CONTACT: Ofcr. Rob Pedregon
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FIVE AIRPORT POLICE OFFICERS GRADUATE FROM RIO HONDO FIRE ACADEMY

   (Los Angeles, California – November 2, 2015)  Five Los Angeles Airport Police officers graduated this past weekend from the Rio Hondo Fire Academy in a ceremony held at the Fire Academy Facility in Santa Fe Springs.  
  The five sworn officers completed the grueling 17 week academy.  Academy Class 85 attended a four week Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course followed by a 13 week basic fire academy.  The five academy graduates, Officers David Lalicker and Mario Lara, who were assigned as cadet captains for Class 85 along with Officers Jose Segura, James So and Jason Womble will now receive Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) training at the Ontario Safety Base at LA/Ontario International Airport.
  Recruit Officer and Class President Florendo gave an inspirational speech in which she spoke about taking on challenges and working together as a team to overcome obstacles.After completing their training they will be assigned to one of three platoons at the Ontario Safety Base where they will respond to Alerts, medical calls, fuel spills, hazardous materials incidents as well as performing their functions as a police officer in this dual duty role of Airport Safety Officers (ASO).
   Battalion Chief Charles Butler conducted the badge pinning along with Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon.  Following the traditional graduation ceremony the graduates treated family and friends to a thrilling demonstration of skills consisting of vehicle extrication, rope repelling, fire fighting and hazardous materials rescue.
  Airport Police Chief Patrick Gannon addressed the new ASO’s and  said "I congratulate you on your commitment and willingness to set your careers aside and give the effort you did to complete this training which was no easy task.  We are all very proud of you."
  The Los Angeles Airport Police is the nation's premier aviation law enforcement agency with more than 1,100 specially trained police officers, security officers, and civilian staff protecting Los Angeles International, LA/Ontario International, and Van Nuys airports.

Rio Hondo Fire Academy Class 85

 
(left-right) Sgt Zouzounis, Battalion Chief Butler, Airport Police Chief Gannon, ASO’s

So, Womble, Segura, Lalicker, Lara, Capt Staar, Sgt Chiang, Capt Stallings, ASO Geihm

Photograph courtesy of CSI Officer D Lewis