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The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD or LA City Fire) provides
The Los Angeles Fire Department has it origins in the year 1871. In September of that year, George M. Fall, the County Clerk for Los Angeles County organized Engine Company No. 1. It was a volunteer firefighting force with an Amoskeag fire engine and a hose jumper (cart). The equipment was hand-drawn to fires. In the spring of 1874, the fire company asked the Los Angeles City Council to purchase horses to pull the engine. The Council refused and the fire company disbanded.
Many of the former members of Engine Company No. 1 reorganized under the name of Thirty-Eights No. 1 in May 1875, Engine Co. No. 2 was organized under the name Confidence Engine Company.
Los Angeles acquired its first " hook and ladder" truck for the Thirty-Eights. It proved to be too cumbersome and was ill-adapted to the needs of the city. It was sold to the city of Wilmington. In 1876, another "hook and ladder" truck was purchased, serving in the city until 1881.
In 1878, a third fire company was formed by the residents in the neighborhood of Sixth Street and Park. It was given the name of "Park Hose Co. No. 1". East Los Angeles formed a hose company named "East Los Angeles Hose Co. No. 2" five years later. The final volunteer company was formed in the fall of 1883 in the Morris Vineyard area. This company was called "Morris Vineyard Hose Co. No.3."
All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.
In 1877, the first horses were bought for the city fire department. The department would continue to use horses for its equipment for almost fifty years, phasing out the last horse drawn equipment on July 19, 1921.
By 1900, the department had grown to 18 fire stations with 123 full-time paid firefighters and 80 fire horses. The city had also installed 194 fire-alarm boxes allowing civilians to sound the alarm if a fire was spotted. 660
City wide response metrics
RISK MANAGEMENT SECTION OVERVIEW
Board of Fire Commissioners Report. Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander) who has the title 'Department Health and Safety Officer'. Assisted by one Captain II (Chief Litigation Officer / On-Call Incident Safety Officer), one Captain I (Department Safety Coordinator / On-Call Incident Safety Officer) and a Secretary. The primary objective of the Risk Management Section is to augment the line functions of the department by administering the department's In-Service Training Section, the Recruit Training Section, and the Quality Improvement Section. Specialized personnel assigned to Risk Management include the Department Safety Officer. The majority of personnel assigned to the Section maintain regular business hours.
The triple combination fire engine or “triple” (as it is commonly called) is the most common type of firefighting apparatus in Los Angeles. The term “triple combination” refers to the apparatus having three components; water tank, high capacity water pump, and hose. The triple can be found as a one-piece engine company or as two engines assigned to a Task Force station. The “triples” used by the LAFD have a direct drive, dual centrifuge main pump rated at 1,500 GPM at 150 psi with a 10-foot lift through a 6-inch suction. These apparatus carry a combination of all of the following sizes of hose; 4″, 2″, 1 3/4″, 1 1/2″ and 1″. The standard hose load is 750' of 4", 750' of 2 1/2" with a 325GPM nozzle, 400' of 1 3/4" with a 200 GPM nozzle, 400' of 1 1/2" with a 125 GPM nozzle and 500' of 1" with a dual gallonage 10/40 GPM nozzle. The water tank carrying capacity of all LAFD engines is 500 gallons. All frontline engines are equipped with a 30-gallon Class A foam injection system with the exception of Engine 51 at LAX that carries Class B foam in the onboard system. These apparatus are staffed by four members, including a captain who is the company commander, an engineer responsible for driving, maintaining and operating the pump, and two firefighters. A number of triples in the LAFD are also paramedic assessment companies – meaning they include a firefighter/paramedic as part of the crew. All engines are equipped with fire suppression gear as well as basic rescue equipment and emergency medical services equipment.
The LAFD uses the concept of Light Forces and Task Forces which can be considered one "Resource", although comprising more than one unit or company.
A Light Force is composed of a Pump Engine (200 Series, for example Engine 201 or Engine 301 for 100 stations) and a Ladder Truck. Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.
