Los Angeles County Fire Department Explained

Los Angeles County Fire Department
Patch:Patch of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.png
Flag:Flag of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.png
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2: Los Angeles
Established:1923
Annual Calls:403,924
Employees:3000 fire series personnel
Annual Budget:$1.440 billion
Staffing:Career/Paid-On Call
Chief:Anthony C. Marrone
Blsorals:Basic Life Support (BLS) & Advanced Life Support (ALS)
Iaff:IAFF local 1014
Reference1:[1] [2] [3]
Divisions:9 Divisions
Battalions:22 Battalions
Stations:177 Fire Stations
Engines:171 frontline Engine Companies (staffed & call)
including 5 Paramedic/Advanced Life Support (ALS) Units + 28 Paramedic Assessment Unit (PAU) Units
61 reserve
Quints:34 (including 3 light forces)
12 reserve Quints
Squads:76 Frontline Squad Units
36 Reserve Squad Units
Tenders:15 Tender Trucks
Hazmat:3 Hazardous Materials Units
Usar:2 Urban Search and Rescue Units
Wildfire Engines:11 (including 5 OES Type 3 Engines)
42 Patrol Units
Bulldozers:10 Bulldozer Units
Helicopters:10 Helicopters
Fireboats:2 frontline, 1 reserve
Rescue Boats:8 Fire Rescue Boats + 2 paramedic rescue boats
Light And Air:3 Light and Air Units
Unit1 Description:Foam units
Unit1 No:3 Foam Units
Unit2 Description:Reserve units
Unit2 No:61 engines
12 quints/trucks
36 paramedic squads

The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) provides firefighting and emergency medical services for the unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, California,[1] as well as 59 cities through contracting, including the city of La Habra,[4] which is located in Orange County and is the first city outside of Los Angeles County to contract with LACoFD.

, the department is responsible for just over 4 million residents spread out in over 1.2 million housing units across an area of 2305sqmi.[1] The department is commanded by Chief Anthony C. Marrone and has an annual budget of $1.4 billion.[5] According to Firehouse magazine, the LACoFD is the fourth busiest department in the United States, behind New York City Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department, and Los Angeles City Fire Department.[6] The LACoFD has been featured several times in popular culture, including the 1970s NBC TV series Emergency! and the 1950s TV series Rescue 8.

In 2021, the department engaged in 312,550 emergency medical responses and a total of 403,924 total responses.

History

In 1949, the Consolidated Fire Protection District was established by the Board of Supervisors through the consolidation of numerous fire districts which existed since the 1920s. From 1967 to 1986, there existed four fire protection districts within the Los Angeles County, all of which were governed by the Board of Supervisors: the Consolidated Fire Protection District (CFPD), Universal Fire Protection District, Dominguez Fire Protection District, and Wrightwood Fire Protection District. In addition, there was the Forester and Fire Warden (F&FW) which is a chartered office of the County and was funded by the General Fund. The property tax rate for each district was considerably different.With the property tax limitations and standardization of tax rates established by Proposition 13 in 1978, there was no longer a need to maintain the separate districts. From 1986 to 1992, the F&FW and the CFPD were the two remaining legal entities that made up what is commonly known as the Los Angeles County Fire Department. In 1992, the CFPD annexed all the remaining unincorporated area in with a corresponding property tax transfer to fulfill the chartered responsibilities of the F&FW. The Los Angeles County Fire Department has a very rich and unique history, which is full of innovation, and daring accomplishments. From designing the 9-1-1 system and initiating a paramedic program in the 1970's to the current day Urban Search and Rescue and Homeland Security Sections, our Fire Department is a leader and model to fire departments around the world. Our Department's ability to develop new techniques and tactics to fight fires of all kinds has benefited not only the residents we serve, but the fire service in general, both nationally and internationally.[7]

Emergency operations

The Emergency Operations Bureau includes the Training and EMS Bureau (TEMSB), nine major firefighting divisions, Air and Wildland Division, and Homeland Security Section. The Fire Department's service area includes suburban neighborhoods, city centers, commercial district, sandy beaches, mountain ranges, and more. The region's varying terrain causes unique emergency incident challenges, including increased EMS calls and variety of fires that can take place on a single day (i.e., wildland, structure, railroad, aircraft, vehicle, etc.) as well as ocean rescues and medical calls across 72 miles of coastline.[7]

