Los Angeles Fire Department
The Los Angeles Fire Department 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. The LAFD is responsible for approximately 4 million people who live in the agency's jurisdiction.
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
The Los Angeles Fire Department has it origins in the year 1871. 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. 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.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.
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.
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."
All of these companies remained in service until February 1, 1886, when the present paid fire department came into existence.
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.
By 1900, the Department had grown to 18 fire stations with 123 full-time paid firefighters and 80 fire horses. 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. In 1955 Station 78 in Studio City became the first racially integrated station in the department.
Since 1978 LAFD has provided emergency medical and fire suppression services to the city of San Fernando by contract.
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
The triple combination Fire Engine or “TRIPLE” 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
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.A Light Force is composed of a Pump Engine and a Ladder Truck. Light forces will almost always respond together as one unit or resource.
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. A Task Force usually responds to larger incidents, such as structural fires, and is made up of an Engine, a 200 Series Engine, and a Truck, all operating together. While a standard Engine is always staffed with a full crew, a 200 Series Engine is only staffed by a driver. The purpose of the 200 Series 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.
Rescue Ambulances
Rescue Ambulances, often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered either advanced life support, or basic life support. Ambulances number 1-112 are frontline ALS staffed by 2 firefighter / paramedics, while those in the 200 series are ALS reserves. Ambulances in the 800s are BLS staffed by 2 firefighter EMTs, while those in the 900s are BLS reserves.Helicopters
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.FIRE 2, FIRE 3, FIRE 4, and FIRE 5 are all AgustaWestland AW139s. The final helicopter, FIRE 6, is a Bell 206B.Fireboats
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. Fireboat 1, Fireboat 3 and Fireboat 5 are identical long aluminum fireboats capable of a top speed of while fully loaded. They are equipped with a pump and a deluge gun. They also have a 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 and carries of foam solution for petrochemical fires. It is equipped with jet-stream nozzles to allow for increased maneuverability.
The newest and most technologically advanced of the fireboats is the long Fireboat 2, also known as the Warner Lawrence, which has the capability to pump up to up to in the air. Boat 2 also has an onboard area for treatment and care of rescued persons.
USAR 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. California Task Force 1 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.Stations and apparatus
The LAFD is divided into four operations divisions, now called bureaus: The Central Bureau, West Bureau, and South Bureau, and the Valley Bureau. 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. 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. The west and South bureaus are similar, the valley Bureau is the exception comprising 5 battalions. Below is a list of the apparatus and stations of the LAFD. The valley bureau has battalions 10, 12, 14, 15 and 17. The west bureau has battalions 4, 5 and 9. The central bureau has battalions 1, 2, and 11. The south bureau has battalions 6, 13 and 18.
