Ed Lagunas - Firefighter/Paramedic

In February 2024, Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) Ed Lagunas was on a typical medical call when suddenly, it sounded like a giant ladder had been dropped on the roof of the building. “It shook the entire building,” he reflected.  

On the way to the medical call, FF/PM Lagunas and his partner observed a semi-truck engulfed in flames, with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) engines on scene. They looked at each other and knew exactly what had happened.    

FF/PM Lagunas had heard what would later be known as the Wilmington, or Alameda Street, explosion, during which a truck with compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks combusted suddenly, severely injuring nine LAFD firefighters.  

He described that day as a career-defining moment. He recalled the scene of the injured members scattered around, unsure of who was alive or deceased. But most significantly, he remembered transporting his fellow firefighters to the hospital, many of whom were in critical condition.

Miraculously, quick action and strategic triage by FF/PM Lagunas and many others who responded that day resulted in each of the nine firefighters walking out of the hospital.  

"We all know this is a dangerous job,"

FF/PM Lagunas said of firefighting, “but when something like that happens, you’re reminded that the potential is always there, even on the most basic call.”

Those dangers never deterred Lagunas from pursuing a career in the fire service. The inspiration came to him when his older brother announced to their parents that he wanted to become a firefighter. Lagunas remembered watching his parents’ eyes light up with pride at their son choosing such an impactful career.

Although his brother eventually decided to take his career in a different direction, from that moment on, Lagunas was committed to pursuing a life in the fire service. “I knew I had to do everything in my power to make that a possibility,” he emphasized.  

Lagunas met his wife in high school while working as a shoe store manager. He took Santa Ana College’s (SAC) fire technology course after graduating but put his firefighting dreams on hold to focus on the stability that his current job offered. When his wife became pregnant with their first child, Lagunas was ready for a more serious career.  

"I need to do this not just for me, but for my family,"

he decided. He continued to work Monday through Thursday at the store and as an emergency medical technician (EMT), while doing the part-time fire academy at SAC.  

After completing the academy, Lagunas applied to any fire department that would take an application, including the LAFD. He also knew that securing a career with such a renowned department would be no small feat. Lagunas kept himself open to take the first job that would give him an opportunity.  

After a stint at the Downey Fire Department as an ambulance operator, Lagunas was stunned when he received a job offer from the LAFD. “I hit the lottery,” he reflected, “because the LAFD has been life-changing for me, my wife, and my kids.”

While grateful for his time learning and growing with Downey, the sheer size of the LAFD made transitioning from its four-station force to the LAFD’s 106 stations across the city of Los Angeles a significant challenge.  

But the challenge was one that Lagunas had spent almost seven years preparing to face. The drill tower was tough, he reflected, but he was tougher. “I knew there was no second chance,” he said, using that desire to succeed as his driving force.  

Nearly ten years later, having completed paramedic school and received his certification through the LAFD, FF/PM Lagunas says that it still feels like he has two or three years on the job. “I still have that drive, I still want to do good, I still want to come to work every day and be a part of this team,” he shared.

FF/PM Lagunas truly felt that he was exactly where he was meant to be when he landed at LAFD Fire Station 38 in Wilmington, where he has been for the past four years. The camaraderie shared across all three shifts, he said, is a huge aspect of what helps him show up strong every day. That, and being able to make a positive impact in his community.

FF/PM Lagunas considers the type of person he would want to respond to his family in an emergency and strives to be that person, no matter the call – whether for comrades or strangers.  

"It's an awesome job, and a very demanding job physically and emotionally, he says. "But i have the opportunity every day to provide that high level of service to people in need."