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 Come join the Fire Department family for a weekend of fun and camaraderie.

Saturday
March 16, 2024
California City

This event will be on a marked course approximately 25 miles long. It will be a

“blind bogey” type of event - each class will have an unknown time to try to
match. The closest to the “blind bogey” time will win. Trophies for 1st through
3rd place in each class..
No previous experience necessary. It is open to all ages and experience levels. Open to
any type of off-road vehicle / motorcycle. Trophies, Prizes and Finisher Pins.

DONATIONS ARE WELCOME! CONTACT:

THE TOMMY PEACOCK BAND
to perform Saturday night
(weather permitting)
Tim Wuerfel – (714) 803-9091
EVENT TICKETS, EXPERIENCES, ELECTRONICS,
MEMORABILIA, VACATIONS... ETC timlafd@yahoo.com
Hook and Ladder Enduro hookandladderenduro
On the cover: FF/PM Hernandez loving life and saving lives in San Pedro. Photo | Benny Farillas

Photo Inset: Firefighters battle a freeway underpass fire. Photo | Jason Stilwell
2 • January 2024
 VOL. XCX January 2024 NO. 5

• FEATURES •
Jim Vels–Inspiration in Motion • ................................06

LAFRA 2023 Open House • ...........................................10

Chaplin Corner–A Message of Hope • .....................13

2023 California FF Memorial • .....................................14

• CONTENTS •
President’s Message • ...........................................................................05
Battalion News • .....................................................................................17
The Coasters
DUDE! • ...........................................................................................43
Retirement Dinner Announcements • ...................................................44
Finally, A Flattening Yield Curve Fits For Future Fiscal Fitness • ..........45
The Station Fridge • ..............................................................................46
LAFD Shift Calendar • ...........................................................................47
Memorials • ...........................................................................................48
Retired Guy
The Pal Device • ...................................................................................49
LAFD Mailbox • .......................................................................................50
LAFD History
Rookie’s life in the 50’s • .....................................................................52
Donations • .............................................................................................54
Minutes of the Board of Trustees • ........................................................55
Classifieds • ...........................................................................................58
Tailboard
Fire Station 26 • ...................................................................................61

Notice: Production of The Firemen’s Grapevine magazine is very expensive, and while your dues
serve to underwrite a portion of the magazine’s costs, the bulk of funding comes from advertisers.
Many businesses advertise in the Grapevine. This does not mean that LAFRA endorses these
advertisers. Use of a Grapevine advertiser is at the risk of the member. If you are interested in any
of the advertisements, we urge you to use any and all means at your disposal to investigate them.

COPYRIGHT © 2023
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association.
No material may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

January 2024 • 3
 FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE
owned and published by the
Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street, Los angeles CA 90041

EDITORIAL STAFF
John Hicks • Managing Editor............................................editor@lafra.org
Eric Santiago • Creative Editor...............................................eric@lafra.org
Display Advertising.................................................(323) 259-5200 ext. 231
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or selling for top dollar, we've got the
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Ask about our firefighter specials!

Down payment assistance, closing LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
cost credit, and more. Chris Stine .............................................................President
Jim Duffy ........................................................Vice-President
Jim Dolan, Steve Ruda & Gene Bednarchik.......Community Affairs Liaisons
Rachael McOsker
Realtor® RENE | DRE# 01996359
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Affiliated real estate agents are independent contractor sales associates, not employees. ©2023 Coldwell Banker. All Rights Reserved. Coldwell Banker and the Coldwell Banker logos are trademarks of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. The Coldwell Danny Wu John Jacobsen Steve Berkery
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Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. CalRE #00616212

Elber Navarro Juan Albarran Steven Jones

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CHAPLAINS
To contact a chaplain, please call Senior Chaplain, Tim Werle at
(213) 797-2404 or the MFC Floor Captain at (213) 576-8920

Kevin Smith..........................Chaplain Tim Werle............................Chaplain

Danny Leon..........................Chaplain Mark R. Wolf......................Chaplain
George A. Negrete..............Chaplain Jesus Pasos.........................Chaplain
Daniel Lee............................Chaplain Rick Godinez........................Chaplain

TELEPHONES
Fire-Relief ...............................................................(323) 259-5200
Relief Association Toll Free Number .........................(800) 244-3439
Relief Medical Plan ................................................. (866) 995-2372
Fax Number ................................................................(323) 259-5290

LAFRA MANAGEMENT
Todd Layfer • Executive Director.............................(323) 259-5243
Vivian Dang • Human Resources Director..................(323) 259-5247
Liberty Unciano • Controller/Treasurer..................(323) 259-5225
Bob Dillon • Operations Manager.............................(323) 259-5233
Marlene Casillas • Development & Marketing Director(323) 259-5217

HealthComp
Claims & Benefit Information...................................(866) 99-LAFRA
THE FIREMEN’S GRAPEVINE (USPS 191-060) is published monthly by the Los Angeles Firemen’s
Relief Association, 7470 N Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, Cal­i­for­nia 90041. Annual $48 Subscription
included with Association mem­ber­ship; Non-members: $60. Single issues $5 postpaid. Back issues $8
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men’s Grapevine uses Chat.openai.com as an editing and sourcing resource. Articles written in this publica-
tion may contain information from such source.

4 • January 2024
 Happy New Year to all the members of LAFRA, and welcome to an
amazing 2024. January marks the start of not only a new month but a new
year! Cheers to new beginnings, fresh starts, and 365 days of opportunity
and possibility. As we all start this new year, we reflect on what we are grate-
ful for and the relationships we have built over the years. One of the bless-
ings in our lives is this great organization we call LAFRA and the many
benefits it provides.
Sick and Injury Benefit - This benefit is available to all members of
the Relief Association. The Sick and Injury Benefit provides compensation
for members who become sick or injured in situations not connected with
normal duty (NIOD). Compensation rates are as follows for active members:
If your LAFD sick pay is at 100%, Relief pays $10.00 per day for a maxi-
mum of 20 weeks. If your LAFD sick pay drops to 75% of your regular pay
from the city, you are entitled to 25% of the maximum base pay of a fire-
fighter with 20 years’ longevity from the association. If your LAFD sick pay
drops to 50% of your regular pay, you are entitled to 50% of the maximum
base pay of a firefighter with 20 years’ longevity. Once a member’s sick pay
drops to 0%, he/she is eligible to receive full pay of a firefighter’s base pay,
including longevity for a 20-year firefighter. The sick and injury benefit pays
100% of a fully paid firefighter with longevity and is paid for a maximum of
18 months in total over the course of a member’s career. Whether active or
retired, members must be under a doctor’s care for seven consecutive calen-
dar days before qualifying for the benefit. Retired members may receive a
daily benefit of $10 per day with a 20-week maximum of $1,400 in total ben-
efit per injury or illness. Some benefits are not allowed in certain instances,
so please contact member services. The Relief Sick and Injury Benefit is a
unique benefit that can really help you and your family maintain your base
salary while you are off NIOD.
LAFRA Elections - I would like to acknowledge all the members
who participated and took time to vote in the 2023 LAFRA Trustee Elec-
tion. Congratulations to the four incumbent “Active” Trustees of Group 3:
Steven Jones, Brian Wall, Elber Navarro, and JD Fox on their re-election.
Thank you for your commitment to LAFRA and our members. Congratula-
tions to Chris Bustamante and Tim Halloran as they will be the newest addi-
tions to Group 3 “Active” Trustees and will fill the positions vacated by John
Jacobsen and Kenny Breskin. Thank you, John and Kenny, for your dedica-
tion and commitment to the LAFRA Board of Trustees. Your outstanding
work at the Relief made a difference and moved the organization further into
the future. Congratulations to Steve Berkery, who ran for another term and
will continue to serve as the Group 3 “Pension” Trustee.
LAFPP Subsidies - The City of Los Angeles Administrative Code
(LAAC) dictates the maximum single-party Medicare Health Subsidy for
retired members and qualified survivors, and the Dental Subsidy for retired
members. LACERS has recently published health and dental rates and sub-
sidies, with an effective date of January 1, 2024. The maximum monthly
Medicare subsidy will increase by $54.49, the maximum non-Medicare
subsidy for Qualified Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partners will increase by
$112.69, and the Dental subsidy will decrease by $0.88. The new subsidy
for Medicare single party coverage will be $549.16, and the new subsidy
for Non-Medicare Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners will be
$1,051.78.
Medicare Part B Premium Reimbursement - When you reach age
65, retirees and qualified survivors are required to enroll in Medicare to
the extent of their eligibility to continue to receive a health subsidy from
LAFPP. Pensioners who enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B are eligible
to receive reimbursement for their standard Medicare Part B premium if
they also qualify to receive a health subsidy. On October 12, 2023, the Cen-
ters for Medicare (CMS) released the 2024 premiums for the Medicare Part
B program. Beginning January 1, 2024, the standard monthly premium for
Part B will increase from $164.90 to $174.70, which is a difference of $9.80.
Pensioners who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time in 2024 will be
charged a base premium of $174.70 at a minimum, as will Medicare enroll-
ees whose income is above the threshold set by CMS.
Hospital services- Inpatient - This benefit includes Room & Board
(excluding intensive care and coronary care units) with no copay applicable.
PPO providers (In-Network) are covered as follows: $250 deductible applies,
then 90% for the 1st $5,000, then 100% coverage thereafter. For example,
if you went to the hospital, were admitted, and were charged $50,000, you
would only pay $750. This would be a $250 deductible plus 10% of $5,000,
which is $500. The charge could be much higher, and the $250 deductible
and 10% coinsurance still apply. We all want to stay out of the hospital for
any extended amount of time, but if you find yourself needing inpatient care,
we have you covered. If you find yourself needing an out-of-network pro-
vider, the $250 deductible still applies, but the coinsurance will increase to
30%. Room & Board for intensive care and coronary care units are covered
at 100% for both PPO providers and non-PPO providers. Maternity care is
not covered under this section but is covered under “Maternity Care.”
Sharecare/FITON Health Transition - Have you made the switch
to Total Fitness with FitOn Health? Action needed! Your prime fitness
gym membership has fully transitioned to Sharecare’s Total Fitness with
FitOn Health, with access to over 14,000 gyms and studios. You must sign
into your Sharecare account at www.LAFRA.org/wellness (or create your
Sharecare account if you haven’t already). Once signed in, click on Total
Fitness Gym Access to connect to your FitOn Health account. Once you are
on the FitOn Health app, you will need to find the gym of your choice and
click the button that says “purchase.” There is no cost associated with this as
LAFRA has an unlimited number of points assigned to your account.
What if I lost my gym in the transition to FitOn? We realize that
some of you may not be able to use the gym you were using while on the
Prime network. Rest assured there are options for you. While some gyms
are not contracted with FitOn, there are several gyms you never had access
to before that you have access to now. If you do not see your gym on the list,
you can nominate the gym, and FitOn will reach out to your gym to initiate
negotiations with them. As a reminder, you can add multiple gyms and sign
up for multiple classes with your FitOn Health account. FitOn continues to
add more options every month, so please continue to look for more options
as we move forward. If you have questions, please contact Sharecare Cus-
tomer Service at 866-936-4243.
SAVE THE DATES
• Hook and Ladder: March 16th
• Pechanga Reunion: May 13th-17th
Christopher Stine
president@lafra.org
323.259.5202
January 2024 • 5
 In a world where commonplace
often prevails, the extraordinary occasion-
ally emerges. Jim Vels stands as a prime
example of this exceptionalism. Born
James W. Vels, Jim was a baby boomer,
born in the mid-fifties in Encino, Califor-
nia. He was raised in Reseda by his dad,
Nellson, a banker by day and a jack-of-all-
trades in his remaining hours. The other
half of the equation was his mom, Ivy, a
simple but loving homemaker.
Jim also has two brothers who
also defy the word “typical.” Jim’s twin
brother, Dan, is the owner of an indepen-
dent Honda/Acura shop, Advanced Im-
ports Specialists, in Santa Clarita, and
also campaigns a 1967 Camaro at the drag
strip with his son, Christopher, who pilots
the car. His other brother, Nellson, owns
and operates Outlaw Garage, a full custom
hot rod shop, also in Santa Clarita. As Jim
would say, the two are the gearheads of the
family.
Though Jim didn’t have the desire
to follow in his brothers’ mechanical foot-
steps, his love of the aesthetic part of the
custom car world inspired Jim’s real skill,
which was to paint. Jim’s dad must have
recognized this early in his son’s life,
gifting him his first airbrush to complete
a model he was working on. Though Jim
would draw for hours as a child, airbrush-
ing was where Jim flourished. His high
school art teacher, Mr. Gill, also saw the
artistic flair in Jim, encouraging him to
practice his God-given talent and to enter
his first art contest, where he took second
place.
Despite his artistic inclinations,
Jim embarked on the first phase of his pro-
fessional life as a journeyman carpenter,
primarily involved in high-rise and com-
6 • January 2024
January 2024 • 7
 mercial projects. In 1980, Jim found his
calling with the LAFD, where he served
with distinction for over 34 years. During
his tenure, he held the ranks of Firefighter
(1980), Engineer (1986), and Captain I
(1992). Along the way, numerous pieces
of equipment, tools, and even firefighting
apparatus underwent striking transforma-
tions, all thanks to Jim’s masterful artistic
touch.
The items within the department
were merely the tip of the iceberg. In the
year 2000, Jim serendipitously encoun-
tered Coast Airbrush in Anaheim, Cali-
fornia, a moment he humorously described
as the point where he became “screwed
up” for good. Regardless of his tongue-
in-cheek assessment, Jim’s artistic jour-
ney greatly enriched the world. He seized
every opportunity to enhance his skills,
learning from mentors like Dave Monnig,
owner of Coast Airbrush, who kindled his
enthusiasm and imparted technical exper-
tise related to products and equipment of
the trade. Jim also acknowledges Craig
Frazer from Kal Koncepts/Air Syndicate
as the person who truly taught him the
art of painting, alongside numerous other
mentors including Mike Lavalle, Danny
“D,” Efrain “Bugs” Gonzales, Scott McK-
ay, “Kiwi Terry” Stephens, Cory St. Claire
and Tim Lowry to name just a few, who
have left indelible marks on his craft.
Outside the realm of art, Jim finds
inspiration in the people closest to him:
his wife, Roberta, a masterpiece of her
own, and Jim’s number one assistant, his
daughter, Shelby, and his son, T.J. Togeth-
er, they keep Jim grounded, whether it’s
embarking for a Sunday ride on his Harley
with his wife or attending his kids’ sport-
ing events.
Despite his commitments, Jim is
tirelessly engaged. It is rumored that he
dedicates a conservative four to six hours a
day to painting in his workshop. While he
earns a modest income from his endeavors,
his true passion lies in giving back to those
in need. Scarcely a week passes without
him receiving commissions to create piec-
es for charitable causes. The Los Angeles
Firemen’s Relief Association’s Widows,
Orphans and Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
is one of the primary beneficiaries of Jim’s

