>> (HUELL) THIS IS KIND OF AN INTERESTING PLACE TO BE SITTING UP HERE.

WHEN YOU'RE GOING DOWN THE STREET LIKE THIS, DO YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON THE SIDEWALKS OR PEOPLE IN CARS NEXT TO YOU YELL AT YOU?

WHAT KIND OF COMMENT DO YOU GET FROM PEOPLE ON THE STREET?

>> MOSTLY GOOD.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN "MOSTLY GOOD"?

>> WELL, MOST OF THE PEOPLE ARE ON OUR SIDE.

WE GET MOSTLY A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THE PEOPLE.

A FEW INCIDENTS OF MAYBE A NEGATIVE RESPONSE, BUT FOR THE MOST PART, IT'S ALL POSITIVE.

>> SO WHAT WOULD THEY SAY TO YOU?

>> THEY WILL USUALLY GIVE YOU A THUMBS UP OR WAVE OR "GOOD JOB."

>> NOW LET'S GET DOWN TO THE NEGATIVE COMMENTS.

WHAT WOULD THEY SAY TO YOU THAT WE CAN SAY ON THE AIR?

>> MAYBE JUST A THUMBS DOWN OR A WAVE WITH THE MIDDLE FINGER.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK THEY WOULD SHOOT THEIR MIDDLE FINGER AT YOU OR PUT THUMBS DOWN?

WHY DO YOU THINK THEY DO THAT?

>> AHH, MAYBE JUST THE REASON THAT WE'RE PART OF AUTHORITY, I GUESS.

THEY JUST DON'T LIKE THE AUTHORITY THAT WE SHOW.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU'RE PART OF AUTHORITY?

>> YEAH, TO A DEGREE.

WHEN WE COME ON AN INCIDENT, WE TRY TO TAKE CONTROL OF THE INCIDENT AS FAR AS KEEPING THE PUBLIC OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

SO WE DO HAVE TO CONTROL THE CROWDS.

>> NOW IS THIS A USUAL SATURDAY MORNING THING TO DO?

>> YES, EVERY SATURDAY WE GO OUT AND PRACTICE IN SOME FACET OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.

>> NOW WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR AS THE CHIEF?

>> I'M THE CAPTAIN.

>> I'M TRYING TO GIVE YOU THAT KIND OF PROMOTION.

>> I COULD USE THAT.

WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR IS THAT THEY'RE DOING IT SAFELY AND THE JOBS GET DONE.

I OVERSEE THE WHOLE OPERATION.

>> WILL YOU TALK TO THEM LATER AND SAY, "YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS THIS WAY?"

>> IF ANYTHING WAS DONE INCORRECTLY, YOU WILL BE ABLE SEE IT AS WE LOAD LINES.

IF SOMETHING WASN'T DONE EXACTLY THE WAY WE'D LIKE IT DONE, WE WILL TALK IT UP AS A TRAINING EXERCISE TO MAKE SURE THE NEXT TIME WE DO IT MORE QUICKLY.

>> EVERYBODY IS TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY.

IS THAT BECAUSE WE'RE HERE?

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> I DON'T MEAN THAT YOU'RE NOT SERIOUS ABOUT YOUR JOB, BUT IT IS SATURDAY MORNING AT GRIFFITH PARK.

>> NO, WHEN WE'RE AROUND A FIRE STATION, SOMETIMES THE GUYS WILL JOKE, BUT WHEN WE'RE IN AN EMERGENCY OPERATION OR TRAINING EXERCISE, IT'S VERY SERIOUS.

>> YOU'VE GOT A LEAK!

>> THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN REALLY DO ABOUT THAT.

IT'S JUST IN THE GASKETS HERE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF HEAD PRESSURE.

HE'S PUMPING 160 TO US NOW.

>> WOULD THIS BE NORMAL?

>> PRETTY MUCH SO.

>> IN A FIRE, YOU LET IT GO?

>> YOU'VE JUST GOT TO EXPECT TO GET A LITTLE WET HERE.

>> WELL, YOU'RE GETTING A LOT WET, AND I'M GETTING OUT OF THE WAY.

DO YOU EVER GET UP ON THE LADDER LIKE THAT?

>> YEAH, WE ALL TAKE TURNS.

>> SO EVERYBODY IS UP THERE?

