On February 20, 2018, the Los Angeles Fire Commission recognized those volunteers that helped during the wildfires that occurred in September and December of 2017, for the “La Tuna”, “Creek” and “Skirball” fires. Congratulations to our volunteers and to our wonderful leaders, LAFD Captains John Ignatczyk and Christopher Winn.

Here is the article from the Los Angeles Fire Department:

LAFD Recognizes Selfless Wildfire Volunteers

LOS ANGELES – Groups of dedicated volunteers were formally recognized on February 20, 2018, by the City of Los Angeles Fire Commission and Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas, for their critical help at recent historic wildfires in Los Angeles.

Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), Rio Hondo Fire Academy, Notre Dame High School and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – VA of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System exemplified a giving spirit during the multiple and sometimes concurrent crises that threatened homes and lives.

The Los Angeles Fire Department expressed particular appreciation for the hard-work the volunteers demonstrated for several weeks during the “La Tuna”, “Creek” and “Skirball” wildfires by establishing base-camps, assisting with supplies and providing logistical support that freed up firefighters to continue battling on the front lines.

The volunteers provided over 800 lunches in one hour during the La Tuna wildfire, assisted with the pick up of tens of thousands of feet of fire hose, fueled vehicles and even patrolled base camps for spot fires caused by embercasts, and extinguished them.

These noble volunteers under the oversight of LAFD Captain Christopher Winn proved themselves as invaluable members of our LAFD Team at a time of immense challenge.

The willingness of these volunteers to perform community service of their own free will, without any manner of monetary compensation, remains a historic achievement.

Among those recognized in Fire Commission chambers were:

LAFD CERT VOLUNTEERS:
Carl Ginsberg, Gregg Aniolek, Rachel Black, Barry Watkins, Terrance Gomes, Renato Akerman, Steve Weinberger, Kobey Horn, Michael Godfrey, Lori Atwater, Rodolfo Rotondo,

Tony Gomez-Hill, Erik Clarke, Aaron Yee, Phil Jamtaas, Linda Muhlmeyer, Orlando Bohr, May Braido, Renee Dutreaux, Gizelle James, Jacqueline Kozak, Lorraine Curry, Matt Towner, Douglas Choi, Christy Adair, Martin Rumpf, Israel Lopez, Kevin Kong, Jackson Jang, Sam Ward, Ron Terrell, Steven Cammarata, Emanuele Rodrigues-Berardini, Bob Adjemian, Manny Hernandez, Patrick Botz-Forbes, James Anderson, Mathis Chazanov, Alton Reed, Bonnie Shatun, Ken Weston, Bill Hopkins, Barry Woods, Seraphine Segal, Paul Beauregard, Jon Hum, Cindy Kurland, Mary Davidson, Kolja Erman, Sue Bullough, Chin Thammasaengsri, Pat Hall, Jeff Hole.

RIO HONDO FIRE ACADEMY VOLUNTEERS:
Spenser Nail, Cameron Velasco, Robert Amaya, Isaiah Escoto, Quinn Dorman, Eric Agliozzo, Seth Jones, Michael Tettleton, Giovanni Mendez

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS:
Rose Profozich, Jessica Yang, Bellamy Suter

VETERAN AFFAIRS of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System:
Michiko Riley, Public Affairs Specialist; Blake Anderson, Web Communications Specialist/Public Affairs; Nikki Baker, Associate Chief Public Affairs

OTHER VOLUNTEERS;
Sofia Sanchez, Tarin Wilson, Francesca Mercier