Bidding Farewell to a ‘Second Family’

When Bryan Artunian started with the Fire Department, there was no formal academy training. After three weeks of in-house lessons, the new guys “kind of stood back and observed” the veterans, he said.

Now, after 33 years on the job, it’s Artunian’s time to step back and retire from the coveted position as the department’s No. 1 senior engineer.

“There weren’t too many days I can think of that I didn’t want to go to work,” Artunian, 57, said.

Since leaving the post last month, he and wife Susan, 50, have traveled to San Diego and other points, with more trips planned soon.

Other plans include fixing up his Fountain Valley house and spending time with grandsons, ages 6, 4, 3 and 6 months.

Memorable on-the-job experiences include the 1967 Malibu brush fires and a blaze on 18th Street and Pomona Avenue in Costa Mesa 20 years ago at a retirement home that still stands--thanks in part to the fire crew.

“I remember that I had a bad case of the flu; I could barely breathe. It was up on the 15th floor and we couldn’t use elevators,” he said. “We had to hike up there.”

Engineer duties include driving trucks, operating pumps and controlling ladders. Engineers also serve on medical aid calls and fight fires up close as necessary.

“He loved his job a lot,” said daughter Heather Artunian, 30, of Fountain Valley. “The guys were like a second family to him.”

The feelings were mutual.

“He was a very well-liked employee, very steady in his job performance, a guy who could always be relied upon to do a good job,” Battalion Chief Christopher Riley said.

Artunian, like a victorious football coach, got soaked with water by his co-workers at his going-away party.

“You can’t expect to get out without being doused,” he said.