City Employees Club

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Tickets In the S

More Discount Tickets at

www.CityEmployeesClub.com
City Employees Club Store
120 W. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Arlene Herrero
(213) 225-1792
[email protected]

Cheap Tickets - Insane Service - Affordable Insurance

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 - FROM 11:30 AM TO 2:30 PM

Benefiting your

Delicious food, fun & prizes

BRING YOUR FAMILY

& FRIENDS

The official charity of the

Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association

For more information visit givetoahero.org/hope

CONTACT: Juliet Brandolino (323) 259-5215 [email protected]

On the cover: Physical Rescue - South LA

Inset photo by: Adam VanGerpen

Structure Fire - Mission Hills
COPYRIGHT 2016

Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association.

No material may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

2 May 2016

Photo by: Martin Nate Rawner

32

VOL. XCII

MAY 2016

NO. 9

FEATURES
2016 Hook and Ladder Enduro
With 480 entries in six classes and more than 650
participants, this was the best turnout ever. And the
crew at Teters Trailer served more than 800 Dirt Dogs
to the hungry crowd. .............................................................06

14th Annual LAFD/LAPD

St. Baldricks Fundraiser
First responders joined with brave souls from the public
at Fire Station 89 to shave their heads in solidarity with
children who have lost their hair from cancer treatments. ........34

CONTENTS
Presidents Message ..........................................................................05
Lifetime Achievement Award
Rey Rojo is honored for decades of community service ................11
Battalion News ...................................................................................13
The Retired Guys ...............................................................................31
Department in Action ..........................................................................32
Firefighter of The Year
Captain II Juan Albarran is honored for 2015 ................................33
Memorials ...........................................................................................36
In Memoriam
Inspector Sandra San-d Smith is remembered .............................37
Chaplain Fowble Reminisces
Our friend and our brother, Darrayle Prosser ............................39
Mailbox ...............................................................................................40
Station Fridge ......................................................................................43
Retirement Dinner Announcements .................................................45
LAFD Golf Club
Multiple tournament results ........................................................48
Dollars and Sense
Mortgage basics and understanding LTV ......................................51
LAFD History
Major oil fire in downtown LA ...................................................52
Minutes of the Board of Trustees .....................................................55
Classifieds ...........................................................................................58

Notice: Production of The Firemens Grapevine magazine is very expensive, and while your dues
serve to underwrite a portion of the magazines 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.

May 2016 3

FIREMENS GRAPEVINE
owned and published by the

Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association

7470 N Figueroa Street, Los angeles CA 90041

EDITORIAL STAFF
Dave Wagner Editor..........................................................editor@lafra.org
Eric Santiago Creative [email protected]
Juan-Carlos Snchez Project [email protected]
DisplayAdvertising....................................(323) 259-5200 ext. 231, 232, 260

PSOs

Margaret Stewart, Brian Humphrey, Erik Scott

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Mike Mastro, Frank Borden, Jody Houser,

Michael Stefano, Monte Egherman, Steve Ruda

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ryan Babroff, David Blaire, Doc DeMulle, Greg Doyle, Harry Garvin,
Steve Gentry, Juan Guerra, Brian Haimer, Gavin Kaufman, Ryan Ling, Rick McClure,
Mike Meadows, Lloyd Payne, Jeff Zimmerman, Yvonne Griffin, Laura Lichter.

LOS ANGELES FIREMENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION

Robert Steinbacher................................................President
Jeff Cawdrey ..................................................Vice-President
Andrew Kuljis ........................................................Secretary
Chris Hart
Chris Stine
Craig White
David Ortiz
David Peters
Doak Smith
Frank Hernandez

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Frank Aguirre
Gene Bednarchik
Joe Vigil
John Jacobsen
Juan Albarran
Mark Akahoshi
Mike Sailhamer

Rick Godinez
Steve Berkery
Steve Ruda
Steven Domanski
Tim Freeman Jr.
Tim Larson
Tyler Tomich

CHAPLAINS

To contact a chaplain,
Please call Senior Chaplain Rick Godinez at (213) 797-2404
or the MFC Floor Captain at (213) 576-8920
Greg W. Gibson...................Chaplain
Danny Leon..........................Chaplain
George A. Negrete...............Chaplain
Aquil F. Basheer..................Chaplain
Tim Werle............................Chaplain

Hershy Z. Ten.......................Chaplain
Roger Fowble.....................Chaplain
Mark R. Woolf.....................Chaplain
Jesus Pasos.........................Chaplain
Craig Poulson.....................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
Becky Valverde Human Resources Administrator.....(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
Ana Salazar Member Services Coordinator.............(323) 259-5223
HealthSCOPE Benefits

Claims & Benefit Information...................................(866) 99-LAFRA

THE FIREMENS GRAPEVINE (USPS 191-060) is published monthly by the Los Angeles Firemens
Relief Association, 7470 N Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California 90041. Annual $24 Subscription
included with Association membership; Non-members: $36. Single issues $3 postpaid. Back issues $6
postpaid. Periodicals postage paid at Los Angeles, CA and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send
address changes to: THE FIREMENS GRAPEVINE Magazine, P.O. BOX 41903, Los Angeles, CA 90041.
Printed by Collective Color, Los Angeles CA. For Classified and Display Advertising rates please call (323)
259-5200, ext. 231, 232 or 260. All editorial matter must be received by the Editor eight weeks prior to the
month of publication. The opinions expressed herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect
the official views of the Los Angeles City Fire Department or the Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association.

4 May 2016

April showers bring May flowers,

We just finished up the process of Open Enrollment for the
LAFRA Medical Plan. The materials that you received at home
in the mail are to assist you as a quick reference for your benefits, including your vision plan (VSP), your prescription plan
(Express Scripts), and your PPO network (Anthem). LAFRA is
also required by law to send out those notices that are located in
the back of the materials.

LAFRA is always looking to better our plan with networks
and through various other avenues. I will have news for you soon
about some enhanced benefits that are scheduled to take effect on
July 1, 2016.

Jeff Cawdrey and I attended the World Health Care
Congress in Washington D.C. on April 11 through the 13th. This
years Congress focused on connecting and preparing for the
healthcare transformation. Over the three days we learned about the
importance in actively collaborating to control costs and improve
access to high-quality care in this country. It was a very informative conference explaining the need for value-based medicine.
Plenty of speakers talked about data analytics and technology.
Networks and contract management was also spoken about at this
conference.

A key point that we took from the health care conference
was long-term care. It is estimated that in the next three to five
years long-term care will cost individuals an estimated $3 trillion
annually. So be prudent and protect yourself! If youre an active
member who is on the LAFRA Medical Plan you automatically
are entitled to $1,500 of LTC through Unum. Look at your needs
closely, you might have to consider increasing your long-term
care reimbursement. Do it while youre young - dont wait until
youre over 50 to start putting in. That said, even if you are a retired member and you do not have long-term care, it is definitely
something you should look in to. All of the information is on our
website at lafra.org/long-term-care

Events coming up this month are the Lane Kemper Softball Classic and the Pechanga Reunion. The Kemper Classic is on

May 11 at the Balboa Sports Complex in Encino. The Pechanga

Family Reunion will be May 23-27 at the Pechanga Resort and
Casino in Temecula. This reunion is a great event for both active and retired members. Come down for the day or stay for a
few nights. You can bring your RV or stay at the hotel. Please
call Angelica at our front desk to book your RV Reservations
(323) 259-5200.

There are still a few spots left for firehouse teams at Hope
for Firefighters on June 2nd. We close Hope Street downtown and
spend a fun day determining who is the best chef on the LAFD.
This is also the years biggest fundraiser for the Widows, Orphans
& Disabled Firemens Fund. Contact Juliet Brandolino at (323)
259-5215 or [email protected] to find out how to enter your
fire station in the competition.

While our LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament is still
a few months away (Sept 19) you can get involved right now
. . . even if you hate golf. Golf Ball Drop tickets are available
with 100% of the proceeds benefiting WODFF. Prizes include
$2500 and an HDTV. See page 34 of this issue of the Grapevine
for details.
Save the Dates!
May 11
May 23 27
June 2
June 25
Sept 19

Lane Kemper Softball Classic

Pechanga Reunion
Hope for Firefighters
Fire Hogs Fallen Heroes Memorial Ride
LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament

Be safe and be kind to each other,

Robert D Steintalker Steinbacher

[email protected]
(323) 259-5200

May 2016 5

aturday, March 19th, 2016, marked another Chamber of Commerce day in

Southern California. Bright sunshine,
blue skies, and a warm breeze greeted the
LAFDs families and friends for the 7th annual
Hook and Ladder Enduro.

Our main camp in California City saw
more than 160 motorhomes, campers and trailers gathered for this years event. The 90210
camp started early this year arriving on Sunday,
a full week prior to the event.

The highlight of the camp was Greg
and Pam Pascollas new house on wheels. They
went from a 1977 20 Winnebago Brave to a
2016 48 OMG diesel pusher with four slideouts, 2,000 sq. ft. of living space, dual everything, a small city-size electrical generation
plant, half a dozen air conditioners, leather
everywhere, a 50 flatscreen, a KING size bed
and a walk in shower! How do I know so much
about this you ask? Its because I was asked (I
think?) by Greg and Pam to be the tour guide
of their new digs. I did my research, prepared

6 May 2016

Youngest Rider Award - 5 year old girl

myself mentally with adult beverage, and apparently gave many tours, to many people, that
night.

We had our best turnout ever this year.
We had 480 entries in six classes with more
than 650 participants. We again set up two
courses one for motorcycles and UTV/ATVs
that was 28 miles long and more technical. The
Kids Course was laid out on mostly graded
dirt roads and was 18 miles long. It included a
stop at Teters Trailer for a hot dog, soda and
potty break. The Stones, Nowells, Judy Teter,
and all their helpers, cooked and served about
800 Dirt Dogs for the hungry crowd.

Thanks to all our volunteers (50+) who
made this event possible. From Roy Prince at
registration, Joanie Prince and Kathy Runyon
selling T-shirts, Pam Abbott as cashier to Pam
Pascolla and Sheri Turner at the Silent Auction.
Also Mike Raden and our sweep riders who
kept you safe, Doak Smith and Tim Larsen at
the start line, and Dave Rowley, Lon Roberts
and Steve Domanski at the finish line. Lets not

forget John Tohill and his ED crew for the start

and finish line structures. All of these folks had
many helpers and we thank them for their efforts.

This years event was another successful fundraiser for the LAFRA Widows, Orphans
& Disabled Firemens Fund. Through your efforts we raised more than $33,000. Please give

yourselves a hand for your generosity and support. Also we want to thank all our generous
sponsors for their unwavering support. Strong
work people!

A note for next year: If you want to hire
a DJ to play loud music all night long, we welcome you to do so, just find a camp where you
wont keep everyone awake all night. If you

1st Place Picnic Class - Opperman Family

2nd Place Picnic Class - Damen Family

3rd Place Picnic Class - Seitz Family

want to have a bonfire, and ride motorcycles in

circles around it, making dust all night, please
feel free to do so, just dont do it in camp. If
you have a big go-fast car, with a 500 hp motor, that roosts everybody you pass, leave it
at home. In other words have a good time but
have some respect for your neighbors. See you
next year.

Matt Paone / Jeremy McGrath

Robert Vowels / Pelican
Outdoor Recreation Group
Brian Labrie
Abernathys Cycles
Maxima
PJI
Pit Pro MX
Fire Axe Inc, Jason Knight
Firefighters First Credit Union
Firemans Brew
Renthal
Tucker Rocky
C&D Motosports
Baja Designs
Lewis, Marenstein, Wicke, Sherman & Lee
Greg and Suzi Stone
John and Karen Nowell
Kawasaki
Frank and Betty Arciero
Ty Baker
Allison Brewster
Law offices of Hart, Mieras & Morris, Inc
Bowtech Tactical
Ralphs Market
Apple Inc, Chris Segara
Industrial Metals
Vertex, USA
Malcom Smith Racing
Cylinder Works, Inc.
Hot Cams, Inc.
Wrench Rabbit
Hot Rods
Troy Lee
Miller, Kaplan, Erase, Inc.
Brian Hishinuma
Roy and Joanie Prince
Bruce and Debbie Galien
Huston Herman
Kings Fish House
Jay Clark Enterprises
EVS
Warner Brothers Studios
Ellen DeGeneres Show
Conan OBrien Show
The Real Talk Show
DJ Charles Buzz Smith
Banzai Brothers Racing, Inc.
May 2016 7

1st Place C Class

#401 Anthony Ghilardi

CLASS ONE A- Varsity M/C

1. #18X Ron Tomacruz
2. #51X John Roe
3. #57X Sean IAnson
CLASS ONE B Jr Varisty M/C
1. #249 Andy Hamilton
2. #248 Russell Long
3. #247 Robert Willcox

2nd Place C Class

#463 Howard Spinrad

CLASS ONE C- ATV / UTV

1. #401 Anthony Ghilardi
2. #463 Howard Spinrad
3. #456 David Sahagun
DADS AND KIDS
1. #507 Steve Ravitz
2. #519 Geoff Lite
3. #523 Insley and Son

1st Place Dads & Kids Class

#507 Steve Ravitz

2nd Place Dads & Kids Class

#519 Geoff Lite

POWDER PUFF
1. #624 Donna Damen
2. #611
Allison Brewster
3. #618 Gentry Moskovitz
Honorable Mention
Danielle Dasner

PICNIC CLASS
1. #703 Opperman family
2. #758 Damen family
3. #796 Seitz family
VINTAGE AWARD - Age of the rider
+- age of the bike
#743
Dave Hutchens - 84 years
old on a 1965 Triumph Desert
Sled
YOUNGEST RIDER AWARD
5 year old girl Name unknown

1st Place Powder Puff Class

#624 Donna Damen
8 May 2016

1st Place A Class

#18X Ron Tomacruz

3rd Place A Class

#57X Sean IAnson

2nd Place B Class

#247 Robert Willcox

3rd Place B Class

#248 Russell Long

Honorable Mention
Danielle Dasner

3rd Place Dads & Kids Class

#523 Insley & Son

2nd Place Powder Puff Class

#611 Allison Brewster

3rd Place Powder Puff Class

#618 Gentry Moskovitz
May 2016 9

SAVE THE DATE !

