LAFD Firefighter Goes the Extra Mile to Help Family in Need

DOWNTOWN -  Firefighter Steve Ortiz, along with other members from Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) Fire Station 10, were recognized by Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas and Fire Commissioners on August 19, 2014. 

After extinguishing a structure fire at a three-story apartment building, Firefighter Ortiz carefully escorted a family around hazards and back into their small burnt apartment, so the mother of six children could gather some of the kids clothes for school the next day. Inside the humble apartment, he noticed the mother searching through trash bags filled with neatly folded children's clothes. They did not even have dressers for furniture. Troubled by this, Steve tenaciously set out to locate some furniture for this family in need. After an exhaustive search, he was able to arrange the donation of some beautiful dressers and other items. The entire Fire Station enthusiastically delivered the furniture to the family of eight. As you could imagine, the family was very touched and grateful.

While Firefighter Ortiz was not seeking attention for this good deed, we thought you would appreciate hearing it. Hopefully this small yet powerful story will encourage us all to follow his example and go the extra mile to help others in need. Way to go Firefighter Ortiz and Fire Station 10! 

Submitted by Erik Scott, Spokesman
Los Angeles Fire Department