Captain II – Fire Station 35
Deceased:
December 12, 2022
Appointed:
02/09/1963
Pensioned:
07/20/1997 – FS35
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 am deeply saddened by the news of Dwayne’s death. Dwayne Howard was a great encourager and mentor as I sought to join the LAFD. He was a close associate of my uncle-in-law, Stan Esselstrom, who also encouraged, and guided me as well. These two mentors were both very special, common sense, even-tempered, hard workers on and off the job. They were partners in construction jobs who amazed me at their knowledge and skills
Dwayne has held a special place in my heart and soul over many decades.
I cannot reflect on his career without recalling that he was in the cab of Truck 35 when a rioter shot into the cab, striking the A/O. It serves as a reminder that firefighters do face dangers. May God grant some peace to his family.
Captain Howard was a true gentleman and mentor. I was a rookie at FS 35’s and he led a great crew with Tom Brennan as his Captain I. We went to some big fires together and I am a better person and better Firefighter today because I was blessed to be assigned as his ‘boot’ and learn from him. May perpetual light always shine upon him and his family.
I was Dwayne’s Capt. 1 at 35’s in the early 90’s.
Dwayne a calming effect on everyone that worked around him. He had a great sense of humor.
R.I.P. Capt. Howard and condolences to your family .
I first met Dwayne in the “70’s while assigned as staff assistant to Batt 14C. Dwayne was the Capt. 1 on the B shift. I promoted to engineer in 1981 and had the opportunity to work for him at FS 35A. That lasted for 16 years until his retirement in 1997.
Dwayne was a great cook. His PA announcement calling the crew to dinner was a classic. “Dinner is now being served in the Ivory Room (the color of the kitchen walls”, dress is casual, no reservations required”.
We went to many greater alarm fires together- the Normandie apartment house fire, the New Hampshire fire that involved a 100’x400′ apartment under construction that exposed two four story apartment houses, a 3 story apartment house, several 2 story apartments. The 3 and 4 story building received extensive damage but the elementary school at the south end was spared.
As others have stated, Dwayne was a true gentleman and a good leader. He was also a God fearing man as was his wife Mavis. I believe he will find comfort in Heaven, joining his lovely bride. All who knew Dwayne will miss him.
I was on the B shift at 35’s during Capt Howard’s last five years on the job. He was one of those true gentlemen who could run a firehouse full of characters without having to raise his voice and call out detractors on the PA. He loved to train. He endured some stressful and dangerous incidents without losing nerve. He loved to pitch in and contribute to station project work. He cooked in the rotation and was good at it. As Mike Lehr said, he had a unique, gentle invitation when announcing dinner served. With all his tenure, he still offered valuable relevance and leadership in a busy assignment. Truck 35 at that time was kind of a relic. It was a 1969 Crown/Maxim with a manual transmission and likely the oldest front line truck in the fleet. One memory that stands out was the cringe in Captain Howard’s body and voice when A/O Gary Matsubara would do a masterful, clutch free downshift through the gears all the way into “granny” first gear when coming to a complete stop in front of quarters. Maybe a bit stressful to the nuts and bolts of that old rig…and the captain’s nerves. But Captain Howard was used to some tenured SOD A/O’s from out of house struggling with that rig as well as certifying the young firemen to drive it in the hills and curves of Los Feliz and Griffith Park. I remember another situation when we got Truck 35, this time it was the brand new LTI, stuck in the “worms” of 82’s district. Again, A/O Gary Matsubara driving, me tillering and Captain Howard up front. Let’s just say it took about 45 minutes and numerous multiple point turns to weave around parked cars and hairpin turns to get down the hill…without the captain having to call the chief for an investigation. Captain Howard led by example and was a pleasure to know and work with. Thank you Capt for doing it right. My condolences to his family.
I worked with Captain Howard as both a fireman and as his A/O for many years. Words alone cannot express how much he impacted my life both on and off-duty. Many miles of kitchen paper towels were payed out on the kitchen table late at night and he would draw out any projects anyone had in mind. Yes he was able to wangle a bunch of wild ones over the years, myself included but did it in the most passionate and understanding way.
My family will always have Captain Howard in our hearts. Godspeed
I was an Engineer on the “B” shift with Stig and Mats (and other class guys), when Cap Howard was on the “A”. As everyone else have already stated, Cap Howard was a true gentleman, a calm leader, and always a pleasure to work with. 35’s in the early nineties was a special place. Quality people …. The 69 Crown and the 76 Ward La France Triples bring back many memories ….. many of those memories were with Captain II Dwayne Howard. R.I.P. Sir!