Monday, May 23, 2016 @ 2PM (check-in) to Friday, May 27, 2016 @ 12PM (check-out)

ACTIVITY GUIDE
MONDAY - MAY 23rd

:: Check in & catch up with old friends

:: Reception Get-Together - Beer & Wine (Provided)

TU ESDAY - MAY 2 4 t h

:: Pizza Dinner / Wine & Beer (Provided) - Time: 5PM

at Pechanga RV Clubhouse

:: Organization Reps at Clubhouse - 10am-4pm

T H UR S DAY - M AY 26t h

:: Gathering at THE BUFFET at Pechanga Hotel

- Time: 6pm
$30 per person payable at the Buffet

:: Golf Journey at Pechanga - Price/Time: TBA

F R I DAY - M AY 27t h

:: Check out! Till next time...

WEDNESD AY - MAY 2 5 t h

:: Dinner / Wine & Beer (Provided) - Time: 5PM

at Pechanga RV Clubhouse

:: Organization Reps at Clubhouse - 10am-4pm

:: Wine & Brewery Tour - Time: TBA
$90 per person with lunch
For information email [email protected]

SAVE YOUR HOTEL SPOT!

:: Pechanga Resort/Hotel reservation call (888) 732-4264

:: For other Hotels call (323) 259-5235
10 May 2016

Check out LAFRA.ORG for more details on the above.

SAVE YOUR SPACE!

RV SPOTS AVAILABLE - RESERVE YOURS

by calling LAFRA (323) 259-5200

RSVP to [email protected] after youve made your reservation.

t the LAFD Foundations

Awards luncheon last year, Retired Deputy Chief Rey Rojo
was awarded the Departments Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor
is bestowed upon a retired sworn member who exemplifies the true spirit of
Service to the Community through
his or her actions while on active duty
and as retired member. Chief Rojo
passed away on March 19, 2016, at the
age of 82, with 21 years in retirement.

Reynaldo T. Rojo joined the
Los Angeles Fire Department as a
firefighter on January 29, 1959, and retired as a Deputy Chief after 36
years of service. During his career, he has served as a Senior Fire Inspector, a Captain, a Battalion Chief, an Assistant Chief, and a Deputy
Chief. While in service to the LAFD and the community, Chief Rojo
was responsible for the leadership of many key department programs,
including analysis of the fire protection needs of the Los Angeles International Airport, the recruitment drive for hiring female firefighters, the
Los Angeles Firefighters Service to Mankind (Sertoma) Club, and Toys
for Needy Children.

Nearly 30 years after his retirement, Chief Rojo remains active in
community and department activities. He has been honored by the district and regional Sertoma, and he was the current president of the LAFD
Sertoma Club. His community service included coaching and refereeing
for American Youth Soccer, coaching and umpiring for Little League
Baseball, and serving on the boards of both the East Los Angeles YMCA
and the Weingart YMCA. He served for 18 years with Big Brothers of
Los Angeles and 15 years as a volunteer on the LAFD Affirmative Action Committee. Under Chief Rojos leadership, LAFD Sertoma began
assisting the Toberman Neighborhood Center with gang intervention in
San Pedro.

Chief Rojo also served his country for more than 40 years. He
entered the Texas National Guard in high school and, in 1953, joined the
82nd Airborne Division of the US Army, attending Officers Candidate
School and serving for three years. He continued his service in the California Military Reserve before retiring in 1995 with the rank of Colonel.

A graduate of USC, Chief Rojo taught Fire Science at Harbor
Community College for 30 years and at El Camino Community College
for 24 years. More than 300 of his students have gone on to become
firefighters.

Chief Rojo leaves his wife, Carole, to whom he was married for
59 years, a son, Reynaldo Rojo Jr., two daughters, Sandra Edgett and
Carla Rojo, and seven grandchildren.

May 2016 11

12 May 2016

RA 867 handled a T/A on Jefferson

on 3/11/16. Photo by Yvonne Griffin

Companies worked a pursuit crash on Normandie

on 3/21/16. Photo by Rick McClure
May 2016 13

14 May 2016

Los Angeles Firemens Relief Association Medical Plan may

cover this examination. Contact your plan provider to verify.
Paid Advertisement:

On 1/29/16, family and friends gathered at FS 48

worked
a pursuit
crash
on Normandie
toCompanies
wish Edward
Riveros
a happy
retirement.
Ed reon
3/21/16.
Photo
by
Yvonne
Griffin
tired as an A/O with 36 years of dedicated service.

FF Chase Coleman flew with Fire 3 to

the Recruitment Expo at FHMTC on
3/12/16. Photo by Adam VanGerpen
May 2016 15

Companies and the Swift Water Rescue Team pulled

14 people from the LA River in the Sepulveda Basin
on 3/6/16. Photo by John Conkle

A crowd turned out for Juan Albarrans last day

on 3/28/16 at FS 26. Photo by Yvonne Griffin
16 May 2016

Brett Davis celebrates his last day with family and friends at FS 15
on 3/26/16. Photos by Yvonne Griffin and David Blaire

Brothers Chris and Paul Stine

Paul Stine is leaving FS 29 and the LAFD for a firefighter position with the Brentwood, TN Fire Dept.
May 2016 17

GRAND PRIZE

$2,500
FIRST IN OR CLOSEST TO THE HOLE

LAFD INVITATIONAL

2ND PRIZE

MOUNTAINGATE COUNTRY CLUB

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2016

BENEFITTING

3RD PRIZE

DONATION
$10 per ball $20 for 3 balls
$50 for 7 balls $100 for 20 balls

4TH PRIZE

Entries must be received by

MONDAY, September12th, 2016

WEARABLE CAMERA

Winner Need Not be Present to Win

Participants will receive ticket stubs by mail prior to event

PAYMENT INFORMATION

First Name:

TOTAL AMOUNT:

Last Name:

Card Holders Address: Home

Work
Card Holders Phone:
Visa

MC

City:

Home
Cell
Work

AMEX

State:

Zip:

Email:
Discover Credit Card No:

Exp. Date:

*CVV2 No:
(*Required)

Check Enclosed (Payable to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund)

18 May 2016

Signature:

MAIL TO: Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund

ATTN: Juliet Brandolino - PO Box 41903 - Los Angeles CA 90041
( 3 2 3 ) 2 5 9 -5 2 1 5

0
98s and 7s turned out to pay homage to former First Lady
Nancy Reagan on 3/9/16. Photo by Adam VanGerpen

On 3/29/16, E 77 battled a semi-truck tractor

on Penrose St. Photo by Rick McClure

On 3/27/16, firefighters treated a shooting victim in Lake View Terrace. Photo by Rick McClure
May 2016 19

Paid Advertisement:

Never invest in any idea you cant illustrate with a crayon.

Peter Lynchs Principle #3 of Investing

hile this is an article about annuities and their many potential pitfalls, this must be taken in context
and prefaced with some important background
information. As participants in the City of LAs
Fire Police Pension System (LAFPP) we are
blessed with a very generous retirement system.
Now of course we have to put our time in, but
if we choose to go the distance we can receive
50% - 90% of our Final Average Salary (FAS).
To put this in some historical context, up until
2002 the maximum pension benefit was 70% of
FAS for 30 or more years of service. It can safely
be said that our standard of living in retirement
has drastically improved.
For most firemen or police officers,
the current pension payout will usually provide
sufficient income to support a comfortable retirement. In addition, most pension plan participants are contributors to the Citys Deferred
Compensation Plan (DC) and the vast majority also participate in the DROP Program. So
a healthy pension, plus DROP and DC assets
may add up to an income level that can equal
or exceed your FAS. This leads us to the point
Im trying to convey in this article. Given these
conditions, the proposition that someone suggests you purchase an annuity with your DROP
or DC assets seems very suspect. Sales techniques used to push annuities can vary from
you could lose your pension if the city goes
bankrupt to an annuity can be used to diversify your portfolio. In reality, after careful
scrutiny, both fear-based scenarios are very unlikely and inaccurate.
To further support the statement that
annuities usually arent best suited for investors
like ourselves (and this goes for most individuals with a substantial defined benefit pension)
some basic annuity information is in order. Annuities are insurance products that broadly fall
into two categories: fixed and variable. Within
these two groups they are typically either immediate or deferred. This is where confusion
gains momentum and the financial wordsmiths
come out in full force. Salespeople often use
terms like Variable Annuity, Equity Indexed
Annuity, Life Annuity and Indexed Annuities
with potential investors. Understanding exactly
what you are being sold is critically important.
The majority of annuities sold are some vari-

20 May 2016

. . . the proposition that someone suggests you purchase an

annuity with your DROP or
DC assets seems very suspect.

ant of a Variable Annuity. This is an insurance

contract you buy from an insurance company.
If annuities arent best suited for
someone with a large defined benefit pension,
who are they good for? An investor with a substantial amount of assets that are not within tax
deferred accounts (for example our deferred
compensation plan, a 401k, or 403b plan are
all tax deferred) may want to use an annuitys
ability to have assets grow tax deferred. This
brings up an important point. May peddlers of
annuities will state your investment grows tax
free. First point is - our DC assets also grow
tax free (we are only taxed when we pull the
assets out). So the selling point that an annuity
has certain tax advantages is irrelevant if you
are using DC or DROP assets to fund this purchase. An annuity might be good for a business
owner who has sold their enterprise and has a
large asset pool subject to ordinary investment
income and capital gains taxes. Another beneficiary could be someone who has sold a large

real estate holding and seeks to diversify their

income stream with an annuity. But again, for
the most part, keeping assets with the DC plan
or utilizing an IRA rollover when you retire is
preferred to locking up assets in an annuity.
Annuities have been subject to a fair
amount of regulatory scrutiny due to marketing
techniques that havent been exactly accurate
when comparing them to other investment options. FINRA (the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) has issued an Investor Alert
regarding Equity-Indexed Annuities (EIAs) titled Variable Annuities: Beyond the Hard Sell.
Further, the SECs Office of Investor Education and Advocacy has weighed in also with an
Investor Bulletin on Indexed Annuities. This
bulletin outlines many factors that are typically
not discussed with prospective purchasers of
these insurance products. Annuities have been
able to gain popularity after investors have witnessed two significant bear markets in recent
years. But, most individuals who are sold these
insurance products are frequently not informed
of an annuitys high commission sales fees,
lockup periods and from FINRA a variable
annuity within a tax-deferred account . . . may
not be a good idea.
Before you consider any investment
make sure you fully understand what you are
buying. Ask about lock-up periods, surrender
charges, Contingent Deferred Sales Charges
(CDSC), and the overall fees to manage the annuity (this can be as high as 3% per year).
Kurt Stabel is the founder of Andorra Investment Mangement, Inc and an active LAFD
member. You can reach Kurt at kurt@ai-mgmt.
com or (562) 433-1400
* Peter Lynch ran Fidelitys Magellan Fund
for many years and coined the phrase invest in
what you know.
Information for this article was gathered from various independent
sources. For more detailed information please visit:
1)
FINRA: http://www.finra.org/web/groups/investors/@
inv/documents/investors/p125846.pdf
2)
SEC: http://www.sec.gov/investor/alerts/secindexedannuities.pdf
3)
American Association of Individual Investors:
http://www.aaii.com/journal/article/the-costs-of-owning-anannuity?adv=yes

August 2014 45

LF 75 handled an auto at the 5 Fwy and

Roxford on 2/13/16. Photo by Rick McClure

60 firefighters fought this fire near Hansen Dam on 4/4/16.

Photo by David Doc DeMulle, The Foothills Paper
May 2016 21

Paid Advertisement:

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AL Hewitt, CFP, ChFC, EA
Certified Financial Planner

1120 West Avenue M-4, Palmdale

400
Camarillo Ranch Rd, Camarillo
Offices in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties
www.ALHEWITT.com
22 May 2016

LF 74 at a garage fire at 10451 Tinker Ave on 3/31/16.

Photo by David Doc DeMulle, The Foothills Paper

Engine 98 extinguished a rubbish fire near San Fernando Rd on 3/24/16.

Photo by David Doc DeMulle, The Foothills Paper

Companies handled a vegetation fire along the

118Fwy on 3/9/16. Photos by Adam VanGerpen
May 2016 23

Companies extinguished a fire in a commercial occupancy

on 8th Ave on 3/24/16. Photo by Yvonne Griffin

Firefighters responded to a commercial fire at 8327

S. Hoover St Fire 3/28/16. Photo by Yvonne Griffin
24 May 2016

On 3/23/16, firefighters responded to a garage in NoHo and

saved the robot from Lost in Space. Photo by Rick McClure

LF 89 handled a gas main break at 11218

Vanowen St on 3/21/16. Photo by Rick McClure
May 2016 25

Firefighters found a patio fire in the 6000

blk of Morella St. Photos by Mike Meadows

26 May 2016

60s knocks down a grass fire in the 12500

blk of Hatteras St. Photo by Kelley Seidell

On 3/20/16, FS 60 paid their

respects to retired B/C William L.
Rowe by raising a flag in his honor.

89s had a snake call on Kittridge St

in NoHo. Photo by Mike Meadows
May 2016 27

On 3/24/16 a pick-up truck fire spread to a half acre

of brush along the 118 Fwy. Photo by Mike Meadows

Companies handle a rollover on the 118 Fwy

on 3/26/16. Photo by Adam VanGerpen

87s handled an auto vs hydrant on Chatsworth St

on 3/26/16. Photo by Rick McClure
28 May 2016

LF 87 worked an auto on Lemarsh St.

on 4/4/16. Photo by Greg Doyle

FS 84 hosted a few visitors in advance of MDAs

Fill-the-Boot event. Photos by Adam VanGerpen

On 3/15/16, the Board of Fire Commissioners commended members of the Quality Assurance Unit and Management Information Systems who developed applications to
efficiently document the training of recruit and
probationary firefighters. These members are
CII Don Steinman, CII Anthony Navarro, CII
Juan Achan, CI Alfred Hernandez, CI David
Lucas, CI David Smith, CI Nicholas Avila, FF
Mark McLean, Joseph Goldberg, Ron Corona,
Su Huynh, and Mario Salazar.

