Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
On November 14, 2024, at 7:08AM the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to reports of a downed plane in the 15000 block of W Burbank Blvd in Sherman Oaks.
Firefighters located a small, older Cessna plane, upside down, in a dirt area near the Sepulveda Dam. The field, directly adjacent to the 405 Freeway, was charred from a previous grass fire but there was no fire from the plane crash. Fortunately, the adult male and female occupants had already safely exited the aircraft prior to LAFD arrival.
After being assessed by LAFD firefighter/paramedics, both patients, suffering only minor injuries, declined transport to the hospital. The incident was transitioned to the team of agencies which will handle the crash investigation, including the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB).
Unrelated to this incident but located only a short distance away, a large rubbish fire next to the 405 Freeway put off a dark smoke plume visible. Firefighters worked from both the freeway and the street level to knock down the fire with no damage to structures and no injuries reported.
On November 14, 2024, at 7:08AM the Los Angeles City Fire Department responded to reports of a downed plane in the 15000 block of W Burbank Blvd in Sherman Oaks.
Firefighters located a small, older Cessna plane, upside down, in a dirt area near the Sepulveda Dam. The field, directly adjacent to the 405 Freeway, was charred from a previous grass fire but there was no fire from the plane crash. Fortunately, the adult male and female occupants had already safely exited the aircraft prior to LAFD arrival.
After being assessed by LAFD firefighter/paramedics, both patients, suffering only minor injuries, declined transport to the hospital. The incident was transitioned to the team of agencies which will handle the crash investigation, including the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB).
Unrelated to this incident but located only a short distance away, a large rubbish fire next to the 405 Freeway put off a dark smoke plume visible. Firefighters worked from both the freeway and the street level to knock down the fire with no damage to structures and no injuries reported.

![LAFD Foundation Valor Awards 2025 - Firefighter III Armen Chalian, Firefighter III Daniel Nakamura
[Video credit: LAFD Foundation / Valor Awards 2025]
Under the lights of Dodger Stadium, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation hosted its annual VALOR Awards on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, bringing together city leaders, corporate partners, and community members to recognize firefighters for their courage and service.
The 2025 ceremony opened with a VIP reception, giving guests the rare opportunity to meet LAFD personnel, view firefighting apparatus up close, and watch exclusive demonstrations highlighting the department’s life-saving capabilities. As the sun set over Chavez Ravine, attendees took their seats on the infield for dinner and the start of the evening’s formal program.
VALOR is the Foundation’s signature event, an annual tradition honoring men and women whose decisive actions, expert training, and selfless commitment have protected lives across and beyond Los Angeles. This year’s honorees were celebrated through a series of video presentations and personal stories, each underscoring the weight of the split-second decisions firefighters make on the city’s toughest days.
2025 Honorees
Medal of Merit:
Captain I Daniel Lievense
Engineer Matthew Lievense
Captain I Christopher Sebourn
Special Commendation:
Firefighter III Armen Chalian
Firefighter III Joseph Coleman
Firefighter III Kari Field
Firefighter III Darren Lloyd
Firefighter III Daniel Nakamura
Engineer David Roberts
Firefighter III Andrew Talley
Unit of the Year:
Critical Incident Planning & Training Section (CIPTS)
The annual VALOR Awards celebrate not only the heroism of individual firefighters, but also the vital role of the LAFD Foundation in empowering them, ensuring that our city’s first responders have the tools, technology, and support necessary to protect our city’s four million residents. LAFD Foundation Valor Awards 2025 - Firefighter III Armen Chalian, Firefighter III Daniel Nakamura](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/wF4nRGKfY8Y/mqdefault.jpg)








