Night photo of three firemen by Arcadia Fire Department truck surveying a mountain fire north of Arcadia. Standing up on the truck is Jerry Broadwell, killed several years later in a commercial building fire in Arcadia.
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.
A Los Angeles County proposal to take over fire and ambulance service from the Arcadia Fire Department would cost the city as much as $8 million more than present costs over 10 years, according to a city report.
The Arcadia and Monrovia fire departments have merged dispatch services, earning Arcadia $60,000 the first year and $80,000 a year in subsequent years.
Fire Chief Michael Lang is leaving Arcadia Fire Department to be Fire Chief at Manhattan Beach. He was with Arcadia Fire Department for 21 years, including 5 as chief. He starts at Manhattan Beach Fire Department on June 21.
Chen Suen becomes first Asian American fire chief in Arcadia. He takes over from Barry Spriggs who retired November 8, after 29 years of service. Suen is an Arcadia resident. He emigrated from Taiwan. He graduated from Arcadia High School, and attended Loyola Law School, UC Irvine, and Santa Ana College, before spending the last 18 years with Arcadia Fire Department.
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."
Arcadia Fire Department's recent reconfirmation of being a "Class 1" department by the Insurance Services office may result in lower insurance premiums for area businesses.
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.
Arcadia City Council has authorized the Arcadia Fire Department to spend $184,682 to buy an urban search and rescue truck and $64,408 on 100 ballistic vests for the Arcadia Police Department.
1. "Volunteer firemen keep down City fire losses." Arcadia Tribune, 1939. 2. "Volunteer fire department big help." News clip, 1934. 3. "Way back when/colorful past." Arcadia Tribune, undated. 4. "Arcadia fire department early days." Arcadia Tribune, July 16, 1967, three part series. 5. "Fire d…
20. Articles in the Sierra Madre News - Arcadia Happenings section regarding Fire Prevention Week October 4-10, 1992, dated October 8, 1992.
21. City of Arcadia Fire Code Findings, May 20, 1992.
22. Invitation from the Arcadia City Council to a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Fire Station No. 2, July 6, 1993.
23. Invitation from the Arcadia City Council for the dedication of Fire Station No. 2, April 8, 1994. (MISSING 6/2003)
24. Program from the groundbreaking ceremony for Fire Station No. 2, July 6, 1993.
25. Full page articles on the Arcadia Fire Department in the Sierra Madre News - Arcadia Happenings section, October 7, 1993.
26. Program from the City of Arcadia Fire Station No. 2 dedication, April 8, 1994.
27. Letter and pamphlet from the City of Arcadia Fire Department to Arcadia residents introducing the Voluntary Emergency Medical Subscription Program, circa 1994-1995. Discusses paramedic and ambulance coverage for $42 per year, per household.
28. Memo from the Office of the City Manager to All Employees regarding the appointment of Fire Chief Ken Lavoie, October 24, 1996.
29. "Fire Chief Jerry Gardner retires." Arcadia at a Glance, Fall 1996, page 3.
30. Brochure for the Paramedic Membership Program of the City of Arcadia, circa 1990s.
31. "New Fire Chief appointed (Ken Lavoie)." Arcadia Weekly, October 31, 1996, page 1.
32. Invitation to the Arcadia Fire Department Change of Command Ceremony, November 18, 1996. Incoming Chief: Ken Lavoie. Outgoing Chief: Gerald R. Garner.
33. Program from the Change of Command Ceremony, November 18, 1996. (two copies)
34. "Fire fighters donate puppet theater to library." Arcadia Weekly, January 13, 1997, page 2.
35. "Arcadia Firefighters' Association join others in community project." Arcadia Weekly, January 16, 1997, page 3.
36. "City of Arcadia Neighborhood Emergency Action Teams (N.E.A.T.) Program." Disaster preparedness pamphlet presented by the Arcadia Fire and Police Departments, 1996-1997.
37. "Earthquake Preparedness Handbook." by the Arcadia Fire Department, 1996-1997.
38. Program for Retirement Dinner for Fire Chief Kenneth Lavoie, dated April 11, 1998.
39. Press release from the Office of the City Manager regarding the appointment of David R. Lugo, Jr. to the position of Fire Chief. April 1, 2002.
