Congratulations to Drew Matsuda for being the 2009 recepient of the Jerry Lee Broadwell Memorial Scholarship. Drew will be attending the University of Southern California in the fall of 2009.

     Jerry Lee Broadwell is Arcadia's first and only firefighter to have lost his life in the line of duty.  Captain Broadwell died on August 22, 1975 due to complications resulting from extensive burns that he suffered as the roof of a burning building collapsed underneath him during a structure fire at 333 N. Santa Anita Ave. Because of Captain Broadwell’s devotion to children and his belief in education, his fellow firefighters and grateful friends in the community dedicated the Children’s Reading Room of the Arcadia Public Library as a living memorial to him. 

     Jerry Lee Broadwell was not only dedicated to serving this city, but he was also dedicated to the education of its citizens. Because of Captain Broadwell’s devotion to children and his strong beliefs in education the Arcadia Firefighter’s Association has established an annual scholarship in his name. The Jerry Lee Broadwell Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to an Arcadia High School Senior in the amount of $1,000. It is our desire, that through this scholarship, the legacy that Jerry Broadwell has left with us will be continued into the future.

     Recepients of the scholarship meet at the plaque of Jerry Lee Broadwell on graduation day. The plaque is built into the walls of Station 105. In cap and gown, all Jerry Lee Broadwell Memorial Scholarship winners are given a ride from the plaque to their graduation ceremony in our antique 1926 LaFrance fire engine. 

"Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors" is a non-profit organization managed by firefighters and civilians who volunteer their services and are dedicated to assist those that have been affected by burn injuries. The organization hosts several fund raisers throughout each year in which donations are received and distributed on behalf of each donor to local burn centers and foundations as well as burn survivors and their families.

The Arcadia Firefighters' Association is proud of the work that the Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors do for burn victims and their families. The AFFA is a proud contributor to this deserving organization.

The Firefighters' Quest for Burn Survivors made a stop at Arcadia Fire Station 105 during their burn relay on June 8th.  We were able to share our time with many members of the relay including Bill Jensen, a Glendale firefighter who received serious life threatening third degree burns to 70% of his body.  We are encouraged by Quests dedication to burn survivors and their families and are proud contibutors to such a worthy organization.

Thank you to everyone who attended the AFFA' s annual pancake breakfast held on May 2nd. It was a great success and a ton of fun for everyone involved. Thank you for your continued support and partnership with the AFFA. It is because of your support and generous donations that we, the AFFA, are able to make investments into our community. Thank you for allowing us to do what we do.

St. Baldrick's is the world's largest volunteer-driven fundraising event for childhood cancer research. Thousands of volunteers shave their heads in solidarity of children with cancer, while requesting donations of support from friends and family.  The Arcadia Firefighters' Association has proudly participated in this event for several years.  The Arcadia Firefighters were able to raise over $5,500 dollars toward childhood cancer research. This year's event, hosted at Matt Denny's Alehouse, raised over $40,000 to fund pediatric cancer research.  With the participation of the City of Hope Pediatric Ward, the Arcadia Firefighters were able to bring four selected pediatric patients to the event as guests of honor and had them shave our heads in an effort to bring encouragement and a smile to their faces.  The children were driven from the City of Hope to the St. Baldrick's event in our fire engines. It was an extremely touching moment for the children, their families, and everyone involved that will not be soon forgotten.  We are very excited for this year's event as we will again be partnering with the City of Hope and their pediatric patients. 

Go to this link to view the news videos about this year's event.

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/Firefighters_Shave_Heads_to_Support_Kids_with_Cancer_20090310 

2009 St. Baldrick's Fox 11 News

http://cbs2.com/video/?id=96030@kcbs.dayport.com  

2009 St. Baldrick's KCAL 9

Here is a nice KCal 9 news story on our St. Baldrick's involvement last year.

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=61982@kcbs.dayport.com

   Arcadia Firefighters were once again honored by Cub Scout Pack 111 as judges for the 2009 Pinewood Derby Grand Prix.  The Arcadia Firefighters have supported our local Cub Scout Pack 111 for many years and have participated annually in their Pinewood Derby event. We are challenged with the all important task of calling the winners at the finish line. The Arcadia Firefighters Association is proud to be able to invest in our future eagle scouts. Congratulations to Cub Scout Pack 111 for another successfull Pinewood Derby.

     The Arcadia Fire Department has registered a team for the Red Cross 2009 Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. We would like you to partner with the Arcadia Firefighters in donating blood from January 20-February 2, 2009.  Help save lives and help the Arcadia Firefighters crush the competition. Donate blood at any Red Cross location under the team Arcadia Fire Department. Get your friends, family, and organization involved as well. The more blood that is donated, the more potential there is in saving a life. Partner with the Arcadia Firefighters and the Arcadia Fire Department in the Red Cross 3rd Annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. For further information go to http://socalredcross.org/redcrossbattleofthebadges/Index.php

The Arcadia Firefighter's surprised Mr. Jack Laidlaw, Arcadia High School teacher, with an early Christmas gift on Christmas Eve.  Jack Laidlaw has been an outstanding teacher in the Arcadia Unified School District for 38 years.  Mr. Laidlaw lost his entire home when fire swept through the Oak Ridge Mobile Home park in Sylmar, CA.  The Pasadena Star News and the Arcadia Weekly have recently featured news stories about Mr. Laidlaw's home being lost.  The Arcadia Firefighter's and The Westfield Santa Anita Shopping Center made a donation to Mr. Jack Laidlaw in hopes of assisting him in his recovery efforts.  Thank you Mr. Laidlaw for all your years of dedicated service to the City of Arcadia and to the education of it's children.

The Arcadia Firefighters made a special holiday visit to the City of Hope Pediatric Cancer Ward on December 18th. With the help of our very own Santa Claus, the Arcadia Firefighters were able to give gifts to every pediatric inpatient.  It was a very special time for everyone involved.  The Christmas spirit was definately felt by all.   The Arcadia Firefighters Association have been distributing toys at the City of Hope Pediatric Ward for many years and hopes to continue this tradition for many more years to come.

     On November 14th, station 105 hosted the first annual Arcadia High School Football Team Dinner.  We served the Apaches a firehouse spaghetti dinner to congratulate them for a job well done this season and to offer motivation as they enter the CIF post season. The 14th was the last home game of the regular season as they took on rival Crescenta Valley. Congratulations to our Arcadia High School football players, we are proud of the dedication and perseverance you have shown throughout this season. Check out the photos of the event in our photo gallery.

Business Week Magazine has just rated the City of Arcadia as the best city in the State of California to raise kids in. Follow this link to read the complete story as well as view other top rated cities throughout the country.

http://www.businessweek.com/investor/content/nov2008/pi2008117_238652.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_lifestyle

ABC 7 Eyewitness News has done a local news piece regarding the City of Arcadia and the BusinessWeek ranking. Follow this link to view the video news story complete with an interview from Mayor Harbicht.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/los_angeles&id=6500762