By Odalis A. Suarez

After the long battle with the Station Fire in 2009, community members will never forget the courageous efforts of the firefighters and sheriffs. Now that one year has passed since the fire, residents were eager to thank these men and women by honoring them with a plaque this past Thursday at Memorial Park in La Cañada.
“No city funds [were] used [for] the plaque,” said Mayor Pro Tem Greg Brown. He explained that the plaque was funded by community members.
“We’re here today truly on behalf of the residents of the city,” he added.
Members of the Los Angeles County Fire Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department attended the ceremony at the park’s gazebo.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you to all the men and women of these departments,” said Brown who presented the plaque to the departments.
Assistant Fire Chief Bill Niccum, Captain Dave Silversparre of the LA County Sheriff’s Department, and local firefighters and deputies were present to accept the plaque.
“I express great appreciation to the city and citizens,” said Niccum.
Representatives of both the fire and sheriff’s departments took the opportunity to remind the community of fire safety as the fire season quickly approaches.
“La Cañada residents are still at risk for wildfire,” said Stephanie English, Community Services Liaison for the L.A. County Fire Department.
“We wanted to express the importance of the Ready! Set! Go! program.  [It’s] an opportunity to better prepare your property and homes [from] the threatening wildfires that may come about,” explained Niccum.
The L.A. County Fire Department is aggressively promoting its Ready, Set, Go program.  The 11 page booklet provides details on how to prepare your home if a fire were to occur. It is divided into three categories: Being “Ready” in order to create a defensible home; getting “Set” by preparing your family; and “Going” by leaving early when a wildfire occurs.
For more information on the Ready, Set, Go program visit the L.A. County Fire Department’s website at www.fire.lacounty.gov or call the Public Information Office at (323) 881-2411.