Into the Fire with LAFD Command Teams

8 minute 26 second video explaining the role of the Battalion Staff Assistant.

The LAFD uses command teams, made up of a Battalion or Division Commander and a Staff Assistant. Together, they manage the scene of any significant incident. A major emergency will see multiple teams in place.

Few people seem to understand the value and importance of command teams, we we’ve created a short video about them. l have created a short video to help people understand the vital role these individuals play in keeping firefighters and civilians safe.

A well-produced effort to inform the taxpayers of why a particular position is a budget priority.

Captain Dupree and his Engine 57 crew

Returning issue of funding “chief’s drivers”

Fellow fossils will remember that LAFD lost the Chief’s Aide positions during an earlier budget crisis when the positions were eliminated in 1997.

The positions were restored in the aftermath of Captain Joseph C. Dupree’s death after a 1998 interior collapse at the Pacific Bird and Supply Company fire.  (HERE)

Specific response on importance of the chief’s aide positions after Captain Dupree’s death.  (HERE)

This May 2010 video effort provides vivid images and understandable rational to maintain the battalion staff assistant positions.

Note that they use emergencies from more than one city council district, provide workload information and specific battalion staff assistant task examples.

Mike “FossilMedic” Ward

update: edited to correct LODD date error and add link

Also on FireGeezer…

• LAFD reduces Light Force staffing to put 11 additional ambulances on the road – April 30, 2013
• When should Chief of Department take command? (update w/ video) – May 16, 2013
• First LAFD hiring since 2009 – August 1, 2012
• Organizational Hypoxia – March 15, 2013