The Foundation Heat

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Jeffrey Brown, who works at LAFD Fire Station 69 in the heart of the Pacific Palisades, was performing routine operations along the Pacific Coast Highway with his members the morning of January 7, 2025.

“The incident would have had a very different outcome without the thermal imaging camera,” Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Matt Quealy reflected.

Little did the crew at Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 23 in the Pacific Palisades know that their lives and the lives of their neighbors would change forever on January 7, 2025.

When Genesis called the LAFD Foundation to inquire about the benefit of a donation of vehicles for the Department, the team was stunned.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Cadet Finbar Tancraitor had a spring break quite unlike that of his fellow high schoolers. He did get plenty of sunshine and time outside, but not on a sandy beach or at his local park with friends.

Firehouse meals serve a purpose much bigger than fueling the bravest among us.

The Los Angeles Chargers Impact Fund’s Bolt Academy program offered young people the opportunity to experience Black History at the African American Firefighter Museum.

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, January 8th, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Christopher Klimpel and a crew from Fire Station 14 were finally headed back to the Pacific Palisades command post.

"In firefighting, you’re choosing a career where you’re constantly exposed to traumatic events,” shared Captain Roman Sanchez, a Navy veteran with 23 years on the LAFD. “I knew providing this support to others was my calling.”

The whole of Los Angeles is reeling from the impact of the Palisades and Eaton Fires, named the two most destructive fires in the history of the second-largest city in the United States.

Dear Firefighter: “I am thankful for your effort in trying to contain and put out the wildfires that have devastated so many communities.”

LAFD Captain Andy Ruiz has been passionate about fishing his whole life, having spent countless hours on the water with his brothers and father.

“If we have the technology, why would we not want it in the field, especially if it’s the best thing for the patient?” asked Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Medical Director Dr. Marc Cohen, who has seen firsthand the challenges of managing airways in both hospital and field settings.

For Melissa Pompa, running a marathon was much more than completing a personal goal. It was a meaningful way to give back to first responders through the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Canine Therapy Program.

“It’s hard to describe to people that have never experienced it,” Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Thomas Henzgen said of what he saw in Asheville, North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

Recently, I had the unique opportunity to go up to the Bridge Fire with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain Rich Diede to learn more about the LAFD’s wildfire mutual aid efforts.

At the firehouse, meals are more than just fuel – they’re an opportunity to foster camaraderie and comfort, even during the toughest shifts.

For some, the flashing lights of a fire engine stir up curiosity, and perhaps even comfort. For Omar Garcia, those lights changed the course of his life.

The untimely death of an LAFD recruit, an unexpected explosion that landed nine LAFD firefighters in the emergency room, and a firefighter who suffered permanent, severe injuries that required air transport to the closest hospital are just a handful of the Potentially Traumatic Events (PTEs) that LAFD firefighters confronted over the past year.

“My desire to be a medic, and how I operate in general, comes from my father,” said Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) Steven Smith.

Applause shook the auditorium as Quinn Heller made her way to the stage to accept the check from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Scholarship Fund at the annual ceremony for scholarship winners.

Ever wonder why people choose to align themselves with an organization like the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Foundation?

Over 14 days, one of California's most devastating wildfires swept across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, claiming three lives, destroying more than 1,500 structures, and forcing the evacuation of more than 295,000 residents.

The Los Angeles Fire Department’s 2024 Howling Hero was separated from her mother as a puppy and found herself in what her owner, Kristen Nystrom, called, “a house of horrors.”

“The hair on the back of your neck stands up a little bit,” Captain Elan Raber from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 18 reflected.

One of the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) mottos is “train like your life depends on it, because it does.”

Amy Yee will never forget receiving the call that her sheepadoodle, Sampson El Calafate, had won the 2023 LAFD Howling Heroes contest.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 94 responded to a midnight call in January 2021 for a commercial building fire in Hyde Park.

The feeling of crawling into bed after a long day, sinking into a comfortable mattress, and pulling the sheets up is familiar to all who have a relative sleep schedule and the privilege of owning a bed.

There are two things one might not expect to hear at firefighter training: an empathic “YES MA’AM” when responding to leadership commands, and the deep growl of that response coming from a group of teenagers.

Walk into any Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) fire station and firefighters will be ready to respond to any call at a moment’s notice.

Orpheas, an 8-year-old Maryland resident, is wildly enthusiastic about fire and rescue services.

For the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), a picture is worth much more than a thousand words.

Everyone knows firefighters for firefighting, but few fully understand the breadth and scope of what the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) does.

Though no one is sure who laid the foundation, Fire Station 109 (FS 109) has been known for its garden for longer than its members have been on duty.

Mike Ahmar is the Executive Chairman of Partners Bank of California, and the President of Ahmar Investment Inc., a prominent real estate development company.

For pet owners, animals are more than just companions; they are cherished members of our families.

Standing close to the manicured grass at BMO stadium, Arson Investigator Afara Lalaind waited patiently for her name to be called.

