Los Angeles Fire Department

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD or LA City Fire) provides emergency medical services, fire cause determination, fire prevention, fire suppression, hazardous materials mitigation, and rescue services to the city of Los Angeles, California, United States.[5] The LAFD is responsible for approximately 4 million people who live in the agency's 471 square miles (1,220 km2) jurisdiction.[6]

Not to be confused with Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Los Angeles Fire Department
Seal of the LAFD
"Serving With Courage, Integrity, and Pride"
Operational area
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
City Los Angeles
Agency overview[1][2]
EstablishedFebruary 1, 1886
Annual calls492,717 (2018)
Employees3,574 (2014)
Annual budget$691,000,000 (2019)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefRalph Terrazas
EMS levelALS & BLS
IAFF112
Facilities and equipment[3][4]
Divisions4
Battalions14
Stations106
Engines140
Trucks43
Squads4
Rescues1
Ambulances94 ALS, 54 BLS, 6 AP
Tenders2
HAZMAT4
USAR6
Airport crash9
Wildland6 - Type 3 15 - Type 6
Bulldozers2
Helicopters6
Fireboats5
Website
Official website
IAFF website

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 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 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 Ralph Terrazas.

History
LAFD on the scene of a fire in the Bradbury Building, Downtown Los Angeles in 1947.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has it origins in the year 1871.[7][8][9] 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.[10]

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.[10]

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.[10]

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."[10]

All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.[10]

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.[11]

By 1900, the Department had grown to 18 fire stations with 123 full-time paid firefighters and 80 fire horses.[11] 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.[12] In 1955 Station 78 in Studio City became the first racially integrated station in the department.[13]

Since 1978 LAFD has provided emergency medical and fire suppression services to the city of San Fernando by contract .[14]

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
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; 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 1500 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 1/2″, 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 1 as 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.

Light Forces and Task Forces
LAFD on the scene of a Major Emergency Structure Fire

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.[15]

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.[16] Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.[15]

A Task Force is simply a Light Force coupled with an Engine. An Engine is considered a single unit or "resource" when responding to incidents on its own.[16] 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 or the Engine in a Task Force.[15]

Rescue Ambulances
Rescue Ambulance 11 responding to a call near MacArthur Park

Rescue Ambulances (RAs), often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered either advanced life support (ALS), or basic life support (BLS). Ambulances number 1-112 are frontline ALS staffed by 2 firefighter / paramedics, while those in the 200 series are ALS reserves.[17] Ambulances in the 800s are BLS staffed by 2 firefighter EMTs, while those in the 900s are BLS reserves.[17]

Helicopters
LAFD Bell 412 Helicopter

The Air Operations division of the LAFD operates out of Fire Station 114 at Van Nuys Airport. The division has six helicopters available for both aerial firefighting and air medical services. FIRE 1 is a Bell 412s.[18]FIRE 2, FIRE 3, FIRE 4, and FIRE 5 are all AgustaWestland AW139s.[19][20][21] [22] The final helicopter, FIRE 6, is a Bell 206B.[23]

Fireboats
LAFD Fireboat 2, the Warner Lawrence

The Port of Los Angeles is under the jurisdiction of the LAFD which operates 5 fireboats to provide fire protection for ships and dockside structures.[24] 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.[25] 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.[25] 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.[26] It is equipped with jet-stream nozzles to allow for increased maneuverability.[26]

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.[27] Boat 2 also has an onboard area for treatment and care of rescued persons.[28]

USAR Task Force 1
Main article: Urban Search and Rescue California Task Force 1

The Los Angeles Fire Department is the founding member of one of California's eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Forces.[29] California Task Force 1 (CA-TF1) is available to respond to natural or man-made disasters around the county and world and assist with search and rescue, medical support, damage assessment and communications.[30]

Stations and apparatus
Engine 59 at the scene of a structure fire
LAFD Firefighters battling a house fire

The LAFD is divided into four operations divisions, now called bureaus: The Central Bureau, West Bureau, and South Bureau (formerly South Division), and the Valley Bureau (formerly North Division). Each bureau is commanded by an Assistant Chief, who in turn commands several battalions with the Central and West bureau having 3 Battalions while the South Bureau has 4 Battalions, with the valley bureau having 5 Battalions, with each battalion led by a battalion chief.[31] The Los Angeles Fire Department currently operates 106 Fire Stations, organized into 14 Battalions.