8 • January 2024
benevolent work. Despite his considerable
generosity, Jim maintains a humble and
private demeanor in this aspect of his life,
often avoiding the limelight.
There is one poignant moment
that Jim takes immense pride in. A few
years ago, tragedy struck the Los Angeles
County Fire Department when one of its
members Tory Carlon was tragically shot
and killed while on duty. Jim had painted
a helmet to be auctioned at the Los An-
geles County Fire Hogs Fallen Firefight-
ers event. Later, he discovered that one of
Tory’s daughters desperately wished to
bid on the piece but was quickly outbid.
Upon learning of this, Jim collaborated
with the County Chapter of the Fire Hogs
and presented the grieving family with a
new custom-painted helmet. Jim later re-
flected, “It was probably one of the most
humbling experiences of my life, present-
ing the helmet to the widow and her three
daughters.”
While Jim’s artistic journey has not
always been a smooth canvas, he humor-
ously borrows a quote from his mentor
Craig, who’s famous line is “I don’t make
mistakes, I just change my mind.” Nev-
ertheless, Jim has always relished being
part of the close-knit community of cus-
tom painters. He continues to attend nu-
merous painting classes, events, and even
the SEMA show in Las Vegas. Through-
out these experiences, he has built a vast
network of friends and become a valuable
member of the larger family of custom
painters. He shares ideas, techniques, and
processes that he, in turn, imparts to oth-
ers.
Jim’s passion for painting has
brought him considerable recognition both
in his profession and personal life, leading
to a growing backlog of commissions. If
you wish to possess a piece of this histori-
cal legacy, be prepared to join a waiting
list with an estimated duration of four to
six months, which continues to expand.
In the Bible, the first half of Romans
12:6 reminds us that God bestows each of
us with unique talents: “In His Grace, God
has given us different gifts for doing cer-
tain things well.” In the case of Retired
Captain Jim Vels, one might speculate that
he had a few words with the devil, too!

January 2024 • 9
 On November 4, 2023, the Los An-
geles Firemen’s Relief Association host-
ed a well-attended Annual Open House
event. Bathed in the warm glow of the sun
and complemented by strategically placed
shade, a significant assembly of both active
and retired members gathered to partake
in a day of activities, fine dining, bever-
ages, and camaraderie. This occasion also
featured the Association’s commendation
of one of its esteemed members, Captain
II Keith Bandy, in acknowledgment of his
unwavering commitment to serving the
men and women of the Los Angeles City
Fire Department.
Guests were graciously welcomed
by a dedicated team of volunteers, guiding
them toward the heart of the celebration.
Smiles abounded as attendees indulged
in a variety of appetizers and refreshing
beverages generously provided by the As-
sociation. The presence of LAFD Fire Ap-
parel offered a selection of LAFD-themed
merchandise for sale, with a portion of the
proceeds earmarked to support the Relief.
With everyone in their designated
positions, lunch was served, and the as-
sembled crowd descended to the serving
tables stationed on the lower floor of the
Association’s premises. There, they were
treated to a rich variety of culinary de-
lights and an abundance of sumptuous
desserts. Once appetites were satisfied,
attendees settled in to engage in the day’s
program. Chris Stine, the Relief president,
took the podium to address the assembly.
He began by introducing Relief Associa-
tion’s Patty Rubalcava, who delivered a
beautiful rendition of the national anthem.
10 • January 2024
President Stine next proceeded to com-
mend Valerie Lawrence and Diane Vigil
for their generous contributions to assist-
ing LAFD widows. He also delved into
the history of the Relief Association, ac-
knowledging its 117 years of existence,
and expressed gratitude to past and present
board members, including Jim Duffy, set
to assume leadership in 2025, Jim Dolan,
Gene Bednarchik, and Chris Bustamante
were also mentioned for their service. The
Fire Hogs President, Jack Wise, was then
introduced. Accompanied by fellow Fire
Hogs, Jack presented a substantial dona-
tion of $43,500, which was ceremoniously
handed over to the Widows, Orphans and
Disabled Firefighters Fund. Heartfelt ap-
preciation was extended to the Fire Hogs
for their continuous support of the Re-
lief’s non-profit. Since their inception, the
Fire Hogs have donated over $700K to
WODFF.
The spotlight then shifted to the
central figure of the day and the year—the
2023 Open House Honoree, Keith Bandy.
Chris Stine paid tribute to Keith’s dedica-
tion and service to the Relief, acknowl-
edging the invaluable contributions he has
made to the organization.
There are those who take action
and those who merely talk about it. Keith
Bandy is unequivocally among the former.
Born to Larry and Lana Bandy, Keith has
two sisters, Kristin and Kari. His father,
a dedicated police officer in Cypress, in-
stilled in Keith a profound sense of service
to others. Keith embarked on his firefight-
ing career in 1986 as a paid call firefighter
for the Orange County Fire Department
in his hometown of La Palma, California.
With unwavering dedication, Keith con-
tinually engaged in self-improvement and
service. In August of 1986, Keith faced a
life-altering event when his engine arrived
on scene of Aeromexico Flight 498 which
tragically crashed in Cerritos, CA, claim-
ing the lives of all 67 passengers on board,
along with an additional 15 individuals on
the ground.
In 1988, Keith took his next sig-
nificant step in the fire service by joining
the Vernon Fire Department. His pursuit
of excellence never wavered, and in 1990,
the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD)
was fortunate to welcome him into its
January 2024 • 11
ranks. Over the next eight years, Keith
dedicated himself to training and self-
improvement. In 1999, he earned the rank
of Apparatus Operator, serving at various
fire stations, including Fire Stations 50,
61, 102, and 14. His path led him to the
role of Captain in 2008, where he began at
Fire Station 6 and subsequently served at
Fire Stations 15, 12, and 15. In 2014, Keith
achieved his ultimate calling when he
was promoted to Captain II, a position in
which he thrived. He was assigned to Fire
Station 64, where he found his true home
and remained throughout the remainder of
his illustrious career.
In total, Keith dedicated more than
37 years to the fire service, with 33 of those
years being with the Los Angeles City Fire
Department. His accomplishments includ-
ed being a member of the FEMA Team
CA-TF1 since 9/11/01. He was deployed
multiple times, with two of those mis-
sions involving significant weather events,
12 • January 2024
namely Hurricane Harvey in Galveston,
Texas, and Irma in the Florida Keys.
However, Keith’s commitment ex-
tended beyond the fire service. He had a
deep passion for sports, particularly soft-
ball. Beginning his Sandlot ball journey in
1997, he became a part of the renowned
Gangreen Team in 2001, a membership
he maintains to this day. If there was a
softball tournament, Keith was a steadfast
presence. Keith also played a pivotal role
in the Lane Kemper Classic Softball Tour-
nament, initially assisting Billy Bringas in
2010 and eventually taking the reins from
Billy in 2013.
Apart from softball, Keith enjoys a
wide array of activities. During the sum-
mer, his time is divided between river boat
racing and exploring dirt bike trails. In the
winter, he is a constant presence on the
slopes with his snowboard. And when nei-
ther of these options is available, you could
always find a golf club in his hand. Keith
is a true doer, and this quality is evident to
anyone who interacts with him, especially
his crew. He leads by example, never asks
someone to do what he isn’t willing to do
himself. Keith will leave a lasting impres-
sion on the job, having to leave a part of
himself with everyone he encounters.
That’s just who he is.
Keith, we extend our heartfelt grati-
tude for the many years of service you de-
vote not only to the fire service but also
for your selfless contributions to the Los
Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association and
your fellow human beings. While your ab-
sence will be deeply felt around the sta-
tion, you will undoubtedly never be for-
gotten. We are proud to honor you as this
year’s Open House Honoree and wish you
many joyful and fulfilling years in your
well-deserved retirement, alongside your
wife, Eveleen, and your daughter, Fiona.
 In the heart of the relentless flames
that test the mettle of firefighters, it’s not
just the physical toll that weighs heavy;
mental fatigue often becomes an unseen
adversary, gnawing away at our resolve.
In these moments, when the weight of
the job, life’s challenges, and the world’s
uncertainties converge, finding solace be-
comes paramount. Here, within the sacred
pages of the Bible, lies a wellspring of rest,
comfort, and hope – a lifeline that reminds
us of God’s sovereign plan in the midst of
our struggles.
Mental Fatigue and the Battle Within
Firefighters are no strangers to the
toll that mental fatigue can exact. Long
hours, high-stress situations, and witness-
ing the raw reality of life’s fragility can
wear down even the strongest spirits. It’s
during these moments that turning to the
Bible can offer a source of respite. In Mat-
thew 11:28-30, Jesus extends an invita-
tion to all those who labor and are heavy
laden, promising rest for their souls. This
rest isn’t just physical; it’s a refuge for our
minds and hearts, a balm for the wounds
inflicted by the challenges we face.
A Source of Comfort and Hope
The Bible is replete with verses that
offer comfort and hope to those grappling
with the burdens of life. In Psalm 34:18, we
find solace in the assurance that “The Lord
is near to the brokenhearted and saves the
crushed in spirit.” When the weight of the
world bears down, knowing that we are not
alone and that God’s presence is with us
can provide immeasurable comfort. Isaiah
40:31 reminds us that those who wait upon
the Lord shall renew their strength, soar-
ing on wings like eagles. This promise of
renewal is a beacon of hope, illuminating
the path through the darkest of moments.
Embracing God’s Sovereign Plan
In the midst of chaos and uncer-
tainty, the Bible assures us that God has
a sovereign plan. Romans 8:28 reminds us
that all things work together for good for
those who love God and are called accord-
ing to His purpose. This truth provides a
steady anchor amidst the turbulence of
life, allowing us to surrender our worries
and fears to the One who holds the uni-
verse in His hands.
Reaching Out to a Chaplain: A Bridge
to Support
Amidst the struggles and battles,
remember that you don’t have to navi-
gate this journey alone. Just as firefighters
form a united front to tackle challenges,
there are individuals equipped to provide
spiritual support. Chaplains, who serve
as spiritual guides, are available to lis-
ten, counsel, and offer guidance rooted in
faith. If the weight becomes too much to
bear, don’t hesitate to reach out and lean
on the strength of those trained to uplift
your spirit. The Chaplain Hotline phone
number is listed in the first couple pages of
this magazine and on every morning Tele-
type message at the station.
Conclusion: A Beacon of Light in the
Darkness
In the midst of the firestorm, both
literal and metaphorical, the Bible stands
as a beacon of light, offering rest for weary
souls, comfort for heavy hearts, and hope
for those who face the unknown. By em-
bracing its teachings, we tap into a well-
spring of strength that empowers us to rise
above the challenges we encounter. Let
us remember that we are not alone in this
journey – God’s sovereign plan encom-
passes every step we take. And if ever the
load becomes too much, there are those
ready to lend a listening ear and a guid-
ing hand. With faith as our shield and the
Word as our guide, we stand strong, unit-
ed, and fortified in our pursuit of courage,
compassion, and unwavering service.
Blessings Brothers and Sisters,
Tim Werle
Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly
with Your God. - Micah 6:8
January 2024 • 13
 The California Fire Foundation,
a non-profit organization based in Cali-
fornia dedicated to assisting families of
fallen firefighters, firefighters themselves,
and the communities they serve, hosted
its 2023 Annual California Firefighters
Memorial Ceremony and Procession on
Saturday, October 14, 2023, in downtown
Sacramento, California. This year, the
names of 35 fallen firefighters from across
California were added to the California
Firefighters Memorial Wall, paying tribute
to their heroic memory. These names were
inscribed alongside those of more than
1,500 California firefighters who have
lost their lives in the line of duty since the
state’s inception in 1850.
Over 800 guests attended the An-
nual California Firefighters Memorial
Ceremony held at the Sheraton Grand
Sacramento Hotel. Distinguished speak-
ers included Governor Gavin Newsom,
President of the California Professional
Firefighters, Brian K. Rice, and esteemed
attendees such as Attorney General of
California, Rob Bonta, and State Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction, Tony Thur-
mond. The Sacramento Philharmonic
String Quartet provided musical accom-
paniment, and Dennis Rodriguez from
the Los Angeles County Fire Department
sang the national anthem. A formal pre-
sentation of the U.S. flag was made to the
families of those whose names were added
to the Memorial Wall. This year, we paid
tribute to LAFD’s own Russell Nakamu-
ra, with Russell’s family in attendance.
Brother Wayne accepted the flag on behalf
of the family, alongside Russell’s sister
Stacy Wagner, brother-in-law Dave Wag-
ner, their daughter Kylie, sister-in-law Jean
Nakamura, and sister Pam Nakamura.
14 • January 2024
 Representatives from the Relief As-
sociation, including Chris Stine, and Val-
erie Lawrence, along with LAFD repre-
sentatives Adam VanGerpen, Frank Lima,
LAFD Fire Chief Crowley, Chief of Staff,
as well as UFLAC Board and Firehogs,
were present.
Following the ceremony, 1,000
guests participated in a memorable pro-
cession to the memorial wall in Sacra-
mento’s historic Capitol Park. The outdoor
procession featured over a dozen firefight-
ing apparatus lining 13th Street, creating a
‘sea of blue’ with hundreds of firefighters
from across California, accompanied by
the Pipes and Drums of California Pro-
fessional Firefighters, honor guards from
dozens of fire departments, the families
of fallen firefighters from across the state,
and various dignitaries.

