Fire Chief Gene Mahoney, with City Council approval, is instituting an apprentice fireman program, in which the men will take training classes at PCC while actually employees of the Arcadia Fire Department.
One found dead in apartment fire on Genoa Street near First Avenue on Sunday, April 7. Arcadia police Lieutenant Kollin Cieadlo said there were no signs of foul play so far. Charlie Tuggle, a battalion chief with Arcadia Fire Department estimated damages to the structure at $10,000 and $1,000 to the contents. Arcadia fire Captain Drew Pryor said the call came in at 9:18 P.M. and the bathroom of the apartment was on fire. By 9:37 P.M. the fire was out. The dead man's identity has not been released.
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."
Cities of Pasadena, Arcadia, Sierra Madre, and Monrovia are seeking funding for fire training from the federal government (FEMA). They want to establish a training facility on federal property in Arcadia near the 210 Freeway and Santa Anita Avenue.
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.
Fire Chiefs of 19 Foothill cities met this spring and have worked out a strike force plan for more efficient fire fighting. Since the dry conditions make this potentially the worst fire season since 1920, this could mean great savings. A strike force will consist of 5 units directed by a team leader.
Seven firefighters were injured in Arcadia house fire on White Oak Drive. The Arcadia Fire Department (AFD) required assistance from Monrovia, Sierra Madre, El Monte, and Los Angeles County. Six from AFD were treated at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The seventh firefighter, from Sierra Madre Fire Department, remained hospitalized in stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena. The house sustained extensive loss. Nearby residents wondered if the AFD needed so much help from outside fire departments because of recent cuts to the AFD.
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.
Arcadia firefighters raise funds to help fight pediatric cancer. Arcadia firefighters have been involved with Saint Baldrick's Foundation for over 15 years, said Arcadia Fire Chief Chen Suen. Arcadia firefighters are shown in photo.