Investigating claims that many LAFD trucks were not fit for service

[@billyhorton5779]

Worked for a city govt in their vehicle maintenance department. The problem is over his shoulder in the office, too many overpaid "managers" sitting around drinking coffee! While a shortage of qualified emergency vehicle mechanics that get paid pennies has existed far too long! Reality check 101!

[@zzygyy]

Too many chiefs not enough Indians

[@fedupamerican296]

Seems to be the American way now. Lots of administrative positions filled with people who have never done any work in said field, and 3% of work force actually working in said field for less than half the pay.

[@bluenational]

And they make it IMPOSSIBLE to get a job with the City , County or State.....so we got what we VOTED for 😢

[@billyhorton5779]

Whether its NYPD or LAFD, paying the top brass 500K salaries (with a full pension) does not trickle down into any real time improvement on the ground!

[@GGM67605]

Almost all city agencies are top heavy. High salary and bonuses for executives but no money for things that could actually save lives.

[@terrymendola941]

Salaries of $300,000 to $750,000, but you have no water, no operating firetrucks ... but loss of life and property ...

[@fanglethorpe]

And they need more money....

[@bwro66]

yeah!! like 1,000,000 dead during covid with trump lying about issue

[@chewy999]

Get into politics and take care of your family members and lovers with high paying do nothing Municiple jobs

[@jmcnally647]

I'm on the other side of the country, Hurricane Helene rolled through east GA and up into North Carolina back at the end of September, defying prediction it would be west of Atlanta. Anyways 3 and 1/2 months later there is still tons of tree debris piled up along the roadways, waiting to be hauled away. FEMA promised 90 days for removal so crews could receive funding. My point is don't wait for FEMA to help, because they probably won't. Still a lot of heartbreaking stories out of North Carolina today. Don't wait for the "government" just work directly with the people who are there, who show up, It's the people who show up that will help.

[@bwro66]

a million dead from covid following the lies of trump. Is it the loss of life you are worried about? Or a black democrat leading the way?

[@monicacardenas8140]

This is true journalism just the way it supposed to be reporting the facts. Good job 👏

[@OU8ONEtwo]

And no speculation 👍

[@billb412]

facts discovered and reported by whom? Makes a huge difference. We have a dual reporting media ya know.

[@Rangersfan381]

great story. good reporting

[@Daveinet]

If these were republican officials, you can bet the media would have been dramatizing a fight, and blaming incompetence.

[@LegacyMicro]

California has spent ($24,000,000,000.00) $24 billion dollars to fight homelessness since 2019 yet the homeless population grew by 30,000. Nobody knows where the money went. I can tell you this for sure, it didn't go into the public safety fund....

[@neilreynolds3858]

It went to the Homeless-Industrial-Complex.

[@oscardena1767]

Probably started the 🔥 Fire's too like a comen event here in California. Democrats make everything worse.

[@VALENCIA-d7f4q]

Spent on illegal immigrants free medical care!!

[@danmiller7079]

Don’t forget the white elephant called “The high speed rail”. The only thing high is the ever growing cost. Plus, how do you think they got the money to pay the C.E.O. of the L.A. D.W.P. annual salary of $750,000.00. 3/4 of a million per year!!!!!! On a DEI hire (Desperately Entitled Idiot) to promote DEI in the LADWP. 🐄💩🐄💩🐄💩

[@marko7843]

​@@VALENCIA-d7f4q To be more specific, the education, medication, translation and incarceration of all those illegal immigrants "who don't commit crimes"... 10 years ago, before the Democrats started blocking as many statistics as they could, I roughly calculated that the State of California and Los Angeles County - not counting the entire prison system - we're spending $25 billion per year on the health, education and welfare of illegal immigrants. With that kind of money, and a clear head, they could have taken care of their dams - like Oroville! - and also managed their forests and given their fire departments the equipment and million-gallon tanks that they need.

[@Coats2112]

Notice how the one person who told the truth, no longer is employed...

[@GrenadeMan9000]

it violated their DEI policies

[@jayd503]

She's still the chief news conference was an hour ago

[@superraggazio]

This is literally covered by whistleblower laws. But yeah… ok

[@hebertsantana3]

She is not fired because she could sue them so bad for wrongful termination

[@lg-ii6pm]

The female chief has been trying to fix lack of maintenance from the years before she was put in charge and somehow that’s a DEI problem? Sounds like DEI is the fix to the problem.

[@susancooper7701]

Holy horsepucky -- an HONEST reporter who doesn't speculate WOW Thank you.

[@don-tl6hu]

I'm thinking/hopefully that the media may shift back to actual reporting since the democratic news is on a downslope

[@cnapier67]

Wow the news is actually doing its job, GOOD WORK. Finally.

[@reneetuckwood7552]

Because it involves celebrities now.

[@Billfish57]

Too late to do any good now, that's your fake news at work.

[@abbottshaull9831]

@@reneetuckwood7552 No because innocent people are paying the price for incompetence at so many levels of Government in California.

[@jamie.777]

Dont worry , California is burning but still voting like progressive moon bats

[@arcademaster1]

The incompetence is staggering

[@JasonlaroseLaRose]

Yes, not everyone should be allowed to vote.

[@bwro66]

you have no idea what you write. Santa Ana winds and topography caused this. Same thing happened during 1993 Laguna Beach fires

[@arcademaster1]

100+ fire trucks in for repair but not repaired Water reservoir drained for repairs during height of wild fire season No forestry prevention No fire breaks I can go on and on….. Incompetence is rampant

[@Ziggy_Moonglow]

The logical result of over half a century of Affirmative Action.

