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 (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. 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. 660Organization
Administration
The official office for the Fire Chief of the department. CAD designation of 'FC1' and radio designation of 'Fire Chief'. The Fire Chief reports directly to the Board of Fire Commissioners.Executive Bureau / Chief of Staff
Commanded by a Deputy Chief (Bureau Commander) who holds the title of Chief of Staff. Assisted by an Executive Administrative Assistant II and Senior Management Analyst I. In 2022, the Executive Bureau was changed from the previous name of Administration Bureau.Planning Section
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander), who maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). Also consists of four Captains and one Secretary.Employee Relations Division
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Division Commander), who maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). Assisted by a Secretary.Community Liaison Office
Commanded by a civilian Public Information Director, who holds the assignment of Community Liaison Officer. Maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday).=Community Service Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Commander), who holds the assignment of Department Public Information Officer. Maintains regular business hours (Monday-Friday). The Community Service Unit also consists of three Public Service Officers (PSOs) who hold the department rank of Firefighter/Specialist. Maintains 24-hour platoon duty.=Community Risk Reduction Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Commander). Two Fire Inspector Is are also assigned to the CRRU.FireStat LA Section
Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander) and the Fire Statistical Manager. Also consists of two Senior Fire Statistical Analyst. Responsible for Departmental statistics, such as thProfessional Standards Division
Commanded by an Assistant Chief (Division Commander), civilian Chief Special Investigator and Battalion Chief.=Internal Investigations Unit
= Consists of civilian Fire Special Investigators and Captains who serve as Department Advocates.Administrative Operations
Commanded by a Chief Deputy, who has a CAD designation of 'CM1' and radio designation of 'Command 1'. Assisted by an Executive Administrative Assistant II, Administrative Clerk and a Battalion Chief who has the title of 'Executive Officer, Administrative Operations'.Risk Management Section
All taken fro=Records Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Supervisor) who is also an Incident Safety Officer. Also consists of two Senior Administrative Clerks and one Administrative Clerk.=Injury Prevention Unit
= Commanded by a Captain I (Unit Supervisor) who is also an Incident Safety Officer. Also consists of a Certified Athletic Trainer.=Medical Liaison Unit
= Commanded by a Captain II (Unit Supervisor). Assisted by four Captain Is (assuming one for each Bureau?) and one Administrative Clerk.Administrative Services Bureau
Commanded by the Fire Administrator (Bureau Commander), who has a CAD designation of 'FA1' and a radio designation of 'Fire Administrator'. Assisted by a Secretary. The primary objective of this Bureau is the implementation of administrative staff functions in accordance with current policies and procedures as established by the Fire Chief.=Financial Services Division
= Commanded by a Chief Management Analyst (Division Commander).Budget Management Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). Budget Preparation/Control Consists of three Senior Management Analyst Is, one Management Analyst and one Management Assistant.
Revenue Management Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). Also consists of two Senior Management Analyst Is, one Management Analyst and one Management Assistant.
EMS Records Section Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst II (Section Commander). EMS Records Unit Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst I (Unit Commander). Also consists of one Senior Administrative Clerk, four Administrative Clerks and one Management Assistant. Contracts Unit Commanded by a Senior Management Analyst I (Unit Commander). Also consists of one Management Analyst.
=Fiscal Systems and Audit Section
= Commanded by a Fiscal Systems Specialist II (Section Commander). Also consists of one Fiscal Systems Specialist I, one Senior Auditor, one Auditor I and one Accounting Clerk.=Accounting Services Section
= Commanded by a Departmental Chief Accountant III (Section Commander).=Human Resources Division
= Commanded by a Personnel Director II (Division Commander).Selection and Records Commanded by a Senior Personnel Analyst II.
Personnel Services Section Commanded by a Senior Personnel Analyst I (Section Commander). Selection Unit Consists of three Personnel Analysts and one Senior Administrative Clerk. Civilian & Sworn selection, Bilingual, Advanced Vacant Step Hiring (Civilian), Advanced Starting Salary Falls & Education Bonus (Sworn)
Records Unit Consists of one Senior Personnel Analyst I, one Personnel Records Supervisor, one Personnel Analyst, two Senior Administrative Clerks and one Office Services Assistant.
Fire Prevention & Public Safety Bureau
Commanded by a Deputy Chief (Bureau Commander), who also holds the title of Fire Marshal. Has a CAD designation of 'CM5' and a radio designation of 'Command 5'. Assistant commanded by a Deputy Chief (Assistant Bureau Commander), who also holds the title of Assistant Fire Marshal. Also consists of a Secretary and Management Analyst.=Administrative Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by an Office Services Assistant.Legal Unit Commanded by a Captain II. Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.
Planning Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Research Unit Consists of three Fire Inspectors.
=Industrial & Commercial Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.Central Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.
Harbor Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
High-Rise Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Valley Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
West Industrial Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Cannabis Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Brush Clearance Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
=Public Safety Section
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief (Section Commander). Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.Public Assemblage Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Film Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by a Senior Administrative Clerk.
Schools & Churches & Institutions Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by an Administrative Clerk.
Valley Public Safety Unit Commanded by a Captain II.
