Tears, Prayers Fill Halls of Burn Center

Glendale Firefighter Bill Jensen, a 52-year-old “mountain of a man” one year away from retirement, began the day protecting homes in Malibu; he ended it fighting for his life.

Following a disaster that caught six firefighters in the Malibu firestorm, Jensen rode in the first helicopter to touch down Tuesday afternoon on the roof of the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital. The second helicopter carried another Glendale firefighter, 42-year-old Scott French, and Los Angeles City Firefighter Ross Torstenbo.

Of the six firefighters overrun by the flames in Corral Canyon, three were treated at UCLA Medical Center and released.

But the flames left Jensen in critical condition with second- and third-degree burns over 70% of his body, swaddled in bandages from head to toe and breathing with the help of a respirator. He also suffered “pulmonary injuries” from the soot that filled his lungs.

French, in fair condition, was burned over a quarter of his body--his left arm, back and hip--by the flames that are every firefighter’s occupation and greatest dread.

Torstenbo, 41, suffered second- and third- degree burns to his face, ears, hands and arms--about 15% of his body. He is in stable condition.

County Fire Chief Michael Freeman said fire officials continue to look into how the six became trapped by the flames. At the burn center, Glendale Fire Chief Richard Hinz was in a receiving line of grim-faced fire officials who gathered on the rooftop to await the helicopters carrying the injured men.

“Firefighters are tough people, and they know the hazards of this business,” Hinz said. “They’re concerned with their fellow firefighters and their families.”

On the roof, beneath the beating helicopter blades, one bandaged-swathed figure pointed to the other bandaged form, indicating medical emergency workers should tend to him first.

The firefighters were rushed by gurney onto an elevator and then down a corridor filled with relatives and officials. In a waiting room, a dozen people, some in tears, formed a circle, joined hands and began to pray.

As Dr. Richard Grossman, the burn center director, clutched a medical chart and walked into Jensen’s room, a young man with tears spilling from his eyes pleaded, “Please take care of him, doctor.”

Jensen, a 30-year veteran at La Crescenta station No. 28, has been battling blazes the longest of the two. Glendale Fire Capt. Don Wright described him Tuesday as “a great guy, a mountain of a man, very large, a very strong man. He’s a nice guy to be around.” Jack Morrison, president of the Glendale Firefighters Assn., described Jensen as “a great firefighter.”

French, a 16-year firefighter assigned to Station No. 24 in the Verdugo-Woodland area, is known as “easygoing but hard working,” Wright said. “Both are family men, with children. Their families are with them now.”

Glendale Mayor Sheldon Baker adjourned Tuesday’s City Council meeting in honor of the two firefighters. “It just re-emphasizes the dangers of this profession and the gratitude we owe them for the work they do, not only in this city but all over the Southland. It is a profession that knows no boundaries.”

Somber fire officials and teary family members gathered in the burn center, a small warren of hospital rooms at Sherman Oaks Hospital named after Grossman, its founder. Three years ago, Grossman treated eight firefighters burned in the Calabasas/Malibu and Box Canyon fires.

Chaplains walked the corridor, offering solace. Painted on the walls is the Firefighter’s Prayer, words painfully familiar to those who fight fires for a living or love someone who does:

“I want to fill my calling and give the best in me. Guard my every neighbor and protect his property. And if according to my fate, I am to lose my life. Please bless with your protecting hand, my children and my wife.”

“Everyone wants to fight the big one,” Wright said.

“This is the last thing you think about when you go to work,” he added. “This is not the kind of outcome anyone wants to see. Everyone’s sitting on the edge of their seats. Guys are walking around in circles, they don’t know what to do.”

* Lessons from 1993 fire helped curb losses. A19

* Emotional bonding marked the day after in Calabasas. B1