Los Angeles County Firefighters Emerald Society

02/11/2026

February 10, 2005 - LODD
Firefighter Craig H. Foster
Los Angeles County Fire Department. CA
Firefighter Foster died in the line of duty.

02/09/2026

February 9, 2022 - LODD
Captain Steven McCann, 48 - Station 166
Los Angeles County Fire Department. El Monte, CA
Captain McCann suffered a heart attack around 9:30 p.m. and was taken to Arcadia Methodist Hospital, where he died.

02/06/2026

February 5, 2017 - LODD
Captain II Todd Moorman, 50
Los Angeles City Fire Department. Los Angeles, CA
On February 5, 2017, Captain II David Todd Moorman worked a 36 hour shift during which he fell ill. Captain Moorman's last call was a vehicle fire at 0530hrs. After this incident, his duty shift ended and he went home. Within an hour of Captain Moorman arriving home, he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. A family member witnessed the collapse and immediately began to render first aid, including CPR, until responding units from the Ventura County Fire Department arrived on scene and initiated medical care. Captain Moorman was transported to Los Robles hospital in Thousand Oaks, California, where, despite all of the valiant efforts to save him, Captain Moorman was pronounced deceased a short time later.

01/28/2026

January 28, 1981 - LODD
Apparatus Operator Thomas G. Taylor, 34 - Truck 60
Los Angeles Fire Department. Los Angeles, CA.
On January 28, 1981, at 3:33 a.m, a full alarm assignment was dispatched to Cugees Restaurant, 5300 Lankershim Boulevard, in the North Hollywood area. Firefighters found heavy smoke with some fire showing in the interior of the restaurant. Because a back draft explosion was a distinct possibility and because the smoke had to be cleared in order to begin a meaningful fire attack, ventilation procedures were begun on the roof. Four members of Truck 60 were cutting a hole near the center of the roof when, without warning, it began to sink beneath their feet. As the roof sank, it fell at a steep angle, slowly and agonizingly pulling Apparatus Operator Thomas G. Taylor to his death.

01/16/2026

Today we remember the loss of Engineer James Howe

His fellow firefighters at Station 9 called him the “Tasmanian Devil,” because when Engineer James Howe fought a fire, he really fought. “He was very aggressive, highly motivated,” noted Los Angeles County Fire Chief Mike Freeman. “He would be completely covered with soot,” said Los Angeles County Assistant Fire Chief Jim Ryland. “He had the results of the fire on him–and at the end, there would always be a smile on his face.”
With 22 years in the department and three commendations for valor and public service, the 47-year-old Newhall resident had enough seniority to opt for one of the less-active fire stations. But that was not for the gung-ho “Tas.” Despite having to commute an hour in his beat-up Datsun pickup truck to his station in South-Central Los Angeles, Howe was proud to remain in the busiest unit–Battalion 13.
Investigators have ruled that the fire was an arson and that his death was a homicide.
Howe, who drove the engine, was one of six county firefighters injured January 9th when an overhanging roof façade collapsed on them as they scrambled across a second-floor balcony of a burning mini-mall. He was pinned under the collapsed roof for about 20 minutes, within a few feet of the flames.
Howe began his firefighting career in 1968 after serving two years as a military policeman in Vietnam. He became the kind of firefighter who would storm into a smoky bedroom in a burning apartment and carry out an unconscious 7-year-old boy. He received his first commendation for that rescue, accomplished on April 29, 1975.
He was the kind of firefighter who would spot a teenage gang member taking a bike from a 11-year-old deaf-mute boy outside the firehouse, call the Sheriffs and hold the gang member until deputies arrived. He received a second commendation for that, on April 13, 1982.
Incident: January 9, 1991
Last Alarm: January 16, 1991

01/07/2026

Andrew L. Pontious, 52, served with the Los Angeles County Fire Department for more than 19 years and was assigned to Fire Station 93 in Palmdale, California. On June 14, 2024, he died after being injured while responding to a burning front-loader at a quarry in Littlerock, California. Throughout his career, Pontious worked in and supported communities including El Monte, Rosemead, and the Kagel Canyon area, contributing to public safety through steady service and operational experience.

Pontious was recognized by colleagues for his professionalism, leadership, and willingness to mentor fellow firefighters. Outside of duty, he remained closely connected to his family and enjoyed interests such as wildlife study and outdoor activities. He is survived by his wife, stepdaughter, parents, brother, extended family, friends, and fire department colleagues. His career reflects long-term service and the professional relationships he built within the department.

(Photo: Andrew L. Pontious)

01/07/2026

01/07/2026

January 6, 2022 - LODD
Firefighter Jonathan Flagler, 47
Los Angeles County Fire Department. Los Angeles, CA
Firefighter Flager died from the injuries he sustained while operating at a single story residential fire at the 30700 block of Tarapaca Road in Rancho Palos Verdes. Firefighter Flagler put out a mayday for assistance from other firefighters at the scene and they were able to locate him, and rescue him, and then start life saving procedures. Firefighter Flagler was transported to Harbor-UCLA, where a team of doctors fought hard to try to save his life. He was previously a member of the Vernon Fire Department for 19 years.

01/06/2026

Tragedy struck our Department during an early morning structure fire January 6th, 2022. Fire Fighter Jonathan Flagler, from Fire Station 83, Battalion 14, Central Operations Bureau, was fatally injured at approximately 02:49 AM during suppression efforts inside a single-family residence located in Rancho Palos Verdes. On behalf of the Los Angeles County Fire Museum, we continue to send our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to our Brother’s family, friends and fellow Firefighters. Words can simply not express our sorrow and heartache. May he rest in eternal glory and may God continue to grant his family strength and comfort.

Firefighter Flagler was a 21-year veteran of the fire service having served 19 years with the Vernon Fire Department before transitioning into our Department in October 2020. He is survived by his wife and two sons.
Last Alarm: January 6th, 2022