Engineer – Fire Station 112
Deceased:
September 22, 2020
Appointed:
04/01/1957
Pensioned:
02/16/1984 – FS112
Services:
Private
Donations:
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, PLEASE SEND DONATIONS TO:
Widows, Orphans & Disabled Firefighter’s Fund
PO BOX 41903
Los Angeles, CA 90041
When I first met Chat he was an Engineer on Snorkel 3 at old headquarters, 217 S. Hill St. 3’s was my third house on probation in 1973. He was a good Engineer and taught me a lot. He had some of the strongest hands and fingers. I only fell for his finger wrestling challenge once, it wouldn’t happen again!
I have great memories of Chat and old 3’s.
RIP Chat,
Roger
I heard a story about old 3’s Sunday morning, roof t-off to see what golf ball could go the furthest. If anyone can add more, I would love to hear the full story.
Yes Lynn, in 1976, several C-shifters gather on the roof of old 3’s to wack golf balls. Since 3’s (often referred to as ‘The Cave”) was built into Bunker Hill on the west, they launched the balls to the east, causing them to fly over the buildings across the street and head towards Broadway! A bright guy on RA-3 called OCD and got them to do a live dispatch calling for RA-3 to respond to a “Man Down”, 200 block of south Broadway. Out the door goes the RA, red lights and siren! Twenty minutes later they return with the tale of this poor guy laying on the sidewalk, unconscious with a super large knot on his head. Of course the ‘golfers’ were all scared they killed someone. Finally, the RA crew let them in on the prank. Thus ended golfing at FS 3!
Jim was my relief at old 3s. A great relief. Any time either one of us wanted a day off, the other was always available. One funny guy and a great golfer. Chief Engineer, Kenny Long, got bucketed by somebody, but who knows by whom? Another time – Long ring – “Lady hit by a golf ball at 3rd & Broadway’ Wonder who was involved.
Fun days, RIP, Jim..
Regarding the “T-Off” from the roof at old 3’s,This happened back in 1976. Here’s the story I’ve heard as I worked on the opposite shift. Several members were on the roof of FS 3, which was four or five floors. The upper floors were once the FD Headquarters. At this time they were not used by the FD above the second floor. So, the fine gentlemen thought it was a good idea to hit golf balls to the east towards Broadway. After several balls were launched, RA-3 is dispatched to a “Man Down” 200 block of S. Broadway. RA-3 rolls red light and siren.. 20 minutes later they return and tell of this poor guy, out cold on Broadway with a huge knot on his head! The guys from the roof were all scared and chagrinned. Later, the guys on the RA told them it was all a setup with OCD!! Jim Chatterton was the target of this classic FD prank.
Jim was also the infamous perpetrator of bucketing Chief Engineer Long as he did his afterwork run down Hill St. Long was living at the Bunker Hill Tower. Some say Jim took the rap to protect a much younger member. Long’s comment to Battalion 1 BC was; “That was funny….. Once!” The word went out and nothing else came of it.
Jim had the nickname of ‘Boathead’ as his FD cap would come down over your ears if you tried it on!
Jim was one of three great engineer’s assigned to HD TF-3-C. The other two were Don Spreeman (who recently left us) and ‘Pumper’ Paul Fulglum. Jim was a classic. Reminded me of being right out of an old western movie.
RIP Jim.
Jim,
I always wanted to thank you. I was a Rookie at FS 3, I had about 4 shifts under my belt. The Truck went outside to the parking lot next door to practice a ladder Pipe. It was a reserve truck with the tiller seat that flopped over prior to lifting the aerial. They put me on the end of the aerial and then Tom Taylor began lifting the aerial. I didn’t realize the fog nozzle was inside the ground ladders. As the aerial went up the wing lugs pulled on the rung of a ground ladder and broke it. The Captain was furious (I won’t give his name). Rumor had it I was going to get a Reprimand, until this guy (you) studying for Captain reminded the Captain that the Fog Nozzle wasn’t suppose to be pre-attached, it should have been the straight tip. A few phone calls were made, a new ladder showed up and I never got a Reprimand.
Thanks Jim,
Kevin Kearns
Jim Chatterton was a legion in his own time. Kenny Long could attest to that. Later on,, on the day in question, Chief Engineer Long visited the Captains office at old three’s. It was”reported that Long said that it didn’t look good for the Department head to be bucketed while jogging on the sidewalk in front of the station adding as he left, “it wasn’t that great of a shot,” The consensus at 3’s was that it was an amazing shot. I’d love to know which events led up to the act. A dare? A lost bet your just a “why don’t ya?
Jim was always cheerful and pleasant to be around. I am saddened the learn if his passing. The life of a wonderful man has come to an end. I’ll always respect Chatterton.
I was a new Rookie at FS 3 and this legend (it was said he bucketed the Chief Engineer) approaches me and asks for my help. After work Ted Bailie and myself meet Jim Chatterton at a loading dock in the district where he has bought an old Elevator he wants to put in his house. We start loading the parts into his small truck and it seems to carry the weight. We didn’t realize his bumper was resting on the loading dock and carrying all the weight. Jim pulls away and the back end of his truck collapses down from the weight. I think it blew out his shocks. Not funny at the time.
He was a Character.
FYI: This was the story related to me, by I believe Ken Brondell. Kenny Long ran every morning around 3’s. Jim knew how many laps he ran. Jim stated to the guys “If he runs one more I’ll bucket him”, knowing that the Chief was going to stop on that lap. For some reason on this morning Chief Long ran an extra lap. History was made.
My first house out of training was old F-3-C when I met the infamous engineering team of Jim Chatteron and Jesse Lea. You cannot talk/write about “Chat” without mentioning Jess. I have known these two guys most of my career. on and off the job. Every time I or anyone was around these guys you went away with a smile on your face. Whether you were in the station or a golf course it was always a pleasure to spend time with them. The stories and good times are to numerous to to put in this space and they are all good – some of them unbelievable at the time they happened.
Any “rookie” that came into 3’s Chat was always there with advice and just being helpful while you were adapting to your new career. We went to a few major fires, the Ponet Sq being one, You always knew the “team” was there and after the fire with confidence building and advice.
Chat and Jessie passed within months of each other and I know they are hitting balls together and smiling down on careers and lives well lived.
God bless you Jim, you are missed by a great many people.