>> IT JUST DEPENDS ON WHAT POSITION YOU ARE ON THE TRUCK THAT DAY.

>> WHAT'S IT LIKE UP THERE?

>> HIGH!

>> YOU'RE TURNING IT ON?

HERE GOES THE WATER.

THERE IT GOES THROUGH THE PIPE.

IT'S GOING UP.

WOW!

>> WHAT'S THE STRESS LEVEL NOW BEING A FIRE FIGHTER IN L.A.?

>> I REALLY DON'T THINK IT HAS CHANGED MUCH PERSONALLY.

I DON'T FEEL ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW AS I DID BEFORE THE RIOTS.

>> I TALKED WITH MIKE WHO SAID HE LOOKS AROUND MORE NOW.

>> YEAH, AS FAR AS VIOLENCE DIRECTED TOWARDS US, YES.

IN DIFFERENT AREAS, WE WEAR BULLET-PROOF VESTS ON CERTAIN CALLS THAT WE GO ON.

>> DO YOU HAVE THEM ON THE TRUCK?

>> YES.

>> COULD WE TAKE A LOOK?

>> OKAY.

>> WHEN DID THIS GO INTO EFFECT?

>> I GUESS IT'S BEEN COMING IN SLOWLY FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR SO NOW.

>> ARE THEY UNDERNEATH?

>> NO, WE HAVE THEM ON THIS SIDE OVER HERE.

>> SO NOW PART OF YOUR APPARATUS -- HE JUST TOLD ME THAT NOW PART OF YOUR UNIFORM IS A BULLET-PROOF VEST.

>> ON CERTAIN TYPES OF INCIDENTS, THAT'S CORRECT.

IF WE HAVE A SHOOTING, AN ASSAULT, THAT TYPE OF AN INCIDENT, THEN WE WEAR THESE FOR PROTECTION.

ON A NORMAL FIRE FIGHTING SITUATION WE DO NOT WEAR THEM.

>> SO CAN YOU PUT THAT ON FOR US?

DOES THAT ENCUMBER YOU WHEN YOU'RE FIGHTING A FIRE?

>> YEAH, IT CONTAINS MORE HEAT.

>> SO IT'S NOT SOMETHING YOU WOULD PREFER TO WEAR?

>> WELL, I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE THE DAY WHERE A FIRE FIGHTER HAD TO WEAR A BULLET-PROOF VEST.

>> SCOTT MILLER, THE APPARATUS OPERATOR, WAS SHOT.

HE WAS ON OUR COMPANY AND WAS SHOT ON OUR COMPANY.

>> THE FIRE FIGHTER WHO WAS SHOT WAS PART OF THIS?

>> YES, THE DRIVER OF THIS APPARATUS RIGHT HERE.

SO WHEN YOU COME IN TO RELIEVE THE GROUP GOING OFF AND THEY TALK ABOUT HOW THE PERSON WHO SITS NEXT TO YOU MAY NOT LIVE, THAT'S STRESSFUL.

YOU THINK DIFFERENT WAYS NOW.

THERE'S SOMEBODY OUT THERE CREATING MORE PROBLEMS FOR US.

>> AS IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ALREADY.

>> NATURAL PROBLEMS OUT THERE, IT'S PART OF OUR JOB, BUT THAT PART IS NOT PART OF OUR JOB.

IT'S BECOMING PART OF IT.

>> DOES EVERYBODY THINK OF EACH OTHER AS AN EXTENDED FAMILY?

YOU ALL KNOW EACH OTHER'S WIVES AND GIRLFRIENDS?

>> WE ARE AN EXTENDED FAMILY.

WE WORK SO CLOSELY TOGETHER UNDER ADVERSE SITUATIONS AND VERY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, THAT WE BECOME CLOSE.

IF A GROUP DOES STAY TOGETHER VERY LONG, THEN WE START DOING THINGS OFF DUTY.

SOMETIMES THE GUYS WILL GO WATER SKIING BY THEMSELVES AND ALSO FAMILY SITUATIONS.

>> IF YOU JUST HAD A FIGHT WITH YOUR WIFE YESTERDAY, WOULD YOU COME IN AND TALK WITH MIKE ABOUT IT?

>> I'M SURE I WOULD MENTION IT TO A COUPLE OF THE GUYS.

>> DID YOU JUST GET MARRIED?

>> ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED?

>> YES, IN NOVEMBER.

