Chief Deputy Phillip T. Fligiel brings more than three decades of comprehensive, all-hazard fire service leadership to his role as Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations for the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD). A Los Angeles native raised in the San Fernando Valley, his aspiration to become a Firefighter was realized as a teenager, culminating in six years with the LAFD Fire Explorer (Cadet) program.
Commencing his career with the LAFD in 1992 as a Firefighter, Chief Fligiel has steadily advanced through the ranks, holding key operational positions including Firefighter/Paramedic, Engineer, Captain I, Captain II, and Battalion Chief, and Deputy Chief of Operations Central and West Bureaus, and ultimately Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations. His distinguished career also encompasses significant staff assignments including Homeland Security Division, In-Service Training Section, alongside diverse field assignments across all four geographic bureaus of the Department, demonstrating his versatile expertise and proven leadership.
As a 33-year veteran of the Department, he currently oversees the strategic direction, coordination, and operational control of all emergency operations functions for the nation’s second-largest municipal fire service. In this capacity, he leads the four Geographic Emergency Operations Bureaus, the Emergency Medical Services Bureau, Metropolitan Fire Communications, Air Operations, and the full suite of Special Operations, including Disaster Response, Marine Operations, Homeland Security (CBRNE/HazMat, JRIC, Critical Incident Planning and Training), and the Los Angeles World Airports Division.
Notably, during his decade-long tenure as Deputy Chief, he has provided decisive command and operational experience at numerous all-hazard emergencies, including significant commercial building fires, high-rise incidents, vegetation fires, swift water rescues, Urban Search & Rescue (US&R), hazardous materials and multi-casualty incidents. His oversight has also included coordination of LAFD Field Incident Management Teams, the LAFD and the City’s Department Operations Center (DOC), and regional partners during large-scale emergencies and special events. A qualified California Incident Command Certification System (CICCS) Type I Planning Section Chief and Type III Incident Commander, he has served the State of California for six wildfire seasons as a key member of CAL FIRE Incident Management Teams 1 and 9. He has contributed to the planning and management of some of the state’s most complex wildland fire incidents, sharpening his expertise in strategic operations, incident planning, and interagency coordination.
Beyond emergency response, Chief Fligiel has been a driving force behind organizational innovation and training within the LAFD. He has led, supported and facilitated major Department initiatives, including the revision of Book 100 (High-Rise Operations), the Expanded Command Operations Manual (Book 93), and the Four-Bureau Fallback Communications Plan. He also developed components of multiple promotional examinations, delivered executive-level leadership, and incident command development programs, and managed the Department’s Field Incident Management Team program for more than a decade.
Chief Fligiel holds a Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Management, an Associate of Arts in Fire Technology, an Associate of Science in Paramedicine, State Fire Officer Certification, and numerous advanced qualifications in leadership, incident command, and complex incident management. He regards his service to the Los Angeles City Fire Department as a profound honor and remains committed to advancing the Department’s mission, strengthening regional partnerships, and ensuring operational excellence in the protection of the residents and communities of Los Angeles.