Events & Activities

Burn Community Picnic

Survivors of all ages, Firefighters, and Burn Unit staff along with their friends and family enjoy a FREE day of good BBQ, games, and FUN! Please RSVP with the button below or to Valorie Smart at valorie@ffburn.org or by calling (916) 739-8525 by 9/3/2023. We hope to see you there!

September 9, 2023
11AM – 2PM

LOCATION: Stone Creek Park Pavilion, 3625 Spoto Drive, Rancho Cordova, CA 95670 

Farrell’s Plane Crash 40th Anniversary Memorial

Farrell's Memorial Site

In 1972, a jet airplane attempting to take off from Sacramento Executive Airport, crashed into a crowded Farrell’s ice cream parlor, killing 22 people and burning many others. In the aftermath, the tragedy additionally took one more life. A Sacramento firefighter, Gene LaVine, and eight members of his family died in the fiery crash.

Shortly after the crash, Cliff Haskell, a Captain with the Sacramento Fire Department, convinced the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters Local 522 to allow him to begin to work in establishing a specialized burn unit for the area. Cliff began fund-raising campaigns and the Firefighters Burn Institute was formed in December 1973.

Event Details

Please join the Firefighters Burn Institute, City of Sacramento, Sacramento Fire Department and the family and friends of those who perished in the 1972 Farrell’s Plane Crash for the 40th Anniversary Memorial Ceremony on:
Sunday, September 23, 2012
1:00 PM
City of Sacramento Public Safety Center
5770 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95822

This event is open to the public.

Helping Burn Survivors Since 1973