January 2024 • 15
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16 • January 2024 Contact your plan provider to verify.
 diet involves eating high fats, low to moderate
amounts of protein, and minimal carbs. The
folks at 29’s elected to get some lunch while
our friend was working there, but it was too
pricey and not keto enough. After they got
Happy January, Battalion 1. New year, their fill, he had them drive him to his favor-
new me, same shenanigans. I was thinking the ite health spot, McDonald’s, for some “keto”
other day about how January is the sad part of Chicken McNuggets. Way to stay McHealthy!
winter because there are almost no holidays, it Well, that’s all I’ve got. Send your stories to…
gets dark early, and it tends to rain a lot. But just kidding. I didn’t forget.
then, I was reminded of all the fun stuff we get E17 spotted inside the fire and went
to do: air management training, hose testing, from fire engine red to tactical black in a mat-
hydrants, flipping the rope bags, etc. There’s ter of minutes. It’s not a good day when you
no time for sadness! Unless, of course, you’re can teach the rookie fire behavior from inside
in this article, but maybe don’t be sad; instead, the cab of the engine. Due to the lack of re-
laugh at yourself and don’t make the same mis- serves, they are now running 4 bird scooters
take twice. Your choice. with Hudson sprayers and a garden hose out
First off, let’s keep Jose Carreon in our of the app bay. Hopefully, they will be able to
prayers and wish him a safe and speedy recov- get a handle on the fire when our “neighbors”
ery after he went from Jose Carreon to Jose light off the wood shoring under the freeway.
Carried-out at a concert. Now for the news. Re- Didn’t want to roast them too bad since they’ve
cently, a special notice popped up on the portal clearly proven that no one can roast them bet-
about FR9 being run out of 9’s instead of 4’s, so ter than themselves. Sorry for the absence re-
the folks at the ol’ wino-nino are now parking cently. I hope to stay consistent this year, but
personal cars in an outside parking structure I need help. Submit your stories good or bad
because of the lack of space. Rumor has it the to battalionjuan@gmail.com. Let’s hear some
city is just going to build a bigger station out of Christmas party capers!
Downtown companies battle a freeway
shipping containers, tents, and pallets to match storage nightmare. Photo | Jason Stilwell
the nearby architecture and minimize the im- Battalion Juan
pact on the community. Does building with
shipping containers count as thinking outside Two members from Engine 14 knock down
the box? Maybe it does. an auto fire. Photo | James Anderson
Speaking of 9’s, it sounds like their in-
side member got more than they bargained for
on a fire not too long ago. During a structure
fire, Truck 9 got on scene and was itching to
get some work in, especially after getting as-
signed the roof. The fellas piled out, threw
their breathers, and went to load the pedestal
when lo and behold, the chainsaw compart-
ment wouldn’t open. And neither would the
next one. Or the next one. Instead of clicking
the unlock button in the cab, the doors were
ripped open, and the locks were busted by
some highly motivated individuals. Luckily,
the forcible entry compartment was locked
too; otherwise, the inside member might have
ended up pulling slats to get the chainsaws out.
Imagine that letter…
Lastly, this story comes from out of the
battalion but involves a well-renowned mem-
ber of our battalion, Captain Eric Thompson
at 10’s. Since he works 8 out of 7 days a week,
he ends up out of the house sometimes. I’ve
been told that this TFC has adopted the Keto
diet. For those of you who don’t know, the Keto
January 2024 • 17
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18 • January 2024
 Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, LAFD members and family, and Cert Members were honored
to be a part of the 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade. Photo| LAFD Photos

While on a move-up, Truck 94 pays a visit to see USAR 27 and 88 assist Task Force 33 with a heavy
legendary Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. lift patient. Photo | lafdstation27hollywood

January 2024 • 19
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20 • January 2024
 Congratulations to Jesus (27 “A”) and Soraida Padilla on the arrival of their daugh-
ter, Lucia Padilla. The beautiful addition to their family was born October 1, 2023,
weighing in at 6 lbs. 9 oz.

FF/PM Jordan & FF/PM Asaad are all smiles while

serving the community. Photo | Ta’ana Mitchell

With Boat 2 back in service after a STELLAR remodel,

the boat is back doing what it does best!

LAFD ground and air perform a cliff rescue

in San Pedro. Photos | Benny Farillas

January 2024 • 21
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22 • January 2024
 Tractor company in the thick of things in the
Sepulveda Basin. Photo | Mike Meadows

Taskforce 21 assists with forceable entry & and RIC at

a structure fire on Exposition Bl. Photo | Task Force 21

January 2024 • 23
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Retaliation | Harassment | Discrimination | Pe r s o n a l I n j u r y
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Engine 91 responded to a dump truck that quickly spread

to nearby structures in Sylmar. Photo | Ismael Miranda

LAFD Engine 91 prepares to engage a RV fully

engulfed in flames. Photos | Ismael Miranda

January 2024 • 25
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26 • January 2024
 Probationary member of E33 prepares to knock
down an auto on 82nd Pl. Photo | James Anderson

All Smiles with the crew of Station 46.

Photo | Ta’ana Mitchell

Commander Robert Hawkins and his soldiers full of gratitude,

smiles, and happiness. Photo | Ta’ana Mitchell

January 2024 • 27
 Getting the job done in Sun Valley at a 50’ x 70’ structure fire in
the 7200 block of N. Lankershim Blvd. Photos | Mike Meadows

A driver of a Mercedes lost control and found themselves, and their car, hanging on a fence just above the LA River.
LAFD’s Heavy Rescue dragged it back up onto flat ground while Taskforce 60 assisted the driver who had jumped
out and ended up climbing a 35-foot extension ladder lowered by firefighters to get out. Photo | Mike Meadows

28 • January 2024
 Engine 89 responds to an auto fire on
the 170 freeway. Photo | Mike Meadows

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January 2024 • 29
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30 • January 2024
 Water brothers Kenny Breskin (33 ½ yrs.) and Manny Galvez (35
yrs.) share the spotlight as they have a joint retirement breakfast
at Fire Station 87 with family and friends in attendance.

It took 72 firefighters, by ground and air approximately 90 minutes to extinguish the five-acre
brush fire burning near the west end of Nordhoff (west of Topanga). Photos | Jacob Salzman

Multiple agencies, including LAFD, fight a terrain-challenged

fire in the Stone Canyon area. Photos | Greg Doyle

January 2024 • 31
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32 • January 2024
 Task Force 96 performs a cliff rescue in the
hills of Chatsworth. Photo | Mark Lassman
Task Force 29 moved up to the valley and responded to a
two-car TC with one rollover. This also resulted in a downed
signal and sheared hydrant. Photo | Juan Guerra

Moved up to the Valley, Task Force 29 deciding if they are looking at a sheared E103 on a two-car traffic/fire with accompanying wires
hydrant or a new gauge for gasoline prices—you decide! Photo | Juan Guerra down. Photo | Suey Tiengerd

January 2024 • 33
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34 • January 2024
AO (babyface) Jackson demonstrating how to secure the three-inch Pulling out the big guns at an apartment fire.
hose to the rungs during Ladder Pipe operations. Photo Ta’ana Mitchell Photo Ta’ana Mitchell

The changing faces of the LAFD. FF Simiano & PM/FF Acosta reviewing Ladder
Photo | Kimberly Herring Pipe operations. Photo | Ta’ana Mitchell

January 2024 • 35
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36 • January 2024
Always best to talk up a plan before action.
Photo Ta’ana Mitchell

Fire Station 43 celebrating the holidays

with the family. Photo | Ta’ana Mitchell

January 2024 • 37
 Tradition Stands!
Photo | Kimberly Herring

Never Stop Drilling!

Photos | Ta’ana Mitchell

38 • January 2024
LAFD members get trained up
during an active shooter drill.

LAFRA’s Gene Bednarchik (Santa) and LAFD Captain Rubin Navarro, along with Truck 12 help
celebrate Highland Park Christmas Parade. Photos | Compliments of Gene Bednarchik

January 2024 • 39
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LAFD Boxing team members preparing for yet another bout. Come out to sup-
port your team on February 3rd at the Rose Bowl. L to R—Engineer Tyrone
Hurst-60 “B”. FF Vitus Pinto 35 “C”, FF Ryan Ramirez 2 “B”, A/O Sean Baker 94
“C”, and FF Robert Rader 87 “C”.
Laverne “Mac” McLeod began his journey with the Los Angeles City Fire
Department on July 2, 1956. His probation rotation was through 28s, 17s, and 25s.
He was stationed at 1s, 11s, 12s, and 55s as an auto-fireman. Mac was a scuba diver
while in the harbor at 38s. He promoted to engineer at 56s. Mac then promoted to
Captain and did some front office time at 9s, 50s, 68s, and 86s. Station 15 was his
final house before an on-the-job injury facilitated his retirement on March 12, 1987.
His LAFD career spanned almost 31 years. By his choice, Mac never had a retirement
dinner and quietly settled into retirement.
Mac McLeod turned 90 years old on July 26, 2023. When asked what his
secret to a long life was, he said, “Mas Tequila! And don’t stress about things that
are outside of your control. Enjoy life and your family.” In honor of this milestone
birthday, and with the help of UFLAC, his son Bruce McLeod (LAFD retired, 2s) was
able to present him with a long overdue special gift. In August 2023, his son pre-
sented him with his retirement axe plaque… 36 years after leaving the job!

