Leon Dunn currently serves as a Captain I for the Los Angeles Fire Department. He soon will pass the 20-year mark as a L.A. Firefighter, having served in South Central, Downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, the Drill Tower and now the Fire Prevention Unit. Prior to coming to the LAFD, he was a firefighter for Cal Fire.
Dunn was inspired to run for the position of Trustee on the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association’s Board because he has seen the association’s dedication firsthand. As a longtime firefighter, he is keenly aware the association’s official charity, the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund, is always there providing financial assistance for firefighter families in need, and that the Relief Association is the entity that administers and stands behind the medical plan for nearly all LAFD firefighters and their families.
Another source of inspiration was a close friend who served on the Board of Trustees. “He told me being part of the Board was one of the best things he has ever done,” says Leon. “I want to ensure all members get a fair shake. We are there to help. The Board has a lot of resources. We can support medical benefits, repayment programs and so much more.”
The Board of Trustees meets twice per month, Dunn noted, adding his focus is on serving the spouses and children left behind when a firefighter passes away. In addition to hearing appeals regarding money matters, sometimes widows simply need assistance around the house.
“We hear about people needing their lawn done or their trees cut, or maybe the shower or toilet in their bathroom needs fixing. I know of one widow who is 90+ living in the Valley and we go by her house to check up on her. We dive into these peoples’ lives and assist them. It’s not always money. Sometimes they have money, but we make a referral to a financial advisor,” he says.
Following his childhood dream
Leon grew up in South Los Angeles for a few years, then his family moved to the Inland Empire. But wherever he lived, he had one focus on his mind.
“I always wanted to be a firefighter,” he recalled. “When I was a kid, I saw the show ‘Emergency’ and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. I always pictured myself on one of those fire trucks.”
Delano Roberts, now a retired Captain, is one of Dunn’s cousins. Roberts worked at several posts around Southern California and was, “always an inspiration to me,” Leon said.
Leon got his start as a seasonal employee for Cal Fire from 1998 to 2000. He worked during brush season in Devore and the Cajon Pass.
“I saw lots of brush fires. That helped me gain experience, and eventually I was hired for L.A. City Fire Department.”
Caught in the crossfire: facing danger on the job
Some of the most memorable experiences came during the times he served in his former home turf in South Los Angeles. In addition to pulling people out of burning houses, one time when he had just completed his probationary period, he and his mates got caught in gang crossfire.
“Just as we exited a structure, there was a shooting,” he said. “We had been first on the scene, so the police were not there yet.”
Asked to look back over his two decades in LAFD, Leon said some of the biggest changes he has noted involve the increase in 911 emergencies.
“There are so many more EMS runs than there used to be,” he explained. “Call volume has picked up tremendously because of population growth. Also, in the Greater L.A. area so many homes are being built in the brush than before, leading to more houses being lost when we have brush fires.”
On the technical side, Leon said he sees more haz mat incidents, active shooters and specialized rescues today compared to his first years.
Dunn currently oversees the inspectors who issue permits. He works with various city and county entities.
“I probably have about 11 years left. I was in Fire Station 9 Downtown for a while, and now I am in Valley Public Safety. I am on the promotion list – currently I am a Captain 1, possibly moving up to a Captain II – a truck captain.”
By Michael Bartlett
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