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BALDY MESA — As this perilous fire season continues, many rural areas of the Victor Valley are not serviced by full-time firefighters. Several areas are serviced by San Bernardino County Fire stations manned by paid-call firefighters.
Paid-call firefighters are usually training to become full-time firefighters and use this opportunity to gain hands-on training.

Paid-call firefighters Joel Jensen, 20, left, Grant DeRose, 22, center, and Grant Osuna, 21, go through their equipment at station 16 located in Baldy Mesa. Some San Bernardino County Fire stations are manned by paid-call firefighters. Reneh Agha / Staff Photographer

“I started as a fire explorer at the age of 14 and kept on going,” said Grant Osuma, 21, who has been a paid-call firefighter at the Baldy Mesa station for two years.
As a matter of fact, all of the firefighters at the station are paid-call.
Paid-call firefighters are usually used in rural areas where they lack the tax base and population to support a full-time force, according to fire officials.
“These guys are out there serving their community every day in locations where we may not have the chance to have full-time firefighers,” said Otto Schramm, spokesman for county fire.
Paid-call firefighters must go through training, which includes wildfire and structure-fire training and life-saving techniques.
Osuma plans to attend paramedic school soon to get closer to his goal.
In San Bernardino County, about 400 firefighters receive paid-call wages, according to county Fire Chief Pat Dennen. Those wages can range from a little more than minimum wage up to about $14 an hour, depending on certification and longevity.
While the majority of paid-call firefighters, like Osuma, are looking for a career in firefighting, there are a few who do this on top of their regular jobs.
“We have a few of those guys who serve a few weekends and evenings in order to serve their community,” said Osuma, who works at the station four to six days a week.
“It takes amazing dedication to do what they do for the amount they get,” said Otis Warner, 72, who lives in Phelan. “Especially those who don’t have to be there with the economy the way it is.”

West Coast 911 firefighting news - By Beatriz E. Valenzuela, VV Daily Press

Announcing the 12^th Annual Craig Alder Charity Golf Tournament! Craig Alder, the son of retired LAFD (Los Angeles City) Fire Captain Rich Alder and brother of SBFD (San Bernardino City) Battalion Chief Mike Alder, was an SBFD firefighter whose career was cut short when he suffered serious brain injuries after being struck by a car while crossing the street in his home town of Temecula. Family and friends have put together this annual golf tournament for Craig and his family, wife Buffy and two sons Jake and Wyatt, to help ease the financial burden of living expenses plus his continuing care and rehabilitation. Last year’s tournament was a huge success and we sincerely appreciate the support of the LAFD, SBFD and many other fire departments, friends and families.

 

This year’s tournament will be held Monday, September 15, 2008 at the Temecula Creek Inn Golf Club in Temecula, Calif. The tournament will be a four person scramble format with a 9:00 AM shotgun start. Men and ladies are welcome and you may enter as a foursome or as individuals. The entry fee is $125.00, which includes golf, cart, banquet lunch and T-shirt.

Hole sponsors and tee sponsors are also needed. Entry blanks will be sent to past participants and you may get further information by contacting Mike Alder at (909) 693-6490 or by clicking on the attached documents below.

Thank You in advance for your support,

Michael Alder

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12th Annual Craig Alder Golf Tournament Flyer

 

By Brian Humphry, LAFD Spokesman

The Los Angeles St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pershing Square Celebration are family oriented events in the heart of Downtown promoting community spirit and civic pride.

The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department welcome you to join them on Monday, March 17, 2008.

The Parade will begin at 11:30 AM on Main Street and Arcadia Street, traveling south on Main Street to pass City Hall. The parade continues south on Main Street to 5th Street, where it will turn west to end at Hill Street, near Pershing Square.

Calling all West Coast Firefighters!! 

“Come join the Montclair Fire Fighters Association Local 3608 and Pomona Valley Harley Davidson as we give away an ‘08 Fat Boy!! On March 15th, 2008, Pomona Valley Harley Davidson will be hosting the 8th Annual Firefighters Harley Davidson and Hot Rod Show. We will have a pancake breakfast available from 9am to 11am and BBQ in the afternoon hours. Please come join us and show your support and have a good time!!

Maybe you thought about becoming a Police Officer or Firefighter, but never followed through.
Possibly you know someone with similar aspirations, who never had an opportunity to pursue their career dreams - or maybe you just have questions regarding the work of community protectors.
Career Information? Personal Guidance? Individual Interaction?
Yes, Yes and Yes!

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The men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department welcome you to join Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilmember Bill Rosendahl, Fire Commissioners, Fire Chief Douglas Barry, City Engineer Gary Lee Moore and civic and community leaders at the public dedication and grand opening of LAFD’s newest Neighborhood Fire Station in Playa Vista.

Saturday, February 16, 2008
10:00 AM
Grand Opening of New Fire Station 67
5451 Playa Vista Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90094
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Today they aired the Hollywood Christmas parade. LA City Fire was kind enough to invite us on over to participate in it. It was a great time. The crowd was very welcoming and everyone thanked us for doing what we do. I couldn’t help but think about how fortunate we were to have such wonderful support from the community. Hopefully we will get to go out to LA and represent our fire department next year. Now I have been in a parade on the east coast AND the west coast.

Also took advantage of a photo op with LAFD’s head Fire Chief