George Negrete’s parents, Phil and Gloria, raised him and his three older sisters in Gardena. Phil was an ace mechanic, and Gloria was a registered nurse and full-time mom. They were outstanding role models and influences on their children. Although he initially attended Santa Monica Community College, George soon transferred to UCLA, where he was a member of the UCLA Men’s … [Read more...] about Chaplain George Negrete – Lifetime Achievement Award
Hero
Peter Goff: Father, Firefighter & LAFD Fire Hog
One of the first things firefighter Peter Goff did after retirement was grow out his beard. “When he worked, he always had very trimmed facial hair. So, when he retired, he was like, I’m going to grow it out,” his daughter Nicole Buss recalled. “As a firefighter you have to maintain certain facial hair so that you can get an oxygen mask on,” she explained. “So, it was a … [Read more...] about Peter Goff: Father, Firefighter & LAFD Fire Hog
A Dog Rescue Caught on Camera with Rick McClure
Rick McClure knows that timing and location are important factors for a rescue call. A semiretired LAFD Captain, working a day shift per week in La Habra Heights, near Orange County, he also moonlights as a media photographer, or photo stringer, for ‘crash and burn’ rescue sites. A dog rescue in the L.A. River is among the many dramatic images he’s captured. Light Force 75 … [Read more...] about A Dog Rescue Caught on Camera with Rick McClure
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
River Rescue: LAFD Captain John Marasco
A day of fun to escape from the blistering Arizona heat would have turned tragic for one family if a Los Angeles firefighter hadn’t been in just the right place. It was 105 degrees outside when LAFD Captain John Marasco slid into an inner tube and slowly made his way down the Salt River in Arizona. He was there vacationing with a big group of friends for a 40th birthday … [Read more...] about River Rescue: LAFD Captain John Marasco