Las Vegas Fire & Rescue 65th Anniversary: commemorative book

Copyright 2008 Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Services and Stephens Press, LLC All Rights Reserved

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without permission in writing from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.
Editors: Roy Lawson, Tim Szymanski
Designer: Sue Campbell
Publishing Coordinator: Stacey Fott

Reference materials: Nevada State Museum and Historical Society, “Citizen heroes: volunteer firefighters of Las Vegas,” “History of the Las Vegas Fire Department"; The Nevadan, “Las Vegas volunteers— Firefighteres without pay” (September 14, 1975); Las Vegas Review-

Journal, “Volunteer firemen remembered” by Art Nadler (November 9, 1984); "Resort city in the sunbelt—Las Vegas, 1930-1970” by Eugene P. Moehring; "Firemen have paid their dues” by Mark Fleischmann, Las Vegas Fire Department.

Historic photo credits: Las Vegas Fire Department First Yearbook Collection; George Helton (LVFD); Chief W.D. Sorenson, (LVFD retired); Special thanks to Kathy War and David Robrock at UNLV Special Collections Library for the following: Rockwell Collection; Squires Collection; Doris Hancock Collection; Las Vegas Review-

Journal Collection.

Cataloging in Publication.
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue 65th anniversary / edited by Roy Lawson and Tim Szymanski.

232 p. : photos ; 23 cm. ISBN-13: 978-1-932173-89-5 ISBN-10:1-932173-89-7

Chronicles the 65 year history of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue in a timeline format illustrated with archival photographs.

1. Las Vegas (Nev.) Fire & Rescue—History. 2. Fire fighters— Nevada—Las Vegas—History. I. Lawson, Roy, ed. II. Szymanski, Tim, ed.

363.378 dc22 2008 2008927222

ISBN-13: 9781-932173-895 ISBN: 1-932173-89-7

r Stephens Press, llc A Stephens Media Company

Post Office Box 1600
Las Vegas, NV 89125-1600 www.stephenspress.com Printed in Hong Kong

Stephens Press

Las Vegas, Nevada

■

Contents

INTRODUCTION

________________ ■" W '2?-- <?-; y"~'. A-<

’?•12'.___L._2V_AL_L.

■<

i■

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Volunteer Days 1905-1929

The 30s

The 40s The 50s The 60s The 70s The 80s The 90s

The New Millennium Public Safety Education

It is my esteemed honor to pres­
ent an historic account of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue to com­ memorate 65 years of service to the

Las Vegas community. Our vision
was to collect as many photos and historical documents to create a vi­ sual journey through time for your enjoyment as well as education. As it
is our job and responsibility to pro­ tect and educate the public, we also included important safety informa­ tion you will find at the end of this book.

During the last 65 years, our department has experi­ enced many trials and tribulations both personally and professionally. We have lost many proud firefighters who were the pioneers of our field. We have suffered many devastating fires throughout the years and each of us has shared in the successes of the department however great or small. We chose this profession as a career so that we may make a difference in the lives of others.

It is during these challenging times that we build strength and character. As we strive to improve our ser­ vice, we have raised the bar for those who will continue to serve long after we are gone. Our city of Las Vegas has emerged as one the most diverse communities in the nation and our fire department reflects that diver­ sity. Young or old, black or white, man or woman, we serve them all proudly, providing the highest quality service possible.

In the pages to come you will have the opportunity to experience many of our achievements over the past 65 years. I attribute those suc­ cesses and achievements to the men and women of our fine fire depart­ ment. It is because of their dedica­ tion and commitment to serving our community that we have reached this level of excellence. Our men and women in uniform, as well as

our civilian employees, all contrib­ ute to our success and give their best to our department on a daily basis. Therefore, we honor them through the

many photos and comments throughout the book.
I want to thank the entire team of professionals that

was instrumental in the assembly of this publication, with special recognition to the primary committee, led by Roy Lawson. Many hours of labor and love went into making this a valuable keepsake and lasting account of Las Vegas fire history. I trust you will enjoy it!

I speak on behalf of all employees past and present when I state that we are proud to have served the Las Vegas Fire Department and presently Las Vegas Fire

& Rescue. In my heart, I know we will only get bet­ ter in the years to come due to the drive and desire of the people that give all that is humanly possible to their profession in Fire Service.

—David L. Washington Fire Chief (Retired), Las Vegas Fire & Rescue

< ACKNOWLEDGMENTS >

Before Chief David L. Washington retired at the ment, and wish for this to serve as our disclaimer.
end of 2007, he gave me one last assignment. As with any major assignment of this magnitude, there He wanted us to put together a 65-year history are numerous people to thank for their contributions to­ book of our fire department. This book would be awdaerpdart­he production and success of this book. Although

VOLUNTEER DAYS

ture from our first history book in that this version would simply be a timeline of various events accompanied by ap­ proximately 900 photos representing those moments in time.

We did not intend for this book to be a complete detailed record of every indi­ vidual event and photo ofour department.

That could very well result in something the size of an encyclopedia. The purpose of this publication was to capture vari­ ous snapshots throughout the course of our history to coincide with highlighted events documented over the years.

It is important to note that in many in­ stances, the description of an event comes directly from the newspaper articles, so you may read words or phases such as

"firemen" instead of "firefighters.” We chose not to change any words from these articles so that the reader may grasp the essence of the printed news from that era.

Over rhe years, rhe Las Vegas Fire Department and later, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue has collected historical informa­ tion, largely through printed articles and photographs. Often, these articles and photographs did not provide the original authors, document sources, or names of photographers. Therefore, there will be material found in this book that does not properly credit the original sources. For this, we humbly apologize to everyone who rightfully deserves acknowledge­

we are unable to name each one individually, we hope you know in your heart that we sincerely thank you. We would also like to give special thanks to our fellow committee members, Linda Willis and Arlene Jackson, for their help,

knowledge, and expertise. Together, they s are truly a walking archive regarding our
fire history.

We thank Chief Washington for the opportunity to work on this project. We hope you enjoy this history book as much as we enjoyed working on it and learning about our treasured past.

In addition, I (Roy) would like to thank Tim Szymanski for taking on the task of producing the original history book. Without the monumental task he accomplished, on his personal time, much of our fire history may not have been captured for this project. It was his tireless research and discovery of histori­ cal data and pictures that essentially be­ came the “base” for this timeline. Due to his past efforts and selfless dedication, I am honored to appoint Tim Szymanski

"Co-Editor" of this endeavor.
Lastly, we would like to thank Carolyn

Uber and her staff from Stephens Press for giving our 65-year history book the incredible “look” it so richly deserves!

—Roy Lawson, Co-Editor —Tim Szymanski, Co-Editor

■;* vAa..-

I«

L C to

BE

i

<

A..-

A

M

I

b

? in the city of Las Vegas on June 6,1905. T

A The new town is quickly crowded with temporary dwellings, tents, and wooden buildings. With the help ofa strong desert wind, a moderate blaze could have destroyed Las Vegas in a few minutes. In fact, in September of 1905, a fire did destroy most of the McWilliams Town site, an area

West ofLas Vegas.

X A volunteer fire company is formed by early 1906 and by August of 1907, a city ordinance establishes the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department. In the early years the volunteers

make news mainly in July 4th celebrations and contests.

March 4,1905 Theodore Roosevelt is sworn in as President for a second term.

1905-1911

X Situated along the main line of the historic link between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles, the community ofLas Vegas begins as a railroad division point in 1905. The railroad holds an auction to sell 1,200 lots, and eager speculators, and businessmen quickly create a desert city. The haste to capitalize on new opportunities creates an ever-present fire danger.

Eighteen pounds of pressure is all the town's redwood water mains could support. This serves sufficiently for small fires, but on occasion proves to be faulty.

V Three fires have an impact on the young community — the Armour Ice Plant in 1907, the grammar school fire in 1910, and the Overland Hotel in 1911. The ice plant fire, the greatest calamity at that time, cripples local enterprises. Lack ofice in the hot Las Vegas summer causes food to spoil and a serious famine threatens the city. The school is a total loss — a new school isn’t built until the next year.

X The Overland Hotel fire on Fremont Street takes a life and costs $50,000 in damages. Every heart is stricken with fear that the wind will veer to the west or north. Fortunately, the wind is southerly and the main business section is spared. The volunteers have only two hose carts and, much to their dismay, no water pressure to fight the fire. This hotel fire brings attention to the real necessity of securing modern firefighting equipment. The concern over the fire results in a town meeting to consider incorporation and establishment ofa city charter. In a direct way, this fire marks the start ofa modern day Las Vegas city government.

On July 5, 1911, the Las Vegas City Commission holds its first meeting. One of its first official actions is to create

II

>

tn

It took months to obtain funds from Lincoln County for a hose cart and six lengths of hose. Before they receive the new equipment, an old buckboard loaded with a few feet of dry, cracked hose is all the equipment the town could of­ fer. Headgear for the men consists of leather helmets, which

would shrink when they get wet. These helmets become use­ less until they could be stretched back into shape.

V After a short period of unorganized firefighting efforts, those who took it seriously decide it was time to set up some form of order. Lloyd Smith, owner of the Palace Hotel, becomes the first volunteer fire chief.

ers, so on April 12, 1912, the entire fire department, includ­ ing the fire chief, Lloyd Smith, resigns. This leaves firefight­ ing duties to the casual bystander. For two years the city remains helpless against fire.

i

The Overland Hotel after the fire in 1911.

■A crowd gathers to see the wreckage of the Overland Hotel. two fire companies. The City also hires one chief and eigh­

teen other firefighters thus establishing the first paid volun­
teer fire department in Las Vegas. Members are paid one
dollar a month for showing up for drills and two dollars each
for each fire they fight. As time went on, more firefighting
equipment is purchased and a new firehouse is built. After a i year, city leaders complain about the paying of the firefight­

The school is completely destroyed by the fire in 1910.

The Overland Hotel is rebuilt in 1912.

IV, I

b

9

Ti

A'x'i.

March 4,1909 William Taft is sworn in as the 27th President of the United States.

191 March 4,1913 Woodrow Wilson is sworn
in as the 28th President of the United States.

28,1914 World War! IdL begins as the Ottoman Empire
declares war on Bosnia.

1914-1924

X In 1914, a volunteer fire company is re-organized, but financial and political problems beset the volunteers* Questions arise as to how to pay for equipment and who could be a member of the volunteer fire department. Questionable control ofthe department leads the newspaper to worry that the “safety of the city of Las Vegas is being made a plaything in a small game of politics.” Property holders and businessmen lead a fight for a better-trained department and more equipment.

Fire volunteer Leon Rockwells first business establish­ ment is an electric, plumbing, and contracting shop. From there, he runs to help pull a buckboard containing hoses in answer to gunshots which are the city’s first fire alarms.

In general, all fires are met with an “all-hands” response until 1924 when fifteen men form a volunteer hook and lad­ der company. They begin operating out of an alley between First and Second Streets, just north of Fremont Street, presently the site of the Horseshoe Hotel and parking lot.

The apparatus used is a 1907 pickup truck and a 1917 REO Speed Wagon. Two men, usually bachelors, generally sleep at this newly established fire headquarters. Fire calls come into the police station next door. The telephone operator activates the siren on top of the building. Lacking a mod­ ern alarm system, the town relies on the Union Pacific shop whistle, gunshots, and church bells to signal an emergency.

The fire department would abandon this original station site in 1945.

If it is a weekday when the siren goes off, Bill Trelease would drop his knife and shuck his apron and leave his butcher shop and Captain Harold Case would leave the power company. Leon Rockwell would leave his plumbing and electrical shop on Third Street. From all around town come men from different walks of life; bank clerks, carpen­ ters and businessman would instantly become firefighters.

i

10

11

The volunteer fire fighting force about 1924.

August 25,1916 The United States National Park Service is established.

The site of the first Fire Station is on the alley between First and Second Streets at Fremont.

Chuck Fescher, Harold Case, and John Graglia in their Helldorado outfits. (Horden-Coraglia Collection)

—

In those early days icehouses are at the top of the list as places that often catch fire. One firefighter remarks when the Pacific Fruit Express Ice House catches fire and he is responding on the Model T Ford engine, “As we sped down Main Street, kids headed to the scene on bicycles passed us.” It took more than 12 hours to put the blaze out.

A Harold Case is appointed fire chief of the Las Vegas Fire Department in 1924. He holds this position for 23

consecutive years. Shortly thereafter, he is elected President of the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department, which is organized in February of the same year.

1925-1929

X Under Chief Case, each volunteer applicant is scrutinized closely for his civic mindedness and devotion to his work. For most of its existence, the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department is good enough that its rating from the National Fire Underwriters rivals the marks received by paid departments across the country. The organization operates like a civic club, with monthly meetings to discuss business.

The firefighters are continuously visible in such community entertainments as holiday parades, Helldorado, baseball and other athletic activities. The volunteers did even more than offer routine fire protection to the community. With money donated from their benefits and charity balls, they buy the city’s first resuscitator in 1929. By 1935, ten newborns who needed to be revived at birth are saved by the

department’s new machine.
The Model T Ford engine the

department used replaced a hand drawn cart, but the Model T could not produce what was needed at fires, so a Reo Speedwagon replaces it later. In 1929, an

American LaFrance ladder truck is added to the fleet so the Model T Ford is retired.

THE3Os

■X.

i1'

■MB

The volunteers all decked out for Helldorado Da s. (Rockwell Collection)

October 29,1929 The New York Stock Market crashes to an all time low

The Bremner Engine Company was named after Don Bremner.

1930-1935

X In the 1931 city elections, amidst exceptional growth in the city spurred by Hoover Dam construction, the creation of a paid fire department becomes a political issue. The volunteers react angrily: “Let us forget the idea of having a paid man to lay around the firehouse to help the volunteers because there wont be any volunteers.”

As Las Vegas continues to grow, and more and more in­ vestments are made along the “Strip,” it becomes apparent that the volunteer department can no longer serve such a wide area properly. The old resistance to a full-time paid de-

are more

V The volunteers have their own club room in back of City Hall where they hold parties, poker games, and dinners, especially Christmas dinners. The beginning of Helldorado Days in 1934 opens up a new opportunity to raise funds. Each year, the volunteers and their wives run a hamburger stand. A direct line to the police station is set up, and two fire trucks are there ready for action. During the week of Helldorado, this is their temporary headquarters.

w MT ffir BIT

hii Ih ’ll! Hhi

> May 14,1934 - One or the worst blazes in Las Vegas his­ tory occurs when the grammar school on 4th Street catches fire. The school catches fire only minutes after classes are dismissed for the day. W ooden floors soaked with oil for years to keep the dust down helped produce what volun­ teers call one of the hottest fires they ever fought. The REO fire engine breaks down during the blaze, so the Model T is brought back into service and used at the fire. The fire shocks the town and the volunteer firefighters campaign successfully for more modern equipment to better protect

■H

A fire occurs in the rear yard of the Union Pacific railroad. A large stack of baled hay produces a fire that takes firefight­

ers nearly a week to put out. At another fire in the Union Pacific rail yard, one of the engines sinks up to the running boards. It takes a cable and railroad locomotive to pull the engine out.

In 1935, a new Seagraves 500 gallon pumping engine is purchased and the old pumper is sold to the volunteer fire department in North Las Vegas.

A final word about a long-kept secret. When Jimmy Down got married and worked for the Las Vegas Review- Journal, he usually was the first volunteer to reach the sta­

tion in answer to an alarm. He was fast on foot, but not that fast. The reason for his excellent performance was his wife Lucille. She was the telephone operator at the police station. Even before she called the chief or pressed the siren button, Lucille called Jim. She gave him a head start and made him look good!

June 13, 1938 - Whitaker Purcell Powell, 24, dies as a result of an explosion at the Las Vegas Cleaners located on Main Street in the downtown Las Vegas area. Larry Purcell Powell, Sr., son of Whitaker Purcell Powell, is born six months later. Larry P. Powell, Sr. becomes a firefighter with the Las Vegas Department in 1962. Larry P. Powell retires as a Fire Marshal for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue in January

1989.

The volunteers in 1930. (Rockwell Collection)

A 1934 fire destroys the grammar school

Colonel Bob” Russell, owner of the Apache Hotel, always set up free drinks for the boys after a fire.

J

The firemen outside the Boulder Club.

March 4,1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt is sworn in as the 32nd President of the United States

would practice

s are drill nights for the volunteers. They Ing lines and hooking hoses. Once a month

■H

V The paid firefighters work three eight-hour shifts that are assisted by an excellent group of 25 volunteer firefighters, which were previously on the department. At the time the department is organized, a 1929 American LaFrance

Flee Chlaf Fire mcyvwh

Ciptiln

ernment has no choice. Despite an acute shortage of funds, Mayor Cragin and the Las Vegas City Commission approve the formation of a paid department. In order to meet the payroll and other expenses involved in the establishment of a full-time paid department, city officials seek approval from the State Board of Finance to borrow an emergency loan of $20,600. For the new crew, pay and hours reflect the lack of funds. To keep expenses down, officials divide the force into two platoons. Each crew works 24-hour shifts on alternate days while living in the firehouse. In effect, each man works

a 72-hour week, but is paid a 48-hour salary—something that would remain in effect until the 1960s.

The Las Vegas Fire Department Is Organized

K The Las Vegas Fire Department is organized in 1942 under the direction of Chief Harold Case. The paid department is officially started on August 1,1942, with two men on the payroll. The fire chiefexpresses his concern that his men have been called away from their regular jobs 19 times in one week. He asks the Las Vegas City Commission for 12 paid full-time firefighters. At the same time, Loren

Bush, head ofthe Board ofFire Underwriters, sends a report to the City of Las Vegas, stating that if they want a higher insurance rating, they need the following: 12 paid firefighters, two new fire stations with dormitories and clubhouses, two modern fire trucks, a 50 foot aerial ladder truck, an alarm center, a training facility, radios for communications and many new fire hydrants.

V With the city in a great growth period, it goes along with all the requests and on November 1, 1942, the present Las

Vegas Fire Department is born. There were 15 firefighters and their positions and pay scale were as follows:

1 Fire Chief 3 Captains
3 Engineers 9 Firefighters

$250.00 per month $200.00 per month $190.00 per month $180.00 per month

1940-1942

A A new era of rapid growth, the early 1940s produces conditions, which make the creation ofa paid fire department inevitable. The war effort produces an industrial plant at Henderson and an Army base in North Las Vegas (to be named Nellis Air Force Base), which triples the areas population. The building boom in the city materially increases fire hazards and firefighting facilities remain static while the town expanded enormously. Insurance rates increase while the insurance companies press for new improvements. These desired improvements include aerial

December 7,1941 Japanese forces attack the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

December 8,1941 The United States declares war on Japan.

Firefighters pose in front of Fire Station No. 1 about 1940.

ladders for firefighting in tall buildings, a telegraph alarm system, improved water facilities, and a reworking of fire zones and codes.

The volunteers fight some nasty blazes before the City of Las Vegas set up a regular fire department in 1942. The worst was a Myers-Thorenton bottle gas plant on First Street, north of Bonanza. One of the tanks was leaking and when a truck starts to leave the yard, the gas explodes. It levels half a block. It takes the lives of Myers and two children.

In 1942, the volunteer firefighters petition City Hall to create a professional full-time fire department. With Las

Vegas’ weekend population often surpassing 25,000, the gov-

omen serve

Chief Harold Case leads the new professional Fire Department.

June 6,1944 Allied forces invade Normandy (referred to as “D-Day”).

750 GPM pumper and a 1935 Seagraves Suburban with a 600 GPM pump are in service. This is augmented by Civil Defense equipment consisting of two 500 GPM trailer units and a 500 GPM front mount pump, which is mounted on a % ton pickup truck. In May of 1943, a 750 GPM Seagraves is added to the list of equipment for the department.

“Our city was growing so fast, we really had no choice. We had weekend populations of over 25,000 people. The

city had to secure a loan from the State Board of Finance, just to meet the new payroll and other expenses,” said Mayor

Ernie Cragin.

are
in all branches of the armed services.

April 12,1915 Harry S. Truman is sworn in as the 33rd President of the United States.

September 2,1945 Japan unconditionally surrenders to the United States, ending World War II.

April 15,1947 Jackie Robinson joins the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Engine 3 crew in 1943.

J

:w

■

Firemen work 72-hour weeks in 1945

■K

Six of the department’s finest in 1943

a cruising police <car would see a
then call for help over the radio. Both fire stations hear the request and respond to the fire.

At the time, the department did not have an up-to-date fire alarm system, but city officials did not feel the city was handicapped. Las Vegas still receives 80% of their fire calls by telephone, which was also the national average at the time.

X In 1946, a new International panel truck, classified as an emergency unit, is added to the equipment list and is immediately placed into service. The rescue truck carries an inhalator, resuscitator, some breathing masks, brooms;

;e covers unit

Packing House fire in 1943.

Fremont Street traffic in 1943

1943-1945
A May 26,1943 - A fire occurs at the Packing House on W. Charleston Avenue that causes $15,117 in building dam­

ages and $17,618 to its contents.

X In 1945, the city opens a new fire station in the Huntridge area of the city, and the department is placed on a two- platoon system. This meant that men went on duty 24 hours and were off duty the next 24 hours, thus they chalked up

72 hours per workweek, and at the same salary they received for 48 hours.

The department receives a number ofother improvements, including the use of two-way radios that are on the same

The new Fire Station No. 1 and its two

Firemen in their turnouts, about 1945

Both stations respond to alarms called in by telephone

MW'

Li;.:

tW^SSroNER

HOTEL APACHE

-OMNGE'

NCING NIGHTLY

is stocked in the latest first aid equipment and is manned by personnel who were trained in first aid. The firefighters who staffthe emergency unit has completed advance first aid courses and passes all required examinations. This assures intelligent and efficient handling of all accident cases with which they are confronted. A complete record of blood types for all employees is kept on file in the fire department.

All personnel has consented to and in every instance when called upon to do given numerous blood donations to patients in both the Clark County Hospital and the Las

Vegas Hospital.

progress and would

Firefighters’ entry in the Helldorado Parade about 1946

1946-1947
V September 24,1946 — A fire sweeps through the Main Auto Parts & Metals, Inc. company causing $2,500 build

ing damage and a loss of $7,437 in contents.

The fire at Las Vegas Distributing draws a crowd

The men at the Fire Station No. 1

> October 5,1946

held.

> October 11,1947

The First Annual Firemen’s Ball

Company & Utah Wholesale Company located at 510 S Main Street. The building damage is $14,003 and the con tent loss is $170,000.

In 1947, a large toy drive is held by the department in which toys are repaired, refurbished and reconditioned to be distributed to 500 needy children.

JERE'S to fire fighters all! Always at your beck and call!

Vigilant and unafraid ... Volunteer or city-paid!

Scientific men are these fighting fire-a dread disease-

Chalienging a flaming hell At the ringing of a bell!

Unknown heroes, dad in blue, They give their lives for you!

■ them as they go past Every ride may be their last.

Fire at Main Auto Parts, 1946

THE LAS VEGAS FIREMEN'S BENEFIT ASSN.

Presents the

Second Annual Firemen’s Ball

OCTOBER 11, 1947

Posters for the Firemen's Ball

Aftermath of the fire at the Las Vegas DistributingCo

Vehicle accident at 15th and Fremont, 1947.

♦

-NIOC KENNY \ VU\ IHT,byNW

This “beaut

the Fire Dept, float entertains the crowd.

Fire Station No. 1 formal photo in 1947.

Prevention of fire and first aid treatment to victims as well as actual firefighting keeps the department busy in 1948. The department responds to 455 calls, down from 481 incidents in 1946 and 470 in 1947.

In 1948, the budget for the department is $136,135. While the national average of fire prevention personnel on the department is two percent, Las Vegas devotes six to eight percent of their personnel to fire prevention in order to reduce the number of lives lost to fires. At the time, careless

smoking is the leading cause of fire fatalities in the city. The department is planning to build another fire station in 1949 on the Westside of the city. The department also

*

C.D. Williams and friends in 1947.

Jay Leavitt, Harold Knox, Art Trelease, Harold Case, and unknown person in 1949. _ _ _ _ _

1948

orders a new 65-foot aerial ladder truck. The department also works out a plan with the water company to make pro­ visions on future water lines to add fire hydrants at a later date without complication, thus saving the city money in the future.

February 25,1948 - Las Vegas firefighter Bob Barnum is shot while battling a brush fire behind the Union Pacific round house. Fire Chief Harold Case says he was fighting the fire and suddenly drops to the ground in pain. He is tak­ en to the hospital in a fire department vehicle. Police report a .22cal rifle is found in the brush, police believe the heat of

Mi

HOTEL

APACHE HA':It.

Smokey’s puppies on August 2,1948.

BLING

Fremont Street already well lit in 1947.

Chief Case with W. Christensen, Joe Merrill, Pat and G. Rambo in 1948.

the fire causes the rifle to fire. After surgery, the firefighter remains in serious condition at the Clark County Hospital for a week. He is able to return to duty several weeks later.

August 3,1948 - A fire destroys a warehouse on Fremont Street at 11th Street. Six Las Vegas firefighters are injured in the blaze, which causes $18,000 in damages. The fire is so large that Las Vegas volunteer firefighters are called to help battle the blaze. The cause is undetermined.

August 11, 1948 - Las Vegas Police arrest a 20-year- old male who confesses that he started two lumberyards on

A rare snowfall begets snow people at Fire Station No. 1, around 1949.

fire the night before. He confesses to setting a number of fires in Las Vegas and other states. The first fire is at the Home Lumber Yard and during that fire, another fire starts behind the Woitishek business. Both regular and volunteer firefighters fight the two large fires.

August 31, 1948 - Fire Chief Harold Case is hospital­ ized for a medical condition, which doctors describe as “not critical.”

November 28, 1948 - A rescue “car” is rammed from behind while waiting for a traffic light at South Fifth Street

I Fire C^ef Harold Case and crew members. (L to R front row: Joe Merril, Cecil Murray, Wilber Lowe. Back row: Cy Adams, C.D. Williams, Elmer Nighswonger, Robert Dietz, Harold Case.)

»v

I i

Ir

The new ladder truck arrives at the Las Vegas fire station

1948-1949

and Main Street. The rescue car then rams the car in front of it. The rescue car is severely damaged and the two fire personnel are taken to the hospital.

X April 16, 1949 - Las Vegas Fire Department takes delivery of a new 65-foot Seagraves ladder truck that cost $22,000. The truck is ordered in 1946 and takes almost three years to build.

November 1949 — Someone tries to destroy the Review- Journal printing plant at 113 South First Street by throwing

a firebomb through a window.

'f<<L V: ’-■V:

snW ^ W -M i

RM?.

*

g Fire Chief Harold Case, in 1949 with the department's new 65-foot Seagrave ladder truck

1950-1952
November 7,1950 - 750 children are given toys by Las

Vegas firefighters.
December 8, 1950 - A firefighter sustains serious

burns to his right hand while lighting a cigarette. He did not close the book of matches and they all ignite burning him. He is taken to the Clark County Hospital.

X December 12,1950 - A firefighter and two civilians are injured when an engine collides with a car at the intersection of Second Street and Bonanza Road.

W

September 17,1951 - Las Vegas firefighters and volun teers of the North Las Vegas Fire Department battle a giant brush fire at the Woodlawn Cemetery. Firefighters are on scene from early afternoon until 9:00 pm.

October 9, 1951 - Fire Chief Harold Case warns the community of the dangers of forest fires on the anniversary ofthe Great Chicago Fire.

October 31, 1951 - Firefighters complete a two-week advanced firefighting techniques class at the University of Nevada.

Arson Probe ashman Showrooms A^Mu

School children tour the fire house in 1950

An accident involving a fire truck and a car in 1950

1951 - The Las Vegas Firemen’s Benefit Association is formed after a child loses her life in a fireworks accident. Since that time, the LVFBA has been an advocate for safe and sane fireworks throughout the city and puts on an an­ nual fireworks show to give the citizens a safe forum to enjoy each July 4th.

January 2, 1951 -

Sunrise Acres School fire

irol^Case, Dorothy Lamb and Glen Lamb.

December 24, 1951 - Over 500 kids receive toys that are collected and repaired by Las Vegas firefighters in time for Christmas.

January 10,1952 - Ten of the 24 units of the Fremont Hotel, 1208 Fremont Street, are destroyed by fire. Damage is estimated at $75,000. The same hotel suffered a serious fire that destroyed the east wing three years earlier.

June 1952 - Fire Station No. 3 opens at 2300 West

1950 The Korean 1950

War officially starts as North Korea invades South Korea.

May 17,1954 The U.S. Supreme Court declares that segregated schools violate the 14th Amendment.

December 1,1955 Rosa Parks refuses to sit at the back of the bus, breaking Montgomery, Ala., segregated seating law.

1956 With many hit singles (including “Heartbreak Hotel”) Elvis Presley emerges as one of the world’s first rock stars.

January 3,1959 - Alaska is the 49th state admitted to the Union.

August 21,1959 - Hawaii is the 50th state admitted to the Union.

f

J

une 25,

January 20

1953

October1!, 1957 The Soviet Union successfully launches Sputnik I into space.

e is estimated at $13,219.95. What is left of the landmark is later destroyed

earlier in the year and was ruled arson, is charged with two counts of a criminal act. The owner is charged with one count of arson and one count of attempting to defraud an insurance company. The owner set fire to the grocery store, a Las Vegas landmark, to recover the insurance money.

Bonanza is destroyed in a
in an arson fire March 23, 1951.

September 23,1952

56 million watch Richard Nixon’s “Checker’s Speech” on TV.

'W ife

Bonanza Road. It is relocated to 2645 Avenue on December 18, 1980.

W est W ashington

Eisenhower is sworn in as the 34th President of the United States.

X January 12,1951 - A newly renovated part of Sunrise Acres School catches fire and is fanned by high winds.

Damage is estimated at $18,165.
X May 28,1951 - The newly completed showroom and

garage atJames Cashman Auto Sales on North Main Street is completely destroyed by fire in which fire officials believe arson is the cause. The fire call comes in at 6:50 am and causeshundredsofthousandofdollarsindamage.Later,an investigator of the National Board of Fire Underwriters re­ ports to Fire Chief Case that the fire is accidental and there is absolutely no evidence that the fire is intentional.

July 24,1951 — A new Seagraves fire engine is delivered to the fire department by train. The new 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) pumper cost $17,000.

August 30,1951 - After a lengthy investigation by Las Vegas Fire Marshal George Rambo, the owner of the B & H Grocery on West Bonanza Road, which burned twice

:

•«*

*

X' *'T=

'ORK OF CHARITY!—Above are shown members of the fireman's auxiliary and me c fire department who are aidng in the furnishing of the Clark county juvenile home. / ary is gathering up used and broken furniture, taking it to the fire station and the fin

ting is up, ready for painting. The women then paint and re-upholster the furniture ar er to the juvenile home The photo shows, from left to right: Wanda Lamb. Duane Dani

GTH U’AIL MARQUEE FALLS—Above is shown a photo of the south side front edge of e marquee over lire Cashman showrooms, just as it started to fait during the fire this morn-

Ing. Firemen are shown battling the blaze as it raged through the structure.

I

> 4 _____

1952-1955
June 11, 1952 - Fire destroys Young’s Transfer &

Storage Company on North 25th Street. Investigators call

the fire mysterious.
June 13, 1952 - ers are called in to

help battle a blaze at the Villa Venice restaurant on South Las Vegas Blvd. Damage is estimated at $135,000. Low wa

ters
February 7,1953 - A vacant two-story barracks on East

Charleston Blvd and Fremont Street, near the Green Shack, catches fire creating a spectacular blaze, which could be seen from all around the city. Assistant Chief C.D. Williams be­ lieves that spontaneous combustion might have caused the

S’s'o

>;?■

Chief Harold Case before his retirement

Chief Harold Case and C.D. Williamsinspect some equipment

Dress blues

X October 1, 1953 - Because of ailing health, Las Vegas Fire Chief Harold Case resigns at the City Commission meeting. The city’s first fire chief and serving with the Las Vegas Fire Department for more than 29 years, he retires and moves to Tucson, Arizona. When he left the depart­ ment, it had three fire stations: Westside, Huntridge and Central; four engines, one water tanker, a 65 foot aerial lad­ der truck and a number of small units. Assistant Chief C. D. Williams is appointed acting fire chief.

In 1954, Clark County officially forms their own fire de­ partment with sixteen members and one station that houses two pieces offire apparatus. William H. Trelease is selected as fire chief of the department.

Fire Station No. 3 in 1952

The funeral of Firefighter Harold Davenport

emergency unit

Children pose with the fire truck in about 1953

X March 15,1954 - Elmer Gates becomes the second fire chief, serving until July 31, 1958.

June 30,1955 - The total fire loss for the fiscal year is $186,120 and the total number of alarms is 909.

X December 18,1955 - Firefighter Harold U. Davenport, 34, loses his life when he accidentally touches a live power line while rescuing a stranded cat on top of a utility pole. According to Las Vegas Fire Chief Elmer C. Gates, this was the first line ofduty death on the Las Vegas Fire Department.

orts name was
memorial in Carson City in 1994, and at the Southern Nevada Firefighters Memorial in Las Vegas in 2002.

Bw

Elmer Gates is appointed the new chief in 1954

wa

PC

SURPRISE PARTY — Fire Chief Harold Case wolfs down a >ece of cake during surprise party presented him by A platoon

SURPRISE PARTY earn and cake, the chief was given a monogrammed cigarette

firemen from all three stations Thursday night. Along with ice 'heart.” Surrounding the chief in the picture are, Mt to right, case with the message, “To our chief — a lEitTtlCe man w" i/th’* a b i rry, Ralph P* Otto McFarland Don Tullis Devere Laub

Don Payne, Joe Merrill, Kenneth Thompson, J. D. Swett, Ray iVimberly, Gle Lamb Harold Knox, Jerrv Miller, Art Trelease, Jerry Pizzimenti, Jo
Daniels and Eldon Leavitt

H. Trelease, Frank Allen, Duane,

Engineer M. Lowe and Captain Charles Perri show a little girl

1956-1958
June 30,1956 - The total fire loss for the fiscal year is

$175,137 and the total number of alarms is 772.
August 1956 — Fire Station No. 4 opens at 1501 Industrial Road. The station is also the department’s vehicle and hydrant maintenance shop. Station No. 4 is relocated to

421 S. 15th Street in December, 1989.
> 1957 - The Clowns made their first appearance for the

Las Vegas Firemen’s Benefit Association. The original clowns are Ray Lanyon, Jerry Gillespie, and Deane Fountain. In 1971, they get their CLOWN CAR, a modified Volkswagen van built by W arren Stevens and Bob Johnston.

tucXi -

SLOTS

■ao'CKUv

refighters and Smokey pose for a^portraitjn 1953

Firefighter Jerry Gillespie in 1953

riRf DFPI

The Clowns driving in a parade

May 1, 1957 - Fire Station No. 2 relocates from the Huntridge Station to 2801 East Charleston Blvd. It is later relocated to 900 South Durango Street in December, 1989.

May 1,1957 - Fire Station No. 5 opens at 1020 Hinson Road. It is torn down in 2003 and replaced with a new sta-

tion and dedicated on September 11, 2004.

June 30,1957

$410,983 and the total number of alarms is 846. September 18,1957 - The Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 becomes a chartered member with the International

Association of Firefighters with only 24 members.
1958 _ All four cities and the county maintain their own

fire departments, each with a separate budgeted bureaucracy.

Firemen answer a call at Buckley’s Fortune Club Casino

ft

Warehouse fire on Bonanza Road

Captain Boggs, Kirk Freeman, and Bob Rogers tidy up Fire Station No. 1 dorms, 1955.

Hand tinted photo of the red fire vehicles

Mopping up a fire in about 1955

Firefighter Tony Lewenski hands out water to a thirsty victim.

Firemen share a laugh after a big fire in 1954

Chief William Trelease and Otto McFarland

Chief Jerry Miller and firefighters

six men on 24-hour shifts to protect Boulder City while Henderson, with its industrial area, has 22 firefighters on the department. The City of Las Vegas has 240 firefighters and North Las Vegas, with substantial low-income housing, has a force of 38. The county provides services in zones where a special fire surcharge to the regular property tax is in effect. Still, Paradise, Winchester, East Las Vegas, Sunrise Manor and other areas have a scattered force of 170 men, while certain high-density areas near the

Strip and the railroad-warehouse zone and some commer-

cial districts have ove tions.

service from several fire sta

V?

