Data shows LA Fire Department among the most understaffed in America

WILLHOST —

Less than a month before fires swept across Los Angeles, a group of longtime firefighters gathered at City Hall to plead for more resources. They were at a “breaking point,” one said. Another revealed that million-dollar fire trucks sat idle because budget cuts had shrunk the number of mechanics available to fix them.

“I’m going to say what people can’t say,” said Freddy Escobar, president of the city’s fire union and a veteran firefighter. “If we cut one position, if we close one station … the residents of Los Angeles are going to pay the ultimate sacrifice, and someone will die.”

The firefighters’ concerns over resources, it seems, weren’t off the mark. A WILLHOST analysis of the most recent data available from the 10 largest US cities and other comparable departments shows the Los Angeles Fire Department is less staffed than almost any other major city, leaving it struggling to meet both daily emergencies and larger disasters such as wildfires.

Despite being located in one of the most fire-prone areas in the country, the LAFD has less than one firefighter for every 1,000 residents. That compares to cities such as Chicago, Dallas and Houston, where staffing is closer to two firefighters for the same number of residents. Of the largest cities, only San Diego has fewer firefighters per capita.

Up the coast from LA, the city of San Francisco boasts more than 1,800 firefighters for around 1.5 million residents of the city and nearby communities, while LA has roughly 3,500 firefighters allotted to serve a city of nearly 4 million.

Experts have said no fire department in the world would have been able to take on such a perfect storm of conditions that resulted in LA’s devastating blazes – which have burned more than 40,000 acres, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and caused at least 24 deaths.

LA’s firefighters were joined by crews from across the state, including from the Los Angeles County Fire Department, which covers areas outside the city, including hard-hit Altadena. But images of residents in some neighborhoods trying to save homes with garden hoses and no firefighters in sight have sparked a new debate over whether city officials should have planned better and invested more in the LAFD, and what should be done to become better positioned for the next emergency.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Parks speaks with LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Pete Brown

One of the speakers joining firefighters at the Fire Commission meeting last month was City Councilmember Traci Park. She warned resources were being strained “beyond the brink” despite a dangerously increasing risk of wildfire.

“Time and time again, elected leaders in Los Angeles have failed to make meaningful investments in our public safety and as a result, Angelenos are suffering the consequences,” Park said.

Just 21 days later, the Pacific Palisades community within Park’s council district ended up as the epicenter of one of the fires.

LA’s firefighters say the lack of resources is an everyday concern that extends beyond their ability to battle wildfires. They are also tasked with responding to structural fires, traffic accidents and medical emergencies, which have spiked amid a worsening homelessness crisis.

In a memo from the end of last year, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley also expressed concerns that the fire department’s staffing levels were half the size that a professional fire department should be, based on benchmarks recommended by the National Fire Protection Association.

In the memo, which the city has since removed from its website, Crowley wrote that the city’s population had grown from about 2.5 million in 1960 to nearly 4 million in 2020. Yet the city has fewer fire stations today than it did back then, even as firefighters respond to a call volume that has quadrupled.

Crowley wrote that based on an analysis, the agency would need 62 new fire stations and hundreds more firefighters to meet the nationwide average for fire departments in densely populated cities.

LA Mayor Karen Bass has faced criticism for recent budget cuts at the department, though she defended them at a press conference last week as a product of “tough budgetary times” and said the “impact of our budget really did not affect what we’ve been going through.” She also said additional funding was allocated later that ultimately represented an increase in the agency’s budget. Bass and the fire department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on WILLHOST’s findings.

The fire union says that the neglect of the agency is a problem that long predates Bass.

“This isn’t about one budget cycle. It’s not about a single mayor. This has been the case for decades. We have been speaking about it for years now,” Escobar, the union president, said in an interview with WILLHOST. “It’s sad it’s taken this natural disaster and tragedy to highlight what we have been saying for decades.”

In 2011, Los Angeles placed near dead last in a ranking of fire department staffing for the country’s 40 largest cities. The study, conducted by a New York City labor union, reviewed metrics including the number of firefighters, stations and engines.

