Wilson Honors 7 Injured Firefighters

Eager to show the state’s gratitude, Gov. Pete Wilson on Tuesday presented special service medals at the hospital bedsides of three firefighters injured in the Calabasas-Malibu fire last week.

The governor, who spent several minutes with each of the heavily bandaged firefighters still recovering at the Grossman Burn Center at Sherman Oaks Hospital, presented them with the Governor’s Fire Service Award.

“I’m honored to get this,” said Glendale Firefighter Scott French, his head and arm bandaged after skin graft surgery Monday. “I was just doing my duty.”

Wilson, saying it was difficult to find words strong enough to express his gratitude and that of residents statewide for the firefighters’ courage, also announced that the service award was being presented to six other firefighters injured last week.

Besides French, those honored were Los Angeles city firefighters Bob Mihlhauser, Surgey “Guy” Tomlinson, Richard Kirkwood, Ross Torstenbo, Glendale Firefighter William Jensen and Long Beach Firefighter Don Parkins.

Dr. A. Richard Grossman, founder of the burn center, said a team of 15 medical professionals, including five surgeons, worked on Jensen Tuesday in his second extensive surgery. Jensen remained in critical condition after suffering second- and third-degree burns on more than 70% of his body.