Firefighter Staffing Increased Due To Holiday, Hot Weather
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Hot, dry weather and big Fourth of July crowds in parks prompted the City of Los Angeles to bump up fire staffing Monday, and temporarily restore staffing at some fire engines that had been cut for budget reasons.
"Traditionally, the 4th of july is a day that keeps us on out toes," said Asst. Chief Ronnie Villanueva of the Los Angeles City Fire Department.
A total of 17 fire engine companies, eight brush patrol companies, and five rescue ambulances with bicycle-mounted paramedics were added Sunday and on Independence Day, according to city councilman Bill Rosendahl. Those companies will be idled at the end of shift Tuesday morning.
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KNX 1070's Pete Demetriou reports.
The restored units are assigned to areas at the edge of the urban-wildlands interface, including Chatsworth, Griffith Park, El Sereno, Pacific Palisades, Sunland, Tujunga and Woodland Hills. The fire department, under orders to cut its budget, concentrated engine reductions in areas where calls for service are the least, and can be handled by other companies.
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