On Thursday, January 05, 2006, at 6:43 PM, six companies of Los Angeles Firefighters, one Battalion Chief Officer Command Team, one Battalion EMS Captain, and two LAFD Rescue Ambulances, under the direction of Battalion Chief Richard Markota, responded to a person threatening to jump from a tall building at 15720 Ventura Boulevard in Encino.

The first LAFD Rescue to arrive reported an adult female on the sixth floor balcony of a six story office building. In order to provide additional information to arriving fire companies and law enforcement personnel, an LAFD Firefighter/Paramedic carefully proceeded up the stairs to the sixth floor to gain a better perspective of the situation.

As the Firefighter/Paramedic remained a safe distance from the individual, an LAPD Officer arrived on the sixth floor. Seeing the Officer and without a warning or dialogue, she slid under the railing in an attempt to throw herself off the balcony.

As this was happening, the LAPD Officer lunged for the woman (video) and managed to grab hold of her clothing as she became very combative. With the woman completely over the edge and in his grasp, the Officer began to slip under the railing.

Realizing the precarious situation that both were in, the Firefighter/Paramedic quickly leaped from behind the door, grabbing the Police Officer's belt, preventing both from a definite fall.

The Firefighter/Paramedic suffered a minor injury but remained on duty.

The Los Angeles Police Department took the female into custody and they are investigating the incident.

Submitted by Jim Wells, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department