LAFD Firefighters To Pack Courtroom En mass In Firefighter Death Plea Bargain Case #CaFire #Calaw

Thursday, January 2, 2014

LAFD Firefighters To Pack Courtroom En mass In Firefighter Death Plea Bargain Case #CaFire #Calaw

Update: German Architect Pleads No Contest in Firefighter's DeathA year-long investigation concluded a "negligently installed" fireplace caused the fire and ceiling collapse that killed a 36-year LAFD veteran

LAFD Firefighter/Paramedic Glenn Allen, Trapped And Killed In Structure Fire

LOS ANGELES - A man charged with manslaughter for the death of a Los Angeles Firefighter will face a downtown courtroom packed with his colleagues on Friday, January 3, 2013.

The off-duty members of the Los Angeles Fire Department will gather respectfully in honor of Firefighter/Paramedic Glenn Allen, who died following a February 16, 2011 structure fire that involved a custom-built home on Viewsite Drive in the Hollywood Hills.

During fire suppression efforts, a ceiling collapsed, causing injury to 11 firefighters and leading to the death of Allen, a 36 year veteran of the Department.

Following the fire, an investigation ensued to determine if there was criminal culpability for Glenn Allen's death. As a result of that investigation, which involved the LAFD Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section, LAPD Robbery Homicide Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), an arrest was made. Gerhard Becker, the owner/architect of home, was ultimately charged with one count of manslaughter.

The criminal case against Becker has been in the pre-trial stages. Becker has now indicated to the court that he wishes to enter a plea that would cause him to be sentenced for his crime without having to face trial. As such, his plea and sentencing for case #BA393940 has been scheduled before Judge Robert Perry:

Friday, January 3, 2014
8:30AM
Criminal Courts Building, Department 104
210 West Temple Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
The District Attorney's Office is asking for the maximum term of four years in state prison. Belief that the court is leaning toward a more lenient sentence has brought frustration to many members of the Fire Service, and stirred strong sentiment in the community - especially among those who Glenn Allen proudly served.

NOTE: Results of the hearing will be posted via an updated article on Friday afternoon at the LAFD News & Information blog For complete information, a photo and updates, kindly visit: http://lafd.blogspot.com/2014/01/man-charged-with-death-of-los-angeles.html

Source: Brian Humphrey

Firefighter/Specialist - Public Service Officer

Emergency Public Information (EPI) Center

Los Angeles Fire Department

"Serving with Courage, Integrity and Pride"

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CFN - California Fire News 2013

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Thursday, January 2, 2014