May 2016 29

30 May 2016

the world their kid is an honor student, I can

only cringe about what sort of bumper sticker
my parents would have displayed about my
academic achievements.
COWBOY HUMOR


Fred was drivin home from
one of his business trips in
Northern Arizona when he
spotted an elderly Navajo
man walkin along the side
of the road. Since the trip
was a long and quiet one,
Fred stopped the car and
asked the Navajo man if he
wanted a ride. With a silent nod of thanks, the
Indian got into the car.

Resumin the journey, Fred tried in vain
to make a bit of small talk with his passenger.
The old man just sat silently, lookin intently at
everythin he saw and studyin every detail of
the car, until he noticed a brown bag on the seat
next to Fred.

What in bag? asked the Navajo man.

Fred looked down at the brown bag

and said, Its a bottle of wine that I got for my

wife.

The Navajo man was silent for another
moment or two. Then speakin with the quiet
wisdom of an elder he said, Good trade . . .
PANCAKE BREAKFAST FUNDRAISER
AT FIRE STATION 87

Dont forget to put this on your calendar: On May 22, 2016, Fire Station 87 is putting on a pancake breakfast in memory of retired Captain Darrayle Prosser. Darrayle passed
away recently and this breakfast and all funds
collected will be given to his family. There
will also be a car show and silent auction. If
you have any items for the auction it would be
much appreciated.

This event will take place from 8:30 am
till 11:30 am. As always, FS 87 puts on a great
breakfast, so come join the camaraderie and old
friends for a good cause. All active and retired
members welcome.
KEEP SMILIN!
AC
[email protected]

Paid Advertisements:

could care less about clothin fashions.

Give me a well-worn pair of pants and a
comfortable T-shirt with a few oil and mustard stains and Im good to go. My wife dont
care much for the way I dress but she gave up
years ago on the HOPE and CHANGE thing
for my wardrobe.

I also think the current fashion trends
stink. Girls wearin combat boots with green,
purple, red or yellow streaks in their hair baffles me and guys with half-shaved heads, Mohawks and pants that hang down to their knees
makes me feel like Im walkin among aliens.

However, the one fashion trend that I
think is cool is the way these younger kids sit
behind the drivers wheel. You know, slumped
way down in their seat and leaned over toward
the center console. Usually when youre behind one of these drivers youd swear theres
no one drivin because you cant see the top of
their head. Of course the other thing thats cool
is when they lean the other way, toward the
drivers door, with their head about even with
the top of the door panel. Thats way cool. And
I like them hooded sweat shirts the guys usually wear. That along with a pair of mirrored
sunglasses, a scowl on the face and a 3-4 day
growth of beard. You know, these guys could
be mistaken for gang members. I know, its a
perception but I like the trend.

Ive been drivin slumped over in my
car seat for about a week but now my back is
all discombobulated. My knees hurt too and
Ive been forced to visit my chiropractor. I
have my fourth appointment this Tuesday. Ive
convinced myself that this pain is part of the
sacrifice I must endure to be cool.

Hey, and whats up with these Baby
On Board placards I keep seein in the back
window of most SUVs and vans? Are these
signs a way of sayin, Dont tailgate me?
They seemed to be popular a few years ago
and then they sort of faded away. Now theyre
back. And most of the vehicles I see with this
placard dont have a baby on board. Is this like
people with a handicapped tag hangin from
their rear-view mirror that park in them prime
parkin spots, then get out and walk into the
store like you and I?

Another of my favorite vehicle fashions
are them cut out figures on the back window,
showin the Mom, Dad, the dog, the cat and all
seven kids. Aint that special? Its like I know
these people, but I really dont.

And along with a bumper sticker tellin

May 2016 31

MAJOR EMERGENCY STRUCTURE FIRE

Soto Street Boyle Heights
Photos by Adam Van Gerpen

32 May 2016

n March 16, 2016, friends, family and

colleagues gathered at the DoubleTree
by Hilton downtown to honor Captain II Juan Albarran as the Los Angeles Firefighters Association Firefighter of the Year
for 2015. Juan has cared for the community he
served in Fire Station 26s district, his community at home in Thousand Oaks, and his fellow
firefighters at their time of need. Many came
to celebrate and provided several stories of the
good deeds Juan and his crew from 26s have
accomplished on and off the job.

Juan is the recent past president (20142015) of the Los Angeles Firemens Relief
Association, and while he served there his
dedication and service was a bright light during challenging times for many firefighters
and their families. The comments of the Fire
Commission president, Delia Ibarra, and Fire
Chief Terrazas highlighted the importance of
this honor and award. They elaborated on all
of the amazing work and commitment Juan
has demonstrated for so many years in giving
back to the fire service, his family and community which Juan is so very grateful to be a
participating member. When Juan got his turn
to speak he introduced his family in attendance
and thanked them for their support with an emphasis on Penny, his wife, for her lifelong love
and patience for him. Juan attempted to break
the all-time record of the longest acceptance
speech, currently held by Tom Czubeck, but
alas, he was not successful.

May 2016 33

f you take a look around, you may notice

that many LAFD and LAPD members are
sporting a freshly shorn look. Are they getting prepared for summer? Did they lose a bet?
Are they saving money on shampoo? For the
participants of the 14th Annual LAFD/LAPD
St. Baldricks fundraiser to fight childhood
cancer the answer is a resounding No!

On Saturday, March 12, 2016, at Fire
Station 89 in North Hollywood these first responders joined with brave souls from the
public by shaving their heads in solidarity to
support children who have lost their hair as a
consequence of cancer treatment. Worldwide
more than 160,000 children are diagnosed with
cancer every year, and sadly it takes the lives
of more children in the United States than any
other illness. By raising money for shaving his
head, shavees like LAFD co-organizer Sean
Kennedy assists the St. Baldricks Foundation
with offering research grants for finding a cure.
This is extremely important because behind the
U.S. government, the St. Baldricks Foundation
is the largest source of funding for childhood
cancer research. Proceeds from this years
event bring the aggregate total raised through
14 years to more than $1 million dollars!

Like events in the past, this years event
was all about the kids. Tireless worker Laura
Hixson and her volunteers from the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union organized an
amazing silent auction with donations from
the City Employees Club, Home Depot, Sears,
LAPD Air Support Division, Fire Axe Inc., and
others. They also put together a secret egg toy
fundraiser supported in part by Spark of Love,
contributing an additional $5000 to the projected $100,000+ raised at this years event!
Magicians from the Magic Castle mesmerized
the little ones with their tricks, Betsy Quezada
painted eagerly waiting faces, LAFD S&Ms
Derrick Tinsley drew amazing caricatures
and they all broadened every childs smile even
further by volunteering their artistic talents.
Children and their families enjoyed exploring
the LAPD S.W.A.T. display, Tesla patrol car,

...first responders joined with

brave souls by shaving their
heads in solidarity...
34 May 2016

and having their photo professionally taken

in Laura Lichters LAPD motorbike picture
booth.

The crowd enjoyed a delicious free
pancake and sausage breakfast from Pancake
Factory North Hollywood, and quenched their
thirst with fresh cups of joe from the Coffee
Bean and drinks/snacks from KENK USAs
Kelly Khoury.

UCLA Blood and Platelet Donor Centers Vicky Nguyen partnered with Janet Higgins from City of Hope to recruit donors for
their blood drive and bone marrow registrationthereby helping out even further in the
local community and beyond.

Actress Angeline Rose-Troy smiled
as she again shaved heads with Moni Meza,
Jessica Sanchez, Deby Herdrich, and Kim

Ferryall regular barbers from over the years.

St. Baldricks Director Kathleen Ruddy smiled
as LAFD Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas shaved my
dome, while in the next stool his Chief Deputy
Joe Castro shaved LAFD Bandwagon Operator/Firefighter Cody Weireters head with pleasure. LAPD Police Chief Charlie Beck made a
repeat appearance and looked happy to lop off
LAPD co-organizer Lieutenant Greg Doyles
hair in front of an approving crowd!

Not present this year due to his busy
schedule was regular supporter Mr. Jay Leno
although he did stop by Fire Station 89 earlier
in the week to deliver a generous $5000 donation. However present this year was LAFDs
highest fundraising participant, Battalion Chief
Jesse Cisneros, who supposedly strong-armed
many gold badges (and their checkbooks) into
raising more than $6300!

One of the highlights of this years
event came in the Honored Kids ceremony
where Laura Hixson presented our St. Baldricks special kids and their families with an
incredible gift basket for recognition of their
fight with cancer. Someone who could relate
to their courage is Fire Station 89s own Apparatus Operator Lee Hazelquistwho made
it known that even while recovering from his
own cancer treatment he was not going to miss
his first St. Baldricks event. As he does every
year, Lee arrived early to assist with setting
up and cooking breakfast for the hundreds of
hungry mouths on UFLACs Mother Of All
Barbecues. Thank You Lee for your tireless
work ethic and dedication, and we all hope to
see you driving Truck 89 again soon!

Thank you also to all that volunteered,
pledged, participated, and brought your families out for a worthy cause. A special thanks
goes out to Fire Station 89 for hosting, Off the
Shelf Caterings Jovan Fiddler for feeding all of
the volunteers, and ACE Party Rentals in North
Hollywood for donating an impressive 40x60
foot canopy that protected the eating area consisting of LAFD In-Service Trainings tables/
chairsin anticipation of El Nino and inclement weather. Luckily, the furious downpour
from the day before subsided before the start
of the event, and clearly this years event was
meant to be enjoyed in our beautiful Southern
California weather.

We look forward to seeing you all next
year and remember its not too late to donate
online at www.stbaldricks.org/events/lafdlapd

May 2016 35

MEMBERS

Daniel A. Pitt, Fireman. Appointed February 9, 1963.

Retired on a disability pension July 1, 1970 from T 64-A. Passed away March 6, 2016.
Richard E. Nunnally, Captain II. Appointed May 19, 1958.
Retired on a disability pension February 26, 1987 from FS 105. Passed away March 13, 2016.
Clair E. Buskirk, Engineer. Appointed May 1, 1950.
Retired on a service pension June 1, 1980 from FS 53. Passed away March 14, 2016.
William L. Rowe, Battalion Chief. Appointed June 16, 1952.
Retired on a service pension July 1, 1973 from Batt 14-B. Passed away March 14, 2016.
Thomas E. Smith, Engineer. Appointed November 7, 1959.
Retired on a disability pension July 12, 1984 from FS 96-A. Passed away March 18, 2016.
Reynaldo T. Rojo, Deputy Chief. Appointed January 29, 1959.
Retired on a disability pension February 8, 1995 from SUPPORT SERVICES BUREAU. Passed away March 19, 2016.
Richard M. Mandichak, Firefighter III. Appointed February 9, 1963.
Retired on a service pension July 30, 1989 from FS 40. Passed away March 22, 2016.
Robert S. Furr, Battalion Chief. Appointed January 24, 1949.
Retired on a service pension February 23, 1980 from BATT 9. Passed away March 26, 2016.
Ralph N. Nelman, Fireman. Appointed April 20, 1948.
Retired on a service pension May 31, 1978 from FS 96-C. Passed away April 3, 2016.
Clarence S. Kleidosty, Engineer. Appointed January 5, 1948.

Retired on a service pension June 1, 1997 from FS 103. Passed away April 8, 2016.

FAMILY

Margie Schultz, surviving spouse of Herbert G. Schulz, passed away March 2, 2016.
Jessie McDevitt, surviving spouse of Norman F. McDevitt, passed away March 6, 2016.
Ruth E. Gustafson, surviving spouse of Kenneth G. Gustafson, passed away March 6, 2016.
Kimberly Jackson, spouse of Joseph F. Jackson, passed away March 9, 2015.
Linda J. Barnett, spouse of Charles A. Barnett, passed away March 10, 2016.
Jane S. White, spouse of John A. White, passed away March 11, 2016.
Sonya D. Beese, surviving spouse of Paul H. Beese Jr., passed away March 16, 2016.
Minerva Gutierrez, surviving spouse of Robert Gutierrez, passed away March 26, 2016.
Mary G. Zippi, surviving spouse of Antonio Zippi, passed away March 31, 2016.
Lillian L. Parker, surviving spouse of Robert Parker, passed away April 1, 2016.
Correction: Barbara A. Collins did not pass away. We truly apologize for the mistake.

36 May 2016

andra Lee Smith was born March 30,

1959 in the City of Los Angeles. She
was the third child of David and Emma
Smith. San-d, as she was affectionately known,
was an outstanding athlete high school and
college. She was a lover of music and was a
standout drummer while attending Compton
High School.

San-d received a bachelors degree in
Physical Education from the University of LaVerne and a masters degree in Education from
California State University Dominguez Hills.
After graduating from college, San-d was hired
to teach physical education at Centennial High
School, where she was often mistaken for one
of the students. She remained there for two
years and then decided to change her career.

San-d studied and passed the test and
training to become a Los Angeles City Fire-

fighter where she worked for almost twenty

seven years. She was a Fire Inspector I for the
past 15 years. She was a member of the Stentorians and also a member of Women of the Fire
Service.

San-d was truly a trail-blazer her career choices and humanitarian outreach. She
was featured in Black Elegance Magazine as
a Beautiful Blue Collar Woman in 1995. She
was a member of the National Association of
University Women for more than 20 years,
where the organization focuses on serving
women, youth and the disadvantaged in our
communities. As a member of the Episcopal
Chorale Society Inc., San-d traveled to China,
Amsterdam, Austria, Puerto Rico, Argentina
and Germany.