Fire suppression camps

The LACoFD has 10 fire camps with handcrews which are used for both fire prevention and wildland firefighting. In 2013, to help combat jail crowding as well as increase time served by serious criminal offenders, Los Angeles County sent more than 500 inmates to firefighting camps in mountain and foothill areas.[8] Inmates assigned to the camps are nonviolent offenders who have completed physical and security screenings. They are trained by county firefighters to help fight fires and assist with clearing brush and debris.[9] The camps are run in conjunction with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Rank structure

Apparatus

The Los Angeles County Fire Department utilizes a wide array of firefighting apparatus, including engines, quints, trucks, light forces (engine + quint or truck), patrol units, and water tenders. Support apparatus include rescue squads, hazardous materials squads, and urban search and rescue squads.[1] LACoFD uses private ambulance providers such as Care Ambulance Service and McCormick Ambulance Service to provide emergency medical services. [10]

LACoFD apparatus are painted reddish-orange as opposed to LAFD apparatus, which are fire engine red.

Tiller trucks

While many modern fire departments have opted to go with trucks/quints that have rear-mounted ladders, the LACoFD has chosen to stay with tiller trucks because of their enhanced maneuverability in tight areas.[11] The benefit of a quint is that it also has a built in pump and water tank and can thus operate without an engine. The Tiller trucks carry fire suppression tools and medical equipment as well as specialized rescue equipment for responses to a variety of emergencies.

Helicopters

The LA County Fire Department has 10 helicopters available for aerial firefighting.[12] [13] The headquarters for the Air Operations Section is located at Barton Heliport, next to Whiteman Airport in Pacoima.[14]

Stations and apparatus

.[15] [16]

Some Stations have 2 engines. Engines with a 4+station number are cross-staffed Type 3 wildland engines. Units marked “paramedic/Advanced Life Support” are full medic units (two paramedics on board). Units marked “PAU” are paramedic assessment units (one paramedic on board).