1958-1959
June 30,1958 - The total fire loss for the fiscal year is

$114,289 and the total number ofalarms is 888.
July 1, 1958 - The Fire Department receives a Class

Four rating from the National Board of Fire Underwriters. June 30,1959-Thetotal fire loss

for the fiscal year is $264,996 and the total number of alarms is

1,198.
July 1, 1959 - The city /

population is 60,427.

FIRE DEPARTM

TTz/s

75 eV? 7 'fn~ Service

District Inspection. NQT ON A

FI RE CALL

Chief Elmer Gates and crew. (L to R: Chief Gates, Elden Leavitt, Wilber Lowe, unknown, Wayne Alston, Red Moore, and Jim Mulford.)

MANSFIELD LENDS A HAND — Wielding a firerran's axe, Jayne Mansfield lends a hand to Los Vegas firemen Ray Lanyon, left, and Bill Sorensen, as they publicize the New Year's Eve Ball sponsored by the Firemen'* Benefit Associa­ tion. The event will be held in the rotunda of the Convention Center Saturday from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

10 LAS VEGAS SUN

Thursday, November 5, 19^.9

Ay-N Firefighters in a trainin

exercise at the trainin

Chief Elmer Gates oversees a written exam in 1956. r

MISS FIRECRACKER’

OCTOBE# 5-11 is FIRE RREVEVTIOII

WEEK f

A building fire.

Captain Alfred Frobes.

v-

NTs *W£>ITOR!Um

• BIG ONE — Judy Gillett, “Miss Firecracker,” gets set to light a big one day in preparation for tomorrow’s fireworks djsplay at Cashman Field. Fire- 11 Sorensen and Capt. Jerry Miller are shown giving her a hand. Gates open at

'•with the display beginning at 8:30. (SIJNfoto)

■

CAN CAUSE FIRE!

Fire Prevention Week

.4? \ 11

^4 *.

A

■1 ft

M

Faye Gifford and crew. (L to R: Gifford, Milton Meyers, Bruce '

END OF A LANDMARK — Firemen end h Iwo-hour baffle Io pul out the Hoxo which destroyed the 50-yeor-oid Union Pacific Railroad Ihotcl at 401 So. Second St. Saturday afternoon. Portion* of the roof arc ihown falling after flames ripped through the building,

ocwicvi/ dliata »v rft Eftcrcn

Fire destroys the Union Pacific RR Hotel.

TV

These are the yearly salaries for ordinary qualified firemen from official records. "Proposed

Obviously Las Vegas firemen are the highest paid in the State of Nevada and are in the highest % of the entire nation!

For grades of Engineer~$6,992.00, Capfain-$8,T84.00, and for Battal­ ion Chiefs, Assistant Chiefs, and Chief Engineer~$9,000.00, $10,404,00 and $13,260.00,

We believe these salary schedules are most certainly adequate and CANNOT be termed sub-standard.

We urge you to join with us and defeat the firemen's petition on June 6th.

t

■

I

s-

-
Battalion Chief E.H. Nighswonger. ,4. Jack Milligan, Chief C.D. Williams, Asst. Chief Nighswonger.

1960-1962
June 30,1960 - The total fire loss for the fiscal year is

$499,522 and the total number of alarms is 1,243. Julyl, 1960- The city population is 64,405.

V January 1, 1961 - The basic firemen salary is $5,868; engineer $6,992; captain $8,184; battalion chief $9,000; assistant chief $10,404; and chief engineer $13,260. The Citizens and Taxpayers Committee recommends NO on Proposition No. 1 that would give fire personnel a $600 per year pay raise.

DOLLARS

AND "THSE

June 5,1961 - A fire damages the kitchen of the parish hall of the Christ Church Episcopal at 212 Carson Street.

June 30, 1961 - The department spends $795,700 for I the fiscal year. There are 125 total department staffing with
99 total combat personnel. The FF:l,000 population ratio is
1.54 based on the population of64,405.

June 30, 1961 - The total fire loss for the fiscal year is $461,899 and the total number of alarms is 1,411.

July 1,1961 - The city population is 71,697.

July 1, 1961 - C.D. Williams becomes the third fire chief, serving until March 21, 1968.

> October 7, 1961 - An afternoon blaze completely de­ stroys the 50 year, 2 story, Union Pacific Railroad Hotel lo­ cated at 401 S. 4th Street.

March 29,1962 - A large paint warehouse fire at 1620 Fremont Street behind Pat Clark’s Pontiac Agency is pre­ vented from exploding. A faulty paint mixer is blamed for starting the large blaze.

4

A city wage survey recommends an av ■ man increase for Las Vegas Firemen ever highest paid in the state.

-if $600.00 per year per < ugh- they have been the

July 1, 1961

’$6,444

$6,036

$5,868

$5,952 ’ $5,604

As of

LAS VEGAS

Clark County Henderson
North Las Vegas Reno

Jan. 1, 1961

55,868

$5,712

$5,784

$5J36 $5,292

James Mudd and friends. (L to R: unknown, Don Tullis, Mudd, and Ray Guideman, April 1960.)

RTMENJ

Thomas Moran and company. (Front row L to R: Moran, Deane Fountain, Billy Jack Green, Glenn Lamb. Back row

C L to R: Daniel Buettner, Bill Algers, Larry Vieths, unknown, Harvey Nielsen, Ray Lanyon, and Zenos Winget, April 1960.)

A rescue underway.

March 29,1962 - Firefighters rescue a 10-year-old boy that falls into a vacant sewage tank on North 25th Street.

May 15, 1962 - A rapidly spreading fire guts the up­ stairs portion of the Nevada Club store room on Second Street about 50 feet from Fremont Street.

June 23,1962 - A garage fire occurs at 4217 Exposition Way.

Frobes and crew. (L to R: Albert Frobes, Tony Lamuraglia, Ernest Hawkins, Robert Ferguson.) August 1960

A rescue vehicle.

Heninger, Sam Cooper, Charles Perri, A

ril 1960.)

iifi

-*• : SHM

Battalion Chief Jerry Miller in 1960. November 22,B6m JB

Chief C.D. Williams.

V

ph Chiefs’ Convention in 1961. Pictured: Capt. J.D. Sweet, Engr.

1

38

39

Hitchcock’s Psycho terrifies movie-goers.

January 20,1961 John Fitzgerald Kennedy is sworn in as the 35th President of the United States.

President Kennedy is

assassinated and Lyndon Baines Johnson is sworn in .

^ February 7,196H The W F Beatles visit the United

States for the first time.

September 8,1966 The first Star Trek episode, “The Man Trap” is broadcast.

“Super Bowl” game is won by Green Bay over Kansas City, 35-10.

Stanley Kubrick releases

2001: A Space Odyssey.

July 20,1969 Neil Armstrong is the first human to walk on the moon.

ii

1962-1963
X June 30, 1962 — The department spends $726,972 for

the fiscal year. There are 110 total department staffing with 99 total combat personnel. The firefighter per 1,000 popu­ lation ratio is 1.25 based on the population of 79,216. The following stations are in place: Fire Station No. 1 located at North Second Street and Mesquite Avenue; Station No. 2 at 28th Street and Charleston Blvd.; Station No. 3 at Bonanza Road and Dike Lane; Station No. 4 at Industrial Road and Utah Avenue; and Station No. 5 at Hinson Road and Charleston Blvd.

July 1,1963 - The city population is 88,825.

July 1, 1963 — James Edward Walker and Monroe Williams are hired as the department’s first two minority

July 30, 1963 - The department spends $795,700 for the fiscal year. There are 125 total department staffing with 114 total combat personnel. The firefighter per 1,000 popu­ lation ratio is 1.28 (1.28 FF:l,000 population) based on the population of 88,825.

August 7,1963 - Total department staffing is 180. The city population is 88,825. There are approximately 2,000 hydrants throughout the city.

ANNUAL REPORT

I’lg.nian

INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION or FIRS CHIEFS

MILLIGAN EXHIBIT GUARD LAS VEGAS

Pass to the 1961IAFC Convention

$555,283 and the total number of alarms is 1,727. July 1,1962 - 79,216.

May 27, 1963

Inc. located at 225 W. Colorado.
July, 1963 - For fiscal year 1963, there are 2,259 fire

calls, an increase of 532 over fiscal year 1962. There are 124 alarm boxes connected to schools, hospitals, and individual business firms. There are approximately 2,000 fire hydrants throughout the city.

Fire Station No. 2,1963

Chief C.D. Williams and group show off new uniforms.

Fire Station No. 1 Headquarters, 1963

Fire Station No. 3,1963

Fire Station No. 5,1963

A call at the Golden Gate Casino.

atOEPT-STAT,n>?

F/Rt DEPARTMENT L/15 VEGAS, NEVADA

Las Vegas Fire Department Annual Report, 1961-1962.

thrift

aS ®

1963-1964
X August 8, 1963 - A huge blaze destroys a lumberyard

and two office buildings located at Bonanza Road and Main Street. The fire causes $1 million in damages and seven

Las Vegas and Clark County to the fire. At the time, it is considered the city's worst fire in size.

October 30, 1963 - The department’s first tiller-aerial ladder truck is placed into service at Fire Station No. 1.

V Training 1963 - The latest edition of the Ohio State University Fire Service Training Manual is accepted by the department as the official training manual and a copy is

FIRE MmwriO*

April 17, 1964 — Fire heavily damages two souvenir stores in the 200 block of Fremont Street downtown. Nearly 1,000 people are evacuated from the area because of thick smoke.

May 24, 1964 - A fire breaks out at the Lee Office Equipment Company. On the same day, there is an apart­ ment fire, a home fire, and an auto fire. This is in addition to three resuscitations and a false alarm earlier in the day.

June 1964 — Work starts on the department’s new Training Center.

Otto McFarland and George Conners practicing ventilator use on a fellow fireman.

Station No. 1 unit with rotective cage

given to every member of the department. Members are also given updated manuals on the following subjects: Types and Effects of Gases Encountered at Fires, Television Fires, Venti­ lation, Radio Procedures, General Rules-Article Thirteen-Las Vegas Fire Department, Las Vegas Fire Department Terms and

Phrases.

Communications Overview 1963-1964 - The “Nerve Center” or alarm office of the Las Vegas Fire Department is located in a two-story air-conditioned building located at 320 North Second Street, adjacent to the fire headquar­ ters building. One Chief Alarm Operator and eight Alarm

Showgirls promote Fire Prevention Week with Fire Marshals

Operators are on staff, giving the center two alarm operators on-duty at all times. Operators work an eight-hour day. The office has four trunk lines for a PBX switchboard and 127 Gamewell fire alarm boxes throughout the city. The office is also responsible for the testing and operation of all Civil Defense sirens in the city. The first "ADT” automatic alarm in the city is installed on October 23, 1963, at McKesson Liquors as a test. It is anticipated that there will be nu­ merous “ADT Alarms" in the city within the near future. Fire Alarm Superintendent: Vacant at time,* Chief Alarm Operator: Leonard Sara.

Station No. 1 unit with protective cage

Lumberyard blaze, 1963. f.

1 .1

V'

a,

1964-1964
June 1, 1964 - The workweek for Las Vegas Fire

Department members is reduced from 62.8 hours on a two- platoon system to 60 hours working a three-platoon system. June 1,1964 - Clark County Fire Department Las Vegas

Heights Station at 1201 Miller Avenue is placed into service as Las Vegas Fire Station No. 7 after the Vegas Heights area is annexed into the city. Engine 7, a 1943 Seagrave, a 750 gpm pumper and Tanker 7, a 1954 International 1,000-gallon tanker are assigned to the station.

June 14,1964 - A new Seagrave 85-foot ladder truck is placed into service at Fire Station No. 4. A 1949 Seagrave 65-foot ladder truck is moved to Fire Station No. 6.

June 30, 1964 - The department spends $823,384 for the fiscal year. There are 194 total department staffing with 174 total combat personnel. The firefighter per 1,000 population ratio is 1.96 based on the population of 88,825. Fire losses for the fiscal year (ending June 30, 1964) totals $2,047,236. Four major fires constitute 64.1% of the total losses. Fire Chief C.D. Williams states in a memo to City

Manager Lowell Fletcher that the fire department is the best equipped department of its size in the western United States. Fire Prevention completes 8,198 total inspections. The Alarm Office dispatches 2,540 alarms. The Training Division conducts training for 100 probationary firemen.

July 1,1964 - The city population is 100,692.

X August 17, 1964 — A 200,000-gallon high octane gaso line tank explodes and burns at the Richfield Wholesale Oil Corp, located at 610 South Main Street. Six firefighters are injured at the scene.

August 25,1964 — The Sahara Hotel is gutted by a fire causing over $1 million in damages. The fire starts on the roof of the hotel.

October 24, 1964 - During the past year, 140 trainee firemen are put through rigorous field exercises, which pro duces 115 qualified firefighters, which brings the depart ment to 243 employees. This equates to 2.4 firefighters per

1 >

T B

1,000 population.

ItJjl

'■

44

SI

vf

Downtown fire.

and team

Ole Larsen and crew. (L to R: Ronald Anderson, Francis Buettner, Harvey Venard, Larsen, and Paul Williams.)

Julius Conigliaro, Sec./Treas. of Union Local 1285, in 1964.

‘•r

Tv
g Sahara Hotel fire in 1964. i

Mayor Oran Gragson poses with community mascots.

X November 12,1964 - Approximately two-thirds of the Las Vegas Firemen turn out to voice their strong approval of a 56-hour work week with three weeks vacation. Mr. Julius Conigliaro is the secretary-treasurer for the Local 1285 rep­ resenting the firemen. City Commissioners have gone on record in favor of a 60-hour week instead of the former 63 hours, and they informally stipulate that firemens overall

work hours should be reduced by the number of vacation hours other city employees receive.

November 15,1964 — A fire hits the White Cross Drug Store at 201 Fremont Street.

S IM W W iM

45

i ■

I

Skaggs Drug Center fire, 1964

Jack Milligan and fellow firefighters

'w> •

M M U >

>, •V

1964-1966 November 26,1964

two executives of the Brunswig Drug Company in the 1200 block of Foremaster Lane. The building is destroyed and debris is found a block away from the explosion. Fire Chief Doug Williams believes it is a natural gas explosion.

December 12,1964 - Clark County Fire ChiefWilliam Trelease dies and is given a full firefighter honors funeral.

Fire Chief Trelease was a charter member of the original Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department formed in 1921, and was appointed fire chief of Clark County in 1954. He served in

the fire service for over forty years.
< December 23,1964 - Arson is responsible for the pre­

dawn fire and explosion that destroys Skaggs Drug Center

in downtown.
January 22, 1965 - A two-year-old boy is killed when

fire sweeps through the Charleston Heights home of his

grandparents.
February 15, 1965 - An arson fire causes $200,000

damage to Bain's Dress Shop on Fremont Street. Previous to the fire, eight other businesses also burn on Fremont Street in the same general area in the previous few months. The press suspects a “firebug” might be running loose in the city. Previous fires include White Cross Drug Store and Skaggs

Drug Store.
April 5, 1965 - One hundred fifty members of Las

Vegas Fire Department complete a study course in explosives

HENDERSON mil

•• wfOUMBagBiii
.AS VEGAS FIRE

DEPT. HOOT’S.

Julius Conigliaro and company. (L to R: Troy Linton, John Sweeney, Jack Diamond, Robert Johnston, and Conigliaro.)

Church Raise—July 4,1965—Old Cashman Field.

DANCE'

conducted by Sixth Army Headquarters, San Francisco, California. The Clark County Civil Defense Agency spon­ sors the course.

April 10, 1965 - Eleven rookies finish classes. They in­ clude C.T. Bennett, J.A. Dutch, K.D. Mayor, W.J. McKelvey, O.L. Olson, R.K. Petersen, C. Phillips, B.E. Shooter, D.R.

Turner, L. Willingham, and J. Wood.
July 1,1965 - The city population is 107,616.
August 16,1965 - A giant mock disaster of a large air­

plane crash is held. Over 50 “victims" are treated by ambu­ lance personnel, sheriff’s deputies and firefighters and are taken to Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital.

September 17, 1965

SPOHSOKB 8»

LAS VEGAS FIREMEN'S BENEFIT ASS'N.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31,1964

DOORS OPEN 8:30 P.M. CLARK COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER

featuring

LOU DOREN and his ORCHESTRA

DONATION: ADULTS - $5«

ARE DEPT

FIRE

FIRE DEPT. |

£SAi

3

umper test at the Fire Training Center.

kwiwmskkw

■

....—ii. I

'-:.

—

F iiiimimii—ilia

il.

i

A two-alarm fire causes $100,000 damage to the L-Bar-L Supermarket at Sahara Ave. and Maryland Parkway. The store is open and full of customers when the fire breaks out, but everyone escapes without injury. Twelve fire units with 50 firefighters fight the fire for two hours. A police officer on scene believes the

fire is electrical in origin
April 28,1966 - Children with matches burn two hous

es under construction causing $35,000 in damages.
June 30,1966 - The department spends $1,591,577 for the fiscal year. There are 250 total department staff with

229 total combat personnel. The firefighter per 1,000 popu­ lation ratio is 2.03 based on the population of 112,987.

Grou hoto in 1965.

1966-1966
July 1,1966 - The city population is 112,987.
July 11, 1966 - A 49-year-old grandmother sets her

boyfriend on fire after he rejects her. The incident occurs at 919 Washington Avenue.

July 19,1966 - A fire destroys the Associated Van and

Storage Company warehouses and five smaller businesses

totaling $1 million in damages.
> July 19,1966 - A warehouse located at the intersection

of Riegel and Cyprus, behind the Stardust Hotel, catches fire. Every available firefighter and fire unit is dispatched to

Dick Gammon, Bob Dietz, and Zenos Winget at Fire station No. 2.

Five years service pins. (L to R: Chief C.D. Williams, Wayne Berg, Bruce Frank, Charles Buelow, James Grigsby, Ray Gilbert, and Eugene Spendlove, November 1965.)

IjTule Springs Station goes online in 1966.

originally start the Fill the Boot Drive in 1954 and collect $700. Both Snider and Grigsby are later stricken with mus­ cular dystrophy.

A September 1966 - A small fire station is put into ser­

vice in Tule Springs, at Floyd Lamb State Park. The small station houses a 1,000-gallon water tender and rescue unit.

The station closes in 1977.
November 6, 1966 - Sheppard’s Furniture Store at

1132 South Main Street is gutted in a $90,000 blaze. Arson is suspected.

November 15, 1966 - A large-scale power blackout traps people in elevators throughout the city. Several rescues are made by firefighters.

C.D. Williams with rookies at the training center. (L to R: Jack Owen, Dwayne Shaeffer, Paul Keeton, Bobby J. Hampton, Dean Gillies, Gary Tussey, and Williams.) September 1966.

James Duffy and friends. (L to R: Duffy, Harry Windhorst Glenn Brown, and Vince Ranier.) ___

Rear view of old Fire Station No. 1 kitchen

The 1966 Graduates celebrate with cake and punch.

’I ■I■■■■■■■

Engine No. 7. (L to R: Frank Cawley, Paul Williams, Monroe Williams, and Melvin Lowell.)

Lary Gunter and crew. (L to R: Jerry Weaver, Larry Gunter, and Bill Miller.)

the warehouse, which is full of new furniture for the

new soon to open Caesars Palace. Low water pres rant more than 1500 feet away, hampers firefighting efforts. Tanker trucks are

brought in to help battle the blaze. A city fire unit en­ route to the blaze collides with a civilian jeep about ree miles from the fire. The 18-year-old driver of the jeep s taken to Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital

treated and released.
August 5, 1966 - An agreement is established between

the City ofLas Vegas Fire Department and the Clark County Fire Department to secure from each other the benefits of

Greg Gammon and sister Karen at old Fire Station No. 2

Warehouse fire at Riegel and Cypress. - ,,5 ■•

mutual aid in fire protection. Response is based on the re­ quest from the receiving entity. On first alarms, response is limited to a geographical area stated in the agreement. In some cases it may include a response to the requesting agen­ cys station. Each party waives all claims against the other for compensation for loss, damage, personal injury, or death.

Neither party shall be reimbursed for any costs incurred. September 1966 - The first Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon takes place and continues to be held annually on Labor Day weekend. Butch Snider, a former Clark

County firefighter, and Jim Grigsby, a Las Vegas firefighter,

SOLDIER'S SUICIDE TOOK 6 LIVES

Deserter Bombed Motel

December 7,1967 - An elderly lady dies in a house fire at 3287 Sunset Road.

January 1, 1968 - The department has 240 full-time I. personnel, nine engines, three truck companies, and various rescues.

February 15,1968 - Las Vegas Fire Department wins first place in Nevada and is named among the top 10 cities in the nation for comparable size communities for its fire prevention activities.

X March 21, 1968 - Jerry Miller becomes the fourth fire chief, serving until July 7, 1977.

National Fire Protection Association

By JOAN SWEENEY United Press International

A young Army deserter, bent on suicide because of his troubles in the service, was pinpointed definitely by the FBI yesterday as the man who blew up a motel with 50 sticks of dynamite, killing six persons.

Richard James Paris, 28. twice a de­ serter from the Army and missing from his Ft. Ord, Calif., base since Nov. 20,

fired a .25 caliber pistol into the sticks of dynamite, killing his wife, himself, and four other persons.

A hush-hush X-ray examination of the remains of Mr. and Mrs. Paris, held late yesterday at the Southern Nevada Me­ morial Hospital, revealed both bodies contained “ numerous unidentified metal objects.’

Deputy Coroner Harvey Schnitzer said, “the X-ray examination was held at the request of Federal agents who wanted

every bit of foreign matter possible im­ bedded in the couple for examination.” Although some of the objects fotfhd

have been identified as nails, plaster, pa­ per scraps and clips, others found have been turned over to the FBI for classifi­ cation, Schnitzer said.

A spokesman for an FBI demolition team investigating the explosion which shattered the Orbit Inn Motel in the

(See GI, Page 6)

★★★

A★★ ★★★

WMKnk-W
BUREAU DRAWER — FBI Agent in charge Dean W. Elson, center, discusses a drawer’s contents

with Federal bomb experts Fred P. Smith, left, and George Berley. (SUNfoto)

Cfwnttr,

NPFA Certificate of Merit.

f,r$ Pr«vwio« fted Cleanup CdWfWty COMMitm OF

1967-1968
A January 7,1967 - A large explosion kills six people and

injures 20 people at the Orbit Inn Motel at Seventh Street and Fremont Street. It is a suicide bombing of an AWOL soldier from Fort Ord, California, using 50 sticks of dyna­ mite.

X January 17, 1967 - The National Fire Protection Association issues a Certificate of Merit to the Fire

Prevention Division for First Place in the State of Nevada July 1,1967 - The city population is 115,187.
August 1, 1967 - The department observes its twenty-

fifth anniversary.

FIRE FIGHTERS

is hereby awarded

Sfate

/or outsiuriding activity in

In vitnas vshenof du imMjpiedhaw afford their denatures this /7ifr day of

January , l')i?,

March 27,1968 — A fire paralyzes the pressroom at the Las Vegas ReviewJournal. A chartered plane is used for a few days to fly the paper to Southern California for printing.

V April 1,1968 - A picketing parade of about 90 firemen marches to Las Vegas City Hall to protest a proposed City Commission resolution that outlaws unionization of mu­ nicipal employees.

April 2, 1968 - A representative of the International Firefighters Union predicts the no-strike clause in the union’s constitution will be modified to permit strikes by local unions regarding the wage issue.

June 1968

stations, North Las Vegas has two stations, Clark County

has eight fire stations and Boulder City has one station. The City of Las Vegas has the only fire alarm system in the

V June 13, 1968 - ChiefJerry Miller predicts white fire trucks, rather than the traditional red ones, will be the rage for the Las Vegas Fire Department. Fire officials think it will be easier for motorists to see at dusk and at night. Besides, the red paintjobs fade quickly in the desert sun.

June 15,1968

Company, and a mattress warehouse

vrnA~

(L to R: Orville Roberts, James D. Sweet, Charles J. | Jp11 Perri, and Gary Worcester.)

Monroe Williams and company. (L to R: Marv Campbell, Fred Smith, Gary Tussey, and Williams.)

Fire Prevention display.

■

Captain Jack Milliga

LOCAL 1285

i . J®#;

UWWER LOUIE

S uppers

curious kitty

MACARONI MIKE

Van Den Broek and unknown firefidhter at the Woolworth fire.

Captain Perri and the MDA Boot Drive volunteers.

“i. -■■■

A group

Boy Scouts watching a call by the Assistant Chief’s car.

1968-1968
July 1,1968 - The city population is 118,617.

> August 16, 1968 - A 2,000-gallon Fire Department tanker is demolished when it was struck broadside at the intersection of Bonanza and Highland.

A August 17, 1968 - A new eight-inch water main, de­ signed to provide additional fire protection on Commerce Street, and the installation ofeight new hydrants goes under construction by the Las Vegas Valley Water District.

October 1,1968 - The American Insurance Association, formerly the National Board of Fire Underwriters, indicates the fire department’s survey offire combating will remain at a Class Four.

X Srti

Hasler, John Glenn, and Samuel Evans. November 5, 1968 - Voters approve

for firefighters.

pay increase

Station No. 1 group shot

Containing the fire

Fire Alarm Office

Captain Mickey Van Den Broek at Station No. 2. (L to R: Ken Edwards, Don Estes, Venard Cooley, and Edmund Van Den Broek.)

Herman Pierce and crew. (L to R: Damon Hassler, Pierce,
| Wesley Straight, John Glenn, Gary Evans, and Gordon Miller.)

A donation for MDA. (L to R: Jim Grigsby, Jerry Miller, Herb Kaufman, and Carlos Zepeda.)

DEMOLISHED FIRE TRUCK-

Department tanker was demolished when struck broad side at the intersection of Bonama and Highland yes terday at 7:30 p.m. Driven by fireman Lonnie Meeks the truck entered the intersection

siren on while going to a fire. Impact overturned the vehicle one complete time, causing it to come to rest on its wheels. Meeks escaped with minor cuts on the

(SUNfoto)

.......................

Tom Rogers and J.D. Miller.

October 16,1968

out of their $24,000 home at 2309 Cochran Street. October 25, 1968 - A debate between air pollution officers and the Las Vegas Fire Department occurs from a

training controlled burn on Harrison Street near G Street. X October 30, 1968 - Seven new rookies graduate from Firefighters School. The men include Wesley Straight, Ronald Stock, Herman Pierce, Gordon Miller, Damon

Captain Winget at a public education event

| Graduating class of 1968

1968-1969
November 7, 1968 - City Commissioners pass an

emergency ordinance increasing utility franchise and sewer service fees in a move prompted by success of the firemen’s pay raise petition at the polls.

November 20,1968 - The question comes up in desig­ nating which employees at the city fire department are eligi­ ble for the $144-a-month increase approved for “firefighters.”

Julius Conigliaro believes that five women alarm operators are entitled to be included in the pay raise.

V December 26, 1968 - A two alarm fire at an oil ware­ house of Western Petroleum Distributors, Inc., located at

ERGENCY ERVICES

Fire at Western Petroleum Distributors.

Children play in fire fighting foam at a fire education demonstration.

Judd, and Steve Hampton.)________

Truck 2. (Tiller McCelvey, Walt Smith, Ted Sorenson, Al Knudsen, and Larry Richards.)

Al Knudsen receives a promotion. (L to R: Jerry Miller, Knudsenjay Leavitt, and Ole Larsen.)

• :•...•. Capts. Charlie Perri ar

J,;

■•■■■ .:

. ■ •■

'••• ■ •<

^SSSJ!

1034 Commerce Street, destroys the building and half of its contents,

January 17,1969 - A rookie fireman makes $6,624 a year.

January 25, 1969 - Two eight-year-old boys playing with matches are held responsible for a home fire at 10th and Oakey.
X February 5,1969 - Children playing with matches are blamed for a $100,000 blaze, which sweeps through a stor­ age area behind the Wonder World Shopping Center on West Sahara and leaves four firemen injured.

''

Jerry Miller and Reverend Welles Miller.

" Winning the Fire Prevention Bureau Award in 1969. (L to R: I Jerry Miller, Ned Barker, Judy Ballou, Otto McFarland, Clara Everett, Charlie Buelow, Clint Wright, Larry Powell, George

Head wound

FIRE DEPARTMENT

TRUCK

1969
May 1,1969 - Three children die in a house fire at 223

G Street.

June 24, 1969

residential roof fire at 1810 Seventh Street.
July 1,1969 - The city population is 122,150.
July 9,1969 - Firemen respond to a barbeque fire at 820

E. Fremont.
October 6-7, 1969 - Firefighters are kept busy as the

West Las Vegas disorders have been marked by numerous fires.

El Cortez construction incident rescue

Cutting the cake at a celebration

SHOE.KJ
wl HOME

Is. Melvin

Graduating class of 1969

^ fiI I jepartment

Captain Jack Gillespie, and Jack Curtis promote home inspections.

Mw

1970-1971
July 1,1970 - The city population is 125,787.

> July 31,1970 - Fire guts the interior ofthe Woolworth Department store on Fremont Street. The fire started at 12:50 p.m. in a storage room on the second floor of the two- story building built in 1948. Over 100 firefighters respond to the blaze, which takes over two and one-half hours to bring under control. Seven firefighters are taken to Southern

heater warming tar to be put on a church roof bursts into flames seriously burning a construction worker. The incident occurs at the Greater St

James Baptist Church located at 311 Madison Ave.
X February 19,1971 - A fire sweeps through a huge Shetakis

Wholesales warehouse 2750 Highland Drive causing one million dollars in ges to non-perishable foods.

March 6, 1971 - Nevada fire officials combine efforts and funds to publish a fire and panic safety manual for use

OSSfc

The store is located on Fremont Street between Fourth and Fifth Streets. Total damage is over $1 million dollars.

January 1971 - The department expands from a single battalion to Battalion 1 and Battalion 4.

February 1,1971 - Recruitment ad: “Starting Fireman salary: $766/month; range max: $911/month. Must have high school or GED and a valid driver's license. Height: minimum is 5'8" without shoes. Weight: Proportionate to height. Vision: 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in other eye without corrections. Age 21-32; 32-35 with four years ex­ perience from another organized fire department.’’

December 2,1970 The Environmental Protection Agency is founded.

Aftermath of fire at the Texaco station in 1970

January 27,1973 The United States and Vietnam sign a peace treaty, ending the Vietnam War.

Chief Jerry Miller.

Assistant Drill Master Dunne Daniels and his students

1Q7Q November 4, 1979 Iranians seize

the American Embassy in Tehran Iran taking 52 people hostage.

Fire at the Woolworth Department Store in 1970

X

Fire Prevention Awards Dinner.

April 23,1971 — A man kills three family members who are at work at their family dry cleaning business at Cantrell's Cleaners, 1015 East Charleston Blvd, then sets their bodies on fire using cleaning solution. A fourth person later dies from burns. The man female companion are later caught by Las Vegas Police and charged with murder and arson.

April 29,1971 - City and Fire Prevention officials advise the Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital board of trustees that the hospital has some very serious fire safety concerns and calls various sections ofthe hospital a “death trap.’’ The city orders the hospital to shape things up.

Shetakis Warehouse fire

Ford is sworn in as the 38th President of the United States

JulyH, 1976 Our nation celebrates the Bicentennial

January 20,1977 James Earl Carter is sworn in as the 39th President of the United States

Station No 1 group

2:00 2:15

2:30’p 3:00 p _m

LAS VEGAS Fing TRAINING ACADEMY FRIDAY, MARCH 6,1970

Introduction of D ignitaries

Presentation of Badges by J.D. Miller Fire Chief

................Comments by Dignitaries Training Staff, and Graduates

Steve Hampton, Ned Barker, and Walt Shull investigate a fire scene

FIREMAN CHARLES GRIPP FIREMAN KIM LEIGH FIREMAN HUBERT MORRIS

FIREMAN PHILIP PARTRIDGE FIREMAN JAMES THOMASON FIREMAN GEORGE WITHERS FIREMAN EDWARD WOOD

FIREMAN

MICHAEL OVERSON

Drillmaster
Assistant Drillmaster Secretary

E.A. Van Den Broek Battalion Chief

James Pullis Captain

Verna Henson

Jeanne Schmitz at the IAFC convention

Chief Miller with disabled children at the Variety School.

.........

Edmund Van Den Broek

department. The plan also called for the Las Vegas Police Department to take over all police functions for the entire county.

October 9,1971 - Las Vegas Firefighters propose two major changes in the city’s civil service rules. First, they ask the City Civil Service Board to abolish the rule that makes it mandatory for the city to fire an employee for going on strike. Second, they want to amend the city's nepotism rule to permit the hiring of close relatives in city departments having more than 50 employees. This would permit nepo­ tism in the fire department and the police department.

GRADUATES

ACADEMY STAFF

Training Director....C.....D........W......i.l..l.i..a..m.....s.... A ssistant Chief

Refreshments

Fire Alarm Office

erry Miller shows off two new American LaFrance engines that will be stationed at Fire Station No. 1. Engine 1 and Engine 12 have dice paint-

on sides of the engines, which draws media attention Both of the engines cost $115,000. They are the first of white fire engines instead of red.

July 1,1971 - The city population is 129,171.

July % 1971

mini-pumper “Squad One,” which is a two-man unit that carries water, foam and different rescue tools. The unit is designed to be used on the freeway and at small fires.

Gas explosion destroys Lucky Sho

September 9, 1971 — Members of the Western Fire Chiefs Association and the President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs meet with Fire ChiefJerry Miller

at Fire Station No. 1 to look at the two new engines re­ cently delivered to the department and to also look at the dice painted on the doors. They call the identification of the pumpers “unique.”

September 30,1971 - Talks start by Clark County to consolidate twelve city and county functions to save taxpay­ ers money. One of those functions is fire services. Under the new proposed plan, the City of Las Vegas would take over all fire and emergency service functions for both the county and city, and the city would have to absorb the employees of the county fire department into the new combined fire

July 5,1971 - Steel work starts for the new city hall on Stewart Avenue. In the future, Las Vegas Fire Department Headquarters will be located in the building.

> July 7,1971 - The Lucky Shopping Center located on West Sahara Avenue at Tam Drive is destroyed in a gas ex­

plosion. One man was killed, six businesses destroyed and an adjacent 7-11 sustained severe damage in the blast.

September 7, 1971 - A fire destroys the roof and top floor of the old Union Hotel located at the corner of Bridger and Main Streets. The hotel is scheduled to be demolished later that week.

&

Chief Jerry Miller and Captain James Mudd

Chief Jerry Miller and Engineer Clyde Scurlock and new engines

Chief Miller and Clint Wright accept recognition from visiting dignitaries.

61

1971-1972
December 16, 1971 - The Local Government Study

Committee in a unanimous vote recommends that the city and county consolidate fire services and let the city control fire and emergency services for the entire county. But the Nevada Legislature, which will not meet until 1973, must approve it. The group recommends that the consolidation take place in July, 1972.

December 20,1971 - Las Vegas police and firefighters picket city hall for a wage increase.

December 28,1971 - In a resolution drafted by the Las Vegas City Commission, it states that the city is not inter­

squad is needed because of sudden increase in bomb related incidents and scares across the country.

> May 27,1972 - A new piece ofequipment is used for the very first time at the scene of a head-on collision. It is known as the “Jaws of Life” and is used to extricate victims trapped in wreckages. The city purchased one unit and the county fire department acquired two units. As soon as it was placed on the Las Vegas Fire Rescue truck, it was used at the head- on collision, in which firefighters stated it took less than half the time to extricate someone.

June 29, 1972 - A ten-year-old boy playing with fire­ works in the living room of his home starts a fire, which de­

RESCUE

Ernie Hawkins and Jim Pechacek respond to a call in front of Wing Bros

A view of Las Vegas Fire Department Headquarters

ested in consolidation of services unless those areas of the county become part of the city.

January 6,1972 - A bomb made up of40 sticks ofdyna­ mite is found hidden in a washing machine at the Clarkdale Apartments, 2714 Wengart Ave., which is directly behind

the Showboat Hotel. The bomb does not explode and is dis­ mantled by Las Vegas firefighters.

February 18, 1972 - Eight rookie firemen, funded by a new Emergency Employment Act, graduate from the fire department’s training school on Mojave Road.

