Months after the devastating Palisades fire, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is proposing a significant expansion of the city’s Fire Department. This comes at a time when many other city departments are facing potential layoffs due to a nearly $1 billion budget shortfall.
In her budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year, Bass has called for the addition of 227 positions to the Fire Department. This includes hiring approximately 113 new firefighters, which would bolster a department that currently has just under 3,250 firefighters. The proposal also includes 25 new emergency medical technicians and various other roles such as mechanics.
Genethia Hudley Hayes, the president of the Fire Commission, expressed optimism about the proposal, stating that the department has been under-resourced for over a decade. She believes the mayor’s commitment to increasing funding is a positive step forward.
In the aftermath of the Palisades fire, which resulted in the destruction of nearly 7,000 structures and claimed 12 lives, both the former Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and the firefighters’ union highlighted the need for better funding and resources. Crowley noted that budget cuts had hampered the department’s ability to respond effectively to the fire.
Freddy Escobar, president of the United Firefighters of Los Angeles City, welcomed the mayor’s proposal but emphasized that the department remains "woefully" understaffed. He mentioned that the department needs more fire trucks and personnel to adequately protect the community.
The budget proposal also includes new initiatives aimed at addressing homelessness. One such program, the Homeless Fire Protection and Street Medicine Program, plans to employ more than 50 firefighters and other staff members to provide fire protection and medical care to individuals experiencing homelessness. This initiative is in response to a significant increase in fires linked to homelessness, which rose from 4,124 incidents in 2018 to 16,742 in 2024.
City Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the Pacific Palisades area, praised the proposal but argued that it only scratches the surface of what is needed to properly fund the Fire Department. She pointed out that a recent council motion aimed to explore additional funding sources for Fire Department facilities.
As the City Council reviews the mayor’s budget, they have until the end of May to make any changes before final approval. The proposed budget reflects a crucial moment for the Fire Department, which is striving to enhance its capabilities and better serve the community in the wake of recent tragedies.