#repost @bayareafirefighter #youroaklandfirefighters are in the Los Angeles area manually turning off gas and power lines in homes that have been damaged in wildfires.
The City of Oakland decision makers who are making the decision to cut your Oakland Fire Department staffing by 30% need to pay attention and listen to the LAFD Chief.
JUST IN: LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley doubles down on throwing Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass under the bus.
Crowley said Bass' leadership did "negatively impact" their efforts to stop the fire.
"Let me be clear. The $17M budget cut and elimination of our civilian positions like our mechanics did and has and will continue to severely impact our ability to repair our apparatus."
"Over the last 3 years, we have been clear that the fire department needs help. We can no longer sustain where we are."
"I have also requested multiple interim budgets... to show how understaffed, under-resourced, and underfunded the LAFD is."
JUST IN: Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley turns on Los Angeles leadership, says they failed her.
Remarkable interview.
Crowley called out the city for having no water in the Santa Ynez Reservoir.
Reporter: "Did the city of Los Angeles fail you and your department?"
Crowley: "It's my job to stand up as a chief and exactly say what the fire department needs."
Reporter: "Did they fail you?"
Crowley: "Yes."
January 6, 2025, the Oakland Fire Department is set to operate with three fewer fire engines, impacting both our community and firefighters’ safety.
Closed fire stations:
- Station 10: 172 Santa Clara Ave
- Station 25: 2795 Butters Drive
- Station 28: 4615 Grass Valley Rd
To address this concerning development, reach out to your City Council member and stay updated by visiting the Fire Safe Oakland website: https://firesafeoakland.com
#OAKfirestations #stopstationclosures
@kaplan_for_oakland
@dan_kalb
@nikki4oakland
@carrollforcouncil
@janani4oakland
@noel.gallod5
@kevin_jenkins510
@reidforoakland
#happeningnow Engines 19, 7, 8, Truck 5, Battalion 2 on scene of a fully involved vehicle fire incident in the Caldecott Tunnel. #oakland #oaklandfire
As Fire Chief, my paramount responsibility is to safeguard the health, safety, and wellness of the dedicated members of our department, and to ensure we have the tools, resources, personnel and training to respond whenever the residents and businesses of Oakland call on us.
The City Council’s budget decision to remove two Engine companies from operation, effectively closing two firehouses for an indefinite period of time, will have a direct impact on the fire and emergency medical service response capability we proudly provide, and Oaklanders rely on.
It is now the responsibility of my Command staff and I to make the necessary staffing and deployment decisions to shield the citizens of Oakland from the greatest level of impact, while also making sure our crews at the remaining stations are not being overextended due to an increased call volume. Our mission stays the same but the model by which we meet that standard will need to be adjusted and continuously evaluated.
As a 25 year veteran of this department, I know how incredibly resilient we are. But the challenge ahead is not one that I take lightly.
The Oakland Fire Department is currently conducting a thorough quantitative and qualitative assessment to identify the best approach to meet these service reduction requirements, and to ensure no constituency is disproportionately and inequitably impacted.
— Chief Damon Covington
“House fires doubles in size every 30-45 seconds. And so we’re talking about a kitchen fire becoming a house fire, a house fire becoming several houses on fire as you wait for your first fire engine to show up, or medical emergencies become tragedies,” Olyer said
Join us and tell City Council today to #stopstationclosures and keep Oakland safe.
After a Fire in East Oakland yesterday our crews learned of a very special birthday. A 4th birthday she’ll never forget and all she wanted was her birthday cake. These crew went above and beyond after doing overhaul and making sure everyone was safe. Thank You OFD for leading with your heart.#randomactsofkindness
December 4, 2024 #workingfire on the 500 block Alcatraz.
Thankfully, fully staffed fire stations allowed for a quick response preventing this fire from spreading to neighboring structures and doing more damage to the residence.
Engines 8, 19, 5, 15, Trucks 5, 1, Battalion 2, Chief 8, Investigator 1. Crews arrived on scene a found heavy fire involvement in the front rooms and porch area of a single family residential. No injuries reported.
#oakland #oaklandfire #workingfire
At todays special budget committee meeting Oakland Fire Deapetment Chief Covington speaks on the direct impact of cutting fire services. The #KellerFire would've been "virtually impossible" if contingency budget was in place. “We would have lost those homes on Campus Drive, at a minimum….. additionally, while we were fighting the Keller Fire, another 1,000 calls, including over 90 fires, came in throughout the City. We have a fire station currently closed due to budget cuts, and if you’re considering closing four or five additional stations…we would be having a very different conversation now" - Chief Covington
From Councilmember Jenkins @kevin_jenkins510, whose district was directly affected by the #Kellerfire- “As we saw with the recent Keller fire, funding our fire services is essential to keeping our community safe. Huge thanks to Oakland Fire Department Chief Damon Covington for breaking down how a strong budget supports fire prevention, suppression, and emergency medical services. We are grateful for OFD’s quick response in limiting damage and protecting our city. We must continue prioritizing these resources.”
#oaklandhills Forward Progress has been STOPPED for this 5th Alarm Fire. With multiple agencies from several counties assisting, the fast moving fire reached 13 acres. As of now, less than 10 structures impacted by fire activity. #oakland #oaklandfire