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Los Angeles Fire Department

Coordinates: 34°3′0″N 118°15′0″W / 34.05000°N 118.25000°W / 34.05000; -118.25000
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Not to be confused with Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Los Angeles Fire Department
Operational area
Country United States
State California
County Los Angeles
City Los Angeles
Agency overview[1][2]
EstablishedFebruary 1, 1886
Annual calls406,088 (2013)
Employees3,574 (2014)
Annual budget$565,123,831 (2014)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefRalph Terrazas
EMS levelALS & BLS
IAFF112
Motto"Serving With Courage, Integrity, and Pride"
Facilities and equipment[3][4]
Divisions4
Battalions14
Stations106
Engines162
Trucks42
Squads4
Rescues1
Ambulances89 ALS & 34 BLS (24 reserve)
Tenders2
HAZMAT4
USAR6
Airport crash8
Wildland15 - Type 6
Bulldozers2
Helicopters6
Fireboats5
Website
Official website
IAFF website

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD/LA City Fire) provides fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials 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]

The Los Angeles Fire Department founded in 1886 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 citizens 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]

Types of apparatus

The department utilizes a wide array of apparatus and equipment. operational organization is therefore a big part of the department's procedures.

Triple Combination Engines

LAFD engine 11 Alvarado 2015-10-18

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 several parallel main pumps of varying capacities; 1,000 gpm, 1250 gpm, 1500 gpm,and 2000 gpm at 150 psi. Depending upon the area served, this apparatus may carry a combination of any or all of the following sizes of hose; 31/2″, 21/2″, 13/4″, 11/2″ and 1″. The water tank carrying capacity ranges from 300 gallons to 500 gallons. These apparatus are staffed by four members, including a Captain 1 as the company commander. A number of triples in the LAFD are also Paramedic assessment companies – meaning they include a 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.[14]

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.[15] Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.[14]

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.[15] A Task Force usually responds to larger incidents, such as structural fires, and is made up of an Engine, a 200 Series Pump Engine, and a Truck, all operating together. While a standard Engine is always staffed with a full crew, a 200 Series Pump Engine is only staffed by a driver (and one other firefighter if responding as part of a Task Force). The purpose of the 200 Series Pump Engine is to provide support and equipment to the Truck in a Light Force, and either the Truck or the Engine in a Task Force.[14]

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.[16] Ambulances in the 800s are BLS staffed by 2 firefighter EMT's, while those in the 900s are BLS reserves.[16]

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. Copter 1 and Copter 4 are both Bell 412s.[17][18] Copter 2, Copter 3 and Copter 5 are all AgustaWestland AW139s.[19][20][21] The final helicopter, Copter 6, is a Bell 206B.[22]

Fireboats

Further information: Warner L. Lawrence
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.[23] 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.[24] 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.[24] 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.[25] It is equipped with jet-stream nozzles to allow for increased maneuverability.[25]

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

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.[28] 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.[29]

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: The central bureau, and 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 a total of 3 Battalions, with the valley bureau having 5, with each battalion led by a battalion chief.[30] 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.[31] The west and South bureaus are similar, the valley Bureau is the exception comprising 5 battalions.[31] Below is a list of the apparatus and stations of the LAFD.[32]

Note that stations with both a truck and a 200 series engine (pumper) 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.[15]

