In response to a surging call load in the Central City area, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) this week added back a paramedic fire engine at Fire Station 9, one of the nation’s busiest.

In the past two years, Fire Station 9, which is located on East 7^th Street, has seen its call load increase by nearly 36 percent. In 2015, Fire Station 9 was dispatched to 17,434 incidents, up from 12,853 incidents in 2013. As a result, the LAFD has added back Engine 209, a paramedic assessment resource on a permanent 24 hour basis. Engine 209 was previously disbanded in July 2011 as part of the Department’s resource modification during the economic downturn.

“I am pleased that we have the ability to add a critically needed resource back to Fire Station 9, which is among the nation’s busiest,” said LAFD Chief Ralph Terrazas. “The needs of the Central City community, especially the homeless, have had a significant impact on the call load of the station and especially the LAFD members who work there. The restoration of Engine 209 is one important component of the LAFD’s ongoing efforts to address the spiking incident increase Downtown.”

“In Los Angeles, we must use every available resource to address our homelessness crisis and get unsheltered Angelenos the services they need in a timely and efficient way,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “By putting Engine 209 back into service, we are making sure that our dedicated firefighters have every possible tool to perform critical, life-saving work in one of our most vulnerable communities.”

With the restoration of Engine 209, Fire Station 9 now houses one Basic Life Support Fire Engine; one Basic Life Support Truck company; one Advanced Life Support Fire Engine; two Advanced Life Support Rescue Ambulances and two Basic Life Support Rescue Ambulances. Twenty-one LAFD firefighters and paramedics are assigned to the station. 

“Getting a paramedic fire engine back at Fire Station 9, the busiest station in the City, is great news for all of us,” said Councilmember José Huizar. “This action will save lives and allow our firefighters and paramedics to more effectively do their jobs. My thanks to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Terrazas and our rank and file members who serve our communities valiantly each and every day.”

The LAFD continues to conduct its Fast Response Vehicle (FRV) pilot program within the Central City area, as well, providing another resource in the area that provides rapid response, advanced life support treatment and fire suppression capability. The Department is working with its County public health partners to develop additional resources that will address the unique challenges posed by the homeless population of the area.

In the coming weeks, the LAFD will also announce the restoration of additional resources in other areas of the City. Last year, the Department restored service in the Los Feliz and Griffith Park area with the return of Engine 35 at its station on Hillhurst Avenue.

A short video about the restoration of Engine 209 can be found here.