Los Angeles County Fire Department

The Los Angeles County Fire Department was created in 1992, after a series of consolidations and jurisdictional changes beginning in the 1920s. Over the course of its storied history, the department has spearheaded crucial innovations, such as designing the 9-1-1 and paramedic systems in the 1970s. Today, the Los Angeles County Fire Department employs nearly 6,000 firefighters, paramedics, lifeguards, and other emergency personnel who provide fire- and life-safety services for more than 2,300 square miles of land, 1.2 million housing units, and 4 million residents. In addition to emergency-response services, the Los Angeles County Fire Department operates fire prevention and educational programs, such as the Ready! Set! Go! wildfire action plan, to prepare families and individuals to respond to emergency situations.