Retired Firefighter Jeff Harvey shows that even in retirement, you

can still make new friends. Photo | Compliments of Kenny Breskin

Metro Fire Dispatch celebrated the retirement of 39-year veteran Eldon Karratti. Everyone in the picture has worked with Eldon for
many years and all call him friend. We wish Eldon and his family a happy and long retirement—Photo | la_fuego_department_family

January 2024 • 41
 Once every three or four years we have the...

Whether you worked at FS 14 or only worked a SOD day
at 14s, you’re welcome to join us. If you worked in Battalion 3, or
even Battalion 8 (for you older farts) please join us.
Even if you wished you had worked at 14s, you’re welcome
to come and enjoy the fun and camaraderie. This means…………..
ALL ARE WELCOME.
THE NEXT REUNION WILL BE SATUR-
DAY, February 24, 2024 at Bob Munoa’s compound in
Temecula, CA. There will also be a food truck serving food.
On Friday, February 23, there will be a Fry Bread dinner
in the evening and the opportunity to meet up with old buddies
and enjoy a boat-load of CAMARADERIE.
Those wanting even more camaraderie are welcome to
come back on Sunday the 25th to continue visiting with friends.
As before, there will be RV parking available at the
Pechanga Hotel, which is five minutes from Bob’s house. Also,
those wishing to park their RV’s on Bob’s property are welcome
to do so.

Bob’s address is 12705 Pechanga Road, Temecula, CA 92592. This is the address to the front gate. Then follow the signs to
Bob’s house. You can call Bob for more information at (951) 296-8818. Please RSVP as soon as possible. Entrance Fee: $40.00.
Donations to the WODFF’s would also be appreciated. MAKE HOTEL OR RV RESERVATIONS ASAP AND BYOB

FALO TIUMALU III, FF/PM, FS 40

SATURDAY, MARCH 2, 2024

Elks Lodge
1748 Cumbre Drive, San Pedro CA

Social Hour - 5:00 PM Dinner - 6:30 PM

$70 per person

Paid Advertisement:

Pay via Venmo or Zelle. Polynesian Attire

RSVP to Terri Tiumalu - (310) 930-2866

42 • January 2024
 I have an acquaintance that always
refers to me as DUDE. I know it’s a term
that’s been around for a while and is most-
ly used by younger people, although I’ve
heard older people use the term as well.
Personally, I think it’s used because some-
one has forgotten the name of the person
that they’re havin’ a conversion with, so
DUDE becomes an easy substitute. The
other day I was with this same individual
and durin’ the course of our visit he con-
tinually used this term while talkin’ to
me. Finally, I stopped him and told him
to please stop callin’ me DUDE. He was
these drugs have to be injected into your
system, but accordin’ to the FDA they will
soon have approval for the drug to be in
pill form. The really interestin’ part of
this story is the fact that gym memberships
have fallen off. Sure, if all I have to do to
lose weight is to take a pill, why should I
bother sweatin’ my --- off by goin’ to the
gym.
So, donate, recycle or sell your
stationary bicycles and stair-steppin’ ma-
chines because the days of joggin’, run-
Announcement
nin’ or usin’ a treadmill to get the blood
pumpin’ and keepin’ the ol’ bones movin’
will now be a thing of the past.
And just imagine, if this magic pill
or injection had been around years ago,
the Department could
have eliminated the “Fat
Man’s Club.”
AC
KEEP SMILIN’!
choppedup@att.net

surprised to hear me say that and imme-

diately asked, “Should I call you by your
first name?” I said, “That would be good,
since that’s the name my parents gave me.”
I’ll see how long he remembers my name.
My microwave oven is just over two
years old. The other day I noticed the digi-
tal clock had two numbers that were faded.
So, I called a repair company who came
out and investigated the issue. After three
seconds the repair guy looked at me and
said, “Sorry, there’s no parts available.” I
was mildly shocked but resigned myself
to the idea that I’d have to buy a new mi-
crowave to have a workin’ clock. Then,
I found out that California has a law on
the books that’s referred to as the “Right
to Repair” law. This law is supposed to
ensure that manufactures, of big and small
appliances, have replacement parts avail-
able for these appliances for five years
after the date of manufacture. However,
like most laws in California, enforcement
is another issue. No matter, I went to my
local kitchen appliance store and bought a
new microwave.
So, the latest and most popular
pills/injections in the prescription drug
world are the medicines for diabetics. Be-
sides helpin’ those that are diabetic, these
drugs also help in weight loss. Currently,

January 2024 • 43
 VINCE “THE BULL” MENA, Engineer, Fire Station 3
MARTIN ENRIQUEZ, Assistant Chief, DEI
FRIDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 17, 2024
Fire Station 3 - Bunker Hill
FHMTC
108 Fremont Ave, Los Angeles CA
1700 Stadium Way, Los Angeles CA
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
All are welcome - active and retired
Luncheon on Drill Deck
Celebrating 37 1/2 years of service

ERIC VERWEY, Captain I, Fire Station 114-B

JON RASKIN, MANDO JURADO, & MARK DEMOTT
THURSDAY, JANUARY 25, 2024
FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024
Fire Station 114
16617 Arminta St, Van Nuys CA Fire Station 97
8021 Mulholland Dr, Los Angeles CA
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Brunch
No Cost
8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Call FS 114 - (818) 756-8635

DARREN KESTERSON, Captain I, Fire Station 69-A

LEWIS SMITH, Engineer, Fire Station 112, FB 2 DENIS ROACH, Engineer, Fire Station 69-C
GREG FELIX, A/O, Fire Station 69-B
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024 JOE KOVACIK, FF/PM, Fire Station 69-B
MARK GLENCHUR, FF/PM, Fire Station 69-B
Ralph J. Scott Museum
444 S Harbor Blvd, San Pedro CA
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024
12:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Fire Station 69
15045 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades CA
Free tacos and beer
Farewell Breakfast
Call - (310) 261-0894
Email: smittyl@charter.net
7:00 AM - 11:00 AM

CRAIG WHITE, BATTALION CHIEF

WADE WHITE, ASSISTANT CHIEF
DIMITRIUS LYNCH, Captain I, FS 25, QUA-DEI
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2023
SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2024
Hyatt Regency Valencia
Doubletree Hotel
24500 Town Center Drive
21333 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance CA
Valencia, CA
6:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Social Hour - 5:00 PM Dinner - 6:00 PM
$75 per person
$75 per person
Call - (310) 308-1034 or (310) 308-8642
Call Wade White to RSVP - (661) 221-0633
or email: wade.white@sbcglobal.net

ANTOINE MCKNIGHT, Assistant Chief, DEI

MICHAEL KOLEZAR, Engineer, Fire Station 80
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2024
Hilton Los Angeles/Culver City
Brewport Tap House
6161 W Centinela Ave, Culver City CA
204 Main Street, El Segundo CA
6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
$95 per person
No cost - appetizers and drinks
RSVP to Ayanna McKnight - (909) 452-5697
Call Michael Kolezar - (310) 259-3440
Pay through Zelle - Antoine (951) 903-8461
Email: funmike24@msn.com
Please indicate: chicken, beef or vegetarian

44 • January 2024
 Back on January 2, 2019, my article
“Investing When Yield Curves Are Not So
Shapely” was published for Forbes Finance
Council, which discussed the economic chal-
lenges that emanate from a flat yield curve.
Then, the spread between the 10-Year versus
Two-Year US Treasury was sitting around
0.25%, By August 2019, the yield curve invert-
ed slightly (-0.04%) for the first time since May
’07, just before the Great Financial Crisis (GFC
’08-’09). As of the writing of this article, the
10-Year yields -0.49% less than the Two-Year,
which is an improvement from the more severe
inversion of -1.08% in July ’23. Staying vigi-
lant about the slope of yield curves globally is
a primary data point for our firm’s Investment
Committee consideration, playing a critical
role in our capital markets expectations.
Economic uncertainty persists when
businesses and consumers wonder if they
will be able to maintain their spending as
is. Changes in spending, whether corporate
capital expenditures or households’ upgrad-
ing appliances, are based on confidence. This
confidence could be sourced directly to their
specific outlook on earnings. Households
could worry if their income is in jeopardy of
decline or even elimination, while businesses
worry whether such household concern would
begin to impact their sales. It’s a very delicate
balance, and a self-reflexive cycle. Household
worries lead to business worries which lead to
household worries.
With market interest rates at levels not
seen since the GFC, it’s to be expected that
businesses are more likely to be concerned
about their ability to meet debt obligation pay-
ments. Every CFO knows that reducing payroll
is one of the most effective ways to quickly
adjust spending to meet an increased level of
debt service payments. Some workers know
this too, which is how the cycle of concern gets
fueled.
Ultimately, a flattening of the yield
curve at this point in the economic cycle is a
healthy indication. As demand increases for
short-term debt, prices increase, thereby con-
tributing to falling rates on shorter maturities.
Long-term debt yields increase as prices fall
due to the selling associated with greater un-
certainty over longer periods.
Both of these dynamics were explored
in my 2019 article. These illustrate the normal
and healthy functioning of the capital markets.
However, market participants rarely view this
as healthy, since it’s historically accompanied
by high anxiety and panic-selling across eq-
uity and debt assets. When yields rise on fixed
income instruments to nominal levels that vi-
sually compete with equity returns in the near
term, investors believe the old “bird in the
hand versus two in the bush” adage. Major as-
set class rotation from equities to fixed income,
albeit a myopic pursuit, is a rational reaction.
For CFOs and business owners who are
concerned about their debt service payments,
it’s prudent to implement adjustments, wheth-
er it be a debt restructuring, hiring freeze, or
more extreme payroll reduction. For workers,
minimizing unnecessary spending to bolster
savings would offer greater peace of mind
should conditions deteriorate rapidly. For retir-
ees living on fixed income, there’s tremendous
opportunity to rebalance your investment port-
folio’s asset allocation to take advantage of the
paradigm shift underway in the debt markets.
But proceed carefully, as different parts of the
yield curve present varying degrees of market
value risk in the interim.
January 2024 • 45
46 • January 2024
 LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION UNITED FIREFIGHTERS OF LOS ANGELES CITY
24|FEBRUARY 323.259.5200 LAFRA.ORG 213.977.9001 UFLAC.ORG

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

DUTY ROSTER 1 J 2 L 3 K

A Platoon
B Platoon
C Platoon

4 K 5 L 6 L 7 M 8 M 9 N 10 M

11 O 12 N 13 N 14 O 15 O 16 P 17 P
E
N
D

F
L
S
Valentine’s Day A
Lincoln’s Birthday Ash Wednesday

18 Q 19 20 R 21 P/Q 22 Q/R 23 R/S 24 S

President’s Day (observed)

OFFICES CLOSED Washington’s Birthday

25 S 26 T/U 27 T 28 T/U 29 U JANUARY 2024 MARCH 2024

S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2
7 8 9 10 11 12 13 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24
28 29 30 31 31 25 26 27 28 29 30
LEAP YEAR DAY
FEBRUARY

January 2024 • 47
 MEMBERS
DENNIS G. BOGARD, FIRE INSPECTOR II.
Appointed February 25, 1962. Retired on a service pension February 28, 2007 from FPB Legal Unit.
Passed away November 18, 2023.

TOM G. HARRISON, ENGINEER.

Appointed June 16, 1955. Retired on a service pension April 16, 1987 from FS 49.
Passed away November 19, 2023.

STEPHEN C. MORGAN, FIREMAN.

Appointed April 20, 1963. Retired on a service pension October 25, 1981 from Hydrants Unit.
Passed away November 20, 2023.

ANTON J. FELANDO, FIREMAN.

Appointed December 19, 1955. Retired on a disability pension January 3, 1981 from FS 38.
Passed away November 21, 2023.

MICHAEL G. ZIEMANN, CAPTAIN I.

