Alleged LAFD fireboat failures imperil Port of LA
A CBS Los Angeles investigation reports extensive maintenance and capability issues across Los Angeles Fire Department fireboats safeguarding the Port of Los Angeles, citing internal documents and an LAFD report to the fire commission last week that the reserve apparatus out‑of‑service rate ‘consistently exceeds 95%.’ A firefighter whistleblower says Fireboat 1 has been down for repairs since January and Fireboat 2 lists 19 problems, including a nonfunctional engine and crane, raising concerns about the port’s readiness after a recent container‑ship blaze and recalling a 2014 wharf fire.
📌 Key Facts
- Internal LAFD documents list numerous issues on Fireboats 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5; Fireboat 2 reportedly has 19 problems including an engine and its only deck crane not working
- LAFD told the fire commission last week that the reserve apparatus out‑of‑service rate 'consistently exceeds 95%'
- Fireboat 1 has been under repair since January; firefighter Steve Meiche says current boats produce a weak stream insufficient to protect roughly $912 million in daily port cargo
📊 Relevant Data
The Los Angeles Fire Department's budget was cut by $18 million in the 2024-2025 fiscal year due to citywide budget shortfalls, leading to shortages in mechanics and deferred maintenance.
Lack of mechanics, resources leaves emergency vehicles out of service — NBC Los Angeles
Black individuals comprise approximately 8% of Los Angeles County's population but 32% of its homeless population in 2023, with population demographics being 48.6% Hispanic, 25.9% White non-Hispanic, 15.2% Asian, and 8.1% Black.
SOLACHAN 2025 Chapter – Houseless Angelenos — myneighborhooddata.org
The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach together support 1.85 million jobs nationwide, representing one out of every 51 jobs in the United States.
Economic Importance of Trade & the Ports to Southern California — centerforjobs.org
The replacement of the wharf damaged in the 2014 Port of Los Angeles fire cost $22.7 million.
New $22.7 million structure replaces LA port wharf that burned in 2014 — Daily Breeze
Women comprise less than 4% of the Los Angeles Fire Department's workforce in 2023.
LAFD's DEI bureau drew the right's ire. It's now on the chopping block — Los Angeles Times