Regardless of their badge, firefighters are united around the world over. The yellow turnout gear, helmet and boots are a universal symbol of dedication to saving the lives and properties of their communities.
Plaque made by SO Graeme Bland presented to museum (L-R) SSO Darren Padgett, Captain Joe Woyjeck (Museum Vice President & LA County Fire Dept. Retired), SO Graeme Bland, Brendan McDonough (Granite Mountain Hot Shots)
It is this same sentiment that drew Eltham Fire Station Station Officer Graeme Bland and Dandenong Senior Station Officer Darren Padget to the LA County Fire Museum reopening in July 2018. Graeme’s first trip to the museum was in 2011, sadly cut short because of an incident. On his second visit, in 2014, Graeme met with one of the museum’s four directors, Gilbert Garcia and has since formed a strong friendship. Darren made his first visit to the museum in 2017 where he also met Gilbert.
LA County Fire Museum Commemorative Shirt
The museum holds its own unique story and has been open in the community of Bellflower in California since 1975. It is the home of the long-standing history of the fire services, with vehicles dating back to the 1860s. The museum also showcases vehicles, which were real fire engines; from the 1970s hit TV show Emergency.
Darren Padget with Kevin Tigh (Emergency)
Since 2014, the museum has undergone a $7.4 million redevelopment project to build a new larger modern site. Gilbert hadn’t forgotten his Australian friend and reached out to Graeme to invite him to join the official opening.
Both Darren and Graeme couldn’t pass up such a unique opportunity to be a part of such a momentous occasion for the LA County Fire Department. They joined over 6,000 people on the day that travelled from far-reaches of the United States to celebrate.
“I was honoured and humbled to be a part of such an important day for the city of Bellflower,” Graeme said.
“Our services, even though worlds apart, are quite similar in many ways, including the passion and high regard the community holds for the service.”
“They really treated us like VIPs but we were just honoured to be a part of the day, the locals were a little confused by our uniforms and when we said ‘Victoria’ they automatically thought Canada.”
Darren making his second trip to the museum was in awe of the experience this time around.
“We had to get in there and help on the day, we were ushering people around, on the door and even manning the autograph lines for the celebrity guests Randy Mantooth, Kevin Tigh and Mike Stoker from Emergency.
“What we gained most from the experience was actually learning about the diversity of their capability. Like CFA they don’t just fight fires. They’re responding to everything from marine fires and rescue to earthquakes.
“They have a lot of equipment at their disposal from boats, cranes to helicopters all on site ready to respond.” Like Victoria, California is one of the most fire prone regions in the world and the day was also about honouring the tragic history of the service. Brendan ‘Donut’ McDonough also came on the day. Brendan is the only surviving member of the Granite Mountain Hotshots, of Prescott Fire
Only The Brave memorabilia
Graeme and Darren present the Museum with a CFA flag
Author: Courtney Walker