Fire Service Day at Museum 27

As is the tradition of the Los Angeles Fire Department, May is the time when the department opens the doors to all of their fire stations to welcome the public. This year, May 9 was the day - and The LAFD Museum & Memorial was open as well. The LAFD Historical Society combines Fire Service Day with the department's annual Open House event. And this year's event was a blast. See the Flickr Gallery from 27s and 99s.

Thanks to some generous sponsors, all of the cooking materials were donated, and as a result, the event generated good revenue to support the museum and maintenance of the memorial. For those who spent some time with the organization on Saturday, there was a wealth of things to enjoy, including the presentation of the LAFD Division 1 Honorary Fire Chief - this year to Valorie Keagan, a dedicated community activist and volunteer who has tirelessly worked to improve public safety within her Hollywood West community group and within the Hollywood area overall. The presentation was made by Battalion Commander John Drake (B5-A), and Valorie was presented with her white chief's helmet by Fire Chief Douglas Barry and City of Los Angeles councilmember Tom LaBonge. Other notable VIPs included City of Los Angeles councilmember Wendy Gruel, Fire Commissioner Casimiro Tolentino, Deputy Chief Mario Rueda, as well as other senior commanders and fire officials.

The food was, as usual terrific and was prepared, also as usual, by retired firefighters. Hundreds of people passed through the iron fence into the fallen firefighter memorial grounds and listened to speeches, watched Firefighter Ryan Penrod (29-B) and Wilshire the Fire Dog, plus a rescue drill by the members of 27-A. Watching firefighters tear a car apart using the Jaws of Life and other resuce tools is something to be seen.

The museum store did a brisk business (thank you!) and the new education program (MySafe:LA) was on hand with evacuation kits, merchandise, and information about the fire and life safety program being introduced to Los Angeles area schools.

It goes without saying that no event can be successful without a team effort. And, the volunteers at the LAFD Museum outdid themselves this year in nearly every respect. When you next come to visit the museum, please make certain to say hello to the volunteers you meet. They donate their time and do so because of their love for the fire service and the importance of maintaining the memorial.

If you haven't been to one of our pancake breakfast events, please make a note that next year, you must plan on attending. May is the month. Specific details will be published in the website in March of 2010.