Expanded Budget for the Los Angeles Fire Department in '24-'25 with a 7% Increase Accompanied by Higher Salaries and New Equipment Acquisitions (Fact Check)
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) is currently grappling with budgetary concerns and the feasibility of a new water taxi service, as decisions are made that could impact the city's emergency response capabilities and transportation infrastructure.
In a recent development, Metro's Ad-Hoc Committee on the Olympic and Paralympic Games unanimously approved a motion initiated by Janice Hahn, a member of the Metro Board of Directors and Los Angeles County Supervisor. The motion explores the possibility of a water taxi service connecting San Pedro and Long Beach. However, the proposal does not yet include details about the cost, frequency, or capacity of the service.
Meanwhile, the LAFD's budget has been a topic of contention. The department's annual operating budget is expected to exceed $950 million in the current year, a significant increase from the $819.6 million budget in the previous fiscal year. This increase is largely due to firefighter pay hikes, as part of a four-year agreement that includes annual pay increases of 3% and improved healthcare benefits. The starting salary for a firefighter is now $85,315, with expectations to reach $90,514 in the coming months, not including overtime and bonuses.
However, the impact of these pay hikes and the resulting budget changes on the department's operational capacity, particularly its ability to respond to emergencies like wildfires, appears to be contested. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has stated that a $7-million reduction in overtime variable staffing hours has "severely limited" the department's capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies, including wildfires. In contrast, Mayor Karen Bass has proposed a 2.7% reduction in spending at the LAFD, seeking $23 million in cuts, primarily focused on reduced equipment purchases.
The loss of overtime funding has hindered the department's ability to test radio equipment, complete pilot training, and carry out brush clearance inspections, which are "crucial for mitigating fire risks in high-hazard areas." City Administrative Officer Matt Szabo stated that overall Fire Department overtime, counting all categories, actually increased in this year's budget by nearly $18 million.
The massive destruction caused by a wildfire in Pacific Palisades has made the Fire Department's spending a critical issue in Los Angeles. Freddy Escobar, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, stated that the fire chief does not have the money to staff the resources that are needed to address the city's public safety needs.
In an effort to address these concerns, City Council is expected to move $53 million for firefighter raises out of the unappropriated balance and into the Fire Department budget in the coming weeks. This move could help alleviate some of the department's financial pressures and improve its operational capacity.
In the broader context, severe wildfires in Los Angeles County and simultaneous federal funding cuts for fire-related agencies strain overall fire management and emergency response capabilities. The loss of funding from agencies like NOAA, which provides essential climate research and disaster monitoring support, could compound challenges faced by the LAFD in wildfire preparedness and response.
These developments underscore the importance of balancing budgetary needs with the city's emergency response capabilities, particularly in the face of increasing wildfire risks. As decisions are made about the water taxi service and the LAFD's budget, the focus will remain on ensuring the safety and well-being of Los Angeles residents.
[1] Los Angeles Times, "L.A. Fire Department budget to increase by $75.8 million as part of new contract with firefighters," 2024. [2] Los Angeles Times, "Mayor Karen Bass seeks $23 million in cuts at L.A. Fire Department," 2025. [3] KNBC, "Fire Chief Kristin Crowley: Budget cuts have 'severely limited' LAFD's ability to respond to emergencies," 2025. [4] Los Angeles Times, "Overtime costs for LAFD increase by nearly $18 million in current budget," 2025. [5] Los Angeles Daily News, "Federal budget cuts to NOAA could impact LAFD's wildfire preparedness and response," 2025.
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