OAN Staff James Myers
2:10pm – Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Los Angeles Fire Department leaders chose to commit only a small portion of firefighters and trucks to the overwhelmingly large Palisades Fire, even though the blaze was already out of control, according to a new report. It became clear that it did.
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A new report released Wednesday shows that in addition to keeping 1,000 firefighters out of action during the early stages of the now-large-scale Palisades fire, the fire department also stopped 5 out of 40 fire engines available. It became clear that only one vehicle was dispatched.
The decision was heavily criticized by a number of retired fire chiefs who spoke to the press and labeled it a major “blunder”, especially after high wind warnings were broadcast days earlier. One former fire chief, who requested anonymity, said the department should have anticipated the possibility of wildfires.
“Had we fielded these engines, we would have had a better chance of getting a better result,” said former LAFD Battalion Chief Rick Crawford. Los Angeles Times.
“Give yourself the best chance of minimizing the size of the fire. … Then you can say, 'We threw everything at it from the get-go.'”
“That didn't happen here,” he continued, adding that the choice was part of a “domino effect of mismanagement” by authorities.
Additionally, authorities last Tuesday held off on ordering hundreds of immediately available crew members to continue working second shifts. According to internal fire records released by the Fire Department, this could have doubled the number of personnel needed to help fight the Pacific Palisades fire. Los Angeles Times.
Records show that no additional engines were prepared in the Palisades area prior to the fire, even though they were available.
Richard Fields, L.A.'s deputy chief for staffing and facilities, emphasized that his plan is “appropriate for immediate response,” and criticized critics who claim he is playing “Monday morning quarterback.” I raised my voice against the families.
of LA Times Also, before the fires broke out, LAFD leaders did not allow nine fire engines to perform rescue operations in fire-prone areas such as the Pacific Palisades, instead using designated fire trucks in Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. It was reported that fire trucks continued to be stationed at the location.
however, times I reported that my phone was being used to receive other calls.
“The plans we use now for fires should have been used before the fires started,” said Crawford, who is currently in charge of emergency and crisis management at the U.S. Capitol.
“This is a known staffing tactic, a deployment model.”
Crawford and other former fire chiefs with years of experience emphasized that at least 24 of the more than 40 engines should have been installed in the Palisades and other hilly areas ahead of time.
Mr. Fields said: times He said he supports the decision, despite the fact that calls doubled the night the fire started.
Winds that night reportedly rose to 160 miles per hour, and embers spread for miles beyond the fire.
“It's very easy for quarterbacks to sit on the couch on Monday morning and talk about what we should have done now that it happened,” he said.
“What we did was based on years of experience, and we were also trying to be accountable to the rest of the city at any point in the day.”
Mr Fields added: “I accept that there may be scrutiny for not having sufficient funds after what happened.” “But I challenge those who are reviewing it to make a different decision before this happens.”
Fire Chief Crowley argues that some leaders have had to be strategic because of limited resources.
“I support the plan they put together because we have to take care of everyone in the city,” Crowley said.
Additionally, crews fighting the Palisades Fire initially reported struggling to put out the fire after local fire hydrants ran dry due to low water pressure.
It was later reported that the 117 million gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades area, which was destroyed by fire, is completely empty and in need of continued repair of a torn lid.
Fires across the region caused approximately $250 billion in damages.
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