To the Honorable Board of Firemen's

        Pension Fund Commissioners.

Gentlemen: -

          I herewith make application for retirement to be

placed on the pension roll.

          I was born in the City of Los Angeles, County of

Los Angeles, and State of California, Jan. 29th, 1880, am 30

years of age and over.

          I became a regular appointed member of the Fire

Department Sept. 20th, 1901, and assigned to Hose Co. #1, and

have been an active member ever since.

          In the early part of 1902, while responding to an

alarm of fire at East Lake Park the hose wagon on which I was

riding went over a bank, carrying the driver and myself with it,

breaking four (4) of my ribs, nose in two (2) places, cutting

upper lip nearly through, left ear nearly torn off, and back badly

sprained.

          I was on the sick list for a long time, and through

the kindness of Mr. Strohm, who was at that time Chief Engineer,

I was transferred to Eng. Co. #12 in Highland Park, to recuperate,

which took me several years to do.

          On Jan. 5th, 1907, at 1:15 P.M., while responding to an

alarm of fire the engine became mired in the mud, and while lift-         

ing on one of the hind wheels, I received a rupture, which I have

not entirely recovered.

           On Oct 26th, 1908 at 11:30 A. M. while descending from the second to ground floors on the sliding pole, while on duty, one

side of the trap door that covers the pole-hole struck me a terrific

blow above the right eye, knocking me from pole to concrete floor

below, striking on my right foot, and in consequence I received such

injuries as stated in Doctor's affidavits, being off duty several

months.

           On the evening of Sept. 3rd, 1910, while sliding on

pole in answer to call, my right arm became numb, also my side,

which often has occurred while I have been in bed, and I fell,

about twelve (12) feet to the floor on my injured foot.

            I will state that since I received the injuries

stated to my foot, that I have not been able to use boots at night,

and I use the stairway instead of pole.

            I have not been able to perform the duties as a fireman

properly, only trying to do the best that I could, and my foot

has gotten in such condition that I can only walk with the assist-

ance of a cane.

            I will ask your Honorable Body to grant my applica-

tion for a while as I have nearly met with accidents that would

have proven fatal on account of my injured foot, and furthermore I

am not doing justice to the department or to myself.

            Thanking your Honorable Body and Officers of the

Department for the kindness and courtesy shown to me, and hoping

that you will consider my application, I remain,

Your obedient servant,                   

Francis A. Alvarez    
Captain