s while they
did a change over at 25’s (thanks for the help
25’s, excluding the three medics who didn’t
feel like helping). 58’s went from a KME to
a ‘96. With all equipment from the KME on
the ‘96 and the guys exhausted from busting
their humps, the new captain decided he better
punch up through the districts on the way back
from Piper Tech. When E58 got attached to a
structure I heard the guys were scrambling to
find their stuff under all the excess equipment.
It didn’t stop there, after Battalion 11 released
them he kept going available! Come on Cap,
give them a break at least for the drive home.
Meanwhile 861 took care of their engine and
brought them dinner at 58’s.

94’s had a mass exodus on the A shift
as some of you may have noticed. Well I guess
we aren’t the only ones who noticed because
some of the higher powers that be decided to
detail members from the other shifts onto the
A. Maybe they heard the Captain II was asking out of house guys to cook for him because
he didn’t like the rotation.

Battalion 18 would like to wish well
Captain Matsubara from 47’s and FF/PM
Teklu from 4’s. We hope you both have a
speedy recovery. We also would like to extend
our sympathy and condolences to the Stilson
Family.

Well I’m out of stuff to ramble on
about for now. Send me anything you’d
like me to write about or put in here. Pics,
stories, births, promotions, you name it and
I’ll write about it. Just send me an email at
[email protected]

Until next time, stay safe and take care
of each other.

June 2016 • 29

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 - FROM 11:30 AM TO 2:30 PM

Benefiting your

Delicious food, fun & prizes

BRING YOUR FAMILY
& FRIENDS
30 • June 2016

The official charity of the
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association

For more information visit givetoahero.org/hope

CONTACT: Juliet Brandolino (323) 259-5215 [email protected]

ciation

fit in with the theme, the “Department in Action.”
COWBOY HUMOR
A couple was in a busy
shoppin’ center just before
Christmas. The wife suddenly
noticed that her husband was
missin’, and as they had a lot to
do, she called him on his cell phone. The wife
said, “Where are you? You know we have lots
to do.”


The husband replied, “Do you remember the jewelry store we went into about 10
years ago and you fell in love with a diamond
necklace? I couldn’t afford it at the time and I
said that one day I would get it for you.”

Tears started to flow down her cheek
and she got all choked up. “Yes, I do remember
that jewelry store,” she replied.

The husband said, “Well, I’m at Hooters next to that.”
KEEP SMILIN’!
AC - [email protected]

Happy 90th birthday to Frank Stubenrauch who retired in 1978.

Paid Advertisements:

W

ell, I never thought I’d see the
day. The Grapevine magazine has
morphed into an album of pictures.
It’s become sort of like a scrap book, but different. Other than an article from Battalion
10, the April issue was again void of any Battalion articles. Cell phones, with their picture
takin’ abilities have now replaced the pen. Did
you ever think cell phones would replace the
mighty pen? Now, instead of readin’ about humorous blunders or engine house activities, we
get to look at endless pages of pictures showin’
Department members squirtin’ water from ladder pipes and hand held lines. I remember bein’
kidded about lookin’ at books with only pictures.

A few years ago there weren’t as many
pictures, because fireman were busy makin’ an
INTERIOR attack on structure fires. No photo
opportunities there and it’s obviously not nearly as excitin’ as seein’ firefighters standin’ outside, pourin’ water through windows with hose
lines and ladder pipes.

And if you really want to see an action
packed picture, check out page 23 in the April
issue. I count 10 firefighters standin’ around and
watchin’ while about four others are workin’
on a vehicle extrication incident. Really? What
happened to the days when excess companies
were released and made available to serve the
tax payin’ public? I think Street Maintenance
does somethin’ similar. One or two individual
work and six or seven stand around and watch.
And please don’t tell me these 10 individuals
are there for safety concerns. Ten people focused in at the exact same spot is for safety?
And when’s the last time a firefighter vanished
or became lost durin’ a vehicle extraction incident? It’s a scary thought, but I suppose anythin’ is possible in today’s world. You know,
I think this could be one of them much talked
about UFLAC breaks.

Come on, the Incident Commander
should have recognized a great opportunity and
called for a scantily clad contestant from the
reality show “Naked and Afraid.” Then two or
three of them safety lookouts could have been
put to use by startin’ a campfire. Then a few
more of them onlookers could have been given
an assignment to search for worms, snails and
lizards for the starved contestant to cook and
eat.

Now, with some of them spectators
scurryin’ about, this picture would more likely

June 2016 • 31

MAJOR EMERGENCY
Sunland

Photos by Doc DeMulle’, Craig Durling, Rick McClure, Juan Guerra,
Greg Doyle and Mike Meadows

32 • June 2016

More than 150 firefighters battled a major emergency fire at an auto salvage yard
in Sun Valley on April 17, 2016. The fire was first reported at 3:50 p.m. at Pick
Your Part, in the 9100 block of Tujunga Avenue and burned for about 2 1/2 hours
before it was knocked down. At least 15 cars were in flames when firefighters first
responded, but the blaze continued to grow and burn its way through more and
more junked cars, aided by 5- to 10-mph winds.
The fire was declared knocked down at 6:24 p.m. The cause was under investigation.

June 2016 • 33

LAXAirEx is a large scale, simulated aircraft emergency conducted every three years to ensure the
highest level of readiness for all LAWA, LAFD and
Law Enforcement responders.

AIR EX 2016
LAX

LAFD Photos by Harry Garvin

34 • June 2016

An early morning fire damaged an auto repair
business, but no injuries were reported on April
24, 2016. The blaze was reported at 12:53 a.m. at
8429 Sepulveda Blvd. in North Hills.
At least two vehicles were reported on fire in separate service bays at an L-shaped row of auto repair
firms. It took firefighters 22 minutes to knock
down the fire, which was confined to one of the
repair facilities. The cause and the amount of damage, remains under investigation.

COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE FIRE
North Hills

Photos by Rick McClure

June 2016 • 35

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Victorville, CA 92392
Phn: 1-800-971-4808
Fax: 1-800-971-4809
[email protected]
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36 • June 2016

June 2016 • 37

BRUCE BURKHART, Engineer, FS 48-A

MIKE BOWMAN, Battalion Chief, Batt. 1-A
TOM OTTMAN, Assistant Chief, MFC

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016

Fire Station 48
1601 S Grand Avenue, San Pedro CA

Fire Station 4
450 E Temple Street, Los Angeles CA

Retirement Breakfast: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Hosted Lunch: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

No Cost - Just come!

No Cost - Just come!

Call: FS 48 - (310) 548-7548

Call: Yvonne Ruiz - (213) 580-0062
or Natalie Goshi-Forney - (213) 576-8900

ED “THE BADGER” LARINI,
Firefighter III, FS 36-C

ANDY VIDOVICH, Firefighter/EIT, Battalion 4

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

MONDAY, JUNE 20, 2016

Fire Station 36
1005 N Gaffey Street, San Pedro CA

Dalmatian American Club of San Pedro
1639 S Palos Verdes Street, San Pedro CA

Luncheon: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Social Hour: 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM
Coatian Family Style - $50 includes tax, tip & gift

Taco Wagon - No cost
Call: FS 36 - (310) 548-2836
Casual Attire

MARK GOZAWA, Captain I, FS 23-C
ROBERT BROWN, Firefighter, FS 23-A
PETER PULIDO, Firefighter, FS 23-B
THURSDAY, JUNE 30, 2016
WIll Rogers Beach/Santa Monica CA
Towers 5 & 6
11:00 AM - ??
BBQ - No cost
Call: FS 23 or Bill Bringas - (805) 660-7473
RSVP by June 15, 2016

MIKE PALMA, Firefighter III, MFC-C
ROBERT GONZALEZ, Firefighter III, MFC-A
RICHARD NEWTON, Firefighter III, MFC-A
SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016
Knollwood Country Club
12024 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA
Social Hour: 5:00 PM Dinner: 6:00 PM
Buffet Style - $60 includes tax, tip & gift
Call Natalie Goshi - (213) 576-8900
RSVP by July 22, 2016

38 • June 2016

Call: Tony Vidovich - (213) 485-6121

DAN “D-ROD” RODRIGUEZ,
Captain II, FS 69-B
FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016
Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive, Granada Hills CA
Social Hour: 11:00 AM

Luncheon: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Buffet - $50 includes tax & tip
Casual Attire (Hawaiian)
Call Fire Station 69 - (310) 575-8569.
Spouses welcome. RSVP by June 20, 2016

ART BURGESS, Captain I, FS 15-B

PAUL R. NELSON, Captain II, FS 73-A

MONDAY, JUNE 6, 2016

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

Brookside Country Club
1133 Rosemont Avenue, Pasadena CA
Social Hour: 6:00 PM

Dinner: 7:00 PM

Classic BBQ - $55 includes tax & tip
Casual Attire (Hawaiian)
Call: FS 15 - (213) 485-6215.
Spouses welcome

Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive, Granada Hills CA
Social: 5:00 PM

Dinner: 6:00 PM

Buffet - $60 includes tax, tip & gift
Call: FS 73 - (818) 756-8673
RSVP by May 30, 2016

PHIL BERNAL, Engineer, FS 75-A

CRAIG NIELSEN, Captain II, FS 92-C,

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

The Bernal Residence
28790 Persimmon Lane, Saugus CA

Intercontinental Hotel, Century City
2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA

Social: 5:00 PM Dinner: 6:30 PM Presentation: 7:30 PM

Social Hour: 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Buffet Style - $55 includes tax, tip & gift

Taco Guy - No cost
Stop by for 5 minutes or stay for 5 hours!
Call Ruthie Bernal - (661) 713-9169 or
inbox Ruthie on Facebook. RSVP by June 13, 2016

Call FS 92 - (310) 840-2192
For hotel reservations ONLY: [email protected]
Make checks payable to: FS 92, Craig Nielsen Retirement
2466 Louella Avenue, Venice CA 90291
RSVP by June 15, 2016

JAMES MEDLEY, Inspector I,
FPB-West Industrial Unit

MIKE MONROY, Engineer, FS 48-C

FRIDAY, JULY 15, 2016

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Ports O’Call
1200 Nagoya Way, Berth 76, San Pedro CA

Top of the Fish Market
1190 Nagoya Way, Berth 78, San Pedro CA

Social: 6:00 PM

Dinner: 7:00 PM

Social Hour: 6:00 PM

Dinner: 7:00 PM

Chicken or Steak - $60 includes tax, tip & gift

Buffet - $55 includes tax, tip & gift

Call Verna Roy - (213) 473-7700
RSVP by June 30, 2016

Call FS 48 - (310) 548-7548

June 2016 • 39

Send your letters & comments to the editor at: [email protected]
examination process and told me about the
potential competition I would face. The
rest, they say, is history.

