Firefighters Of The Month

When Jason Jasgur joined the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in 2014, he never could have imagined that he would be rendering aid to a SWAT officer who had been shot in the face during an active shooter incident.

A young Geoff Balchowsky, fresh out of high school, was working as a lifeguard when someone disappeared under the water in front of his eyes.

Matthew Riveros witnessed firsthand the expertise and compassion of Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighters at 18 years old when his seven-year-old baby sister had a stroke stemming from a tumor rupturing in her brain.

From engineering to firefighting, Mark McLean’s journey is one of resilience and dedication. With over 20 years of service, he specializes in hazardous materials and urban search and rescue, tackling L.A.'s toughest emergencies.

On January 7, 2025, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator (AO) Robby Jackson was teaching an auto-extrication class in Sunland, Los Angeles, when he first heard over his radio that there was a fire in the Palisades.

As a young child, Matthew Thompson loved spending time with his dad, a Los Angeles County firefighter.

With three years on the job, six months as a paramedic, and a 10-week-old baby girl, Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Firefighter/Paramedic Quan Tran is in a constant state of learning and growing.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Apparatus Operator (AO) Travis Hill’s father was a 36-year LAFD firefighter and engineer.

Ian VanGerpen was still a young Marine when he would take the train to Union Station in Los Angeles to visit his brother, a Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) firefighter.

At the busy Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 4 in downtown Los Angeles, located near the Los Angeles County jail, skid row, and five major freeway junctions, one never quite knows what a typical day could look like.

A young Travis Valdez was riding with his dad heading to baseball practice. Suddenly and shockingly, they witnessed a young girl get hit by a car.

For Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) Scott Hobbs, joining the fire service was a childhood dream that never went away.

As a Firefighter/Paramedic (FF/PM) at Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 64 in the heart of Watts, Los Angeles, Slater Davies has seen his share of incidents.

Apparatus Operator (AO) Jose Rodriguez found his way to the fire service through the rough, wildfire-prone terrain of the Angeles National Forest. In 2000, he joined the U.S.

Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Captain I David Mack’s most memorable call, and the call he is most proud of, does not involve something that he did. Rather, it was what he witnessed from his fellow firefighters.

It was Engineer Ronald Tomacruz’s first day at Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 80, and he had just been cleared to drive the big rigs that are specially designed for serving the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Firefighter David Hinojosa, a first-generation U.S.-born citizen and firefighter, grew up in a rough area of Orange County and hails from a family of immigrants.

At the heart of Fire Station 50, nestled in Atwater Village, resides Matthew Davis - a firefighter paramedic with over 17 years of service under his belt.

In the bustling neighborhood of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, Fire Station 25 stands as a beacon of hope and assistance for the local community.

Meet Engineer Sean Williams, a dedicated and seasoned firefighter whose illustrious career spans 32 years and is currently stationed at Fire Station 24, which serves the community of Shadow Hills in Los Angeles, CA.

Oscar Cespedes knew from an early age that he wanted to be a firefighter.

Firefighter Daniel Nakamura heard the call toward a life of service at an early age.

Growing up in Montana, Brian LaBrie knew that his path led to the fire department.

Firefighter Shaunna Purkey is a proud member of the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), serving the residents of South Los Angeles from Fire Station 21.