A driver races down the 405 on their way to work, weaving from lane to lane in the hopes of saving even a few seconds of travel time.

Can you smell a drop of gasoline from across a football field? How about spot the source of a fire to within three inches?

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) uses helicopters to combat wildfires, conduct rescues, and provide command and control during emergencies.

What is it like to be the mascot for one of the largest fire departments in the country? Each year, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation opens the Howling Heroes competition to the public.

It all started in 2004. A local artist named Rosie Tos stopped by her local fire station (LAFD Station 63) in Venice.

Twenty years ago, LAFD member Steve Hissong recalled a sense of disbelief as he watched the news coverage of a Boeing 767 which had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.

On Tuesday, October 13, 2020, the Los Angeles City Fire Department debuted the first robotic firefighting vehicle in the U.S., putting it to use on its first day in service.

Meet Dean Ulrich, LAFD Foundation board member and retired LAFD member. Dean spent three and half decades serving the people of Los Angeles.

Firefighter Of The Month May 2025

When Jason Jasgur joined the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 2014, he never could have imagined that he would be rendering aid to a SWAT officer who had been shot in the face during an active shooter incident.

Firefighter Of The Month April 2025

A young Geoff Balchowsky, fresh out of high school, was working as a lifeguard when someone disappeared under the water in front of his eyes.

Firefighter Of The Month March 2025

Matthew Riveros witnessed firsthand the expertise and compassion of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters at 18 years old when his seven-year-old baby sister had a stroke stemming from a tumor rupturing in her brain.

Firefighter Of The Month February 2025

From engineering to firefighting, Mark McLean’s journey is one of resilience and dedication. With over 20 years of service, he specializes in hazardous materials and urban search and rescue, tackling L.A.'s toughest emergencies.

Firefighter Of The Month January 2025

On January 7, 2025, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator (AO) Robby Jackson was teaching an auto-extrication class in Sunland, Los Angeles, when he first heard over his radio that there was a fire in the Palisades.

Firefighter Of The Month December 2024

As a young child, Matthew Thompson loved spending time with his dad, a Los Angeles County firefighter.

Firefighter Of The Month November 2024

With three years on the job, six months as a paramedic, and a 10-week-old baby girl, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighter/Paramedic Quan Tran is in a constant state of learning and growing.

Firefighter Of The Month October 2024

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator (AO) Travis Hill’s father was a 36-year LAFD firefighter and engineer.

Firefighter Of The Month September 2024

Ian VanGerpen was still a young Marine when he would take the train to Union Station in Los Angeles to visit his brother, a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighter.

Firefighter Of The Month August 2024

At the busy Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 4 in downtown Los Angeles, located near the Los Angeles County jail, skid row, and five major freeway junctions, one never quite knows what a typical day could look like.

Firefighter Of The Month July 2024

A young Travis Valdez was riding with his dad heading to baseball practice. Suddenly and shockingly, they witnessed a young girl get hit by a car.

Firefighter Of The Month June 2024

For Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) Scott Hobbs, joining the fire service was a childhood dream that never went away.

Firefighter Of The Month May 2024

As a Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) at Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 64 in the heart of Watts, Los Angeles, Slater Davies has seen his share of incidents.

Firefighter Of The Month April 2024

Apparatus Operator (AO) Jose Rodriguez found his way to the fire service through the rough, wildfire-prone terrain of the Angeles National Forest. In 2000, he joined the U.S.

Firefighter Of The Month March 2024

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain I David Mack’s most memorable call, and the call he is most proud of, does not involve something that he did. Rather, it was what he witnessed from his fellow firefighters.

Firefighter Of The Month February 2024

It was Engineer Ronald Tomacruz’s first day at Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 80, and he had just been cleared to drive the big rigs that are specially designed for serving the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Firefighter Of The Month January 2024

Firefighter David Hinojosa, a first-generation U.S.-born citizen and firefighter, grew up in a rough area of Orange County and hails from a family of immigrants.

Firefighter Of The Month October 2023

At the heart of Fire Station 50, nestled in Atwater Village, resides Matthew Davis - a firefighter paramedic with over 17 years of service under his belt.

Firefighter Of The Month Fall 2023

In the bustling neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, Fire Station 25 stands as a beacon of hope and assistance for the local community.

Firefighter Of The Month Summer 2023

Meet Engineer Sean Williams, a dedicated and seasoned firefighter whose illustrious career spans 32 years and is currently stationed at Fire Station 24, which serves the community of Shadow Hills in Los Angeles, CA.

Firefighter Of The Month May 2023

Oscar Cespedes knew from an early age that he wanted to be a firefighter.

Firefighter Of The Month April 2023

Firefighter Daniel Nakamura heard the call toward a life of service at an early age.

Firefighter Of The Month Spring 2023

Growing up in Montana, Brian LaBrie knew that his path led to the fire department.

Firefighter Of The Month February 2023

Firefighter Shaunna Purkey is a proud member of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), serving the residents of South Los Angeles from Fire Station 21.