Fire Chief To Answer Questions About Department's Efforts To Reduce Response Times

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Los Angeles Fire Chief Brian Cummings will go before the City Council Tuesday morning to answer questions about his department's efforts to reduce emergency response times.

The dispute over fire and medical emergency response times began in March when Los Angeles Fire Department officials admitted to reporting data that inflated the department's success in meeting national response goals.

Subsequent reports and an audit by the city controller found significant flaws in the way LAFD officials analyzed and reported response times.

A review of response times initiated by the department earlier this year found an outdated computer system and human error were to blame for the inaccurate reporting.

Cummings has apologized for the misinformation, but defends his department's public safety performance, saying he had done the best he can with limited funds and resources.

In 2011, the LAFD's budget was cut by $54 million which forced the elimination of 18 fire companies.

The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at City Hall.