Christmas came early for the firefighters at our local Engine Company 29. A new free-standing freezer was delivered thanks to a Neighborhood Purpose Grant from the Greater Wilshire Neighborhood Council and the First-In Fire Foundation, a local foundation created by Hancock Park residents Lyn MacEwen Cohen and her husband Mark Cohen. The First-In Fire Foundation is committed to a well-respected tradition of connecting local citizens to their local fire stations by befriending and fundraising city-wide for the Fire Service and Fire Department, its firefighters, fire stations, services, and programs, including LAFD Adopt-A-Fire Station Program, Fire Safety Education, CERT, DAC, and Emergency Preparedness (including Pet Preparedness).
“Having a freezer for storage will greatly assist the firefighters who are making meals for a crew of 15 daily,” explained Lyn MacEwen Cohen. “Next, we hope to raise funds to fill the freezer!”
Cohen was joined by the GWNC’s President Conrad Starr, Brookside representative Owen Smith, and Neighborhood Purpose Grant Committee chair Julie Stromberg.
Passionate about emergency preparedness, Starr said he was pleased the neighborhood council could make this grant for the “neighborhood purpose to make sure our fire station is sustained so they can turn around and help us in an emergency.” Â Starr added his appreciation for the work of the committee for bringing the grant forward. Members of the grant committee included Stromberg as chair, April Hannon, Max Kirkham, John Winther, Patti Carroll, Cathy Roberts and Jennifer Devore, who sent this recommendation to the committee. Starr also thanked the First-in Fire Foundation for its support of the local fire stations and “being that bridge for preparedness in the community.”
Apparently, the new freezer came just in time. The station’s two other refrigerators, with top-compartment freezers, both went on the fritz, explained Captain Larez. Fire Station 29 is a considered a Task Force firehouse which means they have a full complement of equipment and personnel to handle any emergency.
