It’s known in the firefighter community in Los Angeles as the crash of helicopter Fire 3. One of the deadliest days in LAFD history. A crushing blow, a horrific loss for the firefighters’ families. And, an unfathomable loss of to a family who lost their daughter back in 1998. A Los Angeles City Fire Department helicopter rushing a young female patient to Children’s Hospital … [Read more...] about LAFD tragedy: The 25th Anniversary of the Crash of Helicopter Fire 3
Firefighter History
LAFD History – The DC 10 Crash at LAX, March 1, 1978
Commercial aircraft crashes are rare, but with some recent incidents my memory went back to the Continental DC 10 crash at LAX. It’s been 41 years and the outstanding LAFD response saved many lives. I visited Captain Bob Engle some years ago who remembered the incident very well. This is one of those incidents where our LAX firefighters actually saved almost 200 people on that … [Read more...] about LAFD History – The DC 10 Crash at LAX, March 1, 1978
John White: Legend Laid to Rest
Very few people on this job are recognized as legends within their lifetime. John White was one. John White was born on January 26, 1934. In 1951, At the age of 18, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served on the destroyer U.S.S. Brown during the Korean War. He later served in the Merchant Marines and in 1957 began his career with the LAFD. He found the physical and … [Read more...] about John White: Legend Laid to Rest
Fireman Theodore “Bud” Nelson: WWII and Korean War Veteran sparked birth of LAFD Helicopter Air Ops
Any professional knows that a good toolkit is essential to get a job done right. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has a number of them, from the Jaws of Life to specialized vehicles, that are critical to shaving down minutes on response time and saving lives in a variety of environments. When it comes to the air, the helicopter holds a critical role in the service ability … [Read more...] about Fireman Theodore “Bud” Nelson: WWII and Korean War Veteran sparked birth of LAFD Helicopter Air Ops