The Los Angeles County report on consolidation of the Arcadia Fire Department into the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District raises many questions.
A Los Angeles County proposal to take over fire and ambulance service from the Arcadia Fire Department would cost the city as much as $8 million more than present costs over 10 years, according to a city report.
The Insurance Services Office, which rates fire departments, awarded the Arcadia Fire Department a "Class One" rating, making them one of only 16 departments in the country with that rating.
The consultant firm of Peat Marwick L.L.P. finds that the Fire Department overtime costs are not out of line and that the department is being managed efficiently.
Fire Chief Michael Lang is leaving Arcadia Fire Department to be Fire Chief at Manhattan Beach. He was with Arcadia Fire Department for 21 years, including 5 as chief. He starts at Manhattan Beach Fire Department on June 21.
Seven firefighters were injured in Arcadia house fire on White Oak Drive. The Arcadia Fire Department (AFD) required assistance from Monrovia, Sierra Madre, El Monte, and Los Angeles County. Six from AFD were treated at Arcadia Methodist Hospital. The seventh firefighter, from Sierra Madre Fire Department, remained hospitalized in stable condition at St. Luke's Hospital in Pasadena. The house sustained extensive loss. Nearby residents wondered if the AFD needed so much help from outside fire departments because of recent cuts to the AFD.
Analysis of the economics of a proposal to consolidate the Arcadia Fire Department into the Los Angeles County Fire Protection District found that the projected savings weren't there.
One found dead in apartment fire on Genoa Street near First Avenue on Sunday, April 7. Arcadia police Lieutenant Kollin Cieadlo said there were no signs of foul play so far. Charlie Tuggle, a battalion chief with Arcadia Fire Department estimated damages to the structure at $10,000 and $1,000 to the contents. Arcadia fire Captain Drew Pryor said the call came in at 9:18 P.M. and the bathroom of the apartment was on fire. By 9:37 P.M. the fire was out. The dead man's identity has not been released.
Program N.E.A.T.(Neighborhood Emergency Action Team) was presented to the community by the Arcadia Fire Department. It was developed to organize neighborhoods to prepare themselves in the event of a major disaster.