Fireman Robert C. Gladden
On
November 25, 1968, Task Force 69, Engine 23 and Battalion 9 were
dispatched at 7:05 p.m. to a fire in a structure at 1128 Donaire Way, Pacific Palisades. Upon arrival the companies quickly
extinguished a fire in a large single family dwelling. While
overhauling the fire, Fireman Robert C. Gladden of Engine Company 69
suffered a fatal heart attack. Gladden, 47, was in his 21st year on
the department, twelve of them at Engine 69. Gladden was survived by
his wife, Marie; a daughter, Laura; and a son, Robert, Jr., who
later joined the department. In 1985 a brush fire swept through the
Baldwin Hills area of Los Angeles. The July 2nd fire damaged or
destroyed 71 homes and killed three people. Mrs. Marie Gladden was
one of those persons and her son, Robert, working on Engine 82 was among
the many firefighters who battled the blaze. |
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