Above all, San-d loved the Lord and
accepted Christ at an early age. She became

a member of Calvary Baptist Church and she

served faithfully for more than 40 years. She
was involved in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, the Usher Board, and Mission
Choirs where she played the drums.

She served as Chairperson of the Music
Committee, President of the Sanctuary Choir,
and a member of the First Aiders. Sandy unselfishly shared her knowledge and skills by developing a wallet size medical card for church
members, so that they would always have their
medication information at their fingertips.

San-d was unique and very creative.
She changed the spelling of Sandy to San-d.
She always wanted to stand out from others as
an independent and unique individual.

May 2016 37

Paid Advertisements:

For advertising
information,
please contact:
Eric Santiago
(323) 259-5231
or email: [email protected]
or visit our website at
www.lafra.org/advertising

phone:
(800) 244-3439
mail:
P.O. Box 41903
Los Angeles CA 90041
visit:
www.LAFRA.org

38 May 2016

aptain Darrayle Prosser was assigned to

FS 77 and came to work one morning
not feeling well. He was transported
to the hospital, and after initial treatment and
several days of testing Darrayle was diagnosed
with cancer. The doctors told him and his family that the cancer could be treated but not
cured.

Darrayle spent an entire year off duty
IOD, most of that time going to City of Hope
for treatment. The doctors there did everything
possible to fight the cancer and give Darrayle
more time to spend with his family. He finally
retired on a service pension to devote as much
time as possible to them.

His wife Karen and their three adult
children, Neal, Ryan and Marla, dealt with the
news and they spent time together going on
trips and making the most of everyday. Darrayles sister Debbie also joined the family on
many of the trips and took her brother to the
City of Hope for most of his treatments.

On one of my visits I asked Darrayle if
there was anything he would like to do while
he was still feeling well. He said that he would
like to go fishing. I contacted Bill Simentle
(well known in fishing circles) and Tim Foor to
see if they could assist in making this request a
reality. Bill asked if Darrayle wanted to catch
lots of bass and trout or take a chance and go
for something really big. Darrayle said Lets
go big or go home and thats exactly what
happened.

We all met at a one of Bills secret
locations, and along his good friend and fishing counterpart Robby, they gave us all some
insight on what we could be in for. Two lines
loaded with bait were launched as far as could
be thrown off the ocean shore line . . . and then
we waited. It didnt take long until Darrayle
was reeling in the first one of the many catches
he made in the several trips we all made over
the next year and half. He caught several bat
rays and multiple sharks, some weighing over
200 lbs. Darrayle had a grin from ear to ear on
each catch, waiting to see what was going to be
on the end of the line.

Darrayle was finally told by the doctors
that there was nothing more they could do for
him, and to go home and get his affairs in order.
Two weeks later on March 2,, 2016, Darrayle
took his last breath while his wife and daughter
were holding his hands and with the rest of the
family present.

On March 16, 2016, a celebration of life service was conducted for
Darrayle. Family members, friends
and co-workers, 200 plus in attendance, gathered to honor a man who
lived a full life in his short 56 years
on this earth.

All in attendance heard
from multiple speakers with the
similar description of a man they
knew in different seasons of his
life. You heard the same words
over and over describing a man
who loved others and put the
needs of others before his own.
Darrayle was a loving son, brother, friend, husband, father and
more to all that had the privilege
of knowing him. He was admired and respected by all ranks
of the LAFD. His knowledge,
skills and work ethic were the
standard for us all to follow.

God bless you my
brother and I look forward to
the day when I will see you
and that big grin of yours in
our eternal home with our
Heavenly Father. Rest assured
my brother that your legacy
will be remembered for many
generations to come.

May 2016 39

Send your letters & comments to the editor at: [email protected]

Dear Relief Association:

Please accept this donation to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund in
memory of Thomas Laski, Inspector II retired.
I worked with Tom for ten years in the Fire Prevention Bureau, Legal Unit. It was a pleasure!
He had great stories to tell. He also completely
restored a Model T fire truck that had been
owned by the County Fire Dept. God bless his
wife Irene and sons Carl and Mark.
Ruth and Gene Fairrington
Los Angeles, CA
LAFRA
Chief Rey Rojo was a kind gentleman
and also a gentle man. He gave to the City and
Department his best years and served Sertoma
wholeheartedly and without reservation. I got
to know him well and worked on numerous
projects with him. His wisdom and advice was
always welcome and he frequently thought out
of the box. Whenever a difficult issue was before us, he was honest and straight forward in
his thinking. As a college professor, he excelled
in teaching future firefighters and was adept at
telling stories far better than most.

He had an excellent reputation and
backed it up with an excellent work product. I
learned a ton of information from Rey, not only
concerning the fire service but about human
nature, for which I will always be thankful and
grateful.
Rest in Peace
Alan R. Cowen
Newbury Park, CA
Hi Andy

The enclosed donation is made in memory of Warren Glenn and my late husband Larry
Miller. Together they were the Glenn Miller
Construction Company, working on their off

40 May 2016

days doing bricks and concrete for many years.

It never stopped catching me by surprise when
someone would call and ask to speak to Glenn
Miller!

Thanks so much for everything you do.
Donna Miller
Valencia, CA
Andy,

Please accept the enclosed donation in
memory of the passing of Darrayle Prosser.
The fire department family and my family lost
a true friend in his passing and loss due to cancer.

My family has known Darrayle and his
family since he first came on the LAFD. Karen,
his wife and my daughter attended school together at Newbury Park High School.

I first met Darrayle when he was first
assigned to battalion 14 as a rookie. Over the
years our families have skied together and traveled together. When our son became ill, he and
his family were always there to assist Bob as
his illness became serious.

Darrayle was my staff assistant for
a year and handled his duties in an excellent
manner. He was well liked by everyone that
knew him, as was the testament of the number
of people that attended his retirement dinner.

My wife, daughter and I had the privilege of visiting with him and his family shortly
before the hour of his passing. We all had a fun
time remembering all the funny things that had
happened in our relationship over the years. It
was a shock, to say the least, when we were
contacted later that night.

Darrayle will be missed by all who
knew him and respected him. Our deepest
thoughts are with Karen and his family and his
sister Debbie.
Sincerely,
Bob MacMillan
Lake Havasu City, AZ

LAFRA

I had the pleasure of working with and
for Bob Fuzzy Furr! I never called him Fuzzy
to his face, as I would have got a punch in the
face from a once expert boxer. I worked with
him at old 61s with the best truck company
on the department, according to Bob. Then
he asked me to drive him upon his promotion
to battalion chief. We played many enjoyable
rounds of golf together over the years. He shall
be missed.
God bless you.
Gary Klasse
San Clemente, CA
Dear Andy,

Please accept this donation in memory
of my dear husband Robert M. Brewis, Captain
II retired. Its hard to believe that this month
marks five years since his passing, but I still
vividly recall all the concern and support I received from LAFRA. You were truly there for
me. Bob was a valiant firefighter who loved
and cherished the department for 30 years and
always put LAFRA on a pedestal. Please continue your fine work!
Sincerely,
Patricia Brewis
Irvine, CA
LAFRA
My first assignment as a new caption
was to FS 103 and Clarence [Kleidosty] was the
engineer. A wonderful man, and an outstanding
engineer, who took me under his wing.

Rest in peace my friend.
Rudy McTee
Sioux Falls, SD
LAFRA
I remember working on the A shift at
F.S. 53 in early 1970. When we got a run to
Terminal Island and coming down the island

side of the Vincent Thomas Bridge we could

see the toll collectors running from their collection booths to curb. I dont remember them doing this on the other shifts. The must have had
a calendar just with the days that Clair Buskirk
was working. Driving between the collection
booths at 60 MPH I learned what it felt like to
be a bowling ball. Thanks for the great memories Clair.

Rest in peace my friend.
Duane Warth LAFD Ret.
Reno, NV
LAFRA
I had the pleasure to work with Tom
[Smith] for a short time at Old 87s in the
early 70s. We became friends through our love
of Off Roading. He and his wife Louise were
members of a dune buggy club, and I had a dirt
bike. We made trips to Pismo Beach, The Devils Playground and Glamis. Although I havent
seen Tom for years, I will always remember the
good times at the Dunes and the fellowship and
camaraderie at the fire station.
Richard Watters
Agoura Hills, CA
LAFRA
Like many, I first met Gene [Mahoney]
as his student at Harbor College. Then we
rode together to Headquarters from the Harbor
area. He was a tremendous motivator as well
as teacher for me. I never met anyone else like
him what a life: fire service chief officer,
municipal administrator, fire service educator,
public school teacher, test book author, Navy
pilot, and farmer. A truly accomplished and
unique man who gave so much to so many.
Bill Neville
Grass Valley, CA

Frank and Laura thought they had plenty of time to get an

Estate Plan. But when Frank passed away unexpectedly, Laura
realized they were not prepared.
Five Key Steps:
1. Pick a planner. Word-of-mouth references are a good place to start, but you
should always take time to research credentials, experience, on-going education
levels and select the Estate Planning professional that best suits your needs. When
comparing costs make sure you know all the documents included and services
provided so you compare apples to apples. Each planner may break it down
differently.
2. Assemble a team. Your estate planning professional can advise you about
contacting a tax expert, an accountant and someone who can give you advice about
charitable giving.
3. Compile documents. Ask your attorney or other Estate Planning professional
what you'll need to bring to the first meeting. Its usually just a few simple
documents and could include the deed(s) to your property, insurance policies,
retirement accounts and a proper I.D.
4. Ask for guidance. When you meet with members of your team, describe your
goals and ask about the best way to reach them.
5. Cover all the bases. Understand the options when considering a will or trust,
durable power of attorney, a living will, a health care power of attorney, trusts for
your children, your charity and even yourself.

For your Getting Started Kit contact

Marlene Casillas, Development & Marketing Director, at
(323) 259-5217 or email [email protected]
May 2016 41

12521 El Dorado Place,

Victorville, CA 92392
Phn: 1-800-971-4808
Fax: 1-800-971-4809
[email protected]
Paid Advertisements:

42 May 2016

May 2016 43

Paid Advertisements:

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Daughter of Retired
L.A.F.D. Captain

Free Initial Consultation Serving Ventura and Los Angeles Counties

Call (805)214-6428 www.MEBfamilylaw.com

44 May 2016

BRETT DAVIS, Captain II, FS 15-C

KIRK OLSON, Captain, EMS 13-B

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2016

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2016

Davis Residence
468 Big Oak Road, Thousand Oaks CA
Dinner: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Taco Cart - No cost
Reservations Contact: FS 15 - (213) 485-6215
Casual Attire. RSVP by May 4, 2016

ROBERT ROSEY ROSARIO, Captain I, FS 27-B

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016
94th Aero Squadron
16320 Raymer Street
Van Nuys, CA
Social Hour: 5:00 PM

Dinner: 6:00 PM

Fire Station 65
1801 E Century Blvd, Los Angeles CA
Breakfast: 8:00 AM
Please bid happy retirement to Captain Olson
on his last day.
Call Captain Daniel L. Rodriguez - (951) 836-6008.
email: [email protected].

RADLEY WONG, FF/PM,

Quality Improvement Unit
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016
FHMTC Drill Deck
1700 Stadium Way, Los Angeles CA
Luncheon: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Buffet Style - $65 includes tax, tip & gift

Hawaiian Fare - $40 includes tax, tip & gift

Call Scott Hamilton (cell) - (951) 741-7544

or FS 27 - (213) 485-6227

Call Judy Wong - (626) 564-9931.

Spouses are cordially invited. RSVP by May 18, 2016

DAN MCCARTY, Battalion Chief,

In-Service Training

MIKE BOWMAN, Battalion Chief, Battalion 1-A

TOM OTTMAN, Assistant Chief, MFC

TUESDAY, MAY 31, 2016

SATURDAY, JUNE 4, 2016

Lost Canyons Golf Club

3301 Lost Canyons Drive, Simi Valley, CA

Fire Station 4
450 E. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA

Social Hour: 6:00 PM

Dinner: 7:00 PM

Hosted Luncheon: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Western BBQ Buffet - $35 includes tax, tip & gift

BBQ - No cost

Call Georgi - (213) 893-9841 or

Natalie - (213) 576-8900

Call Yvonne Ruiz - (213) 580-0062 or

Natalie Goshi-Forney - (213) 576-8900

May 2016 45

Paid Advertisement

46 May 2016

PAUL R. NELSON, Captain II, FS 73-A

PHIL BERNAL, Engineer, FS 75-A

FRIDAY, JUNE 10, 2016

SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016

Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive, Granada Hills CA
Social: 5:00 PM

Dinner: 6:00 PM

Buffet - $60 includes tax, tip & gift

Call: FS 73 - (818) 756-8673
RSVP by May 30, 2016

The Bernal Residence

28790 Persimmon Lane, Saugus CA
Social: 5:00 PM Dinner: 6:30 PM Presentation: 7:30 PM
Taco Guy - No cost
Stop by for 5 minutes or stay for 5 hours!
Call Ruthie Bernal - (661) 713-9169 or
inbox Ruthie on Facebook. RSVP by June 13, 2016

CRAIG NIELSEN, Captain II, FS 92-C,

DAN D-ROD RODRIGUEZ, Captain II, FS 69-B

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2016

FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2016

Intercontinental Hotel, Century City

2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA
Social Hour: 6:00 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Buffet Style - $55 includes tax, tip & gift
Call FS 92 - (310) 840-2192
For hotel reservations ONLY: [email protected]
Make checks payable to: FS 92, Craig Nielsen Retirement
2466 Louella Avenue, Venice CA 90291
RSVP by June 15, 2016

Odyssey Restaurant
15600 Odyssey Drive, Granada Hills CA
Social Hour: 11:00 AM

Luncheon: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Buffet - $50 includes tax & tip

Casual Attire (Hawaiian)
Call Fire Station 69 - (310) 575-8569.
Spouses welcome. RSVP by June 20, 2016

MIKE MONROY, Engineer, FS 48-C

MIKE PALMA, Firefighter III, MFC-C

ROBERT GONZALEZ, Firefighter III, MFC-A

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2016

Top of the Fish Market

1190 Nagoya Way, Berth 78, San Pedro CA
Social Hour: 6:00 PM

Dinner: 7:00 PM

Buffet - $55 includes tax, tip & gift

Call FS 48 - (310) 548-7548

Knollwood Country Club

12024 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA
Social Hour: 5:00 PM Dinner: 6:00 PM
Buffet Style - $60 includes tax, tip & gift
Call Natalie Goshi - (213) 576-8900
RSVP by July 22, 2016

May 2016 47

2016 Maltese Cup & Partners Best Ball Results

hat started out as a great day went

from windy to worse for the City
guys. The results of the Maltese
Cup was not good for our side. Final Score:
LA County 54 , LA City 41 1/2. Ouch! Well
try to get it back next year on March 29 at Los
Serranos.