My condolences to the Clements
family for their loss.
Dear LAFRA,

As I read this month’s (May 2016)
issue of the Firemen’s Grapevine it saddens me to see the memoriam of my fellow firefighter and sister Sandra Smith. I
worked with San-d at Fire Station 94 for
close to 10 years.

I see she has accumulated many
awards and accomplishments in her life
and career. I want everyone to know what
I believe her biggest attribute and accomplishment was. She was an outstanding
human being! She made everyone around
her a better person. She had that personality that when you were around her made
you notice that things were just plain better being in her presence. She was our little
sister at Fire Station 94 . . . always looking
after a house full of grown boys trying to
become better men. ALL 3 SHIFTS . . .
ALL 35 of US!!

Everyone who has had a little sister growing up knows. She had nicknames
for all us boys! T.T., D.T., Mister O, Mo,
and Gerkout to name a few. We can never
forget our years at 94’s and everyone that
were assigned there knows it was some
of the best years of our lives. Three shifts
all working, living and getting along with
each other. Names that are etched in stone
on this great fire department: Brooks, Graf
, Trail, Arbuthnott, Eberle, Sullivan, Durso, Reyes, Thomas, Mulvehill, Addison,
Valenzuela, Czubek, Howe, Lima, Campos, and many, many others that spent a
number of years at the great 94’s.

We can also say that we all had a
little sister (“S.S. in the house”) as she
would say that made our days at 94’s that
much more enjoyable. She taught us important things we thought we could leave
at home when came to the fire station.
Good manners being one. Boys will be
boys and when you come into the fire station workplace you sometimes lose sight
of the semi-military scheme of things.
But because we had our lil sister “S. S. in
40 • June 2016

the house” watching us all the time, all us
boys became better Men.

Great people make a great fire station and San D made sure of that. Rest in
peace my lil sis. You are now in a much
bigger house and I know your presence
will be shinning upon us all.
GERKOUT (my nickname forever) Michael Gerken
Dear LA Firemen’s relief Association
Family,

Thank you for your thoughtfulness
for the lovely living flowers in celebration
of a life well lived by my dad, Tom Smith.
He was ‘wired” to serve others . . . as an
LA fireman and then to serve them and
their families on the Relief Assn Board.
We will all miss him. I was proud to be the
daughter of one of LA’s finest!
Sincerely,
Dorothy Smith Collins
Visalia, CA
LAFRA
I credit Walt [Clements] for getting
me interested in the L.A.F.D. I met Walt in
July of 1967. He owned a house in Palms/
West LA that he rented and I had just gotten married, been discharged from the
Armed Forces and had returned to the area
where I was raised. Walt was kind enough
to rent me the house and then allow me to
move out after a few months when I got
a job in Long Beach and found the commute too punishing. It wasn’t until I had
given my notice to move out that I learned
he was a fireman. He invited me to have
lunch at the fire station and sold me on a
career in the LAFD. He handed me an application, gave me some insight into the

Mike Littleton
Thousand Oaks, CA
Dear James Dolan:

Thank you so much for the flag,
plaque and your kind words about Bill
[Rowe]. He was quite a man.

He loved the fire department, and
when we moved here he started up a fire
academy at the College of the Siskiyous .
Many of his students are now fire captains
and battalion chiefs all over the west coast.
Sincerely,
Vicki Rowe
Fort Jones, CA
LA Firemen’s Relief Association’

Clair Buskirk was part of the greatest generation. He flew P51’s over Germany [in WWII]. He shot down two fighters
and then was shot down and spent the rest
of the war in a German POW camp. He
never spoke of it. It was my pleasure to
work with him at 35’s.
Samuel Serra
Sequim, WA
LAFRA –

I drove Captain McManigill at 44’s
and enjoyed his sense of humor. He loved
driving the district (Mt. Washington),
which I benefitted. I appreciated his experience and unique perspectives.
Thank you Howard,
Jim Jure
La Mirada, CA

Hi Andy –

The enclosed donations are made
in the memories of Dick Mandichak and
Irene McLeod.

I work with Dick Mandichak for
several years at old 25’s. He was a great
tailboard fireman and a really good guy to
be around, a friend of long ago.

Irene McLeod was the beautiful
and gracious wife of Laverne McLeod,
who sadly passed away before her time.
We had fun trips to Mexico with them in
our own campers in years past and lots of
other get togethers.

Just knowing that she and my wife
Barbara are not here tugs at my heart and
leaves a hollowness. My regards to Bruce
McLeod and family. He’s retired LAFD
also.

My thanks to you Andy for all you
do for us.
Your Boat & Ski Club Buddy,
Don Gillett (retired 1980)
Auberry, CA
LAFRA –

FiremensRelief.org

at your fingertips

Find Relief PPO Medical Plan details
Access Relief member benefits and services
View the Firemen’s Grapevine Magazine
Check out upcoming events


As a drill tower rookie in 1975, I’ll
never forget what happened at a live fire
drill in a drill tower basement. It was so
hot and so steamy when the instructors finally told us we could make our way to the
exit. I stumbled over a man that was wearing a yellow helmet. I yelled at the guy and
shook him but he wouldn’t move. Thank
God I started to drag him to the exit when
he jumped up and ran out. It was Captain
Nunnally . . . and he was hopping mad!
Some stepped on him and over him and
he drove the message home that you don’t
leave anyone behind. What a character,
but what a great instructor and officer. I’ll
never forget you . . . that’s for sure!
Chris Shaw
Redmond, OR

June 2016 • 41

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42 • June 2016

MEMBERS
Howard McManigill, Captain I.
Appointed March 10, 1962.
Retired on a service pension April 30, 2007 from FS 44-B.
Passed away April 18, 2016.
Sean P. Stilson, Captain II.
Appointed August 18, 1995.
Actively on duty at Drill Tower 81.
Passed away April 22, 2016.
Walter J. Clements, Captain.
Appointed June 16, 1955.
Retired on a service pension August 1, 1975 from FS 22.
Passed away April 23, 2016.
Gordon I. Mc Leod, Engineer.
Appointed May 12, 1962.
Retired on a service pension May 24, 1992 from FS 2.
Passed away May 4, 2016.
Bruce Wells, Civilian Employee.
Retired from S & M.
Passed away June 26, 2015.

FAMILY
Rose Miller, surviving spouse of Donald L. Miller, passed away April 1, 2016.
Gwendolyn K. Derby, spouse of Thomas L. Derby, passed away April 26, 2016.
Helen L. Schulz, surviving spouse of Howard L. Schulz, passed away May 2, 2016.
Venita Picinich, surviving spouse of Louis C. Picinich, passed away May 8, 2015.
Pricilla Scheerer, surviving spouse of Benjamin E. Scheerer, passed away May 9, 2016.

June 2016 • 43

WE’RE DOUBLING
YOUR LASIK BENEFIT
Starting July 1, 2016
The Relief PPO Medical Plan will cover up to $1,000
per eye when you use in-network VSP providers
Locate a provider at VSP.com or (800) 877-7195

Visit FiremensRelief.org for more info

Paid Advertisements:

44 • June 2016

*All benefits subject to change and are for
Relief Members enrolled in the PPO Plan

R E T I R E M E N T

S



D I N N E R

Steve, Denise, brother-in-law Eng. Greg Stonebraker, Rebecca Stonebraker, Brad Stonebraker, Cheryl Stonebraker and Mom (Carole)

teve and Denise Schrobsdorf hosted
scores of friends and family in La Crescenta on April 16th to celebrate 35 years
of LAFD service.

Steve grew up in Tarzana, and went to
Reseda High where his only aspiration was
to join the fire department. He would hang
out at FS 93 preparing for the testing process.

At the age of 20 he started the drill tower on
12/14/1980. “Mike Mejia was my car pool and
study partner,” he remembers, “and to this day
we are still best friends.”

Steve promoted to engineer from FS 17
on 07/20/1986. He did stints at 68’s and OCD
before settling in at 72’s. He finished up his
career at FS 109 on 01/30/2016. When asked

which was his best or favorite assignment,
Steve says, “Looking back, I had a great time
at every assignment I worked at.”

Steve wanted to thank all the members
of the LAFD, sworn and civilian, for all they
have done in making “the job” a great experience. And good luck in retirement, Steve and
Denise – may it be long and healthy!

June 2016 • 45

M

ore than 100 friends and family were
able to find their way to Fire Station
109 on April 30, 2016, to celebrate
the combined sixty-something years of LAFD
service of Gib Martin and Chuck Bucher.

The front row was overflowing with
immediate family. In Gib’s corner were wife
Becky, and his kids Brittany (along with husband Romi and little Matthew), Gabriel and
Becky. Daughter Alex couldn’t make it in from
Washington D.C. On Chuck’s side were wife
Sandy, along with daughters Juliet and Jenny
(with beau Eddie). His daughter Dr Jackie was
stuck treating the sick and injured in Honolulu.