>> SO IS EVERYBODY GOING TO SHOW UP AT THE WEDDING AND CAUSE A SCENE?

>> I HAVEN'T RECEIVED MY INVITATION YET.

>> YOU'RE GOING TO INVITE EVERYBODY, AREN'T YOU?

YOU DON'T WANT THESE GUYS TO SHOW UP AT YOUR OWN WEDDING?

>> YES, I'M GOING TO INVITE THEM NOW, OF COURSE I AM.

>> YOU WERE HONESTLY CONSIDERING NOT INVITING YOUR BUDDIES HERE TO YOUR WEDDING?

>> THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL BEING PUT ON THE SPOT, BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE A REAL SMALL WEDDING -- NOT THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO INVITE THEM.

I LOVE THESE GUYS.

>> BUT NOT ENOUGH TO INVITE THEM TO YOUR WEDDING.

>> IT WAS GOING TO BE FAMILY.

>> BUTHE CAPTAIN JUST SAID THIS IS FAMILY.

>> IT IS -- THEY ARE INVITED.

>> WILL YOU GO TO HIS WEDDING?

>> DEFINITELY.

>> DO YOU KNOW HIS FIANCE?

>> YES.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HER?

>> A GREAT LADY.

>> DO YOU THINK SHE KNOWS WHAT SHE'S GETTING INTO?

>> NO.

>> YOU'RE MARRIED, RIGHT?

IS IT TOUGH ON YOUR WIFE AND YOUR KIDS TO BE MARRIED TO A FIRE FIGHTER?

>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE TOUGH ON YOUR WIFE.

THE GOOD PART ABOUT IT IS I WAS A FIREMAN LONG BEFORE I GOT MARRIED, SO SHE GOT TO KNOW MY LIFESTYLE.

>> WHAT IS THAT LIFESTYLE?

>> BEING GONE FOR 24 HOURS AT A TIME OR 96 HOURS AT A TIME.

MAYBE WATCHING THE NEWS AND SEEING A BIG FIRE AND KNOWING THAT YOU'RE THERE.

JUST THE ANTICIPATION WAITING FOR YOU TO CALL OR COME HOME IN THE MORNING.

IT TAKES GETTING USED TO.

>> DO WIVES OR HUSBANDS OF FIRE FIGHTERS TEND TO SOCIALIZE AND STICK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER?

DO THEY EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER?

>> IT KIND OF DEPENDS ON THE GROUP OF GUYS YOU'RE WITH.

WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A REALLY CLOSE CREW.

WE DO A LOT OF THINGS OFF DUTY.

SO THE WIVES GET TO KNOW EACH AND GET TO COMPARE STORIES.

>> YOU MEAN TO SEE IF THERE REALLY WAS A FIRE?

>> SEE WHY WE CAME HOME LATE.

NO, JUST THEIR FEELINGS.

>> WHY IS EVERYBODY LAUGHING WHEN I SAID THAT?

WHY IS EVERYBODY LAUGHING?

>> WELL, I DON'T KNOW.

I DIDN'T HEAR THIS STORY.

I'M NEW HERE.

>> DO YOU THINK THE AVERAGE PERSON UNDERSTANDS THE HUMOR?

I GET THE IDEA THAT ONE OF THE REASONS Y'ALL KID AROUND SO MUCH IS THAT THERE REALLY IS A LOT OF PRESSURE AND THIS HELPS RELIEVE IT.

>> DEFINITELY, THAT'S HOW WE DEFUSE OUR SITUATIONS, WE DO JOKE WITH ONE ANOTHER.

THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN DO IT.

THAT'S BEEN OUR THERAPY FOR YEARS.

WE COME BACK AND TEASE ABOUT A SITUATION OR PLAY IT DOWN.

>> DO YOU FIND THAT YOU INTERNALIZE A LOT OF THINGS, THAT YOU'RE STRESSED OUT?

>> NO, NOT REALLY.

THAT'S ONE THING ABOUT IT -- WE'RE PRETTY TIGHT LIPPED.

EVERYBODY FEELS THE SAME WAY, BUT WE DON'T SPEAK ABOUT IT.

>> WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> WE GO IN SITUATIONS AND WE SEE A LOT OF INCIDENTS -- IT COULD TURN YOUR STOMACH.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT FROM THE SERIOUS POINT OF VIEW.