May 12, 1972 - The seven members of the newly or­ ganized Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad show off new equipment recently purchased with a $13,500 Law Enforcement Assistance Administration Grant. The new

Chief Miller and disabled children at the Variety School

C.D. Williams and training class.

A fireman demonstrates the “Jaws of Life”. LVFD was the second department in the country to use them

stroys the house. The fire department reminds the public that fireworks are illegal in the city, but “safe-n-sane" fire­ works are permitted in the county.

July 1,1972 - The city population is 132,155.

July 5, 1972 - Five Las Vegas firefighters are hospital­ ized from freon gas exposure after a fire in an air conditioner unit on Griffith Ave.

July 13,1972 - Plans continue to combine the city and county fire departments into one department operated by the city. Fire ChiefJ.D. Miller would be chief of the depart­ ment and the fire chief of the county department would be

1972-1973

Deputy Chief. The city has softened its stance on the issue and says it would work on the plan if the department is op­ erated by the city. Firefighters from both departments are enthused about the proposal and are looking forward to the consolidation.

July 25, 1972 - A bomb made with twelve sticks of dynamite hidden in a car kills a prominent downtown Las Vegas lawyer. The blast occurs on the third floor parking

deck at the Bank of Nevada building.
August 20, 1972 - Three intersections are

communications

Fire Station No. 1 Communications Center.

system, which turns traffic signals green for their direction of travel. More intersections will have the new devices in­ stalled in the future.

K August 20, 1972 - Firehouse mascot, Sparky (a Dalmatian), poses in a newspaper photo to promote Operation Fire Pail, a national campaign in which young­ sters collect empty coffee cans and convert them to emer­ gency kitchen fire extinguishers.

y August 24,1972 - A fire breaks out at Brimmies Print

Shop at 207 S. Main Street that causes in excess of$100,000 in damages.

November 3,1972 - Rescue 1 enroute to a heart attack call on Bruce Street collides with a car at Washington and Bruce. A female occupant in the car is hospitalized. The res­ cue truck is damaged beyond repair.

December 31, 1972 - Headlines in the Las Vegas Reviewjournal promise of a more efficient police and fire de­

partment as the county and city departments are expected to combine in 1973.

January 4, 1973 - An arsonist starts five separate fires in the Four Queens Hotel at 202 East Fremont Street. Fires were started using Kleenex tissue on the fifth, ninth and

17th floors, but did little damage and did not cause any inju­ ries. About 550 people evacuate as a precaution.

January 4, 1973 - A new contract between the City of Las Vegas and its 300 firemen is adopted by the City Commissioners.

Herman Pierce posing with a utility van, which also served as a rescue squad

House fire

Al Knudsen checks out the apparatus equipment, f

First “squirt” unit in the country.

gj Ike Kuiva with the Snoozle.

oses with a homemade kitchen fire extinguisher.

Fire at Brimmies Printing Plant.

IES

UTHGSRGPUY

•

Ill

SIMPS

PRINTING.

it

1973-1974

April 4,1973 - An agreement between the City of Las Vegas and Clark County is established for the purpose of a

combined communications center. The center is to be un­ der the supervision and control ofthe City Fire Department and manned 24 hours a day by city personnel.

April 5,1973 - A three-year merger of the communica­ tions system for Las Vegas and Clark County is approved by the Las Vegas City Commission. Under the terms ofthe pact, the new center will start to operate on July 1,

< April 9,1973 - A million dollar fire destroys most ofthe Waller Lumber Company building at 275 S. Highland.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA EMPLOYEE’S EARNINGS STATEMENT

Chief Miller and Dick Gammon

, Captain Winget and Engineer on Engine 2. W

April 11,1973 — A flash fire destroys the offices of Levy Realty Company, 420 E. Sahara Avenue. Three employees barely escape with their lives.

V May 28,1973 - The Fire Department Administration begins the move into their new quarters in the new City Hall located at 400 E. Stewart Avenue. This will include a small museum of various fire paraphernalia.

May 31, 1973 - A giant blaze destroys an apartment complex at Paradise and Flamingo Roads. Every available fire unit and firefighter from the city and county respond to the blaze, which injuries dozens of firefighters. The

Ambassador Inn Apartments contains 342 one-bedroom apartments, of which 276 are destroyed. Damage is estimat-

' ed in excess of $2 million.

An employee’s pay stub.

DATE
MO. DAY YR.

5 119 |73 11

EMPLOYEE NUMBER

228R92
OVERTIME INCLUDED IN GROSS

GROSS AMOUNT WITHHOLD. TAX

372.03 56*49

INSURANCE CREDIT UNION

Save This Statement

RETIREMENT FEE

24.18 23

INSURANCE

14.49

NET PAY

276.64

00

REFER TO CHECK NUMBER

066540

.00 .00

.00

FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSES. IT IS A RECORD OF YOUR EARNINGS AND DEDUCTIONS AS REPORTED TO THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS.

MISC. DED.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTION

.00
00 MET

May 31, 1973 - The department officially dedicates the Harold Case Memorial, which commemorates those firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

The Memorial is named in honor of Harold Case, the first paid fire chief of the department, who served as chief from 1924—1954. The ceremony is presided over by department Chief J.D. Miller. The Memorial is located in front of fire headquarters on Casino Center Blvd.

June 6, 1973 — The Regional Planning Council re-af- firms its support of 9-1-1 as the single three-digit emergency telephone number.

June 9,1973 - A compound housing Standard Oil gaso­ line and kerosene storage tanks is threatened by a spectacu­ lar fire at the Ideal Supply Company at 720 W. Mesquite.

Fire at the Waller Lumber

Another rough assignment

Museum in the Fire Department Administration office in City Hall

Charles Buelow and TJ. Huddleston inspect a fire hydrant at City Hall.

Chief McFarland.

1973-1973
June 26, 1973 - A 53'year-old Michigan man dies as

a result of burns he suffers in the explosion and fire which destroys part ofthe Monte Carlo Hotel. The Las Vegas Fire Department traces the explosion and fire to a crack in the 10-year-old plastic gas pipe.

June 29, 1973 - Twelve new Las Vegas Firemen dem­ onstrate their skills and receive badges at the graduation exercises of the Twelfth Rookie Class of the Las Vegas Fire Department Training Academy.

June 30, 1973 - Fire ChiefJ.D. Miller reminds all resi­ dents that fireworks are illegal inside the city limits of Las

Vegas at all times.

NEWS

July 3, 1973 - Fire Station No. 8, located at 633 N. Mojave Rd, officially opens with an engine and water ten­ der and 18 firefighters, six on each platoon. Fire ChiefJerry Miller says the fire station is only a temporary site until the department’s new station at the intersection ofEast Bonanza and North Lamb can be built. But the city is not sure if the land can be acquired for the new station and funding is questionable also. But the east side of the city also lacks fire protection, so the bay is added to the FTC as a temporary solution until a new fire station can be built.

July 1973 - In a report, Las Vegas Fire ChiefJerry Miller states he needs $3.1 million to build new fire sta-

WW1

’IRE BEET.

Chief Miller with new white vehicles

Sparky mascot and Ronald McDonald with Fire Safety book

July 1,1973 — The city population is 135,355.

July 1,1973 — Clark County Fire Departmentjoins with the city for a combined Fire Communications Center to be operated by Las Vegas Fire Department. In the arrange­ ment, the county transfers its communications personnel to Las Vegas Fire Department, pays the department $73, 000 to cover salaries and benefits, $40,000 for electronic hook ups to the city facility. The county fire chief states it would have cost the county over $300,000 to bring their communi­ cations center up to the city’s standards.

July 2,1973 - Larry Powell is promoted to the rank of captain, becoming the first minority officer in the depart­ ment and in the state of Nevada.

Water test

Fire officials at the MDA Telethon

Norm Nash and company showing off their trophies (L to R: Ike Kuiva, Nash, and Robert Moore.)

I

LVFD Bomb Squad. (L to R: Otto McFarland, Ruff [dog], Stephen Hampton, Walt Shull, Tom Owings, Tom Huddleston, Ray Peeples, and George Judd.)

Ki

1973-1974

tions in the city. The most important is a new fire station, which is to be built at the intersection of Lamb Blvd, and Bonanza Road. He also proposes a new Fire Station No. 3, somewhere on Washington Blvd, near Tonopah Drive. He also seeks $200,000 to enlarge Fire Station No. 4 located at 1501 Industrial Drive and a new Fire Station No. 9 to be built somewhere close to Decatur and Smoke Ranch. The largest request is for a new fire administration and fire sta­ tion building.

Fire Stations in 1973 included: (Division EAST: Sta. 1,2,4,8 / WEST: Sta. 3,5,6,7)

Station 1 - Headquarters - 330 N. Casino Center Blvd. (E1,E12,T1,S1,R1)

Station 2 - E. Charleston & 28th St. (E2,R2) Station 3 - Bonanza & Dike Lane (E3,WT3,R231) Station 4 - 1501 Industrial Road (E4,E42,T4,S4) Station 5 - 900 Hinson St. (E5,E204)
Station 6 - 190 S. Upland Dr. (E6,T6,R6)
Station 7 - 1201 Miller Ave. (E7,WT7)
Station 8 - 633 N. Mojave Rd. (E8,WT8,E211)

September 5, 1973 — Bid awards totaling $59,124 are approved by the City Commission for a radio system, video tape projection equipment, and a panel truck.

September 16, 1973 — Two firemen are seriously in­ jured while fighting a vehicle fire, which explodes into a

50-foot fireball at 4527 Alpine Place.
September 17,1973 — Three classrooms at the John C.

Fremont Junior High School on East St. Louis Avenue sus­ tain extensive damage after vandals set the rooms on fire.

September 29, 1973 - For the 12th straight year, the Las Vegas Sun donates the day’s newspaper to local fire de­ partments to be sold in the streets by firefighters for what­ ever amount of money they can collect. The proceeds are

used to aid people who are burned out oftheir homes. Valley firefighters collect $1,270 that day.

October 3, 1973 - Two Las Vegas firefighters’ cars are set on fire behind Fire Station No. 3 at 2300 Bonanza Road.

October 10, 1973 — Tough new fire safety regula­ tions for high-rise buildings adopted by the Las Vegas Fire Department die quietly, just two weeks after they are ad-

Station No. 2.

opted. Firemen agree the new regulations are unfair to the builders at this time and decide to rescind them.

October 28, 1973 - A band of teens, age 11-13 years, set ten homes on fire and three brush fires on the Westside of the city. No one is hurt.

December 7,1973 — Deliberately set fires in four differ­ ent locations in the home offormer Las Vegas Assemblyman Woodrow Wilson cause an estimated $36,000 worth of

damage.
December 8, 1973 — The Las Vegas Fire Department

announces a new medical training program for the depart­ ment. It is called Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in

Station No. 3.

Las Vegas Fire Department 1973 Annual Report

Station No. 7.

Annual Report 1973.

Chief Miller anc Otto McFarland presen recognition awards.

Photo by city photographer Don Zirckle.

which one trained EMT will respond on every rescue call. The training is broken down into four phases: two 16-hour

courses, 40 hours of first aid type training, 40 hours of in- hospital training and a nine hour review and test.

December 17,1973 — Two classrooms are gutted by fire at Sunrise Acres Elementary School.

December 31, 1973 — Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 5,568 (city only) including 2,054 fires and 2,446 emergency rescue. Two hundred sixty-five calls for

help are through alarm boxes. The total fire loss for the year is $2,102,186. The total of fire inspections is 9,564. There are seven civilian deaths due to fires.

Captain Jack Milligan, Jim Stois, Nelson Me Lean, Fritz Buettner, Engineer Harry Venard in 1973.

70

71

1973-1974
March 6, 1974 - A blow is dealt to firemen as City

Commissioners adopt a new ordinance, which repeals par­ ity wage benefits for some 236 Las Vegas firefighters. The firefighters threaten to strike.

March 21,1974 - One man dies and two others escape injury during the pre-dawn hours when a fire breaks out in their house at 1300 Norman Avenue. The fire is caused by careless smoking.

April 4,1974 - An American-LaFrance Inc. low bid of $95,655 is approved to provide a new aerial ladder truck with a 65-foot-high platform.

LAS VECA1 FIRE DEFT. STATION 4

July 1,1974 - The city population is 146,960.

July 5,1974 - A hair issue comes up because of a verbal order issued by fire battalion chiefs saying the firemen must cut their hair or go home without pay.

August 3,1974 - A 65-year-old woman, who is confined to a wheelchair, dies from severe burns she receives at her home located at 4812 Stillwater. Investigators speculate that she accidentally knocked over a can ofgasoline and the fumes were ignited by a nearby natural gas water heater.

August 31, 1974 — Three firefighters are injured while combating a blaze in a vacant Westside apartment build­ ing owned by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Munch and Christensen repair a unit

April 23,1974 — A fire breaks out at the storage section of Howlett-Olson Frozen Foods at 41 Mojave Road. One man is critically injured. Damage is estimated at $200,000.

May 21, 1974 — A fire destroys Bob Stupak’s World Famous Million Dollar Historic Gambling Museum and Casino located at 2000 South Las Vegas Blvd. The fire destroys the building. It is the site of the present day Stratosphere Hotel & Casino. The fire is undetermined but thought to be electrical in origin.

May 31,1974 - An elderly woman is found dead in her home after a fire starts in the residence at Main Street and Bonneville Avenue.

Training exercise.

Station No. 4 personnel and equipment in 1973

Removing the victim’s body.

Fire Prevention employees with students

A firefighter does a demonstration at a school

Two firemen ride on the back of the truck

Robert Fitch and Charles Smith finish off a fire

SUPPORT THE

:W

Engineer Ted Sorenson collecting for the MDA Boot Drive.

1974-1975
September 3, 197*1 - A fire destroys an old pump

house on the grounds ofthe Las Vegas Water District. The building was built with creosote logs, which caused the large amount of smoke.

October 9, 1974 - Fire officials state that "an experi­ ment in cooperation” describes the first time city and county firemen have trained together and it is hoped the program

will continue. The main goal of the joint training is stan­ dardization ofprocedures and skills.

October 31,1974 - Las Vegas Firemen find themselves involved in more messy work than usual Halloween night

April 23,1975 - Fire heavily damages the Moulin Rouge Hotel on West Bonanza Road. Arson is suspected.

July 1,1975 - The city population is 149,750.

July 1, 1975 - A new state law takes effect, which pro hibits smoking in public meetings and state buildings. That includes elevators, libraries, museums, public buses, lecture

when they are called to a trash fire dumped from a garbage

truck at Las Vegas Boulevard North and Bonanza Road. "No doubt the work ofghosts, goblins, witches and warlocks,"

quotes the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
November 3, 1974 - Four Las Vegas Fire Department

firefighters are injured when their engine is broadsided on North Jones at the Las Vegas Expressway (US 95) while re­ sponding to what turns out to be a false alarm. Three civil­ ians are also injured and all are taken to the hospital. The engine was responding from Station No. 6.

November 14, 1974 - Twenty-five Clark County and Las Vegas firefighters graduate from the first ever joint

ITURE

Foam demonstration

training class. As part of the ceremonies, the department

conducts a burning exercise resulting in a citation from the Air Pollution Control. Eight of the new rookies belong to

the Las Vegas Fire Department,
December 5,1974 — Dense smoke hampers firemen as

they battle a blaze, which damages offices of two law firms in the First National Bank of Nevada building located at

300 Carson Avenue. Eight fire units respond to the fire. December 31,1974 - A big accomplishment in 1974 is the conversion of eight front line pumpers and three reserve pumpers from gasoline to diesel fuel. This will double the gas mileage at about half the cost to the department. The department also adds two new pumpers and also updates most of their large fire hoses. Fire specialists recommend no

l«WihryiaH

Secretary Ruth Horrocks

hose be more than 10 years old and the department expects to reach that point early in 1975.

December 31,1974 - Of the total department staffing of303 employees, 248 are combat (1.69FFT000 population); 20 combat support, 14 fire prevention, 4 training division, 6 mechanical division, and 11 in administration. The total number of alarms dispatched is 13,000 with 6,700 being in

December 31, 1974 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 12,020 (Las Vegas and Clark County com­

bined).

January 24, 1975 - City finally recognizes that eight battalion chiefs will become members of Local 1285.

Chief Miller presents a helmet to a vice president of the Sahara Hotel

Chief Miller and friends

Station No. 3

July 3, 1975 - Severe flooding occurs throughout the Las Vegas Valley. Damage is extensive and at least one fatal­ ity is confirmed.

July 26, 1975 - A suspicious fire destroys and causes over $1 million in damages to an apartment complex under

Receiving an incoming fire call

George Judd

Fire at the Belle Aire store

mgs
doctors’ offices.

state build facilities or

1J

December 31, 1975 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 16,586 (Las Vegas and Clark County com­

bined). The total fire loss for the year is $1,610,013. January 1,1976- An agreement is established between the City of Las Vegas and Clark County Fire Department to secure the benefits of mutual aid, upon request, for fire protection in the event of an emergency, which will likely go

beyond the control ofthe agency havingjurisdiction. January 31,1976 - Fifteen rail cars stack up after a de­

railment on the Union Pacific tracks near downtown. March 24, 1976 - City Manager Art Trelease is asked to resign by the mayor and city commission. He returns to

ARKING

Charles Smith demonstrating the oxygen mask

construction in the 1700 block ofEast Sahara Avenue. Eight buildings and 68 units are destroyed; over 90 firefighters fight the blaze, which starts at 4:00 a.m.

July 27, 1975 - Fire Chief Jerry Miller attends the London Inter-Fire Conference. He pays for all expenses himself.

August 10,1975 - Plans are formulated to proceed with the consolidation of the city and county fire departments. Speculation is that Las Vegas Fire ChiefJerry Miller will be chief of the new department and Clark County Fire Chief Leroy Hawks will be first deputy chief. The new depart­ ment will be formed in phases starting in late 1975 and will be completed by January 1, 1977.

September 1, 1975 — The 102nd Anniversary Conference of the International Association of Fire Chiefs is held in Las Vegas, hosted by Las Vegas Fire Department. Chiefs from 45 nations attend the conference.

September 1,1975 - The county fire chief and deputy chiefs relocate to Las Vegas City Hall, which will serve as headquarters of the new consolidated fire department. Las

Vegas Fire Department Fire Investigators are moved from city hall to new quarters on Desert Inn with the county in­ vestigation unit.

September 17, 1975 - An agreement for mutual fire protection aid between the City of Las Vegas and the City of North Las Vegas along portions of Interstate 15 is autho­ rized by both city councils and both mayors.

Firemen’s Memorial

A fire convention at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Secretary Verna Henson

A smokey fire scene.

i L

Engine 1.

1975-1976

Herman Pierce and Doug Petty.

■ -A s...

\

EM/*VME 1 tLRvlIwE I

“ Winget and Petty.

A.i

Las Vegas Fire Department as a battalion chief. Before be­ ing appointed city manager, he was a member of Las Vegas Fire Department, working his way through the ranks up to battalion chief.

April 3, 1976 - A city ordinance passes that permits only charitable organizations to sell fireworks in the city.

June 7, 1976 - The Nevada Supreme Court rules the consolidation of the city and county is unconstitutional and cannot proceed.

June 19,1976 - The Village Square Shopping Center at 953 East Sahara Avenue is destroyed in a $2 million fire.

>

•

■■■ Mil

2____

1976-1976
June 27,1976 - For the first time in 50 years, fireworks

are permitted for sale in the city.
July 1,1976 - The city population is 153,617.
July 4,1976 - A large forest fire rages out of on

Mt. Charleston.
October 15,1976 - Three men are arrested and charged

with starting of five church arson fires that occurred in Las Vegas during the past several weeks.

the fire department should only be concerned with fire fighting and not paramedic services.

December 31, 1976 - Communications Center pro­ cesses 19,722 calls in 1976. The city has 121 alarm boxes still in service throughout the city.

January 1977 - The city hires a consultant group to ex­ amine the job descriptions aay of city and county work- ers. Under the new plan, fii ters, engineers and captains will all be paid the same regardless of whether they work for the city or county. City workers are getting paid higher than county workers, so the plan recommends that pay raises for city fire personnel be frozen until the pay of county fire per-

Squad 1

An apartment fire

sonnel catches up. This leads to several discussions between Local 1285 and the city.

January 5, 1977 - For the second time in recent years there is talk ofmerging the county and city fire departments if the city annexes a large portion of Clark County, mainly around the urban area. One proposal is that ex-Clark County

:ers will have to reai
This way, many city firefighters will find themselves in line

for promotions while ex-county firefighters will have to start over again.

January 11, 1977 - The Suppression Division (Fire Combat) carries six battalion chiefs, 43 captains, 57

Johnson are reco;

Las Vegas Volunteer Fire two female active volunteers

Of

i?n®s

; provided by the Clark County Community College, the aartment's first paramedic class.

December 18, 1976 - Ms. Jacki Darcy and Ms. Betty

The recognition dinner is held at the Swanky Club. December 22,1976 - A dispute begins between a City Commissioner and Fire ChiefJerry Miller about paramedic services available by Las Vegas Fire Department. The fire chief wants the program to have a low profile while the city commissioner wants it elevated. The fire chiefbelieves that

Bruce Heninger, Leroy Leavitt, Jay Leavitt and William Smith plan their fire attack.

new

First LVFD Paramedic graduates, 1976

A call at the Golden Gate Casino.

Firefighter Tom Schick sprays down a training fi

4J >nil

as

AG EV

1977-1978

Engineers, and 138 Firefighters; a total combat number of 244 (1.55 FF:1000 population). The department total is 337. It is currently a Class 4 classification. Budget is $7.2 mil' lion.

January 24,1977 - Tom Huddleston is injured when a detonating device goes off in his hand during diffusing op­ erations at the Starboard Tack. Both the Village Pub and the Starboard Tack are the targets of 50 gallon drums filled with gasoline in stolen cars designed to detonate when the car doors are opened.

City of Las Vegas, County of Clark and the City of North Las Vegas.

February 17,1977 - The pilot of a small aircraft dies when his aircraft clips a power line on West Charleston Blvd, and Palmhurst Drive.

March, 1977 — In an effort to help save lives, the Review- Journal works with Las Vegas Fire Department in a new

“sticker program”. The stickers are designed to alert firefight­ ers to the location of children and invalids in homes.

March 2,1977 - HenryJames Mason gets a 45 year sen­ tence for setting fire to three West Las Vegas churches.

March 8, 1977 - Current Chiefs: Clark County Fire Chief - LeRoy Hawks; Las Vegas Fire Chief-Jerry Miller; North Las Vegas Fire Chief - Frank Larson; and Boulder City Fire Chief - R.L. Sears.

March 28, 1977 - Automatic aid between Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County goes into effect. The closest unit to a fire call will be dispatched regardless of what department it belongs to.

April 12, 1977 - A bill is introduced in the State Legislature that would consolidate the Las Vegas Fire Department and Clark County Fire Department into one Metropolitan Fire Department under the direction of the

I: ■

■

I

1977 Annual Report.

Firefighters Ryan and Thompson at the Brimmies fire, i

city fire department to take effect on July 1,1977. Fire Chief Jerry Miller calls AB613 “probably one of the best ones pro­ posed for the fire department to be merged under.” The bill states that employees of both departments will retain their positions, pay, and benefits. At the time of the proposal,

Clark County Fire Department has 259 employees with an operating budget of $6.4 million and the Las Vegas Fire Department has 308 employees with a budget of $7.2 mil­ lion.

April 18,1977 - In a 5 to 4 vote, the Assembly Govern­ ment Affairs Committee approves the merger of the Las Vegas Fire Department and Clark County Fire Department

y S...

iS.■ ’.■

7

January 31, 1977 - No one is injured when a pick up truck and gasoline tanker collide at the intersection of Ann Road and Tonopah Highway causing a massive fire.

February 13, 1977 - Firefighters beat Metro Police in their 4th annual football game 51—0.

February 13, 1977 - An article in the Review-Journal highlights the “fire museum” on the sixth floor of City Hall.

The showpieces of the museum are an 1890 Gould steam engine and the city’s first motorized fire engine, a Model T Ford that is currently on display at Fire Station No. 5.

February 15, 1977 - An automatic aid agreement for fire protection and rescue services is established between the

Chief Jerry Miller resigns.

Jameson, Willis, and Washington

b*8 *K** hue deft stati *SE|

Engine 4.

May 26, 1977 — A huge fire destroys the Foodland Market at 1500 Fremont Street. The 40-year-old building is a total loss. Three firemen are hospitalized and four oth­ ers are treated at the scene.

May 27, 1977 - Clark County Commissioner David Canter sends a memo to County Administrator George Ogilvie to stop all discussions with the City of Las Vegas concerning the merger of the two fire departments.

June 4, 1977 - Deputy District Attorney Jim Bartley, legal counsel for the County Commission, issues an opinion that the city-county fire department merger is illegal and unconstitutional.

By Gale Metcalf Staff Writer

Death was five seconds away early Thursday as the earthquake-like rum­ ble of a collapsing roof came down on trapped firefighters battling a blaze which destroyed the Foodland Mar­ ket at 15th and Fremont, streets.

Capt. Bart Gallagher was one of the firefighters, but he managed to get out through the front door of the building just as the collapsing roof hit. “Five seconds away,” he said later, referring to his close brush with death.

and was reportedly enrdute back to Las Vegas. Investigators said the building and contents reportedly are insured up to $300,000.

The first sign of the fire was just be­ fore midnight Wednesday night when smoke was seen coming ’from the roof. Tasios’s son later told investigators he closed the store about 10:15 p.m. Wed­ nesday and set the burglar alarm. He said he didn’t see anything unusual.

The fire apparently began in the at­ tic and smoldered for a long time, al­ though it was not immediately known

E.H. Nighswonger and company at the fire headquarters museum.

B".?'

June 7, 1977 - Battle 1ines are drawn between the city and county over the merger of the two fire departments.

The city threatens to go to court to keep the merger going and the county goes to court to halt it. County firefighters call the County Commissioners “two-faced” in opposing the merger. County firefighters, which help draft the bill and back the merger, are upset about the county’s position.

June 12, 1977 - An automatic fire sprinkler puts out a fire in the Sundance West Casino on Fremont Street.

The suspicious fire is quickly doused, only causing $500 in damage.

June 14,1977 - Las Vegas fire investigators believe an arsonist is responsible for at least six fires in the downtown area around Fremont Street over the last several weeks.

Firefighters cheat death

(Continued from Page 1.)

were about to take a line back in and get McCandless, but he came crawling near the door and was pulled out by Gallagher and Morris, who was in­ jured by then.

Meanwhile, in the back of the store and running out of oxygen, Churchill, Milligan and Knight became diso­ riented by the smoke, said investiga­ tors, and started calling for help. A crew from Engine Company Eight forced a back door open, as well as a window, and the three firefighters struggled their way through them.

Inside with Gallagher—in different
sections of the store—were Wilbur Thursday it still was undetermined fire had to have been burning in the

Market firemen cheat close death

McCandless, James A. Churchill,
Dennis Knight and Capt. Jack Milli­
gan. Three of these men and a fourth
fireman were in Southern Nevada Churchill, Milligan and Knight were Memorial Hospital Thursday. in a southeast section near a stairwell

McCandless sustained second and when they first ran into flames. Mean­ third degree burns on his arms and while, Gallagher Gallagher, Mc­

attic for a considerable time before being found, explained that every­ thing went wrong simultaneously with the firemen inside the building.

“The fire broke through the roof about the time the ceiling—the whole ceiling—fell and at the same time there was a back draft which caused an explosion inside.” He explained there are unburned gases in such a case; when these gases are hit with fire and a large influx of oxygen, an explo­ sion results.

head and was in the burn care unit of
the hospital; Churchill, Milligan and
Fireman Hubert Morris were reported
in stable condition in the medical
ward. Morris helped Gallagher pull earthquake,” Capt. Gallagher said in McCandless from the burning build­

ing after he was hit by the roof.
The fire caused an estimated $250,000 damage, when it gutted the store owned by Pete Tasios and C.H. Sfefert of Las Vegas. Tasios was in Chicago, attending a grocery-related

convention when the fire broke out

describing the collapsing roof. “I dove
through the front door—we had
cleared it out earlier—but apparently
part of the roof pinned McCandless were involved in fighting the blaze; in in.” Ernst also managed to get out. addition to those hospitalized, other

for how long, and investigators said

Inspector Walt Shull, who said the

what caused the blaze.
Firemen wearing oxygen equipment

forced their way into the building and

Candless and fireman Mike Ernst were in another part of the store.

“All of a sudden the smoke got real heavy, and there was a roar like an

More than 40 firemen reportedly Gallagher said he and the others firemen sustained smoke, heat and

(Continued on Page 4.)

bum injuries which were less serious.

At mid-morning Thursday, a small crew remained at the site to make sure a fire did not flare up again. All that remained inside the roofless building were chared remnants of timbers, once were building supports, twisted grocery baskets, heat-warped shelves, collapsed rubble and the burst and blackened remains of jars and cans. Outside, shards of glass shattered by the explosion were scattered on the sidewalk while occasional streams of water from the early-morning battle with the fire still dripped from upper- walls.

The heat from the fire partially dis­ abled a traffic signal light and bent street signs, and city engineer crews repaired them early in the morning.

A small bit ofhistory was made dur­ ing the fire when Betty Johnson, a volunteer firefighter, became the first woman to join firefighting crews in an actual fire. She is a widow with several grown children and a daughter at home.

1977

into one department under city control. Editorials newspapers and firefighter comments to the media are in favor of the merger.

May 4, 1977 — The Nevada Senate approves t
ation of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Fire Department in a 19 to 1 vote.

< May 18,1977 - Fire Chiefjerry Miller submits letter of resignation to be effective July 7, 1977.

May 19, 1977 - City management appoints a commit' tee that will oversee the merger of the two fire departments. City officials meet with representatives of the county and

advise them how the transfer of county employees to city will take place.

May 24,1977 — The Las Vegas City Commission selects Clark County Fire Chief Leroy Hawks to be chief of the newly created Las Vegas Metropolitan Fire Department in a vote of 4 to 0. His salary is selected at $31,600. The new de­ partment’s budget will be a city-county contribution, which will be controlled by a city-county fire budget committee.

May 26, 1977 - Clark County Administrator George Ogilvie asks for an opinion on the constitutionality of the merging of the two fire departments. Also, there are grow­ ing concerns among county residents about turning their county fire department over to the city.

ere

1977

June 19, 1977 — A temporary restraining order is is­ sued in District Court against the City of Las Vegas to halt the merger of the city-county fire departments. The case is scheduled for July 1st but is pending due to the outcome of a lawsuit.

July 1,1977 - The city population is 157,000.

July 4, 1977 - An office building at 1810 East Sahara Avenue is gutted by fire. Twelve fire units with 45 firefight­

ers respond to the blaze. Damage is estimated at over $2 million.

September 14,1977

of Las Vegas and the City of North Las Vegas is established for the purpose of a combined communications center.

September 17, 1977 - The State Fire Marshal is fired from his position and is replaced by Las Vegas Assistant Fire Marshal Tom Huddleston.

September 17,1977 - Clark County appeals the merg­ er of the Clark County and Las Vegas fire departments (to form the Las Vegas Metropolitan Fire Department) to the Nevada Supreme Court. The court rules in favor of Clark County several months later, ending the efforts of the con­ solidation.

’ Fire Alarm Office.

July 7,1977 - Fire ChiefJerry Miller steps down from fire chief to battalion chief until he can retire. Former Fire Chief C.D. Williams is also terminated by the city, but also takes a demotion to assistant chief until he can earn his full retirement benefits.

July 7,1977 — Sam Cooper becomes the acting fire chief, serving until March 3, 1984.

July 14, 1977 - Former Las Vegas City Manager Art Trelease retires as a fire department battalion chief. After Trelease quit as city manager in March 1976, he was allowed

to return to his former non-appointed position as a battalion

Jeanne Schmidt inspects a valve

chief under the civil service rules until he could earn his full retirement benefits. He was the city manager for 11 years.

July 15, 1977 - The proposed merger of the city and county fire departments is declared constitutional by DistrictJudgeJoseph Pavlikowski.

July 15,1977 - Carbon monoxide gas from an auxiliary power generator is responsible for killing one man and send­ ing nearly 100 hotel guests of the Landmark Hotel to the hospital.

July 16, 1977 - A fast moving fire destroys the Pepsi Cola Bottling facility at 1200 East Foremaster Lane. Metro

The new Station No. 9

Class of 1977.

STATION 1
B PLATOON

Police believe burglars set the fire to conceal a break-in. Damage is estimated at over $1 million and over 100 people are put out of work.

July 16, 1977 - Base Pay Salaries - battalion chiefs $20,486; captains $17,235; engineers $15,614; and firefight­ ers $14,499.

August 4, 1977 - North Las Vegas City Council ap­ proves merging the North Las Vegas fire dispatch center with the Combined Fire Communications Center of Las

Vegas and Clark County.
August 15, 1977 - An apartment building under con­

struction on South Casino Center Blvd, and Hoover Street is destroyed in a large fire. Arson is suspected.

Fire at the Pe

si bottlin

aratus ready for action

nrsiii

07//////////////////////i/iiiuim iiiiinnv

A car fire.

1977-1978
September 30,1977 - An academy graduates 13 new

firefighters under Acting Chief Sam Cooper. The class in­ cluded Gene Marshall, Ron Williams, Kenny Ong, Rick Grove, Marv Campbell, Kane Ong, John Browers, John Brigner, Dan Thomas, Brad Goetting, Garey Bryant,

Thomas Grayson, and George Keyes.
September 30, 1977 - Former Las Vegas Fire Chief

C.D. Williams wins an eight-year legal battle against the City of Las Vegas after the city demotes him from fire chief to assistant fire chief after the grand jury brings charges

December 31, 1977 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 24,276 (North Las Vegasjoins the combined center with Las Vegas and Clark County). The total fire loss

for the year is $7,349,261.
January 24, 1978 - City and county fire departments

prepare separate budgets even though a law passed by the State Legislature in July, 1977, forms a consolidated fire de­ partment run by the City of Las Vegas. But as final arrange­ ments for the merger are taking place, the Clark County Commission challenges the law in District Court claim­ ing the new law deprives residents that live outside the city of their constitutional right of equal representation. The District Court upholds the decision of the State Legislature so the County Commission appeals to the Nevada Supreme Court. ByJanuary, the Supreme Court has made no decision.

Buelow

lice department back.
March 8,1978 — Las Vegas Fire Department shows off

its new ambulance called a Trauma Unit at an open house held at Fire Station No. 6. The unit is the second ambulance put into service by the department, with a third unit planned to be placed into service within another thirty days.

A March 16, 1978 - Sam Cooper is appointed fire chief by the Las Vegas City Commission. He has been serving as acting chief since July, 1977, after Fire ChiefJerry Miller resigned.

against him, which are later dropped. The city awards him $31,000 in back pay and retirement benefits.

October 23,1977 - North Las Vegas Fire Department moves all of its communications equipment to Las Vegas Fire Headquarters on Casino Center Blvd., the first day of combined communications for Las Vegas, North Las Vegas and Clark County.

December 26,1977 — Every unit ofthe Las Vegas Fire Department responds to a major blaze on Fremont Street. Four major businesses on Fremont Street are destroyed re­ sulting in millions of dollars in damages. The fire is suspi­ cious in nature according to investigators.

February 16,1978 - In a unanimous vote by the Nevada Supreme Court, the court rules the merger of the city and county fire departments is unconstitutional. Immediately following the decision, the Las Vegas City Commission or­ ders the city attorney to begin preparing a challenge against the Metropolitan Police Department on the same grounds.

The Metropolitan Police Department is formed on July 1, 1973, the same time an attempt is made to consolidate the fire departments. The County Commission immediately makes plans to move forward with improvements for the Clark County Fire Department with building more stations and appointing a county fire chief. At the same time, the

Training exercise,

Station No. 4 staff and apparatus

1978-1979

March 24, 1978 - A new board is formed within the Clark County Health District to form a committee that will oversee paramedic procedures used in Clark County.

V April 1978 — Las Vegas Fire Department launches the “Vial of Life” program through out the city.

May 6,1978 - A large fire in the 1000 block of Fremont Street destroys two businesses.

May 19, 1978 - A house is purchased for $85,000 on West Lone Mountain Road and $30,000 is used to convert

it into a fire station. Fire Station No. 9 replaces a small sta-

IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR where your FIREFIGHTERS and PARAMEDICS can find it quickly

PICK UP YOUR VIAL AND INFORMATION BLANK AT:

NEIGHBORHOOD FIRE STATIONS

Senior Citizens May Also Pick Up Vials At PARTICIPATING PHARMACIES and
SENIOR CITIZEN CENTERS

tion operated by the city at Tule Springs, which housed a

rescue unit and water tender.
V June, 1978 - Fire Department Chaplain Reverend Welles Miller retires.

July 1,1978 — The city population is 161,021.

July 30, 1978 - Nine stations serve the city with a to­ tal department staffing of 323. Station No. 1 is located at 330 N. Casino Center; Station No. 2 at East Charleston and 28th Street; Station No. 3 at Bonanza Road & Dike Lane; Station No. 4 at 1501 Industrial Road; Station No. 5 at 900 Hinson Road; Station No. 6 at 190 South Upland; Station No. 7 at 1201 Miller Avenue; Station No. 8 at

« II

■

L to R: Sam Cooper, Joe Wood, Ken Schmidt, and Robert Ferguson.

633 N. Mojave Road; and Station No. 9 at 6841 W. Lone Mountain Avenue.

July 30, 1978 - Total Inspections: 16,027; Fire Investigations: 419; and Bomb Responses: 299. There are 124 alarm boxes and the total alarms for the City of Las

Vegas is 12,389.
December 31, 1978 - Total dispatches from the Fire

Alarm Office: 31,937. The total fire structure loss in the city is $2,515,476.

January 4, 1979 - Fire Prevention Officer Frederick MilesJameson wins the top award in the “Learn Not to Burn” competition sponsored by the National Fire Protection

Association.

O Ruff, the explosives detection dog,
HI retires (pictured with Otto McFarland).

s | L to R: Nancy Childress, Linda Willis, Arlene Jackson,

- and Cheryl handling the fire hose.

y

McDonald Hotel fire. (L to R: Unknown, W.D. Sorensen Leroy Leavitt, and Ronald Hamilton.)

L to R: Anita Fudge, Arlene Jackson, Evelyn Crosley, Ruth Horrocks, Linda Willis, Cheryl (last name unknown), Nancy Wolfe, Nancy Bower, Delores Lucas, Mabel “Sandy” Drefke.

♦

;<cT. .

\ J| W.D. Sorensen, Paula Lempke, Jay Leavitt, and George Judd

1 Dave Helton.

■'

Railcar fire.

. Wi--

Winget pictured with David Sanchez from Human Resources.

1979
January 6,1979

1976 Gerlach Drive.

through the metal into the car's wooden interior,
January 22,1979 - Ruff, the department’s detection of

explosives dog, retires after five years of service,
February 10, 1979 - The firefighters win the an­

nual football game against the Metro Police for the fourth straight year 34-27,

Eugene Spendlove at the training center.

Apartment response.

After the fire. (L to R: John Cribbs, W.D. Sorensen, and Harley Bates.)

Command post exercise

June 6, 1979 — City Commission agrees to purchase land for Station No. 3 at Washington and Rancho at a cost of $97,915, or $1.45 a square foot.

July 1,1979 - The city population is 162,000. December 4, 1979 - Homicide and arson investiga­

tors combine efforts to find an arsonist who set fire to seven downtown houses in a four hour period killing one man.

December 31, 1979 — Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 36,116. The total fire structure loss in the city

is $3,010,605.

> January 8, 1979

A Union Pacific Railroad box car catches fire when railroad workers accidentally torch

Dick Gammon and com

Walt Shull investigates a fire

Chief Cooper and Fire Education van

inco Palace!

| casinoM

February 22, 1979 — An arsonist is blamed for setting fire to a van and two boats, including a boat owned by Barry Becker, son of homebuilder Ernie Becker, Sr.

March 6,1979 - A fire destroys portions of the Clark County Courthouse Annex. The annex was dedicated as a Historical Landmark on December 30, 1976.

April 6,1979 - Jeanne Schmitz is given a national award for her campaign to reduce the fire and explosion hazards of chemicals used in the Clark County School District.

April 10,1979 — A fire breaks out at the Flick Theater at 719 E. Fremont Street. The fire is caused by arson.

WEE)

THE 80s

92

MDA Boot Drive collection at the second level Union Plaza pool.

1980
January 1980 - The Insurance Service Office classifica

tion for North Las Vegas is a Class 3, Henderson is a Class 5 Clark County is a Class 3, and Las Vegas is a Class 2.

January 1,1980 - A fire breaks out at the Las Vegas Sun newspaper plant located at 121 S. Highland Drive.

X February 7,1980 - A $600,000 contract is awarded by the Las Vegas City Commission to start construction of Station

No. 3, located at Washington Street near Rancho Drive, re­ placing a cramped 27-year-old firehouse on Bonanza Road.

CITY OF LAS VEGAS-FIRE STATION*?

April 2, 1980 — Las Vegas Fire Department Fire Investigator Stephen Hampton becomes the first ever fire service investigator to be accepted to attend a session at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

< April 3,1980 - Ground is broken for the new Fire Station No. 3 to be built at West Washington and Rancho Drive.

April 4, 1980 - A Las Vegas nurse dies in a crash be­ tween a truck and a fire engine at Charleston and Decatur Blvd. Police speculate that the brakes failed on the truck.

Alarm box, circa 1980

March 1,1980 - A blaze at Bunker Memorial Gardens, a local crematorium, destroys the contents of one building and results in $6,000 in damages.

March 12, 1980 — Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad responds to a reported bomb incident at the First National Bank on Maryland Parkway. The bomb is fake and helps criminals to extort $100,000 from the bank.

March 16,1980 - A 55-year-old man dies in a fire in his home located at 1230 S. 16th Street. The fire is believed to be started by electrical wiring.

Ron Lurie

Paul J Christensen

Roy Woofter

Al Levy
DIRECTOR of PUBLIC SERVICE

Donald E Donovan ptftECTOR OP E’R'S SERVICES

Sam Cooper

Breaking ground ceremony for Fire Station No. 3

Las., . Si■
Service awards. VV

The fire engine was in full response in what turned out to be a false alarm.

June 24,1980 - The average age breakdown for battal ion chief is 48 years, captain-45 years, engineer-42 years; and firefighter-42 years.

July 1,1980 - The city population is 164,674.

July 9,1980 — Las Vegas firefighters approve a new one- year contract giving them a 9 to 11 percent pay increase, but limiting sick leave and longevity benefits.

January 20,1981 Ronald Wilson Reagan is sworn in as the 40th President of the U.S

May 7,1984 S
ioviet Union

withdraws from summer Olympic games in Los Angeles

November 21,1985 Reagan and Gorbachev meet; agree to arms control talks and renew cultural contacts.

January 28,1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

1988 - NASA scientist James Hansen first warns of global warming

January 20,1989 George^ Herbert Walker Bush is sworn in

as the 41st President of the U.S.

Washing the engines after a fire call

B. Clark, 61, receives first artificial heart implant, Salt Lake City.

Tools of the trade. \

MS

<

Snorkel.

MGM Fire, 1980. Clark County FD on scene.

W.D. Sorensen and Dick Gammon accept a check.

Mutual aid response.

MGM fire, 1980.

MGM Casino interior after the fire.

MGM Casino interior after the fire.

96

7.■-

1

A November 21,1980 - A fire breaks out at the 21-story MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. This fire kills 85 guests and hotel employees, 61 ofwhich die in the high-rise tower. The fire starts on the ground floor, and smoke spreads extensive­ ly throughout the casino and into the upper floors of the ho­ tel. The Las Vegas Fire Department sends 148 firefighters, six engines, five rescues, and two ladder trucks along with

a number of support personnel and vehicles to the blaze. There are a total of 544 firefighters used at this incident.

December 17, 1980 - A ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication is held for the new Fire Station No. 3.

December 31,1980 - The total fire loss for the year is $3,293,643. Total fire investigations: 514 along with more than 30 arrests. Paramedics respond to 10,769 calls for aid.

,V'kV

1980

September 5, 1980 - About 17 Las Vegas firefighters battle a blaze in the storeroom at the Western High School cafeteria. Students are sent home for lunch but classes re­ sume afterwards.

September 17, 1980 - A large-scale mock nuclear waste accident is simulated near the intersection of U.S. 95 and Cheyenne Avenue. Several agencies and hospitals par­ ticipate in the exercise.
X October 17, 1980 - The Training Division graduates nine recruits. The total Fire Suppression force is 262.

TV

Nine new recruits graduate in October, 1980.

® MGM fire, 1980. | ...

W illi

•»»

i

•**

97

SI

* , v III

'5'." ,Kct .,4i Sy

1980— 1981

There are more than 4,500 fire hydrants in the city. Total alarms dispatched is 36,840 with 16,110 being in the city.

December 31, 1980 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 37,787. The total fire structure loss in the

city is $2,914,191.
January 7,1981 - The Insurance Services Office (ISO)

reclassifies the ISO rating for the City of Las Vegas from Class 4 to Class 2. Fire Chief Sam Cooper credited the im­ plementation of a new $75,000 communications system for

r

Ik

V

•SS/S %sgit

s .«

Our Task Force is made up of all the investigative

divisions of all the fire departments in the valley, the District Attorney's office (Prosecution and investigation) Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, A.T.F.. Insurance Crime Preven­ tion Institute ( I.C.P.I.), The State Insurance Com­ mission, and the Indepen­ dent Insurance Agents (Responsible for the Arson Reward Fund). So far the force has worked very well, mostly I feel because no single person on entity

is out for the "Glory". Our goal is to reduce arson and it doesn’t matter who gets the eventual “collar” or arrest just so the respon- sible party is negated.

t■

Joe Bowman and Stan Wolfe on the foam truck.

98

Wj

T

si

8 th ANNUAL

POUCESFIREFIGHTERS BENEFIT FOOTBALL SAME

FEBRUARY 7, 1SB1 • LAS VEGAS SILVER BOWL

En^inesj^^e^ake^uheisho^

, IM Welilis

MAY, 1981

By: MIKE PATTERSON Live Line .Editor

No one would have be­ lieved it especially the fire­ fighters of Southern Nevada. Why we had not even finish­ ed the report on the MGM fire and here we were again. February 10, 1981, '2007 hours, a fire in a building is reported at the Las Vegas Hilton Ho­ tel, eighth floor. As station

18 units rolled out of the barns, they observed two floors already involved. Several members of the Fire Investigation Division: Captains Lorne Lomprev and Wayne Bums along vvitn investigations Bill Kolar. V engus Porter and Larry- Boucher, responded at the same time. Upon observing the fire rapidly progress­ ing up the side of the build­ ing (elevator lobby areas, east tower). Captain Lorn- prey called an evolution

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

VOLUME 6, NUMBER 2

ii

Firearms (A.T.F.). subsequently led

X February 10, 1981 — Eight people are killed and over 250 are taken to area hospitals after fire sweeps through the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel on Paradise Road. The fire at the 30-story, 2,780 room hotel, brings 53 pieces of fire equip­ ment with nearly 500 firefighters from all across Southern Nevada to the scene. The Las Vegas Fire Department sends seven engines, three ladder trucks, four ambulances, one snorkel and approximately 176 members to the scene. Las

Vegas Fire Department units are first on the scene. The Las Vegas Fire Department Paramedic Coordinator is in charge of triage at the scene. Twenty-nine firefighters are

and
This
to additional information which eventually resulted in an arrest.

Union Pacific fire,

1981
May 27, 1981 — The Las Vegas Executive Lions Club

donates two “Porta-Tel” telephone units for the fire depart­ ment. The units are used to communicate with deaf people. McDonald’s also donates 21 smoke alarms designed for deaf people.

June 16, 1981 - Nevada Governor Robert List signs into law Senate Bill 214, a fire safety bill that will help pre­ vent fires such as the MGM Grand and Hilton. The bill re­ quires that any hotel, motel, office building, condominium or apartment building taller than 55 feet be equipped with

Ronald McDonald donates smoke alarms

Station No. 8

100

Paul Keeton inspects a burned structure,

Mike Watts on ladder, to

Station No. 6

Station No. 9

Negotiations. (L to R: Lou Lescinski, Rex Shelburne, Julius Conigliaro, Mayor Bill Briar, and John Ryan.)

PARKING

FEET

Kids enjoying the view. (Charles Overson and Stace Pulsipher.)

Station No. 1

LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPT. STATION

Station No. 7.

VEGAS

| FIRE STATION No. 6 |.

■MMHHKlRR

LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPT FIRE TRAINING CENTER

1981 — 1982

automatic fire sprinklers in every corridor and above each door leading to an exit corridor,

June 30, 1981 - There are 3,972 fire hydrants in the

July 1,1981 - The city population is 173,945. November 25, 1981 - The State of Nevada charters

the Professional Black Firefighters of Las Vegas. December 31, 1981 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 39,449. The total fire structure loss in the

city is $1,578,284.
January 1, 1982 - Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb

Squad investigates a pipe bomb that explodes in the back

1982/83

LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPARTMENT

of a pick up truck parked at the Las Vegas Hilton Hotel. Three people are injured. The bomb squad recovers another

pipe bomb, which did not explode.
February 2, 1982 - A railroad tanker car from the

Union Pacific Railroad is donated to the Las Vegas Fire Department Training Center on Mojave Road.

February 17, 1982 — TwentyTour Las Vegas Fire Department paramedics notify Fire Chief Sam Cooper in a memo that they are “frustrated and disenchanted” with the current paramedic program in the fire department and want to return to duties as regular firefighters. The fire chief arranges for a meeting with the paramedics to listen to their concerns.

* -i-

A' '■»

''‘b

,;v

o

GRADUATION EXERCISES - 1300 HOURS

INTRODUCTION OF DIGNITARIES
COMMENTS BY DIGNITARIES AND TRAINING STAFF VALEDICTORIAN MESSAGE BY:

TIMOTHY J. CROWLEY, .1 I PRESENTATIONS BY:

JOHN RYAN, CAPTAIN AND REX SHELBURNE, CAPTAIN ■PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES BY:

WlLLIAM D. SORENSEN, ASSISTANT CHIEF PRESENTATION OF BADGES BY:

SAM COOPER, DIRECTOR OF FIRE SERVICES INTERMISSION

OUTSIDE DEMONSTRATIONS OF FIREMANSHIP: TOWER FIRE AND PROP FIRE

GRADUATES

FIREFIGHTER ALLAN ALBAITIS FIREFIGHTER JOHN A. APFEL FIREFIGHTER HENRY L. CLINTON FIREFIGHTER TIMOTHY J. CROWLEY FIREFIGHTER JAMES V. GORDON FIREFIGHTER RICHARD T. GRACIA FIREFIGHTER DOUGLAS I. JOHNSON FIREFIGHTER JEFFREY A. JOHNSON FIREFIGHTER PAUL D. KALANI FIREFIGHTER RONALD W. KNOPP FIREFIGHTER MICHAEL K. MANNING

FIREFIGHTER james f. McAllister FIREFIGHTER donaLd parker FIREFIGHTER PAUL V. PIKER

' FIREFIGHTER CARL 0. RAMZY FIREFIGHTER JOSEPH E. TRUDEAU FIREFIGHTER STEPHEN VAN NATTA FIREFIGHTER WILLIAM H. WHEALAN, JR. FIREFIGHTER VINCENT M. WHITNEY

—j

FIRE ACADEMY STAFF TRAINING DIVISION

DIRECTOR OF TRAINING:
JAMES B. GALLAGHER, BATTALION CHIEF

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR:
JOHN R. RYAN, CAPTAIN

SECRETARY:'
EVELYN J. CROSSLEY

SPECIAL INSTRUCTORS

REX SHELBURNE, CAPTAIN
MICHAEL ERNST, PARAMEDIC
WILLIAM YOUNG, FIREFIGHTER
TED KENNEDY, C P.R. INSTRUCTOR
BRIAN WILLETT, CIVILIAN TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
STEPHEN HAMPTON, SUPERVISOR OF FIRE INVESTIGATIONS DAVID WASHINGTON, PUBLIC EDUCATION SPECIALIST

BUD DAMRON, ENGINEER
PAUL BITRYK, SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION DON FABBI, NEVADA POWER COMPANY

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE FROM:

Twenty-five year service awards. (L to R: Sam Cooper, Donald Southwich, Carlos Zepeda, Jack Milligan, and W.D. Sorensen.)

w

LADDER LADDER 4 LADDER 6

ENGINE 10 SQUAD I • TANKER 9

RESCUE 2

Sam Cooper and a visitor.

as the site for the city’s new Central Fire Station.
June 16,1982 - Two African-American firefighters are promoted to captain, the first minority suppression captains on the department. Monroe Williams, a firefighter since

1963, and Bill Young, a firefighter since 1971, are promoted. June 24, 1982 - The four locals ofthe firefighters unions in the valley discuss the idea of consolidating the four valley

fire departments into one department.
June 30, 1982 - After 37 years of service, the contract

between the City ofLas Vegas and the Las Vegas Volunteer Firefighters ends. In assessing the service the volunteers gave to the city, Las Vegas had the lowest fire insurance rates ofany

Battalion Chief Jay Leavitt.

western city of its size. The City of Las Vegas has the origi­ nal volunteers to thank that no serious blaze ever brought disaster, and the entire community should be grateful. The volunteers' service to the early City ofLas Vegas provided the influence and foundation for today s firefighters and services. This will ultimately result in the I.S.O. Class One rating the city will eventually obtain on May 1,1990.

July 1,1982 - The city population is 177,440.

July 13, 1982 - The Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department, formed in the early 1940’s, decides it is too ex­ pensive to operate any longer and disbands operations.

I

“I

s

Battalion Chief Leroy Leavitt.

■ v.

• VhM

Groundbreaking for new Station No. 1

Now we’re cookin’. (L to R: Sam Cooper, Unknown Mayor Bill Briare, and W.D. Sorensen.)

____ ,

1982
July 13, 1982 - Public opinion and editorials in the

newspapers do not favor the consolidation of all the Valley fire departments into one fire department. After failing twice, people feel it is not worth the time or effort.

August 19,1982 — An attempt is made by the Las Vegas Fire Department to ban wood shake shingles on new multi' family homes. The proposal is struck down by the City Commission in a 3 to 2 vote.

September 15,1982 — A petition drive is organized by the four firefighter union locals concerning the merger of the four valley fire departments.

V December 30, 1982 — Ground is broken for the new 40,000 square foot Fire Station No. 1. The station is located

w

Engine 8 pump panel

S3® «

u ... .

1982-1983

at 500 North Casino Center Blvd. City officials estimate the new building will serve the needs of the fire administration for the next 25 years.

December 31, 1982 - Total dispatches from the Fire Alarm Office: 40,120. The total fire structure loss in the

city is $3,494,725.
V January 1,1983 - The Moulin Rouge, a landmark Las Vegas hotel at 900 W. Bonanza Road, is destroyed by fire

during pre-dawn hours New Years Day. Damage is estimat­ ed at $250,000, and four guests suffer minor injuries from smoke inhalation.

Donation

February 28, 1983 - Dynamite bombs that are rigged to explode but apparently malfunction are placed at the Stardust, Desert Inn, Aladdin, and Frontier Hotels, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of guests. Two days later, anoth­ er bomb is found at the Fashion Show Mall.

March 30, 1983 — President of the Professional Black Firefighters of Las Vegas, David Washington, claims the City of Las Vegas violated a year old agreement giving mi­ norities more say on city employment practices. Charges include not having a minority on a recent oral exam, failure of the Las Vegas Fire Department to appoint a representa­ tive to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) executive committee, and failure to have more mi­ norities working within the fire department. At the time, 14 of the 19 black firefighters of the department are members

Moulin Rouge fire

January 20,1983 - The Las Vegas City Commission or­ ders the City Manager to actively oppose any consolidation efforts attempted to combine the city fire department with any other departments in the Valley. At least three attempts to consolidate the city and county departments were made in previous ten years, which was ruled, unconstitutional.

After the MGM Grand and Hilton Hotel fires, firefighter unions in the Valley started an effort to consolidate all the

Valley fire departments into one Valley fire department.
X February 5, 1983 - Firefighters beat Metro Police

20-13 in the 10th Annual football game. The victory is the third in a row increases the overall series 7-3

Chief Cooper pins badge on McCandless

K318

Fire-Police football game

connection with a
Missionary Baptist Church on Lexington Ave. The damage is estimated at $300,000.

May 5, 1983 - Fire Department Paramedics begin us­ ing new neck devices to protect injured people from further injury.

May 11, laoJ - bight people are injured in a tire on the 16th floor of the Golden Nugget Hotel. The fire is ruled accidental.

> May 30,1983 — A Swiss tourist receives second-degree burns on his legs when his motor home explodes into flames while he is refueling it at a downtown Union 76 gas station.

Retirement plaque

Captain John Cribbs retirement shift. (L to R: Eugene Spendlove, Dan Buettner, Cribbs, Toby Lamuraglia, Daniel Welsh, and Joseph Trudeau.)

Motorhome fire, May 30,1983

Captain John Hughes promotion

> April 13, 1983

of Las Vegas. Police arrest a 13-year-old boy

W.D. Sorensen.

11

.■A'.;iA\\ .<kSl'j

*

Engines.

Union Plaza Hotel fire. • 4

SHHSm

®wi
II

Jim Warren and the “Jaws of Life.

■* J

July 1,1983 - The city population is 181,579.
X July 12,1983 — A 25-story wooden trash chute goes up in flames at the Union Plaza hotel downtown. The chute was constructed for construction workers to get rid of trash

from upper floors while the building was under construc­ tion. Automatic fire sprinklers on floors 5-25 are credited with keeping the external fire from entering the new build­ ing. There are no injuries and the fire is ruled accidental.

The new hotel is scheduled to open August 1st, but is ex­ pected to be delayed because of the fire.

July 19,1983 - The Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad dismantles a bomb at the McDonald’s restaurant on the Strip. The squad determines the bomb is bogus and was planted to tie up emergency responders while the First

11

i'

w*8

**»

It *w

I 1 ®w

9

j^W I

*

Demolishing old Station No. 1.

.

Chief Cooper and Firefighter Ong.

Interstate Bank on the Strip, just two blocks away, was being robbed. Two men are arrested on the Strip and are charged with the robbery and planting the bogus bomb.

August 28,1983 - Captain Steve Hampton is presented the Las Vegas Fire Department Medal of Valor for the life saving rescue of a man from a burning mobile home.

September 23,1983 - Fire races through a large elec­ tronic manufacturing plant and warehouse killing one em­ ployee and injuring three firefighters. The $5 million dollar fire occurs at Wilson Microwave Systems Inc., located at

4286 Polaris. Las Vegas firefighters respond to the incident. October 7,1983 - Fire Chief Sam Cooper takes one of

the department’s four paramedic rescue units out of service

I

1983-1984

. uV T s

because of budget woes. The unit at Fire Station No. 6 lo­ cated at Jones and Upland is taken out of service, leaving the department with only three paramedic units for nine fire stations.

November 4, 1983 - Sixteen recruits graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy. The recruit academy is eight weeks in length.

December 1, 1983 - An arbitration process nets fire­ fighters a 7.5% salary increase.

December 7, 1983 - Off-duty firefighter/paramedic Chris Hasselfeld and two others aboard a medical helicop-

1’

Ray Peeples and other local Fire Prevention personnel.

Henry Windhorst and Engine 5.

Rescue unit 1.

Old mobile Command Unit.

A 1917 Model T fire truck.

Cooper congratulates Firefighter Hortt. <

ter are killed when it crashes near Black Mountain. The Valley Hospital “Flight for Life” helicopter and crew were headed to Needles, California, to pick up a patient when the

accident occurred.
December 31, 1983 - Total fires: 1,912; total rescue

calls: 11,630; total false alarms: 1,109; total mutual aid re­ sponses: 1,759; total all incidents: 17,886.

December 31,1983 - The Fire Suppression total is 265 or 1.46 FF:10.00 population based on a population of181,579.

The total fire structure loss in the city is $3,551,923.
X January 27,1984 - A fire engulfs a storage shed at the Las Vegas Golf Club destroying 82 golf carts.

Fire at the Las Vegas Golf Club.

.1<'

112

■I-

Y

2

February 4, 1984 - The fire department begins a vid­ eo training program that broadcasts on cable Channel 29. The program enables the firefighters to learn techniques by

watching television at each station, rather than meeting at the Training Center, thus saving time and fuel, and staying in a response mode.

February 22,1984 - Fire Chief Sam Cooper gives no­ tice of his retirement after 30 years in the department, a de­ cision possibly fueled by the department’s budget issues.

March 21, 1984 - The Las Vegas City Council votes unanimously for the Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad to charge $500 for each bomb call answered out?

I

.I

»__ at

<w*

1983 graduating recruits.

IV' i

LAS VEGAS FIRE SERVICE

?

Cla •.-

____ _ ...

■-

Helicopter crash kills three emergency workers.

%

2^
•y;w si

J■j

< 'VA'-/

0

1,'

I

•ft

1984

side the city limits. In 1978, Metro Police dismantle their bomb unit and Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad then handle all search and removal of bombs or explosives. In 1981, Metro Police assume search duties of bomb calls and Las Vegas Fire Department Bomb Squad continues with explosive or bomb removal.

April 18,1984 - An agreement between the City ofLas Vegas, the City of North Las Vegas and Clark County is

established with the purpose of centralizing all of the dis­ patching requirements within the jurisdictional boundaries of the parties to the communications center, located at 320 Casino Center, and relocating to the new central fire station when complete.

Ml

1*

1

IB ”»r« 1«T

A April 30, 1984 - Nine rookies begin the new rookie school at the Fire Training Center.

> May 2,1984 - The assistant chief of the Phoenix Fire

Department is selected to be appointed the 6th fire chief for the City of Las Vegas in June. Clell West, 49, served 23 years with the Phoenix Fire Department.

> May 2, 1984 - Administrative Officer Larry Powell is

appointed fire marshal for the city. He is instrumental in the formation of the Professional Black Firefighters of Las Vegas and is the first black firefighter to be promoted to the

rank of battalion chief within the department.

Bill Miller investigates a fire. ____ z____ It

Truck 4. (Lto R: Jim Dustin, Glen Brown, Ray Bogle, Tony Thomas.)

Central Fire Station.

Boot Drive, 1984.

Fire Marshal Larry Powell.

Chief Clell West.

Thirteen rookies begin training, September 1984.

i't

IB
IB iwi

!W«
IB iw« sI

IB W l IB

Rookie class, April 1984.

4

Rescue 4. (L to R: Garland Davis, Jim Pechacek.)

-1

Engine 5. (L to R: Jack Diamond, Dick Kendall, Bob Johnson, Jack Bowman.)

r

Engine 4. (L to R: Tony Thomas, Dick i Kendall, John Banks, Greg Gammon.)

i

/L

uj7,'V

*

•J

Linda Willis.

Arlene Jackson.

A future firefighter.

Pau a Lemke

Fire Alarm Office, 1985.

116

.Rr, v. ;n

4

1984-1985

December 31,1984 - The Fire Suppression total is 288 or 1.51 FF:1000 population based on apopulation of190,671.

The total fire structure loss in the city is $2,523,344.
> April 22,1985 - The department hires the first female

firefighters: Ellen Goldsmith, Linda Curtin and Diane Moyes. Moyes will later be promoted as the department’s first female battalion chiefin 2002.

July 1,1985 - The city population is 197,148. December 16, 1985 - An amendment to the auto­

matic aid agreement expands services and provides a more equitable agreement. The expanded services include Clark

S88^

f’

4

Golden Hotel fire.

*Wr

.1 >1

,1

i 3

■

y - w **“

Countys Hazardous Materials Response Team and the City of Las Vegas Bomb Squad, Commencing in the fiscal year 1986-87, Clark County will pay to the City 125% of the amount of money generated by the Clark County fire service area tax in the county islands.

December 31, 1985 - Total fires: 2,284; total rescue calls: 13,744; total false alarms: 756; total mutual aid re­ sponses: 218; total all incidents: 18,677. The Alarm Office dispatches 42,182 calls.

December 31,1985 - The Fire Suppression total is 275 or 1.40 FF:1000 population based on a population of197,148.

The total fire structure loss in the city is $3,938,675.

I 1

1

1986-1987

X April 28,1986 — Eighteen rookies begin the new rookie school at the Fire Training Center.

July 1,1986- The city population is 203,952.

July 30, 1986 — Firefighter/Paramedic Billie Combs, 49, loses his life while battling a fire, which consists of four houses under construction at 6641 Chardonnay Way

name is placed at 2002. A picture plaque at Fire Station No. 2 is dedicated to this

fallen comrade.

EWIHE5

Robert Hagedorn checking the equipment

MSSE W -’T ..

AW

A October 6,1986 - Eight rookies begin the new rookie school at the Fire Training Center.

December 31, 1986 - Total fires: 1,752; total rescue calls: 15,473; total false alarms: 721; total mutual aid re­ sponses: 1,392; total all incidents: 21,180. The Alarm Office dispatches 46,980 calls.

December 31,1986 - The Fire Suppression total is 276 or 1.35 FF:1000 population based on a population of203,952.

The total fire structure loss in the city is $5,252,618.
March 12, 1987 - The Mint Hotel becomes the first organization to complete the Hotel Employee Life-Safety

Program.
V March 30, 1987 - Nine rookies begin the new rookie

school at the Fire Training Center.

Young fire engineer.

Administrative staff meetin

Firefighters Greg Gammon and Ray Bogle free a trapped motorist with the Jaws of Life.

Deane Fountain.

Nine ies begin class, March 1987.

Rookie class, AprH 1986

Older and newer engines.

I,

i

' 3'

RA

1987-1988
April 1, 1987 - A mutual aid agreement between the

Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry is established.

after midnight causes over $1 million in damages.
> June 1987-Thevoters ofLas Vegas pass a $5.5 million

dollar bond issue for two replacement stations (replacing Stations No. 2 and No. 4) plus a new Station No. 42.

July 1,1987 - The city population is 225,601. The de­ partment total authorized staffing is 340.

!0

I
Working a church fire.

I

Retired Captain Gillespie.

Fire at Houston Lumber.

December 31, 1987 — Total fires: 1,953; total rescue calls: 17,778; total false alarms: 822; total mutual aid responses: 1,061; total all incidents: 21,772. The Alarm Office dispatches 52,130 calls.

December 31,1987 — The Fire Suppression total is 277 or 1.23 FF:1000 population based on a population of225,601.

The total fire structure loss in the city is $8,633,525.
> April 12, 1988 — A mock car crash demonstrates how

emergency medical teams work together. Mercy Ambulance, Las Vegas Fire Department Paramedics, and Humana Hospital Sunrise take part.

> May 4, 1988 - An industrial disaster at the Pacific Engineering Production Company of Nevada (PEPCON)

120

rw

Mock car crash drill in 1988

Training fire.

VOTE YES
FOR PUBLIC SAFETY!

CITY OF LAS VEGAS

FIRE BONDS

71

PEPCON chemical fire in Henderson.

w■

1989

new rookie

school at the Fire Training Center.
April 12,1989 - Fire Communications Center dispatch

er Doug Downs gives emergency instructions and saves the life of a baby found in the pooh

Station at Charleston and Martin Luther King.

ClTY OF LA$ V£GAS

ccwmcioe 4

RCHAR®ccwii

CC<MTB,<row cod occtNua. «m >

« wiUUM Komous oo»«no«'<>!

H, ro* n t »■’»’** *J

LAS VEGAS FIB)

August 21, 1989

A service station attendant and traveler who stops to refuel his motor home are both se verely burned by flaming gasoline when a gas pump nozzle reportedly malfunctions. The incident occurs at the Texaco

Chief Dick Gammon with Paramedic School graduate son Greg Gammon.

Engine 5 at the Silver Bowl Stadium

Chief Wpd and firefidhti

Ladder 4,

McCandless and company.

DECEMBER

DUCTION OF DIGNITARIES NTS BY DIGNITARIES
NTS BY TRAINING STAFF

SPOKESPERSON PRESENTS: STATION OF CERTIFICATES NTATION OF BADGES

JESSE L.

„A: BA"N

>R GLEN W. MATH IR DANNY SMITH :R EUGENE CAMPE :r geoffery nes

CAPTAIN

J. BRIAN WILLETT

CAPTAINS AND CREWS
"A". "B“. «C“ PLATOONS

ARLENE

THE TRAINING I TO TAKE THIS OI ALL KIRF. IIEPI FOR THEIR ASS1

SPECIAL ASSISI SOUTHWEST GAS NEVADA POWER REYNOLDS ELEC

>UIJ> LIKE TO THANI

E DONATED BY:

Thompson

1989

The City of Las Vegas, in conjunction with the Grand Lodge of Free
and Accepted Masons of Nevada, today dedicated three new fire stations that serve the residents of Wards 2, 3 and 4, Mayor Ron Lurie has announced

The new state-of-the-art stations are located at East Charleston and 15th (Ward 3, Councilman Bob Nolen), West Charleston and Durango (Ward 2, Councilman Arnie Adamsen) and Cheyenne and Durango (Ward 4, Councilman Scott Higginson). Funding was provided from a $5.5 million bond issue approved
by voters in June 1987.

According to Mayor Lurie, with the addition of these new fire stations, residents will be protected by a fire department dedicated to responding
to an emergency anywhere in the City in three minutes or less.

We want residents to feel that when they call a fire emergency into 911, help is just minutes away," Mayor Lurie said. "The safetyjaf our citizens is of paramount concern to the City Council. We feel confident that we have taken the necessary steps to ensure the public's safety will not be compromised."

City Councilman Bob Nolen noted that while Las Vegas continues to
grow and prosper, the level of public protection must keep pace with progress

There s no doubt in my mind that with the new fire stations, the Fire Department's effectiveness in preventing and fighting fires will be enhanced tremendously," Councilman Nolen said.

i«

Mayor Ron Lurie Councilman Bob Nolen Councilman Steve Miller Councilman Amie Adamsen Councilman Scott Higginson

City Manager Ashley Hall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 1989 NEW FIRE STATIONS DEDICATED

August 28,1989 - Mayor Lurie kicks offthe 1989 Boot Drive for MDA by throwing in the first dollar. The Boot Drive nets $122,000 in 1988.

September 1, 1989 — A mutual aid agreement is es­ tablished between the City of Las Vegas and the City of Boulder City.

V September 7, 1989 - A major portion of the Riviera Hotel’s $100 million dollar expansion is destroyed in a huge three-alarm fire.
X November 1,1989 — A spectacular fire with explosions occurs at the Haycock Distributing Company located at 715

W. Bonanza Road. One truck driver and two firefighters are injured.

lA-OS

Fire at the Riviera Hotel, 1989

Car fire, 1989

Public Information Officer Doug Bradford 386-6581

Rookie school, 1989

Haycock fire, 1989

all dedicated

- A total of three fire stations are same day. Fire Stations 2, 4, and 42 are

dedicated in ।
Accepted Masons of Nevada.

December 31, 1989 - Total fires: 2,228; total rescue calls: 20,713; total false alarms: 969; total mutual aid re­ sponses: 1,381; total all incidents: 26,762. The Alarm Office dispatches 63,724 calls.

December 31,1989 - The Fire Suppression total is 273 or 1.03 FFrlOOO population based on a of266,096.

The total fire structure loss in the citx

City ofLas Vegas

400 East Stewart Las Vegas. Nevada 89101 (702) 386-6501

,i'."iff:

't 4-

'Sai‘‘Jv

■/

' :V>'

V;< sh. a!<i< \

Old Station No. 4 at Utah and Industrial. (L to R: Norm Nash, Al Heikka, Glen Brown, Tony

THE 90s

Fire at Nevada Power Co. stockpile burns powerline poles.

Vernard

Morris

126

■■it-

House fire.

'J 1 \l ..

j.

;i

y

rl

1

.1

I

8y $

vt>

' ■.;

V

1990-1991

> The department develops a new ten-year management plan (Fire Plan 2000) designed to maintain the high stan­ dard of safety and customer service that currently exists. Fire Plan 2000 contains a controlled growth approach with a financial plan utilizing municipal bonding.

May 1,1990 - The department earns its first Insurance Service Office (ISO) Class One rating. This is the highest and most prestigious award given by the Insurance Service Office for rating fire suppression capabilities and facilities

A MASTER PLAN FOR FIRE SERVICES

White Engines

nationwide. The Class One rating is the first in Nevada and only the ninth in the country to be awarded.

X January 18, 1990 - A dramatic rescue occurs when Perry Hortt and other rescue team members retrieve a man from an upside-down vehicle that has plunged into the rag­ ing waters in the Washington Avenue wash. The driver is clinically dead but is later brought back to life by a hospital

team of doctors through a specialized medical procedure.
X February 20,1990 - The Rookie Class of 1990 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
July 1,1990 — The city population is 275,636. The total

authorized department staffing is 361.

February 11,1990 South Africa frees Nelson Mandela.

The Fire Suppression total is 277 1.00 FF:1000 populateion based on a population of275,636

128

FIRE CHIEF CLELL WEST Revised edition: December 1990

Bill Whealan in a training exercise

September 5, 1990 - A mutual aid agreement the Nellis AFB and the City of Las Vegas is established.

October 8,1990 - The grand opening for the Las Vegas Fire Training Center at 633 North Mojave Road is held. The $1.4 million, 9,260 square foot facility consists of a live fire burn building, drill tower, control room, classrooms, tele­ vision studio and storage. An enhanced computerized fire simulator is also part ofthe new training facility.

December 31, 1990 - Total fires: 2,308; total rescue calls: 20,903; total false alarms: 1,046; total mutual aid re­ sponses: 1,382; total all incidents: 27,443. The Alarm Office dispatches 72,107 calls.

199 February 1,1992 USA and Russia

sign a treaty ending the Cold War.

March 22,1997 Comet Hale-Bopp is the closest it will be to Earth until the year 4397.

October 29,1998 Senator John Glenn, the first American to orbit the earth, returns to orbit in the space shuttle Discovery.

Retirement party for Sid Powell at Station No. 4

January 20,1993 William Jefferson Clinton sworn in as 42nd President.

Rookie grads, 1990

December 31,1990

r is $7,672,386. February 5,1991 — An agreement between the City of Las Vegas and Boulder City is revised to include the City of

Las Vegas Bopib Squad.
July 1, 1991 - The city population is 298,321, and the

city limits total 84.142 square miles. The Fire Suppression total is 293 or 0.98 FF:1000 population. The department has 11 engine companies, 4 truck companies, 6 rescue units, 1 haz-mat unit, 2 reserve engine companies, 1 reserve truck company, 2 reserve rescue units, and 1 water tender.

April 19,1995 Terrorist s car bomb blows up Oklahoma City federal building.

The total fire structure loss

■'

HM5

HMC CEMTEJJ

Ceremony at Fire Training Center.

Fire Inspector Jeff Donahue.

Mobile Command unit

■TW

1991

July 8,1991 - Rookies are hired and begin training.
X September 1991 — A state-of-the-art air/light resource unit is placed into service as Squad 1. The new unit is able to

refill SCBA bottles on scene with its 36 CFM air compres­ sor and 5100 PSI air storage capacity, and provides electric­ ity from a 12,000 watt generator lighting twin telescoping 3000 watt lights mounted on top of the vehicles.

December 31, 1991 - Total fires: 2,055; total rescue calls: 22,122; total false alarms: 1,022; total mutual aid responses: 1,789; total all incidents: 28,868. The Alarm Office dispatches 75,562 calls.

Air Resources unit

*£ VAOf-

C

1991-1992
December 31,1991 - The Fire Suppression total is 308

or 1.03 FF:1000 population based on apopulation of298,321. The total fire structure loss in the city is $5,775,812.

February 8,1992 - The Rookie Class 1992—1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

February 28, 1992 — Hannah Barnum is born at Fire Station No. 42. She is delivered by Paramedic Brett Denny.

July 1, 1992 - The city population is 310,197. The de­ partment has nine fire stations and a General Fund budget of $23,889,604 and Communications Center budget of $1,928,854.

> August 1,1992 — The department observes its 50th an­ niversary.

November 5,1992 — City voters approve a $9.7 million dollar bond issue for a new radio communications system, a new Equipment Service Center, and Fire Stations No. 7, No. 9, and No. 41.

November 16,1992 — The Rookie Class 1993-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

December 31, 1992 - City square miles: 84.85; total 9-1-1 calls dispatched: 81,656; new permits approved: 12,740; new building units approved: 5,783; total new valuation for the year: $487 million; total Fire Prevention inspections:

KJ.

•. T'Sz.

Chief Clell West collecting for the MDA Boot Drive.

e&t

tlk fBeAt"

Fifty-year Anniversary book cover.

IlBTi

■V

GRADUATING CLASS

1991-1

.1

f ¥

*»

iUi

.». a

Fire Inspector Norm Peterson with Freddy the Robot.

•3

8 <

Grant Sfolworthy Charles (Lee
Dan Di’
Ed Rosck

Ian Ada ns Charles!
Stewart W einert

puny Johnson .... ucchi

Mark Delahoussaye Thelonius Adams

meo eingardt

anshew

..v-,.

w-'

CLASS On<F

■;,V

R T r r

Squad 1.

1992-1993

?l

Sorensen, and Gar

ft

Sorensen.)

Paramedics respond to an emergency.

11,529; operating budget: $24.5 million; total structure fires: 385; total vehicle fires: 455; total other fires: 1,041; total all fires: 1,881; total property damage: $9.9 million; total arson loss: $4.3 million; property loss per fire: $5,315; property loss per capita: $32.98; fire fatalities: 4; fire scene injuries: 43; EMS rescues: 24,879; false alarms: 1,050; mutual aid: 3,136; hazardous materials responses: 211; bomb squad re­ sponses: 110; all other responses: 1,485. Total city incidents: 32,752. The Alarm Office dispatches 81,656 calls.

April 9, 1993 - The Rookie Class 1993-2 is hired and begins firefighter training.

July 1,1993 - The city population is 330,472. December 31, 1993 - City square miles: 85.85; total

Rookie Class 1992-1.

arade at Silver Bowl.

Johnson learning Incident Ordering

Clerical staff, 1992. (L to R: Linda Willis, Pat Ramos, Maggie Ruiz, Sharon Ozuna, Betty Mendes, Nikki Abbott, and

ijF

Station No. 2.

FIRB om

9-1-1 calls dispatched: 93,142; new permits approved: 14,829; new building units approved: 7,024; total new valuation for the year: $580 million; total Fire Prevention inspections: 11,886; operating budget: $27.4 million; total structure fires: 392; total vehicle fires: 521; total other fires: 1,394; total all fires: 2,307; total property damage: $6.2 million,; total ar­ son loss: $1.1 million; property loss per fire: $2,685; proper­ ty loss per capita: $19.16; fire fatalities: 2; fire scene injuries: 64; EMS rescues: 30,159; false alarms: 1,378; mutual aid: 3,442; hazardous materials responses: 234; bomb squad re­ sponses: 124; all other responses: 1,760. Total city incidents: 39,404. The Alarm Office dispatches 93,366 calls.

*

Battalion Chiefs (L to R: Chester Gregg, George Withers, Ole Larsen, Bart Gallagher, William

Fire recruitment photo. (L to R: Abdus Salaam, Cherina Kleven, Richard Gracia, Ellen Goldsmith, and George Goldbaum.)

size up

GOALS OBJECTIVES

135

Firefighter Anyika Kamal

Rookie school, 1993

Strategic planning session

Fire Communications Center.

Engine 30

John Ryan promotion

Rookie School

FUSE SSEFX

Illi*

EKGINE30

\SS 1 JKPT.

GINE

--

!S« ?! W?. I ■nag am :

TRU

Fire Investigator David Helton

Public Education with Chip and Dale

Air Resource Unit

Air Show for the “Mommy and Me” tour.

1994-1995

July 1,1994 - The city population is 352,305.
X November 1,1994 — The Rookie Class 1995-1 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
X November 1, 1994 — Latonia Whitaker is hired as the

first black female firefighter in the state of Nevada. December 31, 1994 - City square miles: 91.71; to­

tal 9-1-1 calls dispatched: 103,829; new permits approved: 16,477; new building units approved: 10,218; total new valuation for the year: $958 million; total Fire Prevention inspections: 8,238; operating budget: $28.7 million; total structure fires: 413; total vehicle fires: 585; total other fires:

1,426; total all fires: 2,424; total property damage: $6.2 mil­ lion,; total arson loss: $1.1 million; property loss per fire: $2,555; property loss per capita: $17.58; fire fatalities: 3; fire scene injuries: 47; EMS rescues: 33,695; false alarms: 1,730; mutual aid: 3,435; hazardous materials responses: 228; bomb squad responses: 177; all other responses: 1,911.

Total city incidents: 43,600. The Alarm Office dispatches 103,829 calls.

January 19, 1995 - The department’s new Fire Equipment Shop is placed into service.

April 3, 1995 - The Rookie Class 1995-2 is hired and begins firefighter training.

HAlKTlHANCt

Pat Ramos and Chief West celebrate another birthda

Future fire chief tours Station No. 1

Bob Pitts’ promotion celebration

Golden Gate fire

Bomb squad in action

Ed Wood with maps

Latonia Whitaker and Arlene Jackson

Latonia Whitaker.

Rookie class 1995-1

M

Haz Mat drill at the Fire Training Center.

A RESCUE

rrw

Ik J

’’ - I

The shop crew. (L to R: Ken Braker, Ray Messier, Jerry Muench, and Jessie Ornelas.)

»

I

'9.

$

En me30

Albaitis at a fire call.

Rookie Class 1995-2.

140

Chief West and Eugene CamobelL

Rookie Class 1995-3.

**

141

T'TTT

4

B i / * >, ■=

-•, .

Santa on fire truck for the department’s “Adopt-a-Family

->

Bike paramedics.— J। 11 , A&p,

Sf W

Station No. 9

Cadet training.

Santa brings holiday cheer for the “Adopt-a-Family” program

1995-1996

$3,677; property loss per capita: $24.38; fire fatalities: 3; fire scene injuries: 145; EMS rescues: 36,604; false alarms: 2,088; mutual aid: 3,590; hazardous materials responses: 279; bomb squad responses: 179; all other responses: 2,012.

Total city incidents: 47,234. The Alarm Office dispatches 110,032 calls.

July 1, 1996 - The city population is 405,517. The de­ partment total authorized staffing is 441.

August 12, 1996 - Tim Szymanski is appointed as the first full-time Fire Public Information Officer for the de­ partment.

Rochon Jones receives an award from Chief West

Ba

September 5, 1996 — A 2-alarm fire sweeps through a vacant furniture store at the intersection of Bonanza Road

LAS VEGAS FIRE DEPARTS

L to R: James L. Thomason, Phillip Partridge, Chuck Gripp, Hubert Morris, Michael Overson, George Withers, and Ed Wood

'•W.'

ENGINE 4|

Sandy Kirkwood in the Fire Communications Center.

Accident

August 20, 1996 - After 12 years as fire chief for the department, ChiefClell West retires from the department.

August 23, 1996 - Two fire dispatchers are credited in assisting with the delivery of two babies via information they provide over the phone after the father calls 9-1-1 for help. They are later recognized by the City Council.

August 29,1996 - A three-year-old boy dies inside a hot car parked in an apartment complex. The boy was playing and got into the car and was unable to open the doors. He was found several hours later in the hot car by relatives.

Church fire

IIIIHII IW fflt

September 1, 1996

The Rookie Class 1996-1 ter training.

■•w

Greg Halverson gets a good hand.

1996-1997

and Main St. The same building previously burned on July 31st, and caused $450,000 in damages. A former employee is arrested and charged with arson.

September 9,1996 — Three individuals are cited by Las Vegas fire inspectors for charging local businesses for fire

extinguisher maintenance work they never performed. October 1, 1996 — The department workforce is made up of75.36% White; 12.32% Black; 9.18% Hispanic; 2.66%

Asian; and 0.48% Native American.
October 4, 1996 — An automatic aid agreement for

emergency services is created stating that emergency units

that catches fire at 5118 North Jones Blvd.
December 31, 1996 — City square miles: 93.36; to­

tal 9-1-1 calls dispatched: 116,719; new permits approved: 16,611; new building units approved: 9,496; total new valu­ ation for the year: $1,295 billion; total Fire Prevention in­ spections: 22,639; operating budget: $35.1 million; total structure fires: 629; total vehicle fires: 564; total other fires: 1,353; total all fires: 2,546; total property damage: $11.7 million; total arson loss: $1.8 million; property loss per fire: $4,602; property loss per capita: $28.90; fire fatalities: 3; fire scene injuries: 117; EMS rescues: 38,490; false alarms: 2,479; mutual aid: 3,617; hazardous materials responses: 310; bomb squad responses: 169; all other responses: 2,314. Total city incidents: 49,925. The Alarm Office dispatches 116,719 calls.

1997 - A new Special Operations Division is created. The division oversees Rescue and Hazardous Materials in­

cidents.
1997 - A new newsletter, The Fire Flash, is established.

The Las Vegas Firefighters IAFF Local 1285 Honor Guard is formed.
X January 10, 1997 - Fire Chief Mario Trevino takes over as the seventh fire chief of the department. The former deputy chief of the Seattle Fire Department is appointed in late November.

January 24, 1997 - A jury finds a man guilty of Arson First Degree for a fire in the Crystal Grove Condos on April

4, 1996. He is sentenced in March to 15 years in prison.

■

> ...W*-®:

Honor Guard.

Trevino’s swearing in ceremony by Councilman Arnie Adamsen.

Mayor Jones and supporting cast.

shall automatically be dispatched to fires and emergencies closest to their respective stations.

October 8,1996 - A man is arrested and charged with arson after attempting to start a house fire at 208 Tighe

Way. The man uses a cat, doused with gasoline as the starter. After the cat is set on fire, he let it go in hopes the cat would run into the house where he also spilled gasoline. The cat

did run, but underneath a neighbor’s house. The cat is res­ cued by Animal Control but later dies. The man set fire to the house himself.

October 10, 1996 - A new pager alert system used to notify the media of fire events is placed into service by the Fire Public Information Officer.

October 20, 1996 — A man dies inside a motor home

Pedrol does a free lealth check.

Rick Eaton teaches his students.

Diane Moyes and Joe Sheleheda pose

for a fire/EMS marketing photo.

Ryan’s Happy Boss’s Day lunch.

Chief Mario Trevino.

Unit 1221.

F Mrfl

tom

IS 1.6

•• tnwwitt j *A

POISON

$ LA

John Bank’s award winning fire hose sculpture.

1997

Spells “Art” from the side.'

Tour group led by Tony Rizzo.

ny at the Fremont Street Experience. At the same event, the Soroptimist International ofGreater Las Vegas is presented with a plaque for their donation, which starts the Paramedic Bike Program in 1996.

April 22, 1997 - Firefighters rescue a trapped woman in a burning apartment at the Fountains at Smoke Ranch apartment complex. Lifeless, the woman is revived by fire­ fighters while en-route to the hospital. She survives the inci­ dent. Careless smoking is the cause of the fire.

April 30,1997 - An explosion in an apartment at the Riviera Ranch Apartments on North Rainbow Blvd, sends a man and an infant to the hospital. The cause of the explo-

I6'

January 24, 1997 - Seventeen recruit firefighters grad­ uate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony held at

the West Las Vegas Library.
A February 23,1997 - LVFR EngineerJohn Banks is rec­

ognized during a special ceremony at Fire Station No. 3 for his “Fire Hose Sculpture.”

February 26, 1997 — Two Metro officers rescue a 74-year-old man from a smoke filled apartment at 1702 North Decatur Blvd. The man is transported to UMC, and dies several days later. The cause of the fire is believed to be careless smoking.

March 1, 1997 - Six people are hurt when a tractor­ trailer falls from the US95 ramp overpass in the Spaghetti Bowl. The truck falls onto a car on US95 trapping two peo­ ple inside the car, and the driver of the truck is also trapped in the wreckage. It takes over an hour to free all the victims

March 6,1997 — Several cars are set on fire on the city’s eastside, one the fires extends to a house, which causes $300,000 in damages.

March 18,1997 - An elderly lady that was admitted to the UMC Burn Unit on February 13 dies from burns due to careless smoking.

April 7, 1997 - The department holds a press confer­ ence concerning a new Automatic External Defibrillator program in the Las Vegas Valley.

April 16,1997 - Fremont Street Experience donates an Emergency Response Unit (modified golf cart) in a ceremo-

146

sion is an accumulation of fumes from several items stored in a closet for the water heater. The explosion damages two apartments.

May 5, 1997 - The Rookie Class 1997-1 is hired and

May 9,1997 - A lU-year-old boy dies in an apartment fire on Sunrise Ave. The cause is ruled accidental. A wall heater is accidentally turned on, which starts some furniture on fire that is pushed up against the heater.

May 12, 1997 - Five men rescue a grandmother and two small children from a burning apartment. The three are trapped inside the apartment by security bars. The five men pull the bars from the wall, then the three are pulled to safetyjust prior to the fire department’s arrival.

iF

0)1

IC

wf

■P

g Taxi downs powerlines.

j ■1

4*«J

David Westbrooks at his dispatch console.

Party group.

v ■<

Truck 9.

Fire shop.

House fire.

Paramedic Jennifer Ji son.

■/

Rookie Class 1997-1.

1997
June 9,1997 - Las Vegas Firefighters IAFF Local 1285

and the Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association contrib­ utes $1000 to help send eight previously burned children, patients ofthe UMC Burn Unit, to the first ever Burn Camp in Redding, California.

June 13,1997 — A tree trimmer receives serious burns after he bumps against a 138,000-volt power line while working in a portable boom truck to trim trees along West Charleston Blvd. He
Power workers.

June 30, 1997 -

new AED units to be used in the hotel and casino July 1,1997 - The city population is partment total authorized staffing is 455.

July 4, 1997 — The Las Vegas Fit
Association holds its 46th Annual Fireworks Show at Hills

Park in Summerlin along with the Nevada Symphony Orchestra.

July 7,1997 - An elderly man dies in an apartment fire at the Sunstate Apartments on South First Street. Careless smoking is the cause.

July 8,1997 — The Fire PIO public information update line is put into service.

■’Jiillliiii;

July 12,1997 — A 30-year-old man dies from burns af­ ter he pours gasoline over himselfand sets fire. The incident is ruled a suicide. The man was from Lincoln, Nebraska.

July 16,1997 — A 64-year old woman is seriously burned when her clothing catches fire when a cigarette falls from her mouth.

July 21, 1997 - Twelve new Firefighters/Paramedics graduate from a mini-fire academy in a ceremony held at the West Las Vegas Library. The 12 paramedics hired are from other fire departments from across the country, in what is

known as a “lateral hire.”
July 28,1997 - Construction begins on the addition of

ers Benefit

Three-alarm cake,

Truck 6

Grant Grove with Chandler Lawson

Pick-up truck fire

a third floor at fire headquarters for a new communications center.

August 1,1997 — Two men are seriously hurt when the aircraft they are flying becomes disabled and crashes in a northwest Las Vegas neighborhood. One of the pilots is a doctor who taught several Paramedics of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. Both men fully recover.

August 9-11,1997 - A series ofthunderstorms pounds the Las Vegas Valley keeping firefighters busy during the three-day period with downed utility poles, trees and light­ ning strikes.

August 14, 1997 — Stratosphere Security personnel save the life of a man in cardiac arrest using one of the new Automatic External Defibrillators placed in service only a

Honor Guard

Honor Guard flag ceremony.

Boot Drive, 1997.

MDA money count

1.1

I

park in anticipation of flash flooding due to thunderstorms and El Nino.

October 8,1997 - A 3-alarm fire destroys two homes and a condo building under construction near West Washington and North Durango. The fire is believed to be the result of arson and causes over a half-million dollars in

damages.
November4!, 1997 - A fire safety video “Stratosphere

Tower, Safety at the Top”, produced by the city communica­ tions office and LVFR receives “Best Industrial Video” from the Women in Communications during their 10th Annual Electronic Media Awards.

November 5-8, 1997 - The Firefighter Combat Challenge VI finals are held at the Texas Station and Casino. LVFR has two teams that make the finals.

st

1997

month before. The security personnel were trained by staff from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

September 8, 1997 — A 38-year-old man dies in the UMC Burn Unit after being admitted to the unit because of burns he sustained in a fire on Cobb Lane on August 30th.

The cause of the fire is careless smoking.
September 20,1997 - Two people die in a fire at their

Adams Street home. The cause of the fire is food left cook­ ing unattended on the stove.

X September 22,1997 - Firefighters participate in three days ofSwift Water Rescue drills at the Wet-N-Wild water

Firefighters get swift water rescue training at Wet-n-Wild.

State of readiness.

Santa visits

Nighttime structure fire

Meadows Mall fire prevention activities.

r«• i-

Burn tower dri .

■is

Mark Robles receved valor award.

mu j

Iw

Sr 'WBBHMi

T-Pass

Cherina Kleven gets promoted

Responding to the fire.

Mike Evans in charge.

Ozzie Mirkhah and Amy Cheng review the fire safety systems.

Rookie training.

Training drill

Jerry Muench and an antique engine.

Rookies 1998-2.

1997-1998

K December 2,1997 - Four new Cairns IRIS thermal im­ agers are placed into service.

December 9, 1997 — Las Vegas Firefighter/Paramedic Tom Grayson is selected as the "Firefighter of the Year" by

the Las Vegas Executive Lion’s Club.
December 16,1997 — Las Vegas Fire Dispatcher Donna

Joubert is recognized by the Mayor and City Council for saving the life of a 65-year-old man by using CPR while she was off duty doing holiday shopping in Henderson.

December 31, 1997 — City square miles: 107.1; oper­ ating budget: $38.41 million; total plans/permits reviewed: 3,132; total Fire Prevention inspections: 20,887; total 9-1-1 dispatched: 123,748; total Communications Center budget: $3.7 million; total structure fires: 525; total vehicle fires:

567; total other fires: 1,280; total all fires: 2,372; EMS res­ cues: 40,740; hazardous materials responses: 276; bomb squad responses: 171; all other responses: 8,858; total city incidents: 52,417; fire fatalities: 8; fire scene injuries: 125.

X 1998 - All members of the department are issued new Grace Industries T-Pass personal protection devices.

The department switches to the Ben Franklin II fire hel­ met.

January 5, 1998 — A new service is started by the Fire PIO, which sends all media releases via e-mail to all media outlets and all LVFR employees.

January 13,1998 — LVFR participates in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Preview 98 Show showing off some

new equipment including the Cairns IRIS thermal imager and Grace T-Pass device.

January 22,1998 — LVFR hires Brenda Donoho as the new Crisis Intervention Coordinator.

January 23,1998 — A tragic fire kills a six-year-old boy, his three-year-old sister, and another four-year-old brother is critically burned after a space heater starts a fire in a house on Ferrell St. The children are left home unattended when the fire starts.

February 4, 1998 - A 69-year-old homeless man is res­ cued from the wash off Industrial Road during a rainstorm.

February 23,1998 — Rainstorms cause a rush for sand­ bags at LVFR fire stations.

February 27, 1998 - Twenty-two recruit firefighters graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the Starbright Theater in Sun City.

February 28,1998 — A 66-year-old woman dies due to a fire in her mobile home at the Meadows Mobile Home Park on Valley View Avenue.

March 3, 1998 - Rescue 10 is severely damaged in a wreck at South Fourth Street and Ogden Avenue. A woman driving a Honda runs a red light and broadsides the rescue unit as it is returning from a call.

March 11, 1998 - A LVFR radio dispatcher advises a 13-year-old girl how to deliver a baby via telephone after she calls 9-1-1.

March 18, 1998 - Fire Chief Mario Trevino testifies before a subcommittee on National Security regarding pre­ paredness and emergency response to terrorism.

^WW*fc**

I

" EST; 1942 FIRF DF

Rescue 4.

IKI

Plane crashes into house.

Engine 1 crew.

Special rescue.

boi

Fire at Palace Station.

house as the others slept. He is later arrested and convicted. One person dies from burns a few days after the fire.
A July 20, 1998 - A line of very severe thunderstorms pounds the city all night long causing a number of fires due to lightning strikes and flash flooding. Several people have to be rescued from flooded vehicles. At 2:00 a.m., the roofof the Palace Station Casino caves in due to the weight ofwater on the roof. At 6:45 a.m., a 4-alarm fire starts on the high- rise tower of the Palace Station Hotel. The fire is quickly

YJuly 27, 1998 - The Junior League of Las Vegas pres­ ents the keys of a new $40,000 Fire Safety House to the fire department.

E-3 on Fremont Street.

V August 24,1998 - Sparky the Dalmatian is made official mascot of the department by the Mayor and City Council.

October 3,1998 - 125 students of the UNLV School of Hotel Management participate in a new fire education program for students who major in hotel management. The program later goes on to be recognized by the International

Association of Fire Chiefs with an Award of Merit. October 7,1998 - The new F.I.R.E.S. motorcycle is put

on display at the Meadows Mall.
October 9,1998 - Four more new Cairns IRIS thermal

imagers are put into service, totaling eight for the depart­ ment.

October 12,1998 - The Rookie Class 1999-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

Sparky and Evert Wilson.

3

•*

Ron Crews and Mike Evans promotions.

Look out Grayson!

Fire Safetv House.

Sparky is appointed official mascot.

'•A

fi 1

156

IRI

Ml

r*l“s _ ’

>v

F.I.R.E.S. Motorcycle led by Andy Lewis.

Rookie class 1999-1.

EMS treats patients at accident scene.

*V

;<-

.i’Sk

?■ <w^$:

I

VEG^

oca

1998-1999

cues: 42,787; hazardous materials responses: 298; bomb squad responses: 162; all other responses: 9,203; total city incidents: 54,736; fire fatalities: 9; fire scene injuries: 130.

1999 - At the Las Vegas City Council meeting in July 1999, the name of the department is officially changed from City of Las Vegas Department of Fire Services to Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.

January 1,1999 - LVFRimplements its EMS Transport program.

January 5, 1999 — A 2-alarm fire occurs at the Red Rock Theaters causing $10,000 in damages.

FIREFIGHTER’S BALL January 16,1999

Jaws of Life

in a ceremony in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The event is televised live on KCLV Cable Channel 2.

March 8,1999 - LVFR is recognized by the Mayor and

Rescue unit in action

Mk V

Palace Station Roundhouse Ballroom

V. 2nd Floor
6:00 P.M. f

January 6, 1999 - At
5:44 p.m., an explosion lev- \ els a 2-story apartment build-

ing at the La Fiesta Apartments at
Lamb and Owens Avenue. It causes more than $500,000

L

F'

in damage and displaces at least 42 people. One of the residents tries to commit suicide using natural gas;

which causes and survives.

later convicted and sentenced for

the incident.
February 19,1999 - 22 recruit firefighters graduate

-T-—'

y

■

'

a#’?/’

sponse to the La Fiesta Apartments on January 6
March 8,1999 - A 2-alarm fire causes $100,000 dam- -

age to the home of Bob Stupak.
March 12,1999 - A 2-alarm fire in the Mountain Aire

subdivision spreads to seven homes, most of them under construction and a couple that are occupied. Damage is estimated at $300,000. The fire is believed to have started by a torch being used in one of the houses under construe- | tion.

March 16,1999 - A chemical fire occurs in a business at 10000 Banburry Cross Drive that causes the Hazardous Material team to respond. One person is hospitalized for minor smoke inhalation.

Rookie class 1998-1 with executive staff.

High angle rescue exercise.

1999

Station No. 8 crew.

Responding to a car accident.

stranded motorists caught off-guard by the rushing water are rescued by firefighters. The city’s Emergency Operations Center is activated.

July 12,1999 - Fire Public Information Officer Timothy R. Szymanski is selected as the city’s “Employee of the Year” and is awarded the Willie W. Davis Memorial Award.

July 15,1999 - Because of the recent flash flood, sev­ eral city employees are trained as “Storm Spotters” by the National Weather Service at the Fire Training Center.

July 25, 1999 - Firefighters deliver a baby boy in the parking lot of Fire Station No. 9.

August 9, 1999 - A 21-year-old man is cut from his pickup truck after it rams into the rear and gets caught un­ der a CAT bus on West Sahara Avenue.

March 20,1999 - Members ofthe LVFR Fire Prevention Division assist with installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in a Habitat for Humanity home in West Las Vegas.

March 26, 1999 - Fire PIO Tim Szymanski receives a Professional Certificate in Public Relations from UNLV.

March 27,1999 - A 3-alarm fire destroys or damages 14 houses under construction in the Glen Mere subdivision in Summerlin. Each house is estimated to be worth $200,000. Fire PIO Tim Szymanski fractures his leg during the event and is hospitalized.

March 29, 1999 - Eleven Sun City residents complete a course to organize the first Citizens Response Team (CERT) in the city.

April 29, 1999 - Fire Chief Mario Trevino appoints Battalion Chief David Washington as Deputy Fire Chief and Fire Marshal for the city.

June 4, 1999 - Deputy Chief Ken Riddle completes the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire

Academy.
June 23, 1999 — A maintenance worker is severely

burned in a flash fire while working on an electrical panel box at the Wendy’s on South Decatur Blvd.

June 25,1999 — Four members of the local media and the acting Deputy City Manager complete the Fire Media College instructed by the Fire PIO.

June 26, 1999 - A man dies in an auto fire after he drives a considerable distance on the wheel rim after the tire

fire.

Parade ladder with citv officials

MW

goes flat. The overheated rim sets the car on fire and the man stays inside. He dies ofsmoke inhalation.

July 1,1999 - The city population is 466,312.

July 1, 1999 - A 3-Alarm fire destroys one house and damages two others on Bannock Way. The fire is started by fireworks.

July 1,1999 - In an agreement with American Medical Response, LVFR EMS units start handling all traffic acci­ dent calls for medical aid.

July 8,1999 — A 100-year flash flood strikes the city at approximately 10:30 a.m., starting at the Spring Mountains in the west and spreading across the city. Hundreds of

\ HISHI\ T 8ELL '

■ •i

Truck 6

Chief Washington speaks at ceremony for Habitat for Humanity project.

LAS VEGAS

0

FIRE DEPT.

*0 CUM I FMK DCFT.

EJGINE1

I

1301

160

161

1999

August 30,1999 - Firefighters participate in the annual MDA Boot Drive.

September 14, 1999 — Firefighters participate in a special drill to learn Rapid Intervention Training at the old Houston Lumber Yard on Commerce Street.

September 15, 1999 — A Project Impact ceremony is held at the City Council meeting in which representatives of FEMA, State Emergency Management, Red Cross and LVFR participate.

V October 3,1999 - The first Africanized Honey Bee in­ cident takes place at 5830 Alfred Drive. Several people are

online for the first time after it moves from the basement of

November 30, 1999 — Fire Protection Engineer Ozzie Mirkhah completes the Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy.

December 10, 1999 — A 2-alarm fire destroys the Fellowship Hall at the College Park Baptist Church on East Owens Avenue. The fire is believed to have started because of faulty wiring.

December 13,1999 - Fire investigators arrest a woman who admits she set her apartment on fire at the Mayan Plaza apartments on Alta Drive.

December 22, 1999 - Several department awards are issued by Fire Chief Mario H. Trevino including: Firefighter ofthe Year: CaptainJay Acebo. Paramedic ofthe

Year: Firefighter/Paramedic Mike Myers. Fire & Rescue Employee of the Year: Sharon Menno. Fire Chief’s Award of Distinction: FTO Cherina Kleven and Captain Garland Davis.

December 23,1999 — Fire PIO Timothy R. Szymanski and Fire Protection Engineer Ozzie Mirkhah receive the "Knights of the Order of Life Safety Award” from the Residential Fire Safety Institute.

December 27, 1999 - A 28-year-old man dies in his apartment after the Christmas tree ignites, blocking his es­ cape through the front door. The fire also causes $20,000 in damage.

December 31,1999 — The city’s Emergency Operations Center at fire headquarters is activated to stand by for Y2K activities. Nothing out of the ordinary occurs during the night.

December 31, 1999 - City square miles: 110.1; oper­ ating budget: $46.5 million; total plans/permits reviewed: 3,823; total Fire Prevention inspections: 18,714; total 9-1-1 dispatched: 134,361; total Communications Center budget: $4.2 million; total structure fires: 653; total vehicle fires: 526; total other fires: 1,209; total all fires: 2,388; EMS res­ cues: 43,792; hazardous materials responses: 387; bomb squad responses: 188; all other responses: 11,865; total city incidents: 58,620; fire fatalities: 5; fire scene injuries: 87.

THE NEW MILLENNIUM

stung and a pet dog is killed. Firefighters stay on scene for nearly five hours.

October 10, 1999 - An explosion and fire destroy a house overnight at 513 North Bruce Street. No one is home during the explosion. It is believed the explosion may be gas related.

October 13,1999 - A new website address is launched: www.lasvegasfire.org.

October 18,1999 - The Rookie Class 2000-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

X November 9, 1999 — The new Combined Commun­ ications Center on the third floor of fire headquarters goes

LAfi VEfiAB

Fire Headquarters with its new third story Communications Center.

LA8 WAS

A rare snowfall at Station No. 5

2000

During 2000, there are three fire related fatalities in the city. There are 12 multi-alarm incidents.
A grant of$500,000 is awarded from the National Heart

Attack Foundation to fund research on developing a link via television between paramedics in the field and medical per­ sonnel in the trauma unit.

The department also designs and distributes a common badge for all members of the department.

Also, first response units are equipped with swift water rescue equipment for all personnel of each rig.

January 1, 2000 - Illegal fireworks start a roof fire at 2200 San Jose Avenue, which destroys the house, causing $150,000 in damage. Four juveniles are taken into custody, charged with starting the 2-alarm blaze.

V January 5, 2000 - Senior Fire Inspector Joseph E. Lopardo, 49, dies after a lengthy bout with a rare lung dis­ ease. The 12-year veteran of the department is given a full honors firefighter funeral on January 8.

January 17, 2000 — A man and woman suffer burns after a fire in a condo at the Heritage del Ray Condos. Two men who are working on their van in the parking lot rescue the woman from the heavily involved condo. They later are

i

One is an apartment fully involved, the other■ is a woman seriously stabbed. It later learned that the woman lives in the apartment and
then left the apartment and set it on fire with the woman still inside. She was able to escape the fire and receive medi­ cal treatment, and makes a full recovery. Her attacker is later arrested and convicted of attempted murder and arson.

March 10, 2000 - 19 recruit firefighters graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony in Council Chambers at City Hall.

March 15, 2000 - City Council approves the issuance of a purchase order for twenty-one Pierce Quantum fire ap­ paratus at a cost of $8.5 million dollars.

March 15, 2000 - City Council approves a measure to proceed with the Fire Safety Initiative 2000 package to be placed on the November 7, 2000 Municipal General Election Ballot for voter approval.

March 27, 2000 — An elderly lady is rescued by firefight­ ers after she is attacked by bees and stung over 500 times in an incident on Maryland Parkway under the 1-515 overpass.

April 1,2000 - A 2-alarm fire causes $150,000 damage to a furniture store at 225 East Charleston Blvd. The fire is electrical in origin.

Ghost Engine.

Chief Mario Trevino with the”World’s Happiest Mayor” Oscar Goodman.

points Battalion Chief Richard Gracia as Deputy Chief of Operations.

February 9, 2000 — A man is stung several times after trying to exterminate bees in his backyard on Saylor Way.

A few days later, a new Africanized Honeybee website is launched, becoming part of the department s main webpage.

March 3, 2000 - Fire PIO Tim Szymanski and KCLV Host Brian Willet co-host the first live call-in TV show on Cable Channel 2 concerning Africanized Honeybees.

March 7, 2000 — Firefighters respond to the Charleston Woods apartments on two separate calls at the same time.

given the City Medal of Honor for their heroic actions. January 26, 2000 — A 2-alarm fire at the South Shore Villa townhouses at the Lakes causes over $250,000 in

damage.
January 27, 2000 — Ground is broken for Fire Station

No. 41 located at Buffalo Road and Wittig.
February 1, 2000 - A new emergency public informa­

tion hotline is activated for local residents and businesses: 38ALERT. The public can call the line to receive updates during an emergency or disaster.

February 1, 2000 — Fire Chief Mario Trevino ap­

T ...

Emergency

House fire

164

Senior Fire Inspector Joseph E. Lopardo.

January 10,2000 Web giant AOL buys Time Warner for $165 billion, the biggest merger ever, and the Internet is here to stay.

January 20,2001 George W. Bush becomes H3rd President of the USA.

September 11,2001 Terrorists attack World Trade Ctr. NYC, killing thousands.