A Task Force is simply a Light Force coupled with an Engine. An Engine Company is considered a single unit or "resource" when responding to incidents on its own. A Task Force usually responds to larger incidents, such as structural fires, and is made up of an Engine, a 200 Series Engine (Pump), and a Truck, all operating together. While a standard Engine is always staffed with a full crew, a 200 Series Engine (Pump)is only staffed by a driver (and one other firefighter if responding as part of a Light Force). The purpose of the 200 Series Engine (Pump) is to provide support and equipment to the Truck in a Light Force, and either the Truck Company or the Engine Company in a Task Force.
Rescue Ambulances (RAs), often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered either
The Air Operations Section of the LAFD operates out of Fire Station 114 at
The Port of Los Angeles is under the jurisdiction of the LAFD which operates 5
The LAFD is divided into four operational Bureaus: Operations Central Bureau (OCB), Operations West Bureau (OWB), Operations South Bureau (OSB); formerly known as 'South Division', and Operations Valley Bureau (OVB); formerly known as 'North Division'. Each Bureau is commanded by a Deputy Chief, who holds the title of 'Bureau Commander'. Each Bureau also has an Assistant Chief serves as the 'Assistant Bureau Commander'. To replicate the former North and South Division, OCB and OVB also have three additional Assistant Chiefs who work 24-hour platoon duty. These Assistant Chiefs staff marked Dodge RAM SUVs and respond to major incidents - Command 22 for OCB and Command 42 of OVB.
* Operations Central Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 22 Fire Stations. Battalion 1 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 2 (8 Fire Stations) and Battalion 11 (6 Fire Stations). OCB's headquarters is at Fire Station 3.
* Operations West Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 21 Fire Stations. Battalion 4 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 5 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 9 (7 Fire Stations). OWB's headquarters is at Fire Station 82.
* Operations South Bureau compromises 3 battalions and 25 Fire Stations. Battalion 6 (11 Fire Stations), Battalion 13 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 18 (6 Fire Stations). OSB's headquarters is at the San Pedro Municipal Building (638 South Beacon Street, Suite 374).
* Operations Valley Bureau compromises of 4 battalions and 31 Fire Stations. Battalion 10 (9 Fire Stations), Battalion 12 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 14 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 15 (8 Fire Stations). OVB's headquarters is temporarily stationed at Fire Station 83.
Each of the four operational Bureaus house a number of battalions. These battalions are staffed by uniformed personnel who rotate on a 24-hour platoon duty. Each battalion is commanded by a Battalion Chief, who responds to major incidents within their battalion, usually 20-30 square miles in size. They have the responsibility of commanding these scenes as the Incident Commander (IC). Battalion Chiefs typically respond to these incidents with a Firefighter/Specialist, who holds the title of Emergency Incident Technician (EIT). EITs drive the Dodge RAM SUV to the scenes and act as an assistant to the Battalion Chief.
Note that stations with both a truck and a 200 series engine (pump) will usually respond the two apparatus together as a lightforce. So, for example, Truck 1 and Engine 201 will often respond together as ''Light Force 1''. The only full time exception is Fire Station 9 where Engine 209 is fully staffed. Truck 9 responds as a single company when appropriate. During "Augmented Staffing" (red-flag brush fire weather, or other increased threat days) the 200 series engines can be fully staffed as a 4-member Engine Company. Each company can then either be dispatched individually or as a "Task Force".
400 series Engines are ready reserve apparatus. These apparatus are full loaded with equipment and hose. They are used either for short term relief IE when a frontline apparatus is shut down for repair or maintenance. 400 series Engines are also staffed as needed during "High Hazard" days or other augmented staffing times.
The LAFD has six Type 3 wildland Engines. Five are property of the State of California OES but are staffed as needed and maintained by the LAFD. Together these 5 Engines form Strike Team 1880C.Engine 482C
is housed at Fire Station 82 and is a ready reserve Type 3 wildland Engine. Command Assignment List CAD Designation List Station List
Map of all LAFD Fire Stations
Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
Los Angeles Fire Department News & Information Web Log
LAFD Recruiting
{{Coord, 34, 3, 0, N, 118, 15, 0, W, display=title Ambulance services in the United States Fire departments in California Government agencies established in 1886 Fire Department
emergency medical services
Emergency medical services (EMS), also known as ambulance services or paramedic services, are emergency services that provide urgent pre-hospital treatment and stabilisation for serious illness and injuries and transport to definitive care. ...
