LAFD, Application to be Placed on the Pension Roll, Captain Alavarez, Sept. 19, 1910

Los Angeles, Cal. Sept. 19, 1910.

To the Honorable Board of Firemen's

Pension Fund Commissioners.

Gentlemen: -

I herewith make application for retirement

to be placed on the pension roll.

I was born in the City of Los Angeles,

County of Los Angeles, and State of California,

Jan. 29th, 1880, am 30 years of age and over.

I became a regular appointed member of

the Fire Department Sept. 20th, 1901, and assigned

to Hose Co. #1, and have been an active member

ever since. In the early part of 1902, while

responding to an alarm of fire at East Lake Park

the hose wagon on which I was riding went over

a bank, carrying the driver and myself with it,

breaking four (4) of my ribs, nose in two (2)

places, cutting upper lip nearly through, left ear

nearly torn off, and back badly sprained.

I was on the sick list for a long time,

and through the kindness of Mr. Strohm, who was at

that time Chief Engineer, I was transferred to

Eng. Co. #12 in Highland Park, to recuperate,

which took me several years to do.

On Jan. 5th, 1907, at 1:15 P.M.,

while responding to an alarm of fire the

engine became mired in the mud, and while lift-

HBFPFC-2-

ing on one of the hind wheels, I received a

rupture, which I have not entirely recovered.

On Oct 26th, 1908 at 11:30 A. M. while

descending from the second to ground floors on the

sliding pole, while on duty, one side of the trap

door that covers the pole-hole struck me a terrific

blow above the right eye, knocking me from pole to

concrete floor below, striking on my right foot,

and in consequence I received such injuries as

stated in Doctor's affidavits, being off duty

several months.

On the evening of Sept. 3rd, 1910, while

sliding on pole in answer to call, my right arm

became numb, also my side, which often has occurred

while I have been in bed, and I fell, about

twelve (12) feet to the floor on my injured foot.

I will state that since I received the

injuries stated to my foot, that I have not been

able to use boots at night, and I use the

stairway instead of pole.

I have not been able to perform the

duties as a fireman properly, only trying to do the

best that I could, and my foot has gotten in such

condition that I can only walk with the assistance

of a cane.

I will ask your Honorable Body to grant

my application for a while as I have nearly met

with accidents that would have proven fatal on

account of my injured foot, and furthermore I am

not doing justice to the department or to myself.

Thanking your Honorable Body and

Officers of the Department for the kindness and

courtesy shown to me, and hoping that you will

consider my application, I remain,

Your obedient servant,

Francis A. Alvarez
Captain