A group of Arcadia firefighters who had gone to New York City to help after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were so profoundly affected that they organized a fundraiser to benefit widows and orphans of the New York Fire Department and Arcadia Fire Department. Those who went were Captain Hutcheson, Captain Trabbie, John Beveridge, Craig Stogner, Cody Cerwin and paramedic Mike MacGregor.
Don Shawver, batallion chief with Arcadia Fire Department, has been called to duty at the Pentagon in Washington DC, needed in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Second grade student Austin Puertas of Holy Angels School in Arcadia organized a fundraiser to help victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. He raised $1,153 to go to the New York Firefighters Fund. Austin Puertas and Captain Rick Sandona of Arcadia Police Department are shown in a photograph.
Arcadia honors victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, with a brief service held at City Hall. Arcadia Police Chief Dave Hinig attended (photo).
Arcadia Battalion Chief Don Shawver received a request to report for special duty at the Pentagon six hours after the first terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. He went to help as a safety officer.
Local Muslim businessman and resident Fawaz Elmasri, of Lebanese descent, condemns the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. He dispels myths about Muslims to promote better relations between Muslims and the communities that are now looking upon his people with suspicion.
The Arcadia Fire Department has formed a special relationship with Dean Street Station 105 in Brooklyn, New York. One Voice For Tomorrow is a local non-profit organization that helps raise money for the Dean Street Station Fund and to help the Arcadia Fire Association Widows and Orphan Fund.
With a combined donation of $1500, Arcadia Rotary and Santa Rosa Rotary helped provide a 22-year-old fire truck to the city of Santa Cruz del Quiche in Guatemala.
As the United States goes to war with Iraq and the threat of retaliatory terrorist attacks raised the national threat level to High Risk Orange, the cities of Monrovia and Arcadia are prepared for the worst. City officials are talking about emergency response. The city has developed the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), where representatives from all city departments can gather to organize and respond to any emergency.
The city has taken a second pumper truck out of service following a July 4 incident in which a water pump failed to engage on a fire truck. The two engines that malfunctioned were bought from Kovatch Mobile Equipment Fire Apparatus. David Contreras died in the July 4 incident. See related story, Arcadia Weekly, July 11, 2002, p. 8.
Becky Anne Kilbourne was at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and her fiance, Jim Jaska, was at their Arcadia home. Becky discusses the events of the day. The tragedy prompted the couple to marry.
Investigators have concluded that the failure of a pump on a fire engine was likely caused by a mechanical and/or design defect. The failure occurred on July 4 at a car accident scene where David Contreras died. Chief Dave Lugo may pursue litigation with manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Fire Apparatus. See related story, Arcadia Weekly, July 11, 2002, p. 8 and Arcadia Weekly, July 18, 2002, p. 1.
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, Police Chief Dave Hinig said the Arcadia Police Department has evolved and is thinking beyond local crime enforcement. Officers are thinking more regionally and are more conscious of calling the bomb squad.
The Insurance Services Office (ISO) recently evaluated the Arcadia Fire Department and reconfirmed its designation as a "Class 1" department. This is the second time Arcadia has been so honored. Only 41 fire agencies in the country have this elite distinction.
Arcadia resident and business owner Fawaz Elmasri, who was born in Lebanon, conveyed a message that Muslim people are peaceful and the Islam religion condemns killing of civilian people and the destruction of property. He explained that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were acts against God.