Firefighter III – Fire Station 74
Deceased:
01/29/1975
Appointed:
05/01/1975
Pensioned:
05/30/2006 – FS74
Services:
PRIVATE
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
Gary Manning and his Paramedic partner Steve Brunett served as my initial Paramedic preceptors at Fire Station 39 in early 1986. To say that I found Gary enlightening (and exceedingly patient) would be an understatement.
As I write this, I can hear Gary’s at times gravelly but melodic voice saying “You know Brian, the way I see it…”, a phrase he used tenderly and effectively on many occasions to guide myself and so many others toward an understanding of what it would take for both the patient – and the Paramedic – to survive. I can’t say that the former always did, but with Gary’s kindness and perseverance, the latter certainly did.
Though saddened to learn of his untimely passing, I can only imagine St. Peter’s reaction when Gary strolled up to the Pearly Gates and said “You know Pete, the way I see it…”
I have no doubt that Gary was ushered right in.
Rest in Peace my friend.
I had the pleasure of working with Gary many times during my career and I remember many very positive consistencies in his overall presence. He was always quick with warm tender wit, never hurtful, managed to have very wise observations when most of us were feeling lost and what I remember most is that he always placed the patients needs at the top of the list. Regardless of what time of day or night, or what number call it was, he was consistently professional and friendly in his delivery of service to the public. Some of the best memories I have are when he would say things like “Hey come here kid, you know what would be really funny about now?” And as you can guess he planted the idea and us kids carried them out and he had the best seat in the house.
I worked with Gary a handful of times on the Rescue, and consistently found Gary to be very caring of his patients. Gary, like myself, was one of the earlier pioneers of the paramedic program. He set the example for those who followed. Heaven gained another angel. R.I.P brother…
I first met Gary in 1986 as a 1st house rookie at Fire Station 81. Once Gary learned that I had gone to paramedic school prior to coming on the job, he would take every available opportunity to “school” me on the importance of EMS on the Deparment, and my responsibility as a young Firefighter to embrace it not only as a rookie, but throughout my entire career. One evening after one of his legnthy lectures, I blurted out “Gary, I’m a Gladiator of Fire! I don’t have time for all of this EMS stuff right now.” He immediately stopped, looked me in the eye (I thought he was going to kill me) and began laughing hysterically. From that day forward, anytime I ran into Gary, he would gather the crew around and tell them that story. He made sure I would forever be the “Gladiator of Fire.” I learned a valuable lesson from Gary that night, one I carried with me throught my career. Rest in Peace my friend. You were definitely one of the good ones.
Gary was my partner at 105’s back in 1979. As others have stated, a kind, thoughtful, intelligent man who was always thinking and talking anything medical. I can remember him going into great detail about DNA and it’s use in the future long before it was use in a 1986 criminal trial.
Gary was our P2 on Rescue 74 for several years. He always had a smile, and ALWAYS put patient care first. He was a pleasure to be around. And with Larry Ford, you couldn’t ask for a better R. A. crew.
In the late 1960’s, we both served at the, long ago demolished, Coffey Barracks in Ludwigsburg Germany. We had a lot of late night talks about the fun times in the Army. Gary, have a beer and a schnitzel sandwich for me at the Pyramid Club.
Always enjoyed working with Gary. Level headed and always cared for people in a kind and compassionate way. Rest in Peace.
I had the pleasure of working with Gary at F.S. 74 for many years. He (along with Billy, Larry, Joey, and others) were some of the best, and most patient, paramedics that I had the pleasure of working with over the years. Gary always put patient care above all else. No matter what time it was, or how many calls he had that shift.
Some of my fondest memories of Gary are from “Family Days” at the Fire House.
He would sit with the kids all around him, and entertain them for hours.
He was a big guy, with a big heart!
I worked with Gary many times during my career and really enjoyed working with him…. Gary’s professional demeanor and a bed side manner that was second to none made him great Paramedic. He always greeted the elderly patients with a friendly “How you doing old timer” I would tease him about that time and again. One of last times I saw Gary before he retired he said quote “Dave now we’re the old timers! RIP GARY.