A man of service and sacrifice. A man of God and country. A man who’s dedicated himself to teaching and uplifting the men and women serving on the Los Angeles City Fire Department. Retired LAFD Battalion Chief Steve Ruda personifies fire service core values as one of its legendary leaders.
Service. Integrity. Professionalism. Innovation. Respect. Trust. The fire service core values
A hero among heroes, his story is remarkable. Seminary student. Marine. Firefighter. Public information officer. Battalion chief. Medal of Valor recipient. Watch a candid conversation with a fellow commanding officer on the importance of savings lives, communicating with the news media, spreading the word about what firefighters and paramedics are doing as major events unfold on live television. And, most of all, why he’s our legacy hero and why he thinks the LAFD is considered the best!
Fire service core values: Trust and the job of the “face and voice of the LAFD”
As an inspiration to his fellow firefighters, members of the media and the public, Steve’s duty as a career firefighter and as a commanding officer has been to protect life and property, teach people how to be safe and inform the public in times of disaster.
When a major incident happens it’s crucial to get information timely and accurately. Especially if a brushfire is raging toward your home. Floods. Fires. Earthquakes.
With time ticking away, every second counts when you need the news for survival. A public information officer can help you decide whether to stay or go. Steve was known as the “face and voice” of the LAFD. With decades of service, if you were around in the 90’s plus, it’s likely you’ve seen him on television because he’s responded to some of the biggest events we’ve ever seen. One of them the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.
The LAFD and the 1992 L.A. Riots
“The biggest national news, international news that we covered as public information officers was the civil unrest,” says Steve. “This particular incident started on a Wednesday evening after the verdict of the Rodney King. And, it was such a dramatic escalation of fire tragedy in the City of L.A. the loss of many, many lives, the loss of public buildings, single family dwellings, commercial businesses.
L.A. City firefighters were stretched beyond imagination…it was all hands-on deck. And we came to the realization that the media was covering this play by play. I mean, they were there from the helicopters to on scene reporters, and it was a dangerous situation for reporters to be on the scene of an incident reporting. What they do, such a great job of doing is reporting on the work of firefighters and paramedics for the City of Los Angeles.”
In the early 1990’s Steve says they jumped into action by establishing a media command post at headquarters, and then built a bank of televisions so that they could watch all news channels.
He says his job was to make sure the media was accurate as possible.
Read how President George H.W. Bush honored Firefighter Scott Miller
The epitome of fire service core values: Medal of Valor
Steve has been honored as a man who symbolizes all of the fire service core values.
Putting his life in danger to save others, earning him the 2006 LAFD Firefighter of the Year award. According to the City Employees Club of Los Angeles, Alive!, LAFD Public Service Officer Brian Humphrey said,
“A man of both faith and courage who has served his country with distinction as a United States Marine, and since excelled as a leader in our agency… This year’s honoree is not only widely known for his countless contributions to the fire service and community, but also for an inspiring message he wrote on a quilted wall hanging, sent as a tribute to the passengers and crew of September 11’s Flight 93. His heartfelt opening words soon became the mission statement of the Flight 93 National Memorial: “A common field one day. A field of honor forever. May all who visit this place remember the collective acts of courage and sacrifice of the passengers and crew, revere this hallowed ground as the final resting place of those heroes, and reflect on the power of individuals who choose to make a difference.’”
On achieving his Medal of Valor award Steve says he was working the streets of Hollywood when he got the call of a police officer being ambushed by a gang.
“We were able to drive the rescue ambulance almost like an armored vehicle down into the killing zone.”
“We heard that the firefighters out in the street and also the police officers had come under attack and one of the police officers was wounded by a shotgun blast. So, I led a team of firefighters to go and rescue that police officer because he got separated from his partner.”
“We were able to drive the rescue ambulance almost like an armored vehicle down into the killing zone. And the police officer was able to see us and we were able to get him out of that area and get him to safety. And thanks to God, he had his protection on, his bulletproof west. And most of the bullets had been in the facial area, but he was able to survive.”
Facing gunfire
“So underneath our clothing we have our body armor. And so sometimes that gives us a feeling of protection that I can do extraordinary work because I know I’m protected a little bit more.”
The ultimate fire service core values: The Firemen’s Relief Association
Steve’s love and devotion of firefighters and their families knows no bounds. He’s a strong supporter of the L.A. Firemen’s Relief Association, served as a trustee and continues to work with them as a special liaison.
“So, the association is run by firefighters, the volunteers that are trustees that take the responsibilities of dues paying members and the benefactors that will come to the need of our widows, orphans and disabled, because that’s what we’re all about…we just don’t say, okay, we’ll be with you just for the funeral and then forget about you. You’re part of that family, that fire service family. And we stay with them for all these years.”
Why LAFD is the best!
“I think firefighters are of special breed of men and women,” says Steve. “And to be the best, you have to start out looking at the best. You start out pretty good, but then you build yourself with your reputation and your work ethic to see and model yourself after those that are the best that have been to Katrina, to have been to the World Trade Center, pick their brains… nothing teaches you better than going out into the streets to do the work.”
“That’s why you pinned on that badge. If we hear the voices of those crying in the darkness, I am obligated to make that rescue.”
Committed to firefighters: We risk a lot to save a lot
“The biggest commitment that I had as an officer is bring my men and women on duty safe, and send them home to their families safe. That was my main goal. And if I didn’t do that, I shouldn’t be in command…we go to dangerous things. So, I have to make a quick evaluation… I’m giving you orders as the captain of your crew; you’re going into fire attack not knowing what lies. We call that the precipice of Armageddon. When you’re at the front door of a single-family dwelling, well involved or heavy smoke, we have a mantra on the LAFD, it says, we risk a lot to save a lot. We risk a little bit to save a little bit.”
“We risk nothing to save nothing. And in the old days it was full steam ahead. But a good fire officer or a good firefighter has to make that determination. Do I risk a lot to save a lot? Yes, we’re willing to do that. That’s why you pinned on that badge. If we hear the voices of those crying in the darkness, I am obligated to make that rescue.”
By Charles Stewart
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