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During the late evening
of May 4, 1988, and the early morning of May 5, 1988, members of the
Los Angeles City Fire Department successfully battled what has
proven to be the worst, most devastating high-rise fire in the
history of Los Angeles. Extinguishing this blaze at the
62-story First Interstate Bank Building, 707 West Wilshire
Boulevard, required the combined efforts of 64 fire companies, 10
City rescue ambulances, 17 private ambulances, 4 helicopters, 53
Command Officers and support personnel, a complement of 383
Firefighters and Paramedics, and considerable assistance from other
City departments.
It is humbling and terrifying to
realize how close we came to losing control of this fire! Had
it not been for the extraordinary commitment to duty, staunch
determination to extinguish the fire at all costs, and unabated
heroism and courage of our brave Firefighters, I am convinced
that the fire would not have been contained as it was in 3-1/2
hours. In most other cities, the building could have become a
charred skeleton and, even worse, Firefighters would have lost
their lives. In my view, our City is blessed with the most
professional and dedicated Firefighters in the world, and this is
why only one civilian life was lost and only four floors were
gutted.
The Department has documented
specific acts of heroism for future recognition, but I feel
compelled to personally thank you for performing your assigned role
at the First Interstate Bank Fire. As your Chief Engineer, I
have received countless accolades on you behalf from throughout the
world and know that from the Department's standpoint, this was
perhaps our proudest moment for revealing what our people are
capable of achieving.
You share a role in this achievement
and are to be commended for your courage and dedication that
prevented the First Interstate Bank Fire from becoming an even greater
tragedy. For this, the citizens of Los Angeles owe a
tremendous debt of gratitude.
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