Appointed January 16, 1965. Retired on a service pension October 25, 1996 from FS 19.
Passed away November 23, 2023.

WERNER H. WAHLERS, FIREBOAT MATE.

Appointed July 11, 1949. Retired on a service pension June 30, 1979 from FS 49.
Passed away November 29, 2023.

JAMES L. STIGLICH, FIREFIGHTER III.

Appointed June 4, 1987. Retired on a service pension June 8, 2013 from FS 100-C.
Passed away December 5, 2023.

THOMAS J. KENYON, FIREFIGHTER III.

Appointed July 22, 1973. Retired on a service pension August 23, 2008 from FS 2.
Passed away December 12, 2023.

FAMILY
Betty J. Stromberg, spouse of William C. Stromberg, Passed away November 14, 2023.
Jo W. Ziemer, surviving spouse of Richard D. Ziemer, Passed away November 14, 2023.
Jermell G. Stephens, spouse of William F. Stephens, Passed away November 15, 2023.
Dagmar M. Jones, spouse of Dory W. Jones, Passed away November 19, 2023.
Johnita L. Walters, surviving spouse of Roy A. Walters, Passed away December 4, 2023.
Kathleen C. Haver, surviving spouse of John J. Haver, Passed away December 8, 2023.

48 • January 2024
 The Old Retired Guys - The Pal Device
About 1974-75 two guys from FS35 were working, in-
dependently, on two separate devices designed to enhance fire-
fighter safety. The idea is so basic that you wonder why it hadn’t
already been developed.
Both of these devices were powered by a battery and they
both emitted a loud sound.
The first device, being developed by Captain I John Finch,
FS35 “A”, was an exit device called LEAD, Lead Your Men From
Danger.
The idea was very simple: hang the device on the entry
door and the firefighters would follow the sound to locate the exit.
In the meantime some members purchased their own de-
vices to wear at emergencies. It’s a difficult way to learn a lesson.
I would like to thank Gary Hood for his insight and and
background information on the development of this safety device.
Arthur Sorrentino
Daoldwestsidekid@Yahoo.com
We’ll Protect Your Family
Paid Advertisement:

The second device, developed by Fireman Gary Hood, FS 35 “B”,

While You Protect Ours.
was made of bright orange plastic designed to clip on the turnout Wills • Trusts • Probate
coat. This was the PAL device.
As long as the wearer was moving it was silent. If the person
stopped moving for thirty seconds it emitted a very loud, steady,
sound notifying everyone in the vicinity that a firefighter had
stopped moving. If the firefighter stopped moving intentionally,
and the alarm sounded, it had the option of resetting itself if the
FF moved within 5 seconds.
The PAL device was more easily heard because quite often
firefighters are working in close proximity to each other, no mat-
ter how far they are from the entry door. • Firefighter Discounts
At some point John and Gary joined forces but later went • No Cost, No Obligation Initial Consultation
their own ways developing there own devices.
• Serving Los Angeles & Ventura Counties
Eventually OSHA required every firefighter in the US to
wear a PASS device known as a “Personal Alert Security Sys-
tem”. When the law took affect there were 4 PASS devices on the Marisha Charbonnet,
market. After evaluation the PAL device became the alarm which Attorney & Wife Of LAFD Member
was subsequently adapted by the LAFD.
The PASS device is now incorporated into each BA and is
activated when the wearers air pressure falls to a dangerous level
or the member stops moving.
Unfortunately, it took the death of an LAFD member, Fire-
familysecuritylawgroup.com
fighter Lynn Hazlett, to overcome the inertia of a large bureau-
cracy before the decision was made to authorize the PAL device. 805-496-4681
January 2024 • 49

IN MEMORY OF LEWIS E. STOR-
RER—APPARATUS OPERATOR
I had the pleasure of working with
Lew for several years at 94’s. It was my
3rd house on probation and I was told as a
rookie you not only laid out the captains’
turnouts at the start of each shift but you laid
out Lew’s turnouts too! He had been at 94’s
for so long he was treated with the up most
respect. One thing I will always remember
that Lew told me and it’s been something
I’ve passed on to others is one day we were
out on the apparatus floor drilling on equip-
ment and Lew turned to me and said “If you
really want to be great at this job you need
to learn one new thing every day. Can you
imagine how smart you will be in 20 years?
So, what did we learn today?” To which I re-
plied that I need to learn one thing every day.
Lew replied “correct!” And now we’re done
for the day! Let’s go rest so we don’t overdo
it for today! Always quick with wit and kept
you on your toes. If you thought you knew
more than him, he put you in your place with
his line “kid I’ve got more time on the crap-
per than you have on the job!! RIP Lew and
thanks for all the great advice!
Chris “Woody’ Arballo
DEAR DIANE & VALERIE,
Thank you for remembering my
birthday and for all your kind support over
the years. I am very grateful to the Associa-
tion & Family Support Group for all your
kind attention shown towards me.
Sincerely,
Sarah Chastain
IN MEMORY OF BEN V. COSTANTI-
NO—BATTALION CHIEF
He was a sweetheart of a man and,
by all accounts, a terrific chief officer. Since
50 • January 2024
retiring, I’ve occasionally met up with him
for lunch and found him to be just as person-
able and charming despite being in his early
nineties. I’ll never forget, however, the first
time our paths crossed in ’81; it was a mem-
orable encounter. As a 21yo, no-nothing,
first-house rookie at FS 50, I walk into the
kitchen one evening shortly after dinner to
tidy up. I was surprised to encounter a rath-
er old, pot-bellied, unshaven man wearing
bermuda shorts, a tank top, and sandals; he
was pouring himself a cup of coffee. When
I uncomfortably explained to him the coffee
was for FD members and not civilians, he
realized I had no idea who he was and pro-
ceeded to play me like a fiddle. After what
seemed like an hour of trying to convince
this “civilian” to leave the station and him
countering every one of my attempts to do
so, Capt Halstead walks into the kitchen and
warmly greets and embraces Chief Constan-
tino. I was stunned and unsure of what was
taking place. Unbeknownst to me, my regu-
larly assigned BC, Mel Leydecker, had taken
the PM off and BC Constantino was hired to
work the PM. As I stood there embarrassed
and at attention, Ben and Capt Halstead
laughed like a couple of aging hyenas. RIP
Chief; thank you for your service, leader-
ship, and Godspeed to your entire family.
Jerry Bedoya
IN MEMORY OF DANIEL P.
RAMIREZ—FIREFIGHTER III
I am truly shocked and extremely
sadden to learn of Dan’s passing. You see,
I met Dan when my personal life was going
thru a rough patch. He worked a sod day at
66’s and he brought his handball gear. As
they say, “it was on”! We became handball
buddies. We would frequently play at the
completion of our shifts. Working on the res-
cue it was hard to get a game in without get-
ting interrupted. But it was those talks one
has between games or after the coke game
I remember most. We talked about family,
firefighter tactics, paramedicin, and UFLAC
issues. Dan was a good listener but called me
out on my b.s. …we built a great friendship.
Dan to me epitomize the new genera-
tion of LAFD Firefighters that became ex-
cellent Paramedics and became the accepted
standard….. my generation of Paramedics
had long to see.
This has been a hard month for me.
Friends of the past completing their life’s
journey. But the hardest was Dan. RIP
Brother! I only wish I could have been there
for you. My condolences to Dan’s family.
David J. Raya
IN MEMORY OF PHILLIP F. FOER-
STEL—FIREFIGHTER III
Sad to say, another LAFD Giant has
shuffled off. I had many occasions to work
with Phil in various Division offices and
a few Battalion offices during my career.
When a Division Chief would arrive on
scene stating “Division 2 (or Division 1 or
Division 3 was on scene (Not Division 4)
and in charge” and that Chief’s Aide, Adju-
tant, Staff Assistant or the title du jour was
Phil, the incident was in great hands. On
the administrative side of the job, there was
none his equal. I’m saddened by his death,
but was proud to know him both profession-
ally. Oh, by the by, my truck cover purchased
from Phil is still going strong.
Au revior mon amicus et Les pompiers.
Allen N. Norman
IN MEMORY OF PHILLIP F. FOER-
STEL—FIREFIGHTER III
My husband (Michael Hilliger) and I
lived down the street from Phil and Rosie for
so many years. Great neighbors. Phil helped
me out when I smashed the air conditioner
on the top of our camper. He got it replaced
before we told Michael, who was at work,
and left the next day on a trip,.
Phil was well respected as a firefight-
er and friend.
Special condolences to the Foerstel
family.
Carrie Hilliger
IN MEMORY OF ARCHER R. MOR-
GAN—BATTALION CHIEF

Archer Morgan was the TFC of

Heavy Duty Task Force 27-A in the early
‘70’s when I arrived there as a 4 year FF. I
look back on that time as the best assignment
of my career. With 21 members on duty and
plenty of fires & rescues it was a busy place.
Captain Morgan soon assigned me as Tiller-
man of Truck 27. He instilled in me the love
of truck work and of someday becoming a
Truck Officer. He and our B/C, Bill Ingram,
were the leaders that came out of WWII that Protect Those
helped make the LAFD the only Class 1 Fire
Department in the nation.
Arch and I developed a friendship
with Special Needs
that lasted until the day he passed away. Af-
ter he retired, he went on to help design new Firefighter Justin Mendence set up a special needs trust to ensure his
fire stations throughout the city. Years later
son and entire family is taken care of in the best manner possible.
I was assigned to FS-17, a newer station that
he had helped design. “You want to think everybody’s going to take care of your kid because
Six years ago, when my son, now
US Navy Chief Robinson, was assigned to everybody loves him, but unless you have a plan in place…you’re planning
Washington DC, we visited with Arch and to fail. Leaving it to chance is not in me and my wife’s vocabulary.”
Susan at their home in Williamsburg, VA. At
92 years of age, Arch took us on a personal
walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg and A Special Needs Trust Helps You:
Jamestown and then treated us to lunch at
his club. I will miss hearing his voice from • Set up long-term funding for living expenses & care
our many phone calls.
Rest in peace my dear friend. • Determine who will be the primary caregiver

Jim Kinninger • Create an advisory group of experts to help caregivers make

sound decisions
IN MEMORY OF CLYDE R. JOHN- • Ensure your child’s assets are protected & well-managed
SON—CAPTAIN
• Ensure your child maintains eligibility for special services
As a 22 year-old rookie at 15’s…I re-
ally looked up to Clyde in 1972. He was truly “I sleep a little bit easier at night knowing that my son is
a “good guy”, and his personality really drew
me in. We had a station outing at Pine Flats set up for his entire life,” Justin said.
Reservoir…and Clyde and his wife took me
under their wings. He had an old wooden
flat-bottomed boat…and that boat ran like a
scalded dog. We all have had “veteran fire-
men” that helped us when we were boots.
Clyde, thanks for helping/teaching me.

Ed Sandell Whether you care for a child or adult with special needs or not,
everyone should consider setting up an estate plan. Ask for a
“Getting Started Kit” today by emailing the Relief Association
Development & Marketing Director at donations@lafra.org
or calling (323) 259-5217

January 2024 • 51

Drill Tower, Rookie life in the 50s,
and the two-platoon system - Part 9
We used to stand “Floor Watch.”
From eight in the morning until five in
the evening a member would be on the
apparatus floor, watching for the ap-
proach of a chief officer or visitors and
announce their arrival. The eight to 10
watch would be covered by the engi-
neers and the auto-firemen who were
maintaining their rigs. The rest of the
day was divided among the remainder
of the crew except the captain. And
floor watch had to be in blues. (Figure
1) If a chief’s car approached quarters
and the driver didn’t blow the horn, the
floor watch would sound the gong and
call for a line up.
Blues were the regular uniform
for the captain and had to be worn by
the other members after housework.
Because the uniform was frequently
worn to incidents, requiring a supply
of clean spares, and because they had
to be dry cleaned, it could be a rela-
tively expensive to maintain.
The alarm system was a lot dif-
ferent. Stations received box alarms
directly from the alarm boxes that
were distributed throughout the city.
Not from all of the boxes, just the ones
in their district. The alarm came in on
the gong as a series of what can I call
them….bongs? A series, a pause, an-
other series. By counting the “bongs”
in each series you came up with a
number, like 1264. On the captain’s
desk was a box with cards that showed
which boxes we responded to and the
52 • January 2024
Written | Frank Baker, LAFD retired
This 1986 photo shows the fire-
fighter in “Blues”, the black uniform
made of wool with white buttons on the
right. During Frank Baker’s time on the
job, every member had to switch over to
blues by 10 AM after the housework on
the firehouse was completed. Floor watch
firefighters also wore Blues. Captains wore
the Blues full time throughout the life of
the uniform. The dungaree uniform, dem-
onstrated by the members in the photo
wearing the jeans / light blue shirt com-
bination was similar to the version that
was worn on the job in the 50’s before
10AM. As time went on, uniform practices
were adjusted. By 1986 when this image
was taken, the Blues, called the standard
uniform was worn by captains and staff
assistants full time. And the firefighters
and drivers would wear them to shop
for meals, when acting as a captain, fire
prevention, school visitations, EMT recert,
fire service day, and special events. The
standard uniform was removed from the
LAFD Uniform inventory around the year
2000 when the black Nomex uniform was
introduced.
The member on the far left of the
photo wearing the white shirt and black
wool pants combination was a uniform
worn by paramedics and firefighters
(Without Tie) working on ambulances in
the field. Chief officers, fire Inspectors,
captains and firefighters in special duty.
1986 was the centennial of the LA
City Fire Department. Note the centennial
badges worn by the members in the photo.

