(Photo credit: Pete Halvorsen)

"We had plenty of fun in the backyard for the kids as well," added Kueng. "There was our fire engine on display for the kids to see, as well as a small hose line for kids to test their aim on a simulated house fire. We even had all of our protective equipment that they could try on."

The firefighters also had a game truck on site provided by Game Truck LA, and special appearances from Sparky the fire dog and Smokey the Bear.

"It was a great event," Kueng said, adding that the group was already thinking ahead to next year. Event sponsors included Chevron and Two Guns Coffee. 

Proceeds to Benefit Swanson Family

Swanson, an MBPD motorcycle officer, was killed in an multi-vehicle accident on the 405 in the early morning hours of October 4. A 13-year veteran of the force, he was married with three children, ages 4, 2, and 10 months old. Swanson was also a survivor of the Route 91 music festival shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. Although wounded during the shooting, he helped bring people to safety and assisted in first aid to others who were wounded.

At a vigil that drew hundreds of mourners, Swanson was remembered by fellow officers as a larger-than-life personality, a devoted husband and father, and a beloved colleague.