audio, stills, text and or video: Go to http://www.zReportage.com to see more - The Los Angeles Fire Department is one of best firefighting agencies in the world and has long set a standard of excellence for training and performance. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is a full-spectrum life safety agency protecting approximately 4 million people who live, work and play in America's second largest City. The training program of the LAFD is notorious for its toughness, and for good reason; any firefighter in southern California must be capable of dealing with more hazards than anywhere else in the country; ranging from earthquakes and forest fires, to flash floods, ocean rescues and skyscraper emergencies. Not to mention everything else that comes with the second largest city in the country, spanning 450 square miles. Drilltower 40 is one such training center..
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - CHUCK RUDDELL, LAFD Captain/Instructor, Drilltower 40. 'I don't want to be dramatic, but this isn't supposed to be easy. People's lives will depend on those who pass through here. And I take that responsibility very seriously. Yeah, you could call it a Bootcamp.'.
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - Go to the light! JOSEPH PUGLIESE tries desperately to make order of the snaking hoses during a live fire drill. The teamwork and communication 'down the line' is a critical aspect of fighting fires, and recruits spend many hours perfecting their techniques in blindfolded conditions, to simulate a city with no power. .
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - To always keep the recruits on their toes, drill instructors will at any time sound the emergency alarm calling for a full kit tower drill, and test their response time. Any miscommunication, loss of team member or any incomplete equipment may well result in elimination from the entire program during the later weeks. So teamwork and leadership is critical. .
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - DAMON LEACH, 28, LAFD Class of 2003. 'The LAFD is the best in the world, there's no doubt about it! It's why I moved here. My parents lost their house back in '95, so you could say I feel connected to this work. I want to look back and say I did something worthwhile.'.
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - ABRAHAM MIA and his teammates rehydrate themselves after a particularly exhausting tower drill. But morale and confidence is high, with no mistakes recorded. The high level of physical fitness demanded by the LAFD is something the firefighters take particular pride in, and knowing that the drill instructors are always watching, no recruit can afford to take it easy. .
© Robert Gallagher/zReportage.com/ZUMA
Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - Abraham Mia, 27, LAFD Class of 2003. 'I see this as an opportunity for me to serve my community. It's a way for me to give back.'.
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - Courage under fire! Recruits learn to trust in one another, as together they work their way through a burning building with just one hose to protect them all. Huddling tightly together and low to the floor, a leader is designated, and barks out commands, which are promptly repeated through the pack, as he attempts to safely navigate the growing wall of flames. .
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Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - LAURIE VAN DYNE, 28, LAFD Class of 2003. 'There's no question, it's a tough job for a woman. But I've been around fires and firefighters all my life. It's in my family, and it runs through my vains. This is what I want to do with my life.' .
© Robert Gallagher/zReportage.com/ZUMA
Aug. 10, 2006 - Long Beach, California, U.S. - Checking out one of the firetrucks. .
© Robert Gallagher/zReportage.com/ZUMA