[@circesoul2218]

​@bwro66 Yes, but being unprepared is because of incompetence.

[@stevedcase]

Corporate mainstream media needs to learn from local media how to properly report. This was a well-documented and informative piece of journalism (vs. political talking points). Nice work, Jeff!

[@stealthbomber2127]

That reporter does not have a snowball's chance at lamestream media. Too honest.

[@mankola]

Mayor Bass: You are Fired! LAFD Chief: Why? Mayor: Because you told the truth!

[@RUHappyATM]

Mayor: Repair fire apparatus? Pass. Mayor: Hire more firemen? Pass. Mayor: Fund the homeless? Now you're talking. Mayor: House the undocumented? Now you are talking.

[@Gabez82]

Imagine how many young mechanics out there that would love to work on maintaining those Heavy Machinery for L.A County. We need a complete rebuild of our county operations. Fire those pathetic idiots in charge now.

[@marketads1]

When was the last time you said anything positive?

[@DagNeb_It]

@@marketads1when was the last time you allowed the harsh, negative truth to exist without having to ask for positivity? Weak.

[@Old31S5]

Every fire apparatus shop I am aware(public or private sector) of STRUGGLES to find mechanics.

[@steveurbach3093]

Where are you going to find these 'willing to WORK' folk? The 1 in 10 rule seems to be common (You hire 10 to get 1 you can keep). Late, No-Show for a scheduled shift seems common theme of the last couple of Generations and willing to get your hands and clothes real greasy 😲

[@ColdDog-m3h]

The won't pay enough for these highly skilled workers. But if You have a college degree, you can be a parasite and work for the dei department.

[@r.osborne6706]

As a firefighter who worked in an office position towards the end of my career, when we had major fires around LA County, I would get called in to man a reserve apparatus. That is what LAFD is missing their fleet of back up apparatus are out of service so yes it would’ve made a difference. They would’ve been able to use office personnel like fire prevention and others, to man the reserve apparatus to put into service and have additional additional strike teams instead of having to wait for teams from around the state.

[@Redpoloma]

Sounds logical to me.

[@RUHappyATM]

How about volunteer fire fighters, especially in the outlying suburbs? Like what they have in Australia eg the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. CA seems to have a history of wildfires, similar to Australia's bush fires.

[@stewiesaidthat]

​@@RUHappyATMthe National Guard is the backup to the fire department. Could the fire have been contained if more resources where thrown at it initially?

[@RUHappyATM]

@@stewiesaidthat I think so. The fires would probably be of less severe intensity if there were less fuels on the ground. Would be nice to have a backup of the 117 million gallons of water from the reservoir 2 miles away from Pacific Palisades, especially after the three 1 million gallons water tanks ran out after 10 hours. Looking back, this is a cockup of management.

[@JacquesofAllTrades-l4x]

I saw one report where they called in 40 strike teams - 200 trucks - within 40 minutes. Then the pressure dropped and hydrants went dry because the supply pumps could not keep up the the water the fire trucks were pumping and the leakage from burned homes. How would more trucks have helped if you don't have water? Latest report is the lackadaisical response to the first call about fire at Skull Rock.

[@Zeus2024-pn2ht]

The city has plenty of money to fund sanctuary city policies.

[@senseofstile]

Why? Illegal immigrants are not taxpayers.

[@Aceman597]

That's why they cut other areas to fund that

[@patrickjones6659]

They also had enough money to build and staff a DEI branch for the LAFD

[@chewy999]

@@patrickjones6659 And pay that lesbian/TRANS $399,000 a year

[@yomismo6969]

That woman is exactly as the New York City Mayor. Use race to promote their own agenda of becoming rich quick. People still believe in that.

[@mikewilhelmson8413]

Californians: you need to make your stand now. You’re never gonna get a better shot at holding these criminals accountable

[@bwro66]

like trump? LOL

[@eLus1ve2991]

They are protected Even tho we signed the resignation years ago he stayed in office…. Thanks pelosi

[@MrBrian4109]

@@bwro66 Jon Stewart did the same as Trump with Stewart’s own Real Estate but Jon Stewart said it was ok because he doesn’t send out stupid texts 🤔

[@circesoul2218]

CA has made their voice heard, and this is what they want.

[@centurione6489]

Most areas VOTE over 70% democrats, soooo ...

[@travelingwaves]

KCAL Thank you for finally doing your job !!!!!!!!!

[@KK-pm7ud]

Karen Bass must resign

[@smal1393]

A rational person would agree with you, LA voters appear to be not rational, IMHO she will likely be reelected.

[@ry102777]

She’s DEI , she’s protected

[@rdh72]

@@smal1393after these wildfires are officially under control, I can assure you that there will be recall petitions going out and a lot of people will be signing them calling for her ouster. Bank on it!

[@viperq]

@@smal1393 SF and Oakland mayors were voted out, you never know.

[@KK-pm7ud]

@ry102777 She must resign. It's over.

[@natopeacekeeper97]

Thank you KCAL News for bringing us this important news. Good job of investigative journalism!!!

[@Tallchevy350]

I work for a fleet. Either we are short staffed or are too busy to get the vehicle into the shop to get it repaired. Vehicles will stay broken until we can get it into our shop for repair rather than send it out to a shop to get it fixed and back in service. Here are both sides of working at a fleet shop. The mechanic side: let's get it sent out to an outside shop and get it fixed so we can get it back in service. Management side: we need to do everything in house so I get a bigger bonus for not spending a lot of money this year!

