On Friday, November 15, 2024, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) held a dedication ceremony at Fire Camp 2 in La Cañada Flintridge honoring retired Assistant Fire Chief Scott C. Jones.
This ceremony celebrated Chief Jones’ 63 years of countless contributions to the fire service. At the age of 16, Scott joined the La Habra Heights Fire Department, and then the Buena Park Fire Department as a full-time firefighter. In 1974, Chief Jones was hired by the LACoFD. After 31 years of committed and faithful service, Chief Jones retired from the LACoFD as Assistant Fire Chief in charge of the Department’s Air and Wildland Division. In 2006, Chief Jones was rehired by the LACoFD as a retiree hire-back and worked an additional 17 years supporting the Department, later joining the Orange County Fire Authority as the coordinator for the Quick Reaction Force helicopter program involving the Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura County Fire Departments, in partnership with funding from Southern California Edison.
As part of the ceremony, the Office of County Supervisor Kathryn Barger was represented by Assistant Field Deputy Leslie Gamino who joined LACoFD Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone, members of the Executive Team, the Jones family, and a host of dignitaries and special guests to dedicate the Camp 2 training classroom as the “Scott C. Jones Classroom.”
Amongst the guest speakers were Fire Chief Brian Fennessy with the Orange County Fire Authority, and former colleagues Rudy Gilson, and Bob Doyle, who shared heartfelt stories and tributes during the ceremony.
During the ceremony, Chief Marrone expressed his gratitude and said, “The indelible impact Scott has left on the fire service and his role in advancing wildfire training and safety standards for local, regional, national, and international wildland firefighters remains unparalleled.”
Chief Jones’ leadership in spearheading the LACoFD Wildland Task Force, his involvement in establishing the “Eyes in the Sky” program, and his dedication to enhancing interagency collaboration with CAL Fire and the United States Forest Service showcase just a few notable contributions he has made in the span of a remarkable career.
The LACoFD commends Chief Jones for his many accomplishments and the trailblazing efforts that have positively affected the wildfire, aerial firefighting, and fire service community by paving the way for others to follow.
