FireFighterNation

An expert hired to overhaul the Los Angeles Fire Department's emergency response time data collection method told the civilian Fire Commission that the current system is flawed and data on response times cannot be trusted. The findings were contained in a draft report prepared for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa about developing an LAFD version of the LAPD's CompStat program. The discrepancies were a matter of seconds rather than minutes.

After two teens become stranded on a cliff ledge, LAFD responds with a large complement of technical rescue units. Here, Tom Vines offers the play by play of the rescue, which ultimately involved a two-line rope lower.

The office of the Los Angeles Mayor issued the following news release: Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today announced the nomination of Interim Fire Chief Brian L. Cummings as the new Chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department. Cummings, currently serving as interim Chief of the department, will assume the role of Chief upon confirmation by the City Council.

Los Angeles Fire Department's current Chief of Staff Brian Cummings takes over as interim fire chief.