The connection felt among the families of fallen firefighters is a bond that stretches far beyond loss, anchoring loved ones in a community of lifelong support and shared strength. To nurture these ongoing ties, the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund’s Family Support Group hosted a special Academy Day.
Watch as these hero families experience the shared joy of stepping directly into the boots of LAFD firefighters and feel the incredible pride of the profession firsthand.
The Academy Day, held at LAFD Drill Tower 81, was dedicated to honoring a proud legacy while building new memories together, highlighting how the Family Support Group helps the LAFD’s surviving spouses and children.
It’s been 12 years since Cheryl Smith learned of the sudden passing of her husband, LAFD helicopter pilot Brian Lee. The mom of three young daughters at the time, Cheryl says she found help and comfort with the firehouse family almost immediately.
“When I was notified that he had passed, I had people from LAFRA [L.A. Firemen’s Relief Association, the charity’s parent organization], I had chaplains, I had all these people surrounding me, and that was a huge help. It just wasn’t a nurse telling me; there was a group behind me.”
The Widows & Orphans charity assisted her with everything from Brian’s memorial to paperwork to health insurance matters. And later, helped with other tasks like re-painting her house and last-minute rides back from hospital visits.
A Day Dedicated to Fallen Firefighters’ Families
For families like Cheryl’s, maintaining a relationship with her extended LAFD fire family has been as much about connection as it is a tribute to her late husband.
Cheryl and her twin daughters were among the families who gathered at Drill Tower 81 to experience a range of activities that echoed what their loved ones did on the job, like guiding a water hose from atop a fire truck; wielding a handline hose from an OES (Office of Emergency Services) rig, used to fight brush fires; and experiencing a “find the firefighter” exercise inside the drill tower using state-of-the-art TICs (thermal imaging cameras); trying on gear; and scaling a truck ladder.
The firefighters also treated guests to a timed “suit-up” demonstration, a staged “emergency” involving a vehicle on fire; and a delicious, taco lunch.
Academy Day Brings LAFD Families Together
Younger family members expressed their excitement throughout the day, as they attempted tasks like shooting water through a high-powered hose at 600-gallons-per-minute. Others were in awe of the intricacies that go into conducting rescues and the sheer physical strength it requires. The activities were a unique way to honor their loved ones by “stepping into their boots.”
For Cacharel Smaith, remaining close to the firefighter family has become more important to her as her teenaged daughter gets older. Cacharel’s husband, firefighter Eric Shepherd, passed away when their child was only two years old.
“We’ve been very blessed to have a strong connection with the department. But as the kids get older, they start doing activities, school starts. You kind of lose it a little bit,” said Cacharel. “[I] want her to fully understand how blessed she is, how privileged she is to be a part of this organization.”
A Two-Way Connection with LAFD
The charity’s president, LAFD Captain II Chris Stine, welcomed attendees, emphasizing that the firefighters also are heartened by events like this.
“Bringing all of you in connection with our current firefighters,” he told the crowd. “It goes both ways, you know. The firefighters love this kind of stuff. We love this interaction.”
That was the case for Tyler Novotny, firefighter paramedic at LAFD fire station 93, who was assisting with the fire hose.
“We get to honor their family, who gave the ultimate sacrifice on the job. We’re forever in debt to them. But it’s cool to show the kids what their mom or dad did,” he said.
Family Support Group: Helping Families Since 2018
Since 2018, the Family Support Group has been an invaluable resource for firefighter families.
The Academy Day event was the brainchild of Family Support Group coordinator Heidi Perez and LAFD Captain II and Widows & Orphans trustee John Marasco.
“It’s been years since some of these families have been to a local fire station. Thepoint of this was to have them come back, regain those memories, make some new ones, and have that family experience,,” said John.
Heidi, whose late husband was firefighter paramedic Jose Perez, added that having that hands-on experience is something the youngest of her three children missed out on, but now get to enjoy thanks to days like this one.
“Talking to other families, that’s some of the stuff that the kids missed, is going back to the fire station and seeing what dad or mom used to do,” she said.
The Family Support Group promises more events in the future, including LEGO-building at specialty fire stations, excursions geared towards family members aged 18+, and an annual Christmas party.
For surviving loved ones like Cacharel and her daughter, the continued connection is invaluable.
“It’s an indescribable bond,” she said. “[You] really have a family for life.”
By Audrey Yap