Back in 1981, the LAFD was hiring.
Just about anybody with a GED could get a job
and Chuck Bucher was one of the lucky ones.
He did his probation in the Valley, but the Dept
saw promise in Chuck and decided to make a
chief (or something) out of him. So they transferred him to 57’s and 33’s to improve his profile.

Next he made Engineer and worked at
old 29’s under the tutelage of LAFD legends
like Howard Slavin and Jim Finn. He became
an Inspector for a couple of minutes at Industrial Commercial just for fruit in the basket.

Chuck was like a shooting star, he was
really going places. He quickly made Captain
and went to 34’s, 37’s and 87’s. But then something curious happened. Chuck transferred up
to 109’s for what was to be a short breather, a
little rest. But then he got a little too comfortable. When he was supposed to be studying for
B/C, he was working out in the gym there – two
times a day! He had a couple of good cooks
to take care of the mess. And he was sleeping
every night, all night long.

So eleven years later – here we were,
still at 109’s, seeing Chuck Bucher off into retirement.

Gib Martin’s LAFD saga started back
in 1984 when the Federal Government came to
Los Angeles and forced the LAFD to change
the way it did its hiring. Prior to this no one
over the age of 31 could be hired. The Feds ordered this age cap to be removed.

Gib was –and still is - a pretty good
auto mechanic and he was running his own

46 • June 2016

Bucher Family

old LAFD tradition

Bob Steinbacher presents LAFRA badge
auto repair garage in the Valley at the time. But
he decided that a steady job with good benefits
would be better for his young family. So he
joined the LAFD as its oldest rookie ever, the
first over the age of 31.

new LAFD tradition?

Martin Family

Domingo Albarran presents UFLAC plaque

Waldo Hoerner and Ben Guzman


As a side note, it’s interesting how an
unabashed Libertarian like Gib owes his entire
career to the meddling of the federal government – but that’s an argument for another day.

It was really tough in the Drill Tower
for Gib – it seemed like orders had come down

from HQ to make sure the old geezer rookie
didn’t make it through. But Gib persisted and
with hard work, graduated at the top of the
class.

Next Gib was sent downtown to his first
house – FS 9. His TFC there was a real hard
ass who was going to make sure the old geezer rookie didn’t pass probation. But thanks to
the likes of Jack Park and Glenn Dinger, and
Gib’s hard work, he passed probation. What
happened at 9’s is a great story that could fill
an entire Kindle, so ask Gib to tell it to you
sometime if you haven’t heard it.

Anyway, Gib gets over to 14’s, and
there they find out that he is an ace auto mechanic. Before long Gib is fixing everyone’s
cars and no one ever hassled him again in his
entire career – except for one chief in Batt 10,
but that’s also a story for another time.

Gib later trained as paramedic long
before it was fashionable and worked at one
of the first paramedic engines at 84’s Then he
went up to 109’s where he provided first-care to
the rich and famous for the next 20 years.

The presentations started off with
LAFRA President Bob Steinbacher presenting
the retirement badges. He was followed by Domingo Albarran with the UFLAC axe plaques.
Chuck’s DT classmate Ray Hoffman and Gib’s
ace relief Fernando De Los Cobos handled the
PRB’s. Ernie Naranjo and Ben Guzman, along
with all of the 109’s crew, presented the duo
with personalized retirement gifts.

Next a long line of well-wishers came
to the podium to tell a few stories. Julie Blackwell, daughter of retired firefighter Blackie
Blackwell, told of how Gib’s friendship had
changed her life. Paul McCabe told of how
he influenced Chuck to become a firefighter.
Carl DeBono spoke of eating Chuck’s dust
on mountain bike rides and Allen Bart evoked
some emotion speaking of what a tight group
the 109’s guys had been (and still are), both on
and off the job. Tammy Harrison drove in from
Utah just to tell Chuck how much she enjoyed
working with him at old 87’s. And both sets of
kids took the mic, expressing gratitude for their
fathers’ devotion and reminisced about what it
was like to group up in firefighter families.

June 2016 • 47

A

s the allure of a moonlit night amplified the evening sky a select group of
firemen and their lovely wives gathered at a discreet chophouse in Ranch Cucamonga. While one after another arrived they
warmly embraced and reunited as if only days,
not years, had separated their lives. This evening, however, was much more than a reunion
of sorts as it signified a gathering of old friends
in an effort to collectively pray for two of our
dearest comrade’s, Lee Hazelquist and Reed
Lotero.

For those unaware, both Lee and Reed
have been afflicted with “that” horrific disease
nearly everyone in view of these words has either experienced firsthand or knows someone
who has. Although each of their forecasts and
treatments are quite alarming, their positive attitudes and relentless spirit continue to be at the
core of our love for them and their families.

Nearly three decades ago a fortuitous
era summoned a group of young men together
at a place simply know as, Fire City (FS 33).
Although each was young and inexperienced
our distinguished leader, Pat Shanley, was
most certainly not. Within time, Pat and his
revolving door of CI’s urbanized this motley
crew into a well-rounded unit that fought hard,
played hard and cared deeply for one another.

48 • June 2016


None of us, however, possessed “Firefighter of the Year” qualities as such distinctions were earmarked for those elder statesmen
hangin’ their hats up the road at 34th x Central. Nonetheless, with a mishmash of smarts,
a street-wise mentality and a desire to do well
we too began to compliment one another very
well. Collectively, we were soon able to offer
something quite positive to both our officers
and constituents.

FF Hazelquist was uncommonly candid. FF Lotero was a gentleman’s gentleman.
RA 33’s tandem of Skelly & Lopez were forever upbeat. FF Abrego’s embellishments
were legendary. FF Kusaba kept our house in
order. FF Combs was our off-duty escort. FF
Rejino’s laughter was infectious. FF Quinlan
was a Happy Hour delight. FF Wonders was
exhilaration on steroids. FF Lopez (Jr.) made
us yearn for our single days. FF Mathews was
our storyteller. FF Zabala was our communal lil
brother. Eng Sedillos was our voice of reason.
Eng Hassien was our quick-witted uncle. And
as for me, well, my miscues were examples of
what NOT to do.

I’ve deliberately not cited feats such as
Hazelquist “picking” his way up a 2-story Victorian, or Lotero exerting himself to the point
of collapse, or Hassien throwing a timely roof

ladder, or Mathews advancing down
a fiery hallway when no on else
could, or Rejino’s stamina which
enabled his unrelenting assaults, or
Sedillos risking his life to safeguard
our water supply, or Junior’s rescue
attempts at 59th x Western when
chaos and disorder silenced initiative.

I could go on and on about
the operational exploits of these terrific young men, but I won’t. I won’t
because those deeds are not what
caused our collective lives to intertwine as if we were long lost kin.
Simply put, it’s our trust and respect
for one another that has safeguarded
our decades-long affection. Our
children benefitted as well as they
too learned to embrace dozens of de
facto siblings on numerous trips and
outings. Equally striking were our
precious young wives that seemed to
coalesce as if they themselves were
sisters or longtime BFF’s.

Committed families grow from the
heart, are a bit diverse, respect one another
and place trust above all else. With this as our
bedrock, it became only natural that our collective faith and devotion simply fell into place.
As cliché as it may sound, we fought for one
another more so than for ourselves. It was these
qualities and not our firemanship that were at
the core of this special bond and our enduring
friendship.

Shortly before this evening commenced
I received a call from Reed informing me he
would not be attending. With the character and
courage that would make John Wayne proud,
Reed conveyed in an afflictive tone that his
treatment had taken its toll. I assured him he
and Vivian would be in our prayers and that
each would do all we could to ease his pain.
Before the phone hit the cradle, I wept.

Amazingly, despite their ill-health
both Lee and Reed continue to inspire those
in their presence. In speaking with them you
quickly sense that they are the healers and we
are the sick. Let us therefore take heed of their
spirited tenor, as to do so reveals the voice of
their savior within each of them. Both Lee and
Reed will continue to reside within the depths
our souls because to us they are more than just
friends – they are us.

O

n Saturday, April 30, 2016, the Relief Association recognized its
indispensable cadre of volunteers at a luncheon held at Engine
Co. #28 on Figueroa Street. The affair was organized by Juliet
Brandolino, LAFRA’s event coordinator and hosted by President Bob
Steinbacher.

The 2015 volunteers were recognized for going above and beyond; some for countless hours of service, others for their extra efforts
on behalf of the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund. Those
present included Lydia Andrews - the 2014 Volunteer of the Year who
shows up every week to help out, Valerie Lawrence who is a volunteer
coordinator at many events and a top Golf Ball Drop ticket seller, Rose
Franco – another Golf Ball Drop ticket seller extraordinaire, Elyse Klein
- a new volunteer who sold a ton of Golf Ball Drop tickets last year,
Andrea Thompson who helped out with Golf 2015, along with partner
in crime Jessica Felix, and perennial standouts Stina del Giudice, Jacque
Gonzalez and Donna Capelouto. Also important but unable to attend
were Virginia Newcomb, Anne Munsell, and Jeanne Urquiza.

Other firefighters that were present included John Keys with wife
Maureen, Butch Marcione with wife Sue, Ken Krupnik with wife Elsie
and Gerry and Jan Layton.


The 2016 Volunteer of the Year honor went to Emily Pizinger, the
surviving daughter of Firefighter Michael Pizinger. Emily requested that
her company, Bay Alarm, become a Hope for Firefighters sponsor last
year. They teamed up with 29’s and won for best entre. And they have
agreed to be a sponsor again this year!

The Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association is a much more
effective organization through the commitment of its selfless and generous volunteers. These amazing people help make our events possible
and are dedicated to helping raise money for the Widows, Orphans &
Disabled Firemen’s Fund.