[@bettysteve322716]

and my buddy had to take his semi back to Penske 12 times to get the windscreen sealed once, after a "stone chipped" replacement.

[@BytorandtheSnowdog]

If this is your excuse you are incompetent. Is this the mafia disguised as a union. Total corruption and typical democratic party policies

[@stellacatfish]

Nailed it!!! 👍💪

[@Aquarian1]

If it's tax payer funds, there should be no bonuses. Period.

[@caughtinthecrossfire8871]

People in CA can whine all they want. NOTHING will change until they start using their votes more wisely.

[@armorofgod777]

It's so annoying, they just repackage the same person every election cycle and they'll check it off because there's a "D" next to their name

[@mightymack3049]

I really haven't seen that many people from Ca. complaining. They knew that this fire was a possibility and chose to live there, just like the threats of an earthquake.

[@Stephen-lx9nm]

​@@mightymack3049Very weird place ,let them all stay together ,leve them to it

[@jasminelindros8923]

@@armorofgod777 If there's an "R" next to their name then they're a traitor. Putting a traitor in office benefits no one.

[@SAsh-zg6ln]

I live by ucla and voted republican 3 times now. Unfortunately, common sense is outnumbered 10 to 1 here

[@robertphillips6296]

Typical Politician, Run and Hide when they are confronted with Questions they don't want to answer.

[@bwro66]

a million dead under trump covid policies

[@johnryan8859]

They could show up and lie. Stay tuned USA

[@timhanson2080]

Great job mayor and governor. Who wants to resign first?

[@artisaprimus6306]

The blame game is in full swing. The Chief has the documents showing her requests dating to several years ago. The mayor is obviously a inept clown.

[@only1muppet]

How long has the mayor been in office? I don’t believe it’s been several years

[@patrickcowling4873]

Are you telling me that maintenance requests go for years unfilled?? Something is wrong in the firedepartment as well as the Mayors office

[@dinkystinkytrinkywoman]

There are inept clowns all up and down in the government of California and LA.

[@artisaprimus6306]

@patrickcowling4873 Why reduce the fire departments budget by 17.6 million? Not maintenance requests necessarily. Certainly staffing requests. A Mongolian Cluster F! A Tsunami of incompetence and stupidity!

[@Mightiflier]

Your problem is CA voters; the inept vote for the inept.

[@Bearwoman11]

The mayor better come clean and be transparent because those cuts in the department have affected the response to these fires

[@ricksonora6656]

Not just that, but hiring a chief who didn’t do risk assessments and hired DEI manager instead of mechanics. Too late to come clean.

[@guyfawkesuThe1]

Not having enough mechanics is no excuse! They could have brought in outside mechanics to work on their trucks!!

[@ricksonora6656]

@ Not without budget.

[@Mutanttaint]

No they did not.

[@brianmccabe1263]

@@guyfawkesuThe1you know that costs money right? You think contractors are going to do that out of the goodness of their hearts? You all bitching on here clearly do not know how Government works, especially Government finance. They had to cut positions because not enough revenue was coming in, but let’s hire contractors who will cost more.

[@tomevans54586]

The average cost of a fire engine is somewhere in the neighborhood of $500,000 to $1,000,000. The average cost of a fire truck (aerial ladder) is approximately $1,000,000 to $2,000,000. To have that many fire apparatus sitting there decaying is irresponsible. On going, continuous routine maintenance plus the ability to perform major repair is vital for any fire department to function. It is nearly criminal to have 89 fire apparatus deteriorating in the "Bone Yard!"

[@mikeh.753]

This was criminal negligence. The mayor and the governor need to see the inside of a prison cell..

[@tammycornejo9155]

Yes they do!

[@Sean2002FU]

Amen!!!

[@ElCapitanDeLaNoche]

bot

[@mightymack3049]

So does Trump!

[@mikeh.753]

@ElCapitanDeLaNoche hahaha, do you have your tinfoil hat on ? I'm as real as it gets.

[@phoso1]

This story makes my blood boil. While they're spending money to help ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, they disregard their own people at home. I hate to be political at a time like this, but the governor and the mayor of LA should be held accountable.

[@danhelwig]

Now they have employment for thousands of non citizens.

[@Di_777]

What about the money that was sent to Ukraine & Isreal???

[@mrbaab5932]

​@@Di_777Money 💵 was not sent to Israel. Israel bought all those weapons with their own money.

[@yahoola]

Billions have been spent on homeless individuals, and are the homeless gone ,disappeared? Black nonprofits have the money. There's a video of bass starting her job as mayor surrounded by nonprofit heads salivating at the chance look at their skin color.

[@j082268]

​@@Di_777Ca. and L.A. did not send $

[@CocoW1968]

We are all watching. If they fire the Chief for speaking the truth, the community will not stand for it. If there was a 17 million dollar budget cut, what does everyone expect would happen??? I commend this Council Woman for not letting up on this subject.

[@JohnD-f2o]

The voters made their choice long ago to continue voting in Leftist , and Socialist. They will continue to vote that way. Been voting like that for decades

[@whuffer5103]

They don't fix the truck because the truck chose to identify as in disrepair.