The sun sets Monday, January 27, near homes that were destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. Mario Tama/Getty Images Jim and Malihe Halff tour the remains of their fire-ravaged home in Pacific Palisades. Drew A. Kelley/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram/Getty Images Nick Sonnenburg, center, and his parents search through the remains of his apartment in Altadena on Saturday, January 25. Mario Tama/Getty Images A member of the National Guard looks at a destroyed structure in Pacific Palisades on Friday, January 24. Damian Dovarganes/AP President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump tour a fire-affected area of Pacific Palisades on January 24. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images Marine One flies above devastation caused by the wildfires. Mandel Ngan/Pool/AP Inmates from the Fenner Canyon Conservation Camp Fire Crew help load sandbags in Pasadena. There is an increased threat of landslides in Los Angeles County, where the recent wildfires have charred much of the land and left it with a lower capability of handling rain. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Inmate firefighters trek up a mountain to create a fire containment line as they try to help control the Hughes Fire in Castaic on Thursday, January 23. Apu Gomes/AFP/Getty Images A woman goes through the remains of her apartment, which was destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Jill Connelly/Bloomberg/Getty Images Firefighters battle the Hughes Fire on Wednesday, January 22. Jon Putman/Anadolu/Getty Images A law enforcement officer takes photos as flames from the Hughes Fire race up a hill in Castaic. Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images Firefighters spray water as they battle the Hughes Fire in Castaic. Ethan Swope/AP Plumes of smoke rise from the Hughes Fire. Ethan Swope/AP A US Forest Service firefighter surveys the Hughes Fire. Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg/Getty Images A firefighter sets out hoses to fight the Hughes Fire. Ethan Swope/AP Drew Sandoval searches for items in the rubble of his friend Michele Docherty-Bond’s home in Pasadena on January 18. It burned in the Eaton Fire. Mario Tama/Getty Images Community members work together at the Victory Bible Church in Pasadena. The church continues to operate as a sanctuary for people affected by the Eaton Fire. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Members of the Navajo Scouts firefighter crew kick up dust as they clear debris from a landslide in Altadena on January 17. John Locher/AP Private firefighters from Oregon gather in front of Altadena Community Church. Mario Tama/Getty Images A member of a search-and-rescue team inspects a burned house in Pacific Palisades on January 16. Apu Gomes/Getty Images Damaged structures are seen in Malibu after the Palisades Fire burned along the Pacific Coast Highway. Ringo Chiu/AP Jaclyn Senis and Laura Shockley, both displaced because of the Palisades Fire, embrace after dropping their children off at a new school in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 15. David Ryder/Reuters The sun rises behind a burned car in the Santa Monica Mountains on January 14. Loren Elliott/The New York Times/Redux A Mexican search-and-rescue team walks alongside a road overlooking burned homes in Malibu. Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Firefighter Tristan Rios uses his bare hand to gauge the temperature of the ground while extinguishing hot spots in the Fernwood area of Topanga on January 13. Max Whittaker/The New York Times/Redux This aerial photo shows homes destroyed in Pacific Palisades. Mario Tama/Getty Images People sing at the Love and Unity Christian Fellowship church in Compton. A worship night of healing and restoration was held for families affected by the fires. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images Smoke from the Eaton Fire lingers above the mountains of the Angeles National Forest, north of Altadena. Etienne Laurent/AFP/Getty Images Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 12. Ringo Chiu/Reuters A utilities worker views damage in Pacific Palisades. David Ryder/Reuters A firefighter works to extinguish lingering fires in Malibu. Jason Ryan/NurPhoto/Getty Images Charred backpacks are seen in the rubble of Marquez Charter Elementary, which was destroyed in Pacific Palisades. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Wildfire smoke covers downtown Los Angeles. Apu Gomes/Getty Images People affected by the wildfires visit a relief center for needed supplies. Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images A firefighter stands guard near a home as the Palisades Fire spreads toward the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles on January 11. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Kids skate at the Venice Skatepark as smoke from the Palisades Fire can be seen in the background. Apu Gomes/Getty Images A girl sleeps on her mom’s shoulder at a distribution center that was set up for people affected by the Eaton Fire. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters Fire retardant covers the backyard of a home in Mandeville Canyon. Eric Thayer/AP Firefighters pull a hose as they battle the Palisades Fire. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images The Palisades Fire burns near a house in Mandeville Canyon. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Ella Venne searches through the remnants of her family’s home in Altadena after it was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Mark J. Terrill/AP Smoke rises from the Palisades Fire. Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Alec Miller from the Torrance Fire Department looks at smoke billowing from the Palisades Fire in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles. Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images A Malibu statue stands amid damage from the Palisades Fire on January 10. Eric Thayer/AP Volunteers help unload supplies to be distributed to people in Pasadena. Mario Anzuoni/Reuters A burned fire extinguisher sits in the auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images Paula Tapia hugs Katja Schmolka, who lost her home in Pacific Palisades. David Ryder/Reuters Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over the hills near Santa Monica. Carlos Barria/Reuters Citrus fruit is burnt in Altadena. Nic Coury/AP Members of the National Guard block entrances along New York Drive in Altadena. Jill Connelly/Bloomberg via Getty Images Vehicles charred by the Eaton Fire sit inside a dealership in Altadena. Jae C. Hong/AP A firefighter surveys a hotspot in Altadena. Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters A retro Volkswagen bus sits among burned-out homes in Malibu on January 9. The vehicle stood out among a sea of destruction as it sustained minimal damage. “I’m speechless to see all the houses burnt, and I can’t believe that Azul the bus — that’s what we named it — survived,” the van’s owner, Megan Krystle Weinraub, told WILLHOST’s Erin Burnett. Mark J. Terrill/AP A lone tree, burnt from the Kenneth Fire, remains on a hill in the West Hills section of Los Angeles. Etienne Laurent/AP A man comforts his daughter on the charred ruins of their family home in Altadena. Zoë Meyers/AFP/Getty Images The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles County. Maria Alejandra Cardona/Reuters Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire. Ethan Swope/AP A person walks amid destruction in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Jae C. Hong/AP Desiree Johnson is embraced by her neighbor after her home was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters A group rescues horses in Atladena on January 8. Michael Nigro/Bloomberg/Getty Images Juan Munoz pours water on the fire-ravaged remains of his home in Atladena. He has lived there for more than 39 years. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images An apartment building lit by the Eaton Fire collapses in Altadena. Jon Putman/NurPhoto/AP California Gov. Gavin Newsom, right, tours the downtown business district of Pacific Palisades. Eric Thayer/Getty Images Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property in Malibu. Etienne Laurent/AP People embrace outside of a burning property in Altadena. Ethan Swope/AP A firefighter is seen through the window of a damaged property while battling the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Nic Coury/AP Megan Mantia and her boyfriend, Thomas, return to Mantia’s fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena. Ethan Swope/AP WILLHOST’s Anderson Cooper reports from the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Edgar Hernandez waits outside the Pasadena Humane Society to shelter his cat after evacuating his home in Altadena. Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters An Altadena home is engulfed in flames. Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images A firefighter battles a house fire from a residence next door as the Palisades Fire burns in Malibu. Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images Wildfire smoke covers parts of Los Angeles. mpi34/MediaPunch/IPX/AP A man walks past an Altadena business ravaged by the Eaton Fire. Ethan Swope/AP A dog barks as the Eaton Fire destroys part of Altadena. Ethan Swope/AP A senior living facility is evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches in Altadena. Ethan Swope/AP Palm trees are burned from the Palisades Fire in Malibu. Eric Thayer/Getty Images A firefighter battles the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Ethan Swope/AP Charlotte, 11, sits inside a car outside the Pasadena Humane Society. Her family planned to shelter their dog, Sid, after they left because of the Eaton Fire. Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters Smoke from multiple fires covers the skyline in Los Angeles. Carlin Stiehl/Reuters Fire crews begin to clear a toppled tree in Pacific Palisades. Etienne Laurent/AP A woman reacts to the Eaton Fire in Altadena. David Swanson/Reuters Water is dropped over Pacific Palisades by a firefighting helicopter, on January 7. Etienne Laurent/AP Firefighters kick down a fence as they battle a fire approaching homes in Pasadena. David McNew/Getty Images The Palisades Fire is seen from a plane. Mark Viniello via Reuters A Pacific Palisades resident stands in front of a garage. Ethan Swope/AP Firefighters do not know what caused the Palisades Fire. Ethan Swope/AP Firefighters work to put out the wildfire in Pacific Palisades. Philip Cheung/The New York Times/Redux A surfer takes off on a wave in Santa Monica as the sky is blackened from the Palisades Fire. Richard Vogel/AP A person uses clothing to partially cover their face near Pacific Palisades. Mike Blake/Reuters A home burns in Pacific Palisades. Ethan Swope/AP People watch from the Santa Monica Pier as smoke grows from the Palisades Fire. Anna Sophia Moltke/SOPA Images/Sipa Will Adams watches as flames from the Palisades Fire close in on his property. Ethan Swope/AP A man in a wheelchair is evacuated from Pacific Palisades. Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock The Palisades Fire burns a Christmas tree inside a home. Ethan Swope/AP A firefighter battles an advancing wildfire in Pacific Palisades. Etienne Laurent/AP A view of the Palisades Fire from Venice. Karen Ballard A woman cries as a fire advances in Pacific Palisades. Etienne Laurent/AP The Palisades Fire burns several miles behind the Santa Monica Pier. Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images In pictures: Deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County Prev Next

