Supporting key projects that equip and protect Los Angeles firefighters.
Improving firefighter health, safety and wellness.
Enhancing firefighters' ability to perform their life-saving duties.
Expanding the resources needed to protect life, property, and the environment.
Urgent funding needs requested and informed by LAFD leadership.
When responding to an emergency, having as much information as possible before deployment is critical to ensuring an effective response. The LAFD's current drone program has provided situational awareness across a range of incidents, from fires to hazardous materials (HazMat) emergencies.
Expanding the LAFD's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Program will continue to improve response times and support more informed decision- making before, during, and after incidents. This investment includes new drones, docking stations, integration software, training, and maintenance.
Tablet Command, a cloud-based incident management system, is designed to replace paper-based tracking with real-time digital tools. With this technology, incident commanders can view unit locations, assign resources, and adjust strategies using live mapping and communication features.
Integrating this system would equip the LAFD with proven, innovative technology, while modernizing field operations and supporting seamless coordination across agencies during mutual aid incidents.
Since the Foundation's investment in the LAFD's first RS3 Firefighting Robot, the Department has seen consistent and impactful use across myriad high-risk incidents. It has enhanced the LAFD's ability to safely conduct fire suppression and reconnaissance in extreme environments.
Adding a second, upgraded unit will strengthen operational coverage, reduce risk to firefighters, and expand the Department's ability to respond effectively in complex emergencies.
No-service areas, or "dead zones," exist even in urban environments like Los Angeles. Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology, like Starlink satellite systems, provides high-speed, portable internet access where traditional service is unavailable.
With additional Starlink units and data packages, the LAFD can expand connectivity across more teams, reduce communication gaps, and enhance operational efficiency when and where it matters most.
The APRU program was designed in response to a high volume of low-acuity medical calls that did not require emergency room transport. The program has significantly decreased emergency room congestion, improved patient outcomes, and lowered healthcare costs.
Because these units run hundreds of calls a day, medical equipment and medications are used frequently. The LAFD Foundation is looking to equip each of the current APRUS with new medical equipment and replace old, expired medication.
In accordance with updated County requirements, paramedic ambulances must be equipped with a portable battery-powered suction device. These devices are critical for airway management during cardiac arrests, respiratory emergencies, and other life-threatening medical incidents.
Unlike the manual suction pumps used on LAFD apparatus today, battery- powered units deliver consistent suction, allowing firefighters to focus on patient care. The total cost to ensure DHS compliance across all LAFD ambulances creates a significant funding need.
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The LAFD's Joint Hazardous Assessment Team (JHAT) handles a wide range of hazardous materials (Hazmat) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and high-yield Explosive (CBRNE) incidents.
JHAT's current mass-decontamination tents (Decon Tents), wherein firefighters and impacted patients safely wash off hazardous chemicals, have exceeded their service life. A new tent will ensure firefighter safety and the safety of neighboring communities.
Gas detection tools bridge the gap between detecting a gas presence and making informed decisions about safety.
The handheld XplorIR gas detection tools requested by the JHAT team can accurately detect, identify, and quantify thousands of unknown chemicals and vapors in seconds, providing real-time data and situational awareness.
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While keeping gear and tools clean and toxin-free, LAFD firefighters and JHAT members must also be able to detect which metals and materials might be present during an incident.
Analytical tools, like the X-ray fluorescence meter, deliver instant, on-site identification of unknown materials. This type of non-destructive testing will allow LAFD JHAT crews to rapidly identify toxic heavy metals and other chemicals, mitigating the transfer of dangerous materials while relaying critical safety information to other members and local communities impacted by hazmat emergencies.
The LAFD responds to unique incidents across the city, including those where it may be unsafe for a traditional water attack. Diverse LAFD apparatus that reflects the complexity and uniqueness of Los Angeles emergencies is critical.
The handheld XplorIR gas detection tools requested by the JHAT team can accurately detect, identify, and quantify thousands of unknown chemicals and vapors in seconds, providing real-time data and situational awareness.Foam trucks are specialized fire vehicles equipped with built-in tanks, pumps, and systems that mix water with specialized foam concentrates. These vehicles wil help the LAFD respond when a water response could be dangerous or ineffective.
Having modernized, up-to-date wildfire-fighting equipment is not only critical in moments of emergency but also in preparing Los Angeles for whatever incident might come next. Whether clearing natural fuels and forging fire lines by hand for major incidents or creating access roads and snuffing brush fires across the city, firefighters having the right tools is vital.
This investment in new chainsaws, chaps, hand tools, and more for the LAFD's Wildland Fuel Management Unit and the various crews under its purview will ensure that old, overused items are replaced with the modern technology needed to respond to all types of brush and wildfire emergencies.
While donor support enabled the purchase of an extractor for every LAFD fire station, many units remain uninstalled due to a continued lack of available city resources.
This investment will help the Foundation once again stand in the gap between what firefighters need and what the city funds. Extractors, or heavy-duty carcinogen-blocking washing machines, are critical at the station level, helping to mitigate occupational cancer risk and keep firefighters and their gear clean, safe, and ready to use.
LAFD fire stations stand as symbols of service and sacrifice but many are showing their age. More than half of the city's fire stations are over 50 years old, built in a different era and not designed to handle today's demands.
Peeling paint, cracked flooring, worn-out surfaces, and outdated finishes now greet the firefighters who dedicate their lives to protecting the community. Investing in essential upkeep isn't just about appearances about creating a clean, safe, and functional space for those who serve the city 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
At busy LAFD fire stations, washers and dryers are often working overtime. With more than ten firefighters at some stations relying on the same set of machines, these units quickly wear down and break from constant use.
The Foundation wants to ensure that every LAFD fire station is equipped with a high-capacity washer and dryer, ensuring that firefighters have clean gear, dependable station equipment, and a reliable means to clean their uniforms between calls.
The constant around-the-clock use of equipment and appliances at each of the LAFD's 106 fire stations results in a shorter lifespan and more frequent repairs for essential items. Before the AAFS program existed, LAFD members had to cover these replacement and repair costs themselves.
The requested funding will be allocated to stations that receive limited financial support from neighboring businesses and community members.
Firefighters face intense physical and emotional challenges on the job, making mental health support a vital part of overall wellness. The LAFD Behavioral Health Program provides critical resources to help members process trauma, manage stress, and stay healthy both on and off duty.
With continued donor support, the Foundation can expand access to essential resources and develop new initiatives that prioritize firefighter mental health. Investing in behavioral wellness strengthens the Department as a whole and helps ensure that LAFD members remain resilient, focused, and ready to serve the city of Los Angeles.
The LAFD offers unique opportunities through Recruit Services for those seriously interested in the fire service to train, learn, and grow alongside LAFD firefighters.
The Candidate Advancement Program (CAPS) is free and open to the public and designed to help candidates successfully navigate the hiring process while preparing them for the rigorous demands of the Fire Academy.
The Job Offer Academy (JO Academy) provides an intensive and focused training experience for individuals who have a conditional job offer from the LAFD, bridging the gap between candidate preparation and recruit academy expectations.
Support for these programs strengthens the Department's future workforce while increasing the number of qualified firefighter candidates from diverse communities who are trained and prepared to protect the people of Los Angeles. Funds raised will also help improve safety measures and training capabilities at Drill Tower 81.
For more information about the items or programs highlighted above, please contact:
The LAFD Foundation supports the LAFD in protecting life, property, and the environment by providing essential equipment and funding programs to supplement city resources.
Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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