Los Angeles County Fire Department

Los Angeles County Fire Department
Operational area
Country  United States
State  California
County Los Angeles
Agency overview[1][2]
Established 1920
Annual calls 329,119 (2013)
Employees 4,713 (2013)
Annual budget $939 million(2010)
Staffing Career
Fire chief Daryl L. Osby
EMS level ALS
IAFF 1014
Facilities and equipment[1]
Divisions 9
Battalions 22
Stations 171
Engines 163
Trucks 2
Tillers 5
Quints 25
Squads 67
Tenders 12
HAZMAT 4
USAR 2
Wildland 6 - Type 3
30 - Patrols
Bulldozers 10
Helicopters 9
Light and air 4
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) provides fire protection and emergency medical services for 58 cities as well as all unincorporated parts of Los Angeles County, California.[1] As of 2013 the department is responsible for just over 4 million residents spread out in over 1.2 million housing units across an area of 2,305 square miles (5,970 km2).[1] According to Firehouse Magazine which keeps statistics on fire departments across the United States, the LACoFD is the 4th busiest department in the US, behind New York City Fire Department, Chicago Fire Department and Philadelphia Fire Department.[3] The department is commanded by Chief Daryl L. Osby with an annual budget of $939 million.[4]

History

The Los Angeles County Fire Department began in 1920, and was known as the Los Angeles County Forestry Department and Los Angeles County Fire Protection Districts. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors enlisted Stuart J. Flintham to lead the new department, and directed him to establish a program for fire prevention and firefighting in the county. He succeeded in opening 30 Fire Protection Districts, which served, and continue to serve, small towns and the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County.

County vehicles assigned to the Los Angeles County Fire Department continue to list as registered owner the "County of Los Angeles Fire Protection Districts" on California Department of Motor Vehicles paperwork.

Emergency Operations

The Los Angeles County Fire Department Emergency Operations are commanded by Chief Deputy Mike Metro. The 4 Bureaus that the Chief Deputy oversees contain the bulk of the firefighting and rescue personnel and apparatus that the Fire Department provides, as well as the Technical Services Division. The 3 Operations Bureaus consist of the neighborhood fire stations and camps that are geographically based, while the fourth bureau has specialized teams that respond throughout the county. The 3 Operations Bureaus of LACoFD serve 58 cities with 22 Battalions and 9 Divisions. Each Division is commanded by an assistant chief, the only exception being the Lifeguard Division, which is led by the Chief Lifeguard.

Fire Suppression Camps

The LACoFD has 8 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.[5] 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.[6] The camps are run in conjunction with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

Lifeguard Division

Lifeguard Patrol

The Los Angeles County Lifeguards are an entity within the Los Angeles County Fire Department, serving the 72 miles (116 km) coastline that Los Angeles County shares with the Pacific Ocean. As of 2013 the division employed 151 year-round lifeguards with an additional 630 seasonal lifeguards for the busy summers. These personnel staff the 159 lifeguard towers and 23 stations.[1] All lifeguards are EMT certified and have training in rescue boat operations as well as swift water rescue.[7]

USAR

The LACoFD sponsors one of the eight FEMA Urban Search and Rescue Task Force in California.[8] The team is made up of members of the department that have been through additional training in search and rescue in damaged or collapsed structures as well as in areas that have sustained significant flooding.[9]

Apparatus

The Los Angeles County Fire Department utilizes a wide array of fire apparatus, including Engines, Quints, Trucks, Light Forces(Combination of an Engine and a Quint), Paramedic Rescue Squads, Water Tenders, Patrols as well as Hazardous Materials Squads and USAR Units.[1] County Fire Apparatus are painted reddish-orange as opposed to Los Angeles City Fire Department which are fire engine red.[10]

Tiller Quint

Truck 27, one the tiller quints.

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.

Helicopters

Copter 16, a S-70A Firehawk performs a water drop demonstration.
Copter 16 rescues an injured hiker.

The LA County Fire Department has 9 separate helicopters available for search and rescue as well as aerial firefighting.[12] With the exception of Copter 10 which is used primarily for command purposes, all copters are outfitted with water drop tanks for aerial firefighting and hoist for rescue.[13] The headquarters for the Air Operations Section is located at Barton Heliport, next to Whiteman Airport in Pacoima.

Paramedic Rescue Squads

The department provides Advanced Life Support (ALS) emergency care through the use of 2 man paramedic squads. These units carry both basic and advanced life support equipment, forcible entry tools, rotary and chainsaws and other emergency equipment. Squads are staffed by 2 paramedic firefighters. The department also has several Heavy Squads. Heavy Squads carry all the same equipment as the regular squads, they also carry additional equipment for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI), such as 14 backboards, extra oxygen and additional medical supplies.