We are always looking for a few good men and women to join us
at our many fundraising events throughout the year, like Hope for Firefighters and the LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament. Or if you prefer to
help in the office with mail-outs or basket decorating, we have a place for
you too. Send an e-mail to [email protected] for more information
or to lend a much needed helping hand today.

June 2016 • 49

Donations to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s Fund
April 2016

HOOK & LADDER ENDURO
WALMART

JAMES E. GILLUM from the Simi Valley
Breakfast Club

WALMART

FIRE STATION NO. 33 from the
Fire Extinguisher Fund

KIRK P. BINGHAM from the Firefighters Thousand
Oaks Breakfast

EDWARD H. MC ADAM in memory of
Willie Kessen & Ben Scheerer

BETTY J. HALL in memory of my husband
Capt. Joseph P. Hall

GARY B. KLASSE in memory of Bob “Fuzzy” Furr

KROGER
MARVIN D. EDER in memory of Jim Agee
JOHN LAHICKEY in memory of
Capt. Severino Trapletti
SHELLY BROOKS
ROBERT P. LUTZ in memory of Bill Goss,
Bob Morrison & Cal Wonnacott
HELEN L. SCHULZ
ROSALIE CARPENTER
RUDY L. MC TEE in memory of Dick Nunnally
ANDY KULJIS DONATION
STEVEN C. POPHOFF in memory of Rino Trapletti
RICHARD L. WATTERS in memory of
Thomas E. Smith
ANSELMO J. GARRIDO in memory of Dick Nunnally,
Severino Trapletti & Darrayle Prosser
HARRY M. MORCK in memory of Bob Furr,
Reynaldo Rojo & Eugene Mahoney

50 • June 2016

GEORGE F. DEMOTT in memory of Dick Nunnally
GEORGE F. DEMOTT in memory of Reynaldo Rojo
GEORGE F. DEMOTT in memory of Erwin Robertson
GEORGE F. DEMOTT in memory of Richard Houle
LINDA A. BORYCZKA in memory of Bob Phaneuf
from his son Glenn’s co-workers at DCAA-UTA
resident office
GEORGE B. OSBORNE
PLEDGELING FOUNDATION
GEORGE F. DEMOTT in gratitude for the assistance of
Don Forrest
JAMES E. GILLUM in from the
Simi Valley Breakfast Club
GUY C. MILLER in memory of Penney Peck
GARY L. JOHNSON
DONALD L. CATE in memory of my wife Lois Cate
THOMAS B. DRAKE in memory of Arliss Berenger
GARY A. GATENA

Mike Mastro, President/CEO
Firefighters First Credit Union

2016 Firefighters First Credit Union Board
On behalf of myself and the Credit Union management
team, I’m very pleased to introduce Scott Gribbons as the
new Board Chair. We are very excited to have him on the
Board in this new role as he brings a wealth of experience
and a true passion for the Fire Family.

A message from the Chair...
First, I would like to take a moment to thank Jerry Horwedel, our past Chair for his great leadership over the past four
years - and thank you to his wife Brenda for allowing us to
to take him away so often!
As the new Chair of your Board of Directors, I am committed to ensuring that you, our member/owners, view your
Credit Union as the absolute best. Our member loyalty
and satisfaction leads the industry - and we don’t take that
lightly. The question “Is this in the best interest of our current and future members?” is central to every conversation
we engage in as a Board and that question is driven down
throughout the organization. From operational issues (making everything we provide easier and better) to long-term
strategic planning, we always have your back. In an industry that is constantly growing in complexity, mistakes will

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

L. Scott Gribbons, Chair
John Buck, First Vice-Chair
Richard Frawley, Second Vice-Chair
Ron Jackson, Treasurer
Greg Porter, Secretary
Vince Cardinale
John Cermak
Mike Dodd
John Duca

L. Scott Gribbons, Board Chair
Firefighters First Credit Union

be made but we will continue to improve and take great
pride in providing you with the highest possible service.
The credit union industry is also experiencing significant
consolidation. Over the past five years, the total number
of credit unions has shrunk from approximately 7,500 to
6,000 and this consolidation trend continues with the industry losing approximately 270 credit unions each year. Many
firefighter credit unions have chosen to open up their membership to the community. We will not. We are committed
to being the strongest, exclusive firefighter credit union in
the country and we are recognized as being just that.
Thank you again for your loyalty and please don’t hesitate
to contact me or stop me to chat about your experiences
with our credit union. We truly want to know how we can
better serve you and I am always happy to hear “What’s going on with the Credit Union?”
Respectfully,

L. Scott Gribbons
Chair

Pat Engel
Jerry Horwedel
Sheldon McKowan
Larry Metz
Wayne Schuetz
Marv Williams

SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE
Sharon Draper, Committee Chair
Chuck Ferrari
Bryan Nassour

June 2016 • 51

Submitted by Frank Borden • Director of Operations, LAFDHS

LAFD History - SQUAD 23 “The Green Hornets”

T

here have been a few fire companies
that have become famous in our history for what they were and what their
firefighters did. “The Green Hornets” is one of
those known for its uniqueness and capability
“back in the day.”

Gerry McClanahan, retired Captain II
and firefighter assigned to Squad 23 reminded
me that this year is the 50th anniversary of deactivation of the Green Hornets, Squad 23 and
later Squad 9. He sent me some of the history
of the Green Hornets and some of his memories.


During its nearly 17 years of service, the
broad range of experience that firemen gained
as members of the Green Hornets helped win
them promotion to higher ranks.

SQUAD 23 - THE GREEN HORNETS
by Paul Dietzel

One of the Department’s most illustrious companies, Squad 23, was organized as an
extra manpower unit and went in service at Fire
Station 23 at 5th and Maple St in the heart of
skid row on December 1, 1949. Squad 23’s first
alarm district included the entire large central
city area. Squad 23 also was special called to
large fires and other major incidents anywhere
in the city.

Each platoon’s captain and seven other
members were provided with breathing apparatus, the first company in the department to carry breathers for all members. Those assigned to
Squad 23 wore distinctive green helmet front
pieces, which led to the name “The Green Hornets,” adapted from a popular radio program of
that day. Their primary purpose was to get to
the fires fast and wearing breathing apparatus,
make a quick attack and hopefully knock down
the fire and make rescues in atmospheres where
firefighters without breathing apparatus would
find the going dangerously difficult. The Squad
also carried assorted specialized fire suppression equipment including forcible entry tools.
A soon as the fire was controlled, the Green
Hornets were returned to service and were seldom held for overhaul.

Fire Station 23 closed and the Green
Hornets moved to new Fire Station 9 when
it opened on November 1, 1960, and became
Squad 9. The Company was disbanded June
1, 1966 when the department’s first task force
went in service at the station.

52 • June 2016

Squad 23 Responding from Quarters” January
1950 Fireman’s Grapevine

SQUAD 23 AT THE 1960 MATSON
TERMINAL FIRE
By Paul Dietzel

On St. Patrick’s Day 1960, the Matson
Terminal became involved in fire, one of the
legendary fires in the history of the L.A. Harbor. The following story taken from Paul Dietzel’s book “Los Angeles Fire Department” is
an example of the Green Hornets flexibility:

The underwharf fire moved faster than
firefighters could cut holes. They found that
flames had chewed far behind the points where
they had cut their holes and inserted hoselines
supplying distributor nozzles. Thick biting
creosote smoke made the work extremely difficult and calls went out for more breathing
apparatus. Squad 23’s Green Hornets, the only
LAFD company fully equipped with breathers,
joined the battle on top of the wharf and later
boarded Boat 2 to handle hoselines jetting into
the smoke-shrouded underwharf flames.”

Squad 23 worked all night on Boat 2
without relief. Although each man had a breather, it was apparent from the beginning that the
supply of oxygen would not last forever. Most

The Matson dock on fire in 1960.

The Matson dock on fire in 1960.
of the firefighting was done without breathers
in the heavy creosote smoke that billowed from
under the wharf right into their faces. The creosote smoke produced burns to members skin
and they coughed up black material for several
days.
MEMORIES OF SQUAD 23
By Gerry McClanahan

Fire Station 23 was located on the
original Skid Row. Hundreds of mostly men
walked continuously because if they stopped to
sat or lay down on the sidewalk, they would
be placed in the police paddy wagon and taken
to jail. No EMS in those days. When Battalion
1, Engine and Squad 23 responded we didn’t
close and lock the doors. I don’t recall anything
ever being stolen. Times have changed.

In the late 50’s, each member of Squad
23 had a Burrell Canister type breather as well
as an MSA breather filled with pure oxygen.
Some of the special equipment included a cutting torch, life gun, large pry bars, and porta
power.

Many times the Squad would have a
long ride across town and arrive when the fire
was really cooking. Because we had breathing
apparatus we were expected to get inside and
make rescues and advance hose lines into very
dangerous and weakened buildings. Members
of the Squad had many tales of buildings falling on them, ending with miraculous escapes
by dashing madly to the outside or finding the
seemingly only pocket in the building with
room to escape. After the fire the Squad would
frequently sing to Engine 23, “The Squad did it
again, the Squad did it again, high ho the merry
oh the squad did it again.”

Because Squad 23 had two breathing
apparatus per member, we were frequently
dispatched to take care of hazardous gas leaks
such as ammonia and sulfur dioxide. In the
50’s the city only provided your badge, hat
piece and a flashlight which was issued at new
assignments. All other uniforms, turnouts and
helmets were purchased by the member. We

also had our own Haz Mat protection which
consisted of our turnouts, gloves (if you bought
them yourself), four rubber bands cut from tire
inner tubes to be used to secure the arm cuffs
and leg cuffs of the turnout gear. Squad 23 also
carried a large jar of Vaseline to be used on arm
pits and groin areas before entering hazardous areas. Most of the time we ended up with
chemical burns to any body parts that had perspiration. So our Haz Mat protection was four
rubber bands and a jar of Vaseline.

