Local 1014 members fight hard to stop 3rd alarm blaze in El Monte
Sunday January 20, 2013 shortly after 0200 Mountain View High School in the City of El Monte erupted in flames. Our 1014 members, eventually 150+ strong worked hard to not only extinguish this conflagration but worked hard, putting life and safety at risk to prevent this fire from spreading to other school buildings.
Once again our members have done what we love to do. Our members worked hard to protect citizens and property without concern for themselves. We thank our 1014 members, LA County Firefighters, for their hard work and dedication to the citizens of El Monte and the County of Los Angeles.
"Amazing" said Mayor Quinterro, "our fire department proved why they are the best in the world. The resources that responded came with such a vast tool box even I had no idea that the Los Angeles County Fire Department, El Monte's Fire Department, had these kind of resources".
"150 Firefighters came to extinguish one of the worst fires in El Monte's history. They came with engines, trucks, heavy equipment vehicles and they even had bull dozers. Again AMAZING. Our department once again has proven their abilities. Years ago when we contracted with LA County Fire we knew it was a good idea, and again they proved us right. There is no way when we were our own department that we could have done anything near what the Los Angeles County Firefighters did today, and everyday for that matter. Thank you to our firefighters".
City Pac Director Lew Currier, Active Duty Fire Captain, and Fellow Local 1014 Executive Board Member said "not to long ago El Monte, during budget difficulties, closed a fire station. With the help of the leadership of Local 1014 we were able to work with the City of El Monte and its leaders to re-open that station. Our close working relationship with the Elected Officials of El Monte showed with this incident that they made the right decission to open the station and keep it open".
"I meet with councilmembers almost every day to help eductae them on what benifits contracting with LA County Fire does for them but also what having a working partner in Local 1014 can do to help their city and residents. As Mayor Quintero knows firsthand, being part of LA County Fire is the best decision any city can make when it comes to fire protection" Director Currier said.
“I want to publicly thank the LA County Fire Department for all their hard work in preventing this from being a further catastrophe for us,” Superintendent Nick Salerno said.
Our members worked all through the night and well into Monday the 21st to make sure the fire was extinguished and to begin the process of assisting the school with their needs.
Fortunately only one firefighter reported minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.
Thank you again to our members. You make us proud to represent you.