Tim Crowley works the MPA Boot Drive.

November 25,2002 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is formed.

October 27,2004 The Boston Red Sox sweep the St. Louis Cardinals to win the World Series.

■

-

AMEDI

lllf- Illi

May 9, 2000 - Forty-nine Valley residents graduate from the first annual Citizens Fire Academy.

May 17, 2000 - The old model T engine is given to Mr. Ritchie Clyne who has offered to completely refurbish the engine to its original state.

May 18, 2000 - Battalion Chief Lawrence Wickliffe completes the Executive Fire Program at the National Fire

Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
May 22, 2000 - People are evacuated from the City of

Las Vegas West Leisure Center at Durango and Gowan af

Firehouse Award. (L to R: Steve Wesley, Eric Fleischmann, James Rigoni, Tony Rizzo.)

August 28,2005 Hurricane Katrina hits and floods 80% of New Orleans, killing at least 1,800 people

ter a small chlorine leak is discovered

June 19,2007 Nine firefighters die in a furniture warehouse fire in Charleston, SC Aside from Sept. 11,2001, attacks, it is the deadliest event for firefighters in 30 years.

swimming po

O CL

sa--

use

** CUH t Ot?T.

Rescue 5.

pabamidic

BWCTJl 0

Chief Trevino tfives badtfe to Rev. Lubach

Health and Human Services, and the City of Las Vegas for the development of a Metropolitan Medical Response System (MMRS) and a Metropolitan Medical Strike Team (MMST) to provide relief in the event of a nuclear, biologi­ cal, or chemical terrorist incident.

September 11, 2000 - The City of Las Vegas signs a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a Project Impact city. LVFR will coordinate the Project Impact program for the

September 17, 2000 - Off duty LVFR Fire Captain Nate Pechacek is seriously injured in a motor vehicle acci­ dent near his home and suffers critical life-threatening in­

juries. He spends several weeks in the intensive care unit at University Medical Center, recovers at the hospital and at­ tends rehab. He returns to full duty a year later.

October 2,2000 - A house fire on Dalegrove Drive kills a woman.

October 20, 2000 — The Rookie Class 2001-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

October 22, 2000 - Firefighters responding to a trash fire in the alley behind 324 South Third Street find out that the brush is actually a man on fire. He is taken to the burn unit at University Medical Center with extremely serious burns. He dies a few days later.

November 3, 2000 - An opening ceremony is held at the city’s newest fire station, Fire Station No. 41, located at North Buffalo Road and Wittig.

rI rI

LAS VEGAS FIRE k

rescue

5A:, 'V'

'■ W'T - 7 ' -V'

2000
July 1, 2000 - The city population is 482,874.

July 3, 2000 - Firefighters respond to a fire in the yard of Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. Swaying trees in high winds come into contact with power lines causing the fire.

July 17, 2000 - A 3-alarm fire at the Embassy Apart­ ments on Kings Way causes $175,000 damage and displac­ es 40 people.

July 25,2000 - The famous “Whitehead House” sitting on a vacant lot downtown is destroyed in an early morning fire. The house was being moved to another location down­ town, after which it was to be renovated.

■

M l

IDW

LAS F1GA8 FIBE A

August 3, 2000 — Burning trash in a chute at the Plaza Hotel causes smoke to bellow on several floors and causes a 3-alarm response. Four people are taken to area hospitals.

The fire causes minor damage.
August 30,2000 — A sudden thunderstorm causes flash

floods in the northwest part of the city. A number of strand­ ed motorists are rescued by firefighters.

August 31, 2000 - Las Vegas firefighters participate in the 39th Annual MDA Boot Drive and collect over $342,000.

September 6, 2000 — City Council approves a contract between the U.S. Public Health Service, Department of

Rear of Rescue 5.______ __

Rookie Class 2001-1

. ....... ...

■MB

New Fire Station No. 41

2000-2001
November 7, 2000 - Voters approve a tax initiative,

which will provide the department with funding to build, J equip and staff four new fire stations, expand three existing stations, and to replace the entire fleet of the W department. Future taxes will also pay for salaries/ O j benefits of various staffing and future facilities. This w initiative is scheduled to bring in over $551 million dol- P. lars over 30 years. W

November 13, 2000 - A woman is charged with W ra
arson after a domestic dispute in a house on Barkentine Wy’
Street. The fire completely destroys the house. She is ar- w; 111111! rested while walking on Rainbow Boulevard after she set ”
the house on fire.

LAS VEGAS

Fire Prevention Employee of the Year - Fire Inspector David F. Klein

Communications Division Employee of the Year - Fire Electrician I Lou Amell

Fire Chief’s Award of Distinction — Management Analyst II Roy Lawson
January 21, 2001 - One man dies and two are taken to

the UMC Burn Unit after a house fire on West Monroe St. Security bars prevent the man from escaping. The other two people are burned trying to rescue him.

V January 26, 2001 - Forty-three recruit ters graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the Suncoast Hotel and Casino.

Las Vegas takes delivery of 21 new pieces of fire apparatus from Pierce Manufacturing.

April 12, 2001 — Two boys are rescued by firefighters from a rear bedroom in a fully involved house fire at 5516 Seabaugh Avenue. Eventually one of the small boys dies from his injuries in what turns out to be one of the most traumatic calls the department has responded to in recent years. Firefighters return to the neighborhood a week later and go door-to-door talking to residents about the inci­ dent and provides smoke detectors to those that need them. Many of the firefighters that respond to the incident attend the boy’s funeral. An unattended candle in the living room is determined to be the cause of the fire.

November 13, 2000 - An off-duty Las Vegas firefight- er/paramedic is slightly injured when the medical helicopter he is riding in as part of the crew crashes in Pahrump.

December 1*1, 2000 - Lowe’s Home Improvement Center donates over 500 smoke alarms to LVFR to be dis­ tributed free to people who need them.

December 18,2000 - Fire Station No. 41 goes into ser­ vice.

December 19, 2000 - Fire Chief Mario Trevino ap­ points Timothy McAndrew as a full-time Emergency Management Coordinator.

December 31, 2000 - City square miles: 112.43; oper­ ating budget: $53.5 million; total plans/permits reviewed: 3,951; total Fire Prevention inspections: 15,881; total 9-1-1

Owens

LAS VEGAS

FIRE * RESCUE

PARAMEKCS

Mural at Station No. 3.

Engine 6

Charleston'----- 1— 1—
Oakeyb ittBWMj

Sahara

Desert Inn Is

--------

He

i®

Iron Mtn Rd

Horse Dr Grand Teton Dr

Farm Rd Elkhorn Rd

Centennial Pkwy

। AnnRd V.

Lone Mtn Rd Craig Rd Alexander Rd

Gowan Rd Cheyenne Ave

liiES^^sail

' Existing

Approved / Under construction Fire Safety Initiative 2000 sites

Carey Ave
-rg tttakelylead Blvcj

Sahara

dispatched: 162,254; total Communications Center budget: $4.5 million; total structure fires: 2,559; total vehicle fires: 405; total other fires: 1,678; total all fires: 4,642; EMS res­ cues: 46,282; hazardous materials responses: 578; bomb squad responses: 148; all other responses: 10,569; total city incidents: 62,219; fire fatalities: 3; fire scene injuries: 75.

January 5,2001 - Several LVFR employees are recog­ nized over the holidays at the department’s holiday party including:
Firefighter of the Year - Firefighter Darell Aronson Paramedic of the Year - Firefighter/Paramedic Tommy

Grayson
Employee of the Year - Office Specialist II Jo O’Rourke

A swarm of bees and hive

■

Mayor Goodman and Rookie Graduates

January 30, 2001 - A woman is found dead inside a burning home on Harley Way. Investigators believe a candle caused the fire and killed the woman while she slept.

February 5, 2001 - The body of a man is found in a burned-out building on Madison Avenue. Investigators be­ lieve a homeless person was sleeping in the vacant dilapidat­ ed building and was trapped trying to escape.

February 10, 2001 - Fire destroys a building at 1721 Eastern Avenue. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

March 25, 2001 — An elderly man dies in condo bed­ room at Quail Estates West on South Valley View Blvd.

April 3,2001 - Over the past several weeks, the City of

Rescue 201

1.4S

2001
May 2, 2001 - A 2-alarm fire displaces 12 people

and causes $150,000 damage at the Sundance Village Apartments on West Charleston Blvd. Investigators believe

the fire is electrical in origin.
May 2, 2001 - Fire Chief Mario H. Trevino resigns to

accept the chief’sjob with San Francisco. Deputy Fire Chief David L. Washington is appointed acting fire chief.

May 8, 2001 - Forty-five local residents graduate from the 2nd annual Citizens Fire Academy.

May 19, 2001 — A pilot is killed when his single engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashes in a vacant lot near Michael Way and Cheyenne Avenue.

•7T

May 31, 2001 - Several calls are received by fire dis­ patchers that a room is on fire on the third floor of the six-story Gold Spike Hotel on Ogden Avenue downtown. Several people are hanging out of windows when firefight­ ers arrive and the call immediately goes to a second alarm.

A total of 17 people are transported to various hospitals for a variety of injuries. The fire is confined to one guest room. The fire is intentionally set by one of the guests who is later arrested and convicted. Damage is estimated at $150,000.

< June 13,2001 - Ground is broken for a new Fire Station No. 10 on Martin L. King Blvd.

Inspections: 16,115; Public Education Programs: 164; total training hours: 213,481.

July 1,2001 - The city population is 506,111.

July 1, 2001 - A car, van, trailer and an AMR ambu­ lance are all destroyed in a fire on US 95 and Casino Center Blvd, after the ambulance responding to an emergency in­ cident crashes into the trailer being hauled by the van. The trailer is full of fireworks.

July 12,2001 - A 2-alarm fire destroys a house on Sandy Plains Avenue. Investigators believe that paintbrushes left in ajar of turpentine, exposed to direct sunlight, start the blaze, which causes $250,000 damage.

July 31,2001 - An employee ofthe Painted Desert Golf Course is hospitalized after being stung over 50 times by bees while maintaining the course.

August 8, 2001 — Members of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue are recognized in front of the City Council after receiving awards from Firehouse Magazine for:
Firehouse Magazine 2000 Heroism & Community Service

Award - Unit—
Engine 1, Engine 10, Rescue 1, Battalion 1, PIO1

Firehouse Magazine Community Service Award— Fire-PIO Timothy R. Szymanski

Firehouse Magazine Busiest Fire Station in United States— Fire Station No. 1

X August 15, 2001 - Acting Fire Chief David L. Washington is appointed the department’s eighth Fire Chief

and receives his badge from Mayor Oscar Goodman in a spe­

cial ceremony in the City Council Chambers on September 28, 2001. He serves until October 1, 2007.

August 18, 2001 - Two small boys, ages three months and four years, die in a van fire on the city's eastside. Children playing with a lighter is believed to be the cause.

August 31, 2001 — A 3-alarm fire heavily damages a storage facility on Pecos Road near Bonanza Rd. The fire causes $250,000 in damage.

September 11, 2001 - Personnel and stations are put on alert and heightened awareness after the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Towers in New York City. The department fields numerous calls from citizens and businesses asking for information on how to deal with terrorism.

Fire Chief David L. Washington.

Second Citizen Fire Academy Graduates

Firefighters work to free an accident victim.

X June 18, 2001 - The first Las Vegas Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) begins training in Sun City Summerlin.

> June 28, 2001 — A new Pierce Quantum Hazardous

Material Response unit is placed into service at Fire Station No. 3.
> June 30, 2001 - The Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit

Association celebrates their 50th Anniversary Fireworks Show at Cashman Field.

June 30, 2001 — Fiscal year 2001 totals — City runs: 61,272; total transports: 3,841; structural fires: 248; Fire Investigations: 355; Bomb Squad: 141; Fire Prevention

. # L A S VEGA!

Chief Washington speaks at Station No. 10 Groundbreaking Ceremony.

LAS VEGAS

1473

Groundbreaking for Station No. 10

Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Asst

LAS VEGAS FIREFIGHTERS BENEFIT ASSN.

Reponse Team

New Haz-Mat Unit.

Firefighters show off their Haz-Mat masks.

CERT,

cert

CERT

M M

bars off the windows and are able to get five of the residents out. One family member is found lying on a bed in the rear of the house; the window to that room also has bars on it.

The fire is ruled accidental, originating in the kitchen. October 2, 2001 - The Rookie Class 2002-1 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
October 2, 2001 - The Rookie Class 2002-2 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
October 3, 2001 - Battalion Chief Greg Gammon is ap-

pointed Deputy Fire Chiefby ChiefDavid Washington. He is assigned to the fire prevention division as Fire Marshal.

October 13-20,2001 - An immunization clinic is held

Heir He •

,

get: $5.4 million; total structure fires: 1,123; total vehicle fires: 532; total other fires: 1,056; total all fires: 2,711; EMS rescues: 51,859; hazardous materials responses: 730; bomb squad responses: 147; all other responses: 9,946; total city incidents: 65,393; fire fatalities: 10; fire scene injuries: 72.

2002 - The Metropolitan Medical Response System is completed and is released to the Local Emergency Planning Committee. During this effort, the Las Vegas MMRS is given “Best Practice” status and is considered a template for much of the western United States.

January 11, 2002 - 16 recruit firefighters graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony in the

Parade commemorating September 11th.

2001-2002

September 17, 2001 - Local 1285 Honor Guard at­ tends and performs in a multi-jurisdictional HG memorial service for the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, held at the Clark County Government Center.

September 19,2001 - Las Vegas Fire & Rescue receives the Safe Heart Community Award from the International

Association of Fire Chiefs during a City Council meeting. October 2,2001 - Five people are injured and an elderly lady dies in a house fire at 309 Duke Circle. The people are unable to escape promptly because the unlatching device on a set of security bars does not operate. Neighbors pull the

fn-w

State of the art apparatus.

LAS VEGAS

September 11th Parade.

Duplex fire.

at Fire Stations No. 3 and No. 8 to dispense flu and pneu­ monia shots for senior citizens.

October 22, 2001 — Seven members of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue fly to New York City to assist with the numerous

funerals of the FDNY firefighters that fell during 9/11. November 21, 2001 - The Las Vegas Firefighters Benefit Association donates 200 turkeys to the Salvation

Army to be used on Thanksgiving to feed the homeless. December 13, 2001 - A special television program con­ cerning disaster preparedness is played on Cable Channel 2. December 31, 2001 - City square miles: 114.12; oper­

ating budget: $58.4 million; total plans/permits reviewed: 4,044; total Fire Prevention inspections: 18,065; total 9-1-1

dispatched: 167,275; total Communications Center bud­

Mayor Goodman at MPA event.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Headquarters.

Rookie Class 2002-1.

Rookie Class 2002-2

-w

,•4

.AS VEGA

FIRE (RESCUE

2002

Council Chambers at City Hall. They started their training on October 21, 2001.

January 16, 2002 - The Las Vegas District Office of Avon Products donates several hundred plush toys that are

given to children at traumatic incidents.
January 31, 2002 - Las Vegas Fire & Rescue alters its

response procedures to fire and medical alarms. The new procedures require that fire calls be called directly into 9-1-1 instead of answering home alarm systems.

January 31,2002 - Battalion Chief Hank Clinton com­

March 16, 2002 - Several LVFR employees are present­ ed awards in a ceremony in the Council Chambers at City Hall. They include:

Firefighter of the Year - Captain Daniel D. Allred Paramedic of the Year - FF/PM Joseph Kitchen Fire Prevention Employee of the Year

Charles F. Murphy
Communications Employee of the Year -

II Sharon Y. Ozuna
Civilian Employee of the Year - Mgt. Analyst II Louis

Baker
Fire Shop Employee of the Year - Foreman Kenneth Braker

& Meeh. Ill Tony Molitor
Fire Explorer of the Year - Erik Phillips
Community Service of the Year - Fire PIO Timothy R

Car fire,

Engine 6 sprays a house fire,

pletes the Executive Fire Officer program at the National Fire Academy.

February 28,2002 — Ground is broken for Fire Station No. 44 located at 7701 West Washington Avenue.

March 6, 2002 — A man suffers critical burns and is found beneath the Interstate 15 overpass on Martin L. King Blvd. Investigators believe the man set himself on fire. He dies the next day.

X March 13,2002 - Fire Chief David L. Washington pres­ ents a 5-year-old kindergarten student with a certificate of commendation after she calls 9-1-1 to report that her moth­ er is having a seizure and needs an ambulance.

EMS rescues accident victim

1/liTI/111 TH1

Bomb squad. (L to R: Anthony Stephens, Peggy Munson Tim Ignatiuk, Robert Hevel, Steve Van Natta, Ben Hoge, Nick Nordblom, Richard Ortiz, Sharisse Olsen.)

Chief Washington awards little girl for braver

Water tender unit

Ben Hoge promotion

Szymanski

Valor

Award - FF/PM

Roger

D. Carsten &

FF/PM

Unit Citation Award R5, SI, R2, B4

March 29,2002-

43 located at 6420 Smoke Ranch Drive
woman dies in a cone

LVFR Awards Ceremony 2002.

2002
April 4, 2002 - Ground is broken for Fire Station No.

45 located at 3821 North Fort Apache Road.
April 5, 2002 - A 42-year-old man is severely burned

in a kitchen flash fire at 705 Rock Springs Drive. He later

dies.
April 13, 2002 - Benefit hockey game is held between

firefighters and police at the Santa Fe Hotel Ice Arena. April 13, 2002 - An immunization clinic for children is held at Fire Station No. 3 in conjunction with the Southern

Nevada Immunization Coalition.
April 16,2002 - City ofLas Vegas Fire & Rescue teams

up with United Way of Southern Nevada and HELP of

Groundbreaking for Station No. 45.

Engine 201,

Car wreck

J & Sons, Inc. |fcl-9181

Contracting. ^Kr-5813,,

Station No. 45 groundbreaking. *W f-5942 . a^Lic. #oc Q 203080

Groundbreaking for Station No. 45

IM

EMS rescue on scaffolding.

Southern Nevada to provide access to human service pro­ grams at LVFR fire stations.

April 26,2002 - Offduty LVFR Firefighter / Paramedic Kevin L. Sparks is killed in an auto accident while driving his motorcycle near Searchlight, Nevada.

May 7, 2002 - Thirty-five people graduate from the Citizens Fire Academy in a ceremony in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

June 16, 2002 - A house is completely destroyed by fire on Waterside Circle in the Lakes area of the city. Cause of the fire is undetermined.

June 19, 2002 - City Council approves the purchase of a Flashover Container System to simulate various fire situa­ tions for training purposes at the Fire Training Center.

June 24, 2002 - Twenty houses under construction are destroyed in a 3-Alarm fire at rhe Madrc Mesa subdivision.

June 30, 2002 - Fiscal year 2002 totals — City runs: 68,523; total transports: 4,960; structural fires: 222; Fire Investigations: 441; Bomb Squad: 153; Fire Prevention Inspections: 19,071; Public Education Programs: 327; total training hours: 180,468.

July 1,2002 - The city population is 520,936.

July 22, 2002 - A grand opening is held at Fire Station No. 10 on Martin L. King Blvd.

July 22, 2002 - The Rookie Class 2002-3 is hired and begins firefighter training.

August 1, 2002 - The department observes its 60th an niversary.

FUTURE SITE
LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE STATION 45 CONSTRUCTION 2002

FIRE S i Project Managp

CITY OF LAS VEGAS

way©, # Oacat B-

City Council;
Gary Reos« (Mayor Pro-Tarn) Michael J. McDonald
Larry Brown
Lynaue B-McDonald Lawtonco Weekly
Michael Mack

City Manager; Virginia Valentino

Fir© Chief- qTWV David Washington

Information : 383*?88®

re Station #45

■

TJ Cc

702-2 www.tj

LAS VEGAS

i FIRE &®RESCUE

Tv

k\

2002
Allgust 11, 2002 - The International Association of

Firefighters (IAFF) holds its 46th Biennial Convention at Mandalay Bay Hotel. IAFF Local 1285 Honor Guard pro­ vides opening color guard services and gains international recognition as a top Fire Department Honor Guard.

October 11-13,2002 - Honor Guard members Roger Carsten, Joe DiGaetano, Rob Diamond, Bob Horton, Ryan Wynn, De Erick Jones, Gabe Flores, Xavier Flores, James Suarez, Tom Aragon, Ron Kline, and Bertral Washington

travel to New York City to participate in the annual FDNY memorial service, where the 343 firefighters and all other victims killed on September 11, 2001, are memorialized. IAFF Local 1285 HG is chosen to lead and organize the 686 American Flags that will lead the procession on 10-12-02. IAFF Local 1285 HG Co-Commander Roger Carsten is chosen by the IAFF to lead the procession of sixty to seventy thousand firefighters through the streets ofNew York City to Madison Square Garden, where the services are held.

X August 14, 2002 - Local 1285 Honor Guard leads a march of thousands of firefighters up Las Vegas Blvd, to the New York New York Hotel and Casino, to honor the 343 firefighters who were killed in LODD on 9-11-2001.

August 14, 2002 - Fire Protection Engineer Azarang "Ozzie” Mirkhah is credited by the Administrator of the

United States Fire Administration for saving a docu­ ment concerning fire safety that was drafted by a special Presidential Committee in 1947.

rjs:

WALJMAR STORES, INC.

Pay >0 rho, orderof J

Memo

Wal-Mart presents a check supporting the memorial

Honor Guard at IAFF event

John Banks installs his sculpture at the fire^^ters Memorial Park.

Memorial display at NYNY Hotel and Casino

Firefighters Memorial

“...None of us on that day could have imagined what was to come, the scale of the emergency, the enormity of the danger, the magnitude of the evil. Yet, each of those firefighters felt a strong calling and knew its risks.

On September IP, that calling led them into burning towers on a mission of rescue. Within a single hour, more than 300 firefighters were lost. And our nation still mourns. They did not live to know who had caused the destruction, or why. They only knew their duty.

And that was to go in, to follow the faintest cry, to search for the trapped and helpless, and to save

- George IV. Bush
43rd President of the United Stales 20“' Annual Firefighters Memorial Tribute October 7. 2001

JJJJWN Southern Nevadans honor

Haz-Mat team suiting u

Firefighters Memorial Park sculpture and plaque

•■*

dedicated in a special 9/11 candlelight ceremony in which representatives from all Valley fire departments and city of­ ficials attend. The event is attended by over 2000 guests at the park.

X September 19,2002 - One ofthe largest drills ever held in Southern Nevada is held at the Cashman Convention Center. Over 300 people participate in the event that is supported by every emergency response organization in Southern Nevada.

September 24, 2002 - Two apartment buildings are destroyed in a 3-alarm fire in the Maryland Villas apart­ ments behind Cashman Field.

' CITY OF NEW YORK

the 343 City of New York ■J// firefighters who lost their lives

HEROES USA

2001

on September 11, 2001. To the •JJTlT// heroes of September ll"":

/ / / You valiantly fought to save lives, jg/L'/! and willingly laid yours upon the

altar of freedom - our deepest gratitude — '/ for your courageous sacrifice.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

Rookie Class 2002-3

House fire

Thompson pinnin

low-up visits and support from representatives of fire and life-safety agencies.

January 1, 2003 - Valley firefighters are kept busy on New Year’s Day 2003 by responding to 470 calls during a 10 hour period from 5:00 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 3:00 a.m. New Year’s Day.

January 4, 2003 - A man is found sitting in a burning car behind a residence at 4209 San Bernardino Avenue and dies as a result of the burns.

January 11, 2003 - An automatic fire sprinkler pre­ vents a potential disaster by dousing a fire in a trashcan on the 109th Poor of the Stratosphere Tower. An improper­ ly discarded food-warming can is believed to be the cause, Damage is minimal.

Fire on the Las Vegas Stri

Participants in the large drill at Cashman Center.

W.D. Sorensen pins Robert Pitts

Richie Clyne, City Manager Doug Selby, and Fire Chief David Washington.

Battalion Chief Perry Hortt displays his special retirement helmet.

___

2002-2003
K September 27, 2002 - Fifteen recruit firefighters grad­

uate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a special ceremony in the Council Chambers at City Hall.

October 3, 2002 - Las Vegas Fire & Rescue joins the ‘Safe Place” program.

November 22, 2002 new Community Based Fire Safety program is kicked off in a sipecial ceremony at Fire Station No. 4.

December 2, 2002 - One man is rescued from the un­ derground culvert pipe under Sandhill Road feeding the Las Vegas Wash from downtown after a heavy rain. Another

man is found dead in the wash a few days later.

Community Based Fire Safety Program

December 18, 2002 - City Council approves a service agreement with TargetSafety.com to provide health and safety training programs through the internet.

December 31, 2002 - Total emergency responses: 65,597; EMS calls: 54,078; number of fires: 2,989; hazard­ ous materials responses: 563; Fire Prevention inspections: 20,750; construction drawing reviews: 4,802: Bomb Squad calls: 121; fire related fatalities: 3.

2003 — The department implements the Risk Watch Program, a safety curriculum developed by the National Fire Protection Association, that targets children through­ out the entire Clark County School District. The lessons are designed for teachers to use in the classroom with fol­

a

September 2002

Fire Safety In The Home

MAYOR

Oscar B. Goodman

CITY COUNCIL

Gary Reese, Mayor Pro Tern Michael J. McDonald Larry Brown
Lynette B. McDonald Lawrence Weekly Michael Mack

David L. Washington, Fire Chief

LAS VEG

2003

January 18, 2003 - A 69-year-old man suffers second & third degree burns to his face and hands after a flash fire in his apartment. The man is using medical oxygen at the time of the fire. The cause of the fire is not determined, but

is ruled accidental.
January 22, 2003 — Seven members of Las Vegas Fire

& Rescue Engine 8 and Rescue 8 receive the "Unit Citation Award" in front of the City Council for saving the life of an elderly woman trapped in a house fire on Lava Avenue,

October, 2002.

lUbnw*.

Burn Tower.

Station No. 44.

An EMS call

Warehouse of fire fighting tools.

X January 27, 2003 - Fire Station No. 44, located at 7701

W. Washington Avenue, is opened and put into service. One fire engine, one rescue ambulance and the department's Technical Rescue Team along with ten firefighters are as­

signed to the station. An Open House and dedication cer­ emony is held on February 4th.

February 5, 2003 — Fire ChiefDavid L. Washington re­ ceives the Academy Image Award at the First Annual Black History Month Family Cultural Affairs Dinner & Awards Gala at Fitzgerald's Hotel.

February 10, 2003 — KVBC-TV3 and several busi­ nesses team up to remodel the day room at Fire Station No.

z Car accident leads to car fires

Engine 5

in a project named “Changing Spaces." The remodel costs and

sound system.
February 15, 2003 — A Las Vegas soldier on a ten-day

leave before being deployed to the Middle East stops and extinguishes a fire in a house at 717 Salem Drive. He has the fire out before firefighters arrive. He later receives a heroism award from the Army for his actions.

February 19,2003 - Fire Station No. 43, located at 6420 Smoke Ranch Road, opens for service with two fire engines and a rescue ambulance along with a crew of 10 firefighters.

A grand opening and dedication is held on March 12th. February 21, 2003 - Forty-four recruits graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino.

F»i

Tiller truck staged at Cashman Field

2003
February 22, 2003 - A fire causes over $100,000

damage to a business in the Sahara Pavilion shopping cen­ ter. Fire investigators later arrest the owner’s husband and later convicted for

V February 26, 2003 - Fire Station No. 45 is placed into operation with two fire engines and one rescue ambulance along with ten firefighters. The station is located at 3821 N. Fort Apache Rd. A dedication and open house is held at the station on April 3rd.

March 11,2003 - Tele-Staff, a new roster program, starts.

nearly five years and receives a national award from the International Association of Fire Chiefs in August.

April 4, 2003 — Firefighters respond to a deadly aircraft crash in the detention basin in the extreme northwest part of Las Vegas. The aircraft bursts into flames after the crash.

April 14, 2003 - The Rookie Class 2003-2 is hired and begins firefighter training.

April 18, 2003 - The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Foundation holds its first board meeting with Julie Murray as the first appointed President.

April 19, 2003 - Firefighters play against Metro Police in a benefit hockey game at the Santa Fe Station Ice Arena.

Station No. 45

March 13, 2003 - 2-Alarm fire displaces 22 people at the Park Forest Apartments on N. 21st Street. Fire dam­ ages 16 units causing $400,000 in damages. Faulty wiring is believed to be the cause.

March 31, 2003 - A fire fatality occurs and four other people are injured when a house catches fire at 1921 Luning Way. Four occupants of the house are resca ters with their efforts hampered by security bars. The fire starts

in the kitchen and causes $100,000 in damages.
April 2, 2003 - Approximately 120 students of UNLV

College of Hotel Management attend a special fire safe­ ty training course. The program has been on-going for

Fire Prevention personnel Tim Stickler, Jeff Donahue, and Robert Fash.

LAS VEGAS ; :FIRE. &<RESCUfc

Station No. 43

Apartment fire.

Inspector Chuck Murphy checks a fire extinguisher.

The firefighters defeat the police: Hoses 7 and Guns 1. April 24,2003 - Fire & Rescue plays host to children of

employees of LVFR during the annual “Take Our Children to Work Day.’’

May 1, 2003 - The Fire Channel goes on-line May 1, 2003. Originating from the Las Vegas Fire Training Center, this channel provides 24/7 training on Cable Channel 888 to every fire station in the Las Vegas Valley.

May 6,2003 - Nearly 50 citizens graduate from the 3rd annual Citizens Fire Academy.

May 8,2003 - The discovery ofan abandoned 55-gallon drum at the Rampart Casino closes two major roadways for over five hours. The drum is later taken away and found to contain gasoline.

Rookie Class 2003-2

JEii

T able

& RES/ty

f ike ENGINE I.AS VFHAS FTRF A RFSCTTF

A>>1I /J

lu lu

w

JLXVJLj CJC v Jlji

2003

May 13, 2003 - Las Vegas Fire & Rescue begins using fire safety games and programs on a CD disc for educational purposes. Over 10,000 of the discs are given away during the year, funded by a grant from FEMA.

> May 29,2003 -3-Alarm fire occurs at the Moulin Rouge casino. The fire is determined to be the result of arson and

causes millions of dollars in damages. Over 100 people evac­

uate from nearby apartments.
V May 30, 2003 - Members of the U.S. Department

of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives National Response Team respond to Las Vegas to assist with the investigation of the Moulin Rouge fire and stay on scene for nearly a week.

June 10, 2003 — A new smoke alarm battery, installed only the night before, is credited with waking a northwest Las Vegas family from a fire in their home at 6001 Carmel

Way. Children playing with matches are believed to have started the blaze.

June 18,2003 - Two suspects are arrested by Las Vegas Fire Investigators and
the Moulin Rouge.

June 30, 2003 - Fiscal year 2003 totals runs 73,444; total transports: 4,270; structural fires: 205; Fire Investigations: 318; Bomb Squad: 134; Fire Prevention Inspections: 21,002; Public Education Programs: 506; total training hours: 245,167.

July 1,2003 - The city population is 535,269.

July 1, 2003 - A young man suffers second and third degree burns over 70—80 percent of his body after he uses lighter fluid to start fireworks, which starts his clothing on fire. He is admitted to the UMC Burn Unit.

July 1,2003 - The City of Las Vegas is designated as a ‘Storm Ready” city by the National Weather Service. The designation is coordinated by the Emergency Management

Coordinator of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.
July 4, 2003 - Fireworks during the open fireworks pe­

riod cause a number of fires and at least one serious injury. A group home is completely destroyed by fireworks at 1401

July 21, 2003 — A fire fatality of a small girl occurs in an apartment at 1913 Alwill Street. Seven other people are taken to area hospitals suffering from smoke inhalation and burns. The fire is believed to have been started by children playing with a lighter.

July 22, 2003 - Another fire fatality occurs after a fire starts in a condo at the Mannetta Lane Condos. An el­ derly lady is found just inside the front door by firefighters. Careless smoking is believed to be the cause.

July 28,2003 - Mayor Oscar B. Goodman is notified in a letter from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) that the city has retained its Class One rating after a complete survey of services. The city first received its Class One rating on May 1, 1990.

August 1, 2003 - Twenty-four recruits graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino.

August 6, 2003 — Fire Chief David L. Washington receives the 2003 Lovejoy Award from the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks of the World in a ceremony at Bally s Hotel Casino.

August 9, 2003 - A 2-Alarm fire occurs in two houses at 907 and 901 N. Bedford Rd. causing $35,000 in damages. Children playing with fire outside the two houses are be­ lieved to have started a pile of rubbish on fire, which extends to the two homes.

August 13, 2003 - A 3-Alarm fire takes place at the Heritage Square Shopping Center at MLK Blvd, and W.

ATF officials at a press conference regarding the Moulin Rouge fire.

Truck fire

Engine 1

PIO’s license plate,

Fire at the Moulin Routfe.

House fire

Washington Avenue. The fire is believed to have started in a barbecue shop and causes $250,000 in damages.

August 16, 2003 — Las Vegas Fire & Rescue mem­ bers once again donate the most blood in the 2nd Annual Firefighter Blood Drive Challenge held at Cashman Field for United Blood Services.

August 19, 2003 - Southern Nevada firefighters kick off the 50th annual MDA Boot Drive in a ceremony at Fire Station No. 1. Las Vegas firefighters collect $131,403.65 during the period.

August 19, 2003 — Over 30 people are rescued from stranded cars when a flashflood deluges the northwest part

Comstock Drive.

A?

Engine 5 in the garage,

PARAMf-DJC

PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTER^)

Parking structure accident

FIRE STATION

Station No. 8.

2003

NO 8

LAS VEGAS tUE MA,

October 1,2003 - City Council approves a federal grant from the Department ofJustice in the amount of $587,584 for Bomb Squad operations.

October 5-11, 2003 — LVFR observes National Fire Prevention Week with a number of activities during the week including firefighters distributing several thousand fire safety booklets door-to-door throughout the city on October 8th.

October 5, 2003 - A 28-year-old man dies several days after a fire behind a relative’s condo on W. Charleston Blvd. The man uses gasoline to kill some weeds behind the condo.

The fumes ignite and set the man’s clothing on fire.

October 31, 2003 - Four firefighters are injured, one critically, and a fire truck is destroyed when it rolls on its side while responding to a reported building fire.

November 3, 2003 — LVFR hosts the First Annual Public Information & Media Relations Seminar at the Golden Nugget Hotel. Twenty-five PIO’s from across the country attend the seminar.

November 3,2003 — A 3-alarm fire occurs at a business at 1509 Western Avenue. The Sky Top Vending Company suffers extensive damage from the blaze, which is believed to have started outside the building and extended to the in­ side.

November 4, 2003 - A candlelight vigil is held for LVFR Captain Thelonious Adams who remains hospital­ ized after the motor vehicle accident on October 31st.

November 5, 2003 — City Council approves an Inter­ local Agreement with Clark County for the receipt of federal homeland security grant funds in the amount of $1,214,805.

November 19, 2003 — City Council approves a U.S. Department ofJustice grant award, Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Interoperable Communications

Technology grant program in the amount of $5,996,103. November 21, 2003 — A Las Vegas fire inspector is at­

tacked by several dogs as he checks a property on Western Avenue for fire violations.

November 24, 2003 - Las Vegas firefighters hold their third annual Adopt-A-Bike program. Over 200 bikes are re­ ceived and given to children for the holidays.

ofthe city. The city’s Emergency Operations Center at Fire Headquarters is activated and remains open all night.

August 26,2003 - LVFR teams up with UMC’s Trauma Center, the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety, and the Clark County Coroner’s Office to reduce mortality rates from mo­ tor vehicle accidents in a unique training program.

September 6, 2003 - Fire investigators Tim Ignatiuk and Sharisse Olsen are selected as “Firefighters of the Year” by the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks.

X September 12, 2003 - A 3-alarm fire occurs in several businesses in the Village Center Shopping Center located

at W. Charleston Blvd, and N. Valley View Blvd. The fire causes more than a million dollars in damages. The fire is believed to have started in a restaurant within the shopping center.

September 26,2003 — Las Vegas Fire & Rescue receives an “Award of Merit” in the Fire Service Excellence Awards ofthe International Association ofFire Chiefs for its LVFR/ UNLV Fire Safety & Disaster Preparedness Program.