[@armedfarm3429]

Right. Newsome would fall for this as an excuse, he's looking for more! The real story is they haven't been paying their bills. They need more dark money so they can spare a little to fix the fire engines. Newsome spends 25 million to run adds against Trump but won't pay the repair shop to fix the trucks. Brilliant!

[@bbrown5887]

This credible reporting on truth and facts is a breath of fresh air. This is what credible journalism is. Excellent job on professional reporting that does hep to better society via honest exposure and hopefully accountability that brings positive change with competence.

[@grantp1756]

Only because they've been forced to. Don't forget about all the lies and gaslighting over the past decade!

[@kate2create738]

LA, as a Northern Californian that has been trying to warn anyone of the growing concerns of the build up brush and the devastating forest fires, you have A LOT to answer for this.

[@destinyreturns4885]

I have to admit that I'm surprised that KCAL is reporting on this, but commend the media for actually starting to report the truth and not continuing to cover up for these incompetent people in charge.....

[@RacerX1971]

Man...this is becoming more and more like a circus

[@samuelmashpow9854]

It’s ridiculous! How can this be one of the best cities in the world with so much mismanagement.

[@tulipsontheorgan]

Stop voting for 🤡

[@TimRannow]

Don't insult the circus. Way worse than that.

[@vvbbzz1998]

like?

[@markthompson7503]

well when you have clowns running it...

[@jeffersonpacker1841]

This is beginning to look less and less like incompetence, and more and more like corruption.

[@wvrockcrusher]

Both. One usually goes with the other.

[@RIGHTEOUS01]

The LAFD not having enough mechanics, is not a acceptable excuse, people died trying to save there homes , because no help came, I'm speechless

[@GoatPuppet]

One man was found burnt holding a hose!!!!

[@smokejaguarsix7757]

Meanwhile the water management director made 750k last year and couldnt keep 3 tanks of water full.

[@hihatjas9477]

Those damn bluecollar tweakers.

[@rafterbarr1506]

How many fire engines are sidelined by these stupid eco regulations like DPF and DEF mufflers?

[@pearljones5388]

Why would mechanics go help people during the fires?

[@sar4x474]

let us all live up to the saying of “The buck stops here.” And let us have the Mayor be fired, recalled, resign.

[@Zion_RockBand]

This was inherited by the previous administration and also Red district zones ran by LA republicans in the city have been found of sabotaging inside LA budgets. This tells me you don’t live in LA! I know my city like I know MAGA LA

[@marketads1]

The Chief complains about YEARS of negligence. That is a complaint, true or not, against both her predecessor and the previous mayor.

[@thedawghouse581]

30 years of development without 30 years of equal infrastructure investment. Alot of blame to go around including many mayors. Problem is bigger than LA. The sweetheart deals local politicians and developers make in your own town might astound you.

[@cayminlast]

Seriously! None of these government clowns posess the ethical character or moral desire to take even a hint of rsposibility for their failed policies.

[@hihatjas9477]

I have a great idea! Hire more cops and firefighters 🎉

[@MBBHMM]

How can you fix a problem when there is always zero accountability in government?

[@JohnD-f2o]

What do you mean, They always take full responsibility. but then of course, no one holds them to it and it continues to be mismanaged.

[@sarahalure9555]

Shame on the mayor for trying to throw any FD member at any rank under the bus for exposing the her own mismanagement

[@stanleyshughart5914]

Whats sad is this. Because of the area that burned. This is all coming out, if this would've been where more "common" folk live. This wouldn't be covered near as much

[@andorastorm1000]

It would be WNC ( and still is ) situation all over again. People in NC Mountains are still stranded. Since it was the Nicer Area all hands on deck to help.

[@angelaleblanc6584]

Sad but true

[@bossbae9648]

Exactly this 😢

[@m3diterra]

@@stanleyshughart5914 the burn areas are sus when you think about certain things that were starting to surface

[@RobertMiller-ph6fs]

The corruption is fast approaching totality....

[@sg1trogdor]

As someone who works in the HD diesel industry I can tell you from an engine stand point the biggest issue is CARB. These trucks have issues due to the emissions components that are required by the state. Emergency vehicles used to be exempt from these emissions requirements. Even if they needed to have the aftertreatment systems equipped they would not go into a derate if there were any faults, but CARB put a stop to that so now if you have a bad sensor that turns on a MIL lamp you have to down the unit and its not useable. If you continue to use the unit it will go into a derate which can limit the unit down to a max of 5mph. So atleast before you go keep driving the unit and maybe get to fixing it an a more convenient time but now it needs immediate attention rendering the unit useless. And these aftertreatment components are not cheap by any means. Im talking $15-20k in just parts not counting labor for replacing them or the troubleshooting time to diagnose them.

[@Skyfly124]

Finally. All the things wrong in the city are finally being brought to light. Terrible it’s at the cost of innocent people losing their homes and much more. But this is just the beginning The city and county deserve so much better

[@joeblow123]

got what they voted for

[@chrismiller8771]

@@joeblow123not everyone in California voted for these highly qualified grifters .

[@skiploader85]

@@chrismiller8771 Yeah but you have one sane voter to three delusional lefty voters.

[@joeblow123]

@@chrismiller8771 most in la did. voters in the rural areas had better sense

[@Daryl-z4d]

DEI democratic employed idiots

[@GlenTheGuesser]

Thank you for reporting this. Terrible, the Chief reports a problem, the mayor wants to replace her? I think we all know who needs to be replaced...

[@Rx-Needles]

Really wish we had more Journalists like Jeff rather than the influencers who think they are journalists!