Fire Station or Camp Number or HeliportCity/unincorporated areaEngine CompanyQuint Company or Light Force UnitsSquad CompanyPatrol unitOther units cross-staffed special unitsDivisionBattalion
1East Los AngelesEngine 1 Foam 1Fuel Tender 193
2Palos Verdes EstatesEngine 2 Squad 2114
3East Los AngelesEngine 3 Quint 3 Squad 3 93
4RosemeadPAU Engine 4 Quint 4 Assistant 99 10
5East San Gabriel/East PasadenaEngine 59 10
6LomitaEngine 6 Squad 6 1 14
7West HollywoodParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 7 Squad 7 Battalion 1 Utility 1 71
8West HollywoodEngine 8Light Force 8 Squad 8 71
10CarsonEngine 10 Squad 10 Battalion 7 Utility 71 7
11AltadenaEngine 11Squad 11OES E813234
12AltadenaEngine 1234
13VernonEngine 13Quint 13Squad 13613
14Los AngelesParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 14 Squad 14 6 20
15WhittierQuint 15421
16Los AngelesEngine 16 Engine 9Squad 16 613
17WhittierEngine 17 48
18LennoxParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 186 20
19La Cañada FlintridgeEngine 19Squad 19 34
20NorwalkEngine 20Quint 20 Squad 20 4 21
21LawndaleEngine 21 Squad 21 ESU 211 18
22CommerceEngine 22 93
23BellflowerEngine 234 9
24PalmdaleEngine 24Quint 24 517
25Pico RiveraEngine 25 4 8
26La PuenteEngine 26Squad 26 812
27CommerceEngine 27Quint 27 Battalion 3 Utility 39 3
28WhittierPAU Engine 28Quint 28 Squad 28 Battalion 8 Utility 848
29Baldwin ParkEngine 29Quint 29 Squad 29 216
30CerritosEngine 30Quint 30 Squad 30 Assistant 4Battalion 9 Utility 949
31ParamountEngine 31 Quint 31 Squad 31 4 9
32AzusaEngine 32 Squad 32Water Tender 32MCI-32216
33LancasterParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 33
Engine 233
Quint 33 Squad 33 Patrol 84AP-11Battalion 11 Utility 11 RAC 33511
34Hawaiian GardensEngine 34 49
35CerritosEngine 35 421
36CarsonEngine 36
Engine 236
Squad 3617
37PalmdalePAU Engine 37 Squad 37517
38View ParkEngine 38 71
39Bell GardensEngine 39 Squad 399 3
40Pico RiveraEngine 40 Squad 404 8
41WillowbrookPAU Engine 41 Squad 41 17
42RosemeadEngine 42 9 10
43IndustryEngine 43 HazMat 43 HazMat Tender 43 812
44DuarteEngine 44
Engine 244
Engine 444
Patrol 44 OES E8134 2 16
45LakewoodEngine 45 Quint 45 Squad 45 49
47Temple CityEngine 47 Squad 47 9 10
48IrwindaleEngine 48 2 16
49La MiradaEngine 49 Squad 49Battalion 21 Utility 21 4 21
50CommerceEngine 50 Squad 50 93
51Universal CityEngine 51 Quint 51Squad 51QRV517 1
52VernonEngine 52613
53Rancho Palos VerdesEngine 53 1 14
54South GateEngine 54 Squad 54RAC 54613
55AvalonEngine 55
Engine 255
Patrol 55
Patrol 255
Command 55Helitender 6 (Catalina Airport)1 14
56Rolling HillsEngine 56 Patrol 561 14
57South GateEngine 57 6 13
58Ladera HeightsEngine 58 Squad 58 7 1
59WhittierParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 59Patrol 59 (reserve)4 8
60Signal HillParamedic/Advanced Life Support Engine 60 4 9
61WalnutEngine 61 Squad 618 19
62ClaremontEngine 62 Patrol 62 2 2
63La CrescentaEngine 6334
64San DimasEngine 64 Quint 64Squad 64 Battalion 2 Utility 2 2 2
65Agoura HillsEngine 65 Patrol 65 7 5
66Kinneloa Mesa/Eaton CanyonEngine 66Patrol 66 34
67Monte NidoEngine 67 Patrol 67 7 5
68CalabasasEngine 68 Squad 68 7 5
69TopangaPAU Engine 69, Engine 269 Patrol 697 5
70MalibuEngine 70 Patrol 70Assistant 7 Battalion 5 Utility 5Water Tender 70 Swift Water 70 7 5
71MalibuEngine 71 Engine 271Squad 71 Patrol 71 7 5
72MalibuEngine 72 Patrol 72 7 5
73Santa ClaritaEngine 73Squad 73Patrol 73 (Reserve)Swift Water 73Foam 7336
74Kagel CanyonEngine 74Patrol 74 34
75ChatsworthEngine 75Patrol 7536
76ValenciaEngine 76 Patrol 76 (Reserve)36
77GormanPAU Engine 77
Engine 477
Patrol 77 Helitender 7 36
78Lake HughesPAU Engine 78 Patrol 78 511
79PearblossomEngine 79, Engine 279Patrol 795 17
80ActonEngine 80 Patrol 80 Water Tender 80 5 17
81Agua DulceEngine 81Patrol 81 322
82La Cañada FlintridgeEngine 82Lightforce 82Patrol 82Battalion 4 Utility 4 34
83Rancho Palos VerdesEngine 83 Patrol 83 114
84Quartz HillEngine 84Squad 84511
85GlendoraEngine 85
Engine 485
EST 85OES E8135 2 2
86GlendoraEngine 86 Engine 286Patrol 862 2
87IndustryEngine 87 Squad 87Swift Water 87Deluge 87MAL87812
88MalibuEngine 88 Squad 887 5
89Agoura HillsEngine 89 Squad 89 7 5
90South El MonteEngine 90 Squad 90 9 10
91Hacienda HeightsPAU Engine 91 Patrol 91 8 12
92LittlerockEngine 92Squad 92 Patrol 925 17
93PalmdaleEngine 93 Squad 93AP-17Battalion 17 Utility 17ESU 935 17
94LakewoodEngine 94 EST944 9
95GardenaEngine 95 1 7
96WhittierEngine 96 4 8
97AzusaEngine 97 Patrol 97 2 16
98BellflowerEngine 98 Squad 98 4 9
99MalibuEngine 99 Patrol 997 5
100Hermosa BeachPAU Engine 100Squad 100118
101ClaremontEngine 101 Squad 101 2 2
102ClaremontEngine 102 Patrol 102 2 2
