The Los Angeles Fire Department has shared a report outlining the impact of an increase in the homeless population on its resources in recent years.
“Fire Station field resources responded to cases involving PEH (people experiencing homelessness) as part of their regular duties, absorbing the increase in call volume without specific funds or additional resources with consent,” the Fire Station said in a report sent to the Fire Commission, released Tuesday.
The report noted that the homeless population has “a significant increase” and showed an increase in demand for LAFD emergency services.
From 2018 to 2024, Los Angeles’ under-populated population rose 44.6% from 31,285 to 45,252, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Agency (LAHSA).
(Los Angeles Fire Station)
Meanwhile, fire calls involving homeless people during that same period accounted for 32.91% (nearly a third) of all LAFD fire activity, the report said.
More specifically, LAFD says that “trash fire” has seen the biggest increase in incident types and is jumping past “illness” and “difficulty breathing” as the most dispatched call types in 2024.
Garbage fires increased 475% from 5,541 to 31,964 between 2014 and 2024.
In 2024, garbage fires, including PEH, totaled almost half of the LAFD garbage call volume at 46.84%.
(Los Angeles Fire Station)
“As our first responder, LAFD plays a key role in addressing the complex needs of this vulnerable population,” the fire department said. “The PEH community is supported, lifted, cared for and transported when appropriate, with the full dignity shown to other residents or visitors of Los Angeles.”
However, the report noted that staffing and on-service resources have been declining over the past 20 years as PEH services call and fire activity has grown. Under the recommendation, the report said it should send its findings to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles City Council.
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