MEMORIAL WALL PIECE
We will never forget
JAMES EDWARD HOWE
Last Alarm: January 16th, 1991
His colleagues at the Engine 9 firehouse 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
His colleagues at the Engine 9 firehouse called him the “Tasmanian Devil,” because when James Howe fought a fire, he really fought. “He was very aggressive, highly motivated,” noted 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 facade 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
ENGINEER JIMMY HOWE
January 16, 2021 marked the 30-year anniversary of the death of Engineer James “Jimmy” Howe. Jim Howe was born in Santa Maria, California on July 1, 1943, but spent most of his childhood in the Fresno area with his three brothers. The Howe Family moved to Mission Hills in 1955. Following his graduation from San Fernando High School in 1962, Jim spent a summer in Alaska working in construction, and studied fire management at a local college. During the summer, he worked for the U.S. Forest Service as a member of a hand crew doing what he loved: fighting fires.
From 1965-1967, Jim honorably served his country in the U.S. Army in one extended tour of duty in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne Division as an MP and in convoy support. Upon his return, he went back to work for the Forest Service before joining the Los Angeles County Fire Department in 1968. The following year, Jim married his sweetheart, Nancy Tashima. They welcomed their first daughter, Leslie Ann, in 1970, followed by Debra Lynn in 1972.
Jim spent 22 years serving as a firefighter with LACoFD. During those years, he was recognized three times for acts of valor and public service. Jim spent most of his Fire Department career in Battalion 13, except for a brief period following his 1978 promotion to Engineer, when he was assigned to the Fire Protection and Engineering Unit at headquarters.
He had a passion and prolific love of firefighting and community service. Many of his friends referred to him as “Porky,” “Anyhowe,” ”Big Boy,” the “Tasmanian Devil,” or “The Taz,” but most of them just called him “Jimmy”.
His final assignment was as a member of “A” shift at Fire Station 9. Howe was the engineer on Engine 9 when he was critically injured while battling an arson fire in a commercial building fire in Huntington Park during the evening of January 9, 1991. He along with Captain Emmet Kinney and Firefighter Anthony Jefferson responded together that evening from their station then located at 7116 Makee Ave in the Florence Firestone District. Jimmy was injured when a façade collapsed on him and other firefighters at the State Incident in 165’s area. Heart wrenching video exists of the entire incident including the rescue of those trapped under the façade. Unfortunately, Jimmy’s injuries would claim his life despite all that was done by so many of his brothers to save him. Firefighter Jimmy Howe died one week later at the age of 47.
The “State Incident” has been used ever since to reinforce the dangers posed by facades to firefighters.
Lest We Forget!
At this time, the Los Angeles County Fire Museum invites everyone to remember Engine 9 in honor of Jim’s life and ultimate sacrifice.
This article was written by President Paul Schneider for the Fire Warden Magazine Volume 30 – Issue 1 – 2021 Page18
In Honor of Jimmy – Engine 9
We did what we ‘hadda do
From the left: Firefighter Anthony Jefferson, Engineer Jimmy Howe & Captain Emmet Kinney.
All responded to the “State Incident”
The Museum acquired the 1984 Van Pelt that was Engine 9 and driven by Jimmy to his last fire. We maintain it in his honor. We almost did not get the rig when it was retired. It was in excess property at the Pacoima warehouse and scheduled to be transferred to a college fire academy. Carlos Hernandez, back when he was Utility 13, saw Engine 9 sitting at Pacoima and told me we needed to get it and get it soon. When we called excess property and requested the engine be transferred to the Museum, the manager there told us no. He said the vehicle was already promised to the college. We were told to pick another Van Pelt. So, Carlos drove me out to Pacoima where we replaced the batteries on old Engine 9 and took it. Sometimes ya ‘gotta do what ya ‘gotta do.
Thanks to Chief Burciaga for getting that little mess cleaned up for us!
This article was written by President Paul Schneider for the Fire Warden Magazine Volume 30 – Issue 1 – 2021 Page 21
Engine 9 at our South Gate Warehouse Facility
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