Wednesday, May 31, 2006 is the last day of duty for a legendary Los Angeles Fire Department spokesman.
Firefighter/Specialist Jim Wells is retiring after 31 years of service, and we welcome those reading this message, especially active and retired members of the media, to call and wish him well during his final tour of duty (times and phone number below).
Jim has spent more than a quarter-century as a Fire Department media representative, talking to staff from The Valley News and Green Sheet before they became the Daily News, on-the-scene radio reporters from then top-rated KMPC News, and local television newscasters before there was CNN.
How the world has changed...
During his tenure on the LAFD, Jim has dealt with countless emergencies and disasters including such noteworthy events as:
- S.S. Sansinena Explosion, December 17, 1976
- Topanga Canyon Fire, November 14, 1977
- DC-10 Crash at LAX March 1, 1978
- Mandeville Canyon Fire, October, 1978
- Kirkwood Bowl/Laurel Canyon Fire, September 16, 1979
- The Dorothy Mae Apartment Fire, September 9, 1982
- Los Angeles Central Library Fire, April 29, 1986
- First Interstate Bank Fire May 4, 1988
- Pan Pacific Auditorium Fire, May 24, 1989
- US Air Boeing737 Crash at LAX, February 1, 1991
- The Los Angeles Riots, April 9 - May 4, 1992
- Old Topanga Fire, November 2 - 11, 1993
- The Northridge Earthquake, January 17, 1994
...as well as LAFD response to:
- The World Trade Center Attack, September 11, 2001
- The Hurricane Katrina Disaster, August 29, 2005
Jim has also has the dolorous task of dealing with the press and public in the line-of-duty deaths of several Los Angeles Firefighters, including:
- Firefighter Jaime Foster
- Captain Raymond Peterman
- Apparatus Operator Michael McComb
- Firefighter Lead Paramedic Eric Reiner
- Firefighter Paramedic Michael Butler
- Captain Joseph Dupee
- Firefighter Benjamin Pinel
- Paramedic James Fitzpatrick
- Apparatus Operator Thomas Taylor
- Firefighter Frank Hotchkin
- Firefighter Lynn Hazlett
- Firefighter Brian Phillips
Jim will be working his final 15-hour shift at the LAFD Media Desk from 7:00AM to 10:00PM on Wednesday, May 31, 2006.
We welcome anyone to call the LAFD Media Line at 213-485-5162 during those hours on Wednesday to share fond memories with Jim and to wish him well in his retirement.
A lively retirement dinner for Jim is planned for July 21, 2006 and all are welcome. For further information, please e-mail: jimsdinner@yahoo.com