Download the strategic plan [here].

[LACo FD] – The Los Angeles County Fire Department has published Engineering our Future, a strategic plan to address the Department’s goals and priorities in its desire to provide more effective emergency services to the millions of residents its serves each day.  The 52-page report sets goals for preventing injury and illness, innovating new delivery systems, ensuring the Department’s financial stability, containing risks, increasing its use of technology, forming better communication with each community and building relationships with local public, private and non-profit organizations.

“While we enjoy a proud legacy of innovation and exemplary service, we plan to become a multi-faceted global leader in public safety services by 2020,” says Fire Chief Daryl L. Osby.  “We have embarked on a multi-year strategic planning effort to set a new course for our almost 90-year-old organization.  Our goal is to deliver the most innovative, caring, and efficient emergency services possible – all supported by the most technologically advanced business services.”

The plan’s 12 goals, with accompanying strategies and projects, were created with direct input from the organization’s team of uniformed and business members at all ranks who carry out the Department’s daily mission.

“This approach was uniquely collaborative, given our paramilitary-style organization,” says Osby. “From the first day of this effort in 2011, we set aside rank and invited all 4,800 members of our team to submit suggestions and project ideas, and to become active members of the project teams.  Because of their input and involvement, we expanded our plan from seven to twelve goals.  It is ambitious, but we have always achieved what we have set out to do.”

About the Los Angeles County Fire Department

Founded in 1923, the Los Angeles County Fire Department is an international leader of the fire service and one of the largest emergency service agencies in the world.  It is proudly credited with the creation of the nation’s first 911 emergency calling system and America’s second paramedic program, which inspired the hit 1970s television series, “Emergency!.”  It is also the real-life home of the world-renowned “Baywatch” lifeguards. Each day, more than 900 firefighters and lifeguards are on duty to provide fire protection, life safety and environmental protection services to more than four million residents and businesses in the County’s 2,300-square-mile area.  When called into action following major disasters, the Department’s Urban Search and Rescue Team responds around the nation as members of California Task Force 2, and around the globe as members of USA-2. Once back in Los Angeles County, these same responders can be found at work in hometown neighborhoods in 58 cities and unincorporated areas served by the Department.  The organization proudly continues to be a frontrunner in firefighting technology, offering specialized training opportunities in Urban Search and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Hazardous Materials, Air Operations and Homeland Security.  Behind the scenes, more than 800 dedicated business professionals help carry out the mission.