LAFD Awarded $15.4 Million Federal Grant to Staff Fire Companies
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
LAFD Spokesperson: LAFD
Los Angeles-
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) this week was awarded a $15.46 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will be used to staff fire engines at four LAFD stations.
The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) hiring grant will allow the LAFD to hire an additional 48 firefighters in an extra recruit class in early 2018. The additional staffing will enable the Department to staff fire engines beginning in early summer 2018 at stations in Lincoln Heights, Echo Park, Reseda, and Mission Hills. In addition to the federal grant, the LAFD will contribute $9.6 million over three years to fund the cost of the new firefighters.
“The LAFD received the largest SAFER grant of any fire department this year and it’s a testament to FEMA’s commitment to helping us keep the people of Los Angeles safe,” said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas. “We look forward to continuing to hire new firefighters as we work to continually increase the ranks of the LAFD.”
"The safety of all Angelenos is my top priority — and our first responders should have the resources they need to give our communities the outstanding service they deserve,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “The SAFER Grant will allow our Fire Department to attract new talent and grow its capacity to serve our neighborhoods.
"It is critical that our fire department has the necessary staff resources to carry out its mission of protecting the lives and property of our City's residents," said Councilmember Mitchell Englander, Chair of the Los Angeles City Council’s Public Safety Committee. "This grant and the additional resources dedicated by LAFD are demonstrative of our commitment to training and
retaining the best first responders of any fire department in the country."
The LAFD currently operates 106 neighborhood fire stations; two fire stations serving Los Angeles International Airport; one fire station and Air Operations base at Van Nuys Airport and four fireboat stations serving the Port of Los Angeles. In 2016 the Department responded to 445,296 emergency incidents.
