LAFD's Historic Firefighting Efforts and School Fire Safety Awareness
by Valencia Perez / LAXlocal.org
On May 17, 1959, the Los Angeles Fire Department's Truck Company 28 responded to an intense and smoky fire at Robert Louis Stevenson Junior High School in Boyle Heights. This operation included the use of a ladder pipe to combat the fire.
The LAFD initiated a thorough fire inspection of Los Angeles schools following a tragic incident at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago in December 1956, where 95 individuals lost their lives. During the inspections, it was discovered that a three-story section of Robert Louis Stevenson Junior High School needed to be demolished due to seismic safety concerns.
The Los Angeles Board of Education offered the building to the LAFD for conducting live fire tests to study the effects of smoke on human survivability during large institutional fires. These tests, known as "Operation School Burning," were conducted with support from various organizations from April to June 1959.
The results of these tests led to the conclusion that installing smoke and heat detectors could greatly enhance safety measures in schools. This information was shared in the NFPA publications "Operation School Burning" and "Operation School Burning 2".
In 1959, the LAFD produced the educational film "Our Obligation" to raise awareness about fire safety in schools. This film dramatized a school fire scenario similar to the one in Chicago and highlighted the importance of having proper safety measures in place. The film, which featured LAFD crews and apparatus of the era, was a staple in elementary school classrooms nationwide for many years.
Original Information Source: Los Angeles Fire Department | Los Angeles CA | Facebook
Source Type: Fire
Source Location: Los Angeles
Original Information Source Link: Click Here
| May 18, 2024 at 1:40 AM | Fire |
Support Students with Dyslexia This Awareness Month
LAUSD highlights Dyslexia Awareness Month, focusing on personalized support for students with dyslexia.
| Oct 15, 2024 at 11:43 AM | School |
NNU Men's Basketball 2024-25 Schedule Released Now!
NNU Men's Basketball 2024-25 schedule includes games starting November 9 against Bushnell in Nampa.
| Oct 14, 2024 at 7:33 PM | Sports |
Los Angeles Celebrates Indigenous People's Day Today
Los Angeles honors Indigenous People's Day, recognizing Native tribes’ contributions and reflecting on colonialism's impacts.
| Oct 14, 2024 at 11:30 AM | Gov |
California Firefighters Memorial Ceremony Honors Fallen Heroes
Ceremony in Sacramento honors five fallen LAFD members during the 22nd Annual Firefighters Memorial.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 9:00 PM | Fire |
Halloween Thrills Await in Los Angeles This Year!
LA prepares for Halloween with exciting events and attractions; a guide is available online.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Gov |
Justin Torres Wins National Book Award for Novel
Justin Torres won the National Book Award, drawing on personal trauma for his acclaimed novel.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 4:20 PM | University |
UCLA Leaders Reflect on Mexican Heritage Influence
UCLA leaders explored the influence of their Mexican heritage on their professional paths during Hispanic Heritage Month.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 3:22 PM | University |
Astro Camp Engages Attendees with NASA Engineer
Astro Camp featured NASA engineer Tracy Drain, discussing the Europa Clipper mission and STEAM programs.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 2:10 PM | Library |
Join the LA BioBlitz Challenge This October!
LA BioBlitz Challenge invites residents to document local wildlife from October 1-31, 2023.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 2:00 PM | Gov |
UCLA Historian Reflects on Multicultural Upbringing in Memoir
UCLA alumnus's memoir explores how multicultural experiences shaped his life and historical perspective.
| Oct 13, 2024 at 1:00 PM | University |