Story/Photos by JOHN CARR

Seeing a New York City fire station on a Hollywood movie lot is not an unexpected sight in California. Finding one on a Los Angeles neighborhood street has been turning many heads.

The City of El Monte is located in the eastern section of Los Angeles County. The culturally diverse city of 120,000 is like many cities in the area. The city contracts with the County of Los Angeles for fire protection. The L.A.Co.F.D. operates four stations within the city limits. There are three staffed engines, a 100' quint and a paramedic squad.

Station 168, "The House of Trains", is located at 3207 Cogswell Road. The single engine station is located near a busy railroad line. They are also located on the same site as the former L.A.Co.F.D. Station 43. The vacant building has seen little use since the early 1940's when the current station was built.

Members of Station 168 and the three other El Monte firehouses wanted to express their solidarity with their fallen brothers in New York. They decided to rebuild their old Station 43 into a replica of a FDNY station. With unanimous support from all of the city stations and their officers the firefighters approached the city. Their idea was met with overall support.

With assistance from the City of El Monte, their Public Works Department and the El Monte Police Department work began in earnest on the building over the summer of 2002. Local building supply companies donated material for the project. A local El Monte Rotary Club helped with fund raising. Local bricklayers, painters and plasterers unions assisted firefighters and their families with the construction project. All of the labor needed for completion was donated.

Workers completely rebuilt the front facade of the vacant building. Brick similar to that found on many New York fire stations was laid. False windows, and a non-moveable overhead door, were added as well. Final touches included plastered cornices and a complete repainting of the building.

The final project was completed and dedicated on Saturday, September 14, 2002. Many state and local dignitaries attended the ceremony. The highlight of the day's celebration was the attendance to the dedication by several families representing fallen FDNY. firefighters. The building is also dedicated in the memory of those who were killed from the NYPD. and PAPD.

Firefighters from El Monte and Los Angeles County are very proud of their project. They are certain that their memorial will stand the test of time and continue to express their sincere affection to all of those lost on that fateful day.