Topline:

Why it matters: The Fire Department has been honored with an “Award of Excellence Star” for its public service during the Palisades and Sunset fires, which burned in the Pacific Palisades and Hollywood Hills neighborhoods of L.A. in January.

Why now: The star was unveiled on Hollywood Boulevard on Friday at a ceremony hosted by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Community Foundation.

Awards of Excellence celebrate organizations for their positive impacts on Hollywood and the entertainment industry, according to organizers . Fewer than 10 have been handed out so far, including to the LA Times, Dodgers and Disneyland.

The backstory: The idea of awarding a star to the Fire Department was prompted by an eighth-grade class essay from Eniola Taiwo, 14, fr

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