“Forget what hurt you in the past, but never forget what it taught you.” Firefighter Kenneth Fraser has been able to apply this sincere quote from an unknown artist to his own life, both on and off duty. On January 24, 2017, while off duty, heading home from the LAFD’s Geographic Information System Unit where he had been training, he was exiting the 101 Freeway at … [Read more...] about Special Commendation: Firefighter Kenneth Fraser
Hero
Daring Sherman Oaks Rescue
Millions watched on television as a woman, dressed all in black, stared at her feet dangling over the side of the 21-story City National Bank Building in Sherman Oaks. As news helicopters hovered overhead broadcasting live video across the region, police and fire rushed to her aid - eager to save a suicidal woman from a grave mistake. “We tried to gain her trust,” said … [Read more...] about Daring Sherman Oaks Rescue
LAX Aircraft Rescue Rigs: Heroes on the Runway
When every minute counts, being the first Aircraft Rescue Firefighter (ARFF) rig to respond to a plane’s distress call on any of Los Angeles International Airport‘s (LAX) four active runways is no easy feat. From alarm to arrival our heroes at Fire Station 80 make sure they can get anywhere on LAX property in just three minutes, or less. LAFD Engineer Joseph Vigil knows … [Read more...] about LAX Aircraft Rescue Rigs: Heroes on the Runway
Blazing the Trail: A Camp for Future Female Firefighters
For firefighters to climb the career ladder, they must be able to handle physical, mental, and emotional obstacles in their path. Plus, they need the know-how, confidence, and resolve to do it again the next day. Girls Camp an LAFD youth program, strives to develop these skill sets in a supportive environment for an ambitious, yet typically under-recruited group of firefighting … [Read more...] about Blazing the Trail: A Camp for Future Female Firefighters
Camille Sander: Creating a New Generation of Giving
It all started with a lemonade stand on a busy street corner in Oak Park. For the past three years, neighbors knew they could find Camille Sander at the same spot week after week, selling fresh-squeezed juice, homemade cookies and handcrafted bracelets she made herself. The elementary school student is a budding entrepreneur with a heart as golden as the juice in her … [Read more...] about Camille Sander: Creating a New Generation of Giving