The department does not transport patients via ground ambulances but contracts with American Medical Response (AMR) to provide medical transport.[14]


Stations & Apparatus

Engine Company 81 a 1998 KME triple combination pumper at Vasquez Rocks serving Agua Dulce California
LA County Engine 23, serving the city of Bellflower. Engine 23 has been painted in the latest color scheme, red/orange overall with a reflective yellow stripe down the side and a reflective chevron pattern on the back.

As of February 2015 this is the current breakdown of the LACoFD apparatus and stations. It is collated from multiple sources including FireDepartment.net and Code2High.com. [10][15]

City Engine Truck Squad Wildland Other Div. Batt.
1 Los AngelesEngine 1 Foam 1 9 3
2 Palos Verdes EstatesEngine 2 Squad 2 1 14
3 East Los AngelesEngine 3 Quint 3 Squad 3 9 3
4 RosemeadEngine 4 Quint 4 9 10
5 San GabrielEngine 5 9 10
6 LomitaEngine 6 Squad 6 1 14
7 West HollywoodEngine 7 Squad 7 Battalion 1, Utility 17 1
8 West HollywoodEngine 8
Engine 208 		Quint 8 Squad 8 71
10 CarsonEngine 10 Foam 10, Battalion 7, Utility 7 1 7
11 AltadenaEngine 11 Squad 11 OES 8132 34
12 AltadenaEngine 12 34
14 Los Angeles Engine 14 Squad 14 6 20
15 Whittier Quint 15 421
16 Los AngelesEngine 16 Squad 16 613
17 Whittier Engine 17 4 8
18 Inglewood Engine 18 6 20
19 La Cañada FlintridgeEngine 19 Squad 19 34
20 Norwalk Engine 20 Quint 20 Squad 20 4 21
21 LawndaleEngine 21 Squad 21 1 18
22 Commerce Engine 22 9 3
23 Bellflower Engine 23 4 9
24 Palmdale Engine 24 Quint 24 Battalion 17 5 17
25 Pico Rivera Engine 25 Light 25 4 8
26 La Puente Engine 26 Squad 26 8 12
27 Commerce Engine 27Quint 27 Battalion 3, Utility 3 9 3
28 Whittier Engine 28Quint 28 Squad 28 Battalion 8, Utility 8 4 8
29 Baldwin Park Engine29Quint 29 Squad 29 2 16
30 Cerritos Engine 30 Quint 30 Squad 30 Battalion 9 4 9
31 ParamountEngine 31 Truck 31 Squad 31 4 9
32 Azusa Engine 32 Squad 32 Water Tender 32 2 16
33 Lancaster Engine 33 Quint 33 Squad 33 Battalion 11, Utility 11 5 11
34 Hawaiian Gardens Engine 34 4 9
35 Cerritos Engine 35 4 21
36 Carson Engine 36
Engine 236 		Squad 36 1 7
37 Palmdale Engine 37 Squad 37 5 17
38 Los AngelesEngine 38 7 1
39 Bell Gardens Engine 39
Engine 539 		Squad 39 9 3
40 Pico Rivera Engine 40 Squad 40 4 8
41 Los Angeles Engine 41 Squad 41 6 13
42 Rosemead Engine 42 Squad 42 9 10
43 Industry Engine 43 HazMat 43 8 12
44 DuarteEngine 44 Patrol 44 Water Tender 44 2 16
45 Lakewood Engine 45 Quint 45 Squad 45 4 9
47 Temple City Engine 47 Squad 47 9 10
48 IrwindaleEngine 48 2 16
49 La Mirada Engine 49 Squad 49 Battalion 21, Utility 21 4 21
50 Commerce Engine 50 Squad 50 9 3
51 Universal City Engine 51 Squad 51 Patrol 51 7 1
53 Rancho Palos Verdes Engine 53 1 14
54 South Gate Engine 54 Squad 54 6 13
55 Avalon Squad 55 Engine 55
Patrol 55
Patrol 155 		Utility 55 1 14
56 Palos Verdes Peninsula Engine 56 Patrol 56 1 14
57 South Gate Engine 57 Squad 57 6 13
58 Los Angeles Engine 58 Squad 58 7 1
59 Whittier Engine 59 4 8
60 Signal HillEngine 60 4 9
61 WalnutEngine 61 Squad 61 8 19
62 ClaremontEngine 62 Patrol 62 2 2
63 La Crescenta Engine 63 34
64 San Dimas Engine 64 Squad 64 Battalion 2, Utility 2 2 2
65 Agoura HillsEngine 65 Patrol 65 7 5
66 Pasadena Engine 66 Patrol 66 34
67 CalabasasEngine 67 Patrol 67 7 5
68 CalabasasEngine 68 Squad 68 7 5
69 TopangaEngine 69 Patrol 69 7 5
70 Malibu Engine 70 Patrol 70Battalion 5, Utility 5 7 5
71 MalibuEngine 71 Squad 71 Patrol 71 7 5
72 Malibu Engine 72 Patrol 72 7 5
73 NewhallEngine 73 Squad 73 Patrol 73 Foam 73, Water Tender 7336
74 Kagel Canyon Engine 74 Patrol 74 Water Tender 7434
75 ChatsworthEngine 75 Patrol 75 36
76 ValenciaEngine 76 HazMat 76 36
77 LebecEngine 77 Patrol 77 36
78 Lake HughesEngine 78 Patrol 78 511
79 PearblossomEngine 79 Patrol 79 5 17
80 ActonEngine 80 Patrol 80 Water Tender 80, Water Rescue 80 5 17
81 Santa ClaritaEngine 81 Patrol 81 Water Tender 81 3 22
82 La Cañada Flintridge Engine 82