Neighborhood(s) Engine Pumper Truck EMS Command Special Batt.
1 Lincoln Heights Engine 201
Engine 401		 Truck 1 Rescue 1 Rescue 801 2
2 Boyle Heights Engine 2 Engine 202 Truck 2 Rescue 2 1
3 Civic Center
& Bunker Hill		 Engine 3 Engine 203 Truck 3 Rescue 3
Rescue 803		 Command 22
Command Van		 USAR 3
Light Unit
Medical Trailer		 1
4 Chinatown Engine 4 Rescue 4
Rescue 804		 Battalion 1 Squad 4 Hazmat 1
5 Westchester Engine 5 Engine 205 Truck 5 Rescue 5 Battalion 4 USAR 5 4
6 Angeleno Heights Engine 6 Rescue 6 11
7 Arleta Engine 7 Rescue 7 12
8 Porter Ranch Engine 8 Brush Patrol 8 15
9 Skid Row Engine 9 Engine 409 Truck 9 Rescue 9
Rescue 209
Rescue 809
Rescue 900		 1
10 Convention Center Engine 10 Engine 210 Truck 10 Rescue 10
Rescue 810		 1
11 Westlake
& MacArthur Park		 Engine 11 Engine 211 Truck 11 Rescue 11
Rescue 811		 11
12 Highland Park Engine 12 Engine 212 Truck 12 Rescue 12 2
13 Pico-Union Engine 13 Rescue 13 Battalion 11
EMS 11		 11
14 Newton Engine 14 Rescue 14
Rescue 814		 1
15 USC/Exposition Park Engine 15 Engine 215 Truck 15 Rescue 15 11
16 South El Sereno Engine 16 Rescue 16 2
17 Industrial Eastside Engine 17 Rescue 17 Foam Tender 17
HazMat Tender		 1
18 Knollwood Engine 18 Rescue 18 15
19 Brentwood Engine 19 Rescue 19 Brush Patrol 19 9
20 Echo Park Engine 220
Engine 420		 Truck 20 Rescue 20
Rescue 820		 Fast Response 1 11
21 South Los Angeles Engine 21 Engine 221 Truck 21 Rescue 21
Rescue 821		 Squad 21 HazMat 13
23 Palisades Highlands Engine 23 Rescue 23 Brush Patrol 23 9
24 Sunland Engine 24 Brush Patrol 24 12
25 Boyle Heights Engine 25 Rescue 25 Tunnel Rescue 25
Arson Unit		 1
26 West Adams Engine 26 Engine 226 Truck 26 Rescue 26
Rescue 826		 11
27 Hollywood Engine 27 Engine 227 Truck 27 Rescue 27
Rescue 827
Rescue 927		 Battalion 5 USAR 27 5
28 Porter Ranch Engine 28 Rescue 828 Brush Patrol 28 15
29 Hancock Park Engine 29 Engine 229 Truck 29 Rescue 29
Rescue 829		 Decon Unit 11
33 South Central Engine 33 Engine 233 Truck 33 Rescue 33
Rescue 833		 Battalion 13
EMS 13		 13
34 Crenshaw & Leimert Park Engine 34 Rescue 34
Rescue 834		 18
35 Los Feliz Engine 35 Engine 235 Truck 35 Rescue 35
Rescue 835		 Brush Patrol 35 5
36 San Pedro Engine 36 Rescue 36 Foam Tender 36 6
37 Westwood
UCLA		 Engine 37 Engine 237 Truck 37 Rescue 37
Rescue 837		 Battalion 9 9
38 Wilmington Engine 38 Rescue 38 Tender 38, HazMat 6
39 Van Nuys Engine 39 Engine 239 Truck 39 Rescue 39
Rescue 839		 Battalion 10 10
40 Terminal Island Engine 40 Rehab/Air Tender 6
41 Hollywood Hills Engine 41 Rescue 41 Brush Patrol 41 5
42 Eagle Rock Engine 42 2
43 Palms Engine 43 Engine 443 Rescue 43 18
44 Cypress Park Engine 44 Rescue 844 Brush Patrol 44, Swift Water Rescue 44 2
46 Coliseum Area Engine 46 Rescue 46
Rescue 246
Rescue 846		 13
47 El Sereno Engine 47 Rescue 47 Brush Patrol 47 2
48 San Pedro Engine 48 Engine 248 Truck 48 Rescue 48
Rescue 848		 Squad 48 HazMat 6
49 East Harbor Engine 49 Rescue 49
Rescue 849
Rescue 649		 Battalion 6 Fireboat 3, Fireboat 4 6
50 Atwater Village Engine 250
Engine 450		 Truck 50 Rescue 850 2
51 LAX Engine 51 Rescue 51 4
52 Hollywood Engine 52 Rescue 52 5
55 Eagle Rock Engine 55 Rescue 55 Battalion 2 2
56 Silver Lake Engine 56 Rescue 56 Heavy Rescue 56 5
57 South Central Engine 57 Rescue 57
Rescue 257
Rescue 857		 13
58 Pico-Robertson Engine 58 Engine 458 Rescue 58
Rescue 858		 18
59 West Los Angeles Engine 59 Rescue 59 EMS 9 Rehab/Air Tender 59
Hydration Unit		 9
60 North Hollywood Engine 60 Engine 260 Truck 60 Rescue 60
Rescue 860		 Foam Tender 60 14
61 Fairfax Engine 61 Engine 261 Truck 61 Rescue 61
Rescue 861		 18
62 Mar Vista Engine 62 Rescue 62 4
63 Venice Engine 63 Engine 263 Truck 63 Rescue 63 4
64 South Los Angeles Engine 64 Engine 264 Truck 64 Rescue 64
Rescue 264
Rescue 864		 13
65 Watts Engine 65 Rescue 65
Rescue 865		 13
66 South Los Angeles Engine 66 Engine 266 Truck 66 Rescue 66
Rescue 266
Rescue 866		 Div 2 Command 13
67 Playa Vista Engine 67 Rescue 867 4
68 Mid-City Engine 68 Rescue 68 Battalion 18 18
69 Pacific Palisades Engine 269
Engine 469		 Truck 69 Rescue 69
Rescue 869		 9
70 Northridge Engine 70 Rescue 70 Battalion 15
EMS 15		 15
71 Bel Air Engine 71 Rescue 71 9
72 Canoga Park Engine 72 Engine 472 Rescue 72
Rescue 872		 17
73 Reseda Engine 273
Engine 473		 Truck 73 Rescue 73
Rescue 873		 17
74 Sunland-Tujunga Engine 274
Engine 474		 Truck 74 Rescue 74
Rescue 874		 Brush Patrol 74 12
75 Mission Hills Engine 275
Engine 475		 Truck 75 Rescue 75
Rescue 875		 12
76 Cahuenga Pass Engine 76 Rescue 76 5
77 Sun Valley Engine 77 Rescue 77 Water Tender 77 12
78 Studio City Engine 278 Truck 78 Rescue 78
Rescue 878		 Brush Patrol 78 14
79 Harbor Gateway Engine 79 Rescue 79 6
80 LAX Crash 80
ARFF 180
ARFF 280
ARFF 380
Stair 80		 4
81 Panorama City Engine 81 Engine 481 Rescue 81
Rescue 881		 Command Unit 10
82 Hollywood Engine 82 Rescue 82 Command 52 5
83 Encino Engine 83 Rescue 83 Light Unit, Rehab/Air Tender 10
84 Woodland Hills Engine 84 Rescue 84 Battalion 17
EMS 17		 Brush Patrol 84 17
85 Harbor City Engine 85 Engine 285 Truck 85 Rescue 85 Medical Supply
Light Unit
USAR 85		 6
86 Toluca Lake Engine 86 Rescue 86 14
87 Granada Hills Engine 87 Engine 287 Truck 87 Rescue 87 Squad 87 HazMat
Hazmat Tender		 15
88 Sherman Oaks Engine 88 Engine 288 Truck 88 Rescue 88 Command 42 Water Tender 88
USAR 88
Swift Water Rescue 88		 10
89 North Hollywood Engine 89 Engine 289
Engine 489		 Truck 89 Rescue 89
Rescue 889		 Medical Supply
USAR 89
Hydration Unit		 14
90 Van Nuys Airport Engine 90 Engine 290 Truck 90 Rescue 90
Rescue 890		 Fuel Tender 1
Fuel Tender 2		 10
91 Sylmar Engine 91 Rescue 91 Fast Response 401 12
92 Century City Engine 292 Truck 92 Rescue 92
Rescue 892		 9
93 Tarzana Engine 93 Engine 293 Truck 93 Rescue 93 17
94 Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills Engine 94 Engine 294 Truck 94 Rescue 94
Rescue 894		 Brush Patrol 94 18
95 LAX Engine 95 Engine 295 Truck 95 Rescue 95 Squad 95 HazMat 4
96 Chatsworth Engine 296
Engine 496		 Truck 96 Rescue 96
Rescue 896		 15
97 Laurel Canyon Engine 97 Rescue 97 14
98 Pacoima Engine 98 Engine 298 Truck 98 Rescue 98
Rescue 898		 12
99 Beverly Glen Engine 99 Rescue 99 Brush Patrol 99 10
100 Lake Balboa Engine 100 Rescue 100 Foam Tender 100 10
101 San Pedro Engine 101 Rescue 101 6
102 Valley Glen Engine 102 Rescue 102 14
103 CSU Northridge Engine 103 Rescue 903 15
104 Winnetka Engine 104 Rescue 104 17
105 Woodland Hills Engine 105 Engine 305 Truck 105 Rescue 105 17
106 West Hills Engine 106 Rescue 106 17
107 Chatsworth Engine 107 Rescue 107 15
108 Franklin Canyon Park Engine 108 14
109 Encino Hills Engine 109 Rescue 909 Brush Patrol 109 10
110 Fort MacArthur Fireboat 5 6
111 Port of Los Angeles Fireboat 1 6
112 Port of Los Angeles Engine 112 Rescue 112 Fireboat 2
 6
114 Van Nuys Airport Crash 114, Foam 114
Copters 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.

