Fire Chief Gene Mahoney has been placed on indefinite leave of absence without pay. Since Mahoney came to Arcadia in 1973, the Fire Department has been prey to internal tension. Bob Dick has been named acting Chief.
Correction of article of July 6, 1982: The Council actually voted to refer the ordinance back to the City Attorney to include the latest recommendations made by Fire Chief Jerry Gardner. He will return the amended ordinance to the Council at their next meeting.
Two men dressed in uniform standing beside roadster which bears insignia on door of: Whittier F.D. Chief. Man on right is Topping, H.M. who organized Arcadia Fire Department in 1923 while he was Police and Fire Marshall. Man on left is not identified.
Arcadia Paramedics have been asked to assist in field training of paramedic trainees from PCC. The Fire Chief said that there is great reluctance to do so, but agreed that Arcadia Paramedics received their training from Los Angeles County and Beverly Hills Fire Departments and should repay this service by helping new trainees.
Five men with fire and police vehicles outside City Hall at NW corner of First and Huntington Drive. Left to right: Grady Pardue (on motorcycle), Jim Nellis standing on running board of fire engine (Fire Chief), Anist Mussachia (fireman), Albert Matthies (police -- killed approaching car of three men planning hold up of ODETTES which was previous name of Pines Cafe on Huntington Drive). The man on extreme right in business suit is Chief of Police and Fire Marshall, A. N. Coberly. Photo taken at City Hall, NW corner of First and Huntington Drive, it is believed.
Arcadia High School is instituting two P. E. classes for handicapped youngsters this fall. A survey showed the need, so a program has been worked out which will be titled Adaptive P. E. and is designed to strengthen and condition those students.
Arcadia Fire Department's annual Strategic Plan received unanimous approval Tuesday night by Arcadia City Council members. Fire Chief Pete Bonano presented the plan which outlines the department's major goals and provides the road map of resources, ensuring the department meets the city's fire and safety needs.
The Arcadia City Council has agreed to create new positions for deputy fire chief and fire division chief in the fire department. The salary range is $93,000-116,000 for the deputy fire chief and $85,000-105,000 for the fire division chief.
New roofs and additions or alterations involving 50% of the total square footage of the roof must conform to Class A standards for buildings in hazardous fire areas, the foothill areas. Home owners in non-hazardous fire areas will be allowed use of either Class A or Class B roofing materials. In addition, alterations or repairs involving 25% or less of a roof area may use any existing material. The Council gave final approval by a three to one vote. (See 1603AN for correction.)
The Insurance Services Office, which rates fire departments, awarded the Arcadia Fire Department a "Class One" rating, making them one of only 16 departments in the country with that rating.
Chief wants new fire station built. After a year of study using computer technology, Arcadia Fire Chief Jerry Gardner has recommended to the City Council that a fourth fire station be built in vicinity of Sixth and Live Oak Avenues.
Group of youngsters, some wearing firemen's gear, in front of Fire Station at 50 Wheeler St. apparently on a tour of the facilities. The following is information from Dave Haney, Battalion Chief/Training Officer of the Arcadia Fire Department at 630 S. Baldwin, provided via email on November 18, 2007 : "The pumper in this photo was called 'Squad,' and was a Class B pumper, which means the fire pump is much smaller than the ones we have today (2007). It is a Mack with a 750 gallon per minute fire pump and a 400 gallon water tank. It ran as Engine 1 out of the Wheeler Station. When Wheeler Station closed, it was moved over to the Santa Anita Fire Station until she was retired. So far there has been some confusion over the year of manufacture of the pumper. Some old timers tell me either a 1943, 1944, or 1947."
Battalion Chief Ray Lock of the Arcadia Fire Department was honored recently by the City Council on his retirement after 31 years with the department. Biographical sketch.
