The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is struggling with equipment shortages after an $18 million budget cut, leaving dozens of fire trucks and ambulances unused at a maintenance yard in Lincoln Heights. These vehicles, crucial for emergency response, remain out of service due to a shortage of mechanics.
Fire Trucks and Ambulances Left Unused
In December, Newschopper4 captured images of numerous emergency vehicles parked in a maintenance lot, awaiting repairs. It is unclear how long they have been sitting idle. City Councilmember Traci Park expressed frustration over the situation, emphasizing that high-value fire rigs remain out of commission due to a lack of investment in maintenance.
“As a taxpayer, as a resident, and as the council member for the community that experienced the largest fire disaster in our city’s history, it is incredibly frustrating to see this lack of resources in our fire department,” Park said.
Mayor Denies Budget Cuts Affected Wildfire Response
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass stated last month that the LAFD’s response to recent wildfires was not affected by the budget cuts. However, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley had previously warned that the reduction in funding would limit the department’s ability to handle large-scale emergencies.
Fire Chief Warned About Budget Cut Consequences
In a December memo, Crowley cautioned that the budget cut would weaken the department’s preparedness and response efforts. She specifically pointed out that the department struggled to move reserve fire apparatus into service during the Palisades Fire.
“The $17 million cut did not allow us to do what we needed to do,” Crowley said. “This particularly affected our ability to deploy reserve apparatus.”
She further explained that the funding reduction impacted the availability of mechanics, leading to a backlog in repairs for fire engines and ambulances.
Lack of Resources Could Impact Firefighting Efforts
Crowley acknowledged that it’s difficult to determine if the out-of-service vehicles would have changed the outcome of the Palisades Fire. However, she emphasized that having more resources generally leads to better emergency response results.
The United Firefighters of Los Angeles echoed similar concerns on Jan. 14, posting on social media that firefighters have long been warning about staffing shortages and the lack of investment in the LAFD.
The LAFD’s budget cut has resulted in a severe shortage of working emergency vehicles, potentially affecting the city’s ability to respond to fires and medical emergencies. While officials debate whether the funding reduction played a role in recent wildfires, the fact remains that critical fire trucks and ambulances remain out of service due to a lack of maintenance resources. As the city faces increasing fire risks, ensuring proper funding and staffing for emergency services remains a pressing concern.
