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Glendale's first Armenian firefighter

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  • Glendale's first Armenian firefighter

    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
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