TV hosts Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos kept the excitement of “Hollywood’s Biggest Night” going well into the next morning with their nationally televised post-award telecast, ‘Live’s “After the Oscars® Show.”
The cohosts took to Hollywood’s famous Dolby Theatre stage to celebrate the 97th Oscars in front hundreds of fans. The pair also paid tribute to Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) heroic efforts to save lives, homes, and historic landmarks during January’s cataclysmic wildfires.
Kelly and Mark put out the call inviting members of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association — firefighters who battled the historic once-in-a-generation wildfires and served on the frontlines of the Pacific Palisades Fire to attend the taping of their star-studded show.
LAFD firefighter-paramedic Allen Janzen, an eight-year veteran with the LAFD, currently working at Fire Station 102 in Valley Glen, and other members of the LAFD attended the show. Kelly and Mark made sure those firefighters in “Live’s” audience received VIP treatment.
“To be a part of Kelly and Mark’s show was a once in a lifetime experience,” Janzen recalls. “Our seats were so close to the stage. Just five rows back.”
The LAFD guests including firefighters, Janzen, Eric Gonzalez, Edward Chea, Search and Rescue dog, Nala, Captain Nick Trump, and his wife Summer also got to meet Kelly and Mark and take photos with the TV stars.
“When the show stopped recording Kelly and Mark came down to us and shook our hands. That was so cool,” Janzen said. “They were excited to meet us and Nala. Nala was the highlight for everyone in the crowd too. She’s a veteran Search and Rescue dog. She worked the recent fires and she’s such a sweet dog,” Janzen added.
Most importantly the firefighters had the opportunity to talk with the hosts and Live’s national audience about the numerous ways the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund nonprofit (501) (c) (3) charity supports firefighters and their families, including 30 directly impacted by the recent wildfires.
Janzen was also able to present 4 T-shirts that his company Firefighter Crafted designed to Kelly and Mark. He is selling the shirts to benefit the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund, specifically helping the firefighters who lost their homes while battling the Palisades Fire.
“Two to wear and two to share,” Janzen said.
“We knew when we signed up for this job that there would be hardships that we would face,” Janzen explained. “But no one could have imagined how devastating those hardships would be.”
To support LAFD firefighters and their families, donate here and buy the Firefighter Crafted T-shirts here.
By Toni Molle