At Fire Station 23 we had an elevator
from the first to the 3rd floor. After a fire everyone wanted to get to the coffee, but the elevator
wouldn’t start with a load, so we would count
1-2-3 and everyone would jump up as the button was pushed and the elevator would take off
to the coffee.

Squad 23 had many leather lunged
characters on both platoons who loved to be
in the middle of any large emergency. Probably the most respected and remembered fireman assigned to Squad 23 was Clarence (C.B.)
Roberts, better known as Robby or “Buddy
Pops.” Robby was assigned to both Squad 23
and Squad 9 for many years and lived at Fire
Station 23. He was frequently kidded about
sleeping on the pool table when he was unable
to find his off duty bed. On his off duty time
he played golf at Griffith Park with his friend,
actor James Garner of Maverick and Rockford
Files. “Buddy Pops” was the guy you wanted
to team up with if you wanted to be on the hose
line that did the most good and result in the
knock down. He had a way of always knowing
where to go to get the job done. For a rookie
to be on a hose nozzle and have “Buddy Pops”
push you further and further into the fire were
both frightening and exhilarating.

You would take a beating from the heat
and smoke and you absolutely knew that what
you were doing couldn’t be done by anyone,
and when the fire would be knocked down, you

We have Gerry McClanahan’s Squad 23 helmet on
display at the Hollywood Fire Museum.

knew that you and “Buddy Pops” had fought
hard and won. Standing there, feeling relief,
wet, cold and dirty, you would realize that you
had just received a lesson from the master. Later
when you returned to quarters you might even
be privileged to sing to the Engine Company.
C.B. Roberts was featured in the Grapevine
when he was badly burned on his hands and
arms during his last shift on the LAFD. There
were photos of him at his dinner that night.

At Fire Station 9 the Green Hornets
continued to be show their experience and aggressive firefighting abilities and were always
an important addition to any emergency response.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

Engine 27 responded to the accident on
the Memorial fence in November, 2015.

Gerry McClanahan, in the middle of the front row between Squad 23 Captain Lloyd Bush on the left and
Engine 23 Acting Captain Nick Baumgartner on the right. Back row L to R – Clarence Roberts (AKA Sugar
Roberts, AKA Buddy Pops), Don Griesinger, Billy James Garnett, Fred Croghan, Don Bunker, Joe Young,
Dean Lange, Jim Kolb.

June 2016 • 53

Hollywood Museum (Old Fire Station 27) and
want to make sure that the word gets out to
those who have been retired for awhile and to
the new retirees from the last few years. We do
not see them coming to the museums and they
are missing part of their history. We have many
new displays since the last luncheon and hope
that our restored 1937 American LaFrance Engine (Lulubelle) is back repaired by then.

The new fence panel was
installed in April 2016.
Fallen Firefighters Memorial Fence


The Fallen Firefighters Memorial iron
fence panel that was destroyed by a car driven
by an uninsured motorist last November has
been replaced by Himco Fence Co. Some of the
broken bricks will be replaced to complete the
job. We have been trying to contact the driver
for restitution without success.
The LAFD Annual Retired Member
Luncheon is Scheduled for Thursday
June 16th


We are having our Annual Luncheon
for LAFD retired members and guests at the

Harbor Fire Museum Exhibit – The History
& Evolution of Fireboats in the Port of LA.
“The Tankship Markay”

The Port of LA has provided our Historical Society a grant to create a new exhibit
in our Harbor Fire Museum in Old Station 36.
Our grand opening is scheduled for July 1st.
Here is a glimpse of a historic incident that will
be told on an interactive computer:

“No waterfront fire is better remembered than that which erupted with a series of
shattering explosions at 2:06 A.M., Sunday,
June 22, 1947, when the 10,000-ton tankship
Markay blew up. Tens of thousands of barrels
of blazing butane sent up boiling clouds of
flame and ugly black smoke.

The explosions tore the Markay in half.
Red hot rivets, molten iron fittings and debris
spewed high over the caldron and came cascading down upon San Pedro, Wilmington and
Terminal Island. A San Pedro housewife
called police. She said a Russian bomber had crashed in her backyard. Officers
found a hot chunk of twisted iron from
the Markay’s deck.
Concussions smashed windows more
than a mile away. With the glare lighting

Retired members leaving the Museum
last year with their raffle items.

Calendar for June 2016

* Fridays from 0800 to 1200 are work days on the “Ralph J. Scott” Fireboat
54 • June 2016

Fireboat 2 - The Ralph
J. Scott with monitors into the burning
wharf with the tankship Markay burning
across the channel.

the waterfront, the harbor came alive. Sirens of
fire engines converging on the waterfront and
bleating whistles of ships were calling crews to
make ready to put out to sea. The waterfront
had been jittery for eight weeks since the Texas
City dock catastrophe, April 16 and 17, when
the ammonium nitrate laden SS Grandcamp
blew up with a loss of 561 lives.

The Markay was blazing but a short
distance up the channel was Boat 2. Acting
Captain Jack Gordon and her crew liked to
demonstrate how they could cast off in fortyfive seconds. They did it in thirty that night. Pilot “Choppy” Gray nosed Boat 2 into the Turning Basin and swung right toward the Markay.
Gray was taciturn as fire fighters and seamen
often are, but over firehouse coffee he told me
what happened. His description was not what
you would expect from a man of few words.

“As we pulled out of our berth I saw a
fury which I had imagined only an atom bomb
could cause. Vivid bellows of flames boiled and
churned from the Markay. The fire whipped
hundreds of feet into the sky then darkened as
it ran out of oxygen, only to burst into renewed
frenzy when it sucked in more air. Great gobs of
black smoke rolled up into mushroom-shaped
clouds.

“A massive blanket of flames was
spreading out for 600 feet across the slip and
sweeping into wooden wharves under two
warehouses. As we got closer the warehouses
burst into flames and the fire floated upstream
toward other Wilmington warehouses, refineries, chemical plants, shipyards and the U. S.
Borax and Chemical Company plant.

“We were within 500 feet when the heat
popped three windows in the pilot house and
broke all lights on our starboard side. I signaled full speed astern as we looked for a spot
to go to work. It was futile to open up on the
Markay. We could have pumped the harbor dry
and still not put out that tanker fire.

“Our best attack was to hit the wooden
wharves and warehouses burning across form
the Markay. Within seconds our Big Bertha,
tower turret and deck guns were boring into the
fire. We made little dent in the flames and gray
blisters were swelling on our hull.”

By Paul Dietzel

LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
April 6, 2016
CALL TO ORDER

PRESIDENT REPORT

President Bob Steinbacher called the
meeting of the Board of Trustees of
the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief
Association to order at 10:20 a.m.

1) Bob Steinbacher informed that
on March 30th, Fire Chief Ralph
Terrazas visited our LAFRA office to
discuss what we do as an association
for our members. He indicated that
they also discussed the use of RB
Code for the department chaplains
and how the Fire Chief’s office could
provide support for LAFRA.

ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Robert Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Juan Albarran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Ortiz
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Steve Ruda
Trustee Chris Stine
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Steven Domanski - Pension
Todd Layfer - Executive Director
Liberty Unciano – ControllerTreasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Steve Berkery (Excused)
Trustee Mike Sailhamer (Excused)
Trustee Tyler Tomich (Excused)
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
(Excused)
Trustee Doak Smith – Pension
(Excused)
Trustee Tim Larson – Pension
(Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim
Freeman led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion
to ratify and dispense with the
reading of the minutes of the Board of
Trustees meeting held March 9, 2016.
Dave Peters so moved. Frank Aguirre
seconded. There was no further
discussion or objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense
with the reading of the minutes of
the Board of Trustees meeting held
March 9, 2016.

2) Bob Steinbacher referred to
LAFRA’s social media and indicated
that our content and postings have
improved.
3) Bob Steinbacher referred to the
Hook & Ladder Enduro and indicated
that the event was well attended. He
reported that the net proceeds donated
to the WODFF were $33,000.
4) Bob Steinbacher informed that he
met with Kaiser representatives about
what is going on at their facilities.
He indicated that they have offered
to partner with LAFRA at the next
Health Fair.
5) Bob Steinbacher referred to the
Express Scripts meeting and indicated
that he and Jeff Cawdrey met with
the new account representative. He
indicated that they discussed the
need for improvements on reporting
information.
6) Bob Steinbacher referred to the
LAFRA Pechanga Reunion and
indicated that they were expecting a
great turnout. Juan Albarran indicated
that they have up until 72 hours to
make any sort of cancelations for the
RV spots.
7) Bob Steinbacher addressed the
issue of medical premiums for
widows versus retired members. He
indicated that LAFRA attorney, Bob
Macaulay, advised that this practice
needed to change because Federal
Law dictates that an organization
cannot charge different premiums for
the same type of care. He stated that
they had to increase the premiums for
approximately 480 widows effective
7/1/16. He indicated that they have
been reaching out to these widows to
explain the changes.
8) Bob Steinbacher indicated that
they will begin to hand out “Welcome
Packets” for those members enrolling
in the Firemen’s Relief PPO Plan.
He indicated that these packets will

explain how to use the SPD, who
the PBM is and how to use their
pharmacy benefit.

cards with beneficiary changes and
an increase to their donations to the
WODFF.

9) Dawna Gray of Bradawn Inc.
addressed the Board on the widows’
medical premium rate increases. She
stated that the retiree premium rates
are based on a series of codes that
indicate what covering members
have or don’t have with Medicare.
She indicated that they recently
realigned all premium rates for the
widows which causes an increase to
their out of pocket amount. She stated
that LAFRA as an organization could
decide to assist with subsidizing some
widow premiums on an income need
basis.

INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT

VICE PRESIDENT REPORT

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

1) Jeff Cawdrey informed that we will
be having a Policy Manual review
meeting on May 3rd at 8:00 am.
2) Jeff Cawdrey reported on the
Investment Conference a few of the
Trustees attended in Las Vegas.

Liberty Unciano reported that they
met with the Harrington Group and
indicated that the audit was successful
with no major findings. She indicated
that they will meet with the Audit
Committee on April 18th to go over
the Audit Report.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S
REPORT

MEDICAL COMMITTEE
REPORT

1) Todd Layfer reported on the status
of Hope for Firefighters and indicated
that there are now 16 fire stations
signed up for booths. He indicated
that they need a few more fire stations
and asked Trustees to encourage their
stations to sign up.

David Peters presented the following
motion.

2) Todd Layfer reported that open
enrollment is from April 1st through
April 30th. He indicated that Dawna
Gray is holding an open enrollment
informational seminar for the LAFRA
staff so that they have a better
understanding on how the LAFRA
Medical Plan works.

Motion carried to accept all
applications to the Medical Plan.

3) Todd Layfer referred to proposed
Bylaw changes and indicated that
one speaker at the Board Educational
Offsite reviewed them and suggested
some areas of improvement. He
stated that they reached out to Bob
Ridley to review the area of duties,
responsibilities and expectations of a
Board member. He indicated that they
received a draft back from Bob Ridley
for review and will forward it to the
Bylaws Committee.
4) Todd Layfer referred to the member
profile sheet sent to the members. He
indicated that they received several

Steve Domanski made the following
motion.
The committee recommends and I so
move to approve investing $4 million
into the Montauk Triguard Investment
Fund. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to invest $4
million into the Montauk Triguard
Investment Fund.

The committee recommends and I
so move to accept the applications
to the Medical Plan. There was no
discussion and no objections.

The committee recommends and
I so move to approve the contract
with Pharmacy Specialist Group
(PSG). He reported that they are the
new pharmacy benefit consultants
replacing Burchfield Group. There
was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the
contract with Pharmacy Specialist
Group.
The committee recommends and
I so move to approve terminating
the contract with Burchfield Group
effective July 1, 2016. There was no
discussion or objections.
Motion
carried
to
approve
terminating the contract with
Burchfield Group effective July 1,
2016.

June 2016 • 55

ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following
motions.
The committee recommends and I so
move to pay the usual and customary
bills in the amount of $948,112.83.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and
customary bills in the amount of
$948,112.83.

amount of $24,335.66
The Estate Planning benefit in the
amount of $8,370,
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in
the amount of $6,299
The Life & Accident Death Benefit in
the amount of $24,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the
amount of $36,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above
Relief benefits.

The committee recommends and
I so move to approve sponsorship
of the Fire Family Foundation’s
Poker Tournament in the amount of
$1,250. There was no discussion or
objections.

Rick Godinez read the names of
members who recently passed and
asked for a moment of silence from
the Board.

Motion
carried
to
approve
sponsorship of the Fire Family
Foundation’s Poker Tournament in
the amount of $1,250.

Richard Houle
Arliss J. Berenger
Mike R. Urtusuastegui
Darrayle B. Prosser
Sandra Smith
Joseph C. Fleming
Richard E. Nunnally
Keneth L. Wilson

The committee recommends and
I so move to approve moving the
employee 401K plan from John
Hancock to Massachusetts Mutual.
Todd Layfer indicated that after
reviewing the fees charged by John
Hancock, they decided to seek a new
401K record keeper. There was no
further discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve moving
the employee 401K plan from John
Hancock to Massachusetts Mutual.
The committee recommends and I so
move to approve an additional $804
for the purchase of a new portable PA
System. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to approve an
additional $804 for the purchase of
a new portable PA system.
The committee recommends and I so
move to approve $725 for a foursome
of golf and tee sign for the LAFD
Sertoma Club Golf Tournament.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve $725
for a foursome of golf and tee sign
for the LAFD Sertoma Club Golf
Tournament.
RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT
Rick Godinez presented the following
motion.
The committee recommends and I so
move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the

56 • June 2016

MEMORIALS

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT
The committee recommends and I so
move to advance funds for both active
and retired members. There was no
discussion or objections.
Motion carried to advance funds for
both active and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE
COMMITTEE REPORT
Chris Hart indicated that since
we have a social media specialist
handling LAFRA’s social media, they
should consider reorganizing some
committees between the Grapevine
and Marketing & Development
committees.
SECRETARY’S REPORT

ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE

Andy Kuljis reported that since
they’ve had many deaths, they are
down to one flag box. He indicated
that they have an order coming in
soon. He also mentioned that they
attended the Rick Ortiz Luncheon
in Garden Grove and were able to
answer many questions.

Rick Godinez presented the following
motions.

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
REPORT

The committee recommends and I so
move to accept the donations in the
amount of $4,177.78 to the Widows,
Orphans & Disabled Firemen’s
Fund. There was no discussion or
objections.

Rick Godinez reported that on
Saturday, April 9th, we will be having
the Scholarship Exam here at the
LAFRA office. He indicated that
they have 23 qualified candidates
scheduled and may have four
memorial scholarships.

Motion carried to accept the
donations in the amount of
$4,177.78 to the Widows, Orphans &
Disabled Firemen’s Fund.
The committee recommends and
I so move to approve the financial
assistance applications for surviving
spouses, active and retired members.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the
financial assistance applications for
surviving spouses, active and retired
members.
The committee recommends and I so
move to reinstate an adult disabled
dependent/orphan back onto the
Relief Medical Plan. There was no
discussion or objections.
Motion carried to reinstate an adult
disabled dependent/orphan back
onto the Relief Medical Plan.

MARKETING &
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Rick Godinez indicated that this
committee has met a couple of times
and indicated that they discussed what
tools the department would need to
market this organization. He indicated
that they are currently producing a
reference book for Trustees on how
to answer questions from members
regarding the Medical Plan and Relief
benefits.
SETTING OF DATES
1) Scholarship Exam – April 9th
2) LAFRA Health Fair – April 20th
& 21st
3) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament
– May 11th B
4) LAFD EXPO – May 21st FS 59
5) Fallen Firefighter Memorial Golf
Tournament – May 23rd
6) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion
May 23 – May 27
7) LARFPA Annual BBQ - June 1st

8) Hope for Firefighters - June 2nd
9) LAFD Fire Hogs Fallen Heroes
Memorial Ride – June 25th
10) Colorado Springs Memorial –
September 15th – 18th
11) LAFD Invitational Golf
Tournament – September 19th
12) LAFRA Holiday Party –
December 17th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Ruben Terrazas – Saturday,
April 9th A @ Brookside Golf
Club
(Bednarchik)
2) Paul Nelson – Monday, April 11th
A @ Fire Station 73 (Aguirre)
3) Clint Arrigoni – Tuesday,
April 12th B @ Odyssey Restaurant
(Jacobsen)
4) Steve Schrobsdorf – Saturday,
April 16th – A @ La Crescenta
Woman’s Club (Albarran)
5) Hugh Martin & Charles Bucher
– Saturday, April 30th B @ FS 109
(Steinbacher)
6) Glenn Crieman – Saturday,
April 30th Fire Station 2 (Godinez)
7) Brett Davis – Saturday May 7th B
@ Davis Residence
8) Robert Rosario – Saturday
May 21st C @ 94th Aero Squadron
(White)
9) Radley Wong – Wednesday,
May 25th @ FHMTC (Bednarchik)
10) Mike Bowman & Tom Ottman
– Saturday, June 4th A @ FS 4
(Bednarchik)
11) Paul R. Nelson – Friday, June
10th C @ Odyssey Restaurant
12) Phil Bernal – Saturday, June 25th
B @ The Bernal’s (White)
13) Craig Nielsen – Wednesday,
June 29th A @ Intercontinental
Hotel (Hart)
14) Dan Rodriguez – Friday, July 1st
A @ Odyssey Restaurant
15) Mike Monroy – Friday, July 29th
B @ Top of the Fish Market
(Kuljis)
16) Mike Palma & Robert Gonzalez –
Sunday, August 7th B @
Knollwood Country Club
(Bednarchik)
ADJOURNMENT
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion
to adjourn. David Peters so moved.
Juan Albarran seconded. There was
no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The
Board of Trustees meeting adjourned
at 12:01p.m.
Bob Steinbacher, President

CLASSIFIEDS

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for healing and growth. Located in
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[email protected]

MERCHANDISE
FOR SALE

COUNSELING KIDS & FAMILIES. Separation, divorce, kids
behavior problems (anger, acting
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difficulties, hyperactivity, school issues, family adjustment), blended
families, parenting, support, family
issues, licensed marriage & family
therapist. Nancy Goodwin with
private office in Temecula. Confidential, 20 years experience, wife
of retired LAFD. (951) 231-1600.
www.goodwinfamilycounseling.
com

For advertising information, please contact:
Eric Santiago - (323) 259-5231 - [email protected]
Dave Wagner - [email protected]