Flight - Closest-to-the-Pin (Across- A B )

Flight - Team A

Flight - Team A
1st Place Gross A Flight
Dale Gant & Paul Gamez

Flight - Team B

1st Place Net A Flight

Bernie Ventura & Falo Tiumalu
Flight - Team B

1st Place Net B Flight

Raul Cabrera & Bruce Bickly
48 May 2016

Flight - Low Gross (Across- A )

River Ridge
Tournament Results
What started off as a cool and rainy day turned out great.

Long Beach El Dorado

Flight - Low Net (Across- A )

Flight - Low Gross (Across- A )

Results - February 22, 2016

A beautiful day in Long Beach and the course was playing very tough.
Still some good scores were made.

Flight - Low Net (Across- A )

Braemar Country Club

Results - February 1, 2016

Flight - Low Gross (Across- A )

It was a cold and windy day on a great course in great condition, and
the scores showed it. Congratulations to the survivors.

Flight - Low Net (Across- A )

LONGEST PUTTS & CLOSEST TO PIN **
(FIRST 9 MASTERS COURSE SECOND 9 US OPEN COURSE)

May 2016 49

Paid Advertisements:

BS OOT
E
R
I
S
A
FC L I C

SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2016 at 5PM

BROOKSIDE GOLF CLUB

1133 Rosemont Ave, Pasadena, CA

Saddle up for an evening of games and entertainment

Cowboy BBQ Dinner, High Stakes Poker Table, Bingo & More

For more information: www.FireFamilyFoundation.org or 888-533-3448

50 May 2016

Mike Mastro, President/CEO

Firefighters First Credit Union

ften times, I enjoy hearing members

share their excitement about their
new home or one theyre interested
in. From the high ceilings, open-concept living space, hardwood floors, or its big backyard, theyll share every exciting detail of their
home. When it comes to their mortgage, theyll
confide in me and seek financial advice. Questions arise about refinancing or getting cash out
to help reduce debt.

One of the key factors in getting approved for a new mortgage or refinancing an
existing one is a homes Loan-to-Value ratio
(LTV). Whether youre a first-time home buyer, considering a move up, or looking to refinance and get cash out, this months article will
focus on the LTV calculation and how its used
with todays home values.
UNDERSTANDING LTV

Your homes equity is a key component
in determining your LTV. LTV is a financial
ratio of a loan to the value of an asset. It represents a ratio of the mortgage liens as a percentage of the appraised value of the asset.
Borrowers with a lower LTV ratio
are considered less risky than borrowers
with a higher ratio.
Borrowers with a higher LTV or a
ratio of over 100% are considered upsidedown on their mortgage. (The value of
their home is less than the amount they owe
on their mortgage.)

Lenders will use your LTV to consider
when deciding whether or not to approve your
application. It also helps your lender determine
whether or not youll have to pay for Private
Mortgage Insurance (PMI). To avoid PMI,

Mortgage Basics
your LTV typically needs to be 80% or less,
but PMI applies only to a first mortgage. So,
if your Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC)
is a second mortgage, you shouldnt have to
worry about paying PMI.
CALCULATING YOUR LTV RATIO

Your LTV ratio is another way of expressing how much is still owed on a mortgage.
Loan to Value = Mortgage Balance
Appraised Value

For example, with a loan balance
of $450,000 and current home appraisal of
$725,000, the LTV would be: $450,000
$725,000 = 0.62 or 62%. In this situation, the
borrower would be considered less risky and
would have more refinancing options available.

Conversely, with a loan balance of
$450,000 and appraised value of $425,000, the
LTV would be: $450,000 $425,000 = 1.06 or
106%. This homeowner is in a negative equity
situation with the amount owed more than the
value of the home.

An upside-down mortgage may not be
immediately an issue as there are many factors that affect LTV. Home values fluctuate as
neighborhoods change. If youre able to make
your mortgage payments, yet dont plan to
move, it may just take longer to build equity.
APPRAISED VALUE

An additional factor that affects LTV is
the appraised value of a home. During the foreclosure crisis, many people didnt understand
the terms of their loans. Subprime lending
and inflated home values fueled the sharp rise
in defaults and foreclosures. As a result, new
mortgage rules took effect in October 2015, to

eliminate bias in the appraisal process.

Known as the Home Valuation Code of
Conduct, the new appraisal rules help eliminate
bias from lenders or other parties who would
profit from the transaction. Key changes to the
appraisal process:

Lender cant talk to appraiser

Lender cant influence appraisal
Lender can only provide details
Appraiser contacts borrowers
Appraisal goes to vendor not lender
Appraisal reviewed first, then sent
to lender

Should there be any issues with the appraisal, the homeowner or borrower can disagree with the appraisal and make an appeal to
the appraiser. It would be up to the appraiser to
make any changes if necessary. Lender has no
say and/or control over the value.

As always, your Credit Union is here
to help. To learn more about the mortgage
process, please visit our website at www.firefightersfirstcu.org, contact a Credit Union Representative at (800) 231-1626, or stop by an
office.
The more business we do together
as a Fire Family,
the greater the financial reward will be
for all members!
Have a safe month!
Mike Mastro
President/CEO
Material provided is for your information and convenience only.

May 2016 51

Submitted by Frank Borden Director of Operations, LAFDHS

LAFD History - Major Oil Fire in Downtown LA Chief Engineer Walter Moore in Charge

n 1896, a major fire downtown nearly destroyed the city but for the heroic efforts
of the firefighters. Los Angeles was in the
midst of an oil boom after Edward J. Doheny
found oil while drilling in 1892. He discovered
natural gas only seven feet below the ground
and a vast pool of oil at the 162 foot level.
Within four years there were more than 600
wooden derricks, storage tanks and oil sumps
in citizens backyards west of Bunker Hill. The
smell was awesome and the profits were too.
Oil was selling for a whopping $1.15 a barrel
on Saturday June 6, 1896.

Early that evening, two boys built a
bonfire near their fathers yard on Metcalf St.
(Bixel) between First and Second. The fire
ignited the dry grass and made a run for Mr.
Millers yard and his oil sump. He and his
neighbor Ralph Tucker tried to beat it out but
it spread from the sump to a 500 gallon storage tank and then engulfed Mr. Millers house.
Mr. Tucker ran to the nearby Engine 7 station
on Temple St. near the Cable Car power house
(now Edgeware Rd.) and turned in the alarm at
9 p.m. By then the wind had scattered the fire
in all directions. Engine 7 merely pulled out of
quarters, took suction at the corner hydrant and
began pumping as more apparatus answered
the alarm. It was slow going for the horses as
they strained at their harnesses while hauling
the steamers up the hill. Chief Engineer Moore,
realizing the entire oil field was endangered
called for a general alarm. As engines took up
battle positions more derricks, storage tanks
and houses ignited. More than 10,000 gallons
of blazing oil spilling from the tanks ran down
hills and Temple St. toward the downtown district.

Chief Moores strategy was to surround
the fire and he directed the firefighters to set
up a perimeter bounded by Temple, Court,
Figueroa Streets and the Cable Car powerhouse. Seeing the glow of the fire, hundreds of
spectators came by horse, buggy, streetcar, bicycle and on foot to watch the awesome sight.

The Los Angeles Times described the
firefighters efforts as follows: It was a time
of reckless heroism and heart breadth escapes.
A shout of admiration went up at the splendid
daring of Assistant Chief Edward R. Smith
who, rushing close up to one of the blazing
tanks, stood in oil to his knees as he sent the

52 May 2016

stream of water into the flaming mass from the

hose he held. One spark would have ignited the
oil about the brave fireman and burned him to
a crisp before help could arrive. But the spark
did not fall and the gallant officer will rush to
the rescue of many another blazing building.

The Times further lauded Chief Moore
and the firefighters: But for the skill and heroism of the brave men whose lives are spent in
fighting the fire fiend, last nights wild work
might have left only heaps of smoking ruins
to show where the City of Los Angeles once
stood. It was only by the hardest battling that
the fire, which broke out in the heart of the oil
region, was confined within the basin which
now holds only black ashes instead of tall derricks and well filled tanks.

Losses exceeded $25,000 included 13
derricks, 15 tanks, five houses and 6000 barrels
of oil. The fire was the Citys worst of the year.

Fire Station 7 in 1887 with a steamer

and wagon at Temple and Edgeware Rd.

Fire in an oil well

with a wooden derrick
circa 1930s.

LA grows up around
its oil wells. Photo
from 1905

A SKETCH OF WALTER S. MOORE

By FRED S. ALLEN

The newly appointed Fire Commissioners of the City of Los Angeles at their inaugural meeting in January 1886, elected Walter
S. Moore the first Chief of the recently established paid Los Angeles Fire Department. Mr.
Moore was well qualified to organize and start
the development of the fire department that was
one day to become recognized as the greatest
fire fighting force in the world. He not only
possessed a natural ability to lead and organize
but had a good background of fire fighting and
knowledge of methods and equipment of his
day.

Walter S. Moore was born of old revolutionary stock in the district of Kensington,
city of Philadelphia in 1851. During the latter

part of the Civil War he attended the Northwest

Grammar School and was afterwards a runner
with Philadelphia Fire Company No. 18.

He became identified with the volunteer
Los Angeles Fire Department in 1875, being
elected to active membership of Confidence
Engine Company No. 2. During his service in
this company he held the office of secretary and
subsequently filled the presidency for five consecutive years.

In 1883 he was elected chief engineer
of the Volunteer Fire Department of Los Angeles. At the time the paid department came into
existence in 1886, Mr. Moore, as secretary of
the first Board of Fire Commissioners and chief
engineer of the department, arranged and carried into successful operation the work of the
new department.


Mr. Moores tenures as chief is somewhat mindful of the old adage you cant keep
a good man down. His first appointment became effective February 1, 1886. He resigned
September 1, 1887, and was reappointed in
1891. He resigned again February 1, 1893 and
was reappointed a third time February 1, 1895
and retained the position until 1899 to be succeeded by Thomas Strohm.

Chief Moore was well known and appreciated for his thoroughness and attention to
detail. He also had a strong desire to see his
department keep pace with the rapid growth of
the city as his Annual Reports to the Commissioners and City Council will indicate.

Walter S. Moore was 35 years of age
at the time of his first appointment as chief engineer. At the time of his retirement the chief
engineers salary was $2400 per year. Available
records show this figure to represent a steady
increase from a modest beginning. The last increase being in 1896 when the chief engineer
was paid a salary of $175 per month.

The chief was provided with a buggy and two horses--one held in reserve. His
home was also equipped with a tapper so that
he would be informed on all alarms, day and
night.

The abilities of Chief Moore as a proficient fireman and administrator were not confined to the city of Los Angeles. In 1898 he was
president of the Pacific Coast Association of
Fire Chiefs. He also was active in the International Association of Fire Engineers and held
one of the vice-presidencies during the same
year.

That Walter S. Moore was a forward
looking and aggressive fire chief is well attested. In January of 1889, the then ex-chief
Moore was selected by city authorities and the
Pacific Coast Board of Underwriters to conduct
a survey of the fire department and report such
improvements and additions that would put the
department in tip-top condition. His report was
adopted with the result that three steam fire
engines and three horse drawn hose carts were
purchased and put into service. One of each of
these served the Boyle Heights area, the east
Los Angeles district and the other in the western hills of Temple Street. Chief Moore can
be credited with starting the movement which
resulted in the placing in service a water tower, for in his 1896 report he states; the best
equipped fire department with the most powerful and effective appliances at times seem unable to cope with a conflagration. As we have
many large, high and costly buildings in which,
if a fire should gain headway, it would drive
the firemen out and endanger that portion of the
city in which they are located, under such conditions a water tower would prove invaluable
and enable us to successfully fight the fire. In
this same report he recommended that the men
of the department should be furnished with
leather fire helmets, to be used while on duty

at fires, and thus affording them some protector against injuries from falling bricks, blocks
of wood, plaster and other dangers. These excerpts from his Annual Reports illustrate the
concern that he felt for the property of the citizens of his community and the interest he held
in the safety and welfare of the firemen who
worked for him.

The citizens of the city of Los Angeles
as well as the officers and men of the present
day fire department can be justly proud of the
first chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department.
It was a wise selection that placed as the first
chief engineer a man of the integrity, devotion
and ability such as was possessed by Walter S.
Moore.

members, as well as dedicated civilians. As a

donor to the LAFD Historical Society, know
that 100% of the net proceeds will go directly
to the Memorial Plaza.

The Fallen Firefighters Memorial offers
an ongoing, living tribute to those Los Angeles firefighters who gave their lives while in
the service of the City. No matter the time of
year, there is no better investment than in their
memory and in reminding every resident that
all Los Angeles firefighters will lay down their
lives to protect lives and property.

This article appeared in the March, 1961 issue of THE FIREMENS GRAPEVINE.

A vintage photo of LAFD golfers

hitting up to the green.
LAFDs first Fire Chief Walter Moore in his
Chiefs Buggie in downtown LA in 1884.

Fire Chief Terrazas and Deputy Chief

Castro last year with the Honorary
Fire Chief of Fire Service Day 2015.

HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

IN MAY
Annual Pancake Breakfast and
Fire Service Day

The Historical Society will be having
its annual pancake breakfast again this year
on Saturday, May 14th stating at 8:30 am. The
event coincides with the LAFD Fire Service
Day. The Fire Chief and staff make an appearance along with fire and rescue demonstrations
by Fire Station 27 next door. We hope to see
LAFD Firefighter Ryan Penrod and his dog
Wilshire doing some fire safety demonstrations. It is a fun day for all with a great breakfast made and served by our volunteers.
The Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Golf Tournament

Once again we are having our Fallen
Firefighters Golf Tournament at the Porter Valley Country Club. We hope to have over 100
golfers play this year on Monday, May 23rd.
There will be golf with awards, good food, a
raffle, an auction and much more.

The LAFDHS holds this important
tournament to generate financial assistance
for the Fallen Firefighters Memorial located
in Hollywood. The Memorial and both LAFD
Museums are maintained and managed by the
LAFD Hisorical Society.

The LAFD Historical Society is a
501c(3) public charity. It is managed by volunteers and governed by active and retired LAFD

Children and adults enjoyed demonstrations

by Wilshire the Fire Dog and Firefighter
Ryan Penrod.
Harbor Fire Museum Exhibit The History
& Evolution of Fireboats in the Port of LA.

The Port of LA has provided a grant to
create a new exhibit in our Harbor Fire Museum in Old Station 36. This multi-faceted project will be able to depict not only the history
and evolution of this most unique firefighting
resource the fireboat - it will educate young
and old about how these resources are designed

May 2016 53

and deployed based on the evolution in shipping and technology in the Port of LA during
the past century. They can view history in person via the exhibit, visit the actual fireboat that
fought fires and saved lives for 78 years, and
much more. This exhibit will create a powerful
new attraction for residents and visitors alike.
It will create a new hot spot in the map of the
emerging new Port of Los Angeles.

LAFDs first fireboat in

1916 The Aeolian

LAFDHS Calendar for 2016 Events

(As We Know it Today)
May
- LAFDHS Annual Pancake Breakfast & Fire
Service Day, Hollywood Museum. Sat. 5/14
at 0830 hrs.
- 2016 Fallen Firefighters Memorial Golf Tournament. Mon. 5/23- Porter Ranch
June
- Annual LAFD Retired Member Luncheon,
Hollywood Museum, Thur. 6/16, 1100 hrs.
- Ralph J. Scott Fireboat fund raiser party,
Sun. 6/26
July
- Grand Opening of new exhibit at the Harbor
Fire Museum
- The History & Evolution of Fireboats in the
Port of L.A.
September
- U.S. Navy Fleet Week at the Port of LA. The
Ralph J. Scott project will be open to visitors
Sat. 9/3, Sun. 9/4 and Mon. 9/5 (Labor Day)
- Annual September 11th Memorial at LAFD
Fallen Firefighters Memorial - Sun. 9/11 at
0700 hrs.
October
- Annual LAFD Memorial at the LAFD Fallen
Firefighters Memorial, Sat. 10/8 at 1000 hrs.
- Fireboat #2, The Ralph J. Scott 91st Birthday, Sat. 10/22
November
- US Marine Corps Birthday at the Hollywood
Museum, Thur. 11/10

54 May 2016

Calendar for May 2016

* Fridays from 0800 to 1200 are work days on the Ralph J. Scott Fireboat

LOS ANGELES FIREMENS RELIEF ASSOCIATION MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

March 9, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
President Bob Steinbacher called the meeting
of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles
Firemens Relief Association to order at 11:11
a.m.
ROLL CALL
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Robert Steinbacher, President
Jeff Cawdrey, Vice President
Andrew Kuljis, Secretary
Trustee Frank Aguirre
Trustee Mark Akahoshi
Trustee Juan Albarran
Trustee Gene Bednarchik
Trustee Steve Berkery
Trustee Tim Freeman
Trustee Rick Godinez
Trustee Chris Hart
Trustee Francisco Hernandez
Trustee John Jacobsen
Trustee David Peters
Trustee Mike Sailhamer
Trustee Tyler Tomich
Trustee Joe Vigil
Trustee Craig White
Trustee Doak Smith Pension
Trustee Steven Domanski - Pension
Trustee Tim Larson Pension
Todd Layfer - Executive Director
Liberty Unciano Controller-Treasurer
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Trustee Chris Stine (Excused)
Trustee David Ortiz (Excused)
Trustee Steve Ruda (Excused)
GUESTS:
Dave Wagner, Grapevine Editor
INVOCATION & Flag Salute
Rick Godinez led the invocation. Tim Freeman
led the flag salute.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to ratify
and dispense with the reading of the minutes of
the Board of Trustees meeting held February
3, 2016. Dave Peters so moved. John Jacobsen
seconded. There was no further discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to ratify and dispense with the
reading of the minutes of the Board of Trustees
meeting held February 3, 2016.
PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Bob Steinbacher reported that John Jacobsen
was given the Trustee Oath of Office.
2) Bob Steinbacher informed the Board about the
Employee 401K plan changes currently being
reviewed.

3) Bob Steinbacher introduced Deborah Lew,

LAFRAs new Social Media Consultant and
indicated that she will be working with the
committee chairman to work on ideas of what
content to place on social media. He reported the
Board approved a one -year contract with a 90day introductory period to see how things work
out.
4) Bob Steinbacher reported that he met with Ray
Cirrana at the Pension Department and indicated
that they discussed LAFRA possibly taking 42
LACERS members and bringing them over to
the LAFRA Medical Plan. He indicated that they
have not yet come to a decision.
5) Bob Steinbacher reported that he and Jeff
Cawdrey attended the Pension Offsite meeting
and indicated that they discussed medical trends
and investments.
6) Bob Steinbacher reported that he attended
a meeting with Frank Lima of UFLAC and
indicated that they discussed various topics. He
indicated that the meeting was productive with an
understanding of the open door policy between
the associations.
7) Bob Steinbacher reported that he met with
the Firefighters First Credit Union staff and
indicated that they discussed issues and concerns
between the Family Foundation and the WODFF.
8) Bob Steinbacher referred to a possible new
attorney search and indicated that he spoke
with Robert Ridley about his involvement with
LAFRA.
9) Juan Albarran referred to the LAFRA Pechanga
Reunion and indicated that they are working on
the final ad for the Grapevine and website. He
indicated that they will most likely have the same
schedule of events as in past years.
10) Dave Wagner referred to the LAFRA Health
Fair and indicated that we had some postcards
made to mail out. He also suggested that Trustees
pass out the postcards and spread the word about
the event.
11) Bob Steinbacher provided information on
member updates.
VICE PRESIDENT REPORT
1) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Policy Manual
Review and asked Trustees to look through the
manual and bring any suggested changes to him
by April 1st. He stated that they will approve any
changes by the June Board meeting.
2) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the upcoming
Investment Conference in Las Vegas and
encouraged those Trustees attending to go onto
the IFEBP website to see what classes are offered.
3) Jeff Cawdrey referred to the Wharton
Portfolio Concepts Conference in Philadelphia
and indicated that they approved sending two

Trustees. He asked that anyone interested in

attending to send him an email.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS REPORT
1) Todd Layfer reported that they had their first
Golf Committee meeting on February 24th. He
indicated that they will continue to have the
tournament at Mountain Gate for 2016. He also
indicated that they have decided to reduce the
number of auction items and consolidate the
number of items offered in the gift baskets. He
reported that they discussed having two different
color t-shirts to identify sponsors.
2) Todd Layfer informed that he attended
the Hope for Firefighters committee meeting
and reported that so far 11 fire stations have
committed. He reported that Bob Steinbacher
and Juliet Brandolino have met with Ralphs
and indicated that they are enthusiastic with
sponsoring the Hope for Firefighters again this
year. He reported we have asked U.S. Bank to
be a sponsor again this year also. He indicated
that the committee has decided to keep the menu
pricing the same as the year before.
3) Todd Layfer reported that the new A/V
equipment for the multi-purpose room has been
completely installed.
BUILDING COMMITTEE REPORT
Bob Steinbacher informed the Board that we had
a fire drill and indicated that it wen t well. He
indicated that they identified that the alarm was
not loud enough and asked vendor Glendale Fire
to install another camera in the lobby area.
INVESTMENT COMMITTEE REPORT
Steve Domanski reported on the Investment
Committee meeting at Beacon Pointe on February
23rd.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Doak Smith reported that audit will be finalized
by next month and will be presented at the May
4th Board meeting.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE
REPORT
Frank Aguirre presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to
pay the usual and customary bills in the amount
of $1,086,284.90. There was no discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to pay the usual and customary
bills in the amount of $1,086,284.90.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve up to $500 for Color Guard uniforms.
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $500 for Color

May 2016 55

Guard uniforms.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve the renewal of the Mitel phone lea se
effective April 1, 2016 for two years. There was
no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve the renewal of the
Mitel phone lease effective April 1, 2016 for two
years.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve compensating the LAFRA President at
the hourly rate of his position last held in the
field prior to becoming President. Juan Albarran
asked if this was pending the decision from the
Fire Chief. Frank Aguirre stated that it would be
retroactive as of January 9, 2016. Bob Steinbacher
stated that he would make arrangements to pay
back the funds if and when it is approved by
the City. There was no further discussion or
objections.
Motion carried to approve compensating the
President at the hourly rate of his position
previously held.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve up to $3,000 to purchase a portable sound
system. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to approve up to $3,000 to
purchase a portable sound system.
The committee recommends and I so move to
authorize use of the RB Code for the Chaplains,
utilized at the Presidents discretion. Bob
Steinbacher indicated that the department does
not provide hiring support for the Chaplains for
the work they do. There was no further discussion
or objections.
Motion carried to authorize use of the RB Code
for the Chaplains utilization at the Presidents
discretion.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve the three-year contract renewal with
Alternate Solutions with a 10% rate increase
effective May 1, 2016. There was no discussion
or objections.
Motion carried to approve the three-year
contract renewal with Alternate Solutions with
a 10% rate increase effective May 1, 2016.
MEDICAL COMMITTEE REPORT
David Peters presented the following motion.
The committee recommends and I so move to
accept the applications to the Medical Plan. There
was no discussion and no objections.
Motion carried to accept all applications to the
Medical Plan.
The committee recommends and I so move
to approve the following premium increases
effective July 1, 2016;
2% for active members,
Various increases for non-Medicare retirees
Medicare eligible members with applicable

56 May 2016

credits against the baseline premiums

A surcharge penalty for members with less
than seven years in the medical plan at retirement;
$250 single member, $500 member plus one,
$750 family
Various increases for Surviving Spouses and
Widows. There was no further discussion or
objections.

members. There was no discussion or objections.

Motion carried to advance funds for both active
and retired members.
GRAPEVINE/WEBSITE COMMITTEE
REPORT

Motion carried to approve the rate increases as

presented.

Chris Hart reported that they will have a meeting

before the next Board meeting with the Social
Media Consultant on social media content.

RELIEF COMMITTEE REPORT

SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE REPORT

Doak Smith presented the following motion.

Rick Godinez reported that applications are

still coming in and will be accepted until the
end of March. He stated that the essay exam is
scheduled for April 9 th here at the LAFRA office.
He indicated that they confirmed one memorial
scholarship that will be given.

The committee recommends and I so move to

pay:
The Sick & Injury benefits in the amount of
$15,525.73
The Estate Planning benefit in the amount of
$4,636.50
The Life & Accident Withdrawals in the amount
of $3,503
The Relief Death Benefits in the amount of
$45,000
There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to pay the above Relief benefits.
Doak Smith read the names of members who
recently passed and asked for a moment of
silence from the Board.
MEMORIALS
Alan R. Broude
Willard L. Kessen
Richard L. Kampff
John K. Sutton
Charles W. Sherburne
Walter K. Sorenson
Richard D. Preston
Benjamin E. Scheerer
Jack F. Robinson
Dwight W. Miller
ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE
Doak Smith presented the following motions.
The committee recommends and I so move to
accept the donations in the amount of $5,565.14
to the Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens
Fund. There was no discussion or objections.
Motion carried to accept the donations in the
amount of $5,565.14 to the Widows, Orphans &
Disabled Firemens Fund.
The committee recommends and I so move to
approve the financial assistance applications for
surviving spouses, active and retired members.
There was no discussion or objections.

SETTING OF DATES
1) LAFD EXPO March 12th
@ FHMTC (Ruda/Domanski)
2) Investment Institute; Las Vegas
March 14th 16th
3) Firefighter of the Year Luncheon March 16th
4) Hook & Ladder March 18th 20th
5) Scholarship Exam April 9th
6) LAFRA Health Fair April 20th & 21st
7) Lane Kemper Softball Tournament
May 11th B
8) LAFD EXPO May 21st FS 59
9) Fallen Firefighter Memorial Golf Tournament
May 23rd
10) LAFRA Pechanga Reunion May 23 May 27
11) Hope for Firefighters - June 2nd
12) LAFD Invitational Golf Tournament
September 19th
RETIREMENT DINNERS
1) Mario Rueda Thursday, March 10th C
@ Brookside Golf Club (Hedberg)
2) Christopher J. Hare Saturday, March 19th
C @ Tierra Rejada Ranch (Coburn)
3) Michael White Saturday, March 19th C @
Bishop Alemany H. S. Rec Center (Dolan)
4) Ruben Terrazas Saturday, April 9th @ A
Brookside Golf Club
5) Clint Arrigoni Tuesday, April 12th B @
Odyssey Restaurant (Jacobsen)
6) Steve Schrobsdorf Saturday, April 16th A
@ La Crescenta Womans Club (Albarran)
7) Hugh Martin & Charles Bucher Saturday,
April 30th B @ FS 109 (Steinbacher)
8) Mike Bowman & Tom Ottman Saturday,
June 4th A @ FS 4 (Bednarchik)
9) Craig Nielsen Wednesday, June 29th A @
Intercontinental Hotel (Hart)
10) Mike Palma & Robert Gonzalez Sunday,
August 7th B @ Knollwood C.C. (Bednarchik)
ADJOURNMENT

Motion carried to approve the financial

assistance applications for surviving spouses,
active and retired members.

