'We're Going To Have Firefighters Die:' Wildfire Documentary Shows LA's '9/11'

ALTADENA, CA — In the face of weeks of nonstop shifts battling the region's deadly January wildfires, Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Dave Gilottee said he didn't have an opportunity to take time off despite pressing health issues.

"I had to go to the doctor for the third time in my career, get steroids for my lungs, get antibiotics and breathing treatment to be able to continue working after the impact of the fires, particularly Lake Hughes, on my own body," he said.

Gilottee, the longtime president of the LA County Firefighters Local 1014 union, was among the labor leaders who gathered in Altadena Thursday to make the case that amid tough contract talks, county leaders have failed to appreciate just how great a sacrifice first responders made during the wildfires.

Speaking just steps away from the rubble of the Eaton Fire, Gilottee and others say a documentary released this week by first responders' unions, which include never-before-seen footage and interviews from the front lines of the fires, offers an intimate illustration of the sacrifices made by firefighters, sheriff's deputies and lifeguards.

And those sacrifices are ongoing, Gilottee said.

"It's not a matter of if we're going to have firefighters die from this fire, it's a matter of when," he said. "Our battle didn't end when the flames died out. The air we breathed, the water we worked through, the ash we wore on our skin for days — these weren't just uncomfortable things we were dealing with, they were hazardous issues we were dealing with.

"The fires are extinguished, but the health consequences will linger long after the fire — much like the impact of 9/11."

Richard Pippin, president of the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, said the documentary — titled "Resilience" — was released as county officials and first responders' unions have been unable to reach a deal on a new set of contracts, which expired in January. Among the points of disagreement are cost of living raises and staffing levels, he said.

"It's beyond disturbing to see our elected officials, in the immediate wake of this kind of tragedy, telling us that they don't think they can afford to invest in public safety," he said. "The time has come for them to take away from this terrible disaster the message that we truly can't afford not to invest in our public safety."

A LA County spokesperson provided the following statement to Patch: "Los Angeles County appreciates the essential contributions of our workforce, and we are deeply grateful for the brave and important work by our firefighters and other first responders during the unprecedented January wildfires. At the same time, the County is facing serious budgetary challenges on multiple fronts.

"We are actively negotiating with Los Angeles County Firefighters, Local 1014, AFL-CIO and we hope to reach a fair and responsible agreement that recognizes our employees’ essential contributions and also preserves our ability to sustain services to the public."

Told firsthand by those who were there, Gilottee said the documentary offers an up-close and personal look at just how grueling the conditions were during the simultaneous firefight of five wildfires in January.

"Driving back up here today and watching the video ourselves, it's hard not to get brought back into it," he said.

With the help of such a visceral documentary, the union leaders say they're calling on members of the public to support their tough road ahead by reaching out to their elected officials and urging them to support the first responders' contract demands.

"Resilience" is available to view on YouTube