, fire cause determination, fire prevention
Fire prevention is a function of many fire departments. The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public on the precautions which should be taken to prevent potentially harmful fires and how to survive these fires in the event that they do o ...
, fire suppression
Wildfire suppression is a range of firefighting tactics used to suppress wildfires. Firefighting efforts in wild land areas require different techniques, equipment, and training from the more familiar structure fire fighting found in populated ...
, hazardous materials mitigation, and technical rescue services to the city of Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
, California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
, United States. The LAFD is responsible for approximately 4 million people who live in the agency's jurisdiction. The Los Angeles Fire Department was founded in 1886 and is one of the largest municipal fire departments in the United States, after the New York City Fire Department
The New York City Fire Department, officially the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), is an American department of the government of New York City that provides fire protection services, technical rescue/special operations services, ...
and the Chicago Fire Department. The department may be unofficially referred to as the ''Los Angeles City Fire Department'' or "LA City Fire" to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department
The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) provides firefighting services as well as technical rescue services, hazardous materials response services and emergency medical response services for the unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County ...
which serves the county and whose name may directly confuse people, as the county seat is the city. Another possible reason is that the city and the unincorporated county are often bordering each other and thus the two appear to be serving the same area. The department is currently under the command of chief Kristin Crowley.
History
The Los Angeles Fire Department has it origins in the year 1871. In September of that year, George M. Fall, the County Clerk for Los Angeles County organized Engine Company No. 1. It was a volunteer firefighting force with an Amoskeag fire engine and a hose jumper (cart). The equipment was hand-drawn to fires. In the spring of 1874, the fire company asked the Los Angeles City Council to purchase horses to pull the engine. The Council refused and the fire company disbanded.
Many of the former members of Engine Company No. 1 reorganized under the name of Thirty-Eights No. 1 in May 1875, Engine Co. No. 2 was organized under the name Confidence Engine Company.
Los Angeles acquired its first " hook and ladder" truck for the Thirty-Eights. It proved to be too cumbersome and was ill-adapted to the needs of the city. It was sold to the city of Wilmington. In 1876, another "hook and ladder" truck was purchased, serving in the city until 1881.
In 1878, a third fire company was formed by the residents in the neighborhood of Sixth Street and Park. It was given the name of "Park Hose Co. No. 1". East Los Angeles formed a hose company named "East Los Angeles Hose Co. No. 2" five years later. The final volunteer company was formed in the fall of 1883 in the Morris Vineyard area. This company was called "Morris Vineyard Hose Co. No.3."
All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.
In 1877, the first horses were bought for the city fire department. The department would continue to use horses for its equipment for almost fifty years, phasing out the last horse drawn equipment on July 19, 1921.
By 1900, the department had grown to 18 fire stations with 123 full-time paid firefighters and 80 fire horses. The city had also installed 194 fire-alarm boxes allowing civilians to sound the alarm if a fire was spotted. 660 fire hydrant
A fire hydrant, waterplug, or firecock (archaic) is a connection point by which firefighters can tap into a water supply. It is a component of active fire protection. Underground fire hydrants have been used in Europe and Asia since at least t ...
s were placed throughout the city, giving firefighters access to a reliable water source. In 1955 Station 78 in Studio City
Studio City is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California, in the southeast San Fernando Valley, just west of the Cahuenga Pass. It is named after the studio lot that was established in the area by film producer Mack Sennett in 1927, ...
became the first racially integrated station in the department.
Since 1978 the LAFD has provided emergency medical and fire suppression services to the city of San Fernando by contract .
In responses to the 2020 pandemic, the LAFD has helped to administrate the COVID-19 vaccine to residents from Los Angeles. Also, more than 1,800 Los Angeles firefighters have received the COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2022, Kristin Crowley became the first female, and the first openly gay, chief of the LAFD.