WE ALWAYS TAKE IT FROM A LIGHTHEARTED WAY.

SO IN DOING THAT, WE ALWAYS DEFUSE THE PRESSURE OR THE SECONDARY EFFECTS OF IT.

THAT'S WHY YOU SEE US TEASING ALL THE TIME.

THAT'S A CONSTANT THING FOR US.

IT JUST KEEPS EVERYBODY GOING.

WE'RE HERE FOR 24 HOURS, AND SO IN THOSE 24-HOUR PERIODS, IF YOU DON'T GET ALONG, IT BECOMES A VERY LONG PERIOD OF TIME.

SO IT'S OUR WAY OF MAKING THE TIME PASS, AND IT MAKES US CLOSER.

>> IT'S KIND OF PSYCHOLOGY 101.

IT'S JUST BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO GET ALONG.

>> YES, I GUESS SO.

I THINK IT'S BEYOND 101.

IT'S PROBABLY ABOUT 202.

>> DO YOU HAVE A FAMILY?

>> I HAVE A WIFE AND TWO LOVELY DAUGHTERS, BUFFY AND JODY.

THEY'RE GOLDEN LABS.

>> DO YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU HERE ON THE JOB WITH YOUR WIFE?

>> AH, WE DO TO A CERTAIN POINT.

WE DON'T GET INTO DETAILS.

>> IS THAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT HER TO KNOW SOME OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH?

>> NO, IT'S JUST A LOT OF TIMES THAT YOU FIND OUT -- YOU SEE SO MANY THINGS THAT IT BECOMES AN EVERYDAY OCCURRENCE FOR YOU.

A LOT OF TIMES YOU LOSE TOUCH AS TO, "OH, THAT WAS A UNIQUE SITUATION."

BUT YOU SEE IT SO MANY TIMES, IT BECOMES SECONDHAND.

>> DO YOU THINK YOU'VE BECOME HARDENED, CYNICAL?

>> OH, NO.

>> DOES ANYTHING STILL SHOCK YOU?

>> OH, YEAH, THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT'S WORSE.

>> THE WAY PEOPLE TREAT EACH OTHER OR THE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS YOU'RE IN?

>> IN L.A. FROM THE RIOTS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WE'VE HAD NOT A NEGATIVE OUTCOME OF IT, WE HAD A REAL POSITIVE OUTCOME.

PEOPLE NOW ARE MORE POSITIVE TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

AFTER THAT SITUATION, WE HAD PEOPLE THAT ARE NOW GIVING YOU THUMBS UP.

THEY COME TO THE STATION TO SAY WHAT A GOOD JOB WE'RE DOING.

>> DOES THAT MAKE YOU FEEL BETTER?

>> SURE IT DOES, BECAUSE WHEN THEY CALL US, WE GO ON SITUATIONS WHERE WE'RE THERE TO HELP.

THAT'S OUR WHOLE THING -- WE'RE THERE TO HELP.

>> IT'S AN INTERESTING FEELING.

I'VE NEVER REALLY RIDDEN IN A FIRE TRUCK BEFORE.

>> IT'S LIKE RIDING ON A FLOAT IN THE ROSE PARADE, JUST WAVING AT EVERYBODY.

>> DO YOU WAVE AT PEOPLE?

>> YEAH, SURE, LITTLE KIDS ESPECIALLY.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK A KID'S FASCINATION IS WITH FIRE TRUCKS AND FIRE FIGHTERS?

>> PROBABLY MOSTLY FROM TELEVISION, THESE RESCUE SHOWS.

HELPING PEOPLE, GOING TO FIRES, SAVING A CAT.

>> HAVE YOU RESCUED CATS OUT OF TREES?

>> NO, WE DON'T DO THAT.

>> I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT FIRE FIGHTERS DID.

>> I THINK THAT'S IN THE CARTOONS.

>> YOU HAVE NEVER RESCUED A CAT?

>> NO, I HAVEN'T ... NEVER HAVE.

I'VE HEARD OF FIREMEN TAKING THEM OUT OF HOUSES AND GIVING THEM A LITTLE OXYGEN.

>> IS THAT MIKE?

>> YES, THAT'S MIKE.

>> HEY, MIKE!

(WHISTLES) WE WERE RIDING UP THERE EARLIER.

THAT'S A NEAT PLACE TO RIDE.

