By ORION SPATAFORA | Special to the Palisadian-Post
My name is Orion Spatafora and I have been a Boy Scout with Troop 223 in Pacific Palisades since 2012. We are one of the largest Boy Scout Troops in the United States, led by our scoutmaster, Michael Lanning, with over 150 scouts. Also many of the scout’s fathers volunteer, creating great support and mentoring.
My current patrol has worked on and completed the Fire Safety Merit Badge. We learned about how to handle fire safely, how to create escape plans for our homes, and the essentials to fire trucks and firefighting.
We had the great fortune to visit Los Angeles Fire Department Station 69 here in the Palisades on May 23. All of the members of this station have generously supported many of our troop’s patrols this past month.
We learned a great deal from the captains and firemen. They taught us about the roles of all the various trucks, including their ambulance and how they all work together. They shared about all the equipment and took the time to show us the interiors of all of the fire trucks.
Additionally, we had the special privilege of viewing their kitchen and seeing how they worked as a team to shop for food and cook meals together. It was apparent by how impeccably they took care of their equipment, trucks and kitchen that they all valued and respected each other and the Palisades community.
The way that they all passionately spoke about their jobs, fighting fires and interacting with colleagues exemplified what a cohesive and strong team they form. There are many attributes we are learning as leaders and Boy Scouts that these firemen exemplified.
Not only did they support us in completing our fire safety education, but it was clear to all of us that they lead by example. There is no doubt in our minds that the community they have built inside of Station 69 will continue to protect the Palisades for many years to come and have positively impacted our community in Troop 223.
Thank you again to everyone at Station 69—it was an experience we will never forget and will value for the rest of our lives.
Special thanks to: Captains Erik Schneider, Thomas Moore and Thomas Kitahata; firefighters Eric Dillon, Michael Thompson and Patric Tamrazian; A/O Daniel Kleiser; and firefighter and paramedic Mark Glenchur.
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