What's For Lunch? Pizza! California Pizza Kitchen Raises Funds For LA County Fire

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles County Fire Department's Explorer program is fundraising Tuesday and Wednesday at participating California Pizza Kitchen restaurants.

The program, a joint venture with Learning for Life, offers educational and community service opportunities for teens and young adults interested in firefighting careers.

Customers who mention the program at CPK locations across the Southland - - from Valencia to Manhattan Beach -- can direct 20 percent of their lunch or dinner check to the fundraiser.

The Explorer program is designed for young people from 15 to 21 years old. Local posts include up to 25 explorers led by a professional firefighter and there are about 400 explorers overall.

Explorers have a chance to qualify for a 12-day training academy to learn firefighting skills, ladder and hose techniques, salvage operations, wildland firefighting procedures and related subjects.

Those who graduate from the training are qualified to ride along on an engine, truck or paramedic squad and respond to actual fire and medical emergencies.

Participating Locations Include:

• Beverly Hills

• 7th Street & Figueroa (Downtown LA)

• Brentwood

• Burbank

• Century City

• Cerritos

• Culver City

• Encino

• Glendale

• Hollywood

• Huntington Beach

• Lakewood

• Long Beach Marketplace

• Manhattan Beach

• Northridge

• Pasadena

• Rainbow Harbor

• Redondo Beach

• Rolling Hills

• Santa Monica

• Seal Beach

• Studio City

• Tarzana

• Topanga

• Valencia

• Westwood

City News Service; Photo: Courtesy of Los Angeles County Fire Department