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Monday, January 02, 2012 | 
LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
LA County Board of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky
West Hollywood Mayor John Duran
LA City Council Member Tom LaBonge
LAFD Fire Chief Brian Cummings
LACoFD Fire Chief Daryl Osby
LA County Sheriff Lee Baca
Reserve Deputy Sheriff Shervin Lalezary
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Karl Anglin
Los Angeles Fire Department, Fire Chief Brian L. Cumming's thoughts...
First and foremost I would like to thank the men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department and also the members of our allied Command who worked tirelessly alongside us. But most importantly I would like to thank the people of Los Angeles for giving us the team, tools and training to get the job done.
Your firefighters minimized the impact that these horrendous acts had on our community through their coordinated efforts at the scene of 52 separate fires over a four day period. The valiant efforts of your firefighters limited the loss to less than 3 million dollars and ultimately prevented the loss of a single life.
From the very first fire on December 30th when we first determined what we were facing, the Los Angeles Fire Department along with the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Fire and Sheriff’s Department, the District Attorney’s Office and Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began working around the clock to apprehend this arsonist and insure the safety of our community. We are grateful for the trust and support of the public.
Arson has been and will continue to be a concern to the members of America’s Fire Service. We must remain vigilant against this scourge that causes 1.1 billion dollars damage, and injures 7,825 firefighters and civilians in the United States each year.
I wish now to affirm our full support to those in the justice system, who we trust will move this case forward quickly and effectively so that justice may be served.
Law enforcement officers and firefighters will remain vigilant in order ensure the safety of our community. Investigators will continue to work around the clock looking at clues and continue to work on this investigation.
Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department
2 comments:
I applaud each and every firefighter and police officer. Many of which were tired, frustrated and I believe emotionally distraught. Kiddos - AMAZING dedication and work! I have a huge issue with the Police Chief and Sheriff - who tormented every resident parellel to that of this disturbed arsonist. So caught up with technology, the science of methodically strategizing to catch this guy he failed to implement good hard old school police work. It didn't take one of the dozen helicopters above, nor science to realize this guy was traveling back and forth between the valley and Hollywood area - the only route being crescent heights/laurel canyon - ironically enough was this guys MO from day one. How many "strategy" meetings would it of taken to throw a few officers at crescent and sunset after the first night - or post one 24/7 all day long. Maybe 1/10 the cause without traumatizing all the residents as what non stop helicopters have. In addition - my heart goes out to all the police officers - I many times wanted to cry over their frustration. - but really they caught this crazy arsonist 3am on a Sunday morning driving on sunset! It is difficult for me to congratulate this chief of police - when this arsonist was POSSIBLY the only motorist traveling by car on Sunset at 3AM!! The LAPD did not find this dude to good police work under the direction of their superiors too concerned with all their gadgets - this arsonist found the LAPD. And please - a federal agents tip lead officers to this arsonist - really - this federal agent decided to phone at 3 am and tip off LAPD who this guy was and that he was driving on sunset - the sole vehicle on sunset @3am!!!! This federal agent didn't happen it appears to contact the LAPD say Sunday after the CDs went out and provide a name and address for the LAPD to visit or put out a BOLO for anything more then some guy with a pony tail. And is it not true that 5-6 LAPD cruisers passed this minivan on sunset en route following the common ads of their superior officers moments before this brave "recruit" not to worried with LAPD politics - was honestly the one who followed up on this LONE CAR DRIVING ON SUNSET! And per this TIP by a FED - if this is true - then why did all the residents have to endure another night and 9fires as the LAPD waited for the arsonist to come to them! It's time for Lee and the res of this crew to step down - and some real talent take the reins - and respect our valuable and dedicated LAPD officers! It's time for a new coach!! FYI - in meantime - keep those in charge away from the helicopters and all the gadgets!!!
Anonymous 10:48,
Thanks for visiting the LAFD News & Information blog, and for sharing your opinion in what has been a terrible and for many terrifying, series of arson fires.
While our agencies did work jointly - and there were challenges among all, we note most of your expressed concern (and call-to-action) lie with our colleagues in local and regional law enforcement.
As such, we hope that you'll also consider sharing your thoughts in venues where those agencies may read, benefit from and directly respond to your thought-provoking message.
Woven within your comments are issues and concerns that can benefit your Los Angeles Fire Department, and I can assure you we are listening.
Again, thanks for writing.
Respectfully Yours in Safety and Service,
Brian Humphrey
Firefighter/Specialist
Public Service Officer
Los Angeles Fire Department
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