Glenn L. Allen, a firefighter with the City of Los Angeles, died today following injuries sustained while fighting a structure fire in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, February 16, 2011. Firefighter Allen had 36 years of service with the department, the last 17 at Fire Station 97. Firefighter Allen was involved in interior fire attack with several other companies when the ceiling of the structure collapsed under the weight of a broken fire sprinkler line (tentative assessment) that filled the attic area with water. Fellow firefighters used circular saws and other tools to effect an extrication of FF Allen, who was non responsive and in full cardiac arrest when removed from the occupancy. LAFD Paramedics were successful in restoring vitals and rushed the gravely injured firefighter to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. After a two-day battle, firefighter Allen died with his family at his bedside.
At a news conference conduced this afternoon at Fire Station 3, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa expressed the sadness felt across the city. "Today, I join all Angelenos in mourning the loss of firefighter Glenn Allen, a fearlessly committed firefighter who dedicated ... years of his life to protecting the people of Los Angeles," he said.
"Glenn was a valiant hero whose selfless sacrifice will forever be honored. This tragedy serves as a somber, yet powerful reminder that the brave men and women of the Los Angeles Fire Department put their lives on the line each and every day to keep us safe from harm. My thoughts and prayers are with the family of firefighter Allen and his extended family of firefighters at LAFD."
Fire Chief Millage Peaks, who spent considerable time at the hospital and with Allen's family, was visibly moved, saying, "his daughter was at his side when he died. She is expecting her first child in just a few days."
In addition to the Fire Chief's message, the LAFD expressed gratitude at the support received from the public, saying, "The Allen Family and the Los Angeles Fire Department has received a tremendous outpouring of support during this difficult time. Your Firefighters wish to thank you and express our deepest appreciation for all the kind words and gestures that have been provided."
The last LAFD firefighter to be killed in the line of duty was 35-year-old Brent Lovrien, a 10-year department veteran, in March 2008.
A funeral is tentatively scheduled for Friday, February 25th. For additional details, please visit the LAFD website at: www.lafd.org
February 20th, 2011 // By David Harrison Levi