The Ralph J. Scott performing a water display.
Frank spent most of his career on this apparatus.
locations. Because there was no “hold-
out system” we received box alarms
that we didn’t respond to. So, Bob
Lofgren made it easier for us by mak-
ing a list of the boxes we responded to
and posting it in his locker. When we
got a box, we ran to Bob’s locker. Box
alarms were a minor portion of the re-
sponses.
The majority of the alarms were
received by phone call. There was no
audio systems or electronic tones, but
a red telephone called the “fire phone.”
It sounded different from the business
phone. Its sound was called the “long
ring”. Cap would talk directly to the
dispatcher, get the pertinent informa-
tion, and then pass it on to the opera-
tors of the various apparatus. Usually
none of the other crew members knew
where or what the incident was until
we were on the boat and underway.
Later, an improved system was in-
stalled and we received audio alarms.
And the long ring started with a door
bell, then went to a louder bell making
it less of a jolt. Especially in the middle
of the night.

We remember the Line of Duty

sacrifice of the following members
during the month of January.
• Capt Harry B. Stires 01-09-1934
• Capt Jay D. Hall 01-12-1938
• Capt William W. Tebbets 01-26-1940
• Frm William A. Cox 01-02-1943
• Frm Stanley L. Pringle 01-25-1954
• Capt John E. Cochrane 01-16-1956
• Frm Charles A. Crosby 01-26-1956
• D/C Carl N. Carter 01-22-1957
• Eng Leroy W. Pollard 01-19-1960
• Insp Robert L. Gillies, Jr 01-14-1962
• Frm Nick Uruburu 01-10-1966
• Eng Raymond B. Cato 01-17-1968
• Eng Donald E. Thompson 01-12-1972
• B/C Joseph C. Maida 01-11-1975
• FF David R. Brouillette 01-08-1981
• A/O Thomas G. Taylor 01-28-1981
• Capt Raymond Peterman 01-17-2004
• FF Jimmie Hill 01-21-2005
• Capt George Roque 01-01-2021

January 2024 • 53
 Donations to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund

RUBY A. JUSTIS DAVID R. BUCHANAN in honor of Paul G. Blum

BETTY UNIBE PATRICK M. SHANLEY

NETWORK FOR GOOD STEVEN J. TUFTS from Rebate Relief Dues - 2023

RICARDO J. ORTIZ RICHARD J. ERQUIAGA in honor of Denis G. Bogard

GARY T. SHELFORD from the Firehouse Cafe RICHARD J. ERQUIAGA in honor of Luther P. Petty
Breakfast Klatch
SEBASTIAN VELA in honor of James L. Stiglich
MARK B. STAFFORD from the LAFD Car Show

All About Your

Fire Station Extinguisher Fund
My name is Ted Bailie and I am a retired
Los Angeles City Firefighter. The Extinguisher
Program was started back in 1996 by Larry
Hoerner, the late Bruce “Snake” Larson, and
myself. I also have to give credit to my wife,
Diane, for suggesting this Extinguisher Pro-
gram to me while she was reading the Grape-
vine. I want to thank all the fire stations that
have an Extinguisher Collection Box in their
station and for their continued support of this
worthwhile cause.
The families of Firefighters that the Los
Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association help
with the many donations that they receive are
grateful to those that are able to help in their
cause. The Extinguisher Fund is just another
way to continue to support the many Firefight-
ers and their families.
For those new Firefighters and old alike,
donations that get into the Extinguisher can
come from anyone, anywhere, and at any
time. The loose change in your pocket, the
TV chairs, the left-over money not spent on
mess that day, or even from people who come
into the Fire Station that want to donate to the
Widows, Orphans, & Disabled Firefighter’s
Fund.
When I Retired in 2008, all 104 LA City
Fire Stations had an extinguisher in their Fire
Station or facility. If there is a Fire Station
without an extinguisher, please let a Relief
Association Trustee know and we will see to it
that the station gets one.
If every Fire Station collected $30 each
quarter, the Relief Association would receive
approximately $12,000 or more per year.
Thank you to all that continue to support
The Widows, Orphans, & Disabled Firefight-
er’s Fund through their donations and though
the Extinguisher Fund. My Best Regards to All
My Brother and Sister Firefighters.
Ted Bailie (Retired LAFD)

54 • January 2024
 LOS ANGELES FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
November 1, 2023

CALL TO ORDER utes. Juan Albarran so moved. Frank Agu-
irre seconded. There was no discussion or
President Chris Stine called the Meeting objections.
of the Board of Trustees of the Los Ange-
les Firemen’s Relief Association to order at Motion carried to approve the October 11,
10:07 a.m. 2023 Board Meeting Minutes.
ROLL CALL PRESIDENT’S REPORT
MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Stine, Pensions Update: The second subsidy com-
President mittee meeting with the staff took place
Jim Duffy, Vice President recently. There will likely be at least one
Trustee Frank Aguirre additional meeting with staff before the pre-
Trustee Kenneth Breskin sentation to the commissioners. An initial
Trustee Paul Duke proposal in draft form was presented.
Trustee J.D. Fox
Trustee Cesar S. Garcia At tomorrow’s Pensions meeting, Dawna
Trustee Steve Jones Gray and Heather Leavitt will be present-
Trustee John King ing the worker’s compensation impact on
Trustee John Marasco LAFRA medical plans. It will address how
Trustee Elber Navarro the LAFRA is handling its work comp
Trustee Derwin Pitts claims and all efforts employed to recoup
Trustee Mike Sailhamer funds owed by the city of LA to LAFRA.
Trustee Brian Wall
Trustee Juan Albarran – Pension Trustee Elections: The election voting period is un-
Steve Berkery – Pension Todd Layfer – Ex- derway and will close on Wednesday, No-
ecutive Director Liberty Unciano – Control- vember 22nd. The election results will be
ler/Treasurer ratified at the December 6th Board meeting
and the new members will attend their first
MEMBERS ABSENT: meeting in January 2024.
Trustee Jeff Halloran
Trustee John Jacobsen Golf Tournament: Overall, the LAFD In-
Trustee Milton Quintana vitational went really well this year. Juliet
Trustee Tyler Tomich Brandolino appreciated all the help from the
Trustee Craig White Trustees. The final numbers are still being
Trustee Danny Wu tabulated. The In-N- Out truck was a big hit.
Trustee Steve Tufts – Pension
Open House: The LAFRA Open House is
GUESTS: taking place on Saturday, November 4th
Garth Flint and Mike Breller, Beacon Pointe from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. here at the Re-
lief offices. This year’s honoree is Captain
INVOCATION & Flag Salute Keith Bandy. Fire department personnel,
civilian staff and our vendors have been in-
Mike Sailhamer led the invocation. Steve vited to attend. All trustees are strongly en-
Jones led the flag salute. couraged to attend.
Sharecare, that now provides our members
greater access to more gyms, specialty
workouts & classes and allows for minors
aged 13-17 to have a gym membership on
the plan. The old Prime gym membership
network will remain active for 2 weeks dur-
ing this transition process.
Shift Calendar: The shift calendar is almost
done and going to print this week. LAFRA
provided all the labor in building the new
calendar. UFLAC is responsible for distribu-
tion of the fire station version of the calendar.
The calendars will not be mailed and will
be available online for printing. They will
likely be dropped off at battalion houses
or bureaus. Information about the shift cal-
endar and its availability will be placed on
city portal and LAFRA & UFLAC websites
soon.
Drill Tower Presentation: The presentation
for the graduates was yesterday. Chris at-
tended with Ana Salazar and Patty Rubal-
cava from Member Services. One hundred
percent (100%, all 42)) of them signed up
with the Relief. This has been the recent
trend. Jim Duffy will attend the graduation
ceremony tomorrow and officially welcome
them into the Relief Association.
Open Enrollment: It’s been busy during
Open Enrollment. A fair amount of people
are coming to the Relief Association Plans.
Two Are Better Than One Breakfast: This
was the event put on by the Chaplains. It was
an excellent event with about 150 people
in attendance, including fire department
personnel, firefighter families, vendors and
more. Victor Aguirre spoke and it was great,
and well received. It was held at Cottonwood
Church. Victor and his wife sat at the Relief
table. The Chaplains are going to try to do
this event on a regular basis.

RATIFICATION OF ACTION AND
MINUTES
Chris Stine entertained a motion to approve
the October 11, 2023 Board Meeting Min-
FitOn Health App Rollout: Today is the day
the new FitOn Health app rolls out to Re-
lief members. Members should be receiv-
ing mailed packets and/or emails about the
change. This is the new gym network, within
California Firefighter Memorial: We had
one name going on the wall this year, Rus-
sell Nakamura. Chris, Valerie Lawrence,
LAFRA Family Support Group, and Fire
Chief Crowley attended the ceremony in

