Benefit for Families of Four L.A. Firefighters Draws Hundreds

A benefit dinner Sunday in honor of four Los Angeles firefighters killed last month in the line of duty drew a steady stream of supporters to a Westwood restaurant.

The crowd began trickling in about 4 p.m., with organizers expecting 300 to 500 people to attend throughout the evening.

“It is great to see an outpouring of support from the city,” said Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Brian Cummings, who organized the event. “What we do every day is respond to people in need. Now the roles have totally been reversed.”

Diners, who paid a minimum of $50 ($25 for children) for a Hawaiian-style buffet, said they wanted to help in whatever way possible.

“This is just a good way for the community to show their appreciation for the Fire Department,” said Dave Crawley, 45, a Northridge wellness program director. “What is left behind is the greatest tragedy--the children and the family.”

Paramedics Michael A. Butler and Eric F. Reiner, both 33, and flight crew member Michael D. McComb, 48, died in a March 23 helicopter crash in Griffith Park while transporting an 11-year-old girl from the scene of a car accident in Sun Valley. The girl, Norma Vides, also died in the helicopter crash.

Their deaths occurred two days after the burial of Fire Capt. Joseph Dupee, 38, killed March 8 while battling a blaze in a South-Central Los Angeles building.

The four deaths marked the first fatalities in 13 years for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Firefighters and community members have galvanized to lend financial support to the firefighters’ four widows and nine children. Butler’s wife, Maria Rosario, is pregnant with the couple’s first child. Dupee’s second son is just over a month old.

Sunday’s dinner was expected to raise $25,000 for the Widows and Orphans Fund of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Assn.

“The generosity has just been overwhelming,” said Laurie Pesci, manager of Maui Beach Cafe, where the dinner was held.

She said those who could not attend the dinner were still dropping by to make contributions. “Even vendors who do not do business with us have called to donate products,” she added.

Pesci said the restaurant’s owners, Jeffrey and Bonnie Knight, were compelled to act because they have a very close relationship with firefighters in nearby Station 37, a co-sponsor of the event.

The Knights and Pesci were rescued by Station 37 firefighters from a malfunctioning elevator in November, days before the restaurant opened, she said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, a football game between New York and Los Angeles firefighters raised $1,000 for the Widows and Orphans Fund.

Investigators have yet to pinpoint the cause of the helicopter crash. A preliminary report issued Wednesday said a small crack in the aircraft’s tail assembly may have caused the tail rotor to disintegrate. Some witnesses said they saw the tail come apart before the crash.

The two survivors from the helicopter crash are expected to recover from their injuries. Pilot Steven L. Robinson, 32, was released Friday from Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center. Crewman Dennis J. Silgen, 52, is expected to be released this week.