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Glendale News Press
Published June 11, 2005
Fanning flames of diversity
Seven graduate from the Glendale fire academy Friday, including city's first
Armenian firefighter.
By Jackson Bell, News-Press and Leader
In a city that has been home to a large and growing population of Armenians
for two decades, Karlow Krikor became the first Armenian firefighter in
Glendale on Friday. He and six other Fire Department recruits graduated from
the Glendale Arroyo Seco Fire Academy on Friday at the Glendale Fire
Training Center.
For the 34-year-old Krikor, his ethnicity and a desire to diversify the
force came second to his desire to serve the community he grew up in --
especially since he is fluent in Armenian.
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"I hope this helps bridge the gap and allows me to educate my culture to the
Fire Department, and vice versa," he said.
The firefighter recruit class of 2005 were cheered on by family, friends and
fellow department personnel as they were sworn in. The seven will now serve
a one-year probationary period.
The graduating class includes Jeffrey Brooks, Jeffrey Casilli, Jose
Escobedo, Brent Kelley, Krikor, Gilbert Pedroza and Zack Zarrilli.
"Something set them apart, that's the reason they are here," Glendale Fire
Chief Christopher Gray said. "There were thousands who applied for the job,
and seven are here."
Before receiving their badges, the graduates showed off their newly learned
skills by extinguishing a controlled building fire, hosing down a burning
car and climbing ropes down a tower.
Capt. Greg Fish narrated the demonstrations, which also included an
extradition from a smashed minivan. The seven went beyond what was needed
for a safe rescue and sliced the vehicle's top off, to the delight of the
crowd.
"That patient would have already been to the hospital, but they're going to
fight it, they're going to get it." Fish said, as the audience laughed.
"It's their day."
Escobedo, 25, had been waiting 15 years for the moment he would finally
become a firefighter. Growing up behind a fire station in Los Angeles, he
said he was inspired by what he saw.
"There is no better job," the Valencia man said. "You get to help people and
you're a model in the community. You are the person everyone looks up to for
help, and I wanted to be a part of that."
A more diverse force will help break down cultural barriers, said Alina
Azizian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee's Glendale
chapter.
The committee has been helping the Fire Department with community outreach,
Azizian said.
"We are very encouraged that there is an Armenian-American being sworn in
and joining the ranks, especially since there are already several police
officers who are Armenian," she said. "And we hope this encourages other
Armenians to join the Fire Department."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Published June 11, 2005
Fanning flames of diversity
Seven graduate from the Glendale fire academy Friday, including city's first
Armenian firefighter.
By Jackson Bell, News-Press and Leader
In a city that has been home to a large and growing population of Armenians
for two decades, Karlow Krikor became the first Armenian firefighter in
Glendale on Friday. He and six other Fire Department recruits graduated from
the Glendale Arroyo Seco Fire Academy on Friday at the Glendale Fire
Training Center.
For the 34-year-old Krikor, his ethnicity and a desire to diversify the
force came second to his desire to serve the community he grew up in --
especially since he is fluent in Armenian.
advertisement
"I hope this helps bridge the gap and allows me to educate my culture to the
Fire Department, and vice versa," he said.
The firefighter recruit class of 2005 were cheered on by family, friends and
fellow department personnel as they were sworn in. The seven will now serve
a one-year probationary period.
The graduating class includes Jeffrey Brooks, Jeffrey Casilli, Jose
Escobedo, Brent Kelley, Krikor, Gilbert Pedroza and Zack Zarrilli.
"Something set them apart, that's the reason they are here," Glendale Fire
Chief Christopher Gray said. "There were thousands who applied for the job,
and seven are here."
Before receiving their badges, the graduates showed off their newly learned
skills by extinguishing a controlled building fire, hosing down a burning
car and climbing ropes down a tower.
Capt. Greg Fish narrated the demonstrations, which also included an
extradition from a smashed minivan. The seven went beyond what was needed
for a safe rescue and sliced the vehicle's top off, to the delight of the
crowd.
"That patient would have already been to the hospital, but they're going to
fight it, they're going to get it." Fish said, as the audience laughed.
"It's their day."
Escobedo, 25, had been waiting 15 years for the moment he would finally
become a firefighter. Growing up behind a fire station in Los Angeles, he
said he was inspired by what he saw.
"There is no better job," the Valencia man said. "You get to help people and
you're a model in the community. You are the person everyone looks up to for
help, and I wanted to be a part of that."
A more diverse force will help break down cultural barriers, said Alina
Azizian, executive director of the Armenian National Committee's Glendale
chapter.
The committee has been helping the Fire Department with community outreach,
Azizian said.
"We are very encouraged that there is an Armenian-American being sworn in
and joining the ranks, especially since there are already several police
officers who are Armenian," she said. "And we hope this encourages other
Armenians to join the Fire Department."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress