American municipal fire department
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD or LA City Fire) provides firefighting services and technical rescue services, hazardous materials services, and emergency medical services to the residents of the city of Los Angeles, California, United States.[6] The LAFD is responsible for approximately four million people who live in the agency's 471 square miles (1,220 km2) jurisdiction.[7] The Los Angeles Fire Department was founded in 1886 and is the third-largest municipal fire department in the United States, after the New York City Fire Department and the Chicago Fire Department. The department is sometimes also referred to as the "Los Angeles City Fire Department" or "LA City Fire" to distinguish it from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which serves unincorporated areas and, via contracts, other incorporated municipalities within Los Angeles County without their own fire departments. The department is currently under the command of acting Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva after former LAFD Chief Kristen Crowley was fired by Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass following the 2025 Southern California wildfires for refusing to write an after-action report.[8]
The Los Angeles Fire Department has its origins in the year 1871.[9][10][11] 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.[12]
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.[12]
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.[12]
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."[12]
All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.[12]
Los Angeles Fire House near Olvera Street, 1890In 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.[13]
L.A.F.D. Engine No. 11 at 1819 West 7th Street, ca.1910By 1900, the department had grown to 18 fire stations with 123 full-time paid firefighters and 80 fire horses.[13] The city had also installed 194 fire-alarm boxes allowing civilians to sound the alarm if a fire was spotted. 660 fire hydrants were placed throughout the city, giving firefighters access to a reliable water source.[14] In 1955 Station 78 in Studio City became the first racially integrated station in the department.[15]
LAFD on the scene of a fire in the Bradbury Building, Downtown Los Angeles in 1947. Los Angeles Fire Department Sunday morning training in downtown Los Angeles, February 1977Since 1978 the LAFD has provided emergency medical and fire suppression services to the city of San Fernando by contract.[16]
In responses to the 2020 pandemic, the LAFD has helped to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to residents from Los Angeles. Also, more than 1,800 Los Angeles firefighters have received the COVID-19 vaccine.[17][18]
In 2022, Kristin Crowley became the first female, and the first openly gay, chief of the LAFD.[19]
Administration has 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[edit]Executive Bureau/Chief Of Staff is commanded by a Deputy Chief (Bureau Commander) who holds the title of Chief of Staff. The Chief of Staff is 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.[20]
Title Explanation Fire Chief General manager of the department. Highest ranking uniformed employee. Chief Deputy Two positions - Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations and Chief Deputy of Administrative Operations. Deputy Chief Seven positions. Bureau commander. Assistant Chief Seventeen positions. Assignment varies. Battalion Chief Sixty-seven positions. Assignment varies. Captain II Generally is the station commander of a task force station. Captain I Company commander of an engine company. Apparatus Operator Drives truck, USAR, squads and heavy rescue Engineer Drives engine companies and manages the pump panel. Firefighter III / EMT Firefighter Firefighter II / EMT Probationary firefighter Firefighter I / EMT Academy recruit Types of apparatus[edit]The department utilizes a wide array of apparatus and equipment. These are most but not all of the apparatus.
Triple combination engines[edit] LAFD Engine Co. 11 responding to an emergency call.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; a 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″, 21⁄2″, 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[edit] LAFD on the scene of a Major Emergency Structure FireThe LAFD uses the concept of Light Forces and Task Forces which can be considered one "Resource", although comprising more than one unit or company.[21]
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.[22] Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.[21]
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.[22] 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.[21]
Rescue Ambulance 11 responding to a call near MacArthur ParkRescue Ambulances (RAs), often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered either Paramedic/advanced life support (ALS), or Emergency Medical Technician/basic life support (BLS) units. Ambulances number 1-112 are frontline Advanced Life Support Units staffed by 2 firefighter / paramedics, while those in the 200 series are Advanced Life Support reserve units.[23] Ambulances in the 800s & 900s are Basic Life Support Units staffed by 2 firefighter EMTs, with 900-series units assigned to Stations identified numerically over 100.[23] Rescue Ambulances have Cardiac Defibrillators and Monitors, Cardiac Drugs, Intubation and Airway supplies and other equipment for Emergency Medical Responses.
LAFD Bell 412 (retired)The Air Operations Section (AIROPS)[24] of the LAFD operates out of Fire Station 114 at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY). The helicopter fleet consists of five Medium Duty helicopters and two Light Duty helicopters, making the Department capable of handling brush fire suppression, air ambulance transport, high rise fire response, and hoist rescues.[25]
FIRE 1, FIRE 2, FIRE 3, FIRE 4, and FIRE 5 are all AgustaWestland AW139s.[26][27][28][29][30] FIRE 6 and FIRE 7 are both Bell 206 B-III Jet Rangers.[31] The department previously operated Bell 205 and Bell 412 types, the last of which was retired in 2017 to make way for the newer AW139s.[32]
LAFD Fireboat 2, the Warner LawrenceThe Port of Los Angeles is under the jurisdiction of the LAFD which operates 5 fireboats to provide fire protection for ships and dockside structures.[33] Fireboat 1, Fireboat 3 and Fireboat 5 are identical 39-foot (12 m) long aluminum fireboats capable of a top speed of 29 knots (33 mph; 54 km/h) while fully loaded.[34] They are equipped with a 2,400 US gal/min (9,100 L/min) pump and a 1,000 US gal/min (3,800 L/min) deluge gun.[34] They also have a 50-US-gallon (190 L) 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 9,000 US gal/min (34,000 L/min) and carries 550 US gallons (2,082 L) of foam solution for petrochemical fires.[35] It is equipped with jet-stream nozzles to allow for increased maneuverability.[35]
The newest and most technologically advanced of the fireboats is the 105-foot (32 m) long Fireboat 2, also known as the Warner Lawrence, which has the capability to pump up to 38,000 US gallons per minute (140,000 L/min) up to 400 feet (120 m) in the air.[36] Boat 2 also has an onboard area for treatment and care of rescued persons.[37]
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the founding member of one of California's eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces.[38] 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.[39]
Engine 59 at the scene of a structure fire LAFD Firefighters battling a house fireThe 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 who serves as the 'Assistant Bureau Commander'. To replicate the former North and South Division, Operations Central Bureau (OCB) and Operations Valley Bureau (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 Operations Central Bureau (OCB) and Command 42 of Operations Valley Bureau (OVB).
