It was a memorable occasion for those attending Las Damas’ 62nd Annual Fireman’s Ball on Friday, Nov. 12.
It was also somewhat sad, despite all the fun.
Scott Secour was named Fireman of the Year. He may be Sunset Beach’s final volunteer firefighter that is so awarded
More than any other year, this year’s ball was a heart-felt tribute to the volunteer firefighters that have been the first and last defense against the potential hazards that may befall the coastal community.
The community of Sunset Beach sits on what is basically an island. Some residents say they wonder: should “the big one (earthquake) hit, and the bridges fall down, and you are in Sunset Beach—who ya gonna call?”
The event, held at the Golden Sails Hotel Ballroom in Long Beach, was also a way to honor all the previous firefighters who were there when the community needed them. Many past volunteer firefighters, their parents and adult children of some of the community’s original volunteers attended. They represented generations and decades of volunteer fire fighters who joined in celebrating what was and what has been lost.
The Orange County Fire Authority closed the Sunset Beach Fire Station 3 on Friday, Oct. 8. On Sept. 23, the fire authority’s board of directors received a staff report stating they intended to sell Sunset Beach’s fire station building at 12th Street and Pacific Coast Highway.
Fire authority staff said the sale could generate $1 million for the county fire authority.
In the meantime, Sunset Beach is facing the looming prospect of annexation by Huntington Beach. Many Sunset residents have said they would rather not be annexed into the mega city to the north because they would lose their political voice.
Sunset Beach is currently one of a handful of unincorporated “islands” not yet a city of its own or part of a neighboring city.
The county has said it wants to divest itself of the costs related to maintain and oversee governance of the unincorporated areas like Sunset Beach and Rossmoor.
Despite the fears of what the future may bring, the crowd of mostly Sunset Beach folks danced the night away to the Robby Armstrong Band. Others found their fun at the casino tables and some won raffle tickets to redeem merchandise donated by local businesses.
Representatives said Las Damas will determine the future of the Fireman’s Ball event within the next year.
With the fearless sense of a firefighter running into danger, the guests at the ball pumped up the party and enjoyed the evening for what it was … a reason to celebrate.
Claire Daschbach and Kathy Hammond were the Las Damas Fireman’s Ball co-chairwomen and deserve credit for making the event something special.
During this year’s Fireman’s Ball a special dvd presentation was created by Las Damas members Theresa Baravo and Diana Dodson with the help of Robin Fort-Lincke, SBTV3 director, and many who shared their family albums and scrap books.
A treasure of historic photos from each decade of our volunteer fire fighters and past Fireman’s Ball events was a meaningful and touching tribute.
In the late 1940s Sunset Beach and Surfside residents filled the need for fire services by holding the Beachcombers Carnival, the forerunner to the Mother’s Day Art Festival. This event and other contributions raised the funds to purchase the land that is the Sunset Beach community lot and also the land where the fire station is.
One of the first to donate at the time was a personal contribution by Orange County Supervisor Willis Warner, along with an overwhelming response by the community. The fire station lot was donated to the county for the purpose of a fire station and for community use.
Volunteers within Sunset Beach and Surfside manned the fire station and were very faithful turning out for the fires and emergency calls.
In 1949 each fire fighter received a county check for $2.50 for their services. They gave their checks back to the county to buy basic equipment. There have been many stories told through the decades of volunteers arriving at fires and emergency calls in their shorts and sandals or whatever they were wearing at the time that they heard the alarm.
Las Damas led the way to fund many of the basic items needed by the volunteers by organizing the Fireman’s Ball for the last 62 years. In the beginning years the ball helped pay for rubber coats, hats and boots, a resuscitator, a war surplus “jeepster” truck, first aid equipment, two- way radios and tools for opening wrecks. In the 62 years of the Fireman’s Ball, much of the equipment and supplies needed were donated by the funds raised by this annual event.
This volunteer spirit has intertwined itself through Sunset Beach’s history. Many boys and girls who grew up in Sunset Beach and Surfside were also inspired to volunteer for the Fire Department. Many who served have become full time fire fighters.
Las Damas sent a prepared statement about the event:
“Las Damas would like to express our greatest appreciation to all our generous sponsors through the years and especially the men and women who have volunteered on the Sunset Beach Fire Department. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You for answering the call.”
Editor’s note: the preceding is based in part on notes sent to the Sun from Las Damas and edited by Dennis Kaiser.
