Nearly 200 LAFD Firefighters Pay Respects in NY
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Official Publication of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City — Local 112, IAFF, AFL-CIO-CLC www.uflac.org VOL. 49, No. 6 November / December 2011 We woke up early (4:45 am) son? There is a short pause in the on Sept 11th to attend the FDNY reading, “thank God, it’s over,” Memorial Service on Riverside I say to myself. Then another Dr. We showed up a little early. lists starts to be read, “Captain With time to spare, we went to James M. Amato, Squad 1, Fire- breakfast with a fireman from the man Calixto Anaya, Jr. Engine 4, North Pole Fire Dept. While we Fireman Joseph J. Angelini, Sr., were waiting for the ceremony Rescue 1, Fireman Joseph J An- to start, Andre and I were given gelini, Jr., Ladder 4. “My God, a the honor of participating in the dad and son both killed,” I think. presentation of the Ground Zero The names stop. The time is Flag (www.thegroundzeroflag. 10:29, the time of the second org). This was truly humbling. tower collapse, another moment Hundreds of firemen from all of silence. The names continue, over the world and we get the Fireman Faustino Apostol Jr., honor of holding this glorious Battalion 2, Fireman David G. flag that looked over the beauti- Arce, Engine 33. We have an ful people that worked day and LAFD Engine 33, I know a bunch night to restore order to our battle of guys that work there. The list scarred country. continues, Fireman Louis Arena, The ceremony started with Ladder 5, heck, I work at LAFD The Star Spangled Banner. We Ladder 5. The longer the list is dropped to one knee with our read the more I realize that once half of the flag, while the other again I am listening to my own half stood erect. All the fire- mortality being read out loud in men were brought to attention. front of me. Fireman Carl F. Asa- “Company,” a short pause, “AT- ro Battalion 9. I look around and TENTION.” Everyone snapped I am somehow comforted that if to attention with heels together, we do have to give all, it’s not in hands along the pants seam, and vane. a peering stare that demands re- (Continued on Page 9) spect. This is that moment when By Jason Teter, LAFD firemen present their A-game. A moment when there is a job to Editor’s Note: The above ar- do. Everything stops, and for a ticle was written by LAFD Fire- moment we are warriors paying fighter and blogger Jason Teter. respect to our dead. A loud voice Jason captured the emotions that yells, “PRESENT ARMS!” as thousands of firefighters were everyone’s right hand snaps to feeling while at the FDNY Memo- the bill of their cover. The song Photo By Shawn Kaye, EPN rial for the 9/11 Tribute. begins, it sounded like it was be- allowed a moment to stand com- gine 230, Firefighter Eric T Allen ing, you picture them, you com- Jason Teter is a gifted writer ing sung by angels. “PARADE fortable, but not to rest. An open- Squad 18. The names continue pare them to people you know. and a dedicated Firefighter who REST,” a voice demands. All ing prayer is given by the FDNY like the credits in a movie. There You listen to their ranks and is also featured on page 7 for his the firemens’ hands snap behind Chaplain. And then the reading is a pause, the time is 09:59, a where they worked. Were they Tribute to Brotherhood. Jason their backs and they are allowed of the names begins. Firefighter moment of silence, this is the on a truck, an engine, a rescue? rode his bicycle solo from L.A. to to move their feet to a more Joseph Agnello, Ladder 118, time the first tower fell. Then the Was the next names in line go- NY and blogged about his jour- comfortable position. They are Lieutenant Brian G. Ahearn, En- names continue and just keep go- ing to be brothers or a father and ney. Nearly 200 LAFD Firefighters Pay Respects in NY at PERODICAL Postage Paid Los Angeles, CA (#ISSN01907573) LOS ANGELES, CA 90026 ANGELES, CA LOS 1571 BEVERLY BOULEVARD 1571 BEVERLY The Los Angeles Firefighter The Los November/December 2011 Photo By Cheryl Goddard Page 2 Los Angeles Firefighter November / December 2011 let’s take all those ideas from the am sorry for discussing EMS in tient is walked from the incident dissension in our ranks and divi- kitchen table and put them into this paper…….,” it was meant location to the RA and then into sion amongst ourselves based on action. strictly sarcastically and as a little the ER, document it in the EMS uniform and badge color. Why At the same time, I under- bit of a joke. I am a Firefighter/ report why the patient walked and can’t we go back to just doing stand how difficult it is to go Paramedic myself and am cur- that they did not meet any of the what’s right no matter who it from Chatsworth to 1571 Bev- rently assigned to a rotational criteria mandating a ride on the sides with. I know what you are erly Blvd. at 8 am on a Wednes- Task Force. When I transferred gurney. All it will take is for one thinking, “well everyone thinks day morning when you are driv- from being a Staff Assistant, be- person outside the Department to their way is right.” This is true ing the opposite direction to get fore they were EIT’s, it was to go complain that they saw you walk but that is where communica- home after work. I hope you back to being a paramedic/fire- a patient and you will be down- tion comes in. I think our Board have noticed that your Executive fighter. EMS is 85% of our daily town for an interview. It doesn’t in the last month or so has truly Board is trying to take steps to duties and I feel blessed that I can matter if anything happened to seen how relationships and com- By Adam Knabe, get more of you involved and to do the most treatment possible for the patient or not by you walk- munication can go a long way Secretary have your voices heard by taking the citizens we serve. So again, if ing them. Save yourself and your and are crucial in trying to ac- the General Membership meet- you were offended by my article I partner headache and heartache, complish goals. Everyone is go- During a recent visit to a Fire ing on the road. The September am sorry, it was not intended how wheel them out or document why ing to have an opinion as to what Station I was asked, “What can meeting was at Fire Station 87 in it was perceived. not. You will be happier in the the right thing to do is, but when UFLAC do to motivate me to Granada Hills and, in my opinion, By the time you read this, this long run. you are able to sit down and dis- come down to a meeting?” I re- was a huge success. There may will be old news, but I want to Again, if you have had any ex- cuss your view with your detrac- alized if this member was think- have been just a few more indi- commend those members cur- periences that our members can tor, there is always another side to ing this, there are probably others viduals, but there were new faces. rently in paramedic school. On learn from to save them trouble in the story and a reason for their ac- thinking this too. Before getting As a Board, I feel we tend to hear one of their recent block exams the future, write me and let us all tion. Now as you communicate, involved, similar thoughts ran from the same members month (mid September), out of the top learn from each other. I know I you may very well show the other through my mind. Then I thought after month, and although their 10 scores, 9 of them were LAFD have already! [email protected] side that you have a reason for of my father, who has never kept input is extremely important, we members. Great job guys!!! your view and come out ahead. an opinion of his silent, and real- need to hear from the 3,000 other Keep up the hard work. Just Do What’s Right We need to check our egos at the ized, if I have strong feelings of opinions out there as well. Hope- Being a “rep” for our mem- I hear more and more, “Oh, he door, no matter what rank we are how I think things should be, and fully we will start hearing some bers, especially for the EMS re- is pro-management”, or “he is a and just work together. I have a passion for this Depart- of those on the road. Also, I hope lated cases, has shown me that union goon”. We have so much ment and its tradition, I need to that the new faces we saw in the even the most routine sick call at get involved. That is why I began Valley, will follow us downtown 2am can have a not so good out- training to qualify for special- when we return to UFLAC.… come for those first responders. ized teams, got involved in the and bring their friends.