Organization
Administration
The official office for the Fire Chief of the department. CAD designation of 'FC1' and radio designation of 'Fire Chief'. The Fire Chief reports directly to the Board of Fire Commissioners.Executive Bureau / Chief of Staff
Commanded by a Deputy Chief (Bureau Commander) who holds the title of Chief of Staff. Assisted by an Executive Administrative Assistant II and Senior Management Analyst I. In 2022, the Executive Bureau was changed from the previous name of Administration Bureau.Planning Section
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander), who maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). Also consists of four Captains and one Secretary.Employee Relations Division
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Division Commander), who maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). Assisted by a Secretary.Community Liaison Office
Commanded by a civilian Public Information Director, who holds the assignment of Community Liaison Officer. Maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday).=Community Service Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Commander), who holds the assignment of Department Public Information Officer. Maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). The Community Service Unit also consists of three Public Service Officers (PSOs) who hold the department rank of Firefighter/Specialist. Maintains 24-hour platoon duty.=Community Risk Reduction Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Commander). Two Fire Inspector Is are also assigned to the CRRU.FireStat LA Section
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander) and the Fire Statistical Manager. Also consists of two Senior Fire Statistical Analyst. Responsible for Departmental statistics, such as thCity wide response metrics
Professional Standards Division
Commanded by an Assistant Chief (Division Commander), civilian Chief Special Investigator and Battalion Chief.=Internal Investigations Unit
= Consists of civilian Fire Special Investigators and Captains who serve as Department Advocates.Administrative Operations
Commanded by a Chief Deputy, who has a CAD designation of 'CM1' and radio designation of 'Command 1'. Assisted by an Executive Administrative Assistant II, Administrative Clerk and a Battalion Chief who has the title of 'Executive Officer, Administrative Operations'.Risk Management Section
All taken froRISK MANAGEMENT SECTION OVERVIEW
Board of Fire Commissioners Report. Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander) who has the title 'Department Health and Safety Officer'. Assisted by one Captain II (Chief Litigation Officer / On-Call Incident Safety Officer), one Captain I (Department Safety Coordinator / On-Call Incident Safety Officer) and a Secretary. The primary objective of the Risk Management Section is to augment the line functions of the department by administering the department's In-Service Training Section, the Recruit Training Section, and the Quality Improvement Section. Specialized personnel assigned to Risk Management include the Department Safety Officer. The majority of personnel assigned to the Section maintain regular business hours.
=Records Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Supervisor) who is also an Incident Safety Officer. Also consists of two Senior Administrative Clerks and one Administrative Clerk.=Injury Prevention Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Supervisor) who is also an Incident Safety Officer. Also consists of a Certified Athletic Trainer.=Medical Liaison Unit
= Commanded by a Captain II (Unit Supervisor). Assisted by four Captain Is (assuming one for each Bureau?) and one Administrative Clerk.Administrative Services Bureau
Commanded by the Fire Administrator (Bureau Commander), who has a CAD designation of 'FA1' and a radio designation of 'Fire Administrator'. Assisted by a Secretary. The primary objective of this Bureau is the implementation of administrative staff functions in accordance with current policies and procedures as established by the Fire Chief.=Financial Services Division
= Commanded by a Chief Management Analyst (Division Commander).Budget Management Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). Budget Preparation/Control Consists of three Senior Management Analyst Is, one Management Analyst and one Management Assistant.
Revenue Management Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). Also consists of two Senior Management Analyst Is, one Management Analyst and one Management Assistant.
EMS Records Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). EMS Records Unit Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst I (Unit Commander). Also consists of one Senior Administrative Clerk, four Administrative Clerks and one Management Assistant. Contracts Unit Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst I (Unit Commander). Also consists of one Management Analyst.
=Fiscal Systems and Audit Section
= Commanded by a Fiscal Systems Specialist II (Section Commander). Also consists of one Fiscal Systems Specialist I, one Senior Auditor, one Auditor I and one Accounting Clerk.=Accounting Services Section
= Commanded by a Departmental Chief Accountant III (Section Commander).=Human Resources Division
= Commanded by a Personnel Director II (Division Commander).Selection and Records Commanded by a Senior Personnel Analyst II.
Personnel Services Section Commanded by a Senior Personnel Analyst I (Section Commander). Selection Unit Consists of three Personnel Analysts and one Senior Administrative Clerk. Civilian & Sworn selection, Bilingual, Advanced Vacant Step Hiring (Civilian), Advanced Starting Salary Falls & Education Bonus (Sworn)
Records Unit Consists of one Senior Personnel Analyst I, one Personnel Records Supervisor, one Personnel Analyst, two Senior Administrative Clerks and one Office Services Assistant.
Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau
Commanded by a Deputy Chief (Bureau Commander), who also holds the title of Fire Marshal. Has a CAD designation of 'CM5' and a radio designation of 'Command 5'. Assistant commanded by a Deputy Chief (Assistant Bureau Commander), who also holds the title of Assistant Fire Marshal. Also consists of a Secretary and Management Analyst.=Administrative Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by an Office Services Assistant.Legal Unit Commanded by a Captain II. Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.
Planning Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Research Unit Consists of three Fire Inspectors.
=Industrial & Commercial Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.Central Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.
Harbor Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
High-Rise Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Valley Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
West Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Cannabis Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Brush Clearance Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
=Public Safety Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.Public Assemblage Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Film Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.
Schools & Churches & Institutions Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.
Valley Public Safety Unit Commanded by a Captain II.
=CUPA Section
= Commanded by the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Manager.Environmental Unit - Underground Storage Tank & HazMat Commanded by a Captain II.
Technical Support Unit Commanded by a Supervising Hazmat Specialist. Also consists of a Hazmat Specialist, Fire Inspector II, Industrial Hygienist, Engineering Geologist Associate IV and Environmental Technician.
Plan Check Unit Consists of two Risk Management Plan Specialists and one Fire Inspector II.
Data Management Unit Commanded by a Principal Clerk. Assisted by two Accounting Clerks.
=Fire Development Services Section
= Commanded by a Senior Fire Protection Engineer. Assisted by one Office Services Assistant, one Management Analyst and one Accounting Clerk.Fire Life Safety Plan Check Unit Consists of one Fire Protection Engineer.
Fire Life Safety Field Inspection Unit Commanded by one Captain II. Assisted by one Administrative Clerk.
Municipal Services Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by one Administrative Clerk.
Hydrants and Access Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Information Technology Bureau
Commanded by the Chief Information Officer.=Infrastructure and Operations Division
=Infrastructure and Help Desk Support Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists of two Systems Programmer IIs and two System Analyst Is.
Helpdesk and Technical Support Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists if three Systems Analyst IIs and two Administrative Clerks.
Software Applications Support Section Consists of two Senior Systems Analyst IIs, one Programmer Analyst V, one Programmer Analyst IV, one Programmer Analyst III and one Systems Analyst II.
GIS Unit Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst I. Also consists of two GIS Supervisor Is and four GIS Specialists.
Enterprise Records Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists of three Programmer Analyst IIIs.
Network Staffing Support Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II.
Development Operations Division Commanded an Information System Manager II.
=Fire Communications Dispatch Support Section (FCDSS)
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief and assisted by one Senior Management Analyst I and one Secretary.Technical Control Commanded by a Communications Electrician Supervisor.
Fire Communications Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Also consists of one Communications Electrician.
Telephone Coordinator Firefighter III
Fire Communications Technician Support Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Also consists of one Senior Communications Electrician. ''* Organization structure obtained via LAFD Administrative Roster September 2022.''
Rank Structure
Types of apparatus
The department utilizes a wide array of apparatus and equipment. These are most but not all of the apparatus.Triple combination engines
The triple combination fire engine or “triple” (as it is commonly called) is the most common type of firefighting apparatus in Los Angeles. The term “triple combination” refers to the apparatus having three components; water tank, high capacity water pump, and hose. The triple can be found as a one-piece engine company or as two engines assigned to a Task Force station. The “triples” used by the LAFD have a direct drive, dual centrifuge main pump rated at 1,500 GPM at 150 psi with a 10-foot lift through a 6-inch suction. These apparatus carry a combination of all of the following sizes of hose; 4″, 2″, 1 3/4″, 1 1/2″ and 1″. The standard hose load is 750' of 4", 750' of 2 1/2" with a 325GPM nozzle, 400' of 1 3/4" with a 200 GPM nozzle, 400' of 1 1/2" with a 125 GPM nozzle and 500' of 1" with a dual gallonage 10/40 GPM nozzle. The water tank carrying capacity of all LAFD engines is 500 gallons. All frontline engines are equipped with a 30-gallon Class A foam injection system with the exception of Engine 51 at LAX that carries Class B foam in the onboard system. These apparatus are staffed by four members, including a captain who is the company commander, an engineer responsible for driving, maintaining and operating the pump, and two firefighters. A number of triples in the LAFD are also paramedic assessment companies – meaning they include a firefighter/paramedic as part of the crew. All engines are equipped with fire suppression gear as well as basic rescue equipment and emergency medical services equipment.
