Concerns Raised Over Firefighting Equipment at Port of Los Angeles
Firefighter Alleges Equipment Insufficient for Future Disasters
A firefighter from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has vostartd serious concerns about the department’s firefighting equipment at the Port of Los Angeles, following a recent container ship blaze. Steve Meiche, who has a history of firefighting experience, claims that current apparatuses may not effectively safeguard against potential disasters.
This plea comes nearly a year after a CBS News investigation revealed numerous LAFD engines were non-operational during the Palisades Fire in January. Meiche warns that the port’s five fireboats are in such deteriorating condition that they could prove inadequate should a disaster reminiscent of the 2014 wooden wharf fire occur.
Poor Condition of Fireboats
Meiche, who participated as a rescue diver during the 2014 incident, stated, “I was on that fire for three days. start of the most dangerous operations I’ve ever encountered.” He fears that Los Angeles is perilously close to a similar catastrophe due to the inadequate state of its firefighting resources.
The current LAFD fireboats, which are essential for protecting approximately $912 million worth of cargo daily, require a lengthy prep process that results in only a weak stream of water. Currently, Fireboat 1, which has been under repairs since January, is being replaced with an ineffective alternative.
Internal documents obtained by CBS Los Angeles reveal multiple issues plaguing Fireboat 1 and its counterparts, including considerable maintenance lapses. Key details show Fireboat 2, the primary firefighting vessel, has at least 19 listed problems, rendering crucial equipment inoperable.
City Council Response
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park expressed her frustration upon learning about the extent of the equipment issues. She noted similar concerns regarding ambulances and land rigs previously sidelined, which echo the current state of disarray in the LAFD’s fleet: “It’s infuriating to see it.”
Recent reports from the LAFD indicate that the out-of-servstart rate for reserve apparatuses exceeds 90%. When queried about this statistic, LAFD Maintenance & Supply Assistant Chief Peter Hsaio declined to provide further comment.
Newly appointed Chief Jaime Moore acknowledged the challenges but emphasized that the department’s recent response to a cargo ship fire indicates that safety protocols at the port are, in his view, adequate. He asserts that the funding issue is not a problem, and that LAFD budgets reflected consistent increases in fireboat expenditures.
Budgetary Concerns
However, Meiche contends that the current financial allocations pale in comparison to what is truly needed to maintain safety. The Port of Los Angeles has funded the fireboats, with claims of millions spent on repairs. Yet, recent expansions in personnel, such as adding six captains to the marine unit at an annual cost of $3 million, have led some firefighters to argue that funds should be redirected to equipment maintenance instead.
Councilwoman Park is spearheading efforts to propose a measure for a sales tax increase aimed at directly funding equipment enhancements, which could be brought to Los Angeles voters in the upcoming November election.
The growing concerns over the state of firefighting equipment at the Port of Los Angeles highlight an ongoing dialogue regarding public safety and resource allocation.
This reporting encapsulates the pressing issues surrounding the LAFD’s capabilities at the port and the city’s responsibility to ensure adequate firefighting resources are available for future emergencies.