103Pico RiveraPAU Engine 103 USAR 103 Heavy Rescue 103Rescue Tender 103 Swift Water 103 4 8
104Santa ClaritaQuint 104Squad 1043 22
105Rancho DominguezEngine 105 HazMat 105 HazMat Tender 105 Deluge 1051 7
106Rolling Hills EstatesEngine 106 Quint 106 Squad 106 Patrol 106 Battalion 14 Utility 141 14
107Santa ClaritaEngine 107 Squad 107 3 22
108Santa ClaritaEngine 108 3 22
110Marina del ReyPAU Engine 110 Quint 110 Boat 110 Boat 310 Boat 5107 1
111Santa ClaritaEngine 111 Squad 111 322
112Antelope AcresEngine 112 511
114Lake Los AngelesPAU Engine 114 Engine 314Patrol 1145 17
115NorwalkEngine 115Squad 1154 21
116CarsonEngine 116 Quint 116 Squad 116 1 7
117LancasterEngine 117 Engine 317Water Tender 1175 11
118IndustryEngine 118 Quint 118 Squad 118MIRV 118 Command 3 Command 33812
119Diamond BarEngine 119 Squad 1198 19
120Diamond BarEngine 120Patrol 120 Water Tender 120Battalion 19 Utility 19 8 19
121Diamond BarEngine 121 8 19
122LakewoodEngine 122 4 9
123Santa ClaritaEngine 123 Patrol 123 322
124Stevenson RanchEngine 124 Squad 124 36
125CalabasasEngine 125
Engine 4125
Quint 125 OES E8133 7 5
126Santa ClaritaEngine 126 Quint 126 Command 11Battalion 6 Utility 6RAC 12636
127CarsonQuint 127Foam 127 1 7
128Santa ClaritaEngine 128 Patrol 128Water Tender 128322
129LancasterEngine 129 HazMat 129 Dozer Team 5Helitender 1 (NORTH COUNTY AIR OPS)MAL129 5 11
130LancasterEngine 130 Squad 130Assistant 5 Water Tender 1305 11
131PalmdaleEngine 131Squad 1315 17
132Santa ClaritaEngine 132
Engine 4132
Patrol 132OES E8131 322
134LancasterEngine 134 Squad 1345 11
135LancasterEngine 135 Squad 135MIRV1355 11
136PalmdalePAU Engine 136 USAR 136 Rescue Tender 136Swift Water 136 5 17
140Leona ValleyEngine 140 5 11
141San DimasEngine 141 2 2
143CastaicEngine 143
Engine 4143
Water Tender 51433 6
144Westlake VillagePAU Engine 144 Patrol 144 Water Tender 1447 5
145Rowland HeightsEngine 145 EST145Battalion 12 Utility 128 12
146WalnutEngine 146 8 19
147LynwoodQuint 147 Squad 1476 13
148LynwoodEngine 148 6 13
149CastaicEngine 149 Squad 149 36
150Santa ClaritaEngine 150 Patrol 150Assistant 3 Battalion 22 Utility 22HazMat 150 Hazmat Tender 150 Command 1OES HM11322
151GlendoraEngine 151 Squad 151 2 2
152CovinaEngine 152 ESU1522 16
153CovinaQuint 1532 16
154CovinaPAU Engine 154 Squad 154 Assistant 2Battalion 16 Utility 16 2 16
155Two HarborsEngine 155Patrol155114
156Santa ClaritaEngine 156 Water Tender 156Helitender 2 Dozer Team 736
157Green ValleyEngine 157 511
158GardenaQuint 158 Squad 158 Assistant 11 18
159GardenaEngine 159 ESU1591 18
160HawthorneEngine 160 1 18
161HawthorneQuint 161 Squad 161 Battalion 18 Utility 18MCI-1611 18
162HawthorneEngine 162 1 18
163BellEngine 163 Squad 163 9 3
164Huntington ParkEngine 164 Quint 164 Squad 164 Assistant 6 Battalion 13 Utility 13 6 13
165Huntington ParkEngine 165 MAL1656 13
166El MonteQuint 166 Battalion 10 Utility 10 9 10
167El MonteEngine 167 Squad 167 9 10
168El MonteEngine 168 9 10
169El MonteEngine 169 9 10
170InglewoodPAU Lightforce 1706 20
171InglewoodEngine 171 Squad 171Battalion 20 Utility 20 MIRV171 Command 2 Command 226 20
172InglewoodEngine 172 Squad 172 6 20
173InglewoodEngine 173 Squad 173 6 20
182PomonaEngine 182 Squad 1828 15
183PomonaEngine 183 Squad 183 8 15
184PomonaEngine 184 8 15
185PomonaQuint 185Battalion 15 Utility 158 15
186PomonaEngine 186 8 15
187PomonaQuint 187 Squad 1878 19
188PomonaEngine 188 8 15
191La HabraPAU Engine 191Squad 191 La Habra 1(BLS Ambulance)4 21
192La HabraPAU Engine 1924 21
193La HabraAmbulance Station OnlyLa Habra 2 (BLS Ambulance)4 21
194La MiradaPAU Engine 1944 21
Camp 2Arroyo SecoCrew 2-2 Crew 2-3 Helitender 4Supt 2 Supt 20 Supt 21 Supt 22Air/Wildland46
Camp 8MalibuEngine 8-1 Crew 8-1 Crew 8-2 Crew 8-3Supt 8 Helitender 3, (WEST COUNTY AIR OPS)Air/Wildland46
Camp 9Santa ClaritaEngine 9-1 Supt 9Crew 9-1 Crew 9-2Air/Wildland46
Camp 11ActonCrew 11-1, Crew 11-2, Crew 11-3, Crew 11-4, Supt 11Air/Wildland44
Camp 12Santa ClaritaCrew 12-1, Crew 12-2, Crew 12-3, Crew 12-4, Supt 12Air/Wildland46
Camp 13MalibuCrew 13-1, Crew 13-2, Crew 13-3, Crew 13-4, Crew 13-5, Supt 13Air/Wildland44
Camp 14Santa ClaritaCrew 14-1, Crew 14-2, Crew 14-3, Crew 14-4, Supt 14Air/Wildland44
Camp 16TujungaCrew 16-1, Crew 16-2, Crew 16-3, Crew 16-4, Crew 16-5, Supt 16Air/Wildland44
Camp 17La VerneCrew 17-1, Crew 17-2, Crew 17-3, Supt 17Air/Wildland44
Camp 19East ForkCrew 19-1, Crew 19-2, Crew 19-3, Crew 19-4, Crew 19-5, Crew 19-6, Supt 19Air/Wildland44
Barton HeliportPacoimaCopter 11, Copter 12, Copter 14, Copter 15, Copter 16, Copter 17, Copter 18, Copter 19, Copter 21, Copter 22, Heavy Helitender 1Air/Wildland42
Brackett FieldLaVerneHelitender 5, (EAST COUNTY AIR OPS)Air/Wildland42