Light Forces and Task Forces
The LAFD uses the concept of Light Forces and Task Forces which can be considered one "Resource", although comprising more than one unit or company.
A Light Force is composed of a Pump Engine (200 Series, for example Engine 201 or Engine 301 for 100 stations) and a Ladder Truck. Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.
A Task Force is simply a Light Force coupled with an Engine. An Engine Company is considered a single unit or "resource" when responding to incidents on its own. A Task Force usually responds to larger incidents, such as structural fires, and is made up of an Engine, a 200 Series Engine (Pump), and a Truck, all operating together. While a standard Engine is always staffed with a full crew, a 200 Series Engine (Pump)is only staffed by a driver (and one other firefighter if responding as part of a Light Force). The purpose of the 200 Series Engine (Pump) is to provide support and equipment to the Truck in a Light Force, and either the Truck Company or the Engine Company in a Task Force.
Rescue Ambulances
Rescue Ambulances (RAs), often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered either advanced life support
Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a set of life saving protocols and skills that extend basic life support to further support the circulation and provide an open airway and adequate ventilation (breathing).
Components
These include:
* Tracheal in ...
(ALS), or basic life support
Basic life support (BLS) is a level of medical care which is used for patients with life-threatening illnesses or injuries until they can be given full medical care by advanced life support providers (paramedics, nurses, physicians). It can be p ...
(BLS) units. Ambulances number 1-112 are frontline ALS staffed by 2 firefighter / paramedics, while those in the 200 series are ALS reserves. Ambulances in the 800s & 900s are BLS staffed by 2 firefighter EMTs, with 900-series units assigned to Stations identified numerically over 100.
Helicopters
The Air Operations Section of the LAFD operates out of Fire Station 114 at Van Nuys Airport
: ''For the United States Air Force use of the airport (1942–1990), see Van Nuys Air National Guard Base''
Van Nuys Airport is a public airport in the Van Nuys neighborhood of the City of Los Angeles. The airport is operated by Los Angeles ...
. The station houses six helicopters
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by horizontally spinning rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forward, backward and laterally. These attributes ...
available for both aerial firefighting
Aerial may refer to:
Music
* ''Aerial'' (album), by Kate Bush
* ''Aerials'' (song), from the album ''Toxicity'' by System of a Down
Bands
*Aerial (Canadian band)
* Aerial (Scottish band)
* Aerial (Swedish band)
Performance art
* Aerial sil ...
and air medical services
Air medical services is a comprehensive term covering the use of air transportation, aeroplane or helicopter, to move patients to and from healthcare facilities and accident scenes. Personnel provide comprehensive prehospital and emergency and cri ...
.''FIRE 1'', ''FIRE 2'', ''FIRE 3'', ''FIRE 4'', and ''FIRE 5'' are all AgustaWestland AW139
The AgustaWestland AW139 is a medium-lift twin-engined helicopter developed and produced by the Anglo-Italian helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, later wholly owned by Leonardo S.p.A. It is marketed at several different roles, including V ...
s. The final helicopter, ''FIRE 6'', is a Bell 206B
The Bell 206 is a family of two-bladed, single- and twin-engined helicopters, manufactured by Bell Helicopter at its Mirabel, Quebec, plant. Originally developed as the Bell YOH-4 for the United States Army's Light Observation Helicopter progra ...
.
The department previously operated Bell 205
The Bell 204 and 205 are the civilian versions of the UH-1 Iroquois single-engine military helicopter of the Huey family of helicopters. They are type-certificated in the transport category and are used in a wide variety of applications, inc ...
and Bell 412 types, the last of which were retired by 2017 to make way for the newer AW139s.