>> IT'S A GOOD SPOT TO GET A GOOD VIEW COMING IN ON A FIRE.

YOU'RE UP HIGH AND YOU CAN SEE IF WE HAVE ANY SMOKE SHOWING OR IF WE TRULY DO HAVE A FIRE.

>> (OVER RADIO) WE NEED A BETTER ADDRESS.

THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT ADDRESS.

>> WHAT DID WE STOP FOR?

>> WE MIGHT HAVE A COMPLAINT THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT.

>> (BEEPING SOUNDS) >> HEY, MIKE!

>> REMEMBER I WAS TALKING ABOUT RESCUING A CAT?

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE FOR.

>> TO RESCUE A CAT?

>> THAT'S WHAT MIKE JUST TOLD ME.

>> WE'RE RESCUING A CAT?

>> EVIDENTLY, IT'S A KITTY THAT HAS FALLEN IN A HOLE.

>> THIS GUY SAID HE HAD NEVER RESCUED A CAT BEFORE IN HIS LIFE.

>> TODAY'S THE FIRST DAY.

>> THIS IS AMAZING.

>> I'M NOT GONNA DO IT ...

BUT IF I DO I HAVE TO BUY ICE CREAM.

>> YOU'VE LOST YOUR CAT?

>> IT'S IN THE HOLE.

THEY'RE MAKING A CONSTRUCTION HERE, AND IT'S IN THE HOLE.

>> SO YOU CALLED THE FIRE FIGHTERS TO GET YOUR CAT OUT?

>> YES.

>> WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

>> CHANNEL SEVEN.

>> YOU'RE HERE TO SHOOT THE FIRE FIGHTERS GETTING A CAT?

>> THAT'S IT -- OH, IT'S A CAT?

WE THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

>> NO, IT'S A CAT.

>> OH, OKAY, THANKS HUELL.

>> I HAVE A FEELING THEY'RE NOT GOING TO END UP AIRING THIS ON CHANNEL SEVEN.

>> I DOUBT IT RIGHT NOW.

>> WELL, TUNE IN AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THE CAT.

THE CAMERAMAN FROM CHANNEL SEVEN THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE GIRL.

>> WELL, IT WAS REPORTED TO US AS A GIRL IN A HOLE FROM OUR DISPATCH CENTER, SO THERE WAS CONFUSION BY THE REPORTING PARTY.

>> THEN YOU FOUND OUT IT WAS A CAT?

>> YES, BUT WE WILL MAKE OURSELVES AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW FOR AN EMERGENCY.

>> WAIT A MINUTE, THIS IS CHANNEL SEVEN HERE.

THIS IS CHANNEL 28 OVER HERE.

I'M VERY CONFUSED.

>> I'M CONFUSED, TOO.

YOU GOT HERE QUICKER THAN WE DID.

>> WELL, WE WERE WITH THEM.

>> I WAS SITTING IN THE NEWSROOM AND WE HOPPED DOWN HERE AS SOON AS WE COULD.

I GUESS I CAN TURN OFF MY CAMERA NOW.

>> I THINK YOU CAN.

>> THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT NORMALLY COME OUT ON THIS TYPE OF THING.

I'VE MADE OURSELVES AVAILABLE SO IF AN EMERGENCY COMES UP, WE WILL RESPOND TO IT.

>> BUT THIS IS TYING UP A LOT OF PEOPLE.

YOU DON'T WANT THIS TO GET OUT?

>> NO, WE DON'T WANT THE CITIZENS TO CALL FOR THIS.

I WILL EXPLAIN THIS.

YOU ASKED EARLIER ABOUT COMMUNITY RELATIONS.

THIS IS WHERE WE CAN EXPLAIN IT AND HOPEFULLY HAVE GOOD COMMUNITY RELATIONS COME OUT OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

>> WELL, IF YOU GET THIS WOMAN'S CAT FOR HER, YOU'RE GOING TO MAKE SOME FRIENDS FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

>> YES, WE CAN ALWAYS USE FRIENDS.

>> WHAT'S THE SITUATION HERE?

>> HE'S A LITTLE SCARED, FRIGHTENED.

HE LOOKS A LITTLE THIN.

>> YOU'RE AFRAID TO HAND IT TO HER?

>> YEAH, BECAUSE I'M AFRAID HE'S A LITTLE BIT AGGRESSIVE.

