The Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners has advanced a preliminary budget request of $199.3 million for the fiscal year 2026-27, aiming to enhance staffing, training, and emergency resources. This request, passed unanimously on Tuesday, is set to be reviewed by Mayor Karen Bass as part of the city’s budget development process.
The proposed budget includes critical funding to address increasing emergency response demands, particularly in light of recent wildfires and anticipated large-scale events. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has detailed its high-priority funding needs in a report to the board, which will now be forwarded to the Mayor’s Office for further evaluation. Formal budget requests from city departments are due by November 21, 2025, as Mayor Bass prepares her proposed city budget ahead of the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2026.
The LAFD’s report identifies $75.7 million in operational requests alongside $123.6 million for non-departmental needs. Among the priorities is funding for two new firefighter academy classes and the continuation of a current class to replace an expected loss of 179 firefighters due to attrition. Additionally, officials are seeking to restore essential roles like emergency incident technicians and to add positions dedicated to emergency response at Los Angeles International Airport.
The department has also highlighted the necessity for additional ambulance resources, improved paramedic training, and funding for medical supplies. Given the rising number of medical emergency calls, the enhancement of these resources is critical for effective response capabilities. This budget proposal also includes plans for converting field offices to provide round-the-clock resource supervision.
Following the wildfires that occurred earlier this year, LAFD officials assert that the proposed funds would support wildfire mitigation efforts. Specifically, the budget would fund a second wildland paid hand crew, inspections for brush clearance, and ongoing support for helitanker services. The report emphasizes that the LAFD is overdue for necessary upgrades in technology and facility management.
In its budgetary planning, the LAFD notes the challenges in projecting changes from the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget of $897.8 million. This includes mandatory adjustments, ongoing service costs, and one-time expenses. The full budgetary implications will be clarified when the commission reconvenes to finalize the proposed budget.
As the LAFD prepares for a busy fiscal year ahead, the budget request underscores the department’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its emergency response capabilities. The approval process by the Mayor’s Office will be crucial in determining how these essential resources will be allocated in the coming years.