Fireboats
The Port of Los Angeles is under the jurisdiction of the LAFD which operates 5 fireboat
A fireboat or fire-float is a specialized watercraft with pumps and nozzles designed for fighting shoreline and shipboard fires. The first fireboats, dating to the late 18th century, were tugboats, retrofitted with firefighting equipme ...
s to provide fire protection for ships and dockside structures. ''Fireboat 1'', ''Fireboat 3'' and ''Fireboat 5'' are identical long aluminum fireboat
A fireboat or fire-float is a specialized watercraft with pumps and nozzles designed for fighting shoreline and shipboard fires. The first fireboats, dating to the late 18th century, were tugboats, retrofitted with firefighting equipme ...
s capable of a top speed of while fully loaded. They are equipped with a pump and a deluge gun
A deluge gun, fire monitor, master stream or deck gun is an aimable controllable high-capacity water jet used for manual firefighting or automatic fire protection systems. Deluge guns are often designed to accommodate foam which has been injecte ...
. They also have a firefighting foam capacity.
''Fireboat 4'', also known as the ''Bethel F. Gifford'', was commissioned in 1962 and is the oldest of the fleet. It is capable of pumping water at and carries of foam solution for petrochemical
Petrochemicals (sometimes abbreviated as petchems) are the chemical products obtained from petroleum by refining. Some chemical compounds made from petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, or renewable so ...
fires. It is equipped with jet-stream nozzles to allow for increased maneuverability.
The newest and most technologically advanced of the fireboats is the long ''Fireboat 2'', also known as the ''Warner Lawrence
''Warner Lawrence'' is a fireboat owned and operated by the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) in Los Angeles.
Designed by Robert Allan Ltd. in the early 2000s, ''Warner Lawrence'' was built in Washington and delivered to San Pedro on 21 May 20 ...
'', which has the capability to pump up to up to in the air. Boat 2 also has an onboard area for treatment and care of rescued persons.
USAR Task Force 1
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the founding member of one of California's eightFEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force
Members of FEMA US&R Task Force at World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks.
A FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (US&R Task Force) is a team of individuals specializing in urban search and rescue, disaster recovery, and emergency triage a ...
s. California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) is available to respond to natural or man-made disasters around the country and world and assist with search and rescue, medical support, damage assessment and communications.
Stations and apparatus
The LAFD is divided into four operational Bureaus: Operations Central Bureau (OCB), Operations West Bureau (OWB), Operations South Bureau (OSB); formerly known as 'South Division', and Operations Valley Bureau (OVB); formerly known as 'North Division'. Each Bureau is commanded by a Deputy Chief, who holds the title of 'Bureau Commander'. Each Bureau also has an Assistant Chief serves as the 'Assistant Bureau Commander'. To replicate the former North and South Division, OCB and OVB also have three additional Assistant Chiefs who work 24-hour platoon duty. These Assistant Chiefs staff marked Dodge RAM SUVs and respond to major incidents - Command 22 for OCB and Command 42 of OVB.
* Operations Central Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 22 Fire Stations. Battalion 1 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 2 (8 Fire Stations) and Battalion 11 (6 Fire Stations). OCB's headquarters is at Fire Station 3.
* Operations West Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 21 Fire Stations. Battalion 4 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 5 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 9 (7 Fire Stations). OWB's headquarters is at Fire Station 82.
* Operations South Bureau compromises 3 battalions and 25 Fire Stations. Battalion 6 (11 Fire Stations), Battalion 13 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 18 (6 Fire Stations). OSB's headquarters is at the San Pedro Municipal Building (638 South Beacon Street, Suite 374).
* Operations Valley Bureau compromises of 4 battalions and 31 Fire Stations. Battalion 10 (9 Fire Stations), Battalion 12 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 14 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 15 (8 Fire Stations). OVB's headquarters is temporarily stationed at Fire Station 83.
Each of the four operational Bureaus house a number of battalions. These battalions are staffed by uniformed personnel who rotate on a 24-hour platoon duty. Each battalion is commanded by a Battalion Chief, who responds to major incidents within their battalion, usually 20-30 square miles in size. They have the responsibility of commanding these scenes as the Incident Commander (IC). Battalion Chiefs typically respond to these incidents with a Firefighter/Specialist, who holds the title of Emergency Incident Technician (EIT). EITs drive the Dodge RAM SUV to the scenes and act as an assistant to the Battalion Chief.