[@BradPitbull]

Karen bass and Gavin newsom have literally destroyed los angeles with their policies and budget cuts

[@Stephen-lx9nm]

San francisco. Oakland ,and many more .

[@ricocastro6321]

Then, the mayor sent fire equipment to Ukraine, and no one is asking that question

[@pdales2257]

Unbelievable 🤦‍♂️

[@aps1s]

yeah like 5 old firetrucks lol. get a better argument you buffon.

[@timothyreed8417]

What fire equipment was sent to Ukraine? Be specific…

[@aps1s]

@@timothyreed8417 they cant be lol, because it will break their illusion.

[@Quaquadaqu]

@@aps1sshe sent fire jackets to Ukraine.

[@luckymandran]

Good to finally see journalists actually asking questions and investigating to get correct and factual information. As an American I don’t care what side of the aisle folks are on. Do the right thing!

[@jjohn713]

Start with the Mayor. Los Angeles voted for this.

[@coolturbog]

nice to see good Journalism without favoritism! Good job!

[@mightymack3049]

The story needs to be complete, and they did not do a good investigation. Too many unanswered questions for me.

[@randolphwilliams2365]

It's funny as I was watching this newscast I wondered if these reporters will be fired for even discussing this issue.

[@JM-sp2iu]

If only they were being honest all along.....these woke governments would have never existed.

[@love-ce5xq]

Ehhh too little. Too late.

[@lando1071]

I hope KCAL stays on top of this. How is this not criminal negligence? This warrants a federal investigation. If this doesn't result in a change in leadership across the board, then LA really deserves what we get.

[@TrangNguyen-vc3yk]

The incompetency is beyond comprehension. When will they be held accountable???

[@PenelopePitstop0078]

Good reporting. Hope y’all keep digging for the truth. Houston, Tx

[@tylerkimble715]

Wow, an honest news cast. With facts, and no speculation. Bravo

[@sconni666]

She’s creating more of her favorite people. Homeless.

[@BabyBoomersDoomer]

Based

[@Tokolos]

A moonlight sleeping on a midnight lake…

[@skiploader85]

According to her, the unhoused.

[@Daryl-z4d]

Maybe she can ask the illegals if they can share there tax payers housing

[@virginiaduncan3857]

Wow , thanks for letting the people of California see this . Shame on them . Thanks Chief for saying something

[@mrzoltanonwinter2218]

The city department seemed to be more interested in meeting its DEI goals than repairing their equipment.

[@j-ho234]

This is what we call … “equity.” Leveling the playing field. We got what the majority voted for LA.

[@smal1393]

And they will likely reelect the same leadership, sad..

[@jerryrollins512]

Well folks, you voted for this bunch of incompetent's. Live with it!

[@Ponchoed]

It's also what they call Progressive.

[@davidgenie-ci5zl]

Many did not vote for this crap. Tell me did you deserve biden the last 4 years?

[@mightymack3049]

@@davidgenie-ci5zl We sure as hell don't deserve DJT or Musk. What has Trump offered but criticism. He never has a solution.

[@Marbeary]

I bet 100% they didn't want to replace or repair them because they are not EVs.

[@imzjustplayin]

No, just corruption and budget mismanagement

[@robertwwallii1357]

@@imzjustplayin More than likely, ALL THREE! With the EV excuse being foremost!

[@mightymack3049]

I'll take that bet. How much are you willing to loose?

[@RossellaPerry]

Even if all equipment was in working order water is needed . This is total failure of government. Tax payers money is being mismanaged.

[@xray606]

In a city where property taxes hit 5 figures. But yeah, let’s be a “sanctuary city” so the movie stars and rich people can feel good about themselves.

[@2FRESH-4U]

Socialist’s goals are being achieved

[@jimpatrick8021]

The tax base got burnt up, no money coming this year. People who's house did not burn down will cover the cost with higher taxes, it's coming.These people will only be paying taxes just for the land for yrs to come due to the future BS everyone will have to rebuild if they do.I will check back in after 2035.

[@jgal1231]

DEMONcrats are super wonderful people ... just ask them ...

[@steveb796]

I live in Iowa and property taxes are 5 figures.

[@Aries_Sinslayer]

Mayor to Fire Chief: "You made me look bad!" Fire Chief: "What? All I did was tell the truth." Mayor: "Like I said. You. Made. Me. Look. Bad."

[@oldguyofarizona8602]

There is a lot more unserviceable than the trucks. Fire chief, water manager, mayor, governor. All unserviceable.

[@gdan9923]

When you prioritize hiring “diverse” people to fill positions you have a very small pool of applicants.

[@metroman8185]

Mayor and the Governor should be indicted for criminal negligence!!

[@mightymack3049]

Please explain your reasons, what evidence you have, and what you would have done differently under the same conditions/restrictions.

[@ernestyeagley512]

...and manslaughter for the lives lost in the fires.

[@AB-ol5uz]

100 more trucks with access to water would have absolutely made a difference in controllling/minimizing the spread of the fire - esp once it reached nearby communities.

[@manuelsanchez4947]

So it took a fire 🔥 of this magnitude to realize we have CLOWNS 🤡 RUNNING CALIFORNIA??? Just great

[@marketads1]

If you didn’t complain about taxes that rich people don’t even pay, what else would you say?

[@michaelplunkett8059]

Everyone has known, for a long time.

[@senseofstile]

For some people, yes it did.