$10,000 - 1998 18.6 WELLCRAFT
ECLIPSE 2000 SS white with
blue trim Aprox. 60 hrs. New GM
350 Vortec engine approx. 18 hrs.
Fresh water cooled .Volvo SX Out
drive. Lenco trim tabs, marine
radio, depth finder, compass
etc. Trailrite tandem trailer, disc
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2005 ESCAPADE ELITE MOTORCYCLE TRAILER,pearl yellow
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2007 FLEETWOOD/DISCOVERY
40 x diesel with 42200 miles
Asking: $99,950 or best offer.
Fully loaded and ready to take on
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email: [email protected]
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949-233-9905 between 7: am and
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MUST SELL DUE TO HEALTH.
2015 Dodge Ram 1500 Truck, V6,
automatic, 6295 miles, $28,000.
2011 Kia Soul 53,000 miles,
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to purchase a mobility van. Call for
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OLD SCHOOL BOBBER. First
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Head - Baker Six Speed - Custom
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3 BED, 3 BATH HOME IN PINE
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SERVICES
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUY,
SELL, INVEST IN A HOME? Call
me, Diana Fuentes, Realtor®
and wife to Fire Captain 56A at
661.373.6569, dianafuentesrealtor.com, [email protected]. I
also specialize in Probate Sales.
A generous donation, at close
of escrow to Adopt-A-Station or
Fire Fighters for Christ. Cal-BRE
License 01794244.
BUSY BEAVER TREE AND
LANDSCAPE. Tree trimming
and removal, stumpgrinding, and
firewood sales. Mixed firewood,
eucalyptus and oak. Delivery
available or pick up. Licensed and
insured. Dwayne Kastor, FS 63-B (818) 535-6368.
COUNSELING SERVICES.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr.
Susan Purrington specializes in
anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, eating disorders, spiritual
or personal growth, marital conflict, family of origin issues. Find a

CRAIG SANFORD HEATING &
AIR - Free estimates, residential, commercial. Great rates for
LAFD and LAPD. Toll free (877)
891-1414, (661) 298-3070, FAX
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FIRE FAMILY ESTATE SALES –
Call us when a loved one passes,
moves to a nursing facility or
downsizes. Our professional staff
can handle every aspect of estate
liquidation. We have worked with
many fire families and are here to
help. Rebecca Martin, LAFD wife
(818) 216-3637
www.firefamilyestatesales.com
FIREMAN DESIGN LANDSCAPE
INC. A complete landscape service A-Z. Sod irrigation / stamped
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We do it all from new product to
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Grassroots Garage Doors, Inc.
Lic# 950020. Son of 35 year veteran fireman.
REC COVERS DIRECT - Specializing in RV, boat & golf cart covers!
We have quality and durable
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WAYNE PRESS CHIROPRACTIC. Work, Auto, DMV, Wellness.
Preferred provider for most PPO,
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WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS
- vinyl replacement windows &
Patio doors. I also carry aluminum,
wood and entry door systems.
Rick Brandelli, Capt. LACoFD, FS
8-C (800) 667-6676.
www.GeeWindows.com

VACATION
RENTALS
June 2016 • 57

BIG BEAR CABIN - All season,
restful views from decks. Two
story, sleeps 6, half mile to lake,
two plus miles to slopes. Fireplace/Wood, cable TV/DVD/VCR.
Full kitchen, completely furnished
except linens. Pets ok. $100/$110
(two day minimum). $550/$650
a week, Beep or Donna Schaffer
1+(760) 723-1475.
www.schaffercabin.com
BIG BEAR CABIN. 2 bedroom,
2 bath, 2 story. Sleeps 6-8. About
6 miles from ski slopes & lake.
Fireplace/wood, cable, full kitchen
- furnished. $100 per night M - Th.
$110 per night F-Sun. Weekly
available. Sheri (909) 851-1094 or
(760) 948-2844.
BIG BEAR LAKE’S FINESTDeluxe lakeside townhouse, 2
bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 cable TVs,
HBO, DVD, WiFi, 2 wood burning
fireplaces, laundry room, tennis
court, indoor pool, sauna, spa,
boat dock. Fully equipped, including all linens. Sleeps 6. 310-5418311 or [email protected]
BIG BEAR CABIN. 4 Bdrm, 2
Bath 1,850 sq ft home on the
Eagle Point peninsula. Very close
to the lake, ski slopes, downtown
and grocery stores. Sleeps 9
comfortably. 50” cable TV, DVD,
VHS, WiFi, wood burning stove,
fireplace, fire pit, fire wood, BBQ,
laundry. 2 night min. Winter $160/
night. Summer $130/night. +$90
Cleaning. (4 days+ = no cleaning
fee) Some holiday rates apply.
Tony Zermeno (805) 625-1192
BIG BEAR CABIN - Sugarloaf Cozy upgraded 2 bedroom cabin.
Sleeps 8. Fireplace, deck, Wifi internet and cable TV. On a large
lot with sled hill. Fully furnished
except linens. $125 Winter $100
summer. Details and availability,
Call/text Jessica (949) 874-5294
[email protected]
sugarloafcabin.com
CATALINA BEACH COTTAGE
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, one block
to beach, view, fully equipped
housekeeping unit. Marci (818)
347-6783 or Clarence (310) 5102721.
CATALINA CONDO - HAMILTON
COVE. Ocean front, 1 bed, 1 1/2
bath, sleeps 4. Steps to beach,
pool, gym, putting course, tennis
and more. Newly refurbished,
fully equipped. Includes golf cart,
WiFi. Contact Bart @ (310) 5100190. Hamiltoncove.com. Ask

58 • June 2016

for “LAFD 8-89” discount. Owner
active LAFD.
DESERT CONDOS, RANCHO MIRAGE (near Palm Springs). 2 bed,
2 bath. Fully furnished condo, TV,
internet, pools and spas. Gated
community from $115/night. 3
bed from $125/night. No smoking.
Barbara (626) 798-2484.
JUNE LAKE CABIN - 2BR/2BA
cabin with Carson Peak view. Close
to fishing & skiing. Furnished, wood
deck, equipped kitchen, wood
burning stove, tree swing, cable /
DVD/phone. Garage/ample parking.
$95/night plus cleaning fee. Email
for pictures. Jeff Easton 93-A (805)
217-5602. [email protected]
KONA HAWAII - One bedroom
condo. Sleeps 4. Available July 15
through August 13. Nice clean unit
overlooking the pool and gazebo
area. Maid service available.
Walking distance to restaurants
and entertainment. $500/week
or $1900/mo. Contact Seferino
Godinez (951) 277-4044 or email
[email protected]
LAKE HAVASU LANDING-Waterfront, steps to the water. Boat
mooring out front, off-road desert
behind house. 3 bed/3 bath, fully
furnished w/linens. Direct TV/DVR,
BBQ, Casino, Grocery/Meat Market, Launch Ramp, Marina with
Boat House, Gated Community.
No pets/smoking. $350 Dan Cook
310 418 1577.
LAKE HAVASU BEAUTY FOR
RENT - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1600 sq.ft.
Fully furnished with all amenities- Laundry & BBQ. 13,000 sq.ft.
lot. 3 car boat-deep garage. 3
miles from launch ramp. Close to
downtown shops & restaurants.
View of the lake. Quiet street in
good neighborhood. No pets. No
smoking. Snowbird rates. Call
Mike (661) 510-6246
LAKE NACIMIENTO. Oak Shores
gated community. 3 bedroom, 2
1/2 bath, large loft. 3minute drive
to main marina in Oak Shores.
Large flat driveway. Fully equipped
kitchen, BBQ, washer/dryer, TV/
DVD. No cable. No pets/smoking.
$185/night. 3 night minimum. Call
Ben (805) 444-2264.
MAMMOTH - 1 bedroom Summit condo, sleeps 6. Convenient
underground garage parking.
Jacuzzis, gym (pool/tennis in
summertime), shuttle right outside!
Across from Eagle Lodge, Winter

$110 per night, Summer $80 per
night plus $65 cleaning fee and
13% tax. All linens included. Drew
or Nancy Oliphant (661) 513-2000
or [email protected]
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2 bedroom
& large loft, 3 full baths, sleeps 8.
5 minute walk to Canyon Lodge.
Fully furnished, TVs, VCR/DVD,
pool, spa, rec room, sauna, linens
included. Winter $175 weekdays,
$195-weekends/holidays; summer
$125, plus cleaning. No smoking; no pets. Craig Yoder (909)
948-3659.
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2 bedroom,
2 bath, sleeps 6. Near Canyon
Lodge. Newly remodeled recreation room with pool and spa.
Laundy facilities, condo has been
beautifully remodeled. Photos
available on website. Winter $300 per night, Summer - $150
per night. $150 cleaning fee. Call
for holiday terms and pricing.
Joseph Angiuli (626) 497-5083.
www.discoveryfour.com
MAMMOTH CONDO - 2 bdrm, 2
bath, 2 TV’s, phone, garage, pool,
jacuzzi, fully furnished - exept
linens. Near shuttle/chair 15.
Winter $125/night. Weekends and
Holidays $110 midweek. Summer
$95/night. $495/week. No smoking. No pets. Jim Johnson (818)
992-7564, FS 80C.
MAMMOTH CONDO NEXT TO
THE GONDOLA VILLAGE – Fully
furnished, three bedroom, two
bath with towels and linens, newly
remodeled kitchen, internet and
cable TV, pool and Jacuzzi. Walk
to the gondola, shops, restaurants
and ski in on the new comeback
trail. Parking at the front door.
Winter: $250/night. Summer $150/
night. Holidays $300/night. Cleaning is included. Call Mike Whitehouse, Retired, 805-987-6122,
email: [email protected]
or Bruce Galien, Retired, 661-6457448, email: [email protected]
MAMMOTH CONDO Cozy 2
bedrooms, 2 bath. Fully furnished,
WIFI, 3 TV’s, pool, spa, walk
to shuttle, Old Mammoth area.
Winter $115, Summer $90, plus
cleaning fee $139 and 14% city
tax. Includes linens. No pets, no
smoking. Call (310) 540-4648.
MAMMOTH CONDO AT MAMMOTH ESTATES, 4BR/3BA,
sleeps 10, fully furnished, 2
TVs, DVDs, WiFi, towels/linens,
fireplace. Full kitchen. Walk to