January 2024 • 55
Sacramento on October 14th. The Nakamu-
ra family was also present.
LAFD Memorial: This memorial took
place on Saturday, October 14th. Jim Dolan
and Diane Vigil, LAFRA Family Support
Group, attended. The event also went well.
Several of our widows also attended which
was nice. It was a good memorial.
A workgroup is being put together to review
the LAFD Memorial Ceremony to look for
ways and areas of improvement. We will
have representation in this workgroup as
well.
LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance: The dinner
dance is taking place on Saturday, Decem-
ber 9th at The Athletic Club in downtown
Los Angeles from 6:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Trustees are encouraged to attended and to
be sure to sign up under the trustee option on
the website. Further, promotion of the event
at fire stations, and to other fire related per-
sonnel is encouraged too.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Chris Stine entertained a motion to move
into an Executive Session. Frank Aguirre so
moved. Brian Wall seconded.
The Board entered into Executive Session at
11:20 a.m. The Board adjourned from Ex-
ecutive Session at 11:45 a.m.
Member updates were discussed in Execu-
tive Sesson.
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Selection of the Ad Hoc Presidential Com-
pensation Committee (5 Trustees): Histori-
cally, a random drawing containing all the
trustees’ names was done to select the five
names. The board member with the longest
serving seniority will be the chair of the
committee. Todd Layfer and Liberty Uncia-
no will be available for any needed staff sup-
port. By the drawing of names, facilitated by
Liberty, the following trustees were selected
as members of this committee: Danny Wu,
Cesar Garcia, John King, Brian Wall and
J.D. Fox. Danny Wu will be the chair.
56 • January 2024
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
REPORT
Helig Oil Wells: The Relief is still dealing
with the attorneys regarding other claims
out there to/for the royalty rights. One claim
was settled. Due to the potential for another
claim, part of the Relief monies is being held
in suspense; like an escrow account.
Trustee Expense Reports: Trustees were re-
minded their expense reports are due by the
end of the year. They were encouraged to get
them in sooner rather than later in case there
are any questions or issues. Appreciation
was given to those who have already sub-
mitted their reports or have been submitting
them throughout the year.
LAFD Payroll Lunch: Todd, Chris and
our Member Services staff had a lunch last
month with the staff of the LAFD Payroll
Department. They and the information they
provide are essential to the Relief paying
sick and injury benefits appropriately. The
long time point of contact, Esther Rojas, is
retiring in April and is currently training her
replacement(s). They have agreed to contin-
ue to work with the Relief in providing this
valuable information.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE
REPORT
Garth and Mike team joined the meeting at
10:30 a.m.
3rd Quarter Investment Review: Garth Flint
and Mike Breller presented the LAFRA 3rd
Quarter Investment Performance Review.
A detailed PowerPoint presentation was re-
viewed. Interest rates and geo-political mat-
ters impacting the portfolio were reviewed.
The returns for different asset classes were
noted. The S&P was negative for the quar-
ter. It was up for July yet started to fall off
in August. This was likely due to concerns
over rising rates and it lasting longer than
originally anticipated. People are still spend-
ing money from Covid savings; yet this is
starting to slow down. The market perfor-
mance is very narrow with only seven stocks
including Netflix, Amazon and Facebook
showing most of the growth.
Growth Funds outperformed Value Funds
which is opposite from what happened in
2021. Garth noted that technology drives
growth.
The impact of mortgages, stores closing,
debt, and inflation were also reviewed. Fed-
eral rate increases were also mentioned with
regards to rising rates and inflation’ and also
with relation to geo-political situations and
a potential future slow down or recession.
Garth and Mike discussed these factors in
great detail with the board.
Garth and Mike exited the meeting at 11:17
a.m.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
REPORT
There was nothing to report.
BUILDING COMMITTEE
REPORT
Juan reported in anticipation of the Open
House a thorough cleaning of the building
windows and carpets was done. The eleva-
tor was also inspected and a replacement belt
was ordered.
MEMORIAL FIRE STATION PLAQUE
COMMITTEE
REPORT
There was nothing to report.
ADMINISTRATIVE
COMMITTEE REPORT
Brian Wall presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move
to pay the usual and customary bills in the
amount of $1,285,085.81. There was no dis-
cussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and
customary bills in the amount of
$1,285,085.81.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following
motion(s).
The committee recommends and I so move
to approve the medical plan bills totaling
$1,323,188.71. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to approve the Medical
Plan bills totaling $1,323,188.71.
He advised the board to be on the lookout
for mailed packets and emailed information
regarding the FitOn Health app rollout.
RELIEF COMMITTEE
REPORT
Mike Sailhamer presented the following
motion. The committee recommends and I
so move to pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits for Active & Re-
tired in the amount of $30,372 The Estate
Planning benefit in the amount of $9,000
The Life & Accident Withdrawals of $0
The Assistance Committee in the amount of
$24,389.16 The Emergency Advancements
in the amount of $0
The Widows & Orphans Disabled Fire-
fighter’s to accept donations in the amount
of $36,499.70 The Life and Accident Death
Benefit in the amount of $36,000
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of
$55,000
Motion carried to pay the above Relief ben-
efits.
Mike Sailhamer read the names of members
who recently passed and asked for a moment
of silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Thomas F. Schmitz
Philip F. Forestel
Archer R. Morgan
Douglas J. Kirby
Clyde R. Johnson
David A. Ruff
James R. Rotte
Douglas E. Allen
Thomas W. Vigar
Timothy J. Randall
Paul G. Blum
GRAPEVINE/WEB
COMMITTEE REPORT
There was nothing to report.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
There was nothing to report.
BY-LAW COMMITTEE
REPORT
There was nothing to report.
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
REPORT
Mike Sailhamer reported the date of April
13th, 2024 for the test. The Relief website
is updated with all the dates for the 2024
year. For questions about the scholarships, it
is best to direct people to the website (un-
der Relief Benefits, https://www.lafra.org/
scholarships/). The contact email address is
scholarship@lafra.org.
MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE REPORT
There was nothing to report.
NEW BUSINESS
No new business was discussed.
OLD BUSINESS
No old business was discussed.
SETTING OF MEETING
DATES
LAFRA Open House: This is taking place
on Saturday, November 4th at the Relief
headquarters from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
LAFRA Holiday Dinner Dance: The dinner
dance is scheduled for Saturday, December
9th at The Athletic Club. Please get your sta-
tions and sections to attend this event.
The next committee meetings will take
place on Wednesday, November 15th. The
next board meeting will be on Wednesday,
December 6th.
RETIREMENT DINNERS
Kevin Schilling Retirement Dinner will be
on Saturday, November 4th at the Castaway
Burbank at 6:00 p.m. Cesar Garcia will han-
dle.
Kenny Breskin and Manny Galvez Retire-
ment Breakfast will take place on Tuesday,
November 28th at Fire Station 87 from 8:00
a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Chris will attend the cel-
ebration.
Steve Ravitz Retirement Breakfast will take
place on Thursday, November 30th at Fire
Station 87 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Ken-
ny Breskin will handle.
Jarvis “Bubba” Willis Retirement Dinner at
the Sheraton Universal on Saturday, Novem-
ber 18th from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. J.D.
Fox or Craig White will handle.
Tim Floor Retirement Dinner at the Tesoro
Del Valle Clubhouse in Valencia on Friday,
November 17th at 6:00 p.m. Craig White
may handle this one too.
Rob McGinnis Retirement Celebration will
be on Sunday, November 19th. Frank and
Craig will handle.
Rudy Hill is having a celebration dinner at
FS 88 on Sunday, November 5th.
Chris reminded the board that there are a
number of retirement celebrations coming
up over the next few months. When a per-
son calls and requests the Relief to be there,
someone does have to show up so it is imper-
ative that trustees note these dates on their
calendars and make themselves available to
attend and present on behalf of the Relief
Association.
ADJOURNMENT
Chris Stine entertained a motion to adjourn.
J.D. Fox so moved. Frank Aguirre seconded.
There was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of
Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:08 p.m.
Chris Stine, President
January 2024 • 57
 CLASSIFIEDS
For advertising information, please contact:
Eric Santiago - (323) 259-5231 - eric@lafra.org
REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE
TWO S/B/S GRAVE SITES FOR
SALE. Rose Hills Cemetery Whit-
tier, curbside graves in the Garden
of Affection, $9,000 ea., or both
for $17,000. Contact: Larry Wilson
(LAFD retired) @ (951)780-1838.
2 SBS PLOTS AT FOREST
LAWN in Cypress, Ca. Located
Curbside in The Garden of Protec-
tion. Lot- 4489 Space 2 A&B.
Price is $14,500 for both. (OBRO)
Contact Sandie Freeman - LAFD
spouse. (310)259-0734
REAL ESTATE
FOR RENT
LOVELY 4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH
HOME located on a private, quiet
street in child friendly neighbor-
hood in Thousand Oaks. Large
yard with patio. Close to shopping,
public transportation and schools
ranging from Kindergarten through
college. Pets OK with deposit.
Contact Kym at frazierkym@
yahoo.com
SERVICES
BUSY BEAVER TREE AND
LANDSCAPE. Tree trimming
and removal, stumpgrinding, and
firewood sales. Mixed firewood,
eucalyptus and oak. Delivery
available or pick up. Licensed and
insured. Dwayne Kastor, FS 63-B -
(818) 535-6368.
CRAIG SANFORD HEATING &
AIR - Free estimates, residen-
tial, commercial. Great rates for
LAFD and LAPD. Toll free (877)
891-1414, (661) 298-3070, FAX
(661) 298-3069. State License No.
527114
INCOME TAX PREPARATION
Tired of paying excessive fees for
lncome Tax Preparation? A and J’s
Tax Service has been in business
for over 30 years. We offer year-
round friendly service at very af-
fordable prices. We are located on
Ventura Blvd. ln Woodland Hills.
Joe Flores, Certified Tax Profes-
sional, retired LAFD firefighter/
paramedic. Business telephone
(818) 340-3575. Cell (818) 521-
58 • January 2024
9227. ajstax@hotmall.com
KEVIN LOCKHART ROOFING &
CONSTRUCTION
Roofing repair and maintenance,
construction waterproofing
solutions. Kevin Lockhart 18 A
(661)810-4980
lic #536528
VACATION
RENTALS
AZ - VACATION RENTALS. Home
to Spring Training, Barrett Jackson
Auto Auction, and Arabian Horse
Show – WestWorld. Two homes.
1. Walking distance to Sloan Park
- Chicago Cubs Spring Training
Fields, 3+2 - Pool - Putting Green
– Mesa @cubbiehousemesaaz
2. Walking distance to Scottsdale
Stadium and 10 minute drive to
Salt River Talking Stick Fields
and Tempe Diablo Stadium. 3+1
- Old Town Scottsdale @scotts-
dale76th
Call us – Rod, FS-56B or Diana:
(661)294-0971 to book direct
and avoid the short-term rental
platform fees.
BEACH COTTAGE AT SILVER
STRAND, OXNARD. 2 BR/2 bath.
Sleeps 6. W/D in unit. Outdoor
Pizza oven, bbq, indoor/outdoor
games, etc. 6 houses from the
beach. Walking distance to local
restaurants, market, and tavern.
Quiet, beautiful neighborhood near
Channel Islands and downtown
Ventura. Endless beach sports
and activities. Special Firefighter
rate. Lisa Gillis (562) 787-1940
BEAUTIFUL BIG BEAR CABIN.
Two-story with vaulted ceiling,
2BD/1BA . Close to lake, shops,
skiing, and forest. Great deck, lots
of trees, fireplace/wood, cable TV/
WiFi, BBQ, fully equipped except
linens. 6-person max , pets ok.
$150/day, 2-night min. Week rate
available. Contact Donna at (760)
723-1475 or DnBeep@gmail.
com. See photos at www.schaf-
fercabin.com
