LAFD’s Initial Response to the Palisades Fire: A Closer Look at the Timeline and Resource allocation
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The Palisades Fire, which ignited on January 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, has raised notable questions about the Los Angeles City Fire Department’s (LAFD) initial response. eyewitness News obtained an incident report that sheds light on the department’s actions in the critical first minutes after the fire sparked.
According to the report, the first 911 call reporting the fire was made at 10:29 a.m. A dispatcher sent a crew at 10:30 a.m., and the first unit arrived on the scene at 10:48 a.m. LAFD Captain Erik Scott explained that the unit from Fire station 23 did not promptly update its on-scene status as it was focused on battling the flames.”Going to the dispatched address covers about four miles,and in talking with that captain,they estimate the time of arrival to that address as being approximately seven minutes,” Scott said.
While the response time has been defended, retired LAFD Battalion Chief Rick Crawford expressed concerns about the lack of pre-deployed resources. “This required strong leadership that day – that did not happen,” crawford stated. He believes that LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley failed to allocate sufficient resources before the winds intensified and the fire danger escalated.
The LAFD’s pre-deployment plan for January 7 shows that 128 firefighters were removed from normal dispatch and dedicated to potential brush fires. Though, none of these pre-deployed firefighters were stationed at Fire Stations 23 and 69, the closest stations to the fire’s origin. Crawford emphasized that while frontline firefighters did their best, the lack of additional resources in the area was a critical oversight.
Key Timeline of the Palisades Fire Response
| Event | Time |
|——————————–|—————-|
| First 911 call reported | 10:29 a.m. |
| Dispatcher sent crew | 10:30 a.m. |
| First unit arrived on scene | 10:48 a.m. |
| estimated travel time | ~7 minutes |
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the LAFD’s preparedness for wildfires, especially in high-risk areas like Pacific palisades. As the investigation continues, questions remain about whether the department’s leadership could have done more to mitigate the fire’s spread in its early stages.
For more updates on the Palisades Fire and its aftermath, stay tuned to Eyewitness News.The Palisades Fire, which erupted on January 7, has sparked significant debate over the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) resource allocation and response strategies. According to a recently released plan, Brentwood’s Fire Station 19 had two firefighters dedicated to brush fires that day. However, the station is approximately nine miles away from were the fire originated, raising questions about the effectiveness of pre-deployment efforts.
Chief Crowley defended the pre-deployment plan, stating, “We pre-deployed the necessary resources in regard to what we do within the system that we got.” This statement came during a press briefing on January 15, where he emphasized the department’s commitment to utilizing available resources effectively.
The incident report, obtained by Eyewitness News, revealed critical details about the fire’s progression. At 10:33 a.m., a fire truck from Station 69 requested ten additional engine companies as it rushed to the scene. “Which tells me the task force commander was situationally aware that he or she was resource light in that area,” said Crawford. “So requesting those companies was the right thing.”
The fire’s rapid escalation was alarming. It grew from 10 acres at 10:46 a.m. to 200 acres by 11:43 a.m. “That is a breakneck speed. So having additional resources, not saying it would’ve stopped the fire, but it would’ve given you the best chance to minimize the potential impact that we have now all seen is a catastrophe,” Crawford added.
One of the challenges highlighted in the report is the limited space at Fire Stations 23 and 69, which prevents the parking of extra engines. LAFD has previously cited this as a reason for not staging additional crews in the area. However, Crawford countered this, stating, “I have never used parking as a reason not to stage crews in an area.”
Key Points of the Palisades Fire Response
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Pre-Deployment | Two firefighters from Brentwood’s Fire station 19 were dedicated to brush fires. |
| Distance to Fire | Approximately nine miles from the fire’s origin. |
| Resource Request | Ten additional engine companies requested at 10:33 a.m. |
| Fire Growth | Expanded from 10 acres to 200 acres in under an hour. |
| Challenges | Limited parking space at Fire Stations 23 and 69. |
The Palisades Fire has underscored the importance of strategic resource allocation and the need for adaptive response plans in high-risk areas. As the LAFD continues to evaluate its strategies, the focus remains on minimizing the impact of such catastrophic events in the future.For more insights into fire safety and preparedness, visit the LAFD’s official website.
Insights into the Palisades Fire Response: An Interview with Experts
Editor: The Palisades Fire has raised meaningful questions about the Los Angeles Fire Department’s (LAFD) preparedness adn resource allocation.Can you walk us through the timeline of the fire’s initial response?
Expert: certainly. the first 911 call reporting the fire was made at 10:29 a.m., and a dispatcher sent a crew at 10:30 a.m.. The first unit arrived on the scene at 10:48 a.m. According to LAFD Captain Erik Scott, the unit from Fire Station 23 didn’t immediately update its on-scene status because they were focused on battling the flames. The estimated travel time to the dispatched address, which covers about four miles, was approximately seven minutes.
Editor: There’s been criticism regarding the lack of pre-deployed resources.Can you elaborate on that?
Expert: Yes.Retired LAFD Battalion Chief Rick Crawford has expressed concerns about the lack of pre-deployed resources near the fire’s origin. the LAFD’s pre-deployment plan for January 7 showed that 128 firefighters were dedicated to potential brush fires, but none were stationed at Fire Stations 23 and 69, the closest stations to the fire. Crawford believes this was a critical oversight, especially given the fire’s rapid escalation.
Editor: How did the fire escalate so quickly?
Expert: The fire grew alarmingly fast,expanding from 10 acres at 10:46 a.m. to 200 acres by 11:43 a.m. This breakneck speed highlights the importance of having additional resources in high-risk areas.Crawford noted that while additional resources might not have stopped the fire entirely, they would have provided the best chance to minimize its impact.
Editor: What challenges did the LAFD face in responding to the fire?
Expert: One significant challenge was the limited parking space at Fire Stations 23 and 69, which prevented the parking of extra engines. However, crawford countered this by stating that parking limitations should not be a reason to avoid staging additional crews in critical areas.
Editor: What does this incident reveal about the LAFD’s overall preparedness for wildfires?
Expert: The Palisades Fire has underscored the need for strategic resource allocation and adaptive response plans, especially in high-risk areas like pacific Palisades. While frontline firefighters did their best, the lack of additional resources in the area was a significant shortfall. As the LAFD continues to evaluate its strategies, the focus remains on minimizing the impact of such catastrophic events in the future.
Key Takeaways:
- The first 911 call was made at 10:29 a.m., with the first unit arriving on scene at 10:48 a.m.
- Limited pre-deployed resources near the fire’s origin raised concerns.
- The fire escalated rapidly, growing from 10 acres to 200 acres in under an hour.
- Parking limitations at Fire Stations 23 and 69 posed challenges for additional resource deployment.
- Strategic resource allocation and adaptive response plans are crucial for minimizing the impact of wildfires in high-risk areas.