Captain – Fire Station 48
Deceased:
03/23/2022
Appointed:
11/24/1962
Pensioned:
07/18/1995 – FS48
Details about the memorial service
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Dinko was the C-II and I was his C-I for 8 1/2 years during the glory days at 14’s. He always made me feel like we’re partners, He was a great leader that knew how have fun, lead by example, build a great crew. Our time together is one of my favorite memories of the LAFD, lots of fires and lots of fun. Dinkovich I will never forget our time together, your partner in crime, Stukovich
Dinko was the C-II and I was his C-I for 8 1/2 years during 14’s glory years. He always made me feel like we were partners. He was a great leader that knew how to lead by example, have fun, and build a great crew. Our years working together are some of my favorite memories of the LAFD. Dinkovich you will be missed by many and in my memories forever. Your partner in crime, Stukovich
Dinko was the Capt I at 14B when I first got there. We went to many fires together. He promoted to Capt II and went to the 14 A. I came back as the A/O on the B and again went to many fires together. I got to Drive Bill Finn and on SOD days drove Dinko and Bill Lowe. Great crews at 14’s, those were some great days! Dinko was a character and a lot of fun to work with, he could be a little naive and we took advantage of that sometimes. Dinko was a loyal member of the LAFD and demanded that of his crew. I remember heading south on Avalon Bl and could see a two story apartment building with fire showing on the top floor. Dinko started to give me instructions on where to put the aerial, I said ok and I want you to assume the IC and call for more Companies. He immediately apologized, we laughed at that for years. On Christmas morning 1979 we were responding to a structure fire. At Avalon and MLK Truck 14 was broadsided by a RTD bus, I was tillering and it knocked the trailer into a 90 degree jackknife. My wife still talks about the phone call from Dinko telling her I would be home later and was transported. She said it was obvious he was still shook up from the accident and hard to understand. Dinko was a mentor and friend for over 46 years. There are those you work with that make a difference in your career and life and Dinko was one of those. The Munoa family sends their condolences to the Karin family. Rest In Peace my friend you will be remembered.
10 Bears
We were having a Battalion drill on Multi Casualty. My company (E-46) was assigned Morgue. The guys put cones out with lattice wood sticking out of the cones. They then used Fire Line Tape and strung it from all four corners of the area. It was pretty impressive.
At the conclusion of the training the Battalion Chief, I won’t mention his name, begins to reem Engine 46 for the job we did. It was to over the top according to him. This Chief was upset with me because I wouldn’t recommend Termination of my Rookie, so this was his way of getting back.
Dinko Karin who was one of the Proctors at the Training, then says “I gave them an A plus plus, I thought they did an outstanding job”. Well needless to say Captain Klarin was my Hero after that.
My condolences to the Klarin family.
In March 1976 Tom Roarty and I were transferred to 14’s “B” shift to transition Rescue Ambulance 14 from an EMT unit to a Paramedic unit. Dinko Klarin was 14’s Captain 1 at the time. I’ve always remembered Dinko for being a simple, honest guy. He expressed his interest in the Paramedic Program by riding along with Tom and I on several occasions. Once during chow, Fireman Steve Baumeister told a rookie trying to grow some facial hair, “Captain Klarin’s girlfriend has a better mustache than that.” I”ll never forget Dinko’s look. We all laughed and laughed.
Not only Captain Klarin, but all the guys on the “B” Shift at 14’s were supportive of Tom Roarty and me. It was a unique crew with Captain Charlie Davis, Engineer “Pete” Peterson, Engineer Ray Johnson, Auto Fireman Charlie Raymer, Fireman Mike Bowers, Fireman Tom Taylor, Fireman Dennis Colville, Fireman Steve Baumeister, Fireman Greg Ikeda, Fireman Chuck Kane, Fireman Reed, Fireman Pat Finney, Fireman Bob Munoa, and many others. Several of those guys are gone now and the rest are most likely retired.
I resigned from the LAFD and left 14’s in 1979, not because I was unhappy at 14’s, rather, I didn’t see a bright future for the Paramedic Program under LAFD Administration. I was wrong about that.
When looking back, the time spent at 14’s was so significant it decided who I am today.
God Bless you Dinko Klarin. You were a good man. And God Bless Fire Station 14.
I was a rookie in Battalion 8 in 1974-75. I always
looked forward to working SOD days at FS 14, especially the “B” shift. After dinner and dishes, I would go out on the apparatus floor and work with the truck tools and ladders. Captain Klarin would always come out and work with me. I had never experienced that at any other station from a Captain. He was a tremendous inspiration to me. Of all the great firefighters of all ranks at FS 14 he was one of the best. He is a big reason why Fire Station 14 is the epitome of what is meant by it is “Great to be 8”.
Whenever I would see him throughout my career and even afterwards, he would have a smile and a kind word.
Captain Klarin is definitely one of “LA’s Finest”
My condolences go out to his family. He will deeply
be missed.
