Fire Stations to Mark State Recognition Day
City firefighters will roll out the firetrucks and demonstrate emergency procedures at stations across the Valley on Saturday to mark the statewide Fire Service Recognition Day.
While all stations will be open to the public, Fire Station 88 at 5101 N. Sepulveda in Sherman Oaks, one of the Valley’s largest, will feature special guests such as Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog as well as helicopters performing flyover operations and firefighters demonstrating emergency techniques they use in fighting blazes, said Brian Humphrey, a spokesman for the city Fire Department.
“It’s a chance for the community to spend some time with their firefighters and see them in action,” Humphrey said.
Firefighters also will distribute disaster-preparedness information and answer questions.
Events are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Los Angeles fire stations. The Sherman Oaks station is among five major ones in the city with special guests and demonstrations.
Fire Service Recognition Day was created in 1956 by city Fire Chief William L. Miller to raise community support for a ballot measure, Humphrey said.
After it became a hit, Los Angeles Mayor Goodman Knight requested it become a state holiday. Fire Service Recognition Day falls annually on the second Saturday of May.
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