=CUPA Section
= Commanded by the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) Manager.Environmental Unit - Underground Storage Tank & HazMat Commanded by a Captain II.
Technical Support Unit Commanded by a Supervising Hazmat Specialist. Also consists of a Hazmat Specialist, Fire Inspector II, Industrial Hygienist, Engineering Geologist Associate IV and Environmental Technician.
Plan Check Unit Consists of two Risk Management Plan Specialists and one Fire Inspector II.
Data Management Unit Commanded by a Principal Clerk. Assisted by two Accounting Clerks.
=Fire Development Services Section
= Commanded by a Senior Fire Protection Engineer. Assisted by one Office Services Assistant, one Management Analyst and one Accounting Clerk.Fire Life Safety Plan Check Unit Consists of one Fire Protection Engineer.
Fire Life Safety Field Inspection Unit Commanded by one Captain II. Assisted by one Administrative Clerk.
Municipal Services Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Assisted by one Administrative Clerk.
Hydrants and Access Unit Commanded by a Captain I.
Information Technology Bureau
Commanded by the Chief Information Officer.=Infrastructure and Operations Division
=Infrastructure and Help Desk Support Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists of two Systems Programmer IIs and two System Analyst Is.
Helpdesk and Technical Support Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists if three Systems Analyst IIs and two Administrative Clerks.
Software Applications Support Section Consists of two Senior Systems Analyst IIs, one Programmer Analyst V, one Programmer Analyst IV, one Programmer Analyst III and one Systems Analyst II.
GIS Unit Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst I. Also consists of two GIS Supervisor Is and four GIS Specialists.
Enterprise Records Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II. Also consists of three Programmer Analyst IIIs.
Network Staffing Support Section Commanded by a Senior Systems Analyst II.
Development Operations Division Commanded an Information System Manager II.
=Fire Communications Dispatch Support Section (FCDSS)
= Commanded by a Battalion Chief and assisted by one Senior Management Analyst I and one Secretary.Technical Control Commanded by a Communications Electrician Supervisor.
Fire Communications Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Also consists of one Communications Electrician.
Telephone Coordinator Firefighter III
Fire Communications Technician Support Unit Commanded by a Captain I. Also consists of one Senior Communications Electrician. ''* Organization structure obtained via LAFD Administrative Roster September 2022.''
Rank Structure
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” (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 1,500 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 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 who is 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. All engines are equipped with fire suppression gear as well as basic rescue equipment and emergency medical services equipment.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 (200 Series, for example Engine 201 or Engine 301 for 100 stations) 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 Company 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 (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 Company or the Engine Company in a Task Force.Rescue Ambulances
Rescue Ambulances (RAs), often called 'rescues' for short, can be considered eitherHelicopters
The Air Operations Section of the LAFD operates out of Fire Station 114 atFireboats
TheUSAR Task Force 1
The Los Angeles Fire Department is the founding member of one of California's eightStations and apparatus
The LAFD is divided into four operational Bureaus: Operations Central Bureau (OCB), Operations West Bureau (OWB), Operations South Bureau (OSB); formerly known as 'South Division', and Operations Valley Bureau (OVB); formerly known as 'North Division'. Each Bureau is commanded by a Deputy Chief, who holds the title of 'Bureau Commander'. Each Bureau also has an Assistant Chief serves as the 'Assistant Bureau Commander'. To replicate the former North and South Division, OCB and OVB also have three additional Assistant Chiefs who work 24-hour platoon duty. These Assistant Chiefs staff marked Dodge RAM SUVs and respond to major incidents - Command 22 for OCB and Command 42 of OVB. * Operations Central Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 22 Fire Stations. Battalion 1 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 2 (8 Fire Stations) and Battalion 11 (6 Fire Stations). OCB's headquarters is at Fire Station 3. * Operations West Bureau compromises of 3 battalions and 21 Fire Stations. Battalion 4 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 5 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 9 (7 Fire Stations). OWB's headquarters is at Fire Station 82. * Operations South Bureau compromises 3 battalions and 25 Fire Stations. Battalion 6 (11 Fire Stations), Battalion 13 (8 Fire Stations), Battalion 18 (6 Fire Stations). OSB's headquarters is at the San Pedro Municipal Building (638 South Beacon Street, Suite 374). * Operations Valley Bureau compromises of 4 battalions and 31 Fire Stations. Battalion 10 (9 Fire Stations), Battalion 12 (7 Fire Stations), Battalion 14 (7 Fire Stations) and Battalion 15 (8 Fire Stations). OVB's headquarters is temporarily stationed at Fire Station 83. Each of the four operational Bureaus house a number of battalions. These battalions are staffed by uniformed personnel who rotate on a 24-hour platoon duty. Each battalion is commanded by a Battalion Chief, who responds to major incidents within their battalion, usually 20-30 square miles in size. They have the responsibility of commanding these scenes as the Incident Commander (IC). Battalion Chiefs typically respond to these incidents with a Firefighter/Specialist, who holds the title of Emergency Incident Technician (EIT). EITs drive the Dodge RAM SUV to the scenes and act as an assistant to the Battalion Chief. 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''. 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.Engine 482CIn 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) ''See also
* Fire Station No. 1 *References
External links