Note that stations with both a truck and a 200 series engine (pump) will usually respond the two apparatus together as a lightforce. So, for example, Truck 1 and Engine 201 will often respond together as ''Light Force 1''. The only full time exception is Fire Station 9 where Engine 209 is fully staffed. Truck 9 responds as a single company when appropriate. During "Augmented Staffing" (red-flag brush fire weather, or other increased threat days) the 200 series engines can be fully staffed as a 4-member Engine Company. Each company can then either be dispatched individually or as a "Task Force".
400 series Engines are ready reserve apparatus. These apparatus are full loaded with equipment and hose. They are used either for short term relief IE when a frontline apparatus is shut down for repair or maintenance. 400 series Engines are also staffed as needed during "High Hazard" days or other augmented staffing times.
The LAFD has six Type 3 wildland Engines. Five are property of the State of California OES but are staffed as needed and maintained by the LAFD. Together these 5 Engines form Strike Team 1880C.Engine 482Cis housed at Fire Station 82 and is a ready reserve Type 3 wildland Engine. Command Assignment List CAD Designation List Station List
In pop culture
The LAFD has been featured in many TV shows and movies. Sometimes the LAFD or LAFD equipment is just seen in the background. * (1974) ''Firehouse
__NOTOC__
A fire station (also called a fire house, fire hall, firemen's hall, or engine house) is a structure or other area for storing firefighting apparatuses such as fire engines and related vehicles, personal protective equipment, fire h ...
'', starring James Drury
* (1981–1982) '' Code Red'', starring Lorne Greene
Lorne Hyman Greene (born Lyon Himan Green; 12 February 1915 – 11 September 1987) was a Canadian actor, musician, singer and radio personality. His notable television roles include Ben Cartwright on the Western ''Bonanza'' and Commander Ad ...
* (1995-2000) '' LAPD: Life On The Beat'', the fire department was featured often responding to various emergency calls with the "LAPD".
* (1999) '' Rescue 77''
* (2015) '' San Andreas''
* (2018–present) '' 9-1-1''
See also
* Fire Station No. 1 *Engine Company No. 28
Engine Company No. 28 is a former Los Angeles Fire Department fire station on Figueroa Street in Downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1912 at a cost of , the structure served as an operating fire station until it was closed in 1967. One of the first rei ...
* Engine House No. 18 (Los Angeles, California)
* Fire Station No. 14 (Los Angeles, California)
* Fire Station No. 23 (Los Angeles, California)
Fire Station No. 23 is a former fire station in Downtown Los Angeles. Built in 1910 as an operating fire station, it was also the Los Angeles Fire Department's headquarters until 1920 and the residence of every fire chief from 1910-1928. When it ...
* Fire Station No. 30, Engine Company No. 30
Fire Station No. 30, Engine Company No. 30 is a historic fire station and engine company in the South Los Angeles area of Los Angeles, California.
Closed in 1980, the building is now home to the African American Firefighter Museum (AAFFM). The AAF ...
* Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial
The Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial is located at Old Engine Co. No. 27, also known as Fire Station No. 27, on Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood. The museum houses old fire engines and fire apparatus, some dating from the 1880s. T ...
* Louis R. Nowell
Louis R. Nowell (February 8, 1915 – July 2, 2009) was a fireman and politician in Los Angeles, California. He was best known for serving on the Los Angeles City Council from the San Fernando Valley from 1963 to 1977. He was appointed as a membe ...
, fire captain who became a City Council member
* ''Ralph J. Scott'', formerly known as Fireboat #2
* The Stentorians Fire Station No.46
* Frank Hotchkin Memorial Training Center
The Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center was built between 1938 and 1941 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the Art Deco style as part of the "New Deal". The Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Center was designated a California Historic ...
Los Angeles
References
External links
Map of all LAFD Fire Stations
Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive
Los Angeles Fire Department News & Information Web Log
LAFD Recruiting
{{Coord, 34, 3, 0, N, 118, 15, 0, W, display=title Ambulance services in the United States Fire departments in California Government agencies established in 1886 Fire Department
Fire
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material (the fuel) in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.
At a certain point in the combustion reaction, called the ignition point, flames a ...
1886 establishments in California