The Los Angeles Board of Fireplace Commissioners on Tuesday superior a preliminary finances request of $199.3 million to rent workers, assist coaching and fund different sources wanted to handle emergencies, put together for wildfires and upcoming world occasions.
In a unanimous vote, commissioners accredited a report detailing high-priority funding requests for the Los Angeles Fireplace Division in fiscal yr 2026-27. The request is predicted to be reviewed by the Mayor’s Workplace. Any requests that obtain a inexperienced mild would require a proper ultimate request.
Metropolis departments are anticipated to submit formal requests by Nov. 21, a part of an early evaluation as Mayor Karen Bass and her staff develop her proposed metropolis finances for the subsequent fiscal yr, which begins July 1, 2026.
In accordance with a report from the Los Angeles Fireplace Division, workers recognized $75.7 million in operational requests and $123.6 million in non-departmental requests.
The fireplace division is searching for extra funds for 2 new academy lessons and one class persevering with from the present fiscal yr to exchange 179 firefighters who’re anticipated to be misplaced to attrition.
Officers are additionally trying to restore emergency incident technicians, in addition to add different positions to assist emergency response at Los Angeles Worldwide Airport, hazardous supplies and dispatchers.
With a excessive quantity of medical emergency calls, the division seeks extra ambulance sources, the conversion of area workplaces to offer 24/7 useful resource supervision, paramedic coaching and funding for medical provides.
Ten months after January’s wildfires, officers say these {dollars} would help with wildfire mitigation. Funds could be used for a second wildland paid hand crew, hydrant and entry plan examine for Palisades rebuilding, brush clearance inspections, brush and mitigation work within the Sepulveda Basin, in addition to continued funding for helitanker providers.
Officers say the division is lengthy overdue for expertise administration and enhancements. The LAFD has requested to faucet into extra {dollars} through the Capital and Expertise Enchancment Expenditure Program and bond income for the upkeep of amenities and its automobile fleet.
“In view of these pending selections, LAFD can also be unable to venture finances modifications from the FY 2025-26 Adopted Price range of $897.8 million right now, which might additionally embody compulsory modifications (MOU changes, and many others.), the price of persevering with providers and bills, and one-time changes. Full finances prices will likely be reported when this matter returns to the fee for ultimate proposed finances approval,” the LAFD report says.
