BENEFIT RAISES $5,600; FAMILIES OF FIREFIGHTERS WHO WERE KILLED ON DUTY GET FUNDS.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

Donations totaling $5,600 were given to the Los Angeles Fire Widows and Orphans Fund on Friday afternoon at the Firehouse Cafe in Simi Valley.

The proceeds, raised April 10 at the cafe, will benefit the families of those killed in the rescue helicopter crash March 23 at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.

``Whenever a firefighter dies, it hits so close to home because this is what we do,'' said Jules Griggs, Firehouse Cafe owner and a Ventura County Fire Department firefighter. ``We did this to help support the families of the persons killed.''

Money was raised from raffle tickets, donated gifts, T-shirts that were sold for the widows and orphans fund, and cash donations. On- and off-duty Police Department officials and firefighters from Simi Valley and neighboring communities dropped by to help out.

Apparatus Operator Michael D. McComb, Firefighter-Lead Paramedic Eric F. Reiner and Firefighter-Paramedic Michael A. Butler died when their helicopter crashed in Griffith Park.

The firefighters were en route to a hospital with 11-year-old Norma Vides, who had been involved in a serious automobile collision. She was also killed in the helicopter crash, and her family will receive money from the proceeds as well.

The family of fire Capt. Joseph C. Dupee also will receive part of the money. Dupee, the first city firefighter to die on the job in 14 years, was killed in a burning building March 8 in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife, Julie, and two young children, one of whom was born recently.

Griggs and Geoffrey Barrett, also a firefighter and co-owner of the Firehouse Cafe, appeared on the ``Mark and Brian'' show on L.A. radio station KLOS-FM (95.5) to help promote the fund-raising event.

``A guy in Sacramento heard about the event on `Mark and Brian,' '' Griggs said. ``He was coming down to Los Angeles and made it a point to come in for lunch at our restaurant.''