Topic: Events

It's time to vote! If you're a paid member of the LAFD Historical Society, this is your chance to help guide the future of the organization. During the month of August, we're conducting our annual elections. By now, you should have received your ballot and voting materials in the mail. Please review the materials carefully and once you have a good idea of what you'd like to see take place in the future, please select your vote and return the envelope promptly.

If you have friends who are members, please ask them to vote. It is extremely important that we get as many members to vote as possible.

Read the overview of the elections document - click here.

UPDATE on materials received via the US Mail: In the election material you received in the mail there is one reference to using a proxy procedure to give the Board the right to cast your vote.  We were going to use a proxy system but decided against that for technical reasons, but there is still a reference to "proxy" in your election materials.  Please understand that you may not vote by proxy in the current election.  We apologize for any confusion.

If you have not received your ballot materials via US mail, please contact us immediately: info@lafdmuseum.org

If your membership has lapsed, we invite you to renew your membership and vote.

It's important that your ballot be received no later than September 08, 2009. (Updated)

Note: Updated candidate statements are available online - click here.

You may review the current listing of directors online - click here.

To learn more about the LAFD Museums, click here.

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.

The 4th Annual Greater Alarm Gala is less than a month away, and already, the anticipation is building. This year, there are so many things for us to consider when opening the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Plaza for this prestigious event. The LAFD lost a gallant firefighter, Brent Lovrien this year. Several other firefighters passed away, due to on-the-job-related illnesses. And, the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Plaza was completed this past August.

This year also marks some important changes. The event has grown up a bit, and we're eager to make certain everyone has the best time possible while in our company. We've added fun things to do - get your photo taken while sliding the fire pole in the station, or get photographed and have your image matted onto a fire engine. If you enjoy cigars, we'll have a talented cigar-roller there to work his magic - just for you.

As with years past, we're offering up a tremendous menu, all prepared by LA City Firefighters. And, we've added food service lines to provide faster service. Coffee and deserts are being brought to the table, and we'll keep you entertained with a variety of aerialists, fire dancers, videos, and much more.

So, please join us for a worthwhile cause and a fun evening. Forget the daily drama of life in Los Angeles and escape to Historic Fire Station 27 in Hollywood. You'll be glad you did.

Additional information is available at: www.greateralarmgala.org

If you haven't been to the grand opening of a new fire station, it's a terrific way to start the day. On August 16, 2008, the Los Angeles Fire Department will celebrate the opening of its latest construction project: The New Fire Station 43.

Here's the scoop:

Saturday, August 16, 2008
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Fire Station 43
3690 Motor Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034

West Los Angeles is an active part of the Southern California Landscape and this Fire Station will be busy as well. With a combination of homes, apartments, and commercial businesses, the mix of emergency runs will keep these firefighters on the go.

The LAFD Historical Society will be a part of the festivities - we'll be bringing our mobile gift shop to the event. If you're interested in some authentic LAFD wearables, hats, shirts, and patches... or, if you're ready to teach your kids about fire safety, we've got books and DVDs you'll enjoy. Best of all, we've got models of helicopters, fire engines, and much more. So, don't miss out on the fun.

Join us and have some fun, eat some cake, and pick up a model fire engine for the kids. See you there!