Rest In Peace Captain Klarin
It was very sad for me to learn about Dinko leaving us. That rumor “grown men don’t cry” isn’t true. We met and got acquainted at the LAFD orientation for the drill tower 89 class of November 1962. We also discovered that we both lived in San Pedro and agreed to ride together to our first day as Firefighters. Our ride club continued thru the training period and also studied together on our days off. After several years in the field, we both made Captain around the same time. Dinko went eventually to FS14, I to FS2. We both spent several years at these assignments, going to and seeing each other occasionally at fires, training events, etc. When he went to FS48, he invited me to come to 48’s and play him handball, I did and got a lesson in humility. Also got to see him at the Firefighter breakfasts on occasion. RIP my friend, I was proud and happy to have you as a friend for some 60 years – – still am.
My sincere condolences to the Klarin family.
I worked at FS-14 in old Battalion 8 in the ea;ly 70’s. with Charlie Davis and Dinko Klarin. I believe the training I received from these two help prepare me for my entire career. Dinko was the serious but realistic type officer. I truly enjoyed my time at FS-14 that prepared me for promoting to A/O out of 14’s. It didn’t matter if it was on the way back to quarters in the middle of the night, they would take the time such as practice spotting the aerial on the way back to quarters to assist members preparing for a practical exam.. Most of the members were moved from old FS-30 to 14″s when they moved the TF to 14’s. What a bunch of quality members to work with. I will miss Dinko for what he provided as an well respected Captain. Rest in peace. bob neamy
I was lucky enough to be a third house rookie at 14B near the end of the glory days. Dinko Klarin on the “A”, Bill Finn on the “B” and Jim Ott on the “C” and their expert journeyman crews left lasting impressions on this fledgling fireman. Lots of working incidents to learn from and, on all shifts, training was challenging, complete and fair. It set a standard I never forgot and pursued my whole career. When Captain Klarin first saw my surname he instantly recognized it was rooted in the former Yugoslav Republic. He began speaking the language of my father and asked details about my heritage. I was a rookie and he treated me as a man first which, in turn, inspired me to prove I was worthy as a fireman. As others have stated, Dinko Klarin knew how to treat people, get high levels of performance out of them, do the job right and have a good time while doing it. My time at 14’s was short but the life lessons and career experiences with Dinko Klarin…and men like him…endure. Thanks Captain Klarin for making a difference. My condolences to the family.
I was so fortunate to have worked with Dinko . He was also known as Mike when he was on the prowl. I started with him at 21’s and then shortly we both got to 14’s. What as bunch of characters were already there. Luckily we seemed to fit in. I have a middle of the night picture of him stripping a roof in 15’s district Typical Klarin, dirty, wet and a cigarette . What is an engine captain doing on the roof? I felt bad for him when he was having some marital problems and was taking a sun bath in the back yard and somebody had the nerve to cool him off from the roof. He was to slow to check heart beats. Great times with you my friend ad buddy. All the best to Marty and family.
I just finished reading the previous comments about Dinko Klarin. I was struck by the character and reputation of those members making some very nice comments about Capt. Klarin. What an endorsement of a great man!
I was a rookie assigned to FS 14 in 1974 and stayed for a few more years. Those were great times to be in Battalion 8 and able to work at 14’s. Lots of fires, great personnel, lots of hard work, and lots of fun.
Dinko was a Captain I on another shift from me but we frequently worked SOD/trades.
Dinko was one of those relatively rare Captains who could be one of the guys but also a supervisor. He was able to control the crazy guys at 14’s. He often had a sly grin on his face and was fun to be around but got the job done. Also, there was something about him saying to me “I’d dump the wagon battery on them” [meaning Truck 14]. When I hear Dinko’s name it will always bring a smile to my face.
Rest in peace Dinko, you did good!
Dinko was one of my first Rookies (E45) More than half a Century later I still remember him as always eager to learn and do more than his share. I will never forget his probation dinner, fish stew, i thought Ray Hebert would have a heart attack when a fish head stared him in the face as he dipped into the stew.
Thanks for the memories Dinko.
The first time I met Dinko was 1972 at old FS61, Dinko was the Autofireman on T61A, I was a Fireman on the B shift. We worked some SOD’s together and I thought what a great “Truckman”.
Dinko came to 48’s when I worked there as his C-1. We worked together for four years until his retirement. As mentioned previously what a great leader, lead by example and was also “one of the guys”.
At the time Dinko came to 48’s we were getting into Haz Mat. He took me aside and asked me, “you got this?” We had a few situations that took a bit of off the cuff thinking and he always came up with the most practical answer..
Dinko will be greatly missed by the crew’s at 14’s and the guys at 48’s an many many others that he touched during his career. My sincere condolences to Marty and the Klarin family.
Dinko and Bill Stires were the Captains at 14’s during my stay in Battalion 3. it was always a pleasure to drop by the station and spend time with the whole crew. I felt honored to have him at my retirement dinner and to have a long talk with him afterward. My condolences to his family and all who knew him.