Bob Steinbacher entertained a motion to adjourn.

David Peters so moved. Juan Albarran seconded.
There was no discussion and no objections.

ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE REPORT

Motion carried to adjourn. The Board of

Trustees meeting adjourned at 12:39p.m.

The committee recommends and I so move

to advance funds for both active and retired

Bob Steinbacher, President

Donations to Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firemens Fund

March 2016

GERRY & GIRLEN

MCCLANAHAN in memory of
Bob Morrison

HENRY A. MUNOZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

HARRY M. MORCK in memory of

Cal Wonnacott, Willie Kessen,
Ben Scheerer, Ed Chilson &
Tom Laskey

VALERIE LANDERS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 36 from the

Fire Extinguisher Fund

BERYL M. LAWRENCE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DARIO O. REYES for the

Hook and Ladder Event

WARREN B. WORCESTER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 110 from the

Fire Extinguisher Fund

DOMINIQUE ROY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MICHELE R. HAMAN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DONALD J. PAONE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

LIZZETE GUZMAN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

HOOK & LADDER

KARRIE ROGERS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MILLER, KAPLAN, ARASE, LLP

for the Hook and Ladder Event

STEVEN G. RAVITZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

CRAIG L. WHITE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

ROY E. PRINCE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JUSTIN RADEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MARK B. STAFFORD for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 66/ROB

ROBBINS from the
Fire Extinguisher Fund

SCOTT D. MITCHELL for the

Hook and Ladder Event

LISA A. BAILEY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JODI M. SEITZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JAMES J. EBERLE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

WADE A. WHITE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

BRADLEY N. GROSSMAN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

THE SCV AGENT INC. for the

Hook and Ladder Event

TAMBRA S. CLARK for the

Hook and Ladder Event

RICK REUBENS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

STEVEN G. RAVITZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JANE HOULE/99 TIGERS

DAWN D. SURPRENANT for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MATTHEW S. RIVEROS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

KEVIN S. ELLEDGE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

K LYNN JACKSON for the

Hook and Ladder Event

ROBERT W. MAC INNES for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 29 from the

Fire Extinguisher Fund

STACY L. GRAHAM for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DANIEL G. MATERA for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MATTHEW DAMEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 112 in memory

of Richard Houle

TIMOTHY R. TOGNERI for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JENIFER COSTIN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

PATRICIA A. BREWIS in memory of

Capt. II Robert M. Brewis

JASON D. GORMAN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

HELEN L. SCHULZ

DAYNA TOLSON for the

Hook and Ladder Event

WADE A. WHITE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

BESSIE E. WALKER

ROBERT D. SHRODE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

ALISSA W. DUNLAP for the

Hook and Ladder Event

WILLIS M. MARTIN in memory of

Thomas E. Laski

BROC H. HARMON for the

Hook and Ladder Event

GREGORY HUBBARD in gratitude

to the Chatsworth fire station for
saving my mothers life

CARRIANN GRAVITT for the

Hook and Ladder Event
HOLLYWOOD POST NO. 43/
AMERICAN LEGION from Law
& Order Program 2016

FIREFIGHTERS FIRST CREDIT

UNION for the
Hook and Ladder Event

TIMOTHY D. WUERFEL JR. for the

Hook and Ladder Event

KELLY SHERWOOD for the

Hook and Ladder Event

GARY S. MAGA for the

Hook and Ladder Event

ROBIN L. PIMBLETT for the

Hook and Ladder Event

KAYLEEN L. ROWLEY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

BRUCE E. GALIEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FIRE STATION NO. 81 from the

Fire Extinguisher Fund

JASON R. ROGERS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

THE SVC INC. for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DOMINIQUE ROY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

HENRY A. MUNOZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

GREGORY J. HOLLY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

KRISTY M. SANCHEZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

CHRIS M. BENNETT for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JAMES D. MARTIN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MICHAEL G. MAC INNES for the

Hook and Ladder Event

LYLE R. TAYLOR for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DWAYNE R. KASTOR for the

Hook and Ladder Event

TAMRA G. JOLLS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DOMINIQUE ROY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

KATHLEEN RUNYEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

SHEILA R. MCKOWAN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

ROBERT C. VOWELS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

CATHERINE & CAMERON DUBE

in memory of Betty V. Larson

RICHARD G. TUCKER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JENIFER COSTIN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

DAVID L. LILLY for the

Hook and Ladder Event

BRIAN K. HISHINUMA for the

Hook and Ladder Event

CHARLES E. ASH for the

Hook and Ladder Event

SCOTT D. MITCHELL for the

Hook and Ladder Event

HYDREX PEST CONTROL CO.

for the Hook and Ladder Event

CARL S. MOSKOVITZ II for the

Hook and Ladder Event

AMY J. VANDUSEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

FRANK E. SITLER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

B & K ELECTRIC CO. INC. for the

Hook and Ladder Event

TIMOTHY D. WUERFEL JR. for the

Hook and Ladder Event

RYAN E. WALLACE for the

Hook and Ladder Event

CHRISTOPHER S. DASNER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

GREGORY J. PASCOLLA for the

Hook and Ladder Event

RICK THOMAS for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JAIME L. BRIEN for the

Hook and Ladder Event

MERCEDES FERNANDEZ for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JOHN TOHILL for the

Hook and Ladder Event

EVAN C. TOLSON for the

Hook and Ladder Event
BARBARA J. COY for the
Hook and Ladder Event

DOROTHY B. MATICH in memory

of my husband Matt Matich
SEAN & PAMELA LEHMANN in
memory of Betty V. Larson
MICHAEL L. RHODES in memory
of Darrayle Prosser
RUTH & GENE FAIRRINGTON
in memory Insp. II Thomas Laski
DONNA MILLER in memory of
Warren Glenn & my late husband
Larry Miller
ALAN E. HIGGINBOTHAM
JUSTIN RADEN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
MICHELE R. HAMAN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JOSEPH F. FOLEY for the
Hook and Ladder Event
STEVEN S. HOPKINS for the
Hook and Ladder Event
RICHARD L. WATTERS for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JENIFER COSTIN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
DALE J. SMITH for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JORGE G. AQUIN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
ALAN P. BARRIOS for the
Hook and Ladder Event
MORGAN A. MONTOYA for the
Hook and Ladder Event
LEROY ROGERS for the
Hook and Ladder Event
KEITH STEWART for the
Hook and Ladder Event
HOWARD C. KORMANN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JAMES E. GILLUM from the
Simi Valley Breakfast Club
DARIO O. REYES for the
Hook and Ladder Event
KARI I. SHAW for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JODI M. SEITZ for the
Hook and Ladder Event

JASON R. ROGERS for the

Hook and Ladder Event
ALICE M. LABRIE for the
Hook and Ladder Event
BRIAN A. HOOVER for the
Hook and Ladder Event
KEVIN S. ELLEDGE for the
Hook and Ladder Event
JENIFER COSTIN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
AMY J. VANDUSEN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
KIM K. KELLEY for the
Hook and Ladder Event
GREGORY E. NEWLAND for the
Hook and Ladder Event
VALERIE LANDERS for the
Hook and Ladder Event

BROC. M HARMON for the

Hook and Ladder Event
ANGELA M. MCDOUGAL for the
Hook and Ladder Event
ANGELA M. MCDOUGAL for the
Hook and Ladder Event
KEVIN S. ELLEDGE for the
Hook and Ladder Event
LLOYD W. LANDERS for the
Hook and Ladder Event
MORGAN W. MONTOYA for the
Hook and Ladder Event
HENRY A. MUNOZ for the
Hook and Ladder Event
FIRE STATION NO. 19 from the
Fire Extinguisher Fund
BANK OF AMERICA

MICHAEL SITLER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

JEFFREY BADER in memory of

Darrayle Prosser

ROBERT J. MAC MILLAN

in memory of Darrayle Prosser

CYNTHIA BEALS in memory of

Darrayle Prosser

DONALD W. BADER in memory of

Darrayle Prosser

JEANINE BENNETT in memory of

Tony Ionata

ALBERT C. ABEL in gratitude for

the work of the Relief Association

GARY BOWIE in memory of

Darrayle Prosser

GARY B. KLASSE in memory of

Richard Mandichak

GARY CARDINALI in memory of

Darrayle Prosser

ROBERT W. MAC INNES for the

Hook and Ladder Event

EDWARD CHEA

GLENN E. AMES for the

Hook and Ladder Event
BRIAN SALCEDO for the
Hook and Ladder Event
PAMELA J. ABBOTT for the
Hook and Ladder Event
DONNA J. DAMEN for the
Hook and Ladder Event
LLOYD W. LANDERS for the
Hook and Ladder Event

JAKE HARRIS in memory of

Vickie Moore
TAMARA HUCKFELDT in memory
of Darrayle Prosser
DEANNA PORTER
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL/
TARA MORROW in memory of
Darrayle Prosser
BOB VALENZUELA in memory of
Warren Glenn

TYRONE F. BAKER for the

Hook and Ladder Event

May 2016 57

CLASSIFIEDS
For advertising information, please contact:
Eric Santiago - (323) 259-5231 - [email protected]
Dave Wagner - [email protected]

MERCHANDISE
FOR SALE

REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE

$10,000 - 1998 18.6 WELLCRAFT

ECLIPSE 2000 SS white with
blue trim Aprox. 60 hrs. New GM
350 Vortec engine approx. 18 hrs.
Fresh water cooled .Volvo SX Out
drive. Lenco trim tabs, marine
radio, depth finder, compass
etc. Trailrite tandem trailer, disc
brakes, swing tongue. Boat cover,
Bimini top
10 ft. Inflatable, 12volt air pump.
Always garaged, excellent condition. Jim Ross retired mate boat
5 - (760) 431-3409

3 BED, 3 BATH HOME IN PINE

MOUNTAIN CLUB. Situated in
small private community with
9-hole golf course, clubhouse,
equestrian center. No electricity
bills! Home comes with paid for
solar, extra water storage and well
constructed beds for gardening.
Come see this hidden gem! Contact Kristina - (310) 707-5333.

2005 ESCAPADE ELITE MOTORCYCLE TRAILER,pearl yellow

and black,chrome tow bar,with
cooler mounted on bar,chrome
wheels,Gold Wing style rear
lights.Air adjust shocks, swivel
hitch. Cost new $4760.00 will sell
$2800.00 for photos call me 949233-9905 between 7am & 5 pm
2007 FLEETWOOD/DISCOVERY
40 x diesel with 42200 miles
Asking: $99,950 or best offer.
Fully loaded and ready to take on
the road. Including new 48 Sony
Television, new air mattress for
sofa bed, new toilet, new sheet
sets for both beds. Has central
vacuum system. Even has dishes,
utensils and pots and pans, and
so much more. Call Kirk Bingham
(805) 660-9175.
email: [email protected]
AIR OPERATED PIT BULL
MOTORCYCLE FLOOR LIFT.
Cost new $647.00 asking $300.00
.For photos and questions ,call
949-233-9905 between 7: am and
5 pm.
OLD SCHOOL BOBBER. First
Place Big Twin 9th Annual Dave
Mann Chopperfest S&S 93 PanHead - Baker Six Speed - Custom
Paughco Springer Tauer Machine
Open Belt Primary - Performance
Machine Controls. For picture and
more information, email Bill at
[email protected]

58 May 2016

SERVICES
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BUY,
SELL, INVEST IN A HOME? Call
me, Diana Fuentes, Realtor
and wife to Fire Captain 56A at
661.373.6569, dianafuentesrealtor.com, [email protected]. I
also specialize in Probate Sales.
A generous donation, at close
of escrow to Adopt-A-Station or
Fire Fighters for Christ. Cal-BRE
License 01794244.
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.
COUNSELING SERVICES.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist Dr.
Susan Purrington specializes in
anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, eating disorders, spiritual
or personal growth, marital conflict, family of origin issues. Find a
supportive and confidential place
for healing and growth. Located in
Old Towne Orange. Questions or
consultation: (949)648-7875
[email protected]
COUNSELING KIDS & FAMILIES. Separation, divorce, kids
behavior problems (anger, acting
out behavior, defiance, attention
difficulties, hyperactivity, school issues, family adjustment), blended
families, parenting, support, family
issues, licensed marriage & family

therapist. Nancy Goodwin with

private office in Temecula. Confidential, 20 years experience, wife
of retired LAFD. (951) 231-1600.
www.goodwinfamilycounseling.
com
CRAIG SANFORD HEATING &
AIR - Free estimates, residential, commercial. Great rates for
LAFD and LAPD. Toll free (877)
891-1414, (661) 298-3070, FAX
(661) 298-3069. State License No.
527114
FIRE FAMILY ESTATE SALES
Call us when a loved one passes,
moves to a nursing facility or
downsizes. Our professional staff
can handle every aspect of estate
liquidation. We have worked with
many fire families and are here to
help. Rebecca Martin, LAFD wife
(818) 216-3637 www.firefamilyestatesales.com
FIREMAN DESIGN LANDSCAPE
INC. A complete landscape service A-Z. Sod irrigation / stamped
concrete / driveways / patio cover
/ low voltage lighting / artificial
turf / rockscapes / walls. FREE
landscape design. Free estimates.
Serving all Southern CA. Eric
Mendoza 96-B (760) 221-1912.
Call or text. CA Lic # 807078.
Bonded & insured
www.firemanlandscape.com
FIREMAN WHOLESALE NURSERY & ROCK YARD. All your
landscape materials @ wholesale
prices. Trees / plants / decorative
rock / boulders / firewood / sod /
artificial turf. Delivery available.
Located in Victorville CA. (760)
243-9500
www.firemanwholesalenursery.
com Your 1 stop shop!
GARAGE DOOR INSTALLATION
& SERVICE. Garage doors and
openers. Need to replace your
broken springs? or does your
door need repair, even replaced?
We do it all from new product to
repairing old. Call (661) 860-4563
Grassroots Garage Doors, Inc.
Lic# 950020. Son of 35 year veteran fireman.

