Current Dispatch Requirements on Los Angeles CIty Fire Responses

[firepost 15]

I was wondering if there have been any changes in the normal response requirements on the Category A and B fires over the last few years?

 

I know that several years ago before the recession and the cutbacks in the LAFD the normal response on a Category A (single occupancy house) was not less then 4 fire suppression companies which included not less then one Light Force plus a Battalion Chief and 2 Rescue Ambulances.  A Category B (multiple dwelling apartment buildings, commercial structures hospitals factories ,high rises and higher risk structures) would get no less then 6 fire suppression companies which meant nothing less then 2 Light Forces and 4 Engines plus 2 Ambulances and a Battalion Chief. I believe that an EMS Chief would also respond and in areas that were near a Squad  a Hazmat Squad would also go on the assignment..

 

Were those response requirements reduced by one fire company so instead of 4 companies on a Category A only 3 will be dispatched and on a Category B only 5 Instead of 6 suppression companies would be dispatched? I have seen some response sheets and it appears that they may have reduced the required responses but I'm not completely sure.

 

Another question is that in those responses that were required it has also stated that the third Engine on a Category A and the fourth Engine on a Category B be assigned to the Command Post.

What exactly is that supposed to mean

Does it mean that the Engine is supposed to help operate the "Command Post" or does it just mean that the Engine first reports to the Command Post for a fire ground assignment?

It would appear to me that to have an Engine company operate the Command Post would be a waste of manpower and resouces that  can better be used at fighting the fire or at least functioning as a RIT (Rapid Intervention Team) so I would like to clarify what exactly the "Command Post" Engine is supposed to do at the Command Post?

 

I remember that in the 1970s and at least part of the 1980's  the Category A's used to only get only 3 fire companies which were 2 Engines and 1 Light Force while a Category B would get a minimum of 5 fire companies which were 3 Engines and 2 Light Forces. So when was that changed and have the Category A's and B's been modified again?

[mr.ranger 18]

I know certain engines got special training to do command post duties till first battalion got on scene and if be big fire help him/she with what ever task.

[firepost 15]

Thanks for the reply Mr Ranger. It just seems a  little unusual that the third Engine company would be designated for the "command post" as in most places that third Engine would be used as a RIT (rapid intervention company) so that's why I was wondering whether in LA the third Engine is actually used for command post "duties" or whether it was just meant to report to the command post for orders ,however that in most cases would naturally be assumed without having to designate that third Engine as "for the command post" that the engine would report to the command post for an assignment.

[firepost 15]

This is a sample of what I'm talking about

 

 

• Category "A" Assignment:
  • 2 Engines(1 as Command Post Company)
  • 1 Light Force
  • 1 ALS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 BLS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 Battalion Chief
  • 1 EMS Captain
• Category "B" Assignment:
  • 3 Engines(1 as Command Post Company)
  • 2 Light Forces
  • 1 ALS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 BLS Rescue Ambulance
  • 1 Squad
  • 1 Battalion Chief
  • 1 EMS Captain

[firepost 15]

These are the Category response guidelines from 2004 however they may have been changed since then

==

CATEGORY A: Not less than Four Fire Companies, including not less than
one Truck, plus a Battalion Chief and closest RA.  

CATEGORY B: Not less than Six Fire Companies, including not less than
two Trucks, plus a Battalion Chief and closest RA. 

Upon arrival and confirmation of a working fire, the closest Paramedic
Ambulance is added to the Category A or B assignment.