Note that stations with both a truck and a 200 series engine 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. 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" 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. is housed at Fire Station 82 and is a ready reserve Type 3 wildland Engine.
| Fire Station | Neighborhood | Engine Company | Light Force or Truck Company | EMS Unit | Command Unit | Special Unit | Bureau | Battalion |
| 1 | Lincoln Heights | Engine 1 | Light Force 1 | Rescue Ambulance 1 Rescue Ambulance 801 | Central | 2 | ||
| 2 | Boyle Heights | Engine 2 | Light Force 2 | Rescue Ambulance 2 | Central | 1 | ||
| 3 | Civic Center & Bunker Hill | Engine 3 | Light Force 3 | Rescue Ambulance 3 Rescue Ambulance 803 | Command 3 Command 22 EMS 25 | USAR 3 USAR Tender 3 Heavy Rescue 3 | Central | 1 |
| 4 | Chinatown | Engine 4 | Rescue Ambulance 4 Rescue Ambulance 804 Advanced Provider 4 Sober Unit 4 | Battalion 1 EMS 1 Command 2 | Central | 1 | ||
| 5 | Westchester | Engine 5 | Light Force 5 | Rescue Ambulance 5 | Battalion 4 EMS 4 | USAR 5 Swift Water Rescue 5 | West | 4 |
| 6 | Angeleno Heights | Engine 6 | Rescue Ambulance 6 Rescue Ambulance 806 | Central | 11 | |||
| 7 | Arleta | Engine 7 | Rescue Ambulance 7 Advanced Provider 7 | Engine 475 | Valley | 12 | ||
| 8 | Porter Ranch | Engine 8 | Brush Patrol 8 | Valley | 15 | |||
| 9 | Skid Row | Engine 9 Engine 209 | Truck 9 | Rescue Ambulance 9 Rescue Ambulance 209 Rescue Ambulance 809 Rescue Ambulance 900 | Fast Response 9 | Central | 1 | |
| 10 | Convention Center | Engine 10 | Light Force 10 | Rescue Ambulance 10 Rescue Ambulance 810 | Central | 1 | ||
| 11 | Westlake & MacArthur Park | Engine 11 | Light Force 11 | Rescue Ambulance 11 Rescue Ambulance 811 | Central | 11 | ||
| 12 | Highland Park | Engine 12 | Light Force 12 | Rescue Ambulance 12 | Central | 2 | ||
| 13 | Pico-Union | Engine 13 | Rescue Ambulance 13 Rescue Ambulance 813 | Battalion 11 EMS 11 | Central | 11 | ||
| 14 | Newton | Engine 14 | Rescue Ambulance 14 Rescue Ambulance 814 | Central | 1 | |||
| 15 | USC/Exposition Park | Engine 15 | Light Force 15 | Rescue Ambulance 15 Rescue Ambulance 815 Alternate Destination 15 | South | 13 | ||
| 16 | South El Sereno | Engine 16 | Central | 2 | ||||
| 17 | Industrial Eastside | Engine 17 | Rescue Ambulance 17 | Engine 417 | Central | 1 | ||
| 18 | Knollwood | Engine 18 | Rescue Ambulance 18 | Valley | 15 | |||
| 19 | Brentwood | Engine 19 | Rescue Ambulance 19 | Brush Patrol 19 | West | 9 | ||
| 20 | Echo Park | Engine 20 | Light Force 20 | Rescue Ambulance 20 | Central | 11 | ||
| 21 | South Los Angeles | Engine 21 | Light Force 21 | Rescue Ambulance 21 | Squad 21 | South | 13 | |
| 23 | Palisades Highlands | Engine 23 | Rescue Ambulance 23 | Brush Patrol 23 | West | 9 | ||
| 24 | Sunland | Engine 24 | Engine 474 | Valley | 12 | |||
| 25 | Boyle Heights | Engine 25 | Rescue Ambulance 25 | Central | 1 | |||
| 26 | West Adams | Engine 26 | Light Force 26 | Rescue Ambulance 26 Rescue Ambulance 826 | Central | 11 | ||
| 27 | Hollywood | Engine 27 | Light Force 27 | Rescue Ambulance 27 Rescue Ambulance 827 | Battalion 5 | USAR 27 | West | 5 |
| 28 | Porter Ranch | Engine 28 | Rescue Ambulance 828 | Brush Patrol 28 | Valley | 15 | ||
| 29 | Hancock Park | Engine 29 | Light Force 29 | Rescue Ambulance 29 Rescue Ambulance 829 | Central | 11 | ||
| 33 | South Central | Engine 33 | Light Force 33 | Rescue Ambulance 33 Rescue Ambulance 833 | Battalion 13 | South | 13 | |
| 34 | Crenshaw & Leimert Park | Engine 34 | Rescue Ambulance 34 Rescue Ambulance 834 | South | 18 | |||
| 35 | Los Feliz | Engine 35 | Light Force 35 | Rescue Ambulance 35 Rescue Ambulance 835 | OES Engine 8136C | West | 5 | |
| 36 | San Pedro | Engine 36 | Rescue Ambulance 36 | Foam Tender 36 | South | 6 | ||
