Battalion 17 Firefighters Save Kitten in Yucca Incident

On July 20, Battalion 17 firefighters responded to a first-alarm structure fire in the City of Palmdale. Heavy smoke and fire ripped through a home and spread to a parked camping trailer, while strong AntelopeValley winds pushed the fire into the backyard to burn piles of construction material, a two-car garage housing a ski boat, plus wooden fences, a storage shed and several power poles. Despite our efforts, the home was a complete loss.

When firefighters arrived on scene, the homeowner informed them that he had two adult pet cats and one kitten still trapped inside. During the courageous secondary search, Fire Fighter Jason Livingstone of Fire Station 93 found and rescued the kitten. Livingstone carried the kitten to the awaiting squad, secured a small mask over the kitten's mouth and began administering oxygen. The kitten had been exposed to heavy smoke and water during its ordeal and was struggling for life. The tag team of Livingstone and Fire Fighters Shawn Gallagher and Jared Brisson from Fire Station 33 resuscitated the kitten for over an hour until local Animal Control Rescue arrived at the scene.

The caring actions of our firefighters captured the hearts of neighbors, fellow firefighters, and local media. Livingstone, Gallagher and Brisson worked tirelessly to bring energy and life back into the failing kitten, truly embracing our Department's core values of courage and caring. Division V firefighters continue to make a difference one life at a time, pets included!