The Magnificent Firefighters of Beverly Hills
by Tanaz Akhlaghi on June 1, 2010Within three minutes of my phone call, Battalion Chief Ed Snyder, Chief Paul Morgan and their team were knocking on my door one late Saturday afternoon.
That day, the Beverly Hills Fire Department wasn’t responding to the usual traffic accident, structure fire or chemical spill. It wasn’t a medical emergency or a natural disaster.
I had accidentally backed my car into the gate causing it to go off track, making the gate impossible to close. With the gate wide open to the backyard and nighttime quickly approaching, the BHPD considered it a security concern, so the Beverly Hills Fire Department was there to help in no time.
I’m not telling you this story to flaunt my incredible driving skills. I don’t back into my gate on a daily basis. Though mine wasn’t a life threatening incident, I’m sharing the story to shed light on and show sincere appreciation for a group of wonderful men and women who risk their lives every day to protect ours.
The Beverly Hills Fire Department has been providing Emergency Medical Service to our community since 1924. With the advance of medical technology and hi-tech vehicles, they continue to provide public safety services to protect life and property against fire and other disasters.
Chief Tim Scranton and The Beverly Hills Fire Department are proud to be one of only a few departments in the nation that carry the elite distinction of being rated a “Class 1″ department by the Insurance Services Office.
There are three strategically located fire stations, four engines, one truck and two ambulances that provide fire suppression and rescue services. There are always six people on any medical car and all fire engines have one paramedic on them. The companies are cross-trained in a variety of operations and are equipped to respond to any type of emergencies.
The BHFD has one of the fastest response times in the nation. According to Chief Scranton, it’ll take an ambulance three minutes and and engine about four minutes to reach their destinations.
I recently attended the BHFD and The Beverly Hills Firemen’s Association annual event called “Fire Safety Day” where they reached out and educated the community about the different fire situations that the department responds to. Held at the Fire Department headquarters at 445 N. Rexford Drive, locals and visitors got a chance to chat with firefighters while enjoying hot dogs and entertaining music. Kids had a blast on the fire engine rides and stood in amazement as they took in the rescue demonstrations.
Firefighters also got a chance to give us a few tips for fire safety:
1. Be careful when using candles. Keep them at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
2. Inspect electrical cords. Replace cords that are cracked or damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.
3. If you’re a smoker, smoke outside and have a sturdy and deep ashtray handy.
4. Watch your cooking and stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave even for a short time, they recommend to turn off the stove.
5. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children, preferably in a high cabinet with child lock.
6. Give space heaters space. Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
7. Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
8. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke ararms throughtout the home. This way, when one goes off, they all follow.
9. Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace the batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” letting you know that the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more that 10 years old.
10. If building and remodeling a home is in your future, install residential fire sprinklers which can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time that it would take the fire department to arrive.
I had the privilege to speak to some of the brave firemen in the video below. They are truly an extraordinary bunch and I’m so proud that they are part of my community:
Did you get a chance to go to “Fire Safety Day” this year? Have you had any interactions with the Beverly Hills Fire Department? I would love to hear your story. I always enjoy hearing from you!
Other Articles in Beverly Hills:
What Inspires the Artist in You? (At the Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens Art Show, artists reveal what inspires their creations)
Beverly Hills Recognized as Tree City USA
L.A Dogs: It’s a Ruff Life in Beverly Hills
Did you know that there are two female firefighters on the team? And according to Chief Scranton, there is a Barbie Doll being modeled after one of them. What a great role model!
Tanaz….yet again, another stellar post and the video is top notch. I have such respect for fire fighters and I learned more about what makes the BH division so special. Love their pride too. You truly are “Bringing Communities to Life”
[...] The Magnificent Firefighters of Beverly Hills [...]
Tanaz, just had to share with you how much I enjoy your posts. I even received phone call the other day from my mother. She had just watched one of your videos and was so impressed by your natural ability to cover great material, but also your presence on the camera. Great work.
Dear Tanaz,
This is such a great report. The writing is beautiful, the story is interesting, and the video couldn’t have been livelier!
Among those working in public services, I have long felt the most respect for the Fire Department crew. I think you appreciation could easily be applied to the FD’s of other counties, and cities, as well. Personally, since 2001, everytime I see or hear a fire engine driving in the streets, I remember how 343 firefightes where lost in minutes, and so many more received permanent injuries, just trying to save lives. It still touches me like day one.
Over the years, the LAFD has responded to several of my calls, one of which involved rescuing me, as I was stuck inside the elevator of my own building! They arrived within minutes — faster than the elevator company! — and I was out a short while later.
In quite a few others cases, I called them when I perceived danger to others: a large fire on Sepulveda (they already knew), smoke rising from a highriser (turned out to be a film crew in Westwood!), a young man “sleeping” on the pavement (turned out he was almost fatally intoxicated after drinking), and a suspicious smell in a post office at night (wasn’t anything important). In all cases they showed up instantly and did what they had to do.
So once more, thanks for this report! They most deserve it!
Best,
P
[...] The Magnificent Firefighters of Beverly Hills (meet the men and women who risk their lives everyday) [...]