"Men, you're now part of the fire department. Training begins immediately," Fire Captain Jeff Brown seems to be saying to the birthday boy and his friends.Photo: RICH SCHMITT[/caption] When Nina Madok won the bid for a birthday party at Station 69 in December, she planned to save it for her son’s 10th birthday in June. It was more personal than just a birthday. Nina and husband Bob have lived within walking distance of Station 69 at Sunset and Carey for 25 years. “We brought them [firefighters] pasta with homemade Bolognese at least three times a year and we’ve called on them, including when I broke my arm and had to be carried on a stretcher out of my house,” Nina said. It started with her husband’s uncle, the late Dr. Bob Hamilton, a well-known dentist in the Palisades. He became the unofficial photographer, following the trucks to incidents. “It was Hamilton and Bob Benton who are responsible for fundraising to bring the jaws of life to the station,” Nina said. “Our family donated the Adirondack chairs that are on the side of the station.” Bidding on this party seemed the perfect way to support the Pacific Palisades Community Council and Station 69. [caption id="attachment_37687" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
First, push-ups before learning how to operate equipment.Photo: RICH SCHMITT[/caption] And then . . . .The Palisades Fire destroyed nearly 7,000 businesses and residences, including the Madok’s. Nina approached Captain Tommy Kitahata last month to see if there could still be a birthday party. The answer was “Yes.” Madok's son invited five friends, and his sister, who invited two friends and a major celebration was held at the station. Four of his friends are fire victims. Two lost their homes and one’s home suffered substantial damage. Another boy has moved back into the Highlands with his family. “Two of the boys lived out of the area and had not seen the Palisades since the fire,” Madok said. All five attend Calvary Christian School. The boys were given 69 T-shirts as party favors and then promptly went into training to become official firefighters. After learning the ropes, they went for a ride in the firetruck. Famished from firefighter duties, the boys came back to the kitchen to join the rest of the firefighters for dinner, which included chili, hamburgers and hotdogs and all the fixings. [caption id="attachment_37688" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Dinner at the fire station was hamburgers, hotdogs and chili.Photo: RICH SCHMITT[/caption] Afterwards it was time to blow out the candles and make a wish on the ice cream cake that Nina had purchased at Vons. About the birthday, “It was our attempt to bring a bit of normalcy to our kids and keep the Palisades attachment,” Nina said. [caption id="attachment_37689" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Ice cream cakes purchased from Vons completed the birthday celebration. Photo: RICH SCHMITT[/caption]
My boys grew up idolizing the guys at Station 69. In elementary school they took the usual field trip to Station 69 but they had been visiting that place since before they could walk. We lived down the street. Every other Halloween one of them dressed up as a firefighter or EMT. During holidays we brought them food and sometimes on random day to show our appreciation. We believed – foolishly – they would protect us. On January 7th my boys lost their hero’s, and respect for the people they grew up admiring. The dagger through the heart was footage from the Tesla on our street that showed NO firefighters for 2 days. None. It would be one thing if we saw someone trying but we didn’t and no one’s explained why or apologized or taken any accountability. Certainly not hero like behavior. Shame on you.