| 37 | Westwood UCLA | Engine 37 | Light Force 37 | Rescue Ambulance 37 Rescue Ambulance 837 | Battalion 9 | West | 9 | |
| 38 | Wilmington | Engine 38 | Light Force 38 | Rescue Ambulance 38 | South | 6 | ||
| 39 | Van Nuys | Engine 39 | Light Force 39 | Rescue Ambulance 39 Rescue Ambulance 839 | Battalion 10 | Valley | 10 | |
| 40 | Terminal Island | Engine 40 | Rehab/Air Tender | South | 6 | |||
| 41 | Hollywood Hills | Engine 41 | Rescue Ambulance 41 | Brush Patrol 41 | West | 5 | ||
| 42 | Eagle Rock | Engine 42 | Central | 2 | ||||
| 43 | Palms | Engine 43 | Rescue Ambulance 43 | Engine 443 | South | 18 | ||
| 44 | Cypress Park | Engine 44 | Rescue Ambulance 844 | EMS 2 | Brush Patrol 44 Swift Water Rescue 44 | Central | 2 | |
| 46 | Coliseum Area | Engine 46 | Rescue Ambulance 46 Rescue Ambulance 246 Rescue Ambulance 846 | South | 13 | |||
| 47 | El Sereno | Engine 47 | Rescue Ambulance 47 | Brush Patrol 47 Engine 447 | Central | 2 | ||
| 48 | San Pedro | Engine 48 | Light Force 48 | Rescue Ambulance 848 | Squad 48 | South | 6 | |
| 49 | East Harbor | Engine 49 | Battalion 6 | Fireboat 3 Fireboat 4 | South | 6 | ||
| 50 | Atwater Village | Light Force 50 | Rescue Ambulance 850 | Engine 450 | Central | 2 | ||
| 51 | LAX | Engine 51 | Rescue Ambulance 51 | West | 4 | |||
| 52 | Hollywood | Engine 52 | Rescue Ambulance 52 | EMS 5 | West | 5 | ||
| 55 | Eagle Rock | Engine 55 | Rescue Ambulance 55 | Battalion 2 | Central | 2 | ||
| 56 | Silver Lake | Engine 56 | Rescue Ambulance 56 | West | 5 | |||
| 57 | South Central | Engine 57 | Rescue Ambulance 57 Rescue Ambulance 257 Rescue Ambulance 857 | South | 13 | |||
| 58 | Pico-Robertson | Engine 58 | Rescue Ambulance 58 Rescue Ambulance 858 Advanced Provider 58 | Engine 458 | South | 18 | ||
| 59 | West Los Angeles | Engine 59 | Rescue Ambulance 59 | EMS 9 | Rehab/Air Tender 59 Hydration Unit 59 | West | 9 | |
| 60 | North Hollywood | Engine 60 | Light Force 60 | Rescue Ambulance 60 Rescue Ambulance 860 | Battalion 14 | Valley | 14 | |
| 61 | Fairfax | Engine 61 | Light Force 61 | Rescue Ambulance 61 Rescue Ambulance 861 | EMS 18 | South | 18 | |
| 62 | Mar Vista | Engine 62 | Rescue Ambulance 62 Rescue Ambulance 862 | Engine 462 | West | 4 | ||
| 63 | Venice | Engine 63 | Light Force 63 | Rescue Ambulance 63 | West | 4 | ||
| 64 | South Los Angeles | Engine 64 | Light Force 64 | Rescue Ambulance 64 Rescue Ambulance 264 Rescue Ambulance 864 | Fast Response 64 | South | 13 | |
| 65 | Watts | Engine 65 | Rescue Ambulance 65 Rescue Ambulance 865 Advanced Provider 65 | EMS 13 | South | 13 | ||
| 66 | South Los Angeles | Engine 66 | Light Force 66 | Rescue Ambulance 66 Rescue Ambulance 266 Rescue Ambulance 866 | South | 13 | ||
| 67 | Playa Vista | Engine 67 | Rescue Ambulance 867 | West | 4 | |||
| 68 | Mid-City | Engine 68 | Rescue Ambulance 68 Rescue Ambulance 868 | Battalion 18 | South | 18 | ||
| 69 | Pacific Palisades | Engine 69 | Light Force 69 | Rescue Ambulance 69 | West | 9 | ||
| 70 | Northridge | Engine 70 | Rescue Ambulance 70 | Battalion 15 EMS 15 | Valley | 15 | ||
| 71 | Bel Air | Engine 71 | Rescue Ambulance 71 | West | 9 | |||
| 72 | Canoga Park | Engine 72 | Rescue Ambulance 72 Rescue Ambulance 872 | Engine 472 | Valley | 17 | ||
| 73 | Reseda | Engine 73 | Light Force 73 | Rescue Ambulance 73 Rescue Ambulance 873 | Valley | 17 | ||
| 74 | Sunland-Tujunga | Light Force 74 | Rescue Ambulance 74 Rescue Ambulance 874 | Brush Patrol 74 | Valley | 12 | ||
| 75 | Mission Hills | Engine 75 | Light Force 75 | Rescue Ambulance 75 Rescue Ambulance 875 | Valley | 12 | ||
| 76 | Cahuenga Pass | Engine 76 | Rescue Ambulance 76 | West | 5 | |||
| 77 | Sun Valley | Engine 77 | Rescue Ambulance 77 | EMS 12 | Water Tender 77 | Valley | 12 | |
| 78 | Studio City | Light Force 78 | Rescue Ambulance 78 Rescue Ambulance 878 | Brush Patrol 78 | Valley | 14 | ||
