Palisades Firefight: Engine Issues & Wider Concerns
LAFD Faces Challenges with Aging Fire Engines and emergency Response
The Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) ability to respond to emergencies,including major incidents like the
Palisades fire,is being hampered by an aging fleet of fire engines. Officials have cited broken-down engines
and a shortage of mechanics as contributing factors to the department’s challenges in deploying adequate
resources.
According to an LAFD report, a notable portion of the department’s fleet is operating beyond its
recommended lifespan. Specifically, 60% of fire engines (127 out of 210) and 48% of ladder trucks (29 out of
60) are overdue for replacement. This reliance on older vehicles strains the department’s resources and
increases the risk of mechanical failures.
Frank Líma,general secretary treasurer of the International Assn. of Fire Fighters and an LAFD captain,
emphasized the increasing strain on frontline rigs due to rising 911 calls. Assistant Chief Peter Hsiao, who
oversees LAFD’s supply and maintainance division, noted that the department is using a high percentage of its
reserve vehicles, indicating an aging fleet.
Hsiao told the Fire commission that repairs are becoming more arduous as the fleet ages, requiring extensive
rebuilding of suspensions, transmissions, and engines. he attributed the problem to long-term funding
challenges, with the department receiving varying amounts of money each year.