Councilwoman Traci Park is urging a comprehensive review of all fire hydrants in Los Angeles, following a KCAL News investigation that found more than 1,300 hydrants may need repairs.
Urgency of Hydrant Repairs
Why It Matters:
- Functional fire hydrants are critical for emergency response.
- Recent fires exposed delays in hydrant repairs, including in the Palisades Fire burn area.
- Firefighters rely on hydrants to protect lives and property, but some flagged for repairs a year ago were still broken during recent fires.
Councilwoman Traci Park:“Ensuring that every fire hydrant in Los Angeles is fully operational is more than a matter of public safety—it can be a matter of life and death.”
City Council Motion & Proposed Actions
Park’s motion directs the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) to:
- Conduct a full review of every fire hydrant in the city.
- Report findings to the City Council, detailing maintenance protocols and hydrant reliability.
- Prioritize repairs to ensure first responders have a fully functioning water supply.
- Recommend improvements for faster emergency response.
Councilman John Lee:“This motion is an important step toward ensuring that every neighborhood has the infrastructure in place to support emergency response and protect life and property.”
The Fire Hydrant Maintenance Process
- Firefighters inspect hydrants and report needed repairs to LADWP.
- LADWP is responsible for fixing broken hydrants.
- Investigation found delays in repairing hydrants flagged over a year ago.
What’s Next?
If the motion passes:
- The city will conduct a full hydrant review and order prompt repairs.
- Officials will explore ways to strengthen infrastructure for fire response.
Residents and business owners are encouraged to report broken hydrants to local authorities to help speed up repairs.
