Los Angeles and Oakland are grappling with severe budget cuts to their fire departments, raising alarms about their capacity to respond to emergencies, particularly as wildfires rage across the region.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley recently warned Mayor Karen Bass about the consequences of nearly $18 million slashed from the fire department’s budget. The drastic cut threatens the department’s ability to prepare for and respond to large-scale emergencies. "The reduction ... has severely limited the department’s capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires," Chief Crowley stated in her memo dated December 4, 2024, reported by NBC Los Angeles.
The budget for 2024-25, which was approved by Bass, cut funding primarily from administrative jobs but also slashed approximately $7 million from overtime services. Overtime pay is pivotal for ensuring compliance with FAA mandates for pilot training and helicopter staffing, both necessary for effective wildfire response. Crowley emphasized, "Without this funding, pilot compliance and readiness are jeopardized, and aerial firefighting capabilities are diminished." She also warned of crippling impacts on other fire services, such as the Disaster Response Program, which helps contain wildfires with bulldozer teams, and the Critical Incident Planning and Training Section, which organizes major disaster response plans.
Bass faced significant backlash as it became apparent how the cuts have hampered the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) ability to combat the flames. Critics pointed out her absence during the wildfires, claiming it was inappropriate for her to travel to Ghana as the situation deteriorated. Responding to the mounting criticism, Bass confidently assured the public of the fire department’s capabilities. "I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, which facilitated our communications," she stated. Yet, footage of her stoic demeanor upon return, refusing to answer questions about the wildfires, only fueled public outrage.
Across the Bay Area, Oakland faces its own financial distress. With a budget deficit projected at $129.8 million, it could lose up to 30% of its firefighting capacity. This dire warning came from City Councilmember Zac Unger, who has firsthand experience as a former firefighter. He noted, "We have three firehouses currently closed and another four slated to close ... which would represent about 30% of our firefighting capacity here in Oakland, an absolutely catastrophic potential for the city of Oakland." The alarmingly slow response times, which are already three times the national average, could worsen if proposed budget cuts materialize.
Fire Chief Damon Covington reiterated the dangers of this scenario, stressing the need for more resources to cover the city's expansive area adequately. "Seven firehouses would represent about 30% of our fire department," he mentioned. "It’s a tremendous threat because, eventually, we need more fire service to cover our city adequately." His concerns were echoed by Seth Olyer, President of Oakland Firefighters Local 55, who reported on the devastating impacts of the budget cuts: "Normally, Engine 28 would have reached a recent house fire within four minutes; instead, it took nearly eleven minutes due to these cuts. With fires doubling every minute, this delay can be catastrophic."
Compounding Oakland’s challenges are proposed "brownouts," where fire stations would remain closed for six months starting January 2025, aimed at saving the city $5.5 million. Both Covington and Olyer believe these adjustments would lead to even greater dangers down the road. Covington explained, "It’s not just the firehouse you’re closing; it’s the surrounding jurisdictions, the other firehouses close to it who have to cover the area of the closed station. It creates this domino effect of service reduction."
The situation isn’t entirely unprecedented. Olyer recounted the devastation from the Oakland firestorm of 1991, which took the lives of 25 individuals and destroyed over 3,000 homes. The tragedy radically transformed response tactics throughout the region. "That fire was so massive it required enormous collaboration among fire departments across the west," he reflected, drawing parallels to the current crises faced by both Oakland and Los Angeles emergency services.
Yet, amid this bleak outlook, there are thoughts of what could be achieved with adequate resources. Olyer cited how proper staffing during the Keller Fire last October enabled firefighters to control the situation before it spiraled out of control. "What we saw was early intensive action could prevent disasters when fire departments are properly staffed and equipped," he mentioned. The need for collaboration with agencies like CAL FIRE is necessary for effective firefighting operations.
Going forward, both cities face the urgent challenge of securing funding to maintain their fire services. The threat of inadequate staffing and resource depletion looms large, not just impacting firefighters but the thousands of civilians who depend on prompt emergency responses every day. With Oakland reducing its firefighting capabilities considerably and Los Angeles battling immediate crises, the coming months will be pivotal for both cities. Will officials prioritize funding for these critically important services before another disaster strikes?