Firefighters Get Warm Thanks From Porter Ranch Residents

The sign Jane Lowenthal placed in the window of her home--”Thank you, LAFD, once again,” in black marker--just wasn’t enough.

The 19-year Porter Ranch resident had hoped the firefighters battling the Jan. 3 wind-driven brush fire in the nearby hillsides would catch a glimpse of it as they drove by in their engines.

But, on the chance that they didn’t see it, Lowenthal organized a block party Sunday to salute the hundreds of Los Angeles city and county, as well as Ventura County, firefighters who fought the blaze that scorched 470 acres of brush but no homes or other structures.

“The winds were such that the fire did not affect Porter Ranch homes, but at a mere change of the winds, we could have been looking at fatalities,” said Lowenthal. “We’re lucky because of the efforts of these [firefighters]. I wanted a chance for residents to see them face-to-face and show them how much we appreciate them.”

The threat of rain limited turnout for the block party in the 11500 block of Winnetka Avenue. But the sentiment of giving thanks remained strong among grateful residents who live in the brushy area that saw a more serious fire in 1988. That blaze, pushed by 70-mph winds, charred 3,000 acres and destroyed 13 homes.

Battalion Chief Jay Turner of the Los Angeles Fire Department, who helped fight the Jan. 3 blaze, said it was nice talking to residents without the threat of a brush fire or other disaster.

He called the event an opportunity to “foster good relations and cooperation” between the firefighters and the community they serve.

About 200 firefighters from Los Angeles and Ventura counties helped contain the Jan. 3 fire that swept across the hillsides between Tampa and Winnetka avenues.

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Many did not attend the party, which attracted 50 people at its peak, because they work a different shift. Still, residents said they wanted to extend their thanks to local firefighters in general who regularly risk their lives on residents’ behalf.

“I’m always amazed by firefighters,” said John Ramadan, 44, a Porter Ranch resident for five years. “They’re doing the most dangerous job in the world--you’ve got to respect and honor that.”

Lowenthal, as well as some city and state officials, presented certificates of appreciation to representatives from the city and county fire departments.

“These guys do not get enough credit for the work they do,” said state Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), who attended Sunday’s gathering before leaving for his own birthday celebration. He recalled a fire two years ago that came within 100 yards of his Mount Washington home and praised firefighters’ expertise and courage in extinguishing that blaze.

Porter Ranch residents are also collecting donations from homeowners and local businesses for the Los Angeles Firefighters Relief Assn.’s Widows, Orphans and Disabled Firefighters Fund, said Lowenthal.

The afternoon party featured a display of firetrucks from the 1940s, hot dogs, cotton candy and a few game booths for children.

Probationary Los Angeles County Firefighter Jason Robertson spent the day modeling his 50-pound firefighting gear for fascinated kids, one group of whom presented him with a gift of homemade brownies.

While residents said they were amazed by the danger firefighters encounter, Robertson said he doesn’t really view his work as dangerous.

“You look at it as helping people,” the 27-year-old said. “You really don’t think twice.”