BATTALION 14 News & Information

After 32 years of service to the citizens of Los Angeles Battalion Chief Richard P. Kay, Battalion 14 "A" Platoon, is retiring. Chief Kay is a highly skilled officer who is well respected among his peers.

Chief Kay will take a wealth of experience with him when he leaves. He has worked his way up through the ranks and has held the positions of Fireman, Apparatus Operator, Engineer, Captain I, Captain II and Battalion Chief. Rick has served at many assignments including FS 15, FS 3, FS 27, OCD, and Battalions 18, 9, 1, 10 and 14. In addition Rick has worked in several Special Duty assignments including Disaster Preparedness, Administrative Justice and Employee Relations.

Chief Kay is a good friend and will be missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of working with him through the years. Rick's interests are many and he has plans to build a new home, restore his classic truck, hunt, ride motorcycles and raise horses with his family.

Rick...from all of your friends and co-workers - have a happy and healthy retirement!

Firefighter Jason Teter, F.S. 60 B, has moved on to greener pastures. After doing an outstanding job at 60s, including coordinating the highly successful Memorial Torch Relay, Firefighter Teter has transferred to F.S. 14 C.

The Battalion 14 Commanders would like to thank Jason for all of the hard work and dedication he has demonstrated and wish him the best of luck in his new assignment.

On Friday, March 17 the members of Fire Station 89 hosted the annual St. Baldrick's fundraiser for Children's Cancer Research. The event was a huge success as over 100 men, women and children volunteered to shave their locks in support of childrens cancer research.


The event was well organized with an outstanding turnout. Firefighter of the Year Captain Steve Ruda did a great job as the MC and helped spur on many of the members to take the "big step".


Both Task Force 88 and Engine 57 made us all proud with their unanimous committment and raised lots of money for their efforts. It was great to see the event back at Fire Station 89.


The Battalion 14 Commanders would like to thank all of the many members who volunteered to organize and put on this great event. A special thanks goes out to all of those who "got cut". The smiles on the faces of the kids in attendance who will benefit from the event made it all worthwhile.

You made us all proud!

On Saturday, March 4, the members of Fire Station 89 "B" Platoon presented an OUTSTANDING drill on Firefighter Safety and Self-Rescue. Based on actual incidents where firfighters had lost their lives at incidents the drill consisted of a classroom session with Powerpoint slides as well as a Practical session consisting of demonstrations as well as actual participation by our members.

The membes of FS 89 built all of the props that were utilized during the drill. Faced with a short timeline, much of the construction was done in inclement weather and many of the members worked on the project off duty. Every effort was made to make this an excellent opportunity for participants to improve their job knowledge and safety.

Apparatus Operator Rob Curtis took hundreds of photos that were used in the Powerpoint Presentation to illustrate step by step safety and rescue evolutions. Evolutions included:

Rescue of a downed F/F from a confined space below a small window (Denver Incident)

Rescue of a F/F who has partially fallen through a roof

Rescue of a F/F who has become trapped or down in a basement (conscious and unconscious)

Self-Rescue for a F/F from an above ground window (Ladder Bail)

Several solutions were presented for each scenario and participants were able to practice on each prop, often suggesting additional solutions.

Members of Battalion 17 also attended the drill. Everyone who had the chance to be there had very positive comments that ranged from ""Great drill - I learned alot" to "That was the best drill I've ever been involved with".

Battalion 14 and FS 89 have a limited number of CDs with the Powerpoint Presentation....you can request one by clicking on the "Chief Williams" link at the right of this page.

*Note Once again the Division 3 "B" Commander, A/C Rick Garcia, demonstrated to the troops that Firefighter Safety is his # 1 concern by being one of the first to display his skills in the Ladder Bail. This is what earns trust and loyalty.

89s we salute you!

The best site for anyone wanting up to date information on what's happening on our Department is the outstanding LAFD News and Information site maintained by Brian Humphrey.

This site not only chronicles the latest emergency incidents and news but also lists interesting and important links to other excellent sites. Please take the time to visit this site. You can find the link to this site permanently listed at the right of this site or to go to the site directly you can click here.

The Officers of Battalion 14 would like to congratulate Firefighter Brian Stires, FS 89 B, on the receipt of the Medal of Valor. The Medal of Valor is the highest award that can be given to a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department for an act of bravery. Firefighter Stires will be awarded the Medal of Valor for his actions at a structure fire in North Hollywood. At that incident Firefighter Stires crawled through the window of a fully involved single family dwelling in order to successfully search for a woman who was trapped inside. His actions were taken in the very highest traditions of our Department.

Firefighter Stires will be recognized tomorrow at a meeting of the Fire Commission and in the near future at a formal luncheon.

Congratulations!

A new link that gives up to date status and information regarding Red Flag Fire Weather Conditions has been added to our "Links" section at the right of this page. This is a great way to determine if a Red Flag Alert has been issued for Los Angeles due to dangerous conditions causd by high temperature, low humidity and/or high winds. You can preview the link by clicking here.

On March 2, 2006, Battalion 14 responded to a reported Structure Fire on Camarillo St. in the Toluca Woods area. Members of LF 60, E 86, RA 86, RA 860, E 76, E 78 along with EMS 14 found a 1-story Single Family Dwelling with one room well involved on arrival.

Following a quick knockdown of the fire firefighters doing the primary search located a cat and a dog inside the structure. The cat was brought out unharmed however the dog, named "Blue", was unconscious.

Quick thinking FF/PMs Bryan Howard and Ruel Cole (shown above), both working on Rescue 86, used oxygen in an attempt to revive the animal as the owner looked on. Their efforts were successful.

Damage to the dwelling was minor and confined to the room of origin.

Great Job!