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 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.[22] 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 apparatuses 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.[41] Engine 482C is housed at Fire Station 82 and is a ready reserve Type 3 wildland Engine.
Command Assignment List
CAD Designation Radio Designation Assignment Rank FC1 "Fire Chief" Fire Chief Fire Chief CM1 "Command 1" Commander, Administrative Operations Chief Deputy CM2 "Command 2" Commander, Emergency Operations Chief Deputy CM4 "Command 4" Commander, Training and Support Bureau Deputy Chief CM5 "Command 5" Bureau Commander, Fire Prevention and Public Safety Bureau Deputy Chief FA1 "Fire Administrator" Bureau Commander, Administrative Services Bureau Fire Administrator MD1 "Medical Director" Bureau Commander, Emergency Medical Services Bureau Medical Director Operations Central Bureau CM21 "Command 21" Bureau Commander, Operations Central Bureau Deputy Chief CM22 "Command 22" Assistant Bureau Commander, Operations Central Bureau (24-hour Platoon Duty) Assistant Chief TO24 "Training 24" Training Support Specialist, Operations Central Bureau Captain II EM25 "EMS 25" EMS/Community Resilience Officer, Operations Central Bureau Captain I/Paramedic Operations South Bureau CM31 "Command 31" Bureau Commander, Operations South Bureau Deputy Chief CM32 "Command 32" Assistant Bureau Commander, Operations South Bureau Assistant Chief TO34 "Training 34" Training Support Specialist, Operations South Bureau Captain II EM35 "EMS 35" EMS/Community Resilience Officer, Operations South Bureau Captain I/Paramedic Operations Valley Bureau CM41 "Command 41" Bureau Commander, Operations Valley Bureau Deputy Chief CM42 "Command 42" Assistant Bureau Commander, Operations Valley Bureau (24-hour Platoon Duty) Assistant Chief TO44 "Training 44" Training Support Specialist, Operations Valley Bureau Captain II EM45 "EMS 45" EMS/Community Resilience Officer, Operations Valley Bureau Captain I/Paramedic Operations West Bureau CM51 "Command 51" Bureau Commander, Operations West Bureau Deputy Chief CM52 "Command 52" Assistant Bureau Commander, Operations West Bureau Assistant Chief CM53 "Command 53" Los Angeles World Airports Assistant Chief TO54 "Training 54" Training Support Specialist, Operations West Bureau Captain II EM55 "EMS 55" EMS/Community Resilience Officer, Operations West Bureau Captain I/ParamedicCAD Designation List
Letter Unit Type AF Aircraft Rescue Firefighting "ARFF" AO Air Operations CAD Placeholder AP Advanced Provider AR Arson Investigator, Arson/Counter-Terrorism Section BC Battalion Chief BP Brush Patrol BT Fireboat CE Community Emergency Response Team "CERT" CL Community Liaison Officer CM Command Officer (Assistant Chief+) CR Crash/Fire Rescue CS Communications Support CT Cycle Team CW Volunteer Type II Handcrew DT Dozer Tender DZ Dozer E Engine EA Emergency Air EM EMS Captain F Aircraft Foam FC Fire Chief FP Inspector, Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau FR Fast Response H0A-HOF Air Operations CAD Placeholder H Helicopter HA Helicopter MDT HE Heavy Equipment HH Hose Hauler HL Homeland Security Division HM Hazmat Tender HR Heavy Rescue HT Helicopter Tender HU Hydration Unit JT Joint Hazard Assessment Team "JHAT" LD Loader / Dozer Team PB Plug Buggy PH Photographer PI Public Information Officer, Community Service Unit RA Rescue Ambulance RH Rescue Helicopter RI Radio Interoperability RM Risk Management Section RS Robotic Solution RT Rehab Tender SC Swift Water Coordinator SO Safety Officer SQ Hazardous Materials Squad SW Swift Water Rescue T Truck TL Team Leader, Tactical Emergency Medical Support Unit TM Tactical Medic, Tactical Emergency Medical Support Unit TP Transport TV Therapeutic Van UA Unmanned Aerial (Drone) UR Urban Search and Rescue WT Water Tender FireThe LAFD has been featured in many TV shows, movies, and video games. Sometimes the LAFD or LAFD equipment is just seen in the background.
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: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)Glossary / Air Operations Section (AIROPS)
34°3′0″N 118°15′0″W / 34.05000°N 118.25000°W / 34.05000; -118.25000
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