[@roadwarrior3315]

As a school bus mechanic I find this unacceptable. We keep all of our vehicles in top shape

[@user-nk3om6du9y]

Thank you ❤

[@mightymack3049]

Comparing school buses to emergency apparatus is unrealistic. No school bus could withstand the workload of a firetruck or ambulance. The constant braking and acceleration is tough on a vehicles of these weight classes.

[@roadwarrior3315]

@mightymack3049 you obviously know nothing about school bus routes and how the stop and go nature of them puts them in the same service category as emergency vehicles and garbage trucks. I have been a professional mechanic for over 30 years and have worked on everything from tanks to motorcycles. Transit buses also fall under the same severe duty maintenance requirements.

[@Stephen-lx9nm]

​@@mightymack3049Always an enabler ,

[@user-nk3om6du9y]

@ thank you ❤️

[@flygirl5633]

Great reporting! This is what news should be - no judgements, no emotions, just give us the facts! Thank you!

[@mfgc2610]

This incapable mayor needs to resign. Good luck with that...

[@bwro66]

becasue the santa ana winds? you joke

[@user-up3ik4in2m]

@bwro66 Stay in school.

[@OpenRoader]

I didn't vote for Bass and she hasn't been in office long enough for her to have done much. How about we haul in the past two mayors and hold them accountable?

[@trevorcevene6112]

Where the hell is all the taxes I pay going too Are you kidding me Someone needs to get fired NOW

[@karlmckinnell2635]

That is some weak statement from the Mayor 😢. Angelenos deserve better.

[@bwro66]

we deserve a racist like trump?

[@user-up3ik4in2m]

@bwro66

[@markjordan4130]

Why was the mayor of Los Angeles in Ghana?. Why did she not have the for thought to put the deputy mayor in charge while she was gone. make a statement before she returned while she was in Ghana?

[@feligv729]

She put the city council president, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, as acting mayor.

[@CrawfishCuban]

Wokeness?

[@Jamielbr]

Probably giving money away.

[@loopba]

Was attending a presidential inauguration, followed by a far left freak off. All paid by taxpayers

[@bxallstar723]

She was there for a wedding on the tax payers dime of course.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

When in hell will the Mayor be fired for GROSS NEGLIGENCE?!

[@DavidLolaDaLaDesigns]

Onion, the more you peel, the more you cry.

[@MrTechysal]

Now the blame game begins, blame budgets, mechanics, DEI, big government. We cut fire stations and have been closing fire stations for years and years. One cut here, one cut there and now the people that pay the taxes are paying for the cuts they voted in.

[@frstrspndr1478]

Sometimes these services don't seem necessary until the big one happens. Then people get mad wondering what happened and why no one was there to help

[@mightymack3049]

Raise the taxes. Philadelphia just put Engine 6 back in station after it being shut down for many years.

[@marilynpeppers1356]

Yikes! America is watching the pettiness in the administrative office while the fires rage on.

[@corlevanniekerk]

If they say they are short staffed then there needs to be an investigation to see how many fire fighters in the area were without jobs and if jobs were actually advertised!

[@peterzinia3767]

If you weren't willing to vaccinate you lost your job.

[@tulipsontheorgan]

The insane are running the asylum

[@moreno101791]

I saw the post on indeed a couple weeks ago from LA county. They where only hiring for 1 mechanic

[@desertbrewcrew1974]

Unfortunately nobody want to pay for qualified mechanics. Been a mechanic for 35yrs and would love to pass on my knowledge with a younger generation but nobody wants to do the job and we are generally looked down on like 2nd class citizens. Its been a hard cultural shift since Obama defunded "shop" or vocational classes for high schoolers. It took 2 yrs to fill 1 position at my company. Think about that.

[@andreirachko]

@@peterzinia3767false; a few dozen LAFD firefighters quit because they didn’t want to be vaccinated.

[@genes.3285]

According to one homeowner in the area affected, the fallen leaves had not been collected for three years.

[@scotabot7826]

They had "special"ants on them that couldn't be disturbed!!

[@english7451]

Wow Chicago does street cleaning one a month with big cleaning trucks. Like clockwork and bleed the hydrants twice a year.

[@JohnD-f2o]

I rake and dispose of my own leafs . I dont wait on Gov. By the way the Gov in my area run by Republicans has bimonthly curbside leaf and trash removal. Anything you sit by the curb gets removed. I mean anything from trees to tv and furniture. Its good to live in a Red area.

[@gravekeeper4601]

The fact that the reporter said they are waiting for the response of the mayor's office if the fire chief is not fired speaks volumes.

[@Noamchomsky949]

For every 10 diesel technicians retiring only 2 come on board. These techs are needed in every type of industry such as construction, refuse, OTR, delivery. In this case finding a reputable 3rd party vendors may be a good option. BTW covid and inflation still has effected the delivery of parts and new equipment. Maintenance costs have nearly doubled today and having a good quality maintenance team can save millions. In these types of shops you need experienced equipment mechanics, supervision that can plan, prioritize and a well organized parts department.

[@NKellyMullen]

...but how are the Smelt holding up? I hope there is a glimmer of hope hidden in this tragic story.

[@michaelwpaulin4876]

Apparent, No Smelt were harmed during the burning of Los Angeles. Thank God.. oh damn, I just remembered we can’t say God in California…

[@user-up3ik4in2m]

@@tomhorn2937 *Smelt Lives Matter*

[@tamarashaw9518]

Same with the post office, husband worked, their managers sit reading magazines and drink coffee all night. Really useless. Order cheapest parts, have to continually fix, don’t last. Only stayed a month. Thought it was his dream job. He opened his own shop and did very well.