The central bureau comprises 3 battalions and approximately 21 fire stations with its headquarters station 3.[32] The west and South bureaus are similar, the valley Bureau is the exception comprising 5 battalions.[32] Below is a list of the apparatus and stations of the LAFD.[33] The valley bureau has battalions 10, 12, 14, 15 and 17.[34] The west bureau has battalions 4, 5 and 9.[35] The central bureau has battalions 1, 2, and 11.[36] The south bureau has battalions 6, 13 and 18.[37]

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.[16] 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.[38] Engine 482C is housed at Fire Station 82 and is a ready reserve Type 3 wildland Engine.

Fire Station Neighborhood(s) Engine Company Pump Truck Company EMS Unit Command Unit Special Unit Battalion
1 Lincoln HeightsEngine 1Engine 201Truck 1Rescue 1
Rescue 801		2
2 Boyle HeightsEngine 2Engine 202Truck 2Rescue 21
3 Civic Center
& Bunker Hill		Engine 3Engine 203Truck 3Rescue 3
Rescue 803		Command 22
EMS 25		Heavy Rescue 3
USAR 3		1
4 ChinatownEngine 4Advanced Provider 4
Rescue 4
Rescue 804
Sober Unit 4		Command 2
Battalion 1
EMS 1		1
5 WestchesterEngine 5Engine 205Truck 5Rescue 5Battalion 4
EMS 4		Swift Water Rescue 5
USAR 5		4
6 Angeleno HeightsEngine 6Rescue 6
Rescue 806		11
7 ArletaEngine 7Advanced Provider 7
Rescue 7		Engine 47512
8 Porter RanchEngine 8Brush Patrol 815
9 Skid RowEngine 9Engine 209Truck 9Rescue 9
Rescue 209
Rescue 809
Rescue 900		Fast Response 91
10 Convention CenterEngine 10Engine 210Truck 10Rescue 10
Rescue 810		1
11 Westlake
& MacArthur Park		Engine 11Engine 211Truck 11Rescue 11
Rescue 811		11
12 Highland ParkEngine 12Engine 212Truck 12Rescue 122
13 Pico-UnionEngine 13Rescue 13
Rescue 813		Battalion 11
EMS 11		11
14 NewtonEngine 14Rescue 14
Rescue 814		1
15 USC/Exposition ParkEngine 15Engine 215Truck 15Alternate Destination 15
Rescue 15
Rescue 815		13
16 South El SerenoEngine 162
17 Industrial EastsideEngine 17Rescue 17Foam Tender 17
1
18 KnollwoodEngine 18Rescue 1815
19 BrentwoodEngine 19Rescue 19Brush Patrol 199
20 Echo ParkEngine 20Engine 220Truck 20Rescue 20
11
21 South Los AngelesEngine 21Engine 221Truck 21Rescue 21
Rescue 821		Squad 2113
23 Palisades HighlandsEngine 23Rescue 23Brush Patrol 239
24 SunlandEngine 24Engine 47412
25 Boyle HeightsEngine 25Rescue 251
26 West AdamsEngine 26Engine 226Truck 26Rescue 26
Rescue 826		11
27 HollywoodEngine 27Engine 227Truck 27Rescue 27
Rescue 827
Battalion 5USAR 275
28 Porter RanchEngine 28Rescue 828Brush Patrol 2815
29 Hancock ParkEngine 29Engine 229Truck 29Rescue 29
Rescue 829		11
33 South CentralEngine 33Engine 233Truck 33Rescue 33
Rescue 833		Battalion 13
13
34 Crenshaw & Leimert ParkEngine 34Rescue 34
Rescue 834		18
35 Los FelizEngine 35Engine 235Truck 35Rescue 35