40. Arcadia Fire Department Strategic Plan 2001. 49 page booklet with photos included. Developed July 2001.
41. Invitation from the Arcadia Fire Department and Arcadia Firefighters' Association to the Arcadia Fire Department's First Annual Badge Pinning Ceremony and Luncheon on Thursday, January 23, 2003. Includes list of Honored Guests.
42. Program for the City of Arcadia Fire Department and Arcadia Firefighters' Association First Annual Badge Pinning Ceremony and Luncheon on January 23, 2003.
43. Arcadia Fire Department Annual Report, 2002 and 2006.
44. Retiring Fire Chief David Lugo's letter of appreciation to fellow Arcadia employees, July 18, 2007.
45. "Aloha, Chief Lugo!" Program from retirement dinner honoring David R. Lugo, Jr., Fire Chief. July 19, 2007.
46. Arcadia firefighters honor 7 fallen NYC brothers: service commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11 paid special homage to firefighters from AFD's sister station in Brooklyn NY, who died in the terrorist attack. Arcadia Patch, September 11, 2011.
47. City of Arcadia Fire Chief Tony Trabbie to retire April 30. Arcadia Weekly, April 24, 2014, p. 10.
48. Tony L. Trabbie retirement luncheon invitation, April 29, 2014.
49. Kurt Norwood named new fire chief for Arcadia, Arcadia Weekly, May 1, 2014.
50. Arcadia Fire Department adds three to its ranks in annual pinning ceremony (Christopher Paladino, Nik Pheng, Chen Suen), The Sunday Star, February 6, 2005.
51. Firefighters enlist in READ, the Arcadia Public Library's literacy poster campaign (Captain Mike Stratton, Don Smith), The Sunday Star, February 6, 2005.
52. Several articles on Arcadia fire chiefs. Ken Lavoie, Arcadia Weekly, October 31, 1996. Arcadia's interim fire chief Jim Reed examines county proposal, Sierra Madre News, May 21, 1998. City has new fire chief Pete Bonano, Arcadia Weekly, July 1, 1999. New fire chief Bonano always wanted to be a fireman, Arcadia Weekly, July 29, 1999. Arcadia has new fire chief David R. Lugo, Arcadia Weekly, April 4, 2002. Arcadia prepared for fire season-chief David R. Lugo, Jr, Arcadia Weekly, May 23, 2002. City of Arcadia fire chief Tony Trabbie to retire April 30, Arcadia Weekly, April 24, 2014. Fire chief Kurt Norwood announces retirement, Arcadia Weekly, June 26, 2016 and Monrovia Views News, June 18, 2016. Farewell to the chief Kurt Norwood, Arcadia Weekly, June 30, 2016, Chief Michael E. Lang is the new Arcadia Fire Chief, Arcadia Weekly, July 7, 2016.
53. Arcadia appoints Deputy Chief Barry Spriggs as Fire Chief. Spriggs is a 27-year veteran of the Arcadia Fire Department. He will succeed Fire Chief Michael Lang, who is leaving Arcadia Fire Departmen to serve as Fire Chief for the City of Manhattan Beach. Mountain Views News, p. 6, June 5, 2021.
54. Arcadia Fire Department Annual Reports one sheet, double-sided. 2019 Annual Report, includes Arcadia Fire Department 2019 Information Sheet, one sheet, detailing various fire department statistics. 2020 Annual Report. 2021 Annual Report.
55. Chen Suen Becomes the First Asian American Fire Chief in Arcadia. Assuming the reins from former chief Barry Spriggs who retired November 8 after 29 years of service. Pasadena Star News, November 15, 2022.
56. Sound the Alarm! Flyer announcing celebration on November 7, 2022 of retirement of Fire Chief Barry Spriggs after 29 years of service with Arcadia Fire Department.
57. Arcadia Fire Department launches new ambulance service. In addition to a new "Basic Life Support" ambulance, seven new ambulance operators were hired. Arcadia Weekly, p. 31, March 14, 2024. Includes official news release issued March 7, 2024 and color photo of seven new ambulance operators alongside Fire Chief Chen Suen.
City Department Heads pose with vintage Arcadia Fire Department truck, each one wearing a fire department hat. From left to right: Don Penman, Jerry Collins, Dave Hinig, Bill Kelly (behind steering wheel), Tracy Hause, Pat Malloy, Janet Sporleder (seated on running board).
