Topic: Memorial

Early in the morning of December 4, 1984, the Los Angeles Fire Department lost one of its firefighters in the midst of a greater alarm structure fire near the Los Angeles International Airport. Firefighter Ben Pinel was part of a fire attack team when he became separated from his crew. We invite you to learn more about Firefighter Pinel and his ultimate sacrifice for the City of Los Angeles. To learn more, click here.

We also encourage you to visit the LAFD Museum and Memorial in Hollywood. Firefighter Pinel's name is on our memorial wall, and you may make a donation in his name - or purchase a memorial paver for our plaza.

The LAFD Historical Society, Museum & Memorial would like to thank all of those who attended the 2009 Memorial event here in Hollywood. Each year, we gather to pay our respects to those firefighters who served the public and gave their lives so that others might live.

Each year, the LAFDHS creates a special event, dedicated to our Los Angeles firefighters. Each year, we unfortunately are adding names to teh memorial wall in front of Old Fire Station 27 in Hollywood. This remains a dangerous job, and every ounce of support from the public is important, not only to the department, but to the families of fallen firefighters as well.

Thank you again for your support!

We encourage you to continue that support with the purchase of a memorial paver or other donation. The LAFD Museum operates solely with funding from donations and membership fees. Your support is greatly appreciated.

This coming April 25, the Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Society will host a memorial service to honor the 30th anniversary of the death of City of Los Angeles Firefighter Brian E. Phillips. Firefighter Phillips, a department member for nearly six years, was killed when he was thrown from an aerial ladder during ladder pipe operations while on scene at an arson structure fire.

Firefighter Phillips was assigned to Task Force 102 in the San Fernando Valley. At about 7:30PM on the 25th of April 1979, the long ring sent firefighters to their apparatus for a reported structure fire at Mullin Lumber Company on Lankershim Boulevard in North Hollywood. Arriving firefighters discovered a working fire and began deployment of resources to engage in suppression activities. It was during the firefight that Phillips was thrown to the street when the ladder pipe assembly came loose on truck 102.

Brian's father, Terry Phillips, served the City of Los Angeles for 26 years and retired as a captain in 1967. When he died, Firefighter Phillips was survived by his wife, Brenda, and a stepdaughter, Michelle Lee Cupp.

The LAFD Historical Society honors all fallen firefighters and the public is welcome to visit the memorial plaza. There, etched on the memorial wall, you can view Brian Phillips name, as well as the 254+ other LA City Firefighters who died while protecting the citizens of the city of Angels.

Please honor Brian by attending a special 30th anniversary memorial service. It will be held on the 25th of April, 2009 at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood. Please refer to the website calendar for specifics on the event.

The Los Angeles Police Department and indeed the City of Los Angeles is mourning the loss of Deputy Chief Kenneth Garner, who died suddenly this weekend. Chief Garner was known as a decisive, direct individual who spent every day of his career concerned for the citizens who live and work in the city of Angels. Chief Garner attended several of our events and we join in offering our condolences to the department and his family.

Los Angeles Times Journalist Sandy Banks has written a moving tribute to Chief Garner. You may read it by clicking here.

For additional information, please visit the LAPD website.

December typically signals the arrival of winter over fall, with holiday decorations, office parties, and a general feeling of good cheer. Even in Los Angeles, the weather changes, even if only slightly, and the evenings are cooler; the days shorter.

It was cool and quiet on December 4, 1984 as Los Angeles Police Officers Joe Ransfer and Robert Lopez patrolled in their car the area surrounding Los Angeles International Airport. As they drove past the southern runways at about 4:50AM, they were stunned to see flames punching through the roof of The Proud Bird restaurant. A radio call was made and OCD issued a structure fire assignment at 4:54AM (TF 95, TF5, E80, BC4).

First in units realized they had a working fire and the initial "size-up" resulted in additional units being called. Within minutes 23 companies and Deputy Chief Don Anthony were either on scene or en route, including Engine 54.

The fire was stubborn, having actually been started by thieves just after midnight - it had a nearly five hour head-start and had pushed its way from the main floor of the restaurant into the huge 130 by 175 foot attic of the facility. The unique construction of the building also made the attack difficult. The roof contained a maze of construction beams, supports and other elements that diluted the traditional venting operations of firefighters on the roof.

As an interior attack continued, the crew of Engine 54, including Captain Jim N. DiGrado, Firefighters Walter T. Barnett and Benjamin Pinel were working an inch-and-a-half line through the ballroom. Engine 66 was engaged in a similar effort. Suddenly, without warning, a tremendous flashover occurred, pushing firefighters back due to the extreme heat and fire. Engine 66 and 54 retreated to the street, only to discover that Firefighter Pinel was missing.

Firefighters re-entered the building in search of Pinel, including Firefighter Johnny Garcia of Truck 64. Garcia followed the hoseline from 54s to the nozzle, but couldn't find Pinel. As he peered though the dark, murky smoke, he heard the low-air warning from Pinel's breathing apparatus, plus the personal alarm device (PAL) on Pinel's turnout coat.

Garcia was forced to abandon the building for a fresh air bottle, but immediately returned to continue his search. Now, only the tone from Pinel's PAL device could be heard, but Pinel himself was not to be found. As his air ran low, Garcia, now exhausted, exited the building for a third air bottle and a third attempt to find the missing firefighter.

As Garcia and others searched, the fire in the attic continued to escalate. Firefighting and search and rescue operations were ongoing and after awhile, Pinel was found, about 75 feet from the nozzle of his line. He had apparently attempted to exit in a wrong direction and became disoriented. He did not survive and heat and smoke in the ballroom.

Benjamin Pinel left a wife and six-month old daughter behind, and a brother who was also a firefighter, Michael, then stationed at Task Force 66. Garcia was awarded the medal of valor for his efforts. Arson investigators later arrested Jose Jesus Davilla related to the arson fire at the restaurant, but he was not convicted, due to a lack of hard evidence. He was deported to Mexico, having been in the US illegally.

Today, 21 years later. all Los Angeles firefighters remember Pinel, Garcia, and the Proud Bird. The name of Pinel is inscribed on the wall of the new Firefighter Memorial in Hollywood, just outside Old Fire Station 27. If you ask anyone who hears about this story, they're likely to tell you Pinel was a hero. If you ask a firefighter, they're more likely to say, "it's just another part of the job."