The Los Angeles Board of Fire Commissioners Tuesday advanced a preliminary budget request of $199.3 million to hire staff, support training and fund other resources needed to address emergencies, prepare for wildfires and upcoming world events.
In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved a report detailing high-priority funding requests for the department in fiscal year 2026-27. The request is expected to be reviewed by the Mayor’s Office. Any requests that receive a green light will require a formal final request.
City departments are expected to submit formal requests by Nov. 21, part of an early assessment as Mayor Karen Bass and her team develop her proposed city budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2026.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Fire Department, staff identified $75.7 million in operational requests and $123.6 million in non-departmental requests.
The fire department is seeking additional funds for two new academy classes and one class continuing from the current fiscal year to replace 179 firefighters who are expected to be lost to attrition.
Officials are also looking to restore emergency incident technicians, as well as add other positions to support emergency response at Los Angeles International Airport, hazardous materials and dispatchers.
With a high volume of medical emergency calls, the department seeks more ambulance resources, the conversion of field offices to provide 24/7 resource supervision, paramedic training and funding for medical supplies.
Ten months after January’s wildfires, officials say these dollars would assist with wildfire mitigation. Funds would be used for a second wildland paid hand crew, hydrant and access plan check for Palisades rebuilding, brush clearance inspections, brush and mitigation work in the Sepulveda Basin, as well as continued funding for helitanker services.
Officials say the department is long overdue for technology management and enhancements. The LAFD has requested to tap into more dollars via the Capital and Technology Improvement Expenditure Program and bond revenue for the maintenance of facilities and its vehicle fleet.
“In view of those pending decisions, LAFD is also unable to project budget changes from the FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget of $897.8 million at this time, which would also include obligatory changes (MOU adjustments, etc.), the cost of continuing services and expenses, and one-time adjustments. Full budget costs will be reported when this matter returns to the commission for final proposed budget approval,” the LAFD report says.