Firefighters Join MB Fire Department

Last Thursday, Joshua Kueng officially joined the Manhattan Beach Fire Department, becoming the third firefighter/paramedic since November to become a member of MBFD. In November, David Schwarting and Christian McArthur participated in their badge pinning ceremonies.

All three firefighters say the sun, sand, sea and people of Manhattan Beach influenced their decisions to join MBFD. McArthur grew up around firefighters; his father Leigh retired as Fire Captain of the Torrance Fire Department.

Said McArthur, "I decided in high school that I wanted to be a firefighter. I became an LACoFD (Los Angeles County Fire Department) Explorer and from that point on, I never considered any other career. I love the excitement and the diversity of the job. I get to come to work each day and make a positive difference in the community. I am very privileged to work in Manhattan Beach. It is a beautiful city, with a wonderful community of citizens that care for each other. I am so lucky to be a part of the team of firefighter/paramedics that get to serve this community."

Schwarting echoes much of what McArthur said: "I chose firefighting as a career because I enjoy the excitement of helping people when they truly need it. Nothing beats the thrill of knowing that when I come to work I will inevitably help someone. I also enjoy the positive team environment and being able to work outdoors.

"Manhattan Beach has been, and still is, my dream city to work for... The members of the Manhattan Beach Fire Department are the most competent, knowledgeable people that I have ever worked with... There is no other team that I would rather be a part of."

Said Kueng, "I wanted to become a firefighter because it is an amazing and rewarding career. I enjoy working with people on a team and that’s what the fire service is, a big team that goes out and helps people... It is a career that makes you continue to learn and train to help people at all times."

Kueng, who grew up in Pico Rivera, graduated from Rio Hondo College with an associate of arts degree in liberal arts and an associate of science degree in fire science. He attended Rio Hondo Fire Academy Class 64 and received his Paramedic Completion from Imperial Valley College.

He has been an Auxiliary Firefighter for Santa Fe Springs Fire and Rescue, an ambulance attendant for CARE Ambulance Service and a firefighter for the City of El Centro.

He is married, has a three-year-old son and another boy on the way in March. 

Schwarting has attended Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, Los Angeles Harbor College and El Camino College. He has been an EMT and paramedic for McCormick Ambulance Service and a firefighter/paramedic for the La Habra Heights Fire Department.

McArthur was born in Torrance, graduated from South Torrance High School and received an associate of science degree in fire science at El Camino College. He has worked as an MBFD Paid Call Firefighter, doing so for approximately two years while I worked as an El Camino Fire Academy mentor for two years. He has also worked for McCormick Ambulance Company as an EMT and field training officer for 1 1/2 years.