The Los Angeles Fire Department has shared a report outlining the impact that an increasing homeless population has had on its resources in recent years.
“Fire Department field resources respond to incidents involving PEH (persons experiencing homelessness) as part of their normal duties and have absorbed the increase in call volume with no commensurate specific funding or additional resources,” the Fire Department stated in the report sent by Interim Fire Chief Ronnie Villanueva to the Board of Fire Commissioners that was released Tuesday.
The report pointed out that the homeless population has “significantly increased,” placing an increased demand for emergency services on the LAFD.
From 2018 to 2024, the unhoused population in Los Angeles has grown by 44.6% from 31,285 to 45,252 individuals, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.
Meanwhile, fire calls involving homeless persons during that same period accounted for 32.91%, or nearly one-third, of all LAFD fire activity, the report states.
More specifically, the LAFD says that “Rubbish Fires” have seen the greatest increase in incident type, jumping past “Sick” and “Breathing Difficulty” as the most dispatched call type in 2024.
Rubbish Fires have seen a 475% increase from 5,541 to 31,964 between 2014 and 2024. “While not all of those have been documented as directly associated with PEH, many have,“ the report states.
In 2024, the Rubbish Fires involving PEH totaled nearly half the LAFD Rubbish Fire call volume at 46.84%.
“As first responders, the LAFD plays a critical role in addressing the complex needs of this vulnerable population,” the Fire Department stated. “The PEH community is often helped, lifted, cared for, and transported when appropriate with the full dignity shown to any other resident or visitor of Los Angeles.”
The report noted, however, that staffing and on-duty resources have decreased over the last two decades as the PEH service calls and fire activity have grown. Under recommendations, the report stated that findings should be sent to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles City Council.
