Captain Waldie Brangham To Retire
After 31 years of service, Captain Waldie Brangham will spend his last day in the field at Fire Station 89, on May 2nd, 2007.
Waldie joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department in January of 1976.
He was promoted to Apparatus Operator in February of 1982 and Captain in August of 1994.
Captain Brangham transferred to Battalion 14, Fire Station 89, "A" Platoon, in October of 1999. Waldie brought with him a vast array of firefighting experience along with an excellent knowledge of strategy and tactics.
Waldie always leads by example, keeping the safety of his crew and the public as his number one job priority.
Beneath the gruff exterior, Waldie was a man with a huge and generous heart.
For many years, Waldie played a key leadership role in organizing the Fire Department's participation in the St. Baldricks Program raising tens of thousands of dollars in an effort to cure childhood cancer.
Waldie will be able to enjoy retirement with his wife, Leslie, and his two boys, Trevor and Derek, who currently attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Fire Station 89, Battalion 14, and the entire Los Angeles Fire Department along with the community of Los Angeles congratulate Captain Waldie Brangham on his retirement and thank him for his 31 years of service.....
Waldie joined the Los Angeles City Fire Department in January of 1976.
He was promoted to Apparatus Operator in February of 1982 and Captain in August of 1994.
Captain Brangham transferred to Battalion 14, Fire Station 89, "A" Platoon, in October of 1999. Waldie brought with him a vast array of firefighting experience along with an excellent knowledge of strategy and tactics.
Waldie always leads by example, keeping the safety of his crew and the public as his number one job priority.
Beneath the gruff exterior, Waldie was a man with a huge and generous heart.
For many years, Waldie played a key leadership role in organizing the Fire Department's participation in the St. Baldricks Program raising tens of thousands of dollars in an effort to cure childhood cancer.
Waldie will be able to enjoy retirement with his wife, Leslie, and his two boys, Trevor and Derek, who currently attend Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. Fire Station 89, Battalion 14, and the entire Los Angeles Fire Department along with the community of Los Angeles congratulate Captain Waldie Brangham on his retirement and thank him for his 31 years of service.....
NEW FIRE STATION 78 COMING OUT OF THE GROUND
With the piles (over 100 of them), grade beams, and foundation footings completed, new Fire Station 78 is coming out of the ground. The contractor is currently working on setting the steel
When completed Fire Station 78 will be a state of the art 17,250 square foot Fire Station capable of housing a Task Force(one aerial ladder truck and two engines), (2) Rescue Ambulances, and a Command Staff, for a total of 18 members per shift. The two story living/office area will be flanked by (3) drive thru heavy apparatus bays on one side and (3) back in light apparatus bays on the other side.
The construction project is part of the Proposition F Fire Bond Program and is one of 17 replacement stations being constructed. It is anticipated that the Fire Station will be completed in early 2008.
The new Fire Station will be located in the 4100 block of Whitsett, just north of Ventura Blvd., about 1/8 mile east of the current Fire Station 78. The current Fire Station 78 is a tempoary facility, replacing the Fire Station that was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake.
beams and columns, installing the rough electrical and plumbing, setting the underground and underslab utilties, tying the miles of rebar, and constructing the CMU walls.
When completed Fire Station 78 will be a state of the art 17,250 square foot Fire Station capable of housing a Task Force(one aerial ladder truck and two engines), (2) Rescue Ambulances, and a Command Staff, for a total of 18 members per shift. The two story living/office area will be flanked by (3) drive thru heavy apparatus bays on one side and (3) back in light apparatus bays on the other side.
The construction project is part of the Proposition F Fire Bond Program and is one of 17 replacement stations being constructed. It is anticipated that the Fire Station will be completed in early 2008.
The new Fire Station will be located in the 4100 block of Whitsett, just north of Ventura Blvd., about 1/8 mile east of the current Fire Station 78. The current Fire Station 78 is a tempoary facility, replacing the Fire Station that was destroyed in the Northridge earthquake. 
A FAMILY AFFAIR
It was truly a "family affair" recently at Fire Station 108 when two generations of a firefighting family got the rare opportunity to work one final shift together "up on the hill".Engineer William Mueller (Fire Station 108 "B") and Engineer Michael Mueller (Fire Station 65 "B") both filled a seat on the rig for the full 24. Bill, a 39 year veteran, was set to retire at the end of this month and wanted a chance to work with his son "just once" before he started the good life.
Battalion 14 was able to "make it happen" when some staffing moves fell into place and Mike, with 7 1/2 years on the job, got to work with his Dad and fulfill a dream.
Congratulations from Battalion 14!
Pre-Incident Plan of Burbank Airport
Battalion 14, EMS 14, and Engine 60 along with neighboring Battalion 12 and Engine 77 joined forces with the Burbank Fire Department and the Burbank Airport Authority Fire Department for a pre-incident plan and tour of the Burbank Airport. Burbank Airport crash/rescue firefighters provided an outstanding overview of the airport, including a PowerPoint presentation identifying access points, hydrants, airport signage, fire protection systems, and a description of their crash/rescue apparatus.
The PowerPoint presentation was followed by a tour of the airport facility, providing an opportunity for all responding agencies and companies to get a first hand look at entry points, the fuel farm, runways and taxiways, along with the passenger loading and baggage handling areas on the field side of the airport.
Thanks to the Burbank Airport Fire Department and the Burbank Fire Department for the informative and practical pre-incident overview.....
The PowerPoint presentation was followed by a tour of the airport facility, providing an opportunity for all responding agencies and companies to get a first hand look at entry points, the fuel farm, runways and taxiways, along with the passenger loading and baggage handling areas on the field side of the airport.
Thanks to the Burbank Airport Fire Department and the Burbank Fire Department for the informative and practical pre-incident overview.....
Chief Williams Retirement
Battalion 14 and the Los Angeles Fire Department is losing one of its best, as the illustrious career of Battalion Chief Evan Williams comes to a close. Chief William's last day in the field will be Thursday, April 26, 2007. Appointed in November of 1973, Chief Williams concludes 34 years of dedicated service to the Department.. He promoted to Captain in May of 1982 and then Battalion Chief in March of 1999. Chief Williams transferred to Battalion 14 in January of 2004. His outstanding leadership skills, wealth of firefighting experience and incident management knowledge along with his dynamic personal management ability will certainly be missed.
Chief Williams was the driving force that created the Battalion 14 News and Information Blog that receives posts and comments throughout the United States. He is highly respected among his peers who often call upon him for his professional advice on urban interface brush fire strategy and tactics along with his knowledge of the Incident Command System (ICS).
You are invited to honor Battalion Chief Williams at his Retirement Dinner, scheduled for Monday, June 4, 2007, at the Odyssey Restaurant in Granada Hills.
RIVERSIDE I.C.
On March 29, 2007 at 0959 hours, Battalion 14, Task Force 60, Light Force 102, Task Force 89, Engine 108, Engine 86 and Light Force 88 were dispatched to a reported Structure Fire on Riverside Drive west of Whitsett Avenue.
First units on scene reported a 2-story sealed office building with one unit on the 2nd floor well-involved with fire. Battalion 14 Commander Evan Williams assigned E60 and E78 to fire attack, while LF102 and LF89 went aloft to provide roof ventilation.
Companies quickly isolated the fire in the attic space above a dropped ceiling. A quick knockdown was effected...cause was determined to be accidental (torch from a roofing operation).
