Engineer – Fire Station 40A
Deceased:
December 11, 2022
Appointed:
04/01/1973
Pensioned:
03/31/2011 – FS40A
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
I worked with Gene at 3’s in the late 8o’s. He and Pumper Paul Fulton were the Bull Engineers.
Gene had a crass and down to earth philosophy we referred to as Tanner Tech. Gene had a great sense of humor and wasn’t afraid to speck his mind.
R.I.P.. Gene and thanks for the memories.
I worked with Gene at 3’s and he helped square me away on my engineer study program. He taught me to drive a manual transmission by taping a pencil to the gear shift. I had to use it to shift through the gears. If I broke it, he would yell at me in a good-natured way. His advice, while puffing on a cigarette… “Cook at 350, pump at 150 and take a front spot on everything!” Thanks for all the work.
Eugene Tanner was an institution at Fire Station 3 having worked at that assignment for many years. When I arrived at FS 3 in the early 1990’s, Gene was the bull engineer on the “A” Platoon. He was extremely down to earth with a practical no nonsense attitude. Eugene was a positive locker room leader who didn’t always express his opinion but when he did, he could be blunt but always respectful and 100% honest. He was an excellent engineer, who always gave his best but didn’t want or need a lot of fanfare. He was the genuine article. My condolences to Gene’s family. It was a sincere pleasure to work with him always. Rest in peace “Geno” thanks for the memories.
Good man worked with him at 3 in the 90
I worked with Gene at 3’s in the early 80’s. We went on houseboat trips helped each other out with home projects. Gene taught me so much about the job. Rest In Peace brother
I worked with Gene in the 90’s as a young fireman at 3’s. We affectionately called him “ Mean Gene”. He had a “ no nonsense “ kind of attitude and swagger about him. When he spoke you listened. I remember how proud he was of his Harley soft-tail. It was as a beauty. Rest easy Gene.
I met Gene in 1979 at old FS 3 on Hill St. In the eight years of our working relationship I found him to be a no nonsense, not to beat around the bush kind of guy. There were a number of major fires we responded to, including the Dorothy Mae Apartment building fire in 1982. A few weeks before old 3’s closed, we wandered the upper floors, 3rd & 4th, and crawls spaces searching for anything of historical value that could be salvaged before demolition. It was rumored that all the old department owned spittoons were collected and stored in the old station. We just found a lot of dust and vermin. Gene and I had fun hunting and fishing together for a few years and swapping stories of different adventures.
Rest in Peace.
Gene Tanner – may you rest in peace. I remember Gene early in my career when the Fire Hogs first started. We would meet up on weekends and head out for our rides. Gene was a great guy and later in my career I had a chance to work with him when I was at 11’s and run in with Gene at 3’s. I want to say that Gene was not only an Engineer at 3’s but spent the first part of his career there as an Autofireman.
A great man with a sense of pride, character and competence. Rest easy Gene!
I worked with Gene at F.S. 3’s in the 90’s. “Mean Gene” was always no nonsense, straight forward to the point and a blast to be around. We went on many bike rides with the Fire Hogs and had great times. After he transferred to F.S. 40, whenever I ran into him, he would say Jimmy come on down here, you’ll never have to cross PCH again and get all the SOD you’ll ever want. Rest In Peace my brother and friend. You’ll be missed. My condolence’s to the family.
Sad to hear of Gene’s passing. Although he was affectionally known as “Mean Gene”, he had a heart of gold and would do anything for you if he thought you were truly interested. I worked with Gene for a number of years at both old FS 3 and at new FS 3. Although a bit “rough around the edges” he was a fantastic and extremely knowledgable engineer. I learned so much from him through the years that we were together. Gene also had
an excellent knowledge of building construction. He spent many hours with me, teaching and educating a young fireman on all facets of not only general building construction, but also knowledge of electrical and plumbing systems. Gene’s education was invaluable to me throughout my career. Off duty, Gene introduced me deep sea fishing, as well as, a number of camping trips that the firemen and our families went on. They were great times. Thoughts and prayers to Gene’s family. He will be missed. Rest in peace Gene.