---

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Apr-2020/035n.png)

 [ BUDGET ADVOCATES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=369)

#  LAFD: City on Fire

April 27 2020

Written by Liz Amsden.

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

**NEIGHBORHOOD POLITICS**-The Los Angeles Fire Department (“LAFD”) is one of two departments that the Mayor says won’t be slashed in his 2020-21 budget. And for a very good reason – they have been on the front lines during this pandemic and will continue to be who we turn to when fires erupt in the coming months.

With almost 4,000 firefighters and support staff, and a budget of over $690 million last year, the LAFD is one of the largest departments serving Los Angeles. In normal times about 1,100 men and women, a quarter of whom are Firefighter/Paramedics, respond each day to an average of 1,368 accidents medical emergencies and fires, and transport 591 people to area hospitals.

Fire may be their chief business but the LAFD has many other responsibilities in connection with preserving life and property. And this past decade they’ve had to face many new challenges beyond COVID-19, including more and more dangerous wildfires, the homelessness crisis and a proliferation in the number of medical calls.

To get out in front of these problems, Los Angeles needs to provide the department with expanded manpower and training as well as issue-specific equipment to maximize their ability to control fire events to minimize damage and loss of life.

**Staffing Issues**

Almost 3,500 uniformed fire personnel protect life, property, and the environment through their direct involvement in fire prevention, firefighting, emergency medical care, construction and cannabis inspections, hazardous materials mitigation, and disaster response. Another 400 professionals provide technical and administrative expertise in their support.

This year, about half the LAFD budget is going towards fire suppression; another 30% to EMS. Of the approximately $650 million in salaries, almost one third is paid out in premium pay as overtime.

That last salary item is not sustainable.

The department must better balance staffing, equipment, maintenance, and community service obligations to ensure protection for the City without putting their employees at risk. A key objective should be to monitor and improve safety for all employees, including reducing hours.

Constant overtime costs are an indication that far too many personnel are working overlong hours, putting themselves at risk for work-related accidents and stress, both of which impacts firefighters’ ability to perform well.

The post-2008 cutbacks meant there was no funding for hiring and training in those years. Like many other City departments, the LAFD is now experiencing a retirement spike without a successor generation, which puts further emphasis on the need to solicit new recruits.

And train them.

**Training**

Currently the bottleneck in the hiring process is the lack of sufficient Drill Towers -- aka Fire Academy classes -- the key component in training fire professionals. One Drill Tower services a limited number of recruits and the process from application to completion can take a year or more.

A second Drill Tower would allow the department to double its hiring each cycle from 50 to 100. But that will barely make a dent in the long-term systemic hiring problem.

To quadruple hiring to 200 firefighters per year (once shelter-at-home restrictions are lifted) by adding two additional Drill Towers is not contemplated in the current budget, but those costs would be offset by the savings in overtime within three to five years.

And, as these newly minted sworn staff replace senior firefighters taking retirement, the average yearly salary will drop.

**Fighting Fires**

Time (and money) must also be carved out for recertifications to ensure staff maintain and upgrade their skills, and for the endless practice required to work as a cohesive team in dangerous situations.

The department’s primary commitment is to prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.

The best way to fight fires is to ensure they don’t start in the first place and that has a number of components – hazardous materials enforcement, construction and cannabis facilities inspection, community-focused education, and what can be learned from post-conflagration investigation, be they arson or accident.

The addition of technologically sophisticated tools to address these swiftly can help future prevention efforts.

Preparedness, response, and recovery takes training and teamwork.

**Ah, the cost.**

Even without suffering the scalping other departments face, a “zero balance” budget for the Fire Department means any new spending would have to be offset by lowered spending.

This year.

When demands have shot through the roof due to the pandemic.

But if you look four or five years down the road, additional staffing right now should save considerable sums of money. The City Council should be prioritizing big-picture savings.

Investing in training and recruitment will allow for proper staffing, reducing accidents, stress, mistakes, and illness as well as premium overtime costs.

The LAFD may not be able to offset these costs in one fiscal year. However, savings from tapering off overtime costs and lower average wages, as those pulling down seniority-inflated wages retire, will lead to significant savings in future years.

And not having the tools for the department to do its job properly would be a major disservice for Angelenos, including increasing overall long-term costs by helping drive the City into another bust cycle.

*(The Budget Advocates are an elected, all volunteer, independent advisory body charged with making constructive recommendations to the Mayor and the City Council regarding the Budget, and to City Departments on ways to improve their operations, and with obtaining input, updating and educating all Angelenos on the City’s fiscal management.) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.*

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 First Name

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/ed/068d-ed5f9acd.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

### [Zuckerberg May Finally Pay a Price for Preying on Our Children](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33261:zuckerberg-may-finally-pay-a-price-for-preying-on-our-children&catid=375)

IN MY VIEW - As a mother of two children who has often been on the losing side of family battles against screen time, I…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/20/070h-20f29015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

### [Trump World. From Assassination Abroad to Chaos at Home](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33277:trump-world-from-assassination-abroad-to-chaos-at-home&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - We’re at a moment when all sorts of political questions are coming to a head. And if that old phrase…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/4b/070i-4ba64015.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

### [Newsom’s Next Immigration Gamble: Defy Federal Law And Dare Washington To Fight Back](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33283:newsoms-next-immigration-gamble-defy-federal-law-and-dare-washington-to-fight-back&catid=375)

MY THOUGHTS - Gov. Gavin Newsom is about to decide whether California should take another extraordinary gamble with fed…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/27/070e-279910b9.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

### [Nithya Raman Has Yet to Address Hasan Piker’s Antisemitism Controversy](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33275:nithya-raman-has-yet-to-address-hasan-pikers-antisemitism-controversy&catid=375)

THE VIEW FROM HERE - While it was outrageous that in May 2026 CD 4 councilmember and mayoral candidate Nithya Raman end…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/88/068h-88c43353.jpeg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

### [California Can’t Insure Its Homes. Now Sacramento Wants to Insure the Trees](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33266:california-cant-insure-its-homes-now-sacramento-wants-to-insure-the-trees&catid=385)

INSURANCE EMERGENCY - California homeowners are struggling to find affordable coverage while Sacramento explores a new…

---

##  [ BUDGET ADVOCATES ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=369)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2025/046p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30989:city-budget-advocates-respond-to-las-2025-2026-budget-approval&catid=369)### [City Budget Advocates Respond to LA’s 2025–2026 Budget Approval](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30989:city-budget-advocates-respond-to-las-2025-2026-budget-approval&catid=369)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2022/047p.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24815:what-do-your-tax-dollars-buy-you&catid=369)### [What Do Your Tax Dollars Buy You?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24815:what-do-your-tax-dollars-buy-you&catid=369)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2022/042z.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24691:budget-day-you-are-invited&catid=369)### [Budget Day: You Are Invited!](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=24691:budget-day-you-are-invited&catid=369)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/June-2021/046e.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21855:cho-stands-for-city-health-officer&catid=369)### [CHO Stands for City Health Officer](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21855:cho-stands-for-city-health-officer&catid=369)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/May-2021/042f.png) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21821:spot-zoning-in-los-angeles-initial-approval-is-only-the-tip-of-the-cost-iceberg-for-angelenos&catid=369)### [Spot Zoning in Los Angeles: Initial approval is Only the Tip of the Cost Iceberg for Angelenos](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=21821:spot-zoning-in-los-angeles-initial-approval-is-only-the-tip-of-the-cost-iceberg-for-angelenos&catid=369)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>