type='node' cid='90587' />
LOS ANGELES -- On Saturday, August 14, 2004, Jaime L. Foster, a 25 year old rookie Los Angeles Firefighter, became the first female firefighter to die in the line of duty in the department's 118 year history.
Foster was part of the crew of Light Force 73, stationed in Reseda, California. They had just been released from a small residential fire and were backing the apparatus out of the neighborhood. Jaime was riding on the tailboard of Engine 273, not the hook-and-ladder as stated in numerous other articles.
Firefighter Foster, believed to have fallen off the tailboard was crushed by the apparatus.
Firefighters and Paramedics immediately began working on Firefighter Foster and transported her to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead a short time later.
Hundreds of firefighters from as far away as New York as well as numerous law enforcement agencies gathered Friday at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles in downtown Los Angeles to mourn the loss of Firefighter Foster.
Fire Chief William Bamattre told more than 3,000 mourners during a two-hour service, "Though she was with us only a short time, she will leave a lasting legacy." "She is a hero in death, and she was a hero in life. She was the epitome of our motto: Service without self."
Firefighter Foster's badge, #1021, was retired from service and presented to Foster's mother, Gloria, by Fire Chief Bamattre.
Related
- More: A Hero's Farewell, L.A. Firefighter
- Firefighter Killed After Run Over By Fire Truck
- More Details on Funeral and Related Information from LAFD.org
- Fallen LAFD Rookie 'Gave 110% Every Minute'
- LAFD Firefighter Fatality Following Response To Structure Fire
- Vigil For California Firefighter Killed On Duty
