Donor Support Expands Innovative Fast Response Vehicle Program

Between 2010 and 2015, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) saw a nearly 17 percent increase in call volume. Firefighters were responding to more calls overall than in recent history – most significantly, calls for emergency medical services (EMS).  

Recognizing the trends, LAFD leadership knew that a solution was required to more effectively distribute critical resources and reduce emergency response times.  

In 2015, the Department officially launched the Fast Response Vehicle (FRV) program to address the growing need for swift emergency response and more availability for larger fire apparatus. More than a decade later, FRVs have become one of the LAFD’s most effective and flexible response resources as the Department continues to face unprecedented strain.  

In light of increasing challenges with homelessness, these vehicles have an invaluable impact. Because crews on FRVs have the medical authority to clear patients, additional resources are not a necessity for every call, directly impacting resource availability and minimizing the potential burden on local emergency rooms.  

As the number of people experiencing homelessness (PEH) has skyrocketed in recent years, so has the necessity of rapid response and paramedicine on the part of the LAFD. In fact, the LAFD is considered one of the largest emergency medical service providers in the country, with 36 percent of firefighters having the dual role of paramedic – making the role of FRVs even more pertinent.  

Nearly 13 percent of LAFD responses involve PEHs, and in addition to medical calls, fires associated with encampments continue to increase year over year. These nimble, versatile FRVs have the capabilities to address small-scale fires throughout the city regularly, freeing up engines, trucks, and other larger vehicles for more significant incidents.  

Heavy-duty pickup trucks are transformed into FRVs when QTAC fire pump systems and 150-gallon water tanks with rapid-deployment hose reels are added to the truck bed, in addition to medications and critical medical equipment. These lightweight, patrol-style vehicles are staffed by two firefighters, at least one of whom is a paramedic, which enables firefighters to quickly suppress small fires while also serving as Advanced Life Support (ALS) assessment resources for EMS responses.

The flexibility of FRVs allows crews to initiate care sooner, evaluate conditions on scene, and determine whether additional resources are necessary.

Generous contributions have enabled the LAFD Foundation to acquire and deploy new FRVs, which continue to improve response reliability, expand operational coverage, and provide the Department with flexible resources that can be quickly dispatched to significant incidents.  

Department metrics show that FRVs are the first ALS unit on scene in 75-80 percent of deployments. In 25 percent of calls, FRVs eliminate the need for a heavy fire engine or truck. These nimble vehicles also handle 36 percent of incidents without additional apparatus. This efficient, high-level response reduces unnecessary ambulance transports, preserves hospital capacity, and keeps critical resources available for more life-threatening emergencies.  

Today, more than 500,000 incidents occur annually across the city, with EMS calls representing approximately 82 percent of those incidents. While the FRV program has proven its success, significant growth is necessary to meet the upward-trending call volume and sustained pressure on emergency response systems.  

Current Fire Chief Jaime Moore hopes to secure additional funding to deploy more FRVs in the field as a direct result of their already proven success.  

With donor support and funding already allocated for a wave of new purchases in 2026, the LAFD Foundation is poised and ready to expand this critical program, directly supporting faster response times, improving patient care, and ensuring greater resilience for the LAFD and the communities that it serves every day.