Reporting the Fire at the Greenbrae Convalescent Hospital

Yesterday, January 2, marks the 39th anniversary of the fire and accident that killed responding Larkspur Fireman Jim Niven. Please join us in remembering Jim, and may he rest in peace. We invite you to read about this accident through the memories of several people who were directly involved, including some new information from the scene of the fire.

Tonight we have added the story of how the fire began, and how it was reported, along with the initial actions taken at the scene. This story is shared thanks to Shirley Walker, the Registered Nurse in charge that day at the facility. It only recently came to our attention.

Read also how the old wisdom of "it's a smalll world" comes true again, in this case with Shirley's family connections in emergency services, in New Jersey, and then in Marin, and San Francisco. Shirley's story is at the end of the page, scroll down if you've read the earlier accounts.

Click here to go to the Line of Duty Death page for Jim Niven

The Reverend Dan White, a longtime and second generation Larkspur volunteer, leading the dedication of the Jim Niven Park in Greenbrae in the early 1990's, adjacent to the newly rebuilt Larkspur Station 16. Jim's widow Lorraine Niven is pictured second from left. To her left is then-Larkspur Fire Chief Miles Julihn, now head of the Marin County Emergency Medical Services Department. Then Deputy Chief Doug Archer is in the middle in, and Dan White to the right. Dan is the brother of long-time San Rafael FD Captain Skip White, now retired, and the Uncle of current Novato FPD Captain Steve White.