HE WANTS TO BITE AND SCRATCH.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE AWAY FROM THE PIT BEFORE HE TOOK OFF.

>> THERE'S YOUR CAT.

>> IS HE OKAY?

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> THEY GOT YOUR CAT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THERE SHE GOES, A HAPPY LITTLE GIRL WITH FRITZY THE CAT.

SHE GOT HER CAT BACK THANKS TO THE FIRE FIGHTERS, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, CITY OF LOS ANGELES.

DOES THAT EMBARRASS YOU TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED DOING SOMETHING AS UNGLAMOROUS AS THAT?

>> NO, NOT AT ALL.

I WOULD DO IT ANY TIME JUST TO SEE THE LITTLE GIRL'S SMILE WHEN SHE GOT HER CAT BACK.

>> WOULD YOU GET RIBBING FOR THIS?

>> OH, NO, NOT AT ALL.

MOST OF THE GUYS HAVE KIDS, AND THEY KNOW HOW ATTACHED THEY ARE TO ANIMALS.

PROBABLY MOST OF THE GUYS ARE ATTACHED TO ANIMALS THEMSELVES.

>> FIRST TIME YOU'VE DONE THIS?

>> THE SECOND TIME.

>> THIS OTHER GUY SAID HE HAD NEVER DONE THAT IN HIS LIFE.

>> WELL, WE NEVER ADMIT TO A FIRST.

ANY TIME YOU HAVE A FIRST, YOU END UP BUYING DESSERT FOR THE BOYS.

>> SO THIS IS THE FIRST, BUT YOU CAN'T ADMIT IT?

>> THIS IS THE SECOND TIME.

>> (LAUGHING) THIS IS THE FIRST, WE KNOW IT.

HE'S JUST NOT GOING TO SAY IT.

WELL, WE'RE BACK AT THE STATION NOW.

WE HAVE SAVED THE CAT.

WE HAVE VISITORS.

>> WHO BROUGHT COOKIES.

>> YOU BROUGHT THE COOKIES?

>> YEAH.

>> IS THIS USUAL FOR YOUR WIFE AND KIDS TO STOP BY LIKE THIS?

>> NO, I'VE BEEN HERE ABOUT HALF A YEAR, AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SHE AND THE CHILDREN HAVE BEEN BY.

>> HAVE YOU MET ALL OF THESE GUYS BEFORE?

>> I'VE MET A FEW THROUGH SOCIAL STUFF.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS BUNCH OF GUYS?

THEY'RE REAL SENSITIVE.

>> THEY'RE REAL NICE.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR DAD BEING A FIRE FIGHTER?

>> IT'S KIND OF NEAT.

>> HAS HE EVER LET YOU RIDE THE TRUCK -- HE'S NOT REALLY ALLOWED TO DO THAT, IS HE?

>> NOT REALLY.

HE'S CLIMBED ON SEVERAL, BUT NOT ACTUALLY DRIVEN ON THEM.

YOU ENJOYED MORE OF A RIDE.

>> YOU'VE GOT YOUR WIFE AND THREE KIDS HERE, AND THESE ARE THE HOMEMADE COOKIES.

DO YOU MIND IF I HAVE ONE?

>> NO, GO AHEAD.

>> LOOK OVER THERE.

HE'S SITTING OVER THERE EATING ALREADY.

AND HERE'S THE COOK.

WHAT HAVE WE GOT IN HERE?

>> WE HAVE LOTS OF VEGETABLES, A LITTLE FISH.

FOR LUNCH WE'RE HAVING A CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD AND TUNA FISH SANDWICHES.

FOR DINNER, IT WILL BE SEAFOOD PASTA.

>> DO YOU USUALLY EAT THIS WELL, OR IS THIS JUST DONE BECAUSE WE'RE HERE WITH OUR CAMERAS?

>> NO, WE TRY TO KEEP IT WELL ROUNDED.

MOST OF THE GUYS LIKE TO EAT ON THE HEALTHY SIDE.

>> SO YOU WOULD NEVER EAT A COOKIE LIKE THIS?

>> I CAN'T LIE -- I JUST HAD ONE, AND IT WAS REAL GOOD.

>> EVERYBODY LIKES YOUR COOKIES.

>> SHE WON'T TELL YOU, BUT SHE'S WON A FEW BLUE RIBBONS FOR HER COOKIES.

>> LOOK, WE HAVE COOKIES AND VISITORS.