Rescue 835		OES Engine 8136C5
36 San PedroEngine 36Rescue 36Foam Tender 366
37 Westwood
UCLA		Engine 37Engine 237Truck 37Rescue 37
Rescue 837		Battalion 99
38 WilmingtonEngine 38Engine 238Truck 38Rescue 38
Rescue 838		6
39 Van NuysEngine 39Engine 239Truck 39Rescue 39
Rescue 839		Battalion 1010
40 Terminal IslandEngine 40Rehab/Air Tender6
41 Hollywood HillsEngine 41Rescue 41Brush Patrol 415
42 Eagle RockEngine 422
43 PalmsEngine 43Rescue 43Engine 44318
44 Cypress ParkEngine 44Rescue 844EMS 2Brush Patrol 44, Swift Water Rescue 442
46 Coliseum AreaEngine 46Rescue 46
Rescue 246
Rescue 846		13
47 El SerenoEngine 47Rescue 47Brush Patrol 47
Engine 447		2
48 San PedroEngine 48Engine 248Truck 48Rescue 848Squad 486
49 East HarborEngine 49Battalion 6Fireboat 3, Fireboat 46
50 Atwater VillageEngine 250Truck 50Rescue 850Engine 4502
51 LAXEngine 51Rescue 514
52 HollywoodEngine 52Rescue 52EMS 55
55 Eagle RockEngine 55Rescue 55Battalion 22
56 Silver LakeEngine 56Rescue 565
57 South CentralEngine 57Rescue 57
Rescue 257
Rescue 857		13
58 Pico-RobertsonEngine 58Advanced Provider 58
Rescue 58
Rescue 858		Engine 45818
59 West Los AngelesEngine 59Rescue 59EMS 9Rehab/Air Tender 59
Hydration Unit 59		9
60 North HollywoodEngine 60Engine 260Truck 60Rescue 60
Rescue 860		Battalion 1414
61 FairfaxEngine 61Engine 261Truck 61Rescue 61
Rescue 861		18
62 Mar VistaEngine 62Rescue 62
Rescue 862		4
63 VeniceEngine 63Engine 263Truck 63Rescue 634
64 South Los AngelesEngine 64Engine 264Truck 64Rescue 64
Rescue 264
Rescue 864		Fast Response 6413
65 WattsEngine 65Advanced Provider 65
Rescue 65
Rescue 865		EMS 1313
66 South Los AngelesEngine 66Engine 266Truck 66Rescue 66
Rescue 266
Rescue 866		13
67 Playa VistaEngine 67Rescue 8674
68 Mid-CityEngine 68Rescue 68
Rescue 868		Battalion 18
EMS 18		18
69 Pacific PalisadesEngine 69Engine 269Truck 69Rescue 699
70 NorthridgeEngine 70Rescue 70Battalion 15
EMS 15		15
71 Bel AirEngine 71Rescue 719
72 Canoga ParkEngine 72Rescue 72
Rescue 872		Engine 47217
73 ResedaEngine 73Engine 273Truck 73Rescue 73
Rescue 873		17
74 Sunland-TujungaEngine 274Truck 74Rescue 74
Rescue 874		Brush Patrol 7412
75 Mission HillsEngine 75Engine 275Truck 75Rescue 75
Rescue 875		12
76 Cahuenga PassEngine 76Rescue 765
77 Sun ValleyEngine 77Rescue 77EMS 12Water Tender 7712
78 Studio CityEngine 278Truck 78Rescue 78
Rescue 878		EMS 14Brush Patrol 7814
79 Harbor GatewayEngine 79Rescue 796
80 LAXARFF 1
ARFF 2
ARFF 3
ARFF 4
ARFF 5
ARFF 6
ARFF 7
Stair 80		4
81 Panorama CityEngine 81Rescue 81
Rescue 881		Engine 48110
82 HollywoodEngine 82Advanced Provider 82
Rescue 82
Rescue 882		Brush Patrol 82
Engine 482
Engine 482C		5
83 EncinoEngine 83Rescue 83
Rescue 883		Rehab/Air Tender 83
Brush Patrol 83		10
84 Woodland HillsEngine 84Rescue 84Battalion 17
EMS 17		Brush Patrol 84

