3-Alarm Homecoming Awaits Shooting Victim, 5 : Recovery: Benjamin Kadish, hospitalized since the attack on the North Valley Jewish Community Center, will be borne home on a firetruck under police escort.

Benjamin Kadish, the little boy most seriously injured in last month’s shooting at the North Valley Jewish Community Center, is set to go home from the hospital today--and his friends in the Los Angeles Fire Department say they intend to make it an event he won’t soon forget.

After an 11 a.m. news conference at Kaiser Permanente Hospital here, Benjamin, his parents and some of his playmates will ride home in grand style with firefighters on a truck from Engine Co. 72, under a police escort, said Fire Capt. Steve Ruda.

“I can’t speak for the Kadish family, but we thought that bringing him home on a firetruck would fulfill the little boy’s dream,” Ruda said. “We thought that would be appropriate for the family and for our firefighters who had to deal with this traumatic incident. It brings them closure to know he is safely home.”

The 5-year-old’s release caps a remarkable recovery from life-threatening injuries he sustained Aug. 10 after being shot in the back, thigh and abdomen. The boy was rushed to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills clinging to life, and he rallied after numerous operations at Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles.

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Five people, including Kadish, were wounded in the attack that authorities say was carried out by Buford O. Furrow, a self-avowed white supremacist. Furrow also is accused of fatally shooting U.S. postal worker Joseph Ileto on a Chatsworth street hours after the community center shooting spree.

The other four victims have long since been released from area hospitals. Benjamin was transferred to Kaiser this week in preparation for his release.

An attorney for the Kadish family said Benjamin couldn’t wait to get home, but he was focused on the ride there in the firetruck.

“He is looking forward to that so much that it’s all he could talk about,” said David E. Wood. “He’s an amazing young man for what he’s been through. I have yet to spend any time with him where he doesn’t have a big, beautiful smile on his face.

“The Fire Department very generously made this offer to make this a special day for Benjamin,” Wood added. “And the family certainly appreciates it very much.”

Ruda said the department was happy to do so.

“As firefighters our responsibility usually stops at the hospital. But in this case the relationship between little Benjamin and Los Angeles city firefighters and paramedics will last a lifetime.”