Engine 282		Truck 82 Patrol 82 Battalion 4, Utility 434
83 Rancho Palos Verdes Engine 83
Engine 583 		Patrol 83 1 14
84 LancasterEngine 84 Squad 84 Patrol 84 511
85 Glendora Engine 85 OES 8135 2 2
86 Glendora Engine 86 Quint 86 Patrol 86 2 2
87 La Puente Engine 87 Water Rescue 87, Deluge 87 8 12
88 Malibu Engine 88 Squad 88 7 5
89 Agoura Hills Engine 89 Squad 89 7 5
90 South El Monte Engine 90 Squad 90 9 10
91 Hacienda HeightsEngine 91 Patrol 91 8 12
92 Littlerock Engine 92 Squad 92 Patrol 92 5 17
93 Palmdale Engine 93 Battalion 17, Utility 17 5 17
94 Lakewood Engine 94 4 9
95 Gardena Engine 95 1 7
96 Whittier Engine 96 4 8
97 Azusa Engine 97 Patrol 97 2 16
98 BellflowerEngine 98 Squad 98 4 9
99 Malibu Engine 99 Patrol 99 7 5
101 ClaremontEngine 101 Squad 101 2 2
102 Claremont Engine 102 Patrol 102 2 2
103 Pico Rivera Engine 103 USAR 103, Heavy Rescue 103
Collapse Rescue 103, Rescue Tender 103
Water Rescue 103 		4 8
104 Westlake Village Quint 104 3 22
105 Rancho Dominguez Engine 105 HazMat 105, Deluge 105 1 7
106 Rolling Hills Estates Engine 106 Quint 106 Squad 106 Patrol 106 Battalion 14 1 14
107 Canyon CountryEngine 107 Squad 107 Patrol 107 3 22
108 Santa ClaritaEngine 108 3 22
110 Marina Del Rey Engine 110 Quint 110 Boat 110, Boat 310 7 1
111 SaugusEngine 111 Squad 111 322
112 Antelope Acres Engine 112 511
114 Palmdale Engine 114 Patrol 114 5 17
115 Norwalk Engine 115 Mobile Air Unit 115 4 21
116 Carson Engine 116 Truck 116 Squad 116 1 7
117 Lancaster Engine 117 Water Tender 117 5 11
118 IndustryEngine 118 Truck 118 Squad 118 MIRV 118, Utility 118 8 12
119 Walnut Engine 119 Squad 119 8 19
120 Diamond Bar Engine 120 Patrol 120 Water Tender 120, Battalion 19 8 19
121 Diamond Bar Engine 121 8 19
122 Lakewood Engine 122 Water Rescue 122 4 9
123 Santa ClaritaEngine 123 Patrol 123 322
124 Stevenson RanchEngine 124 Squad 124 36
125 Calabasas Engine 125 Quint 125 7 5
126 ValenciaEngine 126 Quint 126 Battalion 6, Utility 6 36
127 Carson Engine 127 Quint 127 Foam 127 1 7
128 Santa ClaritaEngine 128 322
129 LancasterEngine 129
Engine 329 		HazMat 129, Heli-tender 129
Mobile Light & Air 129 		5 11
130 Lancaster Engine 130 USAR 130, USAR Tender 130 5 11
131 Palmdale Engine 131 Squad 131 5 17
132 Santa ClaritaEngine 132 322
134 Lancaster Engine 134 Squad 134 Water Tender 134 5 11
135 Lancaster Engine 135 Squad 135 MIRV 135, Medic Ambulance 135 5 11
136 PalmdaleEngine 136 Water Tender 136 5 17
140 Palmdale Engine 140 5 11
141 San Dimas Engine 141 2 2
144 Westlake VillageEngine 144 Patrol 144 Water Tender 144 7 5
145 Rowland Heights Engine 145 Battalion 12, Utility 12 8 12
146 WalnutEngine 146 8 19
147 Lynwood Quint 147 6 13
148 Lynwood Engine 148 6 13
149 CastaicEngine 149 Squad 149 Patrol 149 34
150 Santa Clarita Engine 150 HazMat 150, Battalion 22 322
151 Glendora Engine 151 Squad 151 2 2
152 Covina Engine 152 2 16
153 Covina Quint 153 2 16
154 Covina Engine 154 Squad 154 Battalion 16, Utility 16 2 16
155 AvalonEngine 155 Patrol 155 1 14
156 ValenciaEngine 156 34
158 Gardena Engine 158 Squad 158 1 18
159 Gardena Quint 159 1 18
160 Hawthorne Engine 160 1 18
161 Hawthorne Engine 161 Squad 161 Battalion 18, Utility 18 1 18
162 Hawthorne Quint 162 1 18
163 Bell Engine 163 Squad 163 9 3
164 Huntington ParkEngine 164 Truck 164 Squad 164 Battalion 13, Utility 13 6 13
165 Huntington Park Engine 165 Mobile Air & Light 165 6 13
166 El Monte Quint 166 Battalion 10, Utility 10 9 10
167 El Monte Engine 167 Squad 167 9 10
168 El Monte 9 10
169 El Monte Engine 169 9 10
170 Inglewood Engine 170 Quint 170 6 20
171 InglewoodEngine 171 Squad 171 Battalion 20, Utility 20 6 20
173 Inglewood Engine 173 Squad 173 6 20
182 Pomona Engine 182 8 15
183 PomonaEngine 183 Squad 183 8 15
184 PomonaEngine 184 Squad 184 8 15
185 Pomona Engine 185 Quint 185 Battalion 15 8 15
186 PomonaEngine 186 8 15
187 Pomona Quint 187 8 19
188 Pomona Engine 188 8 15
191 La HabraEngine 191 Squad 191 4 21
192 La HabraEngine 192 4 21
193 La HabraEngine 193 4 21
194 La HabraEngine 194 4 21