Crew 3
Engine 473

17
85 Harbor CityEngine 85Engine 285Truck 85Rescue 85USAR 856
86 Toluca LakeEngine 86Rescue 86Swift Water Rescue 8614
87 Granada HillsEngine 87Engine 287Truck 87Rescue 87
Rescue 887		Squad 87
OES Engine 8137C		15
88 Sherman OaksEngine 88Engine 288Truck 88Rescue 88Command 42Water Tender 88
USAR 88
Swift Water Rescue 88
OES Engine 8140C		10
89 North HollywoodEngine 89Engine 289
Truck 89Rescue 89
Rescue 889		USAR 89
Engine 489
OES Engine 8139C
PB1880C		14
90 Van Nuys AirportEngine 90Engine 290Truck 90Rescue 90
Rescue 890		Fuel Tender 1
Fuel Tender 2		10
91 SylmarEngine 91Rescue 91
Rescue 891		Fast Response 9112
92 Century CityEngine 292Truck 92Rescue 92
Rescue 892		Engine 4929
93 TarzanaEngine 93Engine 293Truck 93Rescue 9317
94 Crenshaw/Baldwin HillsEngine 94Engine 294Truck 94Rescue 94
Rescue 894		Brush Patrol 9418
95 LAXEngine 95Engine 295Truck 95Rescue 95Squad 954
96 ChatsworthEngine 296Truck 96Rescue 96
Rescue 896		Engine 49615
97 Laurel CanyonEngine 97Rescue 9714
98 PacoimaEngine 98Engine 298Truck 98Rescue 98
Rescue 898		Battalion 12OES Engine 8138C12
99 Beverly GlenEngine 99Rescue 99Brush Patrol 9910
100 Lake BalboaEngine 100Rescue 100EMS 10Foam Tender 10010
101 San PedroEngine 101Rescue 1016
102 Valley GlenEngine 102Rescue 10214
103 CSU NorthridgeEngine 103Rescue 90315
104 WinnetkaEngine 104Rescue 10417
105 Woodland HillsEngine 105Engine 305Truck 105Rescue 10517
106 West HillsEngine 106Rescue 10617
107 ChatsworthEngine 107Rescue 10715
108 Franklin Canyon ParkEngine 10814
109 EncinoEngine 109Rescue 909Brush Patrol 10910
110 Fort MacArthurFireboat 56
111 Port of Los AngelesFireboat 16
112 Port of Los AngelesEngine 112Rescue 112EMS 6Fireboat 2
6
114 Van Nuys AirportCrash 114, Foam 114
FIRE 1-6		10

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, starring James Drury
  • (1981–1982) Code Red, starring Lorne Greene
  • (1995-2000) "LAPD Life On The Beat (Reality TV show)" , the fire department was featured often responding to various emergency calls with the "LAPD".
  • (1999) Rescue 77
  • (2008) Quarantine, LAFD as the "Los Angeles Fire Rescue".
  • (2015) San Andreas
  • (2018–present) 9-1-1

See also

References
  1. "Budget 2014-2015" (PDF). City of Los Angeles. p. 18. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. "Fire Chief". Los Angeles Fire Department.
  3. "Stations & Addresses" (PDF). CERT-LA.
  4. "Apparatus". California Firefighters. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  5. "Welcome to the Los Angeles Fire Department". Lafd.org. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  6. "About the LAFD". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved February 20, 2007.
  7. "LAFD History". Lafd.org. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  8. "LAFD History". Lafd.org. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  9. "The Origins of the LAFD". Lafd.org. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  10. "The Volunteers, 1871 to 1885". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
  11. "The Era of the Horses 1886 to 1921". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
  12. "The Era of the Horses 1886 to 1921". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Archived from the original on September 2, 2006. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
  13. Company, Johnson Publishing (January 13, 1955). "Los Angeles Ends Jim Crow Fire Department". Jet. 7 (10). Retrieved August 29, 2011.
  14. http://ens.lacity.org/lafd/lafdreportarchv/lafdlafdreport1864112802_06142017.pdf
  15. "Apparatus". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  16. "Deployment Plan" (PDF). The South Robertson Neighborhoods Council. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  17. "EMS Resources". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  18. "N301FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  19. "N302FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  20. "N303FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  21. "N301FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  22. "N304FD". FAA. Retrieved 29 October 2019.
  23. "N306FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  24. "Fire Stations". Port of Los Angeles. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  25. "Fireboats 1, 3 & 5". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  26. "Fireboat 4". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  27. "Fireboat 2". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  28. "Los Angeles Fire Department New Fireboat Fleet Dedication" (Press release). Los Angeles Fire Department. March 28, 2003. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
  29. "Task Force Locations". FEMA. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  30. "Los Angeles Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue" (PDF). Fire Watch. 2 (3). March 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 October 2006. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  31. "Emergency Operations". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  32. "LAFD Station Map" (PDF). CERT LA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  33. "Stations". The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  34. "Valley Bureau". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  35. "West Bureau". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  36. "Central Bureau". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  37. "South Bureau". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  38. https://www.lafd.org/news/lafd-takes-delivery-new-wildland-fire-engines-california-office-emergency-services

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