Firefighters who successfully fought a three alarm fire in the 1000 block of University Avenue on July 6 were honored July 26 by the San Diego City Council in a proclamation titled “A Day of Gratitude to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.”
About 22 firefighters who helped put the fire out were in Council chambers for the proclamation and 3rd District Councilman Todd Gloria said over 100 firefighters responded.
“Our firefighters saved the community of Hillcrest which could have easily had a much more disastrous fire,” said Gloria.
The blaze started when workers on the roof of a restaurant accidently caused some sparks to ignite and the fire quickly went through a 101-year-old building that also housed 15 apartment units. Twelve people were displaced and three businesses were damaged by smoke and water.
A battalion chief told the Council the fire occurred just days after the brownouts policy ended in which the city idled fire engines in different parts of the city in order to save money. The City Council passed a budget for fiscal year 2012 that eliminated the brownouts policy that was effective July 1.
“This is just another example of why we must have a fully staffed fire rescue department. It’s absolutely essential for public safety,” said Gloria.
Gloria also thanked Big Mike Phillips, Tom Brown and the Imperial Court of San Diego for hosting a community benefit to help the 12 people who lost their belongings in the apartments. Gloria said $7,000 was raised and given to the displaced tenants.
Story honoring firefighters, yet the photos is of Todd Gloria? Just who are you honoring?
I haven’t seen as cozy as relationship between politicians and news media, as LGBT Weekly has with Gloria, since Rubert Murdoch got caught in England. What gives?
Wow, Walt … your comment is kind of harsh, and a little inappropriate. Of course, Todd is not being honored. If you really read the story, Walt, you would know that Todd was the one honoring the firefighters.
Rupert Murdoch used his power to manipulate the news to suit his own personal agenda. Using a photo of Todd is not a manipulation, by any stretch of the imagination. While I too think a picture of the firefighters would be more ideal, Todd’s photo is still relevant.