Gondola Village and shuttle. Complex has pool, spa, sauna, laundry.
Winter $335/night, Summer $215/
night, plus cleaning. Includes city
bed tax. No pets, no smoking.
Dory Jones (310) 918-0631 or
Kelly Corcoran (310) 619-5355
MAMMOTH CONDO - Sierra
Manors Sleeps 7. 3 bedroom 2 1/2
bath. Fully furnished except linens.
2 TVs/VCR/DVD, stereo/CD.
Dishwasher, microwave, sauna,
jacuzzi, pool. No smoking/No
Pets. Shuttle at door. Winter $155/
night, Summer $100/night, Plus
$80 cleaning fee and City Bed
Tax. Brian & Karen Salvage LAFD
Retired (805) 499-7752.
MAMMOTH LAKES - One
bedroom, extremely charming
wildflower condo. Full amenities,
close to shuttle. Antiques, art,
satellite TV, fireplace. Sleeps 4.
Winter $110, Summer $85 plus
cleaning fees. Call Bill Clark (818)
371-6722
Email: [email protected]
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Studio/loft, 2 bath, king bed,
sleeps 4. Full kitchen, TV, VCR,
DVD. Garage parking. Walk to
Canyon Lodge. Ski back trail. 2
night minimum. Winter $100/nite,
$125 Fri, Sat & Holidays. Summer
$60/nite. Plus $120 cleaning &
linens. Jeff & Lisa Moir (661) 2545788.
MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:
Walk to Canyon Lodge. Studio loft
sleeps 4. Queen beds, full kitchen,
2 baths, garage parking, TV, VCR,
DVD. Winter Sun-Thurs $100.nite;
Fri & Sat $115/nite plus cleaning
fee $100. Non smoking complex.
Joel Parker, LAFD retired.
email: [email protected] or
(213) 399-6534.
MAMMOTH CONDO- SEASONS
FOUR RESORT. Charming and
cozy furnished 1 Bedroom sleeps
5. Updated unit with amenities
including wifi, sauna, jacuzzi,
phone, rec room, 2 flat screens ,
DVD players. W/D on site. Shuttle
stop. Walking distance to village.
$120/night + $80 Cleaning fee
Bobby@310-350-5552.
MAUI BEACH FRONT CONDO
ON NAPILI BAY - 50’ from water.
Studios and 1 bedroom. Luxury
furnishings + full kitchen. All the
amenities! Maui’s best snorkeling/beach. All island activities &
Kapalua within 4 minutes. 5-day
minimum, from $150 per night

(regularly $310/night). Call Sherrie
or Bill for info/reservations (805)
530-0007 or email: pmimaui@
aol.com or visit:
www.napilibaymaui.com
MAUI CONDO 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS. Centrally located on
beautiful Maalaea Bay. Excellent
swimming and snorkeling; white
sandy beach. Minutes from golf,
tennis, fishing, shopping, airport
and resort areas. Marsha Smith or
Jeanne McJannet. Toll free (800)
367-6084. www.maalaeabay.com
MAUI’S MOST BEAUTIFUL
BEACH - Napili Bay. Beautiful furnished condo that sleeps 4. Lanai/
balcony, full kitchen, king bed, flat
screen TV’s/DVD, AC’s free WiFi
(internet), complimentary maid

service, complimentary coffee
every morning and breakfast on
Fridays. Special firefighters’ discount - Best value in West Maui!
Nice pool & BBQ area - Close to
beach! (800) 336-2185
www.napilivillage.com
Don Sprenger - retired LAFD (949)
929-0989
MONTANA ROCKY MT. FRONT
GETAWAY - 80 miles south of
Glacier Nat’l Park, in the foothills
of the Rockies, mountain and
canyon views. 1,000’s of miles of
trailheads, fishing, etc. 2 bedroom,
1.5 bath, dining, living, kitchen
& washer/dryer. SatTV, wireless
internet. $125.00 night + cleaning.
Call Dan (805) 279-8143 or www.
VRBO.com (#494959)

PALM DESERT-3 bed/2bath,
one level. New re-model, fully
furnished w/linens. Cable TV/
DVR, Private Patio, BBQ, Laundry,
Garage, Gated Community, two
(Pools, Jacuzzi’s, Tennis Courts).
Near College of the Desert. $175
Dan Cook 310 418 1577.
SEE NEW ORLEANS MARDI
GRAS. Beautiful 2 BD - 2BA with a
sauna. Hillcrest Villas. Next to golf
course in Adita Springs, LA. Only
$450/week. Feb 13th thru Feb
20th. (562) 799-1134
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE. Romantic
Chalet Family getaway. 3 bed/2
bath plus loft. Sleeps 8–10. Cable
TV, washer/dryer, microwave,
woodburning stove. 7 minutes to
casinos and Heavenly. Located in

Tahoe Paradise. $105 per night
plus cleaning. Call Shawn or Rose
Agnew at (661) 250-9907 OR
(661) 476-6288.

WANTED
ON YOUR MARKS, SET,
BANG!!! The Los Angeles area
track starters unit is looking for
new members. If you have a track
background and would enjoy making a few extra $$$ working with
high school athletes, this might be
for you? For information contact
Greg Fox at: gfox416@gmail.
com

Deal direct with authorized Factory Dealers
Offering members of the Los Angeles Fire Department
Courteous, Ethical, and Special Consideration in the purchase of your new car.

GALPIN FORD

“#1 Volume Ford Dealer in the world for 20
consecutive years!”

Lincoln / Mercury / Honda / Mazda /
Volvo / Ford / Jaguar / Lotus / Aston
Martin / Spyker / Galpin Auto Sports
For special pricing contact
Terry Miller—Fleet Sales & Leasing
15505 Roscoe Blvd
North Hills CA 91343
818-797-3800 l www.galpin.com
1.800.GO.GALPIN

HAMER TOYOTA, INC.
Camry / Celica / Corolla / Tundra
Tacoma / Sienna / Supra / Solara
11041 Sepulveda Blvd
Mission Hills CA
Ask for Steve Denson—Fleet Mgr
[email protected]
818-365-9621
“Specializing in hassle-free car buying”

HONDA OF HOLLYWOOD
Honda - Sales and Leasing
Large Selection of Used Vehicles
6511 Santa Monica Blvd
Hollywood CA
Ask for Dave Erickson­­­­­­­­­
323-466-3251 l Fax: 323-462-0187
[email protected]

June 2016 • 59

FF Donald Ott, Chief Engineer Miller, Mayor Sam Yorty, A/C Forrest Moore


On March 16, 1964, Don Ott remembers, “I was told to put on my dress uniform, pick up the reserve Buick at Fire Station 71, pick up the Fire
Service Day Queen at her home, then go to headquarters to get the Chief Engineer and A/C Forrest Moore and go to the Fire Service Day celebration.
Then I had to take everyone back to headquarters and the queen back home. I had been in the field for all of six weeks. No pressure!”

Donald Ott was born on 5/8/1942, appointed to the LAFD on 11/2/1963, graduated from the Drill Tower on 1/29/1964 and retired on
7/5/1997. Forrest Moore was born on 9/22/1893, appointed to the LAFD on 5/1/1915, and retired on 1/4/1967. Chief Moore died on 1/20/1973.
60 • June 2016

KEVIN D. WRIGHT
Senior Vice President
Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
CA Insurance License #0E11022

SUPPORTER / SPONSOR
LAFD Invitational
Historic Society –Member
Lane Kemper –Team Sponsor
LAFD Golf Club
PALS -LAPD

THANK YOU!

All Members and Family of the LAFD
Active/Retired call for a one–on–one
investment review and consultation

818.713.4788

[email protected]

Retirement Planning
Insurance/Long Term Care
Income Planning
Estate Planning Strategies
SPECIAL NOTE:
Last 2 years in DROP
Complimentary Review of Your Deferred Comp Assets
MORGAN STANLEY
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC offers insurance products in
conjunction with its licensed insurance agency affiliates.
Morgan Stanley and its Financial Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice.
Individuals should seek advice based on their particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
(C) 2015 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

CRC 1240988 7/15

Paid Advertisement

June 2016 • 61

Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street
Los Angeles CA 90041-1725

FIND AUTO LOAN RATES
AS LOW AS 1.99% APR*

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Get pre-approved through online banking at www.firefightersfirstcu.org,
stop by an office or call us at (800) 231-1626.

For a limited time, get a

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car using Autoland through
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Start your vehicle search at www.autoland.com.

Funds on deposit are insured up to $500,000 per
account. This institution is not federally insured, and
if the institution fails, the Federal Government does
not guarantee that depositors will get back their money. Accounts
with this institution are not insured by any state government.

*APR = Annual Percentage Rate. Rate shown as of 5/1/16 and requires full direct deposit. To qualify for the
direct deposit discount, funds must be deposited into your Firefighters First checking account. Loan rates are
based on term and applicant credit history. All loans are subject to credit approval and are subject to Credit
Union policies and procedures. Rates are subject to change without prior notice. Representative Example: A
$25,000 auto loan financed at 3.99% APR for 60 months would result in 60 payments of $460.30.

**Maximum term for autos over 5 years old is 60 months.
^$100 American Express gift card offer valid 6/1/16 – 8/31/16. To receive one $100 Amex gift card, you must purchase a new or pre-owned vehicle from the Autoland auto
buying service and finance the vehicle with a Firefighters First Credit Union auto loan. Limit 1 (one) $100 Amex gift card per qualifying member. Promotion subject to
change or end without notice. Other restrictions apply. Please speak with a Firefighters First Credit Union Member Service Representative for complete details.

(800) 231-1626 • www.firefightersfirstcu.org
Los Angeles • Loma Linda • Pleasanton • Sacramento • Thousand Oaks
Coming soon to Bakersfield and Orange County!

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