offer discounts to all active and

retired firefighters, law enforcement, and military. Email: info@
reccoversdirect.com or call (949)
429-3029 for your discount code at
checkout. Visit our website:
RECCOVERSDIRECT.COM
LAFD retired - Les Hunt
SUNSOLAR US. We make it effortless for you to go green. We
custom design and engineer your
Solar Power system. Permits and
association approvals, rebates and
tax credits, 24 hour monitoring for
the life of the system - we handle it
all. Serving all Southern California
counties. Financing available. Firemans Discounts. Contact Brian
Koster (949) 525-6181. brian@
sunsolarus.com (888) 207-6411
TAX ALERT FOR FIREFIGHTERS. Dont lose thousands of
dollars during your professional
career to taxes! Let HEWITT
FINANCIAL GROUP prepare your
tax return. We specialize in tax
preparation and financial planning
for firefighters. We offer a FREE
REVIEW of your last three years
of tax returns. Call us today at
(800) 573-4829 or visit us at
www.hewittfinancial.com
WAYNE PRESS CHIROPRACTIC. Work, Auto, DMV, Wellness.
Preferred provider for most PPO,
HMO, MPN, Union, Auto accident
and Workers Compensation
Plans. (818) 527-7246.
DrWaynePress.com
WINDOWS & PATIO DOORS
- vinyl replacement windows &
Patio doors. I also carry aluminum,
wood and entry door systems.
Rick Brandelli, Capt. LACoFD, FS
8-C (800) 667-6676.
www.GeeWindows.com

VACATION
RENTALS

HIRE A VETERAN. Owner operated. Reasonable rates. Dump truck,

Bob Cat, Back hoe for landscape
renewal, Grading demo & more.
Larry D. Brown (818) 489-5126

BIG BEAR CABIN - All season,

restful views from decks. Two
story, sleeps 6, half mile to lake,
two plus miles to slopes. Fireplace/Wood, cable TV/DVD/VCR.
Full kitchen, completely furnished
except linens. Pets ok. $100/$110
(two day minimum). $550/$650
a week, Beep or Donna Schaffer
1+(760) 723-1475.
www.schaffercabin.com

REC COVERS DIRECT - Specializing in RV, boat & golf cart covers!
We have quality and durable
covers to meet all your needs. We

BIG BEAR CABIN. 2 bedroom,

2 bath, 2 story. Sleeps 6-8. About
6 miles from ski slopes & lake.
Fireplace/wood, cable, full kitchen

- furnished. $100 per night M - Th.

$110 per night F-Sun. Weekly
available. Sheri (909) 851-1094 or
(760) 948-2844.

DVD/phone. Garage/ample parking.

$95/night plus cleaning fee. Email
for pictures. Jeff Easton 93-A (805)
217-5602. [email protected]

BIG BEAR LAKES FINESTDeluxe lakeside townhouse, 2

bedrooms, 3 baths, 2 cable TVs,
HBO, DVD, WiFi, 2 wood burning
fireplaces, laundry room, tennis
court, indoor pool, sauna, spa,
boat dock. Fully equipped, including all linens. Sleeps 6. 310-5418311 or [email protected]

LAKE HAVASU LANDING-Waterfront, steps to the water. Boat

mooring out front, off-road desert
behind house. 3 bed/3 bath, fully
furnished w/linens. Direct TV/DVR,
BBQ, Casino, Grocery/Meat Market, Launch Ramp, Marina with
Boat House, Gated Community.
No pets/smoking. $350 Dan Cook
310 418 1577.

BIG BEAR CABIN. 4 Bdrm, 2

Bath 1,850 sq ft home on the
Eagle Point peninsula. Very close
to the lake, ski slopes, downtown
and grocery stores. Sleeps 9
comfortably. 50 cable TV, DVD,
VHS, WiFi, wood burning stove,
fireplace, fire pit, fire wood, BBQ,
laundry. 2 night min. Winter $160/
night. Summer $130/night. +$90
Cleaning. (4 days+ = no cleaning
fee) Some holiday rates apply.
Tony Zermeno (805) 625-1192
BIG BEAR CABIN - Sugarloaf Cozy upgraded 2 bedroom cabin.
Sleeps 8. Fireplace, deck, Wifi internet and cable TV. On a large
lot with sled hill. Fully furnished
except linens. $125 Winter $100
summer. Details and availability,
Call/text Jessica (949) 874-5294
[email protected]
sugarloafcabin.com
CATALINA BEACH COTTAGE
- 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, one block
to beach, view, fully equipped
housekeeping unit. Marci (818)
347-6783 or Clarence (310) 5102721.
CATALINA CONDO - HAMILTON
COVE. Ocean front, 1 bed, 1 1/2
bath, sleeps 4. Steps to beach,
pool, gym, putting course, tennis
and more. Newly refurbished,
fully equipped. Includes golf cart,
WiFi. Contact Bart @ (310) 5100190. Hamiltoncove.com. Ask
for LAFD 8-89 discount. Owner
active LAFD.
DESERT CONDOS, RANCHO MIRAGE (near Palm Springs). 2 bed,
2 bath. Fully furnished condo, TV,
internet, pools and spas. Gated
community from $115/night. 3
bed from $125/night. No smoking.
Barbara (626) 798-2484.
JUNE LAKE CABIN - 2BR/2BA
cabin with Carson Peak view. Close
to fishing & skiing. Furnished, wood
deck, equipped kitchen, wood
burning stove, tree swing, cable /

LAKE HAVASU BEAUTY FOR

RENT - 3 bdrm, 2 bath, 1600 sq.ft.
Fully furnished with all amenities- 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 NACIMIENTO. Oak Shores
gated community. 3 bedroom, 2
1/2 bath, large loft. 3minute drive
to main marina in Oak Shores.
Large flat driveway. Fully equipped
kitchen, BBQ, washer/dryer, TV/
DVD. No cable. No pets/smoking.
$185/night. 3 night minimum. Call
Ben (805) 444-2264.
MAMMOTH - 1 bedroom Summit condo, sleeps 6. Convenient
underground garage parking.
Jacuzzis, gym (pool/tennis in
summertime), shuttle right outside!
Across from Eagle Lodge, Winter
$110 per night, Summer $80 per
night plus $65 cleaning fee and
13% tax. All linens included. Drew
or Nancy Oliphant (661) 513-2000
or [email protected]
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2 bedroom
& large loft, 3 full baths, sleeps 8.
5 minute walk to Canyon Lodge.
Fully furnished, TVs, VCR/DVD,
pool, spa, rec room, sauna, linens
included. Winter $175 weekdays,
$195-weekends/holidays; summer
$125, plus cleaning. No smoking; no pets. Craig Yoder (909)
948-3659.
MAMMOTH CONDO. 2 bedroom,
2 bath, sleeps 6. Near Canyon
Lodge. Newly remodeled recreation room with pool and spa.
Laundy facilities, condo has been
beautifully remodeled. Photos
available on website. Winter $300 per night, Summer - $150
per night. $150 cleaning fee. Call
for holiday terms and pricing.

Joseph Angiuli (626) 497-5083.

www.discoveryfour.com

371-6722
Email: [email protected]

MAMMOTH CONDO - 2 bdrm, 2

bath, 2 TVs, phone, garage, pool,
jacuzzi, fully furnished - exept
linens. Near shuttle/chair 15.
Winter $125/night. Weekends and
Holidays $110 midweek. Summer
$95/night. $495/week. No smoking. No pets. Jim Johnson (818)
992-7564, FS 80C.

MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:

Studio/loft, 2 bath, king bed,
sleeps 4. Full kitchen, TV, VCR,
DVD. Garage parking. Walk to
Canyon Lodge. Ski back trail. 2
night minimum. Winter $100/nite,
$125 Fri, Sat & Holidays. Summer
$60/nite. Plus $120 cleaning &
linens. Jeff & Lisa Moir (661) 2545788.

MAMMOTH CONDO NEXT TO

THE GONDOLA VILLAGE Fully
furnished, three bedroom, two
bath with towels and linens, newly
remodeled kitchen, internet and
cable TV, pool and Jacuzzi. Walk
to the gondola, shops, restaurants
and ski in on the new comeback
trail. Parking at the front door.
Winter: $250/night. Summer $150/
night. Holidays $300/night. Cleaning is included. Call Mike Whitehouse, Retired, 805-987-6122,
email: [email protected]
or Bruce Galien, Retired, 661-6457448, email: [email protected]
MAMMOTH CONDO Cozy 2
bedrooms, 2 bath. Fully furnished,
WIFI, 3 TVs, pool, spa, walk
to shuttle, Old Mammoth area.
Winter $115, Summer $90, plus
cleaning fee $139 and 14% city
tax. Includes linens. No pets, no
smoking. Call (310) 540-4648.
MAMMOTH CONDO AT MAMMOTH ESTATES, 4BR/3BA,
sleeps 10, fully furnished, 2
TVs, DVDs, WiFi, towels/linens,
fireplace. Full kitchen. Walk to
Gondola Village and shuttle. Complex has pool, spa, sauna, laundry.
Winter $335/night, Summer $215/
night, plus cleaning. Includes city
bed tax. No pets, no smoking.
Dory Jones (310) 918-0631 or
Kelly Corcoran (310) 619-5355
MAMMOTH CONDO - Sierra
Manors Sleeps 7. 3 bedroom 2 1/2
bath. Fully furnished except linens.
2 TVs/VCR/DVD, stereo/CD.
Dishwasher, microwave, sauna,
jacuzzi, pool. No smoking/No
Pets. Shuttle at door. Winter $155/
night, Summer $100/night, Plus
$80 cleaning fee and City Bed
Tax. Brian & Karen Salvage LAFD
Retired (805) 499-7752.
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)

MAMMOTH SKI & RACQUET:

Walk to Canyon Lodge. Studio loft
sleeps 4. Queen beds, full kitchen,
2 baths, garage parking, TV, VCR,
DVD. Winter Sun-Thurs $100.nite;
Fri & Sat $115/nite plus cleaning
fee $100. Non smoking complex.
Joel Parker, LAFD retired.
email: [email protected] or
(213) 399-6534.
MAMMOTH CONDO- SEASONS
FOUR RESORT. Charming and
cozy furnished 1 Bedroom sleeps
5. Updated unit with amenities
including wifi, sauna, jacuzzi,
phone, rec room, 2 flat screens ,
DVD players. W/D on site. Shuttle
stop. Walking distance to village.
$120/night + $80 Cleaning fee
Bobby@310-350-5552.
MAUI BEACH FRONT CONDO
ON NAPILI BAY - 50 from water.
Studios and 1 bedroom. Luxury
furnishings + full kitchen. All the
amenities! Mauis best snorkeling/beach. All island activities &
Kapalua within 4 minutes. 5-day
minimum, from $150 per night
(regularly $310/night). Call Sherrie
or Bill for info/reservations (805)
530-0007 or email: pmimaui@aol.
com or visit:
www.napilibaymaui.com
MAUI CONDO 1 AND 2 BEDROOMS. Centrally located on
beautiful Maalaea Bay. Excellent
swimming and snorkeling; white
sandy beach. Minutes from golf,
tennis, fishing, shopping, airport
and resort areas. Marsha Smith or
Jeanne McJannet. Toll free (800)
367-6084. www.maalaeabay.com
MAUIS MOST BEAUTIFUL
BEACH - Napili Bay. Beautiful furnished condo that sleeps 4. Lanai/
balcony, full kitchen, king bed, flat
screen TVs/DVD, ACs free WiFi
(internet), complimentary maid
service, complimentary coffee
every morning and breakfast on
Fridays. Special firefighters discount - Best value in West Maui!
Nice pool & BBQ area - Close to

May 2016 59

beach! (800) 336-2185 www.

napilivillage.com
Don Sprenger - retired LAFD
(949) 929-0989
MONTANA ROCKY MT. FRONT
GETAWAY - 80 miles south of
Glacier Natl Park, in the foothills
of the Rockies, mountain and
canyon views. 1,000s of miles of
trailheads, fishing, etc. 2 bedroom,
1.5 bath, dining, living, kitchen
& washer/dryer. SatTV, wireless
internet. $125.00 night + cleaning.
Call Dan (805) 279-8143 or www.
VRBO.com (#494959)
PALM DESERT-3 bed/2bath, one
level. New re-model, fully furnished w/linens. Cable TV/DVR,
Private Patio, BBQ, Laundry,
Garage, Gated Community, two

(Pools, Jacuzzis, Tennis Courts).

Near College of the Desert. $175
Dan Cook 310 418 1577.
SEE NEW ORLEANS MARDI
GRAS. Beautiful 2 BD - 2BA with a
sauna. Hillcrest Villas. Next to golf
course in Adita Springs, LA. Only
$450/week. Feb 13th thru Feb
20th. (562) 799-1134
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE. Romantic
Chalet Family getaway. 3 bed/2
bath plus loft. Sleeps 810. Cable
TV, washer/dryer, microwave,
woodburning stove. 7 minutes to
casinos and Heavenly. Located in
Tahoe Paradise. $105 per night
plus cleaning. Call Shawn or Rose
Agnew at (661) 250-9907 OR
(661) 476-6288.

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please contact:
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or email: [email protected]
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Courteous, Ethical, and Special Consideration in the purchase of your new car.

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60 May 2016

HAMER TOYOTA, INC.

Camry / Celica / Corolla / Tundra
Tacoma / Sienna / Supra / Solara
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Ask for Steve DensonFleet Mgr
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Specializing in hassle-free car buying

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Honda - Sales and Leasing
Large Selection of Used Vehicles
6511 Santa Monica Blvd
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Ask for Dave Erickson
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KEVIN D. WRIGHT
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Financial Advisor
Morgan Stanley
CA Insurance License #0E11022

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All Members and Family of the LAFD

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