A new documentary follows the Los Angeles County first responders who battled the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Resilience: The Untold Stories of LA County First Responders features never-before-seen footage and firsthand accounts of firefighters, deputies, and lifeguards in the thick of the fires.
“This documentary is a tribute and a testimony to what we went through, but it's also a call to action,” said L.A. County Fire Captain Dave Gillotte, president of Firefighters Local 1014.
The unions representing the county’s firefighters, sheriff’s deputies, and lifeguards have been without contracts since January. Richard Pippin, president of the Association for L.A. Deputy Sheriffs, says they don't feel any appreciation for what they did to save and protect lives from county officials as they negotiate a new contract.
“I'm going to be frank in telling you that it's beyond disturbing to see our elected officials, in the immediate wake of this kind of a tragedy, telling us that they don't think they can afford to invest in public safety,” Pippin said.
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Gillati said first responders’ long-term health is on the line after the fires. He said he had to be treated with steroids and antibiotics to be able to continue working.
“Health consequences will linger long after the fire, much like the impact of 9/11,” he said. “I can say to you confidently that it's not a matter of if we're going to have firefighters die from this fire, it’s a matter of when.”
Resilience can be seen on YouTube.
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