In popular culture

Paramedic Rescue Squad 51 from the NBC-Universal television series, Emergency!.

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

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Los Angeles County Fire Department.


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "2013 Statistic Summary" (PDF). Los Angeles County Fire. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "Chief Osby". LA County Fire. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "2009 Run Survey" (PDF). FireHouse. Firehouse Magazine. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "The County of Los Angeles Annual Report 2009-2010" (PDF). Public Affairs, Chief Executive Office. p. 80. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Sewell, Abby (17 September 2013). "L.A. County to use fire camps for some long-term jail inmates". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  6. ↑ Mehta, Seema (17 September 2013). "Los Angeles County to send 500 inmates to fire camps". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Lifeguard Training". Los Angeles County Fire. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "Task Force Locations". FEMA. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "CA-TF2 Rated Fully Operational by FEMA". Los Angeles County Fire. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Los Angeles County Fire". Code2High. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  11. ↑ Vaccaro, Bob (20 March 2009). "Return of the Tiller Quint". Firefighter Nation. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  12. ↑ Pociask, Martin. "Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations Section" (PDF). Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 "Air Operations". Code 2. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "AMR Los Angeles County". American Medical Response. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  15. ↑ "Los Angeles County Fire Equipment". FireDepartment.net. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  16. ↑ "Rescue 8". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 14 February 2015.
  17. ↑ "Q & A with Randolph Mantooth". route51.com. 1 February 2014. Retrieved 2 February 2014.
  18. ↑ Carter, Bill (1995-07-03). "Media: TELEVISION; Stand aside, CNN. America's No. 1 TV export is – no scoffing, please – 'Baywatch.". New York Times. Retrieved 2010-08-10.

External links

Coordinates: 34°3′N 118°15′W / 34.050°N 118.250°W