Born: November 21, 1961
Appointed LAFD: June 14, 1982
Retired LAFD: July 13, 2002
Died: June 5, 2015
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On June 25, 2015 a celebration of life was held for Wendy at Banning’s Landing Community Center in Wilmington. The following is a portion of the eulogy delivered by her brother, Mark Cummings.
Wendy fire service career began at Cal-State Northridge where she passed her EMS training. She drove for Pruner Ambulance until 1982 when she became part of the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
All during this time Wendy loved the water and our family boat which began her adventure at sea, living on a succession of boats until her pride and joy: Willow, a Pacific Seacraft Orion. As many of you know, Wendy put her back and heart into her career as a paramedic and retired after 20 years of service. Wendy’s career produced many firsts:
• First woman to receive a service pension from the LAFD.
• First woman to compete in the Fireman Olympics.
• First EMS worker to have a documented blood to blood exposure to AIDS.
Other accomplishments with the Fire Department:
• Director of LA Paramedic Relief Association
• President of the LA Paramedic Relief Association.
• Peer Supporter
• CISD Team Member
• Member of the State and World Championship Firemen’s Volleyball Team
• UFLAC Negotiating Team
• LAFD Team Member sent to New York on 9-11-2001
• President of the prestigious Hole in the Head Club
After retiring from the LAFD, Wendy worked for the Harbor Patrol in Avalon for five years, then with the Harbor Patrol in the city of Santa Barbara for five years.
Upon retirement from Santa Barbara, Wendy finally got to start her long awaited sea journey, spending the better part of two years sailing Willow more than 3000 miles exploring Baja California, the Sea of Cortez and Mexico which she chronicled on her blog: www.WendyonWillow.com.
Wendy put her passion into every activity and relationship that she had. As you all know Wendy was always friendly, joyful, present and willing to give the shirt off her back, the time to listen to a story or share a recollection, except for those not too rare occasions as a paramedic when Linda would say “Shut up Wendy and get in the rig.”
All of us experienced Wendy’s love and generosity of spirit. Her favorite greeting was “Good Morning Sunshine.” How about that . . . we were all sunshine in her life! What a complement to have been the sunshine in Wendy’s life.
All of us have our favorite memories and stories of Wendy which we will cherish forever along with that smile and infectious laugh! These will have to keep us going until we see Wendy again. Never forget Wendy’s closing to all of her letters – “Remember I love you all and keep doing good things.”