| 79 | Harbor Gateway | Engine 79 | Rescue Ambulance 79 | South | 6 | |||
| 80 | LAX | ARFF 1 ARFF 2 ARFF 3 ARFF 4 ARFF 5 ARFF 6 ARFF 7 Stair 80 | West | 4 | ||||
| 81 | Panorama City | Engine 81 | Rescue Ambulance 81 Rescue Ambulance 881 | Engine 481 | Valley | 10 | ||
| 82 | Hollywood | Engine 82 | Rescue Ambulance 82 Rescue Ambulance 882 Advanced Provider 82 | Brush Patrol 82 Engine 482 Engine 482C | West | 5 | ||
| 83 | Encino | Engine 83 | Rescue Ambulance 83 Rescue Ambulance 883 | Rehab/Air Tender 83 Brush Patrol 83 | Valley | 10 | ||
| 84 | Woodland Hills | Engine 84 | Rescue Ambulance 84 | Battalion 17 EMS 17 | Brush Patrol 84 Crew 3 Engine 473 | Valley | 17 | |
| 85 | Harbor City | Engine 85 | Light Force 85 | Rescue Ambulance 85 Rescue Ambulance 885 | USAR 85 | South | 6 | |
| 86 | Toluca Lake | Engine 86 | Rescue Ambulance 86 | EMS 14 | Swift Water Rescue 86 | Valley | 14 | |
| 87 | Granada Hills | Engine 87 | Light Force 87 | Rescue Ambulance 87 Rescue Ambulance 887 | Squad 87 OES Engine 8137C | Valley | 15 | |
| 88 | Sherman Oaks | Engine 88 | Light Force 88 | Rescue Ambulance 88 | Command 42 | Water Tender 88 USAR 88 Swift Water Rescue 88 OES Engine 8140C | Valley | 10 |
| 89 | North Hollywood | Engine 89 | Light Force 89 | Rescue Ambulance 89 Rescue Ambulance 889 | USAR 89 Engine 489 OES Engine 8139C PB1880C | Valley | 14 | |
| 90 | Van Nuys Airport | Engine 90 | Light Force 90 | Rescue Ambulance 90 Rescue Ambulance 890 | Fuel Tender 1 Fuel Tender 2 | Valley | 10 | |
| 91 | Sylmar | Engine 91 | Rescue Ambulance 91 Rescue Ambulance 891 | Fast Response 91 | Valley | 12 | ||
| 92 | Century City | Light Force 92 | Rescue Ambulance 92 Rescue Ambulance 892 | Engine 492 | West | 9 | ||
| 93 | Tarzana | Engine 93 | Light Force 93 | Rescue Ambulance 93 | Valley | 17 | ||
| 94 | Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills | Engine 94 | Light Force 94 | Rescue Ambulance 94 Rescue Ambulance 894 | Hazmat Tender 94 | South | 18 | |
| 95 | LAX | Engine 95 | Light Force 95 | Rescue Ambulance 95 | Squad 95 | West | 4 | |
| 96 | Chatsworth | Light Force 96 | Rescue Ambulance 96 Rescue Ambulance 896 | Engine 496 | Valley | 15 | ||
| 97 | Laurel Canyon | Engine 97 | Rescue Ambulance 97 | Hose Carrier 97 | Valley | 14 | ||
| 98 | Pacoima | Engine 98 | Light Force 98 | Rescue Ambulance 98 Rescue Ambulance 898 | Battalion 12 | OES Engine 8138C | Valley | 12 |
| 99 | Beverly Glen | Engine 99 | Rescue Ambulance 99 | Brush Patrol 99 | Valley | 10 | ||
| 100 | Lake Balboa | Engine 100 | Rescue Ambulance 100 | EMS 10 | Foam Tender 100 | Valley | 10 | |
| 101 | San Pedro | Engine 101 | Rescue Ambulance 101 | South | 6 | |||
| 102 | Valley Glen | Engine 102 | Rescue Ambulance 102 | Valley | 14 | |||
| 103 | CSU Northridge | Engine 103 | Rescue Ambulance 903 | Valley | 15 | |||
| 104 | Winnetka | Engine 104 | Rescue Ambulance 104 | Valley | 17 | |||
| 105 | Woodland Hills | Engine 105 | Light Force 105 | Rescue Ambulance 105 | Valley | 17 | ||
| 106 | West Hills | Engine 106 | Rescue Ambulance 106 | Valley | 17 | |||
| 107 | Chatsworth | Engine 107 | Rescue Ambulance 107 | Valley | 15 | |||
| 108 | Franklin Canyon Park | Engine 108 | Valley | 14 | ||||
| 109 | Encino | Engine 109 | Rescue Ambulance 909 | Brush Patrol 109 | Valley | 10 | ||
| 110 | Fort MacArthur | Fireboat 5 | South | 6 | ||||
| 111 | Port of Los Angeles | Fireboat 1 | South | 6 | ||||
| 112 | Port of Los Angeles | Engine 112 | Rescue Ambulance 112 | EMS 6 | Fireboat 2 | South | 6 | |
| 114 | Van Nuys Airport | Crash 114 Foam 114 FIRE 1-6 | Valley | 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.- Firehouse, starring James Drury
- Code Red, starring Lorne Greene
- "LAPD Life On The Beat ", the fire department was featured often responding to various emergency calls with the "LAPD".
- Rescue 77
- Quarantine, LAFD as the "Los Angeles Fire Rescue".
- San Andreas
- 9-1-1