Last year, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, a non-profit organization whose mission is to support the city’s fire department, issued a report, which included examples underscoring how much the department was struggling. Stations that were intended to house around six firefighters, for example, are now sleeping up to double that, according to the report. A single mini fridge was used to hold food for an entire station across all of their shifts, the report stated, and one washing machine has been used for more than 16 firefighters who need to clean their uniforms almost every day.

“City budget constraints and limited resources result in firefighters frequently shouldering the costs for urgent repairs or replacements of basic items, like washing machines, coffee machines and ice machines,” the report said, noting that nearly half of all stations have less than $1,000 of cash on hand in station accounts, which could quickly be drained by any number of necessary repairs.

Park, the councilwoman who sounded the alarm about a lack of resources last month, told WILLHOST that she hopes “this is a wake-up call” and an opportunity to rethink how the city is prioritizing its competing needs. She has spent the past week surveying the destruction and speaking with firefighters who told her they had never seen anything like the situation that unfolded.

“Whether (more resources) would have made a difference for this particular fire or not, I don’t know. But on an average day here in Los Angeles, we don’t have what we need,” she said in an interview. “They have miraculously done more with less … but it’s not fair to them. … We owe it to them and to their families to make sure they’re safe and they have what they need.”

Do you have information or an experience to share about the LA fires? Email us at blake.ellis@cnn.com and melanie.hicken@cnn.com.

WILLHOST’s Yahya Abou-Ghazala contributed to this report.