BIG BEAR RENTAL. 3 bedroom,
3 bath chalet with large loft with
it’s own bathroom in Fawnskin,
Big Bear Lake. Sleeps 10, walking
distance to some of the best hik-
ing trails in Big Bear, 15 min drive
to Snow Summit and Big Bear
Village. Huge back deck area with
phenomenal views of the lake.
Lots of cooking supplies; instapot,
air fryer, and more! Game room
with boardgames, pool table,
foosball and darts.
https://abnb.me/24MAsKIuZlb
CAMBRIA HAVEN IN THE PARK
HILL AREA OF CAMBRIA. A
beautiful studio with one queen
bed, perfect for two people to get
away. Enjoy ocean sounds and
views with a patio and yard for
that small pet. Full size kitchen.
Close to Moonstone Beach, the
Fiscalini Ranch and Cambria’s
West Village. Hearst Castle is
minutes away. Call Ana 559-
974-2509 for fire family discount
pricing.
COEUR D’ALENE, ID HOME
One story 2 bed, 1.5 bath
located in quiet neighborhood in
the Sanders Beach area. Fully
furnished, wifi, central heating/
ac, laundry. Walking distance to
downtown CDA, the lake, parks,
and multiple bars/restaurants.
No pets, no smoking. Contact
Andrew at CDArental99@gmail.
com for questions, availability,
pricing.
COLORADO RIVER HOME IN
MOOVALYA KEYS. Parker, Az.
3 Bedroom, 2 Bath, Sleeps 8,
50’dock, gated community. $450/
night plus fees, 3 night min.
okpauly@hotmail.com
COZUMEL, MEXICO CONDO
Beautiful, large, modern 3
bedroom, 3.5 bath condo at The
Landmark, 3800 sq. feet. Sleeps
6, ocean views, steps from beach.
Smart TV, Wi-Fi, pool, jacuzzi,
tennis. All master suites with
ensuite bathrooms. No smoking.
Call David (LAFD retired) at 949-
294-2953. Email: azmalproper-
ties@gmail.com Facebook: The
Landmark 511
COME TO MAMMOTH. Newly
renovated, studio-loft. Beauti-
ful, top-floor unit. 2 full baths,
fully-stocked kitchen, cozy patio
facing the woods, plenty of natural
light. Pool, hot tub, dry sauna and
laundry are steps away. Mid-town,
convenient and just steps away
from the shuttle for snow, trails
and lakes.
Questions: mattydspence@
gmail.com
visit: https://bit.ly/MammothK10
GORGEOUS WATERFRONT
RIVERHOUSE on the lagoon
of the Colorado River for rent.
Family home-5 bedrooms, large
bonus room for kids, 4 1/2 baths .
Sleeps 15. Fully loaded with top of
the line appliances. Private launch
ramp. No pets. No smoking. No
large parties or events. Contact:
Gigi (714)454-0922 (Spouse-
LAFD) for special firefighter family
rates and for snowbirds Check out
details:
https://airbnb.com/h/theriver-
housevacationhome
GRAND CANYON/ WILLIAMS,
ARIZONA. 4 bed,
3 bath Historic Home one
block from Route 66. WALK
to everything! 8 person MAX.
No special events. Gorgeous
house. Unique property.
www.HistoricYellowHouse.
com
Listed on National Register of
Historic Places Grand Canyon
Railway, Bearizona, Elephant
Rocks Golf Course. Call
Kerry-Lynn Moede (602) 818-
6559 JDMoede@aol.com
HAVASU/BOATERS.
3bdrm(2king,1full) 2bath, turnkey,
w/d, WiFi, Dish, gas bbq,
1/2 mile to Windsor launch, cov-
ered gated boat parking,
3 nites $450, $100 for each addi-
tional nite- cleaning included, pics
available. Email:
rickpuglisi1103@msn.com
(626) 665-9890
HAVASU LANDING
3 Bd, 2 BTH home, sleeps 6-7.
Gated Community. Fully furnished,
pano view of lake. Wi-fi, direct TV,
flat screens and BBQ. Clubhouse,
pool, spa and rec. center steps
away. California side of Lake
Havasu. Enjoy the casino, two
launch ramps or the 12 min cata-
maran shuttle to London Bridge. No
Smoking/Pets. $175 nt. Weekdays,
$225 nt. Fr-Sat. Excl. Holidays. 2
nt. min. Cleaning fee of $125. Call
Tony Wren 760-688-6082 LACoFD
for questions and pics.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA HOME.
Across the street from Indianapolis
Motor Speedway.
3Bed/2Bath in town of Speedway.
Walk or bike to Main St.
Short drive, 7 miles, to Lucas Oil
Stadium, Downtown Indy, River-
front, Museums, Etc. Available
most dates except May 20 to 27.
Call Tina or Craig at 805-377-0686
or 805-377-3640
JUNE LAKE CABIN. 2BR/2BA
cabin with Carson Peak View.
Sleeps 8. Within a mile of fishing
& skiing. Close to Mammoth and
Yosemite. Spacious living room,
kitchen, and wood deck. Smart TV
and Wifi. $150/night plus cleaning
fee of $125. Email for pictures.
Brian Smith LAFD (310)872-7311.
junecabin52@gmail.com
LAKE HAVASU AMAZING
LAKEVIEW POOL HOME. 1800
sq.ft. built 2018, 3 bed, 2 bath,
sleeps 8. (King, Queen, Full
2xTwin). Finished backyard with
pool and spa. Fully furnished w/
linens, WiFi, internet TV, laundry,
large kitchen, BBQ, 2 car garage.
Quiet neighborhood. 3 miles from
launch ramp. No pets / no smok-
ing. Call Karen (661) 965-0542.
LAKE HAVASU LANDING
RESORT. 3 bedroom, 2 bath,
waterfront house, boat, mooring
out front, fully furnished, laundry,
gas BBQ, launch ramp, gated com-
munity, grocery store, hardware
store. No pets, no smoking. Email
Kathy at scarkj@yahoo.com or
call (760) 858-4470
LAKE HAVASU BEAUTY FOR
RENT - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1600 sq.ft.
Fully furnished with all ameni-
ties- Laundry & BBQ. 13,000 sq.ft.
lot. 3 car boat-deep garage. 3
miles from launch ramp. Close to
downtown shops & restaurants.
View of the lake. Quiet street in
good neighborhood. No pets. No
smoking. Snowbird rates. Call
Mike (661) 510-6246
LAKE HAVASU GETAWAY
3 bed, 2 bath, Kitchen, Boat Park-
ing, with a AMAZING VIEW of the
lake. located near restaurant’s,
and the option to use two different
boat launches both about 1 mile
from house. large fenced in back-
yard. Small PETS are welcome,
NON SMOKER Please. $180. nt.
Weekends $240. Fri-Sat EXCL
Holidays. 2 night min. Cleaning
Fee $125. pics avaialable. Email
rbrianson@hotmail.com call
Brian LAFD 714-376-2032
LAKE HAVASU LANDING.
TH1-29, Waterfront, 3 BD 3 BA,
Direct-TV, DVD, WiFi, BBQ,
Mooring, Casino, Market, Launch
Ramp, Marina, Off Road Trails,
Gated. No Smoking/Pets, $285
Weekday, $850 Weekend, $1995
Week, Maid $150, Resort TOT fee
25%, bring linen, (310) 418-1577,
daggertooth@aol.com
LAKE HAVASU LANDING RE-
SORT BEACHFRONT HOME with
boat mooring. Swim, ski or fish
from front yard. 4 bed/2 bath, fully
furnished. DirectTV/DVD/WiFi,
pool table, laundry, BBQ. Gated
community with casino, groceries,
marina, launch ramp and off-road
trails. No pets, no smoking. $350
Bowen/Garner email:
havasulanding27@gmail.com
LAKE HAVASU POOL HOME.
1900 sq. ft. remodeled 3 bdrm,
3 1/2 baths, sleeps 8. (1 King,
2 queens). Backyard with pool,
jacuzzi with underwater lights.
Fully furnished w/ linens, laundry,
WIFI, INTERNET, TVs, BBQ.
$150 weekdays, $250 week-
ends, $175 cleaning fee. 2 night
minimum. No smoking. Call Gabe
Moreno at 714-724-5556 or email:
fightin25@yahoo.com
LARGE LAKE HAVASU HOME
FOR RENT – 5 bedroom, 3 bath,
2900 sqft home with amenities
& pool that easily sleeps 14+
people. Centrally located, 1 mile
from the lake, close to downtown
shops and restaurants. Check
out home at https://www.vrbo.
com/4648549ha
Call Julie 818-268-7906 for special
firefighter family rates.
LOG CABIN NEAR JACKSON
HOLE WY: Close to Snake River,
Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, World
Class Skiing. Call (818) 207-
0811 LAFD Retired. Visit: www.
aspenhill
cabin.com for all information.
MAMMOTH CONDO AT MAM-
MOTH ESTATES. 4BR/3BA,
sleeps 10, fully furnished, 2
TVs, DVDs, WiFi, towels/linens,
fireplace. Full kitchen. Walk to
Gondola Village and shuttle. Com-
plex has pool, spa, sauna, laundry.
Winter $404/night, Summer $292/
night, plus cleaning. Includes city
bed tax. No pets, no smoking.
Dory Jones (541) 218-6443 or
Kelly Corcoran (310) 619-5355
MAMMOTH CONDO IN SNOW-
CREEK IV. Super nice 2 bedroom
/ 2 bathroom located in FAN-
TASTIC Snowcreek IV. *PETS
WELCOME! King, Double Queen
bunk, & trundle, Nicely furnished
with high-end appliances. Fully
stocked kitchen. Washer/Dryer in
the unit. Pricing varies by season
and demand. Exceptional condo!
Goldencreek637@gmail.com,
909-576-2025, Website: https://
goldencreek637.wixsite.com/
mysite
MAMMOTH CONDO.10min walk
to Village 1bd+loft, 2ba, sleeps 6,
in unit pvt dry sauna, garage park-
ing, WiFi, Smart TVs, balcony with
view, spa, pool. Fire Dept rates
available. David Jaureguy, LAFD,
(818)266-9844
bigwoodtreetops@gmail.com
MAMMOTH CONDO. Updated
2 bedroom 1 bath old mammoth/
eagle lodge area. Sleeps 5. Fully
equipped kitchen, wifi, pool, spa,
laundry. Walk to restaurants, bars,
stores, park and trolly. Winter $175
summer $130 plus cleaning fee,
holiday rates vary, multiple night
discounts. No pets.Contact Will
Nevins 26”B” (714) 697-2587
MAMMOTH CONDO. Two
bedrooms, Large loft. Three full
bathrooms. Sleeps 8. Walk to
Canyon Lodge. DVD, Cable, Wifi,
Pool, Spa, Rec. Room, BBQ.
Winter $175 Sun - Thurs $195 Fri
/Sat Holiday Periods. Summer
$150 Plus Cleaning. No Smoking
or Pets. Call Craig Yoder (909)
948-3659.
MAMMOTH CONDO AT THE
WOODLANDS - Spacious &
sunny. 2 bedroom, loft, & 2 baths.
Sleeps 8. Cable HDTV, DVD, &
Wi-Fi. Pool, Jacuzzi, & sauna in
complex. On shuttle route. No
smoking & no pets. $160/night
winter, $125/night summer. Plus
cleaning and bed tax. Call Terry
Imlay (949)322-3473 or (949)458-
0768
MAMMOTH LAKES - One
bedroom, extremely charming
wildflower condo. Full amenities,
close to shuttle. Antiques, art,
satellite TV, fireplace. Sleeps 4.
Winter $110, Summer $85 plus
cleaning fees. Call Bill Clark (818)
371-6722
Email: shakesong@aol.com
MAMMOTH SEASONS 4
CONDO. Cozy 1 bedroom condo
with full-size pullout couch and bo-
nus room with twin size bunkbed
that comfortably sleeps 4 adults
and 2 children. Conveniently
located 15 min walk between the
Village and Canyon Lodge at 244
Lakeview Blvd. Visit https://www.
seasons4.com/94269/ for pics,
amenities, and reviews. $125/
night; off-peak (May, June, Oct,
Nov): $100/night; cleaning: $100.
Bobby (310) 350-5552.
MAMMOTH SNOW CREEK IV.
beautiful, full remodel 2b/2ba
1King, 1Queen, +couch to queen.
Sleeps 4-6. Fully stocked open
kitchen, large smart TVs, jacuzzi.
Bottom floor next to parking. No
smoking/no pets. www.airbnb.
com/h/ourdeerfriendsretreat
Text or email for fire rates.
Ourdeerfriendsretreat@gmail.
com Shane Hirsch (LAFD)
(714) 803-9324
MAUI, HAWAII VACATION
RENTAL. Kamaole Sands beach
front resort, spacious I bedroom,
2 bath condo #7104 located in
Kihei beautiful beach and garden
views with park like settings, with
pool, jacuzzi and bbq stations
just outside of relaxing lanai. For
pictures and rates contact:
mauirentalgroups@vtrips.com
complex #7104 sleeps up to 4
adults with some exceptions for
children. Retired firefighter owned
with 10% discount given to all
LAFD firefighters and policemen.
NASHVILLE CONDO. Two bed-
room condo, sleeps 6, in Down-
town Nashville. Walking distance
to Broadway St, hockey and NFL
stadium. Contact Wayne, LAFD
@ (805) 796-7863 for availability
and price.
SHELL VACATION CLUB time-
share points for sale! Points allow
for maximum travel flexibility. Stay
at any Shell Resort or use RCI to
travel the globe with thousands
of options! 8700 annual points
can be used for accommodations,
airfare, rental cars, or cash out.
Take over deed for $10,000 obo!
Same point value costs $30k-40k
at resort. Maintenance fees are
$235 monthly. Vince Nixon—LAFD
retired 805-585-8808
RIVERFRONT IN BITTERROOT
VALLEY, MT. New custom 2/2 in
Darby. Fish from deck! Leather
furn. Brand new appliances. Out-
door entertaining. Fly fishing, ATV
trails, hiking.Traeger/Blackstone.
Outdoor pool table. Wi-Fi, cable.
Laundry. 1 min. from where they
film “Yellowstone.” May – Sept.
Daughter of fallen firefighter.
www.bitterrootriverhouse.com
or call (406) 274-7670
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE Romantic
Chalet Family getaway. 3 bed/2
bath plus loft. Sleeps 8–10. Cable
TV, washer/dryer, microwave,
woodburning stove. 7 minutes to
casinos and Heavenly. Located in
Tahoe Paradise. $125 per night
plus cleaning. Call Shawn (661)
476-6288.
For
advertising,
email:
eric@lafra.org
January 2024 • 59
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60 • January 2024
Engine Company No. 26. Truck Company No. 8. Battalion Chief District No. 3. 2475 West Washington Blvd. Circa 1920

Opened February 15, 1912. Land Cost - $ 3,400. Building Cost - $14,489. Square footage of main bldg. - 5,759 sq. ft.
Square Footage of Land - 7,000 sq. ft. Number of poles - 3

APPARATUS: Truck - 8. 1914 Seagrave J-506, Straight-Frame W/ Tiller, City Service Truck SN#103
Engine 26 - 1920 American La-France, Type 75 SN#53

Engine Company 26
2475 W Washington Blvd.
January 2024 • 61
 Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association
7470 N Figueroa Street
Los Angeles CA 90041-1725

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