[@bobmazzi7435]

I worked in the Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance industry for decades. Including working with many towns and cities on their Emergency Equipment fleets. It is normal to have some equipment "down" at any given point. There is always a rotation for preventive maintenance such as oil changes and safety inspections. With specialty equipment like this there is a secondary issue with parts in that some parts are not available at your local NAPA. So, if for example you have a pump that fails and the lead time to order a replacement is in months, do you stock one, or risk having equipment down because you don't have a 100,000 dollar pump on the shelf waiting for the next one to fail. And if the budget is not there to stock a part like that, that does have a history of failure, you will lose a pumper for months waiting on parts. I'm not saying that this is an issue, but it often is in situations like this. Another issue is prioritization of repairs. When you have a rig that has something major wrong with it and you are short on techs, do you assign techs to an engine overhaul that will take many days, or have them do the PM and routine work that gets trucks back on the street in a day or two? So, you do wind up with lot queens when you are short on techs. Now, I'm speaking at arms length on this as I have no first hand knowledge of this specific department. But, I'd urge not making judgements until you know the complete situation. And administrator being hamstrung by purchasing or budget might make a good fall guy, but won't fix the underlying problem(s).

[@johnlara5944]

💯 accurate right there..

[@bobmazzi7435]

@@johnlara5944 I really hate to self proclaim myself as an expert, but I've sat across desks from literally hundreds of fleet administrators and maintenance managers. And government entities like this have special circumstances and then mix in that this is equipment that is ordered years in advance and is the absolute definition of mission critical as well as being high priced, and subject to aging out in order to keep insurance companies happy. Their only major hot button not hit is major amounts of hazmat. One major issue is that there's not really a college degree in fleet management or fleet administration that can be held up to show that an administrator is knowledgeable in their field. So, an accountant with a CPA or a city manager with an MBA tends to misunderstand an expert in this field.

[@AB-ol5uz]

I understand - but it seems like they need different sub-teams - the group that does routine maintenance (oil changes, tire replacements, flushing out systems, etc.) and another group that does the more time-intensive repairs - that way there is always progress being made. and incentivize efficiencies, how much time the trucks are able to stay on the road/in use, etc. so that quality is work is done in the most efficient/effective way possible.

[@bruceboman9801]

@@bobmazzi7435 You're right on all these issues. How many times did you put in reqs for parts only to be lost in the black hole or denied by a supervisor/administrator? I, for one, can't count the times of frustration being handcuffed.

[@bobmazzi7435]

@@bruceboman9801 I was more of a consultant. So, I did not have to live with it myself, but I did get to hear about it and give advice. My favorite was a maintenance manager who was used to buying as needed and the new administrator came in and said "If it's more than 250$ you need to put in a purchase request." We will look at it during our monthly meeting and approve it if needed. So, my client said what if I need an alternator for a plow truck that's down and the snow is coming down, now? The response was "If you have critical equipment you should have everything you need to keep it running for 30 days without coming to us.". So, he did a fleet inventory and figured what was critical, ignoring cars and pickups. Just the plowing equipment. Including the motor grader for the airport. And then put in POs for several million dollars of spare engines, transmissions, hydraulic cylinders, final drives, etc. And clued in the newspapers to attend that county commissioners meeting when he presented the POs for what he needed according to the new administrator.... Well, after the fireworks stopped, he was back to the "If you need it, buy it, but be prepared to justify it later" that he's started with.

[@PhillyPaGirl]

The mayor was a no-show? Unacceptable, she should just resign at this point.

[@sidford8419]

Finally some real reporting

[@BradPitbull]

This is sad and becoming more sinister as we learn more about the policies of Karen bass and Gavin newsom Karen bass and Gavin newsom need to be fired immediately in order to save our homes, our businesses, our state

[@bwro66]

sinister? come on dude

[@scotabot7826]

Yet, they will ALL keep voting the same. Shameful people!!!

[@bwro66]

@ like voting for a 34 time convicted rapist

[@bwro66]

@ like voting for a 34 time convicted rapist Trump.

[@MiltJohnson-sw9lc]

How many good employees left because they would not take the clot shot

[@scotabot7826]

Hundres upon hundreds of firefighters were fired because of that!!

[@wesyder]

@@scotabot7826across the globe?

[@ccastro19741]

Karen bass is what LA voted for thats what it got

[@ernestyeagley512]

Like minded voters vote for like minded politicians.

[@dennisrohm6372]

Left California in 1999, after 23 years. Never regretted it, especially in liew of the last 5 or 6 years of madness!!

[@marketads1]

Dennis, have you ever used a dictionary in lieu of making up your own spelling?

[@andyh4262]

@@marketads1 I understood what Dennis said the first time. I left the year after him and feel the same way without the help of a dictionary.

[@russellriggan2088]

​@@marketads1 I understood what he wrote.

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

@@marketads1 Oh not to hard to understand ole Dennis. I left this nasty state too!

[@kidynamite58]

That's a shame, I'm sure there's a lot of people that miss you...

[@kennethsaylor1835]

Mayor Bass & the Fire Chief are responsible for Not having enough firemen, supplies, and working fire equipment.

[@Passinoutsticks]

Get em’ Tracy! She is DONE with the excuses and the lack of accountability!

[@scotabot7826]

We can only hope!!

