Fire Station 71 at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Beverly Glen Drive is responsible for protecting our homes and providing paramedic service. A second, Fire Station 37, on Sepulveda Boulevard just north of Wilshire Boulevard serves the western portions of Bel-Air. Fire Station 19 on Sunset Boulevard in Brentwood also responds to calls in our area. Together they respond to fire and 911 calls for over 3,000 homes in the Bel-Air, Benedict Canyon, Holmby-Westwood, and Beverly Glen areas. The Association strongly supports these stations and the work they do. The Bel-Air Association spearheaded an effort in 1999 which enlisted three other homeowner groups, the Benedict Canyon Association, the Holmby-Westwood Property Owners, and The Residents of Beverly Glen, to create an "Adopt Fire Station #71" program whose purpose was to eliminate the poor living and working conditions at the old station. The facility had not been remodeled in 57 years! It lacked basic necessities like central heating and air conditioning. Ventilation was poor, and carcinogenic diesel fumes filled the air where crews are confined for three 24-hour shifts each week. The city budget did not have funds to handle these essentials. A direct-mail campaign with flyers, post-cards and letters from the committee asking for donations was sent to every household served by Station 71. The response was gratifying and, after months of hard work, almost $250,000 was raised for the upgrade which was completed last year. The "Adopt Fire Station 71" publicity effort drew attention to the fact that the station did not have a paramedic ambulance. Did you realize that over 80% of the calls to these stations are for medical emergencies? Subsequently the Los Angeles Fire Department provided an ambulance which is now located in the neighborhood. The completed improvement program was celebrated last year at a "Firehouse Family Funday" sponsored by the Bel-Air Association and its partners. Over five hundred adults and children attended the event to thank paramedics and fire fighters at Station 71. The open house included activities for everyone and guest appearances from many Dalmatians, who are friends of "Sparky." A highlight was the “Jaws of Life” demonstration where fire fighters peeled open an old vehicle showing how they go about extricating trapped passengers. The food provided by In-N-Out was appreciated by all. The LAFD has called our program a model for the entire city. Two Bel-Air Association Directors who were instrumental in the success of “Adopt Fire Station 71” have been invited by other communities to assist them in planning similar programs.  |
Fire Stations |