September 26, 2003 - A 3-alarm fire occurs at an as­ sisted living center under construction at the intersection of E. Washington Avenue and N. Lamb Blvd. The building, which is fully involved upon arrival, is completely destroyed.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. September 27, 2003 - Firefighters and Metro Police play in a benefit soccer game at UNLV. Firefighters defeat

Metro Police, 4-0.

Village Center Shopping Center fire.

October 15, 2003 - A 54-year-old man dies of smoke inhalation after a small fire in his apartment at the Park

Avenue apartments. The cause of the fire is under investiga­ tion.

> October 21, 2003 - Ronald Edward Crews, who is 47 and a 17-year veteran of the department, dies ofjob related

cancer. He becomes the third Line of Duty Death of the fire department and receives a full honor firefighter funeral on October 27, 2003.

October 28,2003 - Four fire engines, a command team and 18 firefighters from Las Vegas Fire & Rescue respond to assist with battling the numerous wildfires in Southern California. The firefighters stay for nearly a week.

MMRS presentation by Mike Myers

House fire.

Engineer Ron Crews.

Moving the injured from a car wreck.

2003-2004
November 27, 2003 - A fire in a chimney inside

a house at 8625 Rosada Way extends to the attic and causes $250,000 damage

March 22, 2004

fire at the Wellington West Sahara Avenue. The

lows Luxury Apartments on inkier is credited with saving

December 21, 2003

ers pull an invalid

the life of a small boy.
April 9, 2004 — A large 3-alarm fire damages several

units of the Casa Palms Apartments on N. Las Vegas Boulevard. Plumbers working on pipes are believed to have started the fire. More than 100 people are displaced and damage is estimated at $850,000.

Buglehorn Street. Damage is estimated at $150,000.
April 26, 2004 - The seventh annual Fire-Rescue Med Conference hosted by the International Association of Fire Chiefs is held at the Orleans Hotel. More than 600 people

attend the we event
V April 29, 2004 — Las Vegas Fire & Rescue distributes

Fire Safety games on CDs in Spanish as well as English to the community. During the previous year, more than 10,000 fire safety game CDs are distributed to the community.

April 29, 2004 - Two homes and a garage are destroyed in a fast moving 4-alarm fire that is fanned by high winds on Dover Place. There are no injuries in connection with the incident. Illegal tapping of electric power lines is believed to have caused the fire.

May 4, 2004 - Forty-two local residents graduate from the 5th annual Citizens Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the East Las Vegas Community Center.

woman from
The fire
woman is admitted to the UMC Burn Unit.

December 31, 2003 - Total emergency responses: 72,116; Communications Center 9-1'1 calls: 274,549; EMS calls: 63,876; EMS transports: 3,960; number of fires: 2,880; hazardous materials responses: 737; Fire Prevention inspections: 23,610; construction drawing reviews: 5,783: Fire Investigations/Bomb Squad calls: 406; false alarms: 1,100; fire related fatalities: 6.

January 21, 2004 - Fire investigators believe a fire that damages a home on Pardee Place is intentionally set. One person is hospitalized because of the fire. The fire causes $150,000 in damages. A 37-year'old woman is charged with arson.

February 4, 2004 - A new fire code is adopted by the Las Vegas City Council. NFPA 1, the Uniform Fire Code, is felt to be the best fire code for the city.

February 5, 2004 - A family of three and six pets die from carbon monoxide poisoning in their northwest home. A gasoline powered generator is being used to supply power to the home after their power con nected.

uiHWikLteihi

m t ss

Fire hydrant location creates a flow problem

Rescue Unit

190

Gas fire

•-JL

' --Sr

Women firefighters. (L to R: Eida Fujii, Sherri Gordon, Barbara Jackson, Mary Jordan, Latonia Lister, Stacey Jardine.)

February 19, 2004 — Fire Chief David L. Washington receives the “2004 Outstanding Member ofthe Year Award' from the Asian Chamber of Commerce.

February 21, 2004 — A gasoline tanker carrying 7000 gallons of gasoline crashes and burns on Interstate 15 just south of Sahara Avenue. There are no injuries.

March 11, 2004 - A 12-year-old girl dies in a travel trailer fire behind a house on East Ogden Avenue. The girl is home alone at the time of the 3:19 a.m. fire.

March 20, 2004 - Two elderly people die in a group home fire on Holly Hill Avenue. The cause of the fire is un­ determined.

FIRE SAFETY

2004 English I Spanish

LVFR
1 COMMAND

June 16,2004- A smoke detector is credited with wak­ ing two elderly adults after their Wengert Avenue apart­ ment catches fire.

June 30, 2004 - Fiscal year 2004 totals runs 72,972; total transports: 5,881; structural fires: 211; Fire Investigations: 265; Bomb Squad: 117; Fire Prevention Inspections: 21,954; Public Education Programs: 459; total training hours: 303,690.

July 1, 2004 - The city population is 559,824.

July 4,2004 - A fire that starts by illegal fireworks heav­ ily damages two homes and four yards on North 15th Street causing $160,000 in damages. The fire displaces two fami-

New Command Center.

2004
May 19, 2004 - The Trauma Intervention Program

(TIP) celebrates ten years of service in a ceremony held at the Fire Training Center. LVFR is the first emergency response organization to work with TIP in the Las Vegas Valley.

May 19, 2004 - LVFR begins using a new automatic CPR device on cardiac arrest victims. A demonstration is held for the media. The units are on all LVFR rescue

units.
A May 27,2004 — LVFR receives a new Mobile Command

Unit (MCU) from Pierce Manufacturing. It is considered to be one of the largest units in the country.

ceives
Council. Farr removed a handgun from an auto accident vic­ tim after the man fired the gun inside the car he crashed as paramedics were trying to treat the man.
X June 3, 2004 - LVFR kicks off a public awareness cam paign “Heat Kills/’ targeted at children being left unattend

ed in vehicles. Door stickers, posters and messages on 50 CAT buses are used to deliver the message.

June 7, 2004 - Fire investigators determine is in tentionally set in a house fire at Shore Haven Drive. A worn an is found dead inside the burning home.

EVER LEAVE JHILDREN IN

PARK

A restaurant fire

Engine 4

Chief Washington and Paramedic Randy Farr.

LVFBA Program 2004

2004

July 7,2004 - A fast moving fire between two homes on San Simeon Street causes $275,000 in damages.

July 15, 2004 - Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Bomb Squad members remove six pipe bombs found in a mobile home near Nellis Air Force base.

August 2004 - The new 800 MHz radio system goes live. This system allows private and public firefighters and paramedics to communicate directly with each other and also talk with area hospitals.

August 1, 2004 — A fire heavily damages a commer­ cial building being renovated into a church at 1859 North Decatur Blvd.

August 12, 2004 - A fire and explosion destroy a large home near Red Rock Canyon in the San Marcos subdivision. The four family members are able to escape without injury.

Damage is estimated at $600,000.
September 2, 2004 - A 2-alarm fire that occurs at the

Indigo Creek Apartments on North Buffalo Drive causes $140,000 in damages. Investigators believe the cause of the fire is electrical in nature.

September 3, 2004 - Members of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Bomb Squad respond to Goodsprings, Nevada, to dispose of 60 sticks of dynamite and nearly 350 blasting caps found in a shed behind a house.

September 8, 2004 — A 2-alarm fire at a Cliff Shadow condo under construction near Cheyenne and 215 causes approximately $150,000 in damages.

> September 11,2004 — A special dedication and memo­ rial program is held at the opening of Fire Station No. 5 on

Hinson Road. A special monument from the World Trade
Center is dedicated during the event. Also, a special flag
flown over Ground Zero is given to the department with in­ । structions to fly it every September 11th in remembrance.

September 15, 2004 - An automatic sprinkler at the James H. Down Towers on Alta Drive is credited with saving a woman's life after her bedroom catches fire in her fourth floor apartment. Firefighters find her just inside the door of the apartment with water pouring down over her

from the sprinkler head. Careless smoking starts the fire. A pet cat dies in the blaze.

September 16,2004 - Fire ChiefDavid L. Washington receives the “Volunteer ofthe Year Award” from the “I Have a Dream” Foundation.

October 1, 2004 - The Arson/Fire Investigations/ Bomb Squad Unit celebrates its 30th anniversary during Fire Prevention Month. A demonstration is conducted for the media with its robots, bomb suits, and a water abrasive suspension cutting technique, a new feature for the Bomb Squad.

October 3-9, 2004 - Members of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue give numerous tours and visit various schools and facilities for Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters also go

■

fii

-V ■

TMt piece of He World IMe Center is display in hops-
at tbo« who nude the ultimate shuffler * ’d

Irsta, to save otben tiring a tragic time ot need Vil/MOI - We will never forget

Swrtel thus. u Ute Sew Ck, Office at hneepae, w etri the tolled 7lnfl0ten otfeiuhrrti Nevada

I September 11th Memorial at Station No. 5.

House fire.

■

HVil

door-to-door for three days passing out over 7,500 fire safety booklets, both in English and Spanish, to local residents.

October 6, 2004 - A 63-year-old man dies at the Newport Apartments on Fremont Street after his second story apartment catches fire. There is also one injury in con­ nection with the incident.

October 22, 2004 - Firefighters use water from a water tanker to quench a truckload of bees after the truck breaks down on 1-15 and the 215. The water is needed to keep the bees from dying of heat exposure.

October 25, 2004 - The Rookie Class 2005-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

Mount Charleston fire.

Station No. 2

2004-2005
November 10, 2004 - Three houses under construc-

division on the city’s northwest side. Media helicopters are used to help the Incident Command coordinate extinguish­ ment efforts.

November 25, 2004 - Las Vegas Fire Inspector Sherri Wilcox and her husband move a trailer full of belongings and other donated items to Indiana for a Las Vegas family whose two small boys were severely burned in a Christmas fire last year. The family moves to Indiana to be close to the Shriner’s Burn facility because of the numerous treatments

their two boys are receiving.

1407

EMERGENCY COMMAND CENT

One hundred eighty-six media releases are issued by the department in 2004.

December 31, 2004 — Total emergency responses: 75,438; Communications Center 9-1-1 calls: 285,214; EMS calls: 68,144; EMS transports: 8,083; number of fires: 2,732; hazardous materials responses: 682; Fire Prevention inspections: 24,632; construction drawing reviews: 5,794: Fire Investigations/Bomb Squad calls: 379; false alarms: 1,197; fire related fatalities: 5.

February 1, 2005 - A 2-alarm fire occurs in a house at 1531 Oakey Blvd, causing $100,000 in damages. 4 he son of the owner of the home is arrested a day later and is charged with arson.

Water tender.

Station No. 8 groundbreaking ceremony. >

Fire Communications Center.

"**•

December 3,2004 — A 2-alarm fire occurs at the former Phillips Supper Club on West Sahara Avenue. The building is vacant and is being renovated. The building is completely destroyed with damages at $500,000.

December 10, 2004 - A candle starts a fire in an apart­ ment on North 15th Street where a bystander rescues a woman and an infant from the burning apartment.

December 22, 2004 - A 3-alarm fire occurs in a retail building under construction at 2187 North Decatur Blvd. Damage is estimated at $100,000.

December 28, 2004 — A faulty fireplace causes a live Christmas tree to catch fire in a large home on the city’s northwest side resulting in $200,000 in damages.

LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE

Mobile Computer Terminal

2005
February 6, 2005 - A homeless man is severely burned

and found on Martin Luther King Drive at the U.S. 95 overpass. Fire investigators believe the fire is accidental in nature.

X February 18,2005 - The Asian Chamber ofCommerce presents Assistant ChiefCherina M. Kleven with the “2005

ACC Government Employee of the Year Award.”
V February 28, 2005 - Fourteen recruit firefighters grad-

uate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino.

March 5,2005 - Another 2-alarm fire takes place at the

Assistant Chief Cherina Kleven receives award.

A May 5, 2005 — Nineteen local residents complete the 6th annual Citizens Fire Academy in a ceremony at the Charleston Heights Art Center.

May 18,2005 — A 2-alarm fire occurs in a house at 2424 Indian Sage Way where 11 pets die. The house is destroyed, causing $200,000 in damages. The cause is undetermined but appears to be accidental.

May 26,2005 - A 2-alarm fire takes place at the Nevada Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America building on Sunset Drive. The building is destroyed with damages esti­ mated at $150,000. Careless smoking appears to be cause.

June 16, 2005 - Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Fash re­ ceives the Robert W. Gain Award from the National Fire Protection Association.

LAS VEGAS

Rescue under highway flyover.

vacant Phillips Supper Club on West Sahara Ave. It is the second time the building is on fire in less than six months.

March 8, 2005 - Deputy Fire Marshal Robert Fash is certified by the National Fire Protection Association as a Certified Fire Protection Specialist.

March 11,2005 - A fire in the garage ofa house at 2004 Santiago Street causes $150,000 damages.

March 28,2005 - Careless smoking is believed to be the cause of a fatal fire in the Sunstate Apartments on South First Street. The man, in his middle 50s, lived alone in the apartment. Damage is estimated at $1,000.

April 16, 2005 — The annual Southern Nevada Fire Prevention Association “Sesame Street Fire Safety

Workshop” is held at the Thomas & Mack Center.
April 24, 2005 - A fire in the fifth floor maintenance area of Valley Hospital causes $190,000 damage. No one is hurt during the incident, which started in a refrigeration

unit.
April 30, 2005 — The 4th Annual Firefighters Blood

Drive is held at Cashman Center.
May 3, 2005 — Engine 243 is moved to Fire Station No.

41 and is designated Engine 46. Water Tender 41 is moved from Fire Station No. 41 and into Fire Station No. 43.

Mayor Goodman, Chief Washington, and friends.

Ladder truck and clean up after house fire.

the

June 30, 2005 - Fiscal year 2005 totals - City runs:

July 1,2005 — The city population is 575,973. July 2,2005 - A 2-Alarm house fire at 1300 Melissa

St. causes $150,000 in damages. The cause is undeter- mined, but possibly fireworks.

July 4, 2005 — Although the use of fireworks seems to be extensive in the city on the Fourth ofJuly, no major fires or incidents are reported.

June 21, 2005 — LVFR participates in
National Firefighter Stand Down Day, which promotes safety awareness among firefighters at emergency and non- emergency incidents, in such areas as wearing seat belts while riding in fire department vehicles.

> July 5, 2005 - A major 3-alarm fire destroys the gym at the Roy W. Martin Middle School. The next day, the ATF National Response Team assists with the investigation of the fire, which causes an estimated $7.5 million in damages.

July 14, 2005 — After a lengthy investigation, investiga­ tors from LVFR, ATF and Clark County School District determine the fire at the Roy W. Martin Middle School is intentionally set.

August 4, 2005 — A 3-alarm fire at the Aztec Hotel on S. Las Vegas Blvd, causes $200,000 in damages to a portion of the hotel that is vacant for renovation.

damages a building at the Rancho Verde Apartments on South Martin L. King Blvd,

causing $750,000 in damages and displacing 45 people.

Wj

/

Squad: 161; Fire Prevention Inspections: 27,161; Public Education Programs: 436; total

training hours: 375,446.

September 1, 2005 - Three LVFR chief officers are elected to various boards and committees. Fire Chief David Washington is elected President of the Southern Nevada

Fire Chiefs Association; Deputy Chief Ken Riddle is elect­ ed to the Board of Directors Emergency Medical Services section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs; and

Assistant Chief Cherina Kleven is elected to the Human Relations Committee of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

October 6, 2005 - Several units and personnel par­ ticipate in an “all-night” terrorism/disaster simulation at the Meadows Mall dubbed “Operation Loaded Dice.” The

Truck 7.

LVFBA Program 2005.

Roy W. Martin gymnasium after the fire.

Building fire.

2005

event involves nearly 500 people along with multiple local,

state and federal response agencies.
V October 10,2005 - A grand opening is held at the new

Fire Station No. 8 located at 805 N. Mojave Rd.
October 15 — A 2-alarm house fire occurs at 6308 Cromwell Avenue. A medical oxygen line catches fire inside the home due to careless smoking, destroying the home and

causing $250,000 in damages.
October 19,2005 - Nine members of Las Vegas Fire &

Rescue receive various awards during the department’s an­ nual awards ceremony at the East Las Vegas Community Center.

MDA Boot Drive ceremon

Ben Hoge and Bob Hevel address the bomb tank

X October 24, 2005 - The Rookie Class 2006-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

November 1, 2005 — A new website is launched with information for the media and public concerning the loca­ tion of emergency incidents, in real-time on rhe internet.

November9, 2005 — A 2-alarm fire destroys three busi­ nesses in the Mercado Plaza at Vegas Drive and North Jones Blvd. A pub, pizza shop and a restaurant are destroyed in the fire, which causes an estimated $500,000 in damages.

November 11, 2005 - LVFR Engineer Erik Jones is awarded the “First Alert Professional Life Safety Award” at the Venetian Hotel.

November 15, 2005 - Firefighters respond to the X-Scream ride on top of the Stratosphere after a power fail­

ure traps five people on the ride. Power is restored just as firefighters arrive on scene.

December 1, 2005 — A 2-alarm fatal fire takes place in the vacant Alpine Office complex at 4820 Alpine Place. A homeless person is found lifeless in the smoke filled build­ ing.

December 22,2005 - A fifteen-year-old boy is arrested and charged with one count of arson in the first degree in connection with the Roy W. Martin Middle School fire on

July 5th. LVFR fire investigators and Clark County School District Police make the arrest after a Family Court judge issues a warrant.

December 31, 2005 - Total emergency responses: 82,030; Communications Center 9-1-1 calls: 305,616; EMS

Grand Opening for Station No. 8 202

Rookie Class 2006-1

Darrell Aronson and the Fire Explorers.

House fire.

House fire interior.

500

MH «■ »■! ill ■■■

Station No. 1

LASVE

fill mi

2005-2006

calls: 74,272; EMS transports: 8,770; number of fires: 2,939; hazardous materials responses: 691; Fire Prevention inspections: 27,040; construction drawing reviews: 6,532: Fire Investigations/Bomb Squad calls: 492; false alarms: 1,167; fire related fatalities: 2.

February 3, 2006 - A juvenile charged with starting the fire at the Roy W. Martin Middle School in July, 2005, pleads guilty in juvenile court.

February 21, 2006 - A 3-alarm fire occurs in a shop­ ping center at N. Decatur Blvd, and W. Washington Ave. Damage is estimated at $750,000.

Commission on Fire Accreditation International

April 2006 — Local 1285 initiates the Pipes and Drums with a motion approval in April of 2006. The first bagpipes and drums are received in March of 2007.

April 8, 2006 — Firefighters rescue a teen that is asleep in his home unaware that his Joliet Circle home is on fire. He escapes without injury.

gen mask to save the life of a cat after a garage fire in a house at 7117 Lakeland Road. The fire does $25,000 in damages.

April 15, 2006 — Temporary Fire Station No. 47 is put into operation at 101 N. Pavilion Center Dr. while the new Fire Station No. 47 is tinder construction at 911 Ridge Pine Street.

House fire kitchen damage.

Truck wreck

February 24, 2006 — Seventeen recruits of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue Training Academy graduate in a cer­

emony at the West Charleston Library.
February 27,2006 - A teen seeks refuge at Fire Station

No. 43, a designated “Safe Place.” She tells police a man in a car was following her on the way to school.

X March 2, 2006 - LVFR becomes an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International. LVFR is one of only 114 agencies to achieve International

Accredited Agency status with the CFAI at the time, and is one of only eight agencies in the world that is both I.S.O. Class One rated and has an Accredited Agency status.

March 5, 2006 - A 2-alarm house fire takes place at 1117 Sandy Cove St. The fire causes $175,000 in damages.

LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE Emergency Operations Center

-------------—

March 13, 2006

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue
Fire Chief David Washington 500 N. Casino Center Boulevard Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

Dear Chief Washington,

City Manager Doug Selby presents to Mike Myers Greg Gammon and Louis Baker look on.

Station No. 3.

I am very pleased to inform you that the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) recognizes the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue as an accredited agency.

The CFAI is dedicated to assisting fire and emergency service agencies throughout the world in achieving excellence through self-assessment and accreditation providing continuous quality improvement and the enhancement of service delivery to their communities.

Your personnel have demonstrated their commitment to this mission and have met in full the requirements set forth by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International, as witnessed by the on-site team of your peers and members of the Commission.

Congratulations on behalf of the Commission on Fire Accreditation International on achieving accredited agency status.

Sincerel

Robert L. Ridgeway Chair, CFAI Commission

w

4501 Singer Court, Suite 180

Chantilly, Virginia 20151-1734 Voice: (866) 866-CFAI, ext. 201 bonny@cfainet.org FAX: (703) 961-0113 www.cfainet.org

205

'77

2006
> May 6-10, 2006 — LVFR hosts the 41st annual Metro

Fire Chiefs Conference at the Rio Hotel. One hundred and forty-one fire chiefs from six nations attends the event.

May 9, 2006 - Thirty residents graduate from the 7th annual Citizens Fire Academy.

June 13, 2006 - Fire destroys a house under construc­ tion in the Park Trail Estates near Durango and Craig. Damage is estimated at $400,000.

June 19, 2006 - Four firefighters, one battalion chief and two vehicles respond to a large wildfire located in Northern Arizona.

fire &Sr

2006 Metro Fire Chiefs Conference attendees on the rooftop of the Rio

Mitch Steinberg helps a chiId with the fire nozzle.

J. Brian Willett

206

Chief Washington makes a presentation to Sue Lawson, Debbie Gammon and Marcia Washington at the 2006 Metro Fire Chiefs Conference.

Rookie Class 2006-2

June 30, 2006 - Fiscal year 2006 totals
72,439; total transports: 8,186; structural fires: 181; Fire Investigations: 287; Bomb Squad: 153; Fire Prevention Inspections: 26,577; Public Education Programs: 523; total training hours: 303,285.

July 1, 2006 — The city population is 591,536. The General Fund Operating Budget hits over $100 million dol­ lars for the first time. The budget is $102,858,610.

July 5, 2006 - A house is destroyed and one person is taken to the hospital in a fire at 5314 Evergreen Ave. Damage is estimated at $250,000.

runs

r’jr RESCUE^ciURD

The Fire Foundation Visa gift card

A August 15, 2006 — The Fire Foundation kicks off it second Pilot Program on August 15th. The program ha been enhanced with Visa Gift Cards produced by Nevad Federal Credit Union. These cards are given out to need families when our

cards are intended to be one-time short-term assistance un­ til the families can get long-term help from a social agency.

A August 19, 2006 - J. Brian Willett of the Office of Public Information & Education Video Services is inducted into the Nevada Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

August 23,2006 - A fire in the garage ofa house at 9332 Buckhaven Drive causes $175,000 in damages and displaces five people. The cause is undetermined.

August 24, 2006 — A 2-alarm fire in a strip mall at Rainbow Blvd, and Oakey Blvd, destroys two businesses. The fire is ruled accidental with damages estimated at

$500,000.
K August 28, 2006 - The Rookie Class 2006-2 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
September 11,2006 - A fatal fire takes place at 900 W.

Bonanza Rd. in an apartment. A maintenance worker finds an elderly man after a very small fire man s apartment

This represents the first fatal fire in y for 2006. October 9, 2006 - The Rookie Class 2006-3 is hired

and begins firefighter training.
November 11, 2006 - Several buildings catch fire at

a construction site at Hualapai Way and Deer Springs

VISA

2006-2007

Way. Damage is estimated at over $1 million. The fire is ruled arson.

November 30, 2006 - The new EMS hand held appli­ cations for producing electronic medical reports begins at Fire Station No. 1.

X December 2006 — The Adopt-A-Bike Program, in its 6th year produces over 300 bikes for needy kids.

December 14,2006 — A fatal fire occurs at 1417Joshua Way in a bedroom. A woman in her 50s is found in the room and there is $10,000 in damages. There are no smoke

alarms in the house. 208

ISO CLASS

^LAS

December 24, 2006 — A homeless woman dies of criti­ cal burns after her clothing catches fire from a warming fire outside a building at 830 S. Main St.

December 28, 2006 — Twenty-seven recruits graduate from the Las Vegas Fire Academy in a ceremony at East Las

Vegas Community & Senior Center.
December 31, 2006 - Total emergency responses:

81,912; Communications Center 9-1-1 calls: 327,369; EMS calls: 74,002; EMS transports: 7,947; number offires: 2,810; hazardous materials responses: 683; Fire Prevention inspec­ tions: 27,768; construction drawing reviews: 7,718: Fire Investigations/Bomb Squad calls: 429; false alarms: 1,227; fire related fatalities: 3.

Sculpture in front of Station No. 4,

Rookie Class 2007-1

January 10, 2007 - The first fatal fire took place at the Mar-A-Lago Condos. Careless smoking appeared to be the cause.

X January 16, 2007 — The CBRNE Unit (short for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives)

is purchased with Homeland Security funds and placed into service. This one-of-a-kind unit was developed to support many of our already established emergency response ca­ pabilities such as hazardous-materials, bomb squad, RIT, medical emergencies, and homeland security incidents.

January 24, 2007 — A 3-Alarm Fire is ruled acciden­ tal at the Stewart Square Shopping Center at Eastern and Stewart. The fire causes $1.2 million in damage and is the result of a welder's torch.

Communications Center.

2006 Adopt-A-Bike program press conference

Station No. 6.

CBRNE Unit.

rogram

Rookie Class 2006-3

Deputy Chief Mike Myers and kids

LVFR Administration Building.

Bike Proc

f LAS VECAS FIRE & RESCUE#

/•LAS VEGAS^

2007
January 31, 2007 - Several LVFR employees are pre­

sented awards during the 2006 LVFR Annual Awards

Ceremony held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Awards are presented to:

Eric Cave-Firefighter of the Year Jayson Calhoun-Paramedic of the Year

Sherri Wilcox—Fire Prevention Employee of the Year Arlene Jackson-Fire Training Center Employee of the

Year
Kathi Cooper & Jo O’Rourke—Civilian Employee of the

Year
Gayland Imai—Fire Shop Employee of the Year Desiree Goss—Fire Alarm Office Employee of the Year Laura Brown-Arson/Bomb Squad Employee of the

Year,
Doug Johnson-Chief Officer of the Year;

Justin Montague—Fire Explorer of the Year.
Employees Louis Baker, Roy Lawson and Tim Szymanski receive the Fire Chief’s Award ofDistinction for exceptional performance and distinguished service to the department.

February 1, 2007 - Firefighters pull a woman from a smoke filled house on Sacramento Drive. The fire starts on the stove. The woman is taken to the hospital for smoke in­ halation.

February 6, 2007 - A donation of $10,400 from Fireman’s Fund is given to LVFR in a ceremony held at Fire Station No. 4. Over 2000 smoke alarms are purchased with

the donation to be given away free to the public. Firefighters go door to door in the area of Station No. 4 after the media event, along with the Mayor, passing out the alarms. The remainder of the alarms are passed out throughout the com­ munity during Fire Prevention Week.

February 9, 2007 - Two victims die in a fatal fire. A five-year-old girl dies in a house fire at 1412 Cholla Way,just a few doors down from Fire Station No. 4. A grandmother, found trapped by the fire, lying on the kitchen floor is res­ cued by firefighters. She dies a few days later. A space heater is believed to have started the fire. Ironically, the fire occurs in one of the houses where firefighters provided a smoke alarm during a media event at Fire Station No. 4 just three days earlier.

February 23, 2007 — Fire Chief David L. Washington receives the “Don H. Barden Achievement Award” in a cer­ emony at the Fitzgerald’s Hotel & Casino.

March 19, 2007 - Intelligence Analyst Elizabeth Del Valle is hired on March 19, 2007, begins distributing highly sensitive intelligence reports to all area fire stations, the Metropolitan Police Department, and to the Department

of Detention & Enforcement beginning the first week of April.

March 31, 2007 — A man dies after dousing himself with gasoline and setting himself on fire in front of a Circle K gas station on Las Vegas Blvd.

LODD 5/8/07 Firefighter Mark Keeton.

April 21, 2007 — Firefighters respond to a working du­ plex fire at 310 George Place and pull a critically burned woman from the unit and transport her to UMC. Because she is so badly burned, the incident is handled as a fatal fire in case the woman dies, which she does. Further investiga­ tion reveals that the woman dies as the result of a homicide and that the fire is used to cover up the crime.

April 23, 2007 - The Rookie Class 2007-1 is hired and begins firefighter training.

< May 8, 2007 — A 19 year veteran of LVFR dies after a short bout with cancer. Firefighter Mark Thomas Keeton of Fire Station No. 9 receives a full Line of Duty Death (LODD) honor by fellow fire service personnel and friends.

May 16, 2007 - City Council approves a bill that will make it easier for emergency responders to communicate when they enter multi-story buildings higher than four sto­ ries. The bill is sponsored by Ward 6 Councilman Steven D. Ross.

V May 18,2007 - A grand opening ceremony is held for Fire Station No. 47. An Open House for Station No. 47 is held the day after which is sponsored by Summerlin, com­ plete with food, music, a balloon artist, and face painting.

The station becomes operational on April 30, 2007.
May 18, 2007 - A 3-Alarm fire occurs at the Town Square strip mall at the intersection of Washington and Pecos. The fire causes $500,000 in damages. Seven of 18

businesses in the complex are damaged by the fire.

May 22, 2007 - A 2-Alarm fire at a construction site in the 8400 block of Farm Rd. at the Village of Centennial Springs causes an estimated $1.5 million in damages.

May 31, 2007 — A fatal fire occurs in a small studio apartment at 1112 N. 21st St. Firefighters pull the man from the smoke filled apartment, but he dies the next day. Careless smoking is the possible cause.

< June 20, 2007 — A four-alarm fire downtown, which in­ volves a large pile of automotive tires, is under investigation. Fire dispatchers receive a call at 4:00 p.m. reporting that a pile oftrash was on fire in a storage yard on West Bonanza Road across from "D” Street. The tires are temporarily stored there for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

June 30, 2007 — Fiscal year 2007 totals — City runs: 73,006; total transports: 7,557; structural fires: 162; Fire Investigations: 263; Bomb Squad: 191; Fire Prevention Inspections: 27,655; Public Education Programs: 642; total training hours: 240,903.

July 5, 2007 - A fatal fire occurs with an elderly lady at a house on Bayberry Dr. The fire appears to have started on the patio of the home. It is believed that the lady is badly burned while trying to put the fire out. She dies a few days later in the Burn Unit at UMC.

August 1, 2007 - The department observes its 65th an­ niversary.

Tire fire on West Bonanza Road.

Executive fire staff.

LVFBA program 2007.

Station No. 47 goes in service April 30,2007.

United States of America

Congressional 'Record

PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 1 1 0 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

House of Representatives

PAYING TRIBUTE TO LAS VEGAS FIRE & RESCUE

STATEMENT OF

HON. JON C. PORTER

Friday, August 03, 2007 Madam SPEAKER: The chair recognizes Mr. Porter from Nevada.

Mr. PORTER: Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for celebrating their 65th anniversary serving the Las Vegas community.

The Las Vegas Fire & Rescue got its start in 1906 as the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department located in Downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street. Through the 1920’s, the Las Vegas Volunteer Fire Department was the only department in Southern Nevada to serve the construction of the Hoover Dam and the newly constructed military base, now known as Nellis Air Force Base. In 1942, volunteer firefighters petitioned at City Hall to create a full time fire department. On August 1, 1942, the first 16 full time employees of the Las Vegas Fire & Rescue began their shift.

Today, the department has 16 stations across the Las Vegas valley and oversees more than 650 employees. Las Vegas Fire & Rescue is one of eight departments in the world to be accredited by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and to hold a Class One rating from the Insurance Services Offices, Inc, making it one of the safest departments in the country.

Madam Speaker, 1 am proud to honor Las Vegas Fire & Rescue and the men and women who make up the department. To risk their own lives on a daily basis for the safety of others is truly commendable. I applaud Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for its leadership and wish the department continued success for years to come. I now yield the remainder of my time.

Whereas;

Whereas;

Whereas;

Whereas;

therefore;

the Fire & Rescue Department provides fire suppression services, public safety, emergency medical services, bomb squad and HAZMAT services, rescue operations, public education, fire prevention, arson investigation and emergency management operations to residents, businesses and visitors so they can live, work and play safely in the most extraordinary city in the world; and

the Fire & Rescue Department has grown to include 16 fire stations and more than 650 highly trained, ethical and dynamic employees, who further the department’s mission to protect life, prevent loss and provide support and relief to those in need; and

the Fire & Rescue Department is a leader in the field being one of a handfid of departments in the world to hold prestigious certifications from both the Insurance Services Offices, Inc. and the Commission on Fire Accreditation International; and

the Fire & Rescue Department responded to more than 81,000 calls last year covering an area of 131 square miles providing unparalleled service to a population of over 575,000 residents; now

I, the Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, County of Clark, State of Nevada, hereby proudly proclaim August 1,2007, to be:

on L. Porter Meifiber of Congress

lai Wsas /ire & Mescue department Bap

in the City of Las Vegas and ask all citizens to celebrate the department’s 65th anniversary.

■HI

•If

Artwork and dedication by Allan Albaitis

s'

PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION

This history book would not be complete without offering public safety tips to
our readers. We have addressed an array of seasonal hazards in hopes that you
do not become a statistic in a future fire publication. It is our duty and ongoing
pledge to keep our community safe and the best way to reduce injuries and fatalities is through education. We hope that you will take advantage of our suggested seasonal safety
tips. Let us prevent an emergency before it happens.

We also recommend that you have a preparedness plan in place for your family and home prior to any natural disaster or major emergency. Please go to wwiv.ready.gov and follow the easy checklist instructions.

For any public information regarding emergencies and disasters in Las Vegas, please go to wwwAvalert.com or call 382-5378 for the latest update.

Warmer weather and increased outdoor activity leads to the increased possibility of bee encounters.

What kind of bee is it? - All bees in the valley are w referred to as just “bees.” It doesn’t matter if they are European or Africanized. Both bees act in the same manner.

They sting the same way and both produce honey. The only trait that is different is the potential for

attacks, but even European bees can produce enough stings to severely injure someone or cause death. All bees should be handled in the same manner regardless of what type they are.

Swarms of bees - are homeless bees moving from
one place to another. When swarming they get tired
or they get too hot to fly, so the bees will find a
place to rest and get out of the sun. Many times
they hang from tree branches, street signs, or fenc­
es. Like birds sitting on a wire — they just want to
be left alone to rest. Since the swarm is not producing honey or caring for young bees, they will not sting unless provoked, and then usually only in extreme cases. They will rest for a few hours or until late in the afternoon or the next morning before moving on. Because the bees are harmless and impor­ tant to agriculture, in most cases they are not exterminated.

Authorities put up safety tape to advise the public ofthe bees’ presence and remove it when the bees have left.

Bee hives — especially wild colonies, are dangerous. Bees build their hives (their homes) in places where predators cannot get to them — inside sprinkler control boxes, street light poles, utility boxes in sidewalks, inside walls of build­ ings, inside concrete block walls and inside old hollow trees or desert plants.

When the bees begin to produce honey (their food sup­ ply), lay eggs, and care for larvae, they will defend their home.

*

ers or weedeaters, will alarm bees. Bees seek the source of the noise to defend the hive.

Bee hives are dangerous and should be removed only by a professional bee removal service. This should never be done by a civilian. The process requires the use of professional

safety gear and clothing. Telephone numbers of profession­ al bee removal companies can be found in the yellow pages under “Bee Removal Services.”

Here are some bee safety tips:

If you have bees — leave them alone. Swarming bees - appear as a large group of

bees (that look like a football or basketball) hang­ ing on the side of a building, on a fence, on tree branches

or street signs. They sometimes can be found on the ground. Leave them alone — in good weather

they will usually fly away. When they
do, all of the bees will leave together. In
most cases the bees will fly away to their destina­
tion within a day or two. If they remain for more than three days, you should then consider having them re­ moved by a professional bee removal service.

If you have them exterminated, a number of bees (strag­ glers) will remain in the area for a day or two and they will be irritable because they cannot find the rest of the swarm.

Bees in hives - If you have bees, it is the responsibility of the property owner to remove them. The city of Las Vegas and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue DO NOT exterminate or remove bees. This should be done by a professional service.

< BEE SAFETY TIPS > r*> W *’*

March and April typically pr/l mark the beginning of swarm-
ing season for bees, a time when the
bees will be moving from place to place.