Communications Center

The LACoFD is currently dispatched from the P. Michael Freeman Command And Control Facility at the county fire operations center in East Los Angeles. (Location: 34.0526454N, 118.1724628W)

In popular culture

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has been featured in multiple different television series.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2016 Statistic Summary. Los Angeles County Fire. 4 November 2017.
  2. Web site: 2017-18 Recommended Budget. Los Angeles County Fire. 4 November 2017.
  3. Web site: Chief Osby. LA County Fire. 13 February 2015.
  4. News: McKibben. Dave. L.A. County to Absorb La Habra's Fire Unit . 7 August 2015 . Los Angeles Times . 9 February 2005.
  5. Web site: LACoFD Overview March 2017.
  6. Web site: 2017 Run Survey . Firehouse Magazine . 14 July 2015.
  7. https://fire.lacounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/LACoFD-2020-Annual-Report_072822_Final_Sm.pdf
  8. News: Sewell. Abby. L.A. County to use fire camps for some long-term jail inmates. 15 February 2015. Los Angeles Times. 17 September 2013.
  9. News: Mehta. Seema. Los Angeles County to send 500 inmates to fire camps. 15 February 2015. Los Angeles Times. 17 September 2013.
  10. Web site: LOS ANGELES COUNTY 9-1-1 AMBULANCE EXCLUSIVE OPERATING AREAS 2016 . LACoFD . 4 May 2024.
  11. Web site: Vaccaro. Bob. Return of the Tiller Quint. Firefighter Nation. 14 February 2015. 20 March 2009.
  12. Web site: Pociask. Martin. Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section. 14 February 2015.
  13. News: Inside a wealthy L.A. man's effort to help pilots fight wildfires from a remote mountain base. STILES. MATT. 2019-11-03. Los Angeles Times. en-US. 2019-11-08.
  14. Web site: Air Operations. Code 2. 14 February 2015.
  15. Web site: Los Angeles County Fire. Code2High. 15 February 2015.
  16. Web site: Los Angeles County Fire Equipment. FireDepartment.net. 15 February 2015.
  17. Web site: Rescue 8. IMDb. 23 September 1958. 14 February 2015.
  18. Web site: Q & A with Randolph Mantooth . route51.com . 1 February 2014 . 2 February 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140219202433/http://www.route51.com/Randy_Mantooth/Blog/Entries/2014/2/1_Q%26A_January_2014.html . 19 February 2014 .
  19. News: Media: TELEVISION; Stand aside, CNN. America's No. 1 TV export is – no scoffing, please – 'Baywatch.. New York Times. 1995-07-03. 2010-08-10 . Bill . Carter.