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. ^ a b c d e "The Volunteers, 1871 to 1885". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved September 5, 2006.
  11. ^ a b "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. {{cite journal}}: |author1= has generic name (help)
  14. ^ a b c "Apparatus". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  15. ^ a b c "Deployment Plan" (PDF). The South Robertson Neighborhoods Council. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  16. ^ a b "EMS Resources". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  17. ^ "N301FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  18. ^ "N304FD". 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. ^ "N306FD". FAA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  23. ^ "Fire Stations". Port of Los Angeles. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  24. ^ a b "Fireboats 1, 3 & 5". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  25. ^ a b "Fireboat 4". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  26. ^ "Fireboat 2". Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  27. ^ "Los Angeles Fire Department New Fireboat Fleet Dedication" (Press release). Los Angeles Fire Department. March 28, 2003. Retrieved 2006-09-05.
  28. ^ "Task Force Locations". FEMA. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
  29. ^ "Los Angeles Fire Department Urban Search and Rescue" (PDF). Fire Watch. 2 (3). March 2005. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  30. ^ "Emergency Operations". Los Angeles Fire Department. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  31. ^ a b "LAFD Station Map" (PDF). CERT LA. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  32. ^ "Stations". The Los Angeles Fire Department Historical Archive. Retrieved 3 March 2015.
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