| |
From
the Beginning
In
the first part of the year the captains of Station 9 were told
they would have to take the name Skid Row off the trucks. They
were given NO reasonable explanation, only that the trucks were
to be sent in for name removal. This request was heartbreaking
to the men that have a lot of pride in the name. As the busiest
fire station in the United States and servicing an interesting
area including skid row, the arts district, the produce district,
the loft area, the toy district, and several other areas they
pride themselves in the diversity and the range of people they
encounter.
Off it comes...bye bye...but not for long!
June 8th the names were taken off!
The
station is located at San Julian and 7th in the middle of Skid
Row which is percieved as a problematic area that contains a lot
of down and out people, recovering alcoholics and dope addicts.
But these people as well as the wealthy ones farther west all rely
on these firemen and firewomen.
It's
perceived that having the name Skid Row on the trucks is a deterrent
to local growth and developers want to clean the image of downtown.
But there is one small problem...the locals like the name...most
people from the most down and out to the most affluent ,
if they even notice, have no problem with Skid Row on the trucks.
This was proven as over 600 signatures
on petitions to give support to keeping the name were received.click
to see petitions
The
fire department is carrying out a systematic removal of all names
on the trucks which is devastating the firemen and firewomen. These
names give them their sense of community and pride. It also gives
the community a sense of pride. |
|
LA
Times Article
On
June 1 2006 Bob Pool of the LA Times did a front page article on
the issue which brought recognition to the issue but did nothing
to stop the trucks from being stripped of the names. Channel 2
(LA)did a short piece on the issue and CBC from Vancouver Canada
did a radio interview with Cherry which was also run on NPR. To
access the article go to the LA Times Archives or hit links below. Click
here to hear CBC interview.
Also
find LA Times article at these places:
JEMS.com
Firehouse.com
Liningup.com
Fire
Forums
The fire department heads should check out fire blogs and
forums. This is fun reading...look what other fire departments
say about this issue and read the names they have come up with! Click
here New
York Fire Dept. Regs
If
you click here you can see the official rules for the New York
fire engines. They are not only allowed to put their patches on the
engines but they can put slogans on the front windshield as well.
Click for PDF file of NY regulations.
Examples:
The Chinatown Dragonfighters
Other
slogans:
1.
Red Hook-slogan-THe Happy Hookers
2.Southern Comfort
3. Animal House
4. Theater District-Never Missed a Performance!
5.
Harlem-The Harlem Hilton -Engine 69
6.
Gun Hill Gang-Engine 62
7.First Due to the Zoo-Engine 88-Bronx Zoo
8.Tally Ho
Click here to see here the patches and
slogans on their trucks!
|
|
Please
email or call these people to request the names be put back on
the trucks!
William R. Bamattre
Fire Chief
Los Angeles Fire Department
200 North Main Street, Room 1800
Los Angeles, CA 90012 Fax: 213.978.3815
LAFD
Headquarters Telephone Numbers
213.485.5971
Fire
Commission
The City of Los Angeles Fire Department is overseen by a five person
civilian Board appointed by the Mayor and affirmed by the City Council.
Pursuant of the City Charter, this esteemed group establishes goals
and provides direction to the Department through Fire Chief William
Bamattre:
* Dalila T. Sotelo - Commission President
* Jill Furillo - Commission Vice President
* Andrew Friedman - Commissioner
* Genethia Hudley-Hayes - Commissioner
* Casimiro U. Tolentino - Commissioner
Board of Fire Commissioners
Los Angeles Fire Department
200 N. Main Street,
Room 1840
Los Angeles, CA 90012 USA
Phone:
213.978.3838
Fax: 213.978.3814
Jan
Perry-Councilwoman
District 9
200 N. Spring Street
Room 420
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213.473.7009
The Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa
Mayor of Los Angeles
200 N. Spring St., Room 303
Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-978-0600
213-978-0750 fax
mayor@lacity.org
|
