Emergency Operations

Chief Deputy John Drake
Chief Deputy John Drake

Chief Deputy John Drake is the Commander overseeing Emergency Operations. He has served the Los Angeles City Fire Department (LAFD) for more than 36 years in the ranks of Firefighter, Engineer, Captain I, Captain II, Battalion Chief, and Assistant Chief. Chief Drake’s vast assignments and education facilitated his successful execution of numerous professional development programs, strategic planning processes, and effective emergency operations. 

Chief Drake’s contributions to the advancement of the Department’s mission also include diverse responsibilities, committees, and projects (e.g., LAFD “A Safer City” Strategic Plan, resource reconfiguration plans, and many collaborative, unified partnerships with our public safety partners and labor organizations). 

Additionally, Chief Drake completed a doctorate in Public Sector Strategic Planning from the University of Southern California with a dissertation that provided the foundation for the LAFD’s first strategic plan. He has developed and instructed several promotional and leadership programs for the LAFD, Los Angeles Police Department, and various other public safety partners. As a proponent of civic responsibility, organizational commitment, and personal integrity, Chief Drake has been instrumental in influencing organizational direction and services.   

The primary responsibility of Emergency Operations is to lead, direct, coordinate and control all emergency line functions of the LAFD. This includes the Four Geographic Emergency Operations Bureaus, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Bureau and Medical Director, Metropolitan Fire Communications (MFC) Division, Homeland Security Division, and Air Operations Section. Other responsibilities include:

  • Responding to Major Emergencies and other incidents as an Incident Commander or Agency Administrator.
  • Representing the Fire Chief at City Council, Council Committees and various governmental agency meetings as directed.
  • Representing the Fire Department as a member of the FIRESCOPE Operations Team and Los Angeles Area Fire Chiefs Operations Team.
  • Assigning and overseeing the work of various projects, work groups, and Department committees.
  • Acting as a liaison between the Fire Department and management personnel of other City Departments.
  • Conducting pre-disciplinary hearings and making appropriate recommendations to the Fire Chief of corrective action.
     

 

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