[@TheSgtShade]

I like how the mayor makes people answer to her, but when it comes to her answering, she stays quiet or deflects. Signs of a great leader.

[@jbsang54]

There is no ungodly excuse for this. 100 fire trucks and they can't find a mechanic to fix them all. What the hell are they doing with their money and their budget!!!! So egregious.

[@bruceboman9801]

@jbsang54 Won't HIRE the mechanics to fix and maintain them. The administration gets BONUSES for "saving" money by not hiring the people that positions are BUDGETED FOR! SICK!!

[@softwarephil1709]

The money is going to DEI recruitment and training.

[@jbsang54]

WOW...just...wow

[@markclark96]

I was a mechanic, shop supervisor, and the Equipment Superintendent for LAFD from 1994 to 2022. The reality is the staff at the LAFD Supply and Maintenance Division are dedicated professionals who do an outstanding job with limited resources. I am not aware of any emergency response ever being delayed or hampered in my 28 years at LAFD due to an apparatus mechanical malfunction and this is because of the skill and dedication of the mechanics and maintenance supervisors who keep the rigs on the road. For every out-of-service vehicle at LAFD, the Shops also maintains a replacement reserve rig and fire companies do not close because a truck or ambulance is at the shop. Yes, there are budget related mechanic vacancies and this is an economic and political problem that has plagued the department for decades. It is not an LAFD mechanic or shop leadership problem.

[@mightymack3049]

Thank you for sharing the information you have. I totally agree with your perspective. I think LAFD is one of the finest in the world.

[@richardjones9282]

People probably don’t realize equipment also goes down because thanks to CARB required emission systems that are problematic and render equipment useless.

[@wesyder]

Hi Mark, Teren from LAFD EEU here, I hope all is well and you are enjoying retirement

[@markclark96]

@@wesyder hi Teren - so glad to hear from you and that’s awesome you’re now in EEU. Keep spec’ing those rigs. You guys are the best!!!

[@wesyder]

thank you, just on here looking at some of these comments from folks who don’t have a clue as to what’s going on 😆

[@lindakilmer2548]

Wow! The incompetence and GROSS CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE just keeps getting worse!! The SHAME OF CALIFORNIA!!

[@siett1335]

This is what happened when you cut the budget by 17.5 million

[@John..219]

California has one of the largest economy on the planet, citizens pay one of the highest taxes in the USA and the government is not able to kept reservoirs full with water, maintain hydrants water pressure, modernize the infrastructure, ensure safety for their citizens and have no money for the fire department, where in this state wildfire is the biggest threat to the community? That is nuts.

[@Zion_RockBand]

This was an inside job in sabotaging they had the service schedule in the aquaducts also they have the FBI working on those arsonists they caught in an affluent neighborhood in LA. They are looking for leds possible maga sabotaging by the same red zone republicans they just caught Murdoch on the Fox propaganda. I know LA and I know that some of those fires where cause by people and the others from the wild fire

[@martyharless5097]

One of the highest property tax rates in the country and at or near the highest sales tax in the country plus all of the business taxes and what do the residents get for it?

[@lostwanderer6649]

There's only one reservoir in that area and it's was being repaired.. you're likely mistaking the outlay with SF

[@KylesRV]

They do get the privilege of the highest overall tax rate in the US.

[@martyharless5097]

@lostwanderer6649 there are two sizable reservoirs 25 miles from Pacific palisades. Those air tankers could cover that much distance in no time.

[@fengjikangqiang]

There will be huge taxes on Californians to pay for rebuilding, those that didn't face the fire will run for their lives.

[@scorcher617]

News doing the news headed in the right direction good job KCAL facts is all we need

[@rickpontificates3406]

Hire DemocRATS, get INCOMPETENCE

[@TheDieselmonkey11]

More like hire republicans and get little help from your local government and more misinformation from your fake news sources that kiss the diapers on your cult leader who shites the bed everyday and twice on Christmas Morning!

[@steveb796]

Yeah cuz trump was so competent when covid hit. 🤡

[@makedredd299]

@@steveb796 Trump told the world to shut down all China flights. But nobody in the mainstream news media or WHO listened. 3 months later WHO recommended actions for worldwide Coronavirus lockdowns. The Democrat leadership didn’t say a word during all that time.

[@williamwheatley1604]

@@rickpontificates3406 some people need to see their local mental health expert on their TDS………

[@jacobperez8921]

You must be ignorant to think this only happens on one side of the isle.

[@acdatpb]

Literally all this could of been avoided and well prepared but as days go by all this news of negligence and bad handling of funds is disgusting

[@mrxman581]

No, all this could not have been avoided. Mother nature is a b*tch sometimes. The issue in this case were the 80 mph winds that prevented the planes and helicopters from fighting the fires. An extra 85 fire trucks wouldn't have stopped that. Besides, LA city and County have standing agreements with fire departments across the state and even from other states to send equipment and personnel. So there hasn't been a lack of fire trucks or fire fighters to fight these fires.

[@amrcombs]

​@@mrxman581simply put. You are wrong.

[@mrxman581]

@amrcombs I'm not. You're wrong about the facts.

[@ricksonora6656]

@@mrxman581Firefighters standing there watching houses burn because the hydrants are dry has nothing to do with it? Waiting hours or days for trucks from other cities to arrive doesn’t aggravate the situation? Does that Kool-Aide taste good?

[@BabyBoomersDoomer]

⁠@@mrxman581I agree with you