Firefighters in Los Angeles, California were unable to assist during the Palisades and Eaton fires due to an abundance of unserviced vehicles, according to a report by KTLA. At the Los Angeles Fire Departments largest maintenance yard in Lincoln Heights, numerous emergency vehicles remained unserviced.
Freddy Escobar, the President of the LAFD union, stated that the department lacks sufficient funding to hire adequate mechanics or purchase parts to service the fire engines, trucks, and ambulances. This shortage of resources has resulted in crews being unable to participate in firefighting efforts, despite being available.
Escobar noted that additional equipment could have significantly assisted in combating the wildfires. He further added, insufficient transport options were available for the firefighters, restricting the number of personnel operating in the field.
The unserviced vehicles also drew the attention of L.A. City Councilmember Traci Park, who expressed frustration over the number of idle resources. Park highlighted how the lack of available equipment not only impacts firefighting efforts but the broader safety of the city. The councilmember blamed the situation on years of neglect and underfunding of the LAFD. In response, Park echoed Escobars sentiment for appropriate funding and pledged support for a bond measure to assist in financing the necessary resources.
LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley also identified budget cuts as a significant contributor to the departments response issues. She indicated that while additional vehicles might not have prevented the fires, they could have assisted in protecting homes within the city.
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