UCLA LEGEND RECEIVES HONORARY TITLE WOODEN NAMED NEWEST FIRE CHIEF.

Byline: DANA BARTHOLOMEW Staff Writer

SHERMAN OAKS -- Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden launched another winning drive Saturday for Los Angeles.

As the newest fire chief.

The 85-year-old Hall of Fame coach and basketball star was named honorary fire chief at the Benefit for Our Bravest, a street festival tribute for firefighters across the city.

``I'm ready, all set,'' said Wooden, beaming under a Los Angeles Fire Department helmet and brush jacket bearing his name.

The sixth annual benefit at Valley Inn Restaurant not only honored the greatest college coach in history, a staunch supporter of firefighters, but also the men and women who risk their lives each day to save their fellow citizens.

Men such as Henry Gasbarri, a Reseda Station 73 firefighter who was given $5,000 while he recovers from a near-death traffic accident he suffered on his way to work.

Men such as Mission Hills Station 75 Firefighter York Truin, honored on the cover of Los Angeles Family magazine this month before he ships off to Iraq with the California Air Force National Guard.

Or men such as the late Los Angeles Capt. Lane Kemper, whose family won the benefit of a Harley Davidson auctioned in his honor.

``These men and women put their lives on the line every single day for us,'' Los Angeles City Councilwoman Wendy Greuel said.

The benefit drew more than 1,000 parents and their children for tasty eats, live music, go-cart rides and fire trucks and police cars old and new.

Among them was 3-year-old Michael Alexander Sion, who donned his own helmet for his first vintage fire-engine ride.

``There one over there,'' he said, pointing. ``A fireman!''

``This is so great. It's the perfect thing for our firefighters,'' said his mother, Christina Sion, 45, of Sherman Oaks.

It also drew breathless women to beefy firefighters and rescue dogs calenders.

``Gotta get a calender, you bet,'' said Pat Moss of Northridge. ``Lots of cuties -- there are some cute dogs, too.''

Ann Kinzle, who suffers from congestive heart failure, said firefighters from Station 73 have saved her life five times.

``This is one town you can count on the Fire Department and cops to be there,'' said Kinzle, 79, a Los Angeles police reserve officer from Reseda.

In a booth selling tri-tip, Fire Station 75 boasted its ``mother of all barbecues.''

Meanwhile, in a booth selling ice cream were the proud men and women from Pacoima Fire Station 98. ``Our specialty is physical rescue, accidents,'' said Firefighter Brian Lowe, who counted four freeways that surround his station. ``The Jaws of Life -- that's what we're known for.''

Wooden, winner of 10 NCAA National Championships at UCLA and an author of books on success, was praised as the newest honorary firefighter.

``We needed a teacher and mentor,'' Los Angeles Fire Chief William Bamattre said. ``With his values and what he's taught us, he really is an icon in this city.''

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1) Jake Humphries, 4, of Santa Monica, walks up to one of the many firetrucks at the Benefit for Our Bravest in Sherman Oaks. Saturday's event included rides, carnival games, auctions, food and more.

(2) Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden tries on his custom fire helmet Saturday after being honored at the Benefit for Our Bravest in Sherman Oaks, a street festival tribute for firefighters across the city.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News