Los Angeles Fire Department

You roll up on this... what are your considerations? Photo by Ismael Miranda

To many, this office building in the downtown Los Angeles Fashion District is unremarkable. Precious few could tell you that the 19,440 square-foot triple-decker at 1320 South Main Street was built in 1919 - - and that five years later, it would become a sorrowful part of Los Angeles history. 97 Years Ago Today, on April 7, 1924: Injuries from a fire in this very building claimed the life of Los Angeles Fire Department Fireman Ercil Morse - - - - - ...Continue reading

#LAFDhistory - 81 years ago today, Firefighter Ben H. Morris tragically died on April 6, 1940 due to being overcome by gasoline fumes attempting to rescue a civilian from a pit. + Fireman Ben H. Morris died saving the life of one and attempting to save the life of another of his fellow men. He unselfishly and unhesitatingly gave that most valuable possession, his life, for his fellow man. At nine o'clock Saturday night, April 6, 1940, Fireman Morris responded with Rescue 66 t...o 128th at Figueroa where two young men had been overcome by gas fumes in a gas trap. Without consideration of personal risk, he at once donned a gas mask and descended into the pit. He became fouled in the pipes in the pit and was overcome also by the fumes. Auto Fireman Milo T. Hawkins, in charge of Rescue 66, immediately put on the other mask and went in and dislodged Ben's body from the pipes so it could be taken to the surface. All efforts to revive Ben failed. Fireman Morris was born in New Jersey and was appointed to the Los Angeles Fire Department on June 23, 1937. Ben was a man who was indeed loved by all who knew him. He was endowed with that beautiful quality of seeing the good in all things. His devotion to his duty and his courage cannot but reflect the highest of honor upon the L.A.F.D. Ben was an excellent aviator, having been taught to fly in 1935 by Fireman Wilson Gillis, Truck 3, who is now on duty as a Lieutenant with the U.S. Army Reserve Air Corps. In fact he had completed his last lesson for his commission about an hour before he responded to his last alarm.

85 Years Ago Today - on April 5, 1936... At 4:55 AM the men of the Los Angeles Fire Department's Engine Company 22 in South Central Los Angeles were awakened from a brief respite by the loud clanging of their station alarm bell, alerting them that a street fire alarm box had been 'pulled' 6/10ths of a mile away at the intersection of 41st Street and Broadway. Fireman Paul Shapro and his colleagues dashed for the sliding pole, envisioning they would soon be the first to battle... flames - at an alarm the crew would ultimately never answer. For as 39 year-old Shapro, a seventeen year veteran of the LAFD, slid the pole, he fell dead of a heart attack. Our Brother Paul was survived by a wife and seven children, ranging in age from ten months to sixteen years, who like his colleagues, would forever know that he died while answering what proved to be a false alarm. May he Rest in Peace. Note: Our archives sadly have no photograph of Fireman Shapro

If you're a member of our LAFD Facebook family, you have no doubt seen many of the photos we feature of the LAFD in action, captured by skilled independent photographers. Among the most prolific and talented of them is Mike Meadows... NOTE: See the link to his gallery in the Facebook comments below.

The City of LA's vaccination sites have open appointments NOW, including Dodgers Stadium TODAY. If you’re eligible, do your part to help end the pandemic. Sign up now for a *same day* vaccination appointment! Appointments: Coronavirus.LACity.org/VaxAppointment Eligibility: Coronavirus.LACity.org/VaxEligibility

LAFD Photo Gallery: SEPULVEDA BASIN - The Los Angeles City Fire Department responded by ground and air to quickly squelch a non-injury fire in the thick vegetation of the Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area on October 25, 2020. LAFD helicopters arriving swiftly with water on-board, were able to promptly extinguish the small but difficult to access blaze attributed to a cooking fire.

If you live in or near Los Angeles, please read this carefully and try to get your mind around it. Yes, it is now cloudy with some light #LARain in places, but there is strong #LAWind in the forecast and you need to be #ReadyForWildfire. Critical to Extremely Critical fire weather conditions are forecast across southern California today and Monday. Gusts from 35 to 60 mph are possible across the coasts and valleys, with gusts to 80 mph in the mountains. Strongest winds are expected Monday morning. You need to be #ReadySetGo! Learn more now at: https://lafd.org/wildfire

63 million potentially deadly air bags are under official recall. Did we say deadly? Yes, we did. Repairs are free! Why are you waiting? Check your vehicle for recalls now: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls

Today - October 24, 2020 is National #TakeBackDay, a chance to safely dispose of unused and expired #prescription #medications before they become a needless harm to those in your household or the environment. #DontFlush Medicines Down the Toilet! Instead find a free disposal site near you: https://apps2.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/pubdispse/spring/main Coordinated annually by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), today's nationwide event highlights locations that are n...ow OPEN until 2:00 PM local time. If you're a City of #LosAngeles resident who can't make today's event, be sure to visit the Los Angeles Sanitation & Environment website for safe disposal information: https://LACITYSAN.ORG

LAFD Photo Gallery: At 1:08AM on October 23, 2020 the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to a reported rollover traffic with entrapped person. Firefighters conducted a vehicle extrication operation and safely removed the patient from the vehicle and provided treatment and transport to the hospital.

Fire Prevention Awareness Month October may be coming to an end but there's NEVER an end to the importance of being prepared for a fire in your home. This short video by L.A. This Week shows you how to P.A.S.S.... Take a look!

"The deployment of WIFIRE is an incredible confluence of technology, science and old-school firefighter experience", says LAFD Captain Tim Werle Using technology to enhance effectiveness - that is the way forward. We're grateful to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and UC San Diego for their partnership in making WIFIRE a reality.... We hope you'll take a moment to read the article and learn more about this powerful tool in use. https://beta.nsf.gov//nsfstories-fighting-fires-supercompu

National Teen Driver Safety Week Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. Parents: Your involvement and engagement with your teen drivers is critical to both their safety and that of those sharing the roads with them.... Remind your teen about the dangers of texting, dialing, or using mobile apps while driving. Require your young driver to put their phones away when they are on the road and turn on the Do Not Disturb or similar feature on their phone. Distracted driving isn’t limited to phone use; other passengers, audio and climate controls in the vehicle, and eating or drinking while driving are all sources of dangerous distractions for teen drivers. Know your state’s law regarding mobile phone and texting while driving restrictions; 38 states and Washington, DC ban all cell phone use by novice drivers. For details on the law in your state, visit https://bit.ly/37BRlOz And importantly, if your teen disobeys, enforce the penalties you set for your teen before they started driving.