Moody: Firefighter of the Year
LAFD Capt. II Rich Moody, 24 years of City service, was named Firefighter of the Year (2023) by the LA City Firefighters Association (LAFFA) for his personal and professional accomplishments last year.
The annual ceremony was held April 18 at the Universal City Hotel.
With 24 years of exceptional service to the people of Los Angeles, Capt. Moody brings spirited leadership, selfless dedication, approachability and positivity to all he does.
Prior to joining the LAFD in 2000, Richard spent ten years as a paid-call Firefighter and Captain for the Orange County Fire Authority.
After beginning his LAFD career, he discovered a love for firefighting truck operations, and was soon promoted to Apparatus Operator, serving that role with distinction at Fire Stations 17 (Industrial Eastside), 102 (Valley Glen), 10 (Convention Center District), and 98 (Pacoima).
Earning a promotion to Captain I, he proudly served a leadership role at Station 41 serving Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, before achieving a special duty position in LAFD Tactical Planning. His many contributions to that demanding specialty assignment helped him in earning a promotion to Captain II and service as the Task Force Commander at busy Fire Station 11 in the Westlake/MacArthur Park area. With a leadership style characterized by an open-door policy, Capt. Moody has never missed an opportunity to train and learn alongside those in his command, and has been perpetually noted for always putting the needs of his crew first.
With Capt. Moody’s highly specialized skills and experience in high demand, he was soon assigned to the LAFD Critical Incident Planning and Training Section (CIPTS) to handle complex logistics, where he has supported the department’s multitude of large-personnel commitments to incidents such as brush fires, civil unrest, municipal events, large-scale emergencies and memorial services for firefighters.
He has served on the logistics cadre in almost every LAFD fallen member’s memorial service for the last 20 years, as well as compassionately assisting other Fire and Police agencies in their most difficult moments.
His ever-expanding role within the department and in support of allied agencies is indeed legendary, including service as a member of FEMA Task Force 1, Field Incident Management Team, and as a Trustee of the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association. A beloved mentor, he selflessly assists with LAFD In-Service Apparatus Operator training videos and has presented the essential After Action Review for the Apparatus Operators Core Program. He enjoys helping with department-related fundraisers such as golf tournaments, Hope for Firefighters and other important events, such as the LAFD Valor Awards.
Capt. Moody served the demanding role as the Logistics Section Chief for the Getty Fire in 2019, overseeing the first-ever 100 percent City-Managed Base Camp for more than 2,000 Firefighters. It was a milestone success for the department, and his Logistics Section set a new standard for the support, care and treatment of deployed Firefighters in the midst of a major firefight.
At CIPTS, Capt. Moody has created a full-time logistical support group, supplying a wide variety of equipment and vehicles, developing vendor relationships and designing response procedures for both planned and emergency events near and far. He has an uncommon ability to say “yes” to – and most importantly, deliver – any requested need from the Department or City, no matter how big or small, through the remarkable relationships he has developed within and beyond the LAFD.
As but one example, within 12 hours of the Mayor’s request, Rich assembled and led a team to open a first-of-its-kind Covid-19 Public Testing Site at the LAFD Frank Hotchkin Training Center in Elysian Park, fully staffed by nurses, doctors and firefighters. The site served as the blueprint for and eventually expanded into the Dodger Stadium vaccine super-site.
Other special events that Capt. Moody and his LAFD CIPTS team have overseen include the Space Shuttle Endeavor final move; U.S. Special Olympics; World Police and Fire Games; LA Port Fleet Weeks; Dodgers, Lakers and Kings games; the Summit of the Americas; and countless concerts, festivals, ceremonies, protests and award shows.
He plans to participate on LAFD’s team to organize and manage a successful City deployment for the LA2028 Summer Olympics.
Without question, Rich exemplifies leadership and humility in the ever-changing role of the department. The men and women of the LAFD heartily congratulate Capt. II Richard Moody for being named 2023 Firefighter of the Year!
The Club congratulates Capt. Moody, and honors him for his incredible dedication to serving the people of Los Angeles.
Well done!
