1. What inspired you to become a fireman?
My parents subscribed to the Japanese Newspaper the Rafu Shimpo. There was a big ad in the paper saying they were recruiting Asian firefighters.
My first thought was I was too short and didn’t pay attention to the ad. My friend, who was Japanese American saw the same ad and gave me a call. I told him I thought that I was too short.
The next day my friend came to my house to get me to go with him. I told him “no†. He said he wanted me to keep him company and that he would pay for the parking. I went along with him. At the personnel office he got an application. The clerk asked how tall I was. I answered that I was 5’ 6.5†and I received an application. I asked the clerk if the height requirement was 5’ 8†. The clerk stated that the height requirement was 5’6†as of 2 weeks ago.
I passed the medical and physical abilities test and was hired as a firefighter. For a time I was the shortest firefighter in L.A.F.D.
There were 3 Japanese American firefighters in the eligibility list. We became the first Asian firefighters on L.A.F.D.. The 3 of us were also veterans of the Viet Nam war. There were 2 other Asians in L.A.F.D.,however, they were single function paramedics.
2. Please tell us of one memorable moment that stands out to you and why?
I went to the Mandeville Canyon brush fire in 1978. Thirty years later to the date I went to the Mountain Gate brush fire. I told the guys at the fire station that the 30 year date was coming up for the Mandeville Canyon brush fire in 1978. Ironically, the Mountain Gate brush fire was on that date in October of 2008.
3. Do you have any advice that you would like to share with the men entering the
field today?
Be physically fit. Become a paramedic to get into L.A.F.D. Show yourself to be a valued asset to the department. Then cross train to become a firefighter.
Steve’s last crew at FS 19:
Captain Tom Haus
Engineer Leo Byrne
Firefighter Mike Franken
Firefighter/Paramedic
Garrett Stephens
Firefighter/Paramedic
Darin Hebert