HAVE YOU MET?

>> NO, I'M JOHN CROSS.

>> I'M MICHELLE.

>> I THINK I'VE TALKED TO YOU ONCE OR TWICE ON THE PHONE.

>> I DON'T LIKE COOKIES, BUT SINCE YOU BROUGHT THEM IN, I WILL HAVE A COUPLE.

>> OH, THAT'S BIG OF YOU.

THEY'RE GREAT.

WHY ARE YOU HERE TODAY AT THE FIRE STATION?

>> HE'S WORKING FOR FOUR DAYS, SO WE CAME TO SAY HI.

THE KIDS MISS DAD; I MISS HIM.

>> WHAT IS THE DEAL ON BEING A FIRE FIGHTER'S SPOUSE.

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH THAT?

>> WELL, I LIKE A LOT OF IT BECAUSE I HAVE MY QUIET TIMES, BUT IT'S AN ADJUSTMENT.

HOLIDAYS ARE HARD.

YOU JUST GET USED TO IT.

>> DO YOU THINK THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE THE FAMILY OF A FIRE FIGHTER?

>> NO, IT'S DIFFERENT.

MY CLOSEST FRIEND IS A FIRE FIGHTER'S WIFE, SO IT HELPS.

OUR CHILDREN ARE TOGETHER, AND WE KNOW THE STRESSES.

IT WORKS OUT WELL THAT WAY.

>> DO YOU WORRY ABOUT HIM?

>> I TRY NOT TO.

I DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.

DURING THE RIOTS, I WORRIED A LOT.

>> DID YOU CALL HIM A LOT?

>> I COULDN'T GET A HOLD OF HIM.

>> SO WHAT DID YOU DO?

>> WATCHED TV AND WAITED.

>> WERE YOU AFRAID YOU WOULD SEE HIM ON TV OR AFRAID YOU WOULDN'T SEE HIM?

>> AH, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE FOR ME TO SEE HIM.

I WAS AFRAID THEY'D SEE HIM.

WHEN THEY WERE AT SCHOOL, I WATCHED TV.

WHEN THEY WERE AT HOME, WE KEPT THE TV OFF.

THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

>> I DON'T?

>> OH, GOOD, TUNA FISH SANDWICHES ALL AROUND.

THIS IS PRETTY NEAT.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A WHOLE BIG FAMILY MEAL HERE.

WHAT KIND OF SUPPORT HAVE YOU GOTTEN FROM THE COMMUNITY HERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SINCE ALL THE PROBLEMS?

>> ACTUALLY, DURING THE RIOTS WHEN WE WERE SO BUSY ON THE STREETS SO MUCH AND WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GO TO THE STORE AND FEED OURSELVES, SOME OF THE COMMUNITY CAME IN AND FED US.

A COUPLE OF LADIES FROM THE LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD BROUGHT FOO ALSO A COUPLE OF LADIES CAME, AND ONE WAS LILLY TOMLIN.

AT FIRST -- WE RECOGNIZED HER BUT WHEN SHE HANDED US THE THE CARD, THAT'S WHO WE THOUGHT IT WAS.

SHE BROUGHT A FULL THANKSGIVING MEAL FOR US.

IT WAS VERY APPRECIATED.

>> HAVE YOU NOTICED A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY'S AFFECTION FOR YOU OR REACTION TO YOU SINCE THE PROBLEMS?

>> DEFINITELY, AND EVEN RIGHT DURING THE RIOTS, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WOULD WAVE TO US MORE THAN THEY USED TO.

THEY WOULD TELL US HOW MUCH THEY APPRECIATED OUR INVOLVEMENT, AND THAT HELPED US GET THROUGH OUR DAYS.

>> WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS THAT TRADITIONALLY PEOPLE HAVE SUCH A POSITIVE ATTITUDE TOWARD FIRE FIGHTERS?

>> BECAUSE WHEN THEY ARE IN A SITUATION THAT THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, THEY CALL US AND WE HANDLE IT FOR THEM.

BOTTOM LINE -- WE'LL HANDLE ANY SITUATION FOR THEM.

>> YOU'RE THERE?

>> WE'RE THERE.

>> (SIRENS WAILING) CAPTIONED BY THE LLOYD E. RIGLER & LAWRENCE E. DEUTSCH CAPTIONING CENTER AT KCET.