** >» w-

When they sense their food supply is threatened, or they ^.are in danger, they defend the hive by stinging —some-

The Nevada Pest Control Association keeps a list of licensed removal services that are available at 385-5853.

Additionally, neither the city nor Las Vegas Fire & Rescue pays for bee removal from private property. If a person calls for service of a private exterminator — the caller or the property owner is responsible for payment.

Do not try to remove or exterminate the bees

yourself.

Most people do not have the necessary safety equipment to remove bees. In the United States attempts by amateurs to remove or exterminate bees themselves have led to serious injury or death in some cases. This is extremely dangerous

— leave this to a professional exterminator.

In case you have an encounter with bees...

You should run from the bees as fast as you can. Bees are slow flyers and cannot keep up. While running away cover your face with either your hands or cloth as bees will attack your eyes, nose, and mouth.

ou are stung, remove the stinger by scraping it out with a credit card or butter knife, do not pinch the stinger — this pushes more venom into the wound. Wash the area with soap and water, and apply a cold pack to the sting site.

If you are stung more than 10 times, go to an emer­ gency care center or contact your physician to be ex­ amined. Reaction to bee venom takes several hours, which may cause you to feel sick later. In case of an allergic reaction, call 9-1-1 and get immediate medical attention.

O® The term killer bees” is typically misused and

should not be stated. The Nevada Department of Agriculture conducts a test to identify bees. It really

doesn’t matter whether bees are “Africanized” or “na­ tive,” domesticated or feral European, both can cause harm to people or animals if they are provoked.

Treat all bees with respect — they are beneficial insects that can be dangerous.

More information about bees and safety tips can be found on the website:

ivivivJvalert.com or by calling 229-2000 (a recorded line).

Do not call 9-1-1 to report seeing swarms of bees. Call only in event of an attack.

w-

<

times with hundreds of stings. Bees do not attack — they only defend their colony. Loud noises or vibrations, like pounding the ground or power tools such as lawnmow-

216

217

—

Seek shelter in a building or vehicle. Do notjump into a pool or lake, the bees will attack when you come up for air.

2
3 The bees will continue to be agitated after the at­

tack by loud or humming noises such as barking dogs, lawnmowers, weed eaters, etc. Try to keep the area as quiet and calm as possible.

If it appears that a person is being attacked or people are in imminent danger of attack, call 9-1-1 immedi-

5 If someone is stung by a bee and becomes dizzy, nau­ seous or has difficulty breathing, they may be having an allergic reaction to the sting. This is a serious med­ ical emergency. Call 9-1-1 immediately.

rm

What is carbon monoxide (CO)? It is a tasteless, odorless, invisible gas produced as a by-product of incomplete com­ bustion. Put simply, it is a by-product of anything that has a flame. It weighs about the same as air. Because you can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, it is often known as the silent killer. Exposure to lower levels can make you sick — higher levels can be fatal.

What makes carbon monoxide so dangerous? The hemoglobin in the blood stream carries gasses, mainly oxy­ gen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Hemoglobin carries more than 20 times its volume of oxygen. Carbon monox­ ide bonds so firmly with hemoglobin that it can no longer combine with oxygen and asphyxiation results. Once in the bloodstream, it produces a toxin known as carboxyhemoglo­ bin (COHb). Carboxyhemoglobin produces flu-like symp­ toms initially, such as headaches, fatigue, nausea, dizzy spells, confusion, and irritability. Because the symptoms are similar to the flu, many people who are suffering from CO poisoning are unaware ofthe cause, and think they have the flu. As levels of the COHb rise, the victim may begin to vomit, and eventually lose consciousness. If they don’t get fresh air immediately, death is imminent.

Who is at risk for CO poisoning? Anyone can suffer the effects of carbon monoxide. Experts believe that some people are more vulnerable to CO poisoning including un­ born babies (fetuses in the womb), infants, children, seniors, and people with heart and lung problems.

How is carbon monoxide produced? Carbon monox­ ide is a by-product of combustion, or anything that has a flame. Most of the time appliances that burn fuels are used outside, or are vented to the outside, but sometimes things go wrong; a chimney or vent pipe becomes blocked, or a furnace malfunctions. Simply not replacing the air filters on the furnace introduces carbon monoxide into the home. Other causes for CO in the home include leaving a car run­ ning inside an attached garage, or using outside appliances

such as a barbecue inside. All of these can cause a carbon monoxide problem in the home.

What are some of the more common carbon mon­ oxide producers in the average home? Anything that burns a fuel or has a flame produces carbon monoxide.

Gas, oil, or other fueled appliances such as furnaces, clothes dryers, stoves, ovens, waterheaters, or space heaters are some examples of CO producers. Gas powered equip­ ment like weedeaters, lawnmowers, and automobiles also produce CO.

Examples of fuels are propane, butane, natural gas, gaso­ line, kerosene, diesel fuel, white gas/camp stove fuel, heating oil, and charcoal. Burning wood, leaves, paper, cardboard, or clothing can all produce carbon monoxide. Appliances that use these fuels include furnaces, fireplaces, barbecues, hiba- chis, stoves, ovens, waterheaters, space heaters, generators, lawnmowers, weedeaters, automobiles, motorcycles, and camping lanterns/stoves.

Home appliances that burn fuel such as furnaces, fire­ places, and waterheaters must be vented to the outside of the home either by a vent pipe or chimney. A vented over- the-stove hood should have a vent pipe to the outside. If the appliance is not vented to the outside, or if the vent to the outside is not working properly, dangerous levels of carbon monoxide may accumulate in the home.

What are some ofthe more common causes of carbon monoxide build up in the home?

In low doses, the gas accumulates in the occupants over a period of time (several days to weeks) causing them to feel drowsy, take more than usual naps or have flu-like symptoms. Eventually, the accumulation can become serious and possibly fatal.

♦ Advice: Furnaces should be inspected every one to two years by a qualified heating technician. They will inspect for cracks in the exchanger. Use a carbon monoxide detector in the home. If carbon monoxide levels become dangerous an alarm will sound well in advance of lethal levels, giving time for the occupants to take corrective action.

2« Safety using your range/stove or oven. Most people don’tthinkaboutit,butthestove/rangeisoneofthe largest producers of carbon monoxide in the home. Usually amounts are minimal, but cooking over an extended amount of time, or using all the burners at the same time — typical during holidays such as

Thanksgiving — carbon monoxide can build up.
♦ Advice: Open an outside window or door and al­

low fresh air into the room every few hours to prevent CO build up. Turn on the fan of an outside-vented over-the-stove hood to expel any carbon monoxide to the outside while cooking. Non-venting hoods are not effective against carbon monoxide. There is no type of filter effective against carbon monoxide.

3® Use safe practices when using fireplaces or wood burning stoves, especially when they are first started.

A cold vent pipe or chimney will not draw gasses up the pipe because an adequate draft has not been cre­ ated. The vent pipe or chimney must be hot to cause the gas to float upwards — if cold, the gas will seep back into the home. Also, if the damper is not open, the gas will remain in the house.

♦ Advice: Make sure the damper is fully open when starting a fire in the fireplace or wood burn­ ing stove (this includes natural gas/propane fuel fire­ places).

♦ Start with a small fire or set your natural gas/pro­ pane fuel fireplace to low to start a draft up the pipe. Once the interior of the stove or fireplace gets warm, you can increase the fuel load.

+ Note: On very windy days, there is a good chance that the wind will push the carbon monoxide back down the vent pipe/chimney. Limit use of a fireplace/ wood burning stove on windy days,

4. Furnace filters should be changed at least once a month on all furnaces — especially on fuel burn­ ing furnaces. Not only does it make heat production more efficient, it prevents a condition known as back- draft. Furnace filters are found at the fresh air intake of the furnace. If the filter becomes so dirty that it does not permit air to pass through, the air intake of the furnace will suck the air it needs from the chim- ney/exhaust pipe. Extremely high amounts of carbon

monoxide are then distributed throughout the home as heated air. CO levels can become lethal in only a few hours. This has happened here in Las Vegas com­ monly in the past few years.

♦ Advice: Change furnace filters at least once a month.

Warning devices:

A carbon monoxide detector/alarm is not the same as a smoke alarm — they work on different principals. Although there are new smoke alarms that include a carbon monoxide detector.

A carbon monoxide detector triggers an alarm based on exposure to CO over time. It is designed to sound an alarm before an average, healthy adult would experience symptoms.

Carbon monoxide alarms are designed to alert the occupants of the presence CO before it has a chance to make you sick.

With carbon monoxide, it is the concentration ofCO over time that poses a threat. Since carbon monoxide displaces oxygen in your blood, it can harm you if you are exposed to either high levels of CO in a short period oj time, or to lower levels of CO over a longer period of time.

Recommended CO exposure limits are: 30ppm for 30 days

70ppm for 60-240 minutes 150ppm for 10-15 minutes 400ppm for 4-15 minutes.

What you should do if your carbon monoxide alarm activates.

Change batteries in smoke alarms

Each Fall, when people change their clocks back to Pacific Standard Time, they are also reminded to change the bat­ teries in their smoke alarms. Almost all smoke alarms in the Las Vegas Valley contain a battery; this is the time of year to replace the battery.

In all homes and apartments built in Las Vegas since 1994, fire codes require that smoke alarms must be wired into the electric supply with a 9-volt battery as a back up power source. In homes built prior to 1994, smoke alarms

may be battery powered only, not wired. In either case, if it has a battery, it should be replaced. (Some older smoke alarms are wired with no battery backup.)

Smoke alarms have a usable lifespan of approximately 10 years. The alarms detect smoke using a small particle of ra­ dioactive material, similar to a watch that glows in the dark. The particle decays over time (about 10 years). After that,

the smoke alarm may cease to activate if smoke is present. If you are not sure of the age of your smoke alarm, test it with a match or candle. Light the match or candle and then blow it out, allowing smoke to rise near the alarm. If the alarm doesn’t sound — replace it.

Smoke alarm should be replaced after 10 years with a new combination ionization/photoelectric smoke alarm.

Current smoke alarms are of the ionization type. When smoke is detected in the air, an alarm sounds. But tests have shown that the smoke alarms work best when detecting fast burning, hot fires such as a kitchen fire or a rubbish fire. Slower burning, cooler fires that smolder instead of produc­ ing large flames sometimes go undetected by the ionization smoke alarm. The photoelectric smoke alarm uses a light sensor built into the unit that detects visible smoke. When smoke disrupts the light beam in the unit, it activates the alarm. The combination ionization/photoelectric smoke

alarm offers twice the protection by detecting visible smoke as well as picking up the scent of the smoke.

218

!•

A cracked heat exchanger in fuel burning furnace. The heat exchanger is a chamber that is surrounded

by flame inside the furnace. It produces the heated air that circulates through ducts inside the home. The heat exchanger normally draws air from inside the home. But if the exchanger cracks, carbon monoxide can seep into the exchanger and mix with the heated air that is throughout the interior of the home.

Do not open doors or windows on the way out or tamper with the alarm. This way firefighters can as­ sess conditions “as found” helping them to determine where the carbon monoxide is coming from.

3® Firefighters will check potential sources of carbon monoxide to see if that is a problem. Monitoring equipment will be used to measure the level of car­ bon monoxide in the building. Once the problem has been found and corrected, the building should be well ventilated before people are permitted to return. You should be aware that carbon monoxide can remain in closets, under cabinets, and in attic spaces even after ventilating the house.

1•
2 • Leave the building and wait for firefighters to arrive.

First, press the Test/Silence button to quiet the alarm and then call 9-1-1 and alert the fire department.

219

Just about every year, incidents involving live Christmas trees inside buildings usually increase within the week just before the holiday until the end of the holiday period. The major reason is that Christmas trees are not adequately wa- tered. People who bring live trees inside buildings should take extra precautions during this time.

Because of the dryness of the desert air, it is extremely important that the trees be watered everyday. It is not un­ common for the tree to need no less than two gallons of plain water each day. It should be watered once in the morn­ ing and again just before going to bed. The water reservoir should never be permitted to run dry.

If the water in the basin runs dry, the tree will form a sap seal on the bottom of the trunk within ten minutes to seal what water it has left inside the tree. Once the sap seal is formed, no water will be able to get into the tree. It has to be cut off the bottom of the trunk of the tree to let water back into the tree. This is why it is so important to ensure the bottom of the trunk is always in water, so the sap seal can never form. When first setting up a live tree, make a fresh cut on the bottom of the trunk and stand the tree in water immediately.

Extensive tests have shown that the trees like plain water with no additives the best.

In a demonstration performed by Las Vegas Fire & Rescue, two trees that were in Las Vegas homes after a holi­ day period were used to prove the importance of keeping trees watered. One tree was in a home for only two weeks and was not well maintained. It burned in less than one minute. The other tree was inside a home from November 15 until January 5 and was kept watered. Even with direct flame on the tree, the tree would not ignite.

One of the most common ignition sources of tree fires is electric lighting. If the tree is not properly watered, even small lights can provide enough heat to cause a fire.

Christmas tree safety tips:

Candle safety

One of the leading causes of fires in the Las Vegas Valley is the improper use of candles. Candles have led to fire fa­ talities usually during the colder months. Here are some re­ minders for candle safety:

When cold weather comes, Las Vegas Fire & Rescue gets an increased number of calls because of the more frequent use of heaters. Here are some of the more common problems and what you can do to prevent a fire:

5® Every one to two years have your heater/furnace checked by a qualified heating technician to ensure that wiring and the heat exchanger are safe. A cracked heat exchanger can emit deadly carbon monoxide gas into the heated air circulating in your home. A carbon monoxide detector would warn you of this before it becomes lethal.

and crack, allowing heat to get into the attic space and cause a fire.

If you have a “wood burning” fireplace, make sure the flue pipe does not have a build up of creosote, a highly flammable residue that must be removed by a professional chimney sweep.

If you are unsure which type of fireplace you have, look for a small metal plate somewhere on the fire­ place unit that will advise which types of fuels may be used.

7® If you use space heaters, keep them away from com­ bustible items. Never use an extension cord — they should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. Use a portable space heater for only a limited time. Extended use causes the wire in the wall to heat up and could possibly cause a fire. Follow directions that come with the unit. When not in use, they should be unplugged for safety.

8® Do not use barbecues or hibachis indoors. Never use them to warm your house/apartment. Smoldering charcoal releases tremendous amounts of poisonous carbon monoxide gas. This is a deadly practice.

9® Make sure you have a working smoke alarm in your home. You need one in each bedroom, one in the hall outside of the bedrooms, and one on each level of your home, apartment, or mobile home.

I •

Water the tree everyday, even twice a day if needed.

Never let it run dry. (Best to do it before going to bed, and again just before leaving for work).

2® Perform a freshness test everyday. Gently pull on a

branch with a closed hand to see if needles will fall off. If needles fall off in excess, this means the tree is dead and is a hazard.

3 • Shut off electric lighting on the tree when you go to bed or leave the home.

4® Keep the tree away from heat sources, which will ac­ celerate drying out the tree.

5 • Keep smoking materials and candles away from trees.

If a tree should catch fire, leave the building immediately. It can consume an entire room in less than one minute.

1 •
2 • Candles should be in a non-combustible type con­

1•

®

Check to see that all heaters are clear of combustible items, especially if you have wall mounted heater units (gas/electric). Sometimes people push furniture up against the heater during the summer. Now is the time to check all heaters and make sure that combus­ tible items are at least 36 inches away.

The first time you use your furnace/heater it might smell of something burning and you might even get a slight white haze from the vents. This is normal. This is the burn-off of dirt and dust from the past several months. This dust may even set off the smoke alarms. It will have to clear out.

♦ Advice: During the day, when it is nice weather, open the windows and run the heater/furnace so the air can circulate and let the smell out. Do this two to three times until the smell is gone. Black smoke com- ing out of the heater vents is not normal. Evacuate the building and call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

Never leave candles burning unattended. If you leave the room for an extended amount of time, extinguish the candle.

< COLD WEATHER & HEATER SAFETY TIPS >

220

221

tainer. Never use paper plates, paper cups, or napkins to hold candles. Glass containers crack from time to time — monitor lit candles in any container.

M Keep candles away from combustible items. Keep candles away from draperies, clothing or enclosed spaces. Don’t place candles in closely spaced shelves, as intense heat rises from them and can ignite the upper shelf. Don’t place them beneath towel racks.

4® After you extinguish candles for the night, put them in the sink (without water) to sit overnight; sometimes the wick can re-ignite. The sink is a safe non-combus- tible space.

5® Do not let children play with candles; keep children away from candles.

6® Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of chil­ dren.

3® Change the air filters for the furnace and do this once a month. Not changing them can cause a “backdraft” in which fresh air is pulled down from the vent pipe/ chimney causing poisonous carbon monoxide gas to circulate in the home.

4. If you have a natural gas or propane furnace, you should have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. This will detect CO and warn you before carbon mon­ oxide becomes lethal. Carbon monoxide is a tasteless,

odorless, invisible gas; the detector is the only device that can warn you of danger.

•

Before you use a fireplace, look up the flue pipe and make sure it is clear and open. Sometimes birds nest in the pipe, clogging it, causing carbon monoxide gas to back up into the home.

If you have a “natural gas only” (or propane) type fireplace — burn only natural gas (or propane). Do not use any other fuel, wood, or manufactured logs sold in stores. The flue pipes of natural gas fireplac­ es are not designed for wood burning. Doing so can cause a chimney fire, or cause the pipe to overheat

7®

Make sure your smoke alarms are operational.

8® Do not use candles on, under, or near live Christmas trees.

Earthquakes in Las Vegas?

Yes. Nevada is the third most seismic state in the United States, and the Las Vegas Valley, sits on six faults. California has several faults that are close to Las Vegas. A large earth­ quake in Southern California could have an impact on life and business in Las Vegas. There is no way to forecast an earthquake — one could occur at anytime.

How to prepare for earthquakes:

Most injuries or deaths that are caused by an earthquake are due to falling objects or building collapse. There are some things you can do to lessen your chance ofproperty damage and prevent injuries.

Secure objects - Natural gas appliances such as the waterheater should be secured to the wall with an earthquake secure strap. These can be purchased at any home improvement center. This prevents the water heater from falling over, possibly severing the natural gas pipe, causing a gas leak. The water in the tank will also be needed in the event water lines have been damaged during the quake.

Latch kits are available to keep cabinet doors closed during a quake to prevent contents from falling out.

♦ Do not hang large objects near or over your bed, which could fall on you during sleep.

♦ Place larse, heavv, breakable objects on lower shelves

Have a family emergency plan so that all members of your family know what to do, and where to meet if you are separated. Your plan should include a meeting place.

Designate an out of town relative that all family mem­ bers can call to relay messages to other family mem bers in an emergency.

5 • Have an easy to find disaster kit ready to use in case emergency. Make sure everyone knows where it is.

What to do during an earthquake:
Stay calm - Drop to floor, cover your head, and hold

on.

Crouch under a sturdy table or against interior wall Watch out for falling objects.

31® If inside—stay indoors; if outside—stay outside. If outside—stay away from buildings, bridges, utility poles, and overhead wires.

4. If driving—pull to the side of the road and stop. Park away from buildings, bridges, utility poles, or overhead wires

After an earthquake

Do not call 9-1-1 except to report a fire, life threaten ing injury, or people trapped.

If you plan to celebrate the Fourth of July with your own

fireworks, please be aware of the following important infor­

mation:

Fireworks are only permitted one week prior to July 4th, and up to 11:59 p.m. on July 4th. People must

be aware of which fireworks are legal during this pe­ riod. After 11:59 p.m. on July 4th, all types of fireworks, including Safe-N-Sane, become illegal.

Please make sure the fireworks purchased are marked as Safe-N-Sane and are sold at authorized

booths.

Fire officials are urging the public to use extreme caution when using the fireworks — follow safety rules.

Fireworks that fly through the air, explode or rotate on the ground are illegal at all times in Clark County. Usually referred to as “illegal fireworks,” they will be confiscated and the person in possession of them cited. The penalty is a maximum of six months in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.

Illegal fireworks are usually sold outside of Clark County and on Indian reservations. Those sold on Indian reserva­ tions should be used on the reservation at specially desig­ nated areas and not off of the reservation. Taking fireworks off of the reservation <is illegal and people doing so can have their fireworks confiscated and be cited.

Illegal fireworks are dangerous because the person using them does not have complete control over them. Flying rock­ ets can land anywhere, such as in trees and on roofs, causing them to catch fire. Those that explode, as well as those that rotate on the ground, can cause serious injury.

Even though some fireworks are listed as Safe-N-Sane fireworks, the user still must exercise extreme caution.

6. “Duds,” or fireworks that do not fire after being lit, should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into a bucket of water and allowed to soak for several hours before being discarded.

If the fireworks do start a fire, don't panic. Use the garden hose to either extinguish the fire or keep it in check until firefighters arrive on scene.

222

EARTHQUAKE SAFETY TIPS >

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS >

leak, leave the house and call 9'1-1 from neighbor’s house/cellphone.

Prepare for after shocks. Remove items that could fall Get to a safe place.

If the location where you are is unsafe, go to a place.

Listen to local media for updates and information

Here are some safety tips:

1• Fireworks should be used on a flat surface, such as the ground or the driveway. Fireworks should not be used on streets.

2® Stay away from bushes, grass, trees, or anything else that might catch fire. Stay away from vehicles.

3« Have a bucket of water and garden hose available to use in case of fire.

4• Fireworksshouldbeusedwithadultsupervisionatall times.

After the fireworks are used, they should be picked up with a shovel and dropped into the bucket of water and allowed to soak for at least an hour before dis­ carding into the trash.

case

8.
9. After midnight on July 4th, all fireworks are illegal and

should not be used.

IO. Fireworks are not permitted on streets, in parks, on city property, or on school district property at any time.

Fireworks are not permitted on federal property, which includes all the parks and recreational areas surrounding the valley including Lake Mead, Mount Charleston, the Spring Mountains, and Red Rock Canyon. These areas are in extremely hazardous fire danger, and fireworks are an extreme danger to these

areas.

Never use fireworks inside a building.

3.

Keep matches and lighters away from children.

6.

8. 9.

21. Treatsshouldnotbeeatenuntiltheyarethoroughly checked by an adult at home.

22. Adults should inspect candy to ensure it is age ap­ propriate and safe. (Hard candies might pose a choking risk for a small child.)

224

< HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS >

Adults should ensure that children’s costumes are fire-resistant, bright and reflective. Costumes should fit properly and be short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame.

Affix a piece of tape inside the costume with emer­ gency information (the child’s name, address, phone number, etc.). If the child has a medical condition, make sure he or she wears their Medic-ID.

Masks can limit or block sight. Consider non-toxic hypo-allergenic makeup instead.

Responsible adults should accompany children when going trick or treating. They should escort the children to the front door to ensure their safety.

On Halloween, drivers should be alert for children running across streets or from between parked ve­ hicles. It is best to slow down during trick-or-treat time (usually 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.).

Adults and children should carry flashlights with fresh batteries — both to see where they are going and so that drivers can see them.

Everyone in the party should discuss their inten­ tions for the night, so that all know where they should be. Plan a meeting time and place to check­ in together later in the night.

Carrying a cell phone is an excellent idea for both children and adults to communicate with family members, or to call 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

The use ofcandles is discouraged. There are several battery operated lights and other options to provide decorations, and light jack-o-lanterns.

If candles are used, they should be kept in a non­ combustible holder, away from anything com­ bustible such as decorations, drapes, clothing and furniture. Never leave burning candles unattended.

When you are done using the candles, set them in a sink and wet the wick with water to ensure it is out. Leave the candle in the sink for 15 minutes to ensure it is extinguished.

IO.

11.
12. Ensure that candles used for decorations are far

away from where children can get to them. Keep candles away from the front door or along the front walk.

13. At home, check for tripping hazards; ensure the walkway is lit and free of obstructions.

14. Pedestrians have the right ofway in most cases, but motorists may have trouble seeing trick-or-treaters. Use caution crossing streets. Just because one car stops,doesn’tmeanotherswillstop.

15. Children should never enter a home or vehicle to get treats. Adults should report suspicious activities to law enforcement.

16 Stay in a group, walk slowly, and communicate where you are going.

Only stop at homes that are well-lit.

18. 18  Never cut across yards or use alleys.

19. 19  Pets should be kept in a safe place away from trick- or-treaters during the evening. This ensures the safety of the pet and of people in the area.

20• Fireworks ofany kind are strictly prohibited.

Each summer in Las Vegas, local residents and businesses are urged to help conserve energy to prevent potential prob­ lems associated with the heat. Here are some suggestions:

1• Start to stockpile ice bottles in your freezer for drink­ ing water. This serves two purposes: in case ofa power failure, the frozen bottles will keep food cooler longer in the refrigerator if the door is kept closed; and the frozen water bottles, which will last longer outside, can be carried on trips in your car.

2. Closedrapesandblindstokeepsunlightout,andhelp to keep the interior of the home cooler.

3® Use ceiling fans if you have them. They efficiently keep the air circulating with low energy consump­ tion.

4• Turn the thermostat to a higher temperature. During critical periods, especially during the hottest part of the day, it helps to conserve energy and prevent peak demands and lessens the wear and tear on the air con­ ditioningunit.Itisbettertobealittleuncomfortable because it is warmer in the house, than not to have any air conditioning at all.

<5® Turn off any unnecessary electrical devices, such as

computers, TVs, lights, or anything you are not us­ ing, to help conserve energy. This saves energy and reduces excess heat created by these items.

Here are some other hot weather tips:

1• Drink lots of water and sports drinks. Avoid carbon­ ated soft drinks and alcohol.

2® Bring pets indoors and provide them with lots of wa­ ter.

3l® Never leave children or pets in cars. A parked vehicle gets very hot when parked. Seat belts and steering wheels can cause burns. Cover them with a light towel whenyoupark.

3»® If outdoors, wear a hat and sunglasses, and use sun­ screen. Wear light, loose clothing. Take frequent breaks and stand in the shade when possible. Outdoor activity from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. should be avoided if possible.

4. Maintain your vehicle. Check air pressure in tires, take water with you any time you are in your car, even for short trips.

5• Checkonyourneighbors,especiallyiftheyareelderly.

In case of a large scale power outage, information will be released through local TV and radio stations. Information will also be available at www.lvalert.com or by calling a re­ corded information line at 382-5378. If people believe they are suffering a medical emergency due to the heat, they should call 9-1-1 for immediate assistance.

'i^'i :li" ih h'.; V' • ,,nllll...lrl i^n r '■'■■' '■'•■ vbf’ .../.- : - ' - V. ".’■

l.f J.. •.■-••■ J i : L.;. 7 •:< ' ■ .-?■

;-.Z

< LIGHTNING SAFETY TIPS >

<SAFE PLACE > Safe Place I Safe Haven Information

All city of Las Vegas fire stations are a designated “Safe Place,” which means children and teens can seek assistance from firefighters if they feel they are in danger. Whatever the circumstances, firefighters will bring the child into the fire station and keep them in a safe place until authorities arrive on scene. The firefighters will stay with the child/teen until they know they are in safe hands.

In the event that a child/teen would go to a fire station and crews are not in the station, there is an emergency phone at the front door ofevery city fire station. This is a direct link to 9-1-1 dispatchers in the Fire/EMS Communications Center.

Another nearby crew will be dispatched to the station to offer assistance to the child until authorities arrive.

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue has been a part ofthe “Safe Place” program since October 12, 2002. Signs in front of the fire stations identify that the fire stations are a “Safe Place.”

Fire & Rescue fire stations are also part ofthe “Safe Haven” program where an adult can safely, legally, and anonymously leave an unabused newborn infant (or a child less than 30 days old) at a city fire station. By following the specifics of the “Safe Haven” law, the person leaving the child will not face criminal prosecution.

< SHELTER IN PLACE TIPS > Due to certain emergencies, such as a hazardous materials

According to the National Weather Service, summer is the peak time for thunderstorm activity. In the United States, an average of67 people are killed each year by lightning.

Lightning can cause significant damage, start fires, and cause serious injuries and death. No larger than the lead in a pencil, lightning is hotter than the surface of the sun. This means it can start fires very quickly. It can also cause signifi­ cant damage to electronics and communications equipment with no outward signs of damage.

Those struck by lightning can suffer from a number of long-term, debilitating symptoms, including memory loss, attention deficits, sleep disorders, numbness, dizziness, stiffness in joints, irritability, fatigue, weakness, muscle spasms, depression and an inability to sit for a long periods (source: National Weather Service).

The thunder associated with the lightning is due to the extreme heat from the lightning causing the surrounding air to expand causing a sonic boom. Lightning can strike as far as 10 miles in front ofa storm and it may not even be cloudy where you are (this is where the expression “out of the blue” comes from).

If you can hear thunder — the lightning is very close to you. If there is a sound like a stick cracking just before the thunder — the lighting is only a matter offeet away. You are in extreme danger'.

If a storm is approaching or thunderstorms are forecast, beware of the danger — practice lightning safety.

Here are some tips:

1® When a storm approaches, seek shelter in a building or vehicle. Stay away from windows or doors. Do not stand under trees or other large objects. If you are in water, get to shore and seek shelter — water is a con­ ductor of electricity. Motorcycle riders should get off the road and seek shelter in a building.

2® Do not use landline telephones and stay away from other electrical appliances. Do not work on any type of wiring, or wired devices during a storm. Stay away from fences, especially metal fences during a storm.

3® Do not take a bath or shower during a storm. Many times homes have metal pipes which can be struck by lightning, even through walls.

• To prevent damage to delicate electronic equipment (like computers and stereo equipment) unplug it from the wall outlet. Underground wiring is not protected from lightning; tests have shown that underground electrical wiring is stuck by lightning just as often as above ground wiring.

5 ® If lightning is in the immediate area and there is no safe location nearby, stay a little apart from other members of your group so the lightning won’t travel between you if hit. Keep your feet together and squat down on the ground out in the open. Ifyou can shelter in a vehicle or building, do so. It is much safer than sitting in the open.

6® If a person is struck by lightning, check for injuries. Burns are possible and victim may not be breathing or have a heartbeat. If so, start CPR immediately.

More safety information is available along with photos on the NWS Lightning Safety Web page at

release, acts of terrorism that involve chemical, biological or radiological agents, people may be asked to shelter in place. Homes and businesses in the Las Vegas Valley have been built to withstand the summer heat with insulation and sealed doors and windows. Sheltering in these buildings of­ fer better protection than being outside, or trying to escape the area.

How to shelter in place:

I• Shut and lock all windows and doors to the outside. 2® Turn off all air handling equipment such as heating,

air conditioners, and kitchen and bathroom vents.

3® Seal any vents and/or windows with sheets of plastic (such as garbage bags) and use duct tape to seal. Do not forget pet doors or fireplaces.

4“• Go to an inside room ofthe building with no windows ifpossible.

3® Seal the door with duct tape.
O® Tune to local radio or TV for further instructions.

An Emergency Alert System radio (alert weather ra­ dio) is also a good source of information.

7® When the “all clear” is issued, open windows and doors, turn on ventilation systems and stay outdoors until inside air is replaced with fresh air from outside.

Shelter in place advisories:

Notification of shelter in place will be made in sev­ eral ways. Local radio and TV stations will issue bulletins. Information will be disseminated over the Emergency Alert System (alert weather radio). Information will be available on various websites such as www.lvalert.com. Also, authori­

226

227

www. ligbtningsafety.noaa.gov.

ties will use a reverse telephone notification system to notify people by telephone that there is an emergency.

It is important that you keep tuned to local media for information and updates, and follow directions issued by authorities.

SMOKE ALARM SAFETY TIPS

The International Association of Fire Chiefs now recommends that if you install or re­ place smoke alarms, you use a combination

Smoke alarms have saved countless lives in Las Vegas and across the country. Prior to smoke alarms in the United States, tens of thousands of people died each year because of fires. Now the average number of fire deaths has been reduced to 4,000-5,000 each year. Considering the ever- increasing population, the percentage of fire deaths has been dramatically reduced, largely due to the use of smoke alarms.

Most homes in Las Vegas have smoke alarms, but many older homes still do not.

If you, or someone you know, cannot afford a smoke alarm for the home, contact Las Vegas Fire & Rescue at (702) 383-2888 to obtain a free smoke alarm.

Remember to replace the batteries in your smoke alarms every fall when you set your clocks back to Pacific Standard Time.

< SWIMMING SAFETY TIPS

i

Memorial Day is opening day at many pools.

Traditionally, Memorial Day marks the beginning of the summer swim season. With over 70,000 pools in the valley, the chance of a swimming accident is high if caution is not exercised. Here are some safety tips and facts concerning backyard swimming pools:

Swimming pool facts:

•

•

•

•

•

Drowning and near-drowning tend to occur on Saturday and Sundays and between the months of May and August.

For young children, drowning is a leading cause of death in Southern Nevada.

Drowning is sometimes called the “silent killer.” There are few splashing noises or screams from a

small child that falls into a pool.

A child can drown in less than two minutes, in as little as one inch ofwater.

Children can also drown in wading pools, buckets, toilets, spas, hot tubs, and bathtubs.

Safety tips:

I • Never leave a child unattended in a pool or bathtub, not even to answer the phone or the door.

2® Do not leave toys near the pool.
3® Flotation devices such as “floaties” or life jackets are

not substitutes for adult supervision.

4® Keep a phone near the pool.

5® When boating, make sure all children are wearing properly fitting personal flotation devices.

Prevention checklist:

1• Make sure there is a fence around the pool restricting access, and that fence gates are self-closing and self­ latching.

2® If the house forms one side of the pool area’s barrier, make sure that doors and windows are kept closed and locked.

4® Make sure “dog doors” leading from to the pool area are kept closed and locked.

S>® Put pool toys away and out of sight when not in use, so as not to be an enticement to children.

6® There should always be an adult supervising anytime children are in the pool.

7. Small children should not be permitted to take a bath by themselves.

3 •

Make sure children cannot open locks on gates, doors and windows.

229

if’

< THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS >

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is a time when serious fires can occur. To keep your holiday safe, the following are some safety tips.

When deep frying turkeys, there are a number of things to remember:

1• Only use an approved turkey fryer with four legs and a built-in thermostat so proper oil temperature can be maintained. Make sure the fryer cannot tip over, which is a major cause of most fires.

Fry outdoors, away from buildings and other combus­ tible items. Never use a fryer indoors. Keep children and pets away while frying.

3* Follow instructions on what size turkey should be used, how it should be cooked, and what type of oil to use.

• The turkey should be completely thawed and dry. Do not stuff the bird and don’t forget to take out the bag of gizzards. Lower the turkey into the hot oil slowly.

5* Never leave the fryer unattended. Wear fry gloves, as regular oven mittens may not be insulated enough.

€>• Splashing oil can cause a flash fire and serious burns. Be careful and use extreme caution.

Other holiday safety tips include:

1• When cooking indoors using a natural gas or pro­ pane stove, prevent a build up of carbon monoxide in the home. The stove is a common source of carbon monoxide in the home, especially if you are cook­ ing for several hours. Run any kitchen fans vented to the outside, especially the stove hood. Open windows/doors in the kitchen once each hour for a

few minutes to allow fresh air to circulate into the kitchen.

Make sure you have a properly operating smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector in the home.

3

11.

stance on the fire; these substances can cause the fire to flare up. Do not try to move a burning pan outside.

If there is a fire inside the oven, shut off the oven and leave the door shut. Call 9-1-1 and report the fire and leave the home until firefighters arrive.

If using candles for decorations, never leave burning candles unattended. Keep combustible items away from candles.

If you allow smoking in your home, make sure that all smoking material is properly discarded.

If you use a fireplace, make sure the damper is open and the chimney flue is clear to allow smoke and gases to escape properly.

Discard ashes into a pail of water and let them soak for several hours before discarding. Do not discard ashes in the trash or store them in cardboard boxes or trash bags.

When retiring for the evening, make a final inspec­ tion ofyour home and ensure that all appliances, es­ pecially the stove, are turned off. Ifyou used outside appliances such as a barbecue or turkey fryer, make sure the gas is off, and that all coals and ashes are put in a pail of water.

• Check to ensure that any lighted decorations, are turned off and that candles have been extinguished.

If smoking was permitted in your home, check all furniture for improperly discarded smoking mate­ rial. Take all trash outside and it keep away from the house.

230

In the case ofa stove fire, shut offthe stove and cover the burning